airsp_s1.htm

 

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2024.

Registration No. 333-281333

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Amendment No. 1

to 

FORM S-1/A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

7372

 

93-4974766

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

8210 154th Ave NE

Redmond, WA  98052

Tel: (877) 462-4250

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Victor Huang

8210 154th Ave NE

Redmond, WA  98052

Tel: (877) 462-4250

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq.

David J. Levine, Esq.

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

(212) 407-4000

 

Charles Phillips, Esq.

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105-0302

(212) 370-1300

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time to time after the effective date hereof.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

☐

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☒

Smaller reporting company

☒

 

 

Emerging growth company

☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the SEC, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, may determine.

 

 

 

 

The information contained in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED AUGUST 22, 2024

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Up to 2,801,120 Shares of Common Stock

Up to 2,801,120 Common Warrants to Purchase up to 2,801,120 Shares of Common Stock

Up to 2,801,120 Shares of Common Stock underlying the Common Warrants

 

This is a reasonable best efforts public offering of up to 2,801,120 shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“common stock”) together with up to 2,801,120 common warrants to purchase up to 2,801,120 shares of common stock at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant (the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on August 16, 2024). Each share of common stock is being offered together with one common warrant, each to purchase one share of common stock. The common warrants will have an exercise price of $           per share, will be exercisable upon issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock and common warrants will be separately issued. This prospectus also covers the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon the exercise of the common warrants.

 

There is no established public trading market for the common warrants being offered, and we do not expect a market to develop. We do not intend to apply for listing of common warrants on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.

 

We have engaged Roth Capital Partners, LLC and The Benchmark Company, LLC, or the placement agents, to act as our exclusive placement agents in connection with this offering. The placement agents have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. The placement agents are not purchasing or selling any of the securities we are offering and the placement agents are not required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities. We have agreed to pay to the placement agents the placement agent fees set forth in the table below, which assumes that we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in escrow, trust or similar arrangement. There is no minimum number of shares of securities or minimum aggregate amount of proceeds that is a condition for this offering to close. We may sell fewer than all of the securities offered hereby, which may significantly reduce the amount of proceeds received by us, and investors in this offering will not receive a refund if we do not sell all of the securities offered hereby. Because there is no escrow account and no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds, investors could be in a position where they have invested in us, but we have not raised sufficient proceeds in this offering to adequately fund the intended uses of the proceeds as described in this prospectus. We will bear all costs associated with the offering. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 90 of this prospectus for more information regarding these arrangements. This offering will end no later than           , 2024, unless we decide to terminate the offering (which we may do at any time in our discretion) prior to that date.

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “AISP” and our public warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AISPW.” On August 16, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $3.57 per share. All share and common warrant numbers are based on an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant. The actual public offering price per share and common warrant will be determined through negotiation between us and investors in consultation with the placement agents based on market conditions at the time of pricing, and may be at a discount to the current market price of our common stock. Therefore, the assumed public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final public offering price.

 

 

 

 

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information,” carefully before you invest in any of our securities.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus for a discussion of risks that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

 

 

 

Per Share and Common Warrant

 

 

Total

 

Public offering price(1)

 

$

 

 

$

 

Placement agents fees(2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

Proceeds to us, before expenses(3)

 

$

 

 

$

 

________________________

(1)

The public offering price corresponds to (i) a public offering price per share of $            and (ii) a public offering price per common warrant of $0.01.

(2)

We have agreed to pay the placement agents a cash placement commission equal to 7.0% of the aggregate proceeds from this offering. We have also agreed to reimburse the placement agents for certain expenses incurred in connection with this offering. See “Plan of Distribution” for additional information about the compensation payable to the placement agents.

(3)

Because there is no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds required as a condition to closing in this offering, the actual public offering amount, placement agent fees, and proceeds to us, if any, are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total maximum offering amounts set forth above. We estimate the total expenses of this offering payable by us, excluding the placement agent fees, will be approximately $          .

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The delivery of the shares of common stock and common warrants to purchasers is expected to be made on or about           , 2024.

 

Roth Capital Partners

The Benchmark Company

 

The date of this prospectus is           , 2024.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

2

 

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

3

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

4

 

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

8

 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

10

 

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

32

 

 

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

33

 

 

 

DILUTION

 

34

 

 

 

MARKET INFORMATION OF OUR SECURITIES

 

35

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

36

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

38

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF AIRSHIP AI’S BUSINESS

 

47

 

 

 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

54

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

60

 

 

 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

67

 

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

69

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES

 

73

 

 

 

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

85

 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

90

 

 

 

EXPERTS

 

92

 

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

92

 

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

92

 

 

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

F-1

 

 
1

Table of Contents

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information,” before deciding to invest in our securities.

 

We have not, and the placement agents have not, authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable free writing prospectus is current only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or any sale of our securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

The information provided in this prospectus contains statistical data and estimates, including those relating to market size and competitive position of the markets in which we participate, that we obtained from our own internal estimates and research, as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications, studies and surveys generally state that they have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. While we believe our internal company research is reliable and the definitions of our market and industry are appropriate, neither this research nor these definitions have been verified by any independent source.

 

For investors outside the United States: We have not, and the placement agents have not, done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

 
2

Table of Contents

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements in this prospectus may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding us or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “appear,” “approximate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions (or the negative version of such words or expressions) may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

 

The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of our management, as applicable, and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described in “Risk Factors,” those discussed and identified in public filings made with the SEC by us and the following:

 

 

·

changes in the competitive industries and markets in which we operate or plan to operate;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in applicable laws or regulations affecting our business;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and identify and realize additional opportunities;

 

 

 

 

·

risks related to our potential inability to achieve or maintain profitability and generate significant revenue;

 

 

 

 

·

current and future conditions in the global economy, including as a result of economic uncertainty, and its impact on us, our business and the markets in which we operate;

 

 

 

 

·

our potential inability to manage growth effectively;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel;

 

 

 

 

·

estimates for the prospects and financial performance of our business may prove to be incorrect or materially different from actual results;

 

 

 

 

·

risks related to our marketing and growth strategies;

 

 

 

 

·

the effects of competition on our business;

 

 

 

 

·

expectations with respect to future operating and financial performance and growth, including when we will generate positive cash flow from operations; and

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to raise funding on reasonable terms as necessary to develop our products in the timeframe contemplated by our business plan.

 

In addition, there may be events that our management is not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control.

 

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should any of the assumptions made by our management proves incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements addressed in this prospectus and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this prospectus. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 
3

Table of Contents

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that is important to you in making an investment decision. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information included in this prospectus. Before making your investment decision with respect to our securities, you should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the information under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and other similar terms refer to Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Airship AI, Inc. (formerly known as Airship AI Holdings, Inc.), a Washington corporation (“Airship AI”).

 

Business Overview

 

We are a robust AI-driven data management platform that solves complex data challenges for large institutions operating in dynamic and mission-critical environments with rapidly increasing volumes of data being ingested from a similarly rapidly growing number of data sources.

 

We solve these challenges by structuring “dark” or unstructured data at the edge, the location at which the data is generated and collected, and leveraging purpose-built AI models. Unstructured, or “dark” data, which is typically categorized as qualitative data, cannot be processed and analyzed via conventional data tools and methods. Conversely, structured data, typically categorized as quantitative data, is highly organized and easily decipherable by machine learning algorithms.

 

Structuring and then analyzing data using AI models at the edge, versus transmitting the data from the edge back to a central processing location for structuring and analysis, enables real-time decision making and data-driven operational efficiency.

 

We specialize in ingesting all available metadata from edge-based sensors used by government and law enforcement agencies around the world, including surveillance cameras (video), audio, telemetry, acoustic, seismic, and autonomous devices, along with large commercial corporations with fundamentally similar capabilities and requirements.

 

Data generated by these edge-based sensors, including video, can then be run through our trained AI models to detect objects present within the video frame. Once an object is detected, for example an automobile, additional identifying characteristics of the object can be extracted from the image including the license plate characters and the make, model, and color of the automobile. This process of analyzing, logging and categorizing ingested data is referred to as “structuring” the data.

 

Airship AI’s software allows customers to view structured data both in real-time as well as to conduct searches on the structured data at a later point in time. Real-time structured data use includes, for example, alarms on a specific license plate or a specific make, model or color of automobile. Non-real-time structured data use includes, for example, searching a database of video data that has been previously ingested and stored to find instances of a particular license plate being visible, along with other logged vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color of an automobile.

 

Additional edge deployed AI models enable similar object detection and recognition of common and custom trained objects, such as an aircraft, boat, person, animal, bag, or weapon. Airship AI’s models provide similar data points for these object types allowing analysts the ability to be notified in real-time of the detection of a specified object and similarly search for historically detected objects. Examples include detecting aircrafts and boats along with their respective tail numbers and hull registration numbers.

 

Our AI modelling process starts with pre-trained AI models from our technology ecosystem partners which we then customize using proprietary datasets tailored towards our customers unique workflow requirements. Where customers have pre-existing AI models or engines, we integrate those models or engines into our edge platform allowing customers to leverage proprietary models within the Airship AI software ecosystem.

 

 
4

Table of Contents

  

Our primary offerings include Outpost AI, Acropolis, and Airship Command. Our offerings allow customers to manage their data across the full data lifecycle, when and where they need it, using a highly secure permissioned based architecture.

 

Merger

 

On December 21, 2023, we completed the business combination (the “Merger”) contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2023 and amended on September 22, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among BYTE Acquisition Corp. (“BYTS”), BYTE Merger Sub, Inc., a Washington corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of BYTS (“Merger Sub”), and Airship AI. Effective December 21, 2023, Merger Sub merged with and into Airship AI with Airship AI as the surviving corporation. Airship AI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Merger, BYTS changes its name to “Airship AI Holdings, Inc.” and Airship AI changed its name to “Airship AI, Inc.”

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, holders of our common stock, options, earnout warrants and SARs as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger are entitled to earn 25% of the 5,000,000 earnout shares if, for the period starting on the closing date of the Merger and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the first anniversary of the closing date of the Merger, (1) the revenues of the Company on a consolidated basis is at least $39 million, or (2) the aggregate value of new contract awards (including awards obtained through purchase orders) with federal law enforcement agencies (whether such awards are obtained directly or through intermediaries) has grown by at least 100% as compared to the year-over-year amount for the twelve-month period ending on the date of the Merger Agreement (the “First Operating Performance Milestone”). We are currently assessing the earnout provision of the First Operating Performance Milestone, which may have been earned as of June 30, 2024.

 

Recent Developments

 

On June 3, 2024, we permanently reduced the exercise price of our outstanding 16,184,612 public warrants and 515,000 private warrants, previously exercisable at $11.50 per share, to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

On June 22, 2024, we entered into an extension agreement with Platinum Capital Partner, Inc. to extend the maturity date of a $2,000,000 senior secured convertible promissory note to June 22, 2025. In consideration for entering into the extension agreement, we agreed to issue to Platinum 232,360 shares of common stock.

 

In June 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 294,448 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options at exercise prices ranging from $0.12 to $1.64 per share.

 

Smaller Reporting Company

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. To the extent we qualify as a smaller reporting company, we may continue to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares of common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30.

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 8210 154th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052 and our telephone number is (877) 462-4250. Our corporate website address is https://airship.ai. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this prospectus or of any prospectus supplement. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

 

 
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Risk Factors Summary

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described in “Risk Factors” before making a decision to invest in our securities. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations would likely be materially adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our securities would likely decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Set forth below is a summary of some of the principal risks we face:

 

Risks Related to Airship AI’s Business and Industry

 

 

·

The market for Airship AI’s edge AI services and products is relatively new, and may decline or experience limited growth, and Airship AI’s business is dependent on its clients’ continuing adoption and use its services and products.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI’s sales efforts involve considerable time and expense and its sales cycle is often long and unpredictable.

 

 

 

 

·

Historically, existing customers have expanded their relationships with Airship AI, which has resulted in a limited number of customers accounting for a substantial portion of its revenue.

 

 

 

 

·

If Airship AI does not successfully develop and deploy new technologies to address the needs of its customers, its business and results of operations could suffer.

 

 

 

 

·

Issues raised by the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) (including machine learning) in Airship AI’s platforms may result in reputational harm or liability.

 

 

 

 

·

Real or perceived errors, failures, defects, or bugs in Airship AI’s platforms could adversely affect its results of operations and growth prospects.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI may not be able to adequately protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or prevent unauthorized parties from copying or reverse engineering its solutions.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI has not been consistently profitable in the past and may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI requires substantial additional funding, which may not be available to Airship AI on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

 

 

 

·

Unavailability of materials or higher costs could adversely affect Airship AI’s financial results.

 

 

 

 

·

If Airship AI’s security measures are breached or fail and unauthorized access is obtained to a customer’s data, our service may be perceived as insecure, the attractiveness of its services to current or potential customers may be reduced, and Airship AI may incur significant liabilities.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI depends on its management team and other key employees and the ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI’s management team has limited experience managing a public company and regulatory compliance may divert their attention from the day-to-day management of Airship AI’s business.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI’s business depends, in part, on sales to government organizations, and significant changes in the contracting or fiscal policies of such government organizations could have an adverse effect on Airship AI’s business and operating results.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

·

If Airship AI fails to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in its internal control over financial reporting, Airship AI’s ability to report its financial condition and results of operations in a timely and accurate manner could be adversely affected, investor confidence in Airship AI company could diminish, and the value of its stock may decline.

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI could be subject to additional tax liabilities

 

 

 

Risks Related to Our Securities

 

 

 

 

·

There may not be enough liquidity in our securities to enable securityholders to sell their securities.

 

 

 

 

·

The market price of our equity securities may be volatile, and you could lose a significant part of your investment.

 

 

 

 

·

Our executive officers and directors exercise significant control over us, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control.

 

 

 

 

·

The requirements of being a public company may strain the Company’s resources and distract management and we will incur substantial costs as a result of being a public company.

 

 

 

 

·

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

 

·

If our shares become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.

 

 

 

Risks Related to This Offering

 

 

 

 

·

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

 

 

 

 

·

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock you purchase. You may also experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

 

 

 

 

·

Resales of our common stock in the public market during this offering by our stockholders may cause the market price of our common stock to fall.

 

 

 

 

·

This offering may cause the trading price of our common stock to decrease.

 

 
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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

Common Stock to be Offered

 

Up to 2,801,120 shares of common stock, assuming the sale of our common stock and common warrants at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant (the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on August 16, 2024).

 

 

Common Warrants to be Offered

 

Common warrants to purchase up to 2,801,120 shares of our common stock. Each common warrant has an exercise price of $           per share of common stock and is immediately exercisable and will expire five years from the date of the issuance.

 

The shares of common stock and the accompanying common warrants can only be purchased together in this offering but will be issued separately and will be immediately separable upon issuance. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the common warrants.

 

 

Common Stock Outstanding Before this Offering

 

23,736,027

 

 

 

Common Stock to be Outstanding Immediately After this Offering

 

26,537,147 (assuming no exercise of the common warrants being offered)

 

 

 

Use of Proceeds

 

Assuming the maximum shares of common stock and common warrants are purchased as part of this best efforts offering, we estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $8.9 million, after deducting estimated placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” for additional information.

 

 

 

Placement Agent’s Warrants

 

The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part also registers for sale warrants (the “Placement Agent’s Warrants”) to purchase           shares of common stock (equal to 10% of the number of shares of common stock sold in this offering) to Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”), as a portion of the compensation payable to Roth in connection with this offering. The Placement Agent’s Warrants will be immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $           (100% of the public offering price for the shares of common stock and common warrants offered hereby) and expire on the fifth anniversary of the commencement of sales of this offering. See “Plan of Distribution” section on page 90.

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of the risk factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.

 

 

 

Nasdaq Symbols

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “AISP” and our public warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AISPW.” There is no established public trading market for the common warrants being offered, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the common warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.

 

 
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The above discussion is based on 23,736,027 shares of our common stock outstanding as of August 16, 2024, and excludes the common warrants being sold in this offering and, as of that date, the following:

 

 

 

 

·

5,120,141 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $0.83 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

3,706,241 shares of common stock reserved for future grants of equity-based awards under our equity incentive plan;

 

 

 

 

·

16,159,012 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of public warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

515,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of private placement warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

2,689,902 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $1.77 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

1,758,105 shares of common stock underlying stock appreciation rights with a base value of $0.12 per share; and

 

 

 

 

·

879,051 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible debentures at an assumed conversion price of $2.275 per share.

 

 
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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. Our business, prospects, financial condition, or operating results could be harmed by any of these risks, as well as other risks not known to us or that we consider immaterial as of the date of this prospectus. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and, as a result, you may lose all or part of your investment. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Airship AI’s financial statements and notes thereto included herein. You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information included in this prospectus, including matters addressed in the section titled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Airship AI,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” in this section are to the business and operations of Airship AI prior to the Merger and the business and operations of the Company as directly or indirectly affected by Airship AI by virtue of the Company’s ownership of the business of Airship AI following the Merger.

 

Risks Related to Airship AI’s Business and Industry

 

The market for Airship AI’s edge AI services and products is relatively new, and may decline or experience limited growth, and Airship AI’s business is dependent on its clients’ continuing adoption and use its services and products.

 

The edge AI market is relatively new and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Airship AI has developed an edge AI platform system. Through this platform, we deliver our edge AI services to our clients, which include law enforcement, military, and commercial enterprise organizations. Airship AI believes that our future success will significantly depend on the growth, if any, of this market and the use of our services and products, including our Nexus real-time analytics technology.

 

The use of edge AI is still relatively new, and consumers may not recognize the need for or benefits of our services and products. If consumers do not recognize the need for and benefits of our services and products, then they may decide to adopt alternative services to satisfy some portion of their business needs. In order to grow our business and extend our market position, Airship AI intends to focus on educating potential customers about the benefits of our services and products, expanding the range of Airship AI’s services and bringing new technologies to market to increase market acceptance and use of our platform. Airship AI’s ability to expand the market that our services and products address depends upon a number of factors, including the cost, performance and perceived value associated with our services and products. The market for our services and products could fail to grow significantly or there could be a reduction in demand for our services and/or products as a result of a lack of acceptance, technological challenges, competing services, a decrease in spending by current and prospective customers, weakening economic conditions and other causes. If the edge AI market does not experience significant growth, or demand for its services and/or products decreases, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

If Airship AI does not develop enhancements to its services and introduce new services that achieve market acceptance, its growth, business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

Airship AI’s ability to attract new clients and increase revenue from existing clients depends, in part, on its ability to enhance and improve its existing services, increase adoption and usage of its services, and introduce new services. The success of any enhancements or new services depends on several factors, including timely completion, adequate quality testing, actual performance quality, market accepted pricing levels and overall market acceptance.

 

Enhancements, such as additional technology features, and new services, such as software licenses and data services, that Airship AI develops may not be introduced in a timely or cost-effective manner, may contain errors or defects, may have interoperability difficulties with its platform or other services or may not achieve the broad market acceptance necessary to generate significant revenue. Furthermore, Airship AI’s ability to increase the usage of its services depends, in part, on the development of new uses for its services, which may be outside of its control. Its ability to generate usage of additional services by its data consumers may also require increasingly sophisticated and more costly sales efforts and result in a longer sales cycle. If Airship AI is unable to successfully enhance its existing services to meet evolving data consumer requirements, increase adoption and usage of its services, develop new services, or if its efforts to increase the usage of its services are more expensive than Airship AI expects, then its business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.

 

 
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Airship AI has experienced moderate growth in the past several years, and if Airship AI fails to effectively manage its growth, then its business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

Airship AI has experienced moderate growth in its business since 2016 when Airship AI developed its edge AI capabilities in video analytics and cyber analytics. For example, Airship AI has also experienced significant growth in the number of data consumers, usage and amount of data that its platform and associated infrastructure support. This growth has placed, and may continue to place, significant demands on its corporate culture, operational infrastructure and management. Any failure to manage Airship AI’s anticipated growth and organizational changes in a manner that preserves the key aspects of its culture and services could adversely affect Airship AI’s overall chance for future success, including its ability to recruit and retain personnel, and effectively focus on and pursue its corporate objectives. This, in turn, could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

In addition, Airship AI’s ability to manage its operations and future growth will require Airship AI to continue to improve its operational, financial and management controls, compliance programs with multiple and changing international laws and regulations and reporting systems. Airship AI is currently in the process of strengthening its compliance programs, including its compliance programs related to data protection, privacy and cybersecurity and anti-corruption. Airship AI may not be able to implement improvements in an efficient or timely manner and may discover deficiencies in existing controls, programs, systems and procedures, which could have an adverse effect on its business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Airship AI’s sales efforts involve considerable time and expense and its sales cycle is often long and unpredictable.

 

Airship AI’s results of operations may fluctuate, in part, because of the intensive nature of our sales efforts and the length and unpredictability of our sales cycle. As part of our sales efforts, we invest considerable time and expense evaluating the specific organizational needs of our potential customers and educating these potential customers about the technical capabilities and value of our platforms and services. We often also provide our platforms to potential customers at no or low cost initially to them for evaluation purposes through short-term pilot deployments of our platforms, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to convert customers from these short-term pilot deployments to full revenue-generating contracts. In addition, we have a growing direct sales force, and our sales efforts have historically depended on the significant involvement of our senior management team. The length of our sales cycle, from initial demonstration of our platforms to sale of our platforms and services, tends to be long and varies substantially from customer to customer. Our sales cycle often lasts six to nine months but can extend to a year or more for some customers. Because decisions to purchase our platforms involve significant financial commitments, potential customers generally evaluate our platforms at multiple levels within their organization, each of which often have specific requirements, and typically involve their senior management.

 

Our results of operations depend on sales to government and commercial enterprise organizations, which make product purchasing decisions based in part or entirely on factors, or perceived factors, not directly related to the features of the platforms, including, among others, that customer’s projections of business growth, uncertainty about macroeconomic conditions (including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and related economic sanctions, rising inflation and interest rates, or monetary policy changes), capital budgets, anticipated cost savings from the implementation of our platforms, potential preference for such customer’s internally-developed software solutions, perceptions about our business and platforms, more favorable terms offered by potential competitors, and previous technology investments. In addition, certain decision makers and other stakeholders within our potential customers tend to have vested interests in the continued use of internally developed or existing software, which may make it more difficult for us to sell our platforms and services. As a result of these and other factors, our sales efforts typically require an extensive effort throughout a customer’s organization, a significant investment of human resources, expense and time, including by our senior management, and there can be no assurances that we will be successful in making a sale to a potential customer. If our sales efforts to a potential customer do not result in sufficient revenue to justify our investments, including in our growing direct sales force, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

 
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Historically, existing customers have expanded their relationships with Airship AI, which has resulted in a limited number of customers accounting for a substantial portion of its revenue. If existing customers do not make subsequent purchases from Airship AI or renew their contracts with Airship AI, or if its relationships with its largest customers are impaired or terminated, Airship AI’s revenue could decline, and its results of operations would be adversely impacted.

 

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from existing customers that expand their relationships with us. Increasing the size and number of the deployments of our existing customers is a major part of our growth strategy. We may not be effective in executing this or any other aspect of our growth strategy.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, we had revenue from 36 customers and two customers represented 72% and 11% of total revenue, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the high level of customer concentration for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was due to one large order received in late 2023 which was fulfilled in the six months ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, four customers represent approximately 49%, 20%, 11% and 10% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is estimated to be minimal.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers represented 34%, 21% and 12% of total revenue from 58 customers, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the increase in reliance on a single customer for the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the lag-time in delivering on a large order received in late 2022 from one division of a customer which was not fulfilled until 2023. As of December 31, 2023, three customers represented approximately 51%, 26% and 17% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is minimal. From time to time, we may lose a major customer. It is not possible for us to predict the future level of demand from our larger customers for our platforms and applications.

 

We do not have any master service agreements with our customers. For our government agency customers, we must submit and complete standard bidding forms which contain all the applicable terms and conditions for our service offerings. In order to bid and secure government agency contracts, we either work directly with certain governmental agencies or work with and through the entity that has the prime bidding relationship with the government agencies. For our commercial customers, they submit detailed purchase orders which generally contain all the key terms and conditions, but such purchase orders may be supported by separate statements of work for particular projects.

 

Airship AI’s customer awards, either through commercial or government customers, come in a variety of forms depending on if the relationship with the customer is a direct relationship or if it is through a partner. For direct relationships, Airship AI receives the award directly from the commercial customer or government agency, either in the form of a purchase order or the requisite government form. For indirect or partner based awards, Airship AI receives the award in the form of a purchase order or task order against the specific effort being awarded.

 

Regardless of the form of the purchase order and/or the customer vertical, Airship AI has standard terms and conditions which are applied to all awards accepted. These include the specific line items by quantity being acquired, the delivery period for which Airship AI has to deliver the products and services awarded, the support and maintenance offering desired, and the total period of performance for the award (single year or multi-year). Payment is due within 30 days of when the invoice is received irrespective of the type of customer.

 

While we generally offer contract terms up to five years in length, our customers sometimes enter into shorter-term contracts, such as one-year subscriptions, which may not provide for automatic renewal and may require the customer to opt-in to extend the term. Our customers have no obligation to renew, upgrade, or expand their agreements with us after the terms of their existing agreements have expired. In addition, many of our customer contracts permit the customer to terminate their contracts with us with notice periods of varying lengths, generally three to six months. If one or more of our customers terminate their contracts with us, whether for convenience, for default in the event of a breach by us, or for other reasons specified in our contracts, as applicable; if our customers elect not to renew their contracts with us; if our customers renew their contractual arrangements with us for shorter contract lengths or for a reduced scope; or if our customers otherwise seek to renegotiate terms of their existing agreements on terms less favorable to us, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. This adverse impact would be even more pronounced for customers that represent a material portion of our revenue or business operations.

 

 
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Our ability to renew or expand our customer relationships may decrease or vary as a result of a number of factors, including our customers’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with our platforms and services, the frequency and severity of software and implementation errors, our platforms’ reliability, our pricing, the effects of general economic conditions, competitive offerings or alternatives, or reductions in our customers’ spending levels. If our customers do not renew or expand their agreements with us or if they renew their contracts for shorter lengths or on other terms less favorable to us, our revenue may grow more slowly than expected or decline, and our business could suffer. Our business, financial condition, and results of operations would also be adversely affected if we face difficulty collecting our accounts receivable from our customers or if we are required to refund customer deposits.

 

Achieving renewal or expansion of deployments may require us to increasingly engage in sophisticated and costly sales efforts that may not result in additional sales. In addition, our customers’ decisions to expand the deployment of our platforms depends on a number of factors, including general economic conditions, the functioning of our platforms, the ability of our forward-deployed engineers to assist our customers in identifying new use cases, modernizing their data architectures, and achieving success with data-driven initiatives, and our customers’ satisfaction with our services. If our efforts to expand within our existing customer base are not successful, our business may suffer.

 

Seasonality may cause fluctuations in Airship AI’s results of operations and financial position.

 

Historically, the first quarter of our year generally has relatively lower sales, and sales generally increase in each subsequent quarter with substantial increases during our third and fourth quarters ending September 30 and December 31, respectively. We believe that this seasonality results from a number of factors, including:

 

 

·

the fiscal year end procurement cycle of our government customers, and in particular U.S. government customers which have a fiscal year end of September 30;

 

 

 

 

·

the fiscal year budgeting process for our commercial customers, many of which have a fiscal year end of December 31;

 

 

 

 

·

seasonal reductions in business activity during the summer months in the United States, Europe, and certain other regions; and

 

 

 

 

·

timing of projects and our customers’ evaluation of our work progress.

 

This seasonality has historically impacted and may in the future continue to impact the timing of collections and recognized revenue. Because a significant portion of our customer contracts are typically finalized near the end of the year, and we typically invoice customers shortly after entering into a contract, we may receive a portion of our customer payments near the end of the year and record such payment as an increase in deferred revenue or customer deposits (“contract liabilities”), while the revenue from our customer contracts is generally recognized over the contract term. While we have historically billed and collected payments for multiple contract years from certain customers in advance, we have and may continue to shift to collecting payments on an annual or other basis.

 

While this has been the historical seasonal pattern of our quarterly sales, we believe that our customers’ required timing for certain new government or commercial programs requiring new software may outweigh the nature or magnitude of seasonal factors that might have influenced our business to date. As a result, we may experience future growth from additional government or commercial mandates that do not follow the seasonal purchasing and evaluation decisions by our customers that we have historically observed.

 

For example, increased government spending on technology aimed at national defense, financial or policy regulation, cybersecurity, or healthcare mandates may drive customer demand at different times throughout our year, the timing of which we may not be able to anticipate and may cause fluctuations in our results of operations. The timing of our fiscal quarters and the U.S. federal government’s September 30 fiscal year end also may impact sales to governmental agencies in the third quarter of our year, offsetting, at least in part, the otherwise seasonal downturn we have historically observed in later summer months.

 

Our recent growth may obscure the extent to which seasonality trends have affected our business and may continue to affect our business. We expect that seasonality will continue to materially impact our business in the future and may become more pronounced over time. The seasonality of our business may cause continued or increased fluctuations in our results of operations and cash flows, which may prevent us from achieving our quarterly or annual forecasts or meeting or exceeding the expectations of research analysts or investors, which in turn may cause a decline in the trading price of our securities.

 

If Airship AI does not successfully develop and deploy new technologies to address the needs of its customers, its business and results of operations could suffer.

 

Airship AI’s success has been based on our ability to design software and products that enable the integration of data into a common operating environment to facilitate advanced data analysis, knowledge management, and collaboration. We spend substantial amounts of time and money researching and developing new technologies and enhanced versions of existing features to meet our customers’ and potential customers’ rapidly evolving needs. There is no assurance that our enhancements to our platforms or our new product features, capabilities, or offerings, including new product modules, will be compelling to our customers or gain market acceptance. If our research and development investments do not accurately anticipate customer demand or if we fail to develop our platforms in a manner that satisfies customer preferences in a timely and cost-effective manner, we may fail to retain our existing customers or increase demand for our platforms.

 

 
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The introduction of new products and services by competitors or the development of entirely new technologies to replace existing offerings could make our platforms obsolete or adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We may experience difficulties with software development, design, or marketing that delay or prevent our development, introduction, or implementation of new platforms, features, or capabilities. We have in the past experienced delays in our internally planned release dates of new features and capabilities, and there can be no assurance that new platforms, features, or capabilities will be released according to schedule. Any delays could result in adverse publicity, loss of revenue or market acceptance, or claims by customers brought against us, any of which could harm our business. Moreover, the design and development of new platforms or new features and capabilities to our existing platforms may require substantial investment, and we have no assurance that such investments will be successful. If customers do not widely adopt our new platforms, experiences, features, and capabilities, we may not be able to realize a return on our investment and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Our new and existing platforms and changes to our existing platforms could fail to attain sufficient market acceptance for many reasons, including:

 

 

·

our failure to predict market demand accurately in terms of product functionality and to supply offerings that meet this demand in a timely fashion;

 

 

 

 

·

product defects, errors, or failures or our inability to satisfy customer service level requirements;

 

 

 

 

·

negative publicity or negative private statements about the security, performance, or effectiveness of our platforms or product enhancements;

 

 

 

 

·

delays in releasing to the market our new offerings or enhancements to our existing offerings, including new product modules;

 

 

 

 

·

introduction or anticipated introduction of competing platforms or functionalities by our competitors;

 

 

 

 

·

inability of our platforms or product enhancements to scale and perform to meet customer demands;

 

 

 

 

·

receiving qualified or adverse opinions in connection with security or penetration testing, certifications or audits, such as those related to IT controls and security standards and frameworks or compliance;

 

 

 

 

·

poor business conditions for our customers, causing them to delay software purchases;

 

 

 

 

·

reluctance of customers to purchase proprietary software products;

 

 

 

 

·

reluctance of our customers to purchase products hosted by our vendors and/or service interruption from such providers; and

 

 

 

 

·

reluctance of customers to purchase products incorporating open source software.

 

If we are not able to continue to identify challenges faced by our customers and develop, license, or acquire new features and capabilities to our platforms in a timely and cost-effective manner, or if such enhancements do not achieve market acceptance, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may suffer and our anticipated revenue growth may not be achieved. Because we derive, and expect to continue to derive, substantially all of our revenue from customers purchasing our platforms and products, market acceptance of these platforms and products, and any enhancements or changes thereto, is critical to our success.

 

Airship AI’s ability to sell its platforms and satisfy its customers is dependent on the quality of Airship AI’s services, and its failure to offer high quality services could have a material adverse effect on its sales and results of operations.

 

Once Airship AI’s platforms are deployed and integrated with our customers’ existing information technology investments and data, our customers depend on our support and maintenance services to resolve any issues relating to our platforms. Increasingly, our platforms have been deployed in large-scale, complex technology environments, and we believe our future success will depend on our ability to increase sales of our platforms for use in such deployments. Further, our ability to provide effective ongoing services, or to provide such services in a timely, efficient, or scalable manner, may depend in part on our customers’ environments and their upgrading to the latest versions of our platforms and participating in our centralized platform management and services.

 

 
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In addition, our ability to provide effective services is largely dependent on our ability to attract, train, and retain qualified personnel with experience in supporting customers on platforms such as ours. The number of our customers has grown significantly, and that growth has and may continue to put additional pressure on our services teams. We may be unable to respond quickly enough to accommodate short-term increases in customer demand for our support and maintenance services. We also may be unable to modify the future scope and delivery of our support and maintenance services to compete with changes in the services provided by our competitors. Increased customer demand for support, without corresponding revenue, could increase costs and negatively affect our business and results of operations. In addition, as we continue to grow our operations and expand outside of the United States, we need to be able to provide efficient services that meet our customers’ needs globally at scale, and our services teams may face additional challenges, including those associated with operating the platforms and delivering support, training, and documentation in languages other than English and providing services across expanded time-zones. If we are unable to provide efficient support and maintenance services globally at scale, our ability to grow our operations may be harmed, and we may need to hire additional services personnel, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Our customers typically need training in the proper use of and the variety of benefits that can be derived from our platforms to maximize the potential of our platforms. If we do not effectively deploy, update, or upgrade our platforms, succeed in helping our customers quickly resolve post-deployment issues, and provide effective ongoing services, our ability to sell additional products and services to existing customers could be adversely affected, we may face negative publicity, and our reputation with potential customers could be damaged. Many enterprise and government customers require higher levels of service than smaller customers. If we fail to meet the requirements of the larger customers, it may be more difficult to execute on our strategy to increase our penetration with larger customers. As a result, our failure to maintain high quality services may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.

 

If Airship AI is not able to maintain and enhance its brand and reputation, Airship AI’s relationships with its customers, partners, and employees may be harmed, and its business and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

We believe that maintaining and enhancing our brand identity and reputation is important to our relationships with, and to our ability to attract and retain customers, partners, investors, and employees. The successful promotion of our brand depends upon our ability to continue to offer high-quality software, maintain strong relationships with our customers, the community, and others, while successfully differentiating our platforms from those of our competitors. Unfavorable media coverage may adversely affect our brand and reputation. We anticipate that as our market becomes increasingly competitive, maintaining and enhancing our brand may become increasingly difficult and expensive. If we do not successfully maintain and enhance our brand identity and reputation, we may fail to attract and retain employees, customers, investors, or partners, grow our business, or sustain pricing power, all of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects. Additionally, despite our internal safeguards and efforts to the contrary, we cannot guarantee that our customers will not ultimately use our platforms for purposes inconsistent with our company values, and such uses may harm our brand and reputation.

 

If the market for Airship AI’s platforms and services develops more slowly than Airship AI expects, its growth may slow or stall, and its business, financial condition, and results of operations could be harmed.

 

The market for Airship AI’s platforms is rapidly evolving. Our future success will depend in large part on the growth and expansion of this market, which is difficult to predict and relies on a number of factors, including customer adoption, customer demand, changing customer needs, the entry of competitive products, the success of existing competitive products, potential customers’ willingness to adopt an alternative approach to data collection, storage, and processing and their willingness to invest in new software after significant prior investments in legacy data collection, storage, and processing software. The estimates and assumptions that are used to calculate our market opportunity are subject to change over time, and there is no guarantee that any particular number or percentage of the organizations covered by our market opportunity estimates will pay for our platforms and services at all or generate any particular level of revenue for us. Even if the market in which we compete meets the size estimates and growth forecasts, our business could fail to grow at the levels we expect or at all for a variety of reasons outside our control, including competition in our industry. Further, if we or other data management and analytics providers experience security breaches or incidents, loss, corruption, or unavailability of or unauthorized access to customer data, disruptions in delivery, or other problems, this market as a whole, including our platforms, may be negatively affected. If software for the challenges that we address does not achieve widespread adoption, or there is a reduction in demand caused by a lack of customer acceptance, technological challenges, weakening economic conditions (including due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and related economic sanctions, rising inflation and interest rates, and monetary policy changes), security or privacy concerns, competing technologies and products, decreases in corporate spending, or otherwise, or, alternatively, if the market develops but we are unable to continue to penetrate it due to the cost, performance, and perceived value associated with our platforms, or other factors, it could result in decreased revenue and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Issues raised by the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) (including machine learning) in Airship AI’s platforms may result in reputational harm or liability.

 

AI is enabled by or integrated into some of Airship AI’s technology platforms and is a significant and potentially growing element of our business. As with many developing technologies, AI presents risks and challenges that could affect its further development, adoption, and use, and therefore our business. AI algorithms may be flawed. Datasets in AI training, development, or operations may be insufficient, of poor quality, or reflect unwanted forms of bias. Inappropriate or controversial data practices by, or practices reflecting inherent biases of, data scientists, engineers, and end-users of our systems could impair the acceptance of AI solutions. If the recommendations, forecasts, or analyses that AI applications assist in producing are deficient or inaccurate, we could be subjected to competitive harm, potential legal liability, including under new proposed legislation regulating AI in jurisdictions such as the European Union and brand or reputational harm. Some AI scenarios present ethical issues. Though our technologies and business practices are designed to mitigate many of these risks, if we enable or offer AI solutions that are controversial or problematic because of their purported or real impact on human rights, privacy, employment, or other social issues, we may experience brand or reputational harm, as well as regulatory or legal scrutiny.

 

 
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Real or perceived errors, failures, defects, or bugs in Airship AI’s platforms could adversely affect its results of operations and growth prospects.

 

Because Airship AI offers very complex technology platforms, undetected errors, defects, failures, or bugs have occurred and may in the future occur, especially when platforms or capabilities are first introduced or when new versions or other product or infrastructure updates are released. Our platforms are often installed and used in large-scale computing environments with different operating systems, software products and equipment, and data source and network configurations, which may cause errors or failures in our platforms or may expose undetected errors, failures, or bugs in our platforms. Despite testing by us, errors, failures, or bugs may not be found in new software or releases until after commencement of commercial shipments. In the past, errors have affected the performance of our platforms and can also delay the development or release of new platforms or capabilities or new versions of platforms, adversely affect our reputation and our customers’ willingness to buy platforms from us, and adversely affect market acceptance or perception of our platforms. Many of our customers use our platforms in applications that are critical to their businesses or missions and may have a lower risk tolerance to defects in our platforms than to defects in other, less critical, software products. Any errors or delays in releasing new software or new versions of platforms or allegations of unsatisfactory performance, errors, defects, or failures in released software could cause us to lose revenue or market share, increase our service costs, cause us to incur substantial costs in redesigning the software, cause us to lose significant customers, subject us to liability for damages and divert our resources from other tasks, any one of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our platforms could be perceived to be ineffective for a variety of reasons outside of our control. Hackers or other malicious parties could circumvent our or our customers’ security measures, and customers may misuse our platforms resulting in a security breach or perceived product failure.

 

Real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our platforms and services, or dissatisfaction with our services and outcomes, could result in customer terminations and/or claims by customers for losses sustained by them. In such an event, we may be required, or we may choose, for customer relations or other reasons, to expend additional resources in order to help correct any such errors, failures, or bugs. Although we have limitation of liability provisions in our standard software licensing and service agreement terms and conditions, these provisions may not be enforceable in some circumstances, may vary in levels of protection across our agreements, or may not fully or effectively protect us from such claims and related liabilities and costs. We generally provide a warranty to our customers for our software products and services. In the event that there is a failure of warranties in such agreements, we are generally obligated to correct the product or service to conform to the warranty provision as set forth in the applicable agreement, or, if we are unable to do so, the customer is entitled to seek a refund of the purchase price of the product and service (generally prorated over the contract term). The sale and support of our products also entail the risk of product liability claims. We maintain insurance to protect against certain claims associated with the use of our products, but our insurance coverage may not adequately cover any claim asserted against us. In addition, even claims that ultimately are unsuccessful could result in our expenditure of funds in litigation and divert management’s time and other resources.

 

In addition, our platforms integrate a wide variety of other elements, and our platforms must successfully interoperate with products from other vendors and our customers’ internally developed software. As a result, when problems occur for a customer using our platforms, it may be difficult to identify the sources of these problems, and we may receive blame for a security, access control, or other compliance breach that was the result of the failure of one of the other elements in a customer’s or another vendor’s IT, security, or compliance infrastructure. The occurrence of software or errors in data, whether or not caused by our platforms, could delay or reduce market acceptance of our platforms and have an adverse effect on our business and financial performance, and any necessary revisions may cause us to incur significant expenses. The occurrence of any such problems could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If an actual or perceived breach of information correctness, auditability, integrity, or availability occurs in one of our customers’ systems, regardless of whether the breach is attributable to our platforms, the market perception of the effectiveness of our platforms could be harmed. Alleviating any of these problems could require additional significant expenditures of our capital and other resources and could cause interruptions, delays, or cessation of our product licensing, which could cause us to lose existing or potential customers and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.

 

Airship AI may not be able to adequately protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or prevent unauthorized parties from copying or reverse engineering its solutions. Airship AI’s efforts to protect and enforce its intellectual property rights and prevent third parties from violating its rights may be costly.

 

The success of Airship AI’s services and its business depends, in part, on Airship AI’s ability to obtain intellectual property rights and maintain adequate legal protection for its products in the United States and other international jurisdictions. Airship AI does not have any patents. Airship AI relies on a combination of copyright, service mark, and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual obligations, to establish and protect its proprietary rights, all of which provide only limited protection. Airship AI cannot be certain that the steps it has taken will prevent unauthorized use of its technology or the reverse engineering of its technology. Moreover, others may independently develop technologies that are competitive to Airship AI or infringe Airship AI’s intellectual property.

 

Protecting against the unauthorized use of Airship AI’s intellectual property, products and other proprietary rights is expensive and can be difficult, particularly with respect to international jurisdictions. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or reverse engineer Airship AI’s solutions or certain aspects of Airship AI’s solutions that are considered proprietary. Litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce or defend Airship AI’s intellectual property rights, to prevent unauthorized parties from copying or reverse engineering its solutions, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to block the importation of infringing products into the U.S. Any such litigation, regardless of merit, could be costly, divert the attention of management and may not ultimately be resolved in Airship AI’s favor.

 

 
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Effective trademark, service mark, copyright and trade secret protection may not be available or applied for in every country in which Airship AI’s products are available and competitors based in other countries may sell infringing products in one or more markets. An inability to adequately protect and enforce Airship AI’s intellectual property and other proprietary rights or an inability to prevent authorized parties from copying or reverse engineering its technology solutions or certain aspects of its solutions that Airship AI considers proprietary could adversely affect its business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

 

Airship AI relies on its unpatented proprietary technology, trade secrets, processes and know-how.

 

Airship AI relies on proprietary information (such as trade secrets, know-how and confidential information) to protect intellectual property that may not be patentable or subject to copyright, trademark, trade dress or service mark protection, or that Airship AI believes is best protected by means that do not require public disclosure.

 

Airship AI generally seeks to protect this proprietary information by entering into confidentiality agreements, or consulting, services or employment agreements that contain non-disclosure and non-use provisions with its employees, consultants, contractors and third parties. However, Airship AI may fail to enter into the necessary agreements and, even if entered into, these agreements may be breached or may otherwise fail to prevent disclosure, third-party infringement or misappropriation of its proprietary information, may be limited as to their term and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure or use of proprietary information. Airship AI has limited control over the protection of trade secrets used by its current or future manufacturing partners and suppliers and could lose future trade secret protection if any unauthorized disclosure of such information occurs. In addition, Airship AI’s proprietary information may otherwise become known or be independently developed by its competitors or other third parties. To the extent that its employees, consultants, contractors, advisors and other third parties use intellectual property owned by others in their work for Airship AI, disputes may arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions. Costly and time-consuming litigation could be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of Airship AI’s proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain protection for its proprietary information could adversely affect its competitive business position. Furthermore, laws regarding trade secret rights in certain markets where Airship AI operates may afford limited or no protection for its trade secrets.

 

Airship AI also relies on physical and electronic security measures to protect its proprietary information, but it cannot provide assurance that these security measures will not be breached or that these measures will provide adequate protection. There is a risk that third parties may obtain and improperly utilize Airship AI’s proprietary information to its competitive disadvantage. Airship AI may not be able to detect or prevent the unauthorized use of such information or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce its intellectual property rights.

 

Airship AI has not been consistently profitable in the past and may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future.

 

We have incurred losses from operations the past few years and had an accumulated deficit of $30,979,174 as of June 30, 2024. There can be no assurance that Airship AI will ever achieve the level of revenues needed to be profitable in the future and if profitability is achieved, that it will be sustained. Airship AI’s revenues have fluctuated and may likely continue to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year. Airship AI will need to obtain additional capital and increase sales to become profitable. The net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily as a result of the gain from change in fair value of earnout liability of approximately $21,976,000.

 

Airship AI requires substantial additional funding, which may not be available to Airship AI on acceptable terms, or at all, and, if not so available, may require Airship AI to delay, limit, reduce or cease its operations.

 

Airship AI has limited financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funding will be available to us to fund our operating expenses and to further develop our business. Unless we achieve substantial profitability, we anticipate that we will likely need to raise additional capital to fund our operations while we implement and execute our business plan. We currently do not have any contracts or commitments for additional financing. In addition, any additional equity financing may involve substantial dilution to our existing shareholders. There can be no assurance that such additional capital will be available on a timely basis or on terms that will be acceptable to us. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of operations or the further development of our business. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to further fund our business or the expansion thereof, take advantage of strategic acquisitions or investment opportunities or respond to competitive pressures. Such inability to obtain additional financing when needed could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and prospects.

 

 
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There can be no assurance that Airship AI will be able to comply with the terms of its convertible notes.

 

Airship AI issued a senior secured convertible promissory note on June 22, 2023 (as amended and restated on February 2, 2024) in a principal amount totaling $2,000,000. Pursuant to the terms of such senior secured convertible promissory note, $2,000,000 was due on June 22, 2024. However, the maturity date of the $2,000,000 senior secured convertible promissory note was extended to June 22, 2025.

 

Failure to repay the principal amount on the due date or to convert these amounts into shares of Airship AI common stock in accordance with the promissory notes would result in a default. We expect the convertible debt to be converted to equity. We may not have the funds to repay, or the ability to refinance, such outstanding amounts and the holder could foreclose upon critical assets. Any of these outcomes would have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

Airship AI has a limited operating history. There can be no assurance that Airship AI will be successful in growing its business.

 

We have a limited history of operations. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our operations. Any potential for future growth will place additional demands on our executive officers, and any increased scope of our operations will present challenges due to our current limited management resources. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts. Our inability to locate additional opportunities, to hire additional management and other personnel, or to enhance our management systems, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. There can be no assurance that our operations will be profitable.

 

Airship AI faces intense competition within its industry and is subject to the effects of technology change.

 

The industry in which we are engaged is subject to rapid and significant technological change. There can be no assurance that Airship AI’s systems can be upgraded to meet future innovations in the industry or that new technologies will not emerge, or existing technologies will not be improved, which would render Airship AI’s offerings obsolete or non-competitive. Many of the companies we compete with enjoy significant competitive advantages over us, including greater name recognition; greater financial, technical and service resources; established networks; additional product offerings; and greater resources for product development and sales and marketing. In addition, there can be no assurance that other established technology companies, any of which would likely have greater resources than Airship AI, will not enter the market. There can be no assurance that Airship AI will be able to compete successfully against any of its competitors.

 

Airship AI’s proprietary products and services and service delivery may not operate properly, which could damage its reputation, give rise to claims against Airship AI, or divert application of its resources from other purposes, any of which could harm its business and operating results.

 

We may encounter supply chain, human, or technical obstacles that prevent our products and services from operating profitably. If our offerings do not function reliably or fail to achieve customer expectations in terms of performance, customers could assert liability claims against us or cancel their contracts with us. This could damage our reputation and impair our ability to attract or maintain customers. We cannot assure you that material performance problems or defects in our products will not arise in the future. Errors may result from receipt, entry, or interpretation of customer information or from interface of our services. These defects and errors and any failure by us to identify and address them could result in loss of revenue or market share, liability to customers or others, failure to achieve market acceptance or expansion, diversion of development resources, injury to our reputation, and increased service and maintenance costs. The costs incurred in correcting any defects or errors or in responding to resulting claims or liability may be substantial and could adversely affect our operating results.

 

If critical components used in Airship AI’s products become scarce or unavailable, Airship AI may incur delays in delivering its products and providing services, which could damage its business. Airship AI relies on a sustainable supply chain. Any issues with this supply chain could adversely affect daily business operations and profitability.

 

We depend on third party providers, suppliers and licensors to supply some of the hardware, software and support necessary to provide some of our products and services. We obtain these materials from a limited number of vendors, some of which do not have a long operating history, or which may not be able to continue to supply the equipment, supplies, and services we desire. Some of our hardware, software and operational support vendors represent our primary or sole source of supply or have, either through contract or as a result of intellectual property rights, a position of some exclusivity. If demand exceeds these vendors’ capacity or if these vendors experience operating or financial difficulties or are otherwise unable to provide the equipment or services we need in a timely manner, at our specifications and at reasonable prices, our ability to provide some services might be materially adversely affected, or the need to procure or develop alternative sources of the affected materials or services might delay our ability to serve our customers. These events could materially and adversely affect our ability to retain and attract customers, and have a material negative impact on our operations, business, financial results and financial condition.

 

 
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Unavailability of materials or higher costs could adversely affect Airship AI’s financial results.

 

We depend on certain domestic and international suppliers for the delivery of components used in the assembly of our products. Our reliance on third-party suppliers creates risks related to our potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of components or sub-assemblies and reduced control over pricing and timing of delivery of components and sub-assemblies. Specifically, we depend on suppliers of sub-assemblies, machined parts, printed circuit boards, custom wire fabrications and other miscellaneous customer parts for our products. Although we have and are implementing additional long-term agreements with strategic suppliers to mitigate the risk of supply continuity, there remains risk across our supply chain while we extend our supplier contract program, and there is no guarantee that supply will not be interrupted. Additionally, if our suppliers do not accurately forecast and effectively allocate production or if they are not willing to allocate sufficient production to us, or they decommit to us previously agreed to supply levels, it may reduce our access to components and require us to search for new suppliers. If we are unable to accurately match the timing and quantities of component purchases to our actual needs, we may incur unexpected production disruption, storage, transportation and write-off costs, which may harm our business and operating results.

 

Single or sole-source components used in the manufacture of our products may become unavailable or discontinued. Delays caused by industry allocations or obsolescence may take weeks or months to resolve. In some cases, parts obsolescence may require a product re-design to ensure quality replacement components. These delays could cause significant delays in manufacturing and loss of sales, leading to adverse effects significantly impacting our financial condition or results of operations and could harm our reputation.

 

A significant number of our raw materials or components are comprised of petroleum-based products or incur some form of landed cost associated with transporting the raw materials or components to our facility. Our freight and import costs and the timely delivery of our products could be adversely impacted by a number of factors which could reduce the profitability of our operations, including: higher fuel costs; potential port closures; customs clearance issues; increased government regulation or regulatory changes for imports of foreign products into the U.S.; delays created by terrorist attacks or threats, public health issues, national disasters or work stoppages; and other matters. Any interruption of supply for any material components of our products could significantly delay the shipment of our products and have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability and financial condition. For example, there have been disruptions in the semi-conductor supply chain that could negatively impact our ability to make our products. While many of the COVID-19 driven supply chain issues have been resolved, challenges to the timely production and delivery of Taiwan based products we utilize for our edge AI platform due to geo-political factors is a concern looking forward. In the event that our suppliers are unable to provide timely delivery of those supplies it will significantly impact our ability to meet delivery schedules for existing and anticipated edge AI hardware-based solutions.

 

International or domestic geopolitical or other events, including the imposition of new or increased tariffs and/or quotas by the U.S. government on any of these raw materials or components and other government trade policies, could adversely impact the supply and cost of these raw materials or components, and could adversely impact our revenues, profitability and financial condition. In particular, the implementation of tariffs and trade restrictions as well as changes in trade policies between the U.S. and China may have an adverse effect on our supply chain from a sourcing and cost perspective. We source certain raw materials from China, as do some of our suppliers. We may be unable to transition away from China to other jurisdictions or obtain secondary source s for raw materials which could result in a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability and financial condition.

 

If Airship AI’s security measures are breached or fail and unauthorized access is obtained to a customer’s data, our service may be perceived as insecure, the attractiveness of its services to current or potential customers may be reduced, and Airship AI may incur significant liabilities.

 

Airship AI services involve the web-based and data storage and transmission of customers’ information. We rely on proprietary and commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring, as well as other processes, to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of such information. Because of the sensitivity of this information and due to requirements under applicable laws and regulations, the effectiveness of our security efforts is very important. If our security measures are breached or fail as a result of third-party action, acts of terror, social unrest, employee error, malfeasance or for any other reasons, someone may be able to obtain unauthorized access to customer data. Improper activities by third-parties, advances in computer and software capabilities and encryption technology, new tools and discoveries and other events or developments may facilitate or result in a compromise or breach of our security systems. Our security measures may not be effective in preventing unauthorized access to the customer data stored on our servers. If a breach of our security occurs, we could face damages for contract breach, penalties for violation of applicable laws or regulations, possible lawsuits by individuals affected by the breach and significant remediation costs and efforts to prevent future occurrences. In addition, whether there is an actual or a perceived breach of our security, the market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could be harmed and we could lose current or potential customers.

 

The loss of one or more of Airship AI’s significant customers, or any other reduction in the amount of revenue Airship AI derives from any such customer, would adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

 

Airship AI sells its product to commercial and government customers under agreements that are normally paid within 30 days of contract completion. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, two customers represented 72% and 11% of total revenue, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the high level of customer concentration for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was due to one large order received in late 2023 which was fulfilled in the six months ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, four customers represent approximately 49%, 20%, 11% and 10% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is estimated to be minimal.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers represented 34%, 21% and 12% of total revenue from 58 customers, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the increase in reliance on a single customer for the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the lag-time in delivering on a large order received in late 2022 from one division of a customer which was not fulfilled until 2023. As of December 31, 2023, three customers represented approximately 51%, 26% and 17% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is minimal.

 

 
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We expect to continue to derive a significant portion of our revenue from a limited number of customers in the future and, in some cases, the portion of our revenue attributable to individual customers may increase. The loss of one or more significant customers or a reduction in the amount of revenue we derive from any such customer could significantly and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Customers may choose not to renew their contracts or may otherwise reduce the breadth of the offerings which they purchase for any number of reasons. We are also subject to the risk that any such customer will experience financial difficulties that prevent them from making payments to us on a timely basis or at all.

 

Airship AI depends on key information systems and third party service providers.

 

We depend on key information systems to accurately and efficiently transact our business. These systems and services are vulnerable to interruptions or other failures resulting from, among other things, pandemics, epidemics, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, software or equipment failures, processing errors, computer viruses, other security issues or supplier defaults. Security, backup and disaster recovery measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to avoid such disruptions or failures. Any disruption or failure of these systems or services could cause substantial errors, processing inefficiencies, security breaches, inability to use the systems or process transactions, loss of customers or other business disruptions, all of which could negatively affect our business and financial performance.

 

As cybersecurity attacks continue to evolve and increase, our information systems could also be penetrated or compromised by internal and external parties’ intent on extracting confidential information, disrupting business processes or corrupting information. These risks could arise from external parties or from acts or omissions of internal or service provider personnel. Such unauthorized access could disrupt our business and could result in the loss of assets, litigation, remediation costs, damage to our reputation and failure to retain or attract customers following such an event, which could adversely affect our business.

 

Cyber-attacks and security vulnerabilities could lead to reduced revenue, increased costs, liability claims, or harm to Airship AI’s competitive position.

 

Increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks have resulted in an increase in information security risks in recent years. Hackers develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack products and services and gain access to networks and data centers. If we experience difficulties maintaining existing systems or implementing new systems, we could incur significant losses due to disruptions in our operations. Additionally, these systems contain valuable proprietary and confidential information and may contain personal data of our customers. A security breach could result in disruptions of our internal systems and business applications, harm to our competitive position from the compromise of confidential business information, or subject us to liability under laws that protect personal data. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Any of these consequences would adversely affect our revenue and margins.

 

Claims by others that Airship AI infringes their intellectual property could force Airship AI to incur significant costs or revise the way Airship AI conducts its business.

 

Our competitors protect their proprietary rights by means of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property. We have not conducted an independent review of patents and other intellectual property issued to third-parties, who may have patents or patent applications relating to our proprietary technology. We may receive letters from third parties alleging, or inquiring about, possible infringement, misappropriation or violation of their intellectual property rights. Any party asserting that we infringe, misappropriate or violate proprietary rights may force us to defend ourselves, and potentially our customers, against the alleged claim. These claims and any resulting lawsuit, if successful, could subject us to significant liability for damages and/or invalidation of our proprietary rights or interruption or cessation of our operations. Any such claims or lawsuit could:

 

 

·

be time-consuming and expensive to defend, whether meritorious or not;

 

 

 

 

·

require us to stop providing products or services that use the technology that allegedly infringes the other party’s intellectual property;

 

 

 

 

·

divert the attention of our technical and managerial resources;

 

 

 

 

·

require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements with third-parties, which may not be available on terms that we deem acceptable;

 

 

 

 

·

prevent us from operating all or a portion of our business or force us to redesign our products, services or technology platforms, which could be difficult and expensive and may make the performance or value of our product or service offerings less attractive;

 

 

 

 

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subject us to significant liability for damages or result in significant settlement payments; or

 

 

 

 

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require us to indemnify our customers.

 

 
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Furthermore, during the course of litigation, confidential information may be disclosed in the form of documents or testimony in connection with discovery requests, depositions or trial testimony. Disclosure of our confidential information and our involvement in intellectual property litigation could materially adversely affect our business. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of intellectual property litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources. In addition, any litigation could significantly harm our relationships with current and prospective customers. Any of the foregoing could disrupt our business and have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Airship AI’s success depends upon the continued protection of its intellectual property rights and Airship AI may be forced to incur substantial costs to maintain, defend, protect and enforce its intellectual property rights.

 

We do not have any patents and instead rely on trade secrets and know-how in the development of our business, which are of material importance to Airship AI and its future prospects. Competitors may attempt to challenge our IP and IP systems, or may be able to design alternative techniques or devices that develop products with functionalities that are comparable to ours. In the event a competitor infringes upon our intellectual property, enforcing those rights, even if successful, could be expensive, uncertain, difficult and time consuming and could require significant time and attention from our management. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that Airship AI’s products will not infringe on others. We may not have sufficient resources to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend our IP against challenges from others.

 

Airship AI depends on its management team and other key employees, and the loss of one or more of these employees or an inability to attract and retain highly skilled employees could adversely affect its business.

 

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to continue to attract and retain highly skilled personnel. The loss of the services of any of our key personnel, the inability to attract or retain qualified personnel, or delays in hiring required personnel, particularly in engineering and sales, may seriously and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although we have entered into employment or consulting agreements with our personnel, their employment is generally for no specific duration.

 

Our future performance also depends on the continued services and continuing contributions of our senior management team, which include Victor Huang, our co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Derek Xu, our co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, to execute on our business plan and to identify and pursue new opportunities and product innovations. The loss of services of our senior management team, particularly our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or Chief Technology Officer, could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our development and strategic objectives, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Airship AI’s management team has limited experience managing a public company and regulatory compliance may divert their attention from the day-to-day management of Airship AI’s business.

 

Our management team has limited experience managing a publicly-traded company and limited experience complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. These obligations typically require substantial attention from our senior management and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business.

 

 
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Airship AI’s business depends, in part, on sales to government organizations, and significant changes in the contracting or fiscal policies of such government organizations could have an adverse effect on Airship AI’s business and operating results.

 

Our future depends, in part, on continuing sales to government organizations. Demand from government organizations is often unpredictable, subject to budgetary uncertainty and typically involves long sales cycles. We have made significant investments to address the government sector, but we cannot assure you that these investments will be successful, or that we will be able to maintain or grow our revenue from the government sector. Although we anticipate that they may increase in the future, sales to governmental organizations have not accounted for, and may never account for, a significant portion of our revenue. Sales to governmental organizations are subject to a number of challenges and risks that may adversely impact our business. Sales to such government entities include the following risks:

 

 

·

selling to governmental agencies can be highly competitive, expensive and time consuming, often requiring significant upfront time and expense without any assurance that such efforts will generate a sale;

 

 

 

 

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government certification requirements applicable to our platform may change and, in doing so, restrict our ability to sell into the governmental sector until we have attained the revised certification;

 

 

 

 

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government demand and payment for our platform may be impacted by public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations, with funding reductions or delays adversely affecting public sector demand for our platform; and

 

 

 

 

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governments routinely investigate and audit government contractors’ administrative processes, and any unfavorable audit could result in the government refusing to continue buying our platform, which would adversely impact our revenue and operating results.

 

The occurrence of any of the foregoing could cause governmental organizations to delay or refrain from purchasing our solutions in the future or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Acquisitions of, or investments in, other companies, products, or technologies may require significant management attention and could disrupt Airship AI’s business, dilute stockholder value, and adversely affect its operating results.

 

Our business strategy may include acquiring other complementary products, technologies or businesses. Negotiating these transactions can be time-consuming, difficult and expensive, and our ability to close these transactions may be subject to third-party approvals, such as government regulatory approvals, which are beyond our control. Consequently, we can make no assurance that these transactions once undertaken and announced, will close.

 

If we merge with or acquire another company following the Merger, it is reasonably expected that there will be increased operating expenses and costs associated with the merger that could negatively impact operating profits in the future periods immediately following the M&A event. The extent and longevity of those impacts is not possible to quantify.

 

These kinds of acquisitions or investments may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. If we acquire businesses or technologies, we may not be able to integrate the acquired personnel, operations, and technologies successfully, or effectively manage the combined business following the acquisition. We also may not achieve the anticipated benefits from the acquired business due to a number of factors, including:

 

 

·

inability to integrate or benefit from acquired technologies, products, personnel or services in a profitable manner;

 

 

 

 

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unanticipated costs or liabilities associated with the acquisition, including potential liabilities due to litigation and potential identified or unknown security vulnerabilities in acquired technologies that expose us to additional security risks or delay our ability to integrate the product into our offerings or recognize the benefits of our investment;

 

 

 

 

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differences between our values and those of an acquired company, as well as potential disruptions to our workplace culture;

 

 

 

 

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incurrence of acquisition-related costs, including costs related to integration activities;

 

 
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difficulty integrating the accounting and information systems, operations, and personnel of the acquired business;

 

 

 

 

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augmenting the acquired technologies and platforms to the levels that are consistent with our brand and reputation;

 

 

 

 

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difficulties and additional expenses associated with supporting legacy products and hosting infrastructure of the acquired business;

 

 

 

 

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challenges converting the acquired company’s revenue recognition policies and forecasting the related revenues, including subscription-based revenues and software license revenues;

 

 

 

 

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potential write-offs of acquired assets or investments, and potential financial and credit risks associated with acquired customers;

 

 

 

 

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difficulty converting the customers of the acquired business onto our platform and contract terms;

 

 

 

 

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diversion of management’s attention and other company resources;

 

 

 

 

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harm to our existing business relationships with business partners and customers as a result of the acquisition;

 

 

 

 

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the potential loss of key employees;

 

 

 

 

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use of resources that are needed in other parts of our business; and

 

 

 

 

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use of substantial portions of our available cash to consummate the acquisition.

 

We cannot assure you that the anticipated benefits of any acquisition or investment would be realized or that we would not be exposed to unknown liabilities or risks. Integrating an acquired technology, asset or business into our operations can be challenging, complex and costly and we cannot assure you that we will be successful or that the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions that we complete will be realized or outweigh their costs. If our integration and development efforts are not successful and the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions that we complete are not achieved, our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects could be adversely affected.

 

In connection with these types of transactions, we may issue additional equity securities that would dilute our stockholders, use cash that we may need in the future to operate our business, incur debt on terms unfavorable to us or that we are unable to repay, incur large charges or substantial liabilities, encounter difficulties integrating diverse business cultures and values, and become subject to adverse tax consequences, substantial depreciation, or deferred compensation charges. These challenges could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects.

 

Material adverse developments in domestic and global economic conditions, or the occurrence of other world events, could materially adversely affect Airship AI’s revenue and results of operations.

 

Various factors contribute to the uncertain economic environment, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the increase in, and volatility of, interest rates, high inflation, an actual recession or fears of a recession, trade policies and tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Our inability to offset price inflation in our materials, components, shipping, or labor through increased prices to customers with long-term fixed contracts and formula-based or long-term fixed price contracts with suppliers could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Global supply chain and labor market challenges could also negatively affect our performance as well as the performance of our suppliers. Interest rate increases have also created financial market volatility and could further negatively impact financial markets, lead to an economic downturn or recession or have an adverse effect on our operating results. Economic slowdowns can also negatively impact municipal and state tax collections and put pressure on law enforcement budgets which may increase the risk that our customers will be unable to appropriate funds for existing or future contracts with us. In addition, geopolitical risks could affect our customers’ budgets and policies. These and other factors may adversely affect customer demand and ability to pay, cause decrease in sales, and negatively impact the realizability of our accounts and notes receivable and contract assets.

 

 
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Catastrophic events could materially adversely affect Airship AI’s business, results of operations and/or financial condition.

 

A disruption or failure of our systems or operations in the event of a major earthquake, weather event, fire, explosion, failure to contain hazardous materials, industrial accident, utility failure, cyber-attack, terrorist attack, public health crisis, pandemic, or other catastrophic event could cause delays in completing sales, providing services, or performing other mission-critical functions. A catastrophic event that results in the destruction or disruption of any of our critical business or information technology systems could harm our ability to conduct normal business operations and our operating results as well as expose us to claims, litigation and governmental investigations and fines.

 

If our backup and mitigation plans are not sufficient to minimize business disruption, our financial results could be adversely affected. We are continuously monitoring our operations and intend to take appropriate actions to mitigate the risks arising from catastrophic events, but there can be no assurances that we will be successful in doing so.

 

If Airship AI fails to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or identify a material weakness or significant deficiency in its internal control over financial reporting, Airship AI’s ability to report its financial condition and results of operations in a timely and accurate manner could be adversely affected, investor confidence in Airship AI company could diminish, and the value of its stock may decline.

 

Preparing our consolidated financial statements involves a number of complex manual and automated processes, which are dependent upon individual data input or review and require significant management judgment. One or more of these processes may result in errors that may not be detected and could result in a material misstatement or other errors of our consolidated financial statements. Such errors may be more likely to occur when implementing new systems and processes, particularly when implementing evolving and complex accounting rules. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) requires, among other things, that as a publicly-traded company we disclose whether our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. While we continually undertake steps to improve our internal control over financial reporting as our business changes, we may not be successful in making the improvements and changes necessary to be able to identify and remediate control deficiencies or material weaknesses on a timely basis. If we are unable to successfully remediate any current or future material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, the accuracy and timing of our financial reporting may be adversely affected; our liquidity, access to capital markets and perceptions of our creditworthiness may be adversely affected; we may be unable to maintain compliance with securities laws, stock exchange listing requirements and debt instruments covenants regarding the timely filing of periodic reports; we may be subject to regulatory investigations and penalties; investors may lose confidence in our financial reporting; we may suffer defaults under our debt instruments; and our stock price may decline.

 

Changes in accounting principles or their application to Airship AI could result in unfavorable accounting charges or effects, which could adversely affect its results of operations and growth prospects.

 

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). In particular, we make certain estimates and assumptions related to the adoption and interpretation of these principles including the recognition of our revenue and the accounting for our provision for income taxes. If these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, our financial results and position could materially differ from our expectations and could be materially adversely affected. A change in any of these principles or guidance, or in their interpretations or application to us, may have a significant effect on our reported results, as well as our processes and related controls, and may retroactively affect previously reported results or our forecasts, which may negatively impact our financial statements.

 

If Airship AI’s judgments or estimates relating to its critical accounting policies are based on assumptions that change or prove to be incorrect, Airship AI’s results of operations could fall below expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in its stock price.

 

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, as provided in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities, and equity, and the amount of revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our results of operations may be adversely affected if our assumptions change or if actual circumstances differ from those in our assumptions, which could cause our results of operations to fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors, resulting in a decline in the trading price of the combined company’s securities. Significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions used in preparing our consolidated financial statements include, or may in the future include, those related to revenue recognition and income taxes.

 

Airship AI has limited insurance which may not cover claims by third parties against Airship AI or its officers and directors.

 

We have directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and commercial liability insurance policies. Claims, however, by third parties against us may exceed policy amounts and we may not have amounts to cover these claims. Any significant claims would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our limited directors’ and officers’ liability insurance may affect our ability to attract and retain directors and officers.

 

 
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Airship AI could be subject to additional tax liabilities.

 

We are subject to federal, state, and local income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Determining our provision for income taxes requires significant management judgment, and the ultimate tax outcome may be uncertain. In addition, our provision for income taxes is subject to volatility and could be adversely affected by many factors, including, among other things, changes to our operating or holding structure, changes in the amounts of earnings in jurisdictions with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws. Moreover, we are subject to the examination of our income tax returns by tax authorities in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions, which may disagree with our calculation of research and development tax credits, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing, or other matters and assess additional taxes, interest or penalties. While we regularly assess the likely outcomes of these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes and we believe that our financial statements reflect adequate reserves to cover any such contingencies, there can be no assurance that the outcomes of such examinations will not have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows. If U.S. or other foreign tax authorities change applicable tax laws, our overall taxes could increase, and our financial condition or results of operations may be adversely impacted.

 

Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the amounts of, and benefits from, net operating losses may be limited in certain circumstances, including a change in control. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally imposes an annual limitation on the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be used to offset taxable income when a corporation has undergone significant changes in its stock ownership. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to utilize any net operating loss carryforwards in the future.

 

Provisions enacted by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act related to the capitalization for tax purposes of research and experimental (“R&E”) expenditures became effective on January 1, 2022. Beginning January 1, 2022, all U.S. and non-U.S. based R&E expenditures must be capitalized and amortized over five years and 15 years, respectively.

 

Costs incurred in the development of software programs for Airship AI’s products are charged to operations as incurred until technological feasibility of the software has been established. Generally, technological feasibility is established when the software module performs its primary functions described in its original specifications, contains features required for it to be usable in a production environment, is completely documented and the related hardware portion of the product is complete. After technological feasibility is established, any additional costs are capitalized. Capitalization of software costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended use. No software development costs have been capitalized during the years ended or as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Risks Related to Our Securities

 

Currently, our common stock and public warrants are listed on Nasdaq. However, there may not be enough liquidity in such market to enable securityholders to sell their securities.

 

Currently, our common stock and public warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market and The Nasdaq Capital Market, respectively. If a public market for our securities does not develop, investors may not be able to re-sell their securities, rendering their securities illiquid and possibly resulting in a complete loss of their investment. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in us will lead to the development of an active, liquid trading market. The trading price of and demand for the common stock and the development and continued existence of a market and favorable price for the common stock will depend on a number of conditions, including the development of a market following, including by analysts and other investment professionals, the businesses, operations, results, and prospects of the Company, general market and economic conditions, governmental actions, regulatory considerations, legal proceedings, and developments or other factors. These and other factors may impair the development of a liquid market and the ability of investors to sell shares at an attractive price. These factors also could cause the market price and demand for the common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their shares and may otherwise negatively affect the price and liquidity of the common stock. Many of these factors and conditions are beyond the control of the Company or the stockholders.

 

Our executive officers and directors exercise significant control over us, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control.

 

Victor Huang, Airship AI’s co-Founder and our Chief Executive Officer, and Derek Xu, Airship AI’s co-Founder and our Chief Operating Officer, beneficially own (including shares underlying outstanding warrants, stock options and SARs) approximately 60.4% of our combined voting power. As a result, these stockholders will be able to influence our management and affairs and control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any sale, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

 
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These stockholders may have interests, with respect to their common stock, which are different from those of the public investors and the concentration of voting power among one or more of these stockholders may have an adverse effect on the price of the common stock.

 

In addition, this concentration of ownership might adversely affect the market price of the common stock by: (1) delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control; (2) impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other Merger involving us; or (3) discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

 

The requirements of being a public company may strain the Company’s resources and distract management and we will incur substantial costs as a result of being a public company.

 

The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). These rules, regulations and requirements are extensive. We will incur significant costs associated with our public company corporate governance and reporting requirements. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may need to hire more corporate employees to comply with these requirements or engage outside consultants, which would increase our costs and expenses. This may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These applicable rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and it may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on the Board or as executive officers.

 

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time-consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

 

As a result of disclosure of information in this prospectus and in the filings that we are required to make as a public company, our business, operating results and financial condition have become more visible, which may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If any such claims are successful, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Sales of a substantial amount of common stock in the public market, particularly sales by our executive officers, directors and significant stockholders, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of common stock to decline.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock in the public market, particularly sales by our executive officers, directors and principal stockholders, or the perception that these sales might occur, could cause the market price of common stock to decline. Some of our executive officers, directors and the holders of a substantial number of shares of common stock are subject to lock-up provisions in our bylaws in that, for a period of at least six months from the date of closing of the Merger, subject to certain exceptions, prohibit them from offering for sale, selling, contracting to sell, granting any option for the sale of, transferring or otherwise disposing of any shares of common stock and of any securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, unless waived, amended, or repealed by the Board.

 

Following the expiration of the applicable lock-up periods, our security holders subject to lock-up provisions will be able to sell shares of common stock in the public market. In addition, the Board may, in its discretion, permit our security holders to sell shares prior to the expiration of the restrictive provisions contained in the bylaws. Sales of a substantial number of such shares upon expiration of the lock-up provisions, the perception that such sales may occur or early release of these provisions could cause our market price to fall or make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.

 

 
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In addition, we have filed a registration statement to register shares reserved for future issuance under our equity compensation plans. Subject to the satisfaction of applicable vesting requirements and expiration of the lock-up provisions referred to above, the shares issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options are available for immediate resale in the open market.

 

A decline in the price of common stock could affect our ability to raise working capital and adversely impact our ability to continue operations.

 

A prolonged decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of the common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. A decline in the price of our common stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity, operations and strategic plans. Such reductions may force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may have a significant negative effect on our business plan and operations, including our ability to develop new products and services and continue current operations. If our common stock’s price declines, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital in the future, we may not be able to have the resources to continue our normal operations.

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us or our business, our common stock price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on us. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price for our common stock would likely be negatively affected. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our securities or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us, demand for our common stock could decrease, which might cause the share price and trading volume to decline.

 

We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, any return on your investment in our capital stock must come from increases in the fair market value and trading price of the capital stock.

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on common stock and do not intend to pay cash dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the development and expansion of our business. Any credit agreements which we may enter into with institutional lenders may restrict our ability to pay dividends. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and any other factors that the Board decides is relevant. Therefore, any return on your investment in our capital stock must come from increases in the fair market value and trading price of the capital stock.

 

The market price of our equity securities may be volatile, and you could lose a significant part of your investment.

 

The stock markets, including the Nasdaq, on which certain of our securities are listed, have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. Even if an active, liquid and orderly trading market develops and is sustained for our common stock and public warrants, the market price of our securities may be volatile and could decline significantly. The common stock being offered under this prospectus (excluding the shares underlying the common warrants) constitutes approximately 11.8% of our total outstanding shares as of August 16, 2024.  Given the relative lack of liquidity in our stock, sales of our common stock under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part could result in a significant decline in the market price of our securities.

 

 
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On August 16, 2024, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $3.57. The exercise price of the public warrants is $7.80. The exercise price of the public warrants is higher than the current market price of our common stock and accordingly, public warrant holders may not be able to exercise their public warrants at this time. Cash proceeds associated with the exercises of the public warrants are dependent on our stock price and given the recent price volatility of our common stock and relative lack of liquidity in our stock, we may not receive any cash proceeds in relation to our outstanding warrants. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock and our public warrants may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. We cannot assure you that the market price of the common stock and our public warrants will not fluctuate widely or decline significantly in the future in response to a number of factors, including, among others, the following:

 

 

·

the common stock being offered under this prospectus (excluding the shares underlying the common warrants) represents approximately 11.8% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of August 16, 2024, and sales of a significant number of such shares could materially adversely affect the trading prices of our securities;

 

 

 

 

·

the realization of any of the risk factors presented in this prospectus;

 

 

 

 

·

the concentration of the ownership of our shares by a limited number of affiliated stockholders may limit interest in our securities;

 

 

 

 

·

limited “public float” with a small number of persons whose sales or lack of sales could result in positive or negative pricing pressure on the market price for the common stock;

 

 

 

 

·

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

 

 

 

·

loss of a strategic relationship;

 

 

 

 

·

variations in operating results from the expectations of securities analysts or investors;

 

 

 

 

·

announcements of new products or services by us or our competitors;

 

 

 

 

·

reductions in the market share of our products;

 

 

 

 

·

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

 

 

 

·

investor perception of our industry or prospects;

 

 

 

 

·

insider selling or buying;

 

 

 

 

·

investors entering into short sale contracts;

 

 

 

 

·

regulatory developments affecting our industry;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in our industry;

 

 

 

 

·

competitive pricing pressures;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to obtain working capital financing;

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to execute our business plan;

 

 

 

 

·

operating results that fall below expectations;

 

 

 

 

·

revisions in securities analysts’ estimates or reductions in security analysts’ coverage; and

 

 

 

 

·

economic and other external factors.

 

 
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Many of these factors are beyond our control and may decrease the market price of the common stock, regardless of our operating performance. We cannot make any predictions or projections as to what the prevailing market price for the common stock will be at any time, including as to whether the common stock will sustain current market prices, or as to what effect that the sale of shares or the availability of the common stock for sale at any time will have on the prevailing market price. In addition, the securities markets have from time-to-time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of the common stock.

 

In the past, many companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.

 

If our shares become subject to the penny stock rules, it would become more difficult to trade our shares.

 

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system. If our common stock is no longer listed on a national securities exchange such as Nasdaq and if the price of our common stock is less than $5.00, our common stock may be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, before a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information. In addition, the penny stock rules require that before effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive: (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our common stock, and therefore stockholders may have difficulty selling their shares.

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” under the U.S. federal securities laws, and the reduced reporting requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies and emerging growth companies could make our common stock less attractive to investors.

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” and an “emerging growth company” under U.S. federal securities laws. For as long as we continue to be a smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. Furthermore, as an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from certain reporting requirements including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation. Investors may not find our common stock attractive because we may rely on these exemptions and reduced disclosures. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the closing of BYTS’ IPO, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.23 billion, or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common equity that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year’s second fiscal quarter; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. 

 

 
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Anti-takeover provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could impair a takeover attempt.

 

Our charter and bylaws afford certain rights and powers to our board of directors that could contribute to the delay or prevention of an acquisition that it deems undesirable, including:

 

 

·

the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquiror;

 

 

 

 

·

the right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which may prevent stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;

 

 

 

 

·

the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by our board of directors or the chairman of the board of directors, which could delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and

 

We are also subject other provisions of Delaware law that limit the ability of stockholders in certain situations to effect certain mergers. Any of the foregoing provisions and terms that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for the common stock.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.

 

Our charter requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in our name, actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty and other similar actions may be brought in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware or, if that court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, another federal or state court situated in the State of Delaware. These provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our charter. In addition, our charter and bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, claims made under the Securities Act must be brought in federal district court.

 

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims and result in increased costs for investors to bring a claim. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our charter to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Risks Related to This Offering

 

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, including for any of the purposes described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Use of Proceeds.” We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our securities to decline. Pending the application of these funds, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

 

 
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You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock and common warrant you purchase. You may also experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.

 

The price per share and common warrant, together with the number of shares of our common stock and common warrants we propose to issue and ultimately will issue if this offering is completed, may result in an immediate decrease in the market price of our common stock. Our historical net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 was $(28.0 million), or approximately $(1.18) per share of our common stock. After giving effect to the 2,801,120 shares of our common stock and excluding 2,801,120 common warrants to purchase up to 2,801,120 shares of common stock to be sold in this offering at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 would have been $(19.1) million, or approximately $(0.72) per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $0.46 per share to our existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution of $4.29 per share of our common stock to new investors, representing the difference between the assumed combined public offering price and our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024, after giving effect to this offering, and the assumed combined public offering price per share.

 

In addition, in order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share in this offering. In the event that the outstanding options or warrants are exercised or settled, or that we make additional issuances of common stock or other convertible or exchangeable securities, you could experience additional dilution. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders, including investors who purchase shares of common stock in this offering. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock in future transactions, may be higher or lower than the price per share in this offering. As a result, purchasers of the shares we sell, as well as our existing stockholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell at prices significantly below the price at which they invested.

 

There is no public market for the common warrants being offered by us in this offering.

 

There is no established public trading market for the common warrants being offered, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the common warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system. Without an active market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.

 

The common warrants are speculative in nature.

 

The common warrants offered hereby do not confer any rights of share of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of common stock at a fixed price. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the common warrants may acquire the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $           per share of common stock. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the common warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the common warrants will equal or exceed the public offering price.

 

Holders of the common warrants offered hereby will have no rights as common stockholders with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying the common warrants until such holders exercise their common warrants and acquire our common stock, except as otherwise provided in the warrants.

 

Until holders of the common warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise thereof, such holders will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying such common warrants. Upon exercise of the common warrants, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

 

This is a reasonable best efforts offering, no minimum amount of securities is required to be sold, and we may not raise the amount of capital we believe is required for our business plans, including our near-term business plans.

 

The placement agents have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit offers to purchase the securities in this offering. The placement agents have no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of the securities. There is no required minimum number of securities that must be sold as a condition to completion of this offering. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to the closing of this offering, the actual offering amount, placement agent fees and proceeds to us are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amounts set forth above. We may sell fewer than all of the securities offered hereby, which may significantly reduce the amount of proceeds received by us, and investors in this offering will not receive a refund in the event that we do not sell an amount of securities sufficient to support our continued operations, including our near-term continued operations. Thus, we may not raise the amount of capital we believe is required for our operations in the short-term and may need to raise additional funds, which may not be available or available on terms acceptable to us.

 

Purchasers who purchase our securities in this offering pursuant to a securities purchase agreement may have rights not available to purchasers that purchase without the benefit of a securities purchase agreement.

 

In addition to rights and remedies available to all purchasers in this offering under federal securities and state law, the purchasers that enter into a securities purchase agreement will also be able to bring claims of breach of contract against us. The ability to pursue a claim for breach of contract provides those investors with the means to enforce the covenants uniquely available to them under the securities purchase agreement including, but not limited to: (i) timely delivery of securities; (ii) agreement to not issue any shares of common stock or securities exercisable or convertible into shares of common stock for a period of 60 days following the closing date of this offering, subject to certain exceptions, nor to enter into an agreement to issue securities at a future determined price, for a period of 90 days following the closing date of this offering; and (iii) indemnification for breach of contract.

 

Resales of our common stock in the public market during this offering by our stockholders may cause the market price of our common stock to fall.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could occur at any time. The issuance of new shares of our common stock could result in resales of our common stock by our current stockholders concerned about the potential ownership dilution of their holdings. In turn, these resales could have the effect of depressing the market price for our common stock.

 

This offering may cause the trading price of our common stock to decrease.

 

The price per share and common warrant, together with the number of shares of common stock and common warrants we propose to issue and ultimately will issue if this offering is completed, may result in an immediate decrease in the market price of our common stock. This decrease may continue after the completion of this offering.

 

 
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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately $8.9 million, after deducting estimated placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, assuming the sale of our shares of common stock and common warrants at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant (the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on August 16, 2024) and assuming no exercise of the common warrants.

 

A $0.50 increase or decrease in the assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant would increase or decrease the expected net proceeds of the offering to us by approximately $1.3 million, assuming the number of shares and common warrants offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us. An increase or decrease of 1.0 million shares and common warrants from the assumed number of shares and common warrants sold in this offering would increase or decrease the expected net proceeds of the offering to us by approximately $3.3 million, assuming the combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant remains the same, and after deducting the estimated placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering as follows:

 

 

 

$

 

Working capital, including cost of goods sold purchases

 

$4,000,000

 

Personnel and product development, including AI development

 

 

2,000,000

 

Reduction of liabilities

 

 

2,900,000

 

Net proceeds

 

$8,900,000

 

 

This expected use of proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based upon our current plans and prevailing business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and prevailing business conditions evolve. The amounts and timing of our use of proceeds will vary depending on a number of factors, including the amount of cash generated or used by our operations. As a result, we will retain broad discretion in the allocation of the net proceeds of this offering.

 

 
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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table presents a summary of our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2024:

 

 

·

on an actual basis; and

 

 

 

 

·

on an as adjusted basis to reflect the issuance and sale of shares of common stock and common warrants in this offering, after deducting estimated placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The unaudited as adjusted information below is prepared for illustrative purposes only and our capitalization following the completion of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read the following table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical financial statements and related notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

Pro Forma

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$227

 

 

$9,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

$2,676

 

 

$2,676

 

Warrant liability

 

 

5,973

 

 

 

5,973

 

Earnout liability

 

 

11,741

 

 

 

11,741

 

 

 

$20,390

 

 

$20,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

$2

 

 

$2

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

3,014

 

 

 

11,914

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(30,979)

 

 

(30,979)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(3)

 

 

(3)

Total stockholders' deficit

 

$(27,966)

 

$(19,066)

Total capitalization

 

$(7,576)

 

$1,324

 

  

The number of shares of our common stock outstanding before and after this offering is based on 23,736,027 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024, and excludes the common warrants being sold in this offering and, as of that date, the following:

 

 

·

4,895,141 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $0.98 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

3,931,241 shares of common stock reserved for future grants of equity-based awards under our equity incentive plan;

 

 

 

 

·

16,159,012 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of public warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

515,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of private placement warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

2,689,902 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $1.77 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

1,758,105 shares of common stock underlying stock appreciation rights with a base value of $0.12 per share; and

 

 

 

 

·

879,051 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible debentures at an assumed conversion price of $2.275 per share.

 

 
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DILUTION

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock and common warrants, your interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the offering price per share and common warrant you will pay in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. Net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding.

 

Our historical net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 was $(28.0 million), or approximately $(1.18) per share of our common stock.

 

After giving effect to the 2,801,120 shares of our common stock and excluding 2,801,120 common warrants to purchase up to 2,801,120 shares of common stock to be sold in this offering at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 would have been $(19.1) million, or approximately $(0.72) per share of our common stock. This represents an immediate increase in as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $0.46 per share to our existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution of $4.29 per share of our common stock to new investors, representing the difference between the assumed combined public offering price and our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024, after giving effect to this offering, as illustrated in the following table:

 

Assumed public offering price per share

 

 

 

 

$3.57

 

Net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2024

 

$(1.18)

 

 

 

 

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

 

$0.46

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

 

 

 

 

 

$(0.72)

Amount of dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering

 

 

 

 

 

$4.29

 

  

The above discussion is based on 23,736,027 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024, and excludes the common warrants being sold in this offering and, as of that date, the following:

 

 

·

4,895,141 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $0.98 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

3,931,241 shares of common stock reserved for future grants of equity-based awards under our equity incentive plan;

 

 

 

 

·

16,159,012 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of public warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

515,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of private placement warrants at an exercise price of $7.80 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

2,689,902 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $1.77 per share;

 

 

 

 

·

1,758,105 shares of common stock underlying stock appreciation rights with a base value of $0.12 per share; and

 

 

 

 

·

879,051 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible debentures at an assumed conversion price of $2.275 per share.

 

 
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MARKET INFORMATION OF OUR SECURITIES

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock and public warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Global Market and The Nasdaq Capital Market, respectively, and began trading on Nasdaq under the symbols “AISP” and “AISPW,” respectively, on December 22, 2023. On August 16, 2024, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $3.57 per share and the last reported sales price of our public warrants was approximately $0.41 per warrant. As of August 16, 2024, there were approximately 431 holders of record of our common stock and five holders of record of the public warrants. Such numbers do not include beneficial owners holding our securities through nominee names.

 

Dividend Policy

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date. The payment of cash dividends by us in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of our board of directors.

 

 
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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED

 

We are offering up to 2,801,120 shares of our common stock and up to 2,801,120 common warrants to purchase up to 2,801,120 shares of common stock, at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.57 per share and common warrant (the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on August 16, 2024). Each share of common stock is being offered together with one common warrant, each to purchase one share of common stock. No warrant for fractional shares of common stock will be issued, rather warrants will be issued only for whole shares of common stock. We are also registering the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the common warrants offered hereby.

 

Common Stock

 

The material terms and provisions of our common stock are described under “Description of Our Securities” in this prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Common Warrants

 

General

 

The following is a summary of certain terms and provisions of the common warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the common warrant, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of common warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the common warrants.

 

Pursuant to a warrant agency agreement between us and Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent, the warrants will be issued in book-entry form and will initially be represented only by one or more global warrants deposited with the warrant agent, as custodian, on behalf of The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.

 

Duration, Exercise Price and Form

 

The Company is offering common warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,801,120 shares of our common stock. Each common warrant may be exercised, in cash or by a cashless exercise at the election of the holder at any time following the date of issuance and from time to time thereafter through and including the five year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price. The exercise price is separately subject to reduction in the event of certain future dilutive issuances of shares of common stock by us, including pursuant to common stock equivalents and convertible or derivative securities. The common warrants will be issued separately from the common stock and will be held separately immediately thereafter. One common warrant, each to purchase one share of our common stock will be issued for every share of common stock purchased in this offering.

 

Exercisability

 

The common warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder’s common warrants to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% of the outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s common warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the common warrants.

 

Cashless Exercise

 

If, at the time a holder exercises its common warrants, a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the common warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available for the issuance of such shares, then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the common warrant.

 

 
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Fundamental Transactions

 

In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the form of common warrant, and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the common warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the common warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction, other than one in which a successor entity that is a publicly traded corporation (whose stock is quoted or listed for trading on a national securities exchange, including, but not limited to, the New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market) assumes the common warrant such that the warrant shall be exercisable for the publicly traded common stock of such successor entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a fundamental transaction, the holders of the common warrants have the right to require us or a successor entity to redeem the common warrants for cash in the amount of the Black-Scholes Value (as defined in the common warrants) of the remaining unexercised portion of the common warrants on the date of the consummation of such fundamental transaction, concurrently with or within 30 days following the consummation of a fundamental transaction. However, in the event of a fundamental transaction which is not in our control, including a fundamental transaction not approved by our board of directors, the holders of the common warrants will only be entitled to receive from us or our successor entity, as of the date of consummation of such fundamental transaction the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of the common warrants that are being offered and paid to the holders of our common stock in connection with the fundamental transaction, whether that consideration is in the form of cash, stock or any combination of cash and stock, or whether the holders of our common stock are given the choice to receive alternative forms of consideration in connection with the fundamental transaction.

 

Transferability

 

Subject to applicable laws, a common warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the common warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

 

Fractional Shares

 

No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon the exercise of the common warrants. Rather, the number of shares of common stock to be issued will, at the Company's election, either be rounded up to the next whole share or we will pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.

 

Trading Market

 

There is no established trading market for the common warrants, and we do not expect an active trading market to develop. We do not intend to apply to list the common warrants on any securities exchange or other trading market. Without a trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be extremely limited.

 

Right as a Stockholder

 

Except as otherwise provided in the common warrants or by virtue of the holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, such holder of common warrants does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until such holder exercises such holder’s common warrants. The common warrants will provide that the holders of the common warrants have the right to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our shares of common stock.

 

Waivers and Amendments

 

The common warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions of the common warrant waived with our and the holder’s written consent.

 

Placement Agent’s Warrants to be issued in this Offering

 

We have agreed to issue warrants to Roth, upon the closing of this offering, which entitle it to purchase up to 10% of the total number of shares of common stock sold in this offering. The exercise price of these warrants is equal to 100% of the public offering price for the shares of common stock and common warrants offered hereby. The Placement Agent’s Warrants will be exercisable immediately upon issuance, at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the five-year period commencing from the commencement of sales of this offering. The Placement Agent’s Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the Placement Agent’s Warrants are being registered hereby.

 

 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting our operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Overview

 

We are a robust AI-driven data management platform that solves complex data challenges for large institutions operating in dynamic and mission-critical environments with rapidly increasing volumes of data being ingested from a similarly rapidly growing number of data sources.

 

We solve these challenges by structuring “dark” or unstructured data at the edge, the location at which the data is generated and collected, and leveraging purpose-built AI models. Unstructured, or “dark” data, which is typically categorized as qualitative data, cannot be processed and analyzed via conventional data tools and methods. Conversely, structured data, typically categorized as quantitative data, is highly organized and easily decipherable by machine learning algorithms.

 

Structuring and then analyzing data using AI models at the edge, versus transmitting the data from the edge back to a central processing location for structuring and analysis, enables real-time decision making and data-driven operational efficiency.

 

We specialize in ingesting all available metadata from edge-based sensors used by government and law enforcement agencies around the world, including surveillance cameras (video), audio, telemetry, acoustic, seismic, and autonomous devices, along with large commercial corporations with fundamentally similar capabilities and requirements.

 

Data generated by these edge-based sensors, including video, can then be run through our trained AI models to detect objects present within the video frame. Once an object is detected, for example an automobile, additional identifying characteristics of the object can be extracted from the image including the license plate characters and the make, model, and color of the automobile. This process of analyzing, logging and categorizing ingested data is referred to as “structuring” the data.

 

Airship AI’s software allows customers to view structured data both in real-time as well as to conduct searches on the structured data at a later point in time. Real-time structured data use includes, for example, alarms on a specific license plate or a specific make, model or color of automobile. Non-real-time structured data use includes, for example, searching a database of video data that has been previously ingested and stored to find instances of a particular license plate being visible, along with other logged vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color of an automobile.

 

Additional edge deployed AI models enable similar object detection and recognition of common and custom trained objects, such as an aircraft, boat, person, animal, bag, or weapon. Airship AI’s models provide similar data points for these object types allowing analysts the ability to be notified in real-time of the detection of a specified object and similarly search for historically detected objects. Examples include detecting aircrafts and boats along with their respective tail numbers and hull registration numbers.

 

Our AI modelling process starts with pre-trained AI models from our technology ecosystem partners which we then customize using proprietary datasets tailored towards our customers unique workflow requirements. Where customers have pre-existing AI models or engines, we integrate those models or engines into our edge platform allowing customers to leverage proprietary models within the Airship AI software ecosystem.

 

 
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Our primary offerings include Outpost AI, Acropolis, and Airship Command. Our offerings allow customers to manage their data across the full data lifecycle, when and where they need it, using a highly secure permissioned based architecture.

 

Fair Value Transactions

 

As a result of the merger, the Company entered into the following transactions that were measured at fair value and vary quarterly with the share price and other items. Any change is non-cash and is recorded as a gain or loss in other income (expense).

 

 

 

 

Liability as of

 

 

 

June 30, 2024 (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout liability

 

$11,741,351

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

2,675,919

 

Warrant liability (Public Warrants)

 

 

144,120

 

Warrant liability (Private Warrants)

 

 

5,828,609

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 

$20,389,999

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other loss related to instruments recorded at fair value during the six months ended June 30, 2024

 

$(12,424,851)

 

 

 

 

 

Other loss related to instruments recorded at fair value during the six months ended June 30, 2023

 

$-

 

_________________

(1)

See Note 14 – Fair Value Measurements to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 for more information.

 

 

 

Liability as of

 

 

 

December 31, 2023(2)

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout liability

 

$5,133,428

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

2,825,366

 

Warrant liability (Public Warrants)

 

 

646,428

 

Warrant liability (Private Warrants)

 

 

21,557

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 

$8,626,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income related to instruments recorded at fair value during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023

 

$19,891,048

 

____________________

(2)

See Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 for more information.

 

Private Placement and Public Warrants

 

At the merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,159,012 public warrants outstanding. See Note 12– Private Placement and Public Warrants to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 for more information.

 

 
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Key Performance Indicators

 

Historically, a majority of our product revenue has consisted primarily of a bundled hardware and software product and to date we have sold or licensed a minimal amount of standalone software. In the future, we expect to see more delivery of our products using a cloud based software solution which will allow us to create additional subscription revenue.

 

We have historically evaluated our business solely based on revenue generated from customers and we have not tracked any other customer-related metrics. As we grow and increase our product offerings and customer base, we intend to modify and develop more advanced performance indicators. We believe the following key performance indicators apply to us in the future:

 

 

·

Growth within existing government customers. While we currently have a strong footprint across multiple large U.S. government agencies, growing our business within these agencies outside of the investigation focused departments is a fundamental area of our projected growth. Our ability to expand our footprint by implementing AI based solutions that leverage our core existing competencies within the agencies will be a critical indicator of the success of this strategy. We will measure progress against this objective through the disclosure of awards for new business within these agencies during the affected timeframe, providing tangible evidence of the success of our strategy to both management and investors alike.

 

 

 

 

·

 

Greater penetration into the commercial marketplace. While we have several existing customers in the commercial marketplace, our ability to build on the solutions we provide those customers and expand that base will be critical to our projected growth objectives. We will measure progress against this objective through the disclosure of the number of new commercial customers added during the affected timeframe, providing tangible evidence of the success of our strategy to both management and investors alike.

 

 

 

 

·

Expansion of our edge AI based solutions. We began to sell AI based solutions in late 2022. Our current strategy is highly focused on the transition of data management and analysis workloads to the edge, driving efficiency and cost savings for our customers. This strategy also includes new models being trained to extract data at the edge which enables real-time intelligent decision making for our customers. We will measure progress against this objective through the disclosure of the numbers of edge AI hardware devices we are selling as well as the growth of our edge AI analytic capabilities, providing tangible evidence of the success of our strategy to both management and investors alike.

 

Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance

 

We believe the following factors and trends may cause previously reported financial information not to be necessarily indicative of future operating results or future financial conditions:

 

 

·

Increase in the sales of lower margin solutions as we expand our operational footprint. While our current focus remains on expanding our AI driven software application portfolio, opportunities will continue to present themselves to provide those software-based solutions as part of a larger hardware-based turn-key solutions where Airship AI can provide a unique value-add to the customer. While these solutions will positively affect revenue we anticipate our operating profits in future periods may be adversely affected as compared to previous years due to the lower operating margin for hardware versus software applications.

 

 

 

 

·

Challenges due to geo-political driven supply-chain constraints. While many of the COVID-19 driven supply chain issues have been resolved, challenges to the timely production and delivery of Taiwan based products we utilize for our edge AI platform due to geo-political factors is a concern looking forward. In the event that our suppliers are unable to provide timely delivery of those supplies it will significantly impact our ability to meet delivery schedules for existing and anticipated edge AI hardware-based solutions.

 

 

 

 

·

Near-term impacts due to merger and acquisition activity. If Airship AI merges with or acquires another company, it is reasonably expected that there will be increased operating expenses and costs associated with the merger that could negatively impact operating profits in the future periods immediately following the M&A event. The extent and longevity of those impacts is not possible to quantify.

 

 
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Segment Reporting

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting, requires that an enterprise report selected information about reportable segments in its financial reports issued to its stockholders. Management monitors the revenue and expense components of the various products and services the Company offers, but operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a corporation-wide basis in comparison to a business plan which is developed each year. Accordingly, all operations are considered by management to be one operating segment and one reportable segment as contained in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Results of Operations

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023

 

The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

$ Variance

 

 

% Variance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$16,976

 

 

$5,709

 

 

$11,267

 

 

 

197.4%

Cost of net revenues

 

 

9,842

 

 

 

3,231

 

 

 

(6,611)

 

 

-204.6%

Gross profit

 

 

7,134

 

 

 

2,478

 

 

 

4,656

 

 

 

187.9%

Research and development expenses

 

 

1,398

 

 

 

1,339

 

 

 

(59)

 

 

-4.4%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

6,162

 

 

 

5,925

 

 

 

(237)

 

 

-4.0%

Total operating expenses

 

 

7,560

 

 

 

7,264

 

 

 

(296)

 

 

-4.1%

Operating loss

 

 

(426)

 

 

(4,786)

 

 

4,360

 

 

 

91.1%

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from change in fair value of warrants

 

 

(5,305)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,305)

 

 

-100.0%

Loss from change in fair value of earnout liability

 

 

(6,608)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6,608)

 

 

-100.0%

Loss from change in fair value of convertible debt

 

 

(512)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(512)

 

 

-100.0%

Loss on note conversion

 

 

(159)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(159)

 

 

-100.0%

Interest expense

 

 

(453)

 

 

(19)

 

 

(434)

 

 

-2284.2%

Other expense

 

 

(39)

 

 

(10)

 

 

(29)

 

 

-100.0%

Total other expense, net

 

 

(13,076)

 

 

(29)

 

 

(13,047)

 

 

-44989.7%

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(13,502)

 

 

(4,815)

 

 

(8,687)

 

 

-180.4%

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net loss

 

$(13,502)

 

$(4,815)

 

$(8,687)

 

 

-180.4%

  

Net Revenues — Net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased $11,267,000 to $16,976,000 as compared to $5,709,000 to for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as a result of increased product sales. We received purchase orders from various federal government agency customers totaling over $16 million from which we shipped in the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

Cost of Net Revenues — Cost of net revenues primarily consists of product costs and post customer support. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, cost of sales increased $6,611,000 to $9,842,000 as compared to $3,231,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was due to higher product sales and product mix with high equipment purchases during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

Research and Development Expenses — Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased $59,000 to $1,398,000 as compared to $1,339,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses — Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 increased $237,000 to $6,162,000 as compared to $5,925,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was due to (i) increased insurance costs of $433,000; (ii) increased professional fees of $768,000, primarily related to the merger and the Nasdaq listing; (iii) issuance of common stock for services of $199,000; (iv) increased subscriptions of $164,000; (v) increased other operating expenses of $77,000; and offset by (vi) decreased stock based compensation of $1,878,000. The stock based compensation during the six months ended June 30, 2023 included warrants to purchase common stock issued to Victor Huang and Derek Xu on May 8, 2023 for 765,000 shares to each of the founders valued at $2,136,115.

 

Other Expense — Other expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $13,076,000 as compared to other expense of $29,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Other expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 consisted of (i) loss from change in fair value of warrant liability of $5,305,000; (ii) loss from change in fair value of earnout liability of $6,608,000; (iii) loss from change in fair value of convertible debt of $512,000; (iv) loss on note conversion of $159,000; (v) interest expense of $453,000; and (vi) other interest of $39,000.

 

Other expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 related primarily to interest of $19,000 and other expense of $10,000.

 

 
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Net Loss — Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $13,502,000 as compared to net loss of $4,815,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The net loss primarily related to noncash items of $13,987,000. Noncash items included (i) depreciation of $2,000; (ii) stock based compensation of $531,000; (iii) net amortization of operating lease right of use asset of $151,000; (iv) issuance of common stock for services of $198,000; (v) noncash interest expense of $521,000; (vi) loss from change in warrant liability of $5,305,000; (vii) loss from change in earnout liability of $6,608,000; (viii) loss from change in fair value of convertible note of $512,000; and (ix) loss on note conversions of $159,000.

 

The net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 included noncash expenses of $2,775,000 primarily related to $2,136,115 stock compensation expense for warrants issued to founders.

 

For the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Variance

 

 

% Variance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$12,300

 

 

$14,549

 

 

$(2,249 )

 

 

-15.5%

Cost of net revenues

 

 

6,536

 

 

 

6,128

 

 

 

(408 )

 

 

-6.7%

Gross profit

 

 

5,764

 

 

 

8,421

 

 

 

(2,657 )

 

 

-31.6%

Research and development expenses

 

 

2,729

 

 

 

3,615

 

 

 

886

 

 

 

24.5%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

9,675

 

 

 

7,630

 

 

 

(2,045 )

 

 

-26.8%

Total operating expenses

 

 

12,404

 

 

 

11,245

 

 

 

(1,159 )

 

 

-10.3%

Operating loss

 

 

(6,640 )

 

 

(2,824 )

 

 

(3,816 )

 

 

-135.1%

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from change in fair value of warrants

 

 

1,341

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,341

 

 

 

100.0%

Gain from change in fair value of earnout liability

 

 

21,977

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,977

 

 

 

100.0%

Loss from change in fair value of convertible debt

 

 

(241 )

 

 

-

 

 

 

(241 )

 

 

-100.0%

Interest income

 

 

-

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

(43 )

 

 

-100.0%

Interest expense

 

 

(56 )

 

 

(75 )

 

 

19

 

 

 

25.3%

Other expense

 

 

(10 )

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10 )

 

 

-100.0%

Other income- PPP loan forgiveness

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,146

 

 

 

(1,146 )

 

 

-100.0%

Other income- Employee retention tax credit

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,233

 

 

 

(1,233 )

 

 

-100.0%

Total other income, net

 

 

23,011

 

 

 

2,347

 

 

 

20,664

 

 

 

880.4%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

16,371

 

 

 

(477 )

 

 

16,848

 

 

 

3532.1%

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10 )

 

 

10

 

 

 

100.0%

Net income (loss)

 

$16,371

 

 

$(487 )

 

$16,858

 

 

 

3461.3%

 

 
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Net Revenues — Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $2,249,000 to $12,300,000 as compared to $14,549,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022, as a result of lower product sales. We have also recently received purchase orders from various government agency customers totaling over $13 million from which we expect to start receiving cash in the first quarter of 2024. As a result of supply chain issues that existed at December 31, 2021, we were unable to fulfill many orders and had a backlog of new orders of $6.8 million that shipped during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Cost of Net Revenues — Cost of net revenues primarily consists of product costs and post customer support. For the year ended December 31, 2023, cost of sales increased $408,000 to $6,536,000 as compared to $6,128,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to higher product costs and increased post contract support costs.  

 

Research and Development Expenses — Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $886,000 to $2,729,000 as compared to $3,615,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was due to reduced personnel (17 personnel as compared to 18 personnel) and reduced funding of $694,000 of the AI expenses in Taiwan.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses — Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $2,045,000 to $9,675,000 as compared to $7,630,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was due to (i) increased stock based compensation of $2,305,000; and offset by (iii) reduced other expenses of $260,000. The stock based compensation increase includes $2,100,000 for warrants to purchase 1,344,951 shares of common stock issued to each of Victor Huang and Derek Xu.

 

Other Income — Other income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $23,011,000 as compared to other income of $2,347,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2023 consisted of (i) gain from change in fair value of warrant liability of $1,341,000; (ii) gain from change in fair value of earnout liability of $21,977,000; and offset by (iii) unrealized loss for increase in fair value of convertible promissory note of $241,000 and (iv) noncash interest and other, net of $66,000.

 

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2022 related primarily to (i) gain on forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loan of $1,146,000 and (ii) $1,233,000 income from employee retention tax credit.

 

Net Income (Loss) — Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $16,371,000 as compared to net loss of $487,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The change was the result of $2.7 million lower gross profit in 2023 from decreased revenue and higher cost of revenue, higher operating expenses in 2023 of $1.2 million due mostly to increased stock based compensation offset by $20.6 million increase in other income as discussed in other income above. The net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 included noncash income of $19,627,000.

 

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 included net noncash expenses of $50,000.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources as of June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. Significant factors in the management of liquidity are funds generated by operations, levels of accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures. We formally evaluated our liquidity and cash position most recently in August 2024 when preparing our June 30, 2024 unaudited financial statements. During this process we concluded, based upon existing assets and liabilities, our order backlog and projections, plus the ability to borrow in short term loans from our founder, that we would be able to operate at least for the next twelve months. We have received purchase orders from various federal government agency customers totaling over $16 million from which we shipped and started receiving cash in the first and second quarters of 2024.

 

 
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As of June 30, 2024, we had cash of approximately $227,000 and accounts receivable of approximately $3,440,000 which we expect to collect in the near term after quarter end. We have incurred losses from operations over the past few years and had an accumulated deficit of $30,979,000 as of June 30, 2024. We also had at June 30, 2024 a working capital deficit of approximately $6,712,000. The net working capital deficit includes a couple of items that are expected to require limited cash outlays in the future, including the current deferred revenue totaling $3,791,970 and convertible debt totaling $2,675,919, which we expect to be converted to equity. We have primarily funded our operations from operating cash, proceeds from debt borrowings and advances from founders.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $4,147,000. This amount was primarily related to (i) net loss of $13,502,000; and (ii) net working capital reductions of $4,632,000; offset by (iii) noncash items of $13,987,000.  Noncash items included (iv) depreciation of $2,000; (v) stock based compensation of $531,000; (vi) net amortization of operating lease right of use asset of $151,000; (vii) issuance of common stock for services of $198,000; (viii) noncash interest expense of $521,000; (ix) loss from change in warrant liability of $5,305,000; (x) loss from change in earnout liability of $6,608,000; (xi) loss from change in fair value of convertible note of $512,000; and (xii) loss on note conversions of $159,000.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $737,000. This amount was primarily related to (i) a net loss of $4,815,000; offset by (ii) net working capital increases of $1,303,000; and (iii) noncash charges of $2,775,000. Noncash charges included (iv) depreciation of $7,000; (v) stock based compensation- stock options of $274,000; (vi) stock based compensation- warrants of $2,136,000; and (vii) net amortization of operating lease right of use asset of $358,000.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $1,240,000 and consisted of (i) proceeds from warrant exercise of $293,000; (ii) advances from founders of $800,000; and (iii) proceeds from stock option exercises of $147,000.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2,660,000 and consisted of (i) proceeds from convertible promissory note of $1,985,000; (ii) advances from founders of $1,100,000; and offset by (iii) repayment of small business loan and line of credit of $425,000.

  

Our contractual cash obligations as of June 30, 2024 (excluding debt financing arrangements below) are summarized in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

Less Than

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual Cash Obligations

 

Total

 

 

1  Year

 

 

1-3 Years

 

 

4-5 Years

 

Operating lease cash payments

 

$1,168,865

 

 

$299,727

 

 

$740,740

 

 

$128,398

 

  

Liquidity and Capital Resources as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. Significant factors in the management of liquidity are funds generated by operations, levels of accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures. We formally evaluated our liquidity and cash position most recently in March 2024 when preparing our December 31, 2023 audited financial statements. During this process we concluded, based upon existing assets and liabilities, our order backlog and projections, plus the ability to borrow up to $2.5 million in short term loans from our founder, that we would be able to operate at least for the next twelve months. We have also recently received purchase orders from various government agency customers totaling over $13 million from which we expect to start receiving cash in the first quarter of 2024.

 

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash of approximately $3,124,000 and net capital deficit of approximately $6,174,000. The net working capital deficit includes a couple of items that are expected to require limited future cash outlays including current portion of deferred revenue totaling $4,009,000 and convertible debt totaling $2,825,000 which we expect to be converted to equity. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $16,582,000. On December 21, 2023, the merger with BYTS closed from which we received $2.8 million in net proceeds. Airship AI Holdings, Inc. became the accounting acquirer.

 

 
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Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $3,291,000. This amount was primarily related to (i) net income of $16,371,000; (ii) depreciation of $15,000; (iii) stock based compensation of $2,852,000; (iv) net amortization of operating lease right of use asset of $597,000; (v) unrealized loss for increase in fair value of convertible promissory note of $240,000; (vi) non cash interest, net of $65,000; offset by (vii) gain from change in fair value of warrant liability of $1,341,000; (viii) gain from change in fair value of earnout liability of $21,976,000; and (ix) working capital changes of $36,000.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $2,903,000. This amount was primarily related to (i) a net loss of $487,000; (ii) working capital changes of $2,365,000; (iii) gain on forgiveness of note payable — PPP of $1,146,000; offset by (iv) depreciation of $15,000; (v) stock based compensation of $546,000; (vi) amortization of operating lease right of use asset of $517,000; and (vii) other of $17,000.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $6,120,000 and consisted of (i) issuance of a senior secured convertible promissory note of $2,585,000; (ii) net advances provided by the founders of $1,150,000; (iii) proceeds from reverse capitalization of $2,800,000; and offset by (iv) the payoff of small business loan and line of credit of $425,000.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1,866,000 and consisted of (i) $565,000 from a small business loan and a line of credit; (ii) proceeds from notes receivable — related parties of $842,000; (iii) the founders advances of $1,900,000 and repayment of advances to the founders of $1,300,000; and (iv) repayment of small business loan and line of credit of $140,000.

 

Our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2023 (excluding debt financing arrangements below) are summarized in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

Less Than

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual Cash Obligations

 

Total

 

 

1  Year

 

 

1-3 Years

 

 

4-5 Years

 

Operating lease cash payments

 

$1,291,754

 

 

$245,051

 

 

$729,919

 

 

$316,784

 

 

Debt Financing Arrangements

 

On June 22, 2023, we entered into a senior secured convertible promissory note with Platinum Capital Partners Inc. and received $2,000,000. As a condition of funding, we paid off three small notes and accounts payable totaling $374,000.  At the option of the holder, the note is convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. We expect the convertible debt to be converted to equity. On June 22, 2024, we entered into an Extension Agreement related to the Platinum convertible note. The Extension Agreement extended the due date of the Platinum convertible note from June 22, 2024 to June 22, 2025.

 

On November 2, 2023, we issued senior secured convertible promissory notes for $600,000 to two private investors. At the option of the holders, the notes are convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. On March 5, 2024, the two private investors converted the debt to equity.

 

Mr. Huang has committed to providing additional temporary funding if it is necessary.

 

We believe that our cash on hand, funding from the completion of the merger, results of operations and financing transactions will be sufficient to fund our operations for the next twelve months.

 

Equity financing, if obtained, could result in dilution to our then-existing stockholders and/or require such stockholders to waive certain rights and preferences. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, or is not available at all, we may be required to delay, scale back, or eliminate the development of business opportunities and our operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

 

 
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

On July 13, 2023, we entered into a lease in Redmond, WA for 15,567 square feet of office and warehouse space which started October 1, 2023. The monthly payment is $25,000 per month. The lease expires on October 31, 2027 and the monthly payment increases 3% on July 31, 2024 and each year thereafter. There is a one three year option to extend based on the fair market rate on October 31, 2027.

 

On February 29, 2024, we extended a lease in Moorestown, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment is $6,488. The lease expires on August 29, 2024.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates due to risks and uncertainties, including uncertainty in the current economic environment. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and our actual results, our future consolidated financial statements will be affected.

 

We believe that the significant accounting policies described in “Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our audited consolidated financial statements are accurate and complete. The critical accounting estimates and policies during the three months ended June 30, 2024 have not materially changed to those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

 
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DESCRIPTION OF AIRSHIP AI’S BUSINESS

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the business and operations of Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Airship AI.

 

Overview

 

We are a robust AI-driven data management platform that solves complex data challenges for large institutions operating in dynamic and mission-critical environments with rapidly increasing volumes of data being ingested from a similarly rapidly growing number of data sources.

 

We solve these challenges by structuring “dark” or unstructured data at the edge, the location at which the data is generated and collected, and leveraging purpose-built AI models. Unstructured, or “dark” data, which is typically categorized as qualitative data, cannot be processed and analyzed via conventional data tools and methods. Conversely, structured data, typically categorized as quantitative data, is highly organized and easily decipherable by machine learning algorithms.

 

Structuring and then analyzing data using AI models at the edge, versus transmitting the data from the edge back to a central processing location for structuring and analysis, enables real-time decision making and data-driven operational efficiency.

 

We specialize in ingesting all available metadata from edge-based sensors used by government and law enforcement agencies around the world, including surveillance cameras (video), audio, telemetry, acoustic, seismic, and autonomous devices, along with large commercial corporations with fundamentally similar capabilities and requirements.

 

Data generated by these edge-based sensors, including video, can then be run through our trained AI models to detect objects present within the video frame. Once an object is detected, for example an automobile, additional identifying characteristics of the object can be extracted from the image including the license plate characters and the make, model, and color of the automobile. This process of analyzing, logging and categorizing ingested data is referred to as “structuring” the data.

 

Airship AI’s software allows customers to view structured data both in real-time as well as to conduct searches on the structured data at a later point in time. Real-time structured data use includes, for example, alarms on a specific license plate or a specific make, model or color of automobile. Non-real-time structured data use includes, for example, searching a database of video data that has been previously ingested and stored to find instances of a particular license plate being visible, along with other logged vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color of an automobile.

 

Additional edge deployed AI models enable similar object detection and recognition of common and custom trained objects, such as an aircraft, boat, person, animal, bag, or weapon. Airship AI’s models provide similar data points for these object types allowing analysts the ability to be notified in real-time of the detection of a specified object and similarly search for historically detected objects. Examples include detecting aircrafts and boats along with their respective tail numbers and hull registration numbers.

 

Our AI modelling process starts with pre-trained AI models from our technology ecosystem partners which we then customize using proprietary datasets tailored towards our customers unique workflow requirements. Where customers have pre-existing AI models or engines, we integrate those models or engines into our edge platform allowing customers to leverage proprietary models within the Airship AI software ecosystem.

 

Our primary offerings include Outpost AI, Acropolis, and Airship Command. Our offerings allow customers to manage their data across the full data lifecycle, when and where they need it, using a highly secure permissioned based architecture.

 

 
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Outpost AI is our edge hardware and software offering that is purpose built to structure and analyze data efficiently and effectively at the source using Airship AI trained models. Once structured, Outpost AI securely encodes the data and streams it to Acropolis for further processing. In the automobile example, Outpost AI will process the unstructured and unlabeled video data into structured data including images of vehicles, images of plates, make, model, color, locations and plate numbers, as well as confidence levels on the structured results.

 

Acropolis is our enterprise management software suite which serves as the backbone of our software ecosystem. Acropolis allows customers with a handful of devices or hundreds of thousands of devices to manage their user and install base efficiently and securely from a single graphical user interface. Acropolis can be installed and managed locally (on-premises) as well as in cloud/multi-cloud-based system architectures. Acropolis can work with structured and unstructured data. In the scenario where Outpost AI processes the unstructured video of vehicles into images, plate numbers and other structured data, Acropolis will compare the structured data against customer repositories of structured data in order to add labels to results for user attention. Here, Acropolis leaves the initial processing of unstructured data to the edge device (Outpost AI) and handles additional labeling which requires bigger centralized datasets. Where Acropolis is receiving unstructured data as input from devices, it will do the initial processing of unstructured to structured data similar to what Outpost AI does at the edge before any additional labelling. This holistic approach allows customers to leverage the benefits of both edge and back-end data structuring and analysis in a “single-pane-of-glass” approach.

 

Airship Command then allows the customer to view the final labelled data which can be presented in real-time or as search results, as alerts, in automatically updating lists or on maps. In the vehicle example, Airship Command can present alarms on specific filters such as specific plates, intelligent partial matches, make, model, color and any combination thereof, as well as searches using the same filters against character recognition and vehicle characteristics results.

 

Airship Command is our suite of visualization tools that allow customers to interact with their data and devices securely and efficiently. Customer data interaction may include receiving and viewing an alarm triggered by an AI detected event at the edge on a mobile phone, or receiving and viewing events from thousands of edge devices spread across multiple different locations on a large video wall in a Security Operations Center (“SOC”). Our visualization tools span applications for workstations, web-based browsers, and applications for mobile handheld devices ensuring our customers data is never out of their immediate reach.

 

We apply AI across the entire offering suite, ensuring that we are extracting as much value from our customers’ existing and emerging data as possible. Whether it is using machine learning to train new models for deployment at the edge, or using a rules-based approach to detect anomalies based on data generated by machine learning models, we are constantly expanding and evolving our AI capabilities.

 

Our offerings are used by some of the largest government agencies and commercial organizations in the world. While we are heavily focused on continuing to grow market share in the United States, our offerings are currently deployed around the world, with significant room to grow in both the governmental and commercial markets.

 

Our typical customer engagement is a multi-year contractual agreement, an agreement which includes our core offerings as well as professional services, technical support, and software maintenance, which we expect will result in predictable, long-term recurring revenue. Our history shows that organizations that have chosen to partner with Airship AI stick with Airship AI.

 

Since our inception and until the Merger in December 2023, we have operated as a 100% employee-owned bootstrapped company with no outside investment, operating in a fiscally conservative model. As a U.S. based company, we operate in high growth areas, namely the intersection of public safety and AI, with a combined $7 billion edge AI hardware and software addressable market.

 

In 2022, we generated $14.5 million of revenue with 58% gross margin with positive EBITDA. We entered 2023 with $5.5 million of bookings and billings and $162.9 million in our pipeline, consisting predominantly of large U.S. government contracts, with further room to grow, especially in the commercial sector.

 

Our customers trust us to collect and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time as well as make it available to their users when they need it, where they need it, as securely as possible. We believe our offerings are purpose built from the ground up to help ensure we continue to meet or exceed these expectations.

 

 
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Our Industry

 

We believe a robust digital transformation strategy is imperative today for companies to discover new revenue opportunities, gain competitive advantages, and create efficient business operations. Whether companies are established brick and mortar operations with large disparate operational footprints and user bases or newer entrants to the marketplace with centralized operations, the need to ingest and process data efficiently and effectively is critical.

 

Nowhere across the digital data lifecycle is transformation occurring at a greater rate and pace than at the edge. While the advantages of operating at the edge are clearly recognized, it is only recently that physical technology has caught up with the virtual capabilities software has to offer. These advancements include the shrinking size of processors capable of performing advanced analytics at the edge and networking advancements such as 5G that can efficiently move the data processed at the edge (in real-time).

 

With these advancements, the ability to move data processing workloads to the edge and achieve true digital transformation has started to become reality. To achieve the full value of this transformation, we must be able to do the following key technical attributes at the edge:

 

 

·

Structure data and analyze it in real-time,

 

 

 

 

·

Extract value from the analyzed data in real-time,

 

 

 

 

·

Securely transmit the usable data to the consumers who need it in real-time, and

 

 

 

 

·

Securely retain all data at the edge for regulatory/evidentiary purposes.

 

Achieving these end-states at the edge should allow companies to substantially reduce the time needed to make decisions that affect operations across their environment, in some cases in a predictive manner. This ability to make real-time decisions using data analyzed at the edge can transform operations across industry and government by improving public safety, tailoring predictive maintenance, improving quality control, mitigating organized retail crime, and providing more efficient operations, which drive better customer experiences and operational outcomes.

 

In addition to the benefits achieved by increasing the speed and efficiency at which decisions can be made by offloading workflow and AI capabilities to the edge, significant cost benefits such as reduced operational costs associated with moving data across networks, processing and analyzing data using traditional massive backend servers and processors, and storage costs for extraneous data that is not valuable. Data security is also greatly enhanced, as are regulatory and compliance requirements for data, when compared to legacy data center approaches to data management.

 

Similarly, transformative changes are happening between edge and the cloud, leveraging applications that allow you to interact with your data wherever it resides, at the edge, on-premises, and/or in the cloud. True digital transformation can then be fully achieved when you have the “single pane of glass” interface that brings all your data together, securely, and efficiently, structured and analyzed, when and where the data consumer needs it.

 

Our Solution

 

Airship AI’s platform today is used across multiple verticals and markets, including commercial and government, and small and enterprise. Our products are purpose-built to be scalable and flexible, operating in the environments our customers are in today as well as where they want to be tomorrow. Our software can be installed in air-gapped stand-alone environments as well as enterprise-wide federated environments with countless devices, users, and end-points where data is aggregated and consumed. Our software is installed on bare-metal servers on-premises, in data centers, and in the cloud, as well as in physical and virtualized environments.

 

 
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Our software is also designed to replace existing capabilities as well as augment and/or enhance existing capabilities, from sensors to IT infrastructure to analytics. In many cases, our customers are able to achieve greater functionality out of existing capabilities through our unique approach to sensor integration and fusion than they could through the OEM manufacturers offerings, further improving ROI on existing infrastructure and cost-savings on planned future technology.

 

Our primary product offering is our software operating system, Airship Acropolis, supported by our edge (Airship Outpost AI) and end point visualization (Airship Command) offerings. Within Airship Acropolis, we have two variations, our commercial offering (Acropolis Commercial) and our government offering (Acropolis Law). While both variations are derived from the same code base, each is tailored towards specific workflow and operational requirements for their respective customer environments.

 

 

·

Acropolis Commercial. We built this platform first, supporting a variety of small and medium businesses across various commercial verticals, including schools, hospitals, casinos, logistics, and retail establishments. Our growth led us to larger commercial entities where we branched out from a standalone platform managing small numbers of cameras to an enterprise platform capable of managing hundreds of thousands of cameras and users from a single graphical user interface. Acropolis Commercial continues to support our commercial customers’ requirements today.

 

 

 

 

·

Acropolis Law. We built this platform based on the success of our commercial offering and we have grown our customer base to include agencies across the law enforcement, defense, and intelligence sectors, with dozens of custom sensor integrations and unique workflows allowing agencies to break down data sharing silos when operating standalone or in joint interagency environments.

 

Our edge platform, Airship Outpost AI, can be used in a standalone environment as well as pointed back to Airship Acropolis. Outpost AI primarily ingests either single or multiple feeds and using edge inference AI analyzes each feed for specific defined data parameters to alert on. All data is then encoded and streamed back to Acropolis securely for downstream visualization as well as further processing and/or analysis.

 

Our end point visualization platforms, Airship Command, consists of a thick client application, a web-based thin client, and our iOS and Android applications. Each of these visualization applications provides users the opportunity to securely view and interact with data being managed by Acropolis and control sensors/devices at the edge. Airship Command is the “single pane of glass” solution customers need.

 

Our professional services include custom model training for customers using their proprietary and sensitive data, on-site and/or remote engineering services supporting customer deployments and operations, as well as custom integrations and workflow enhancements aimed at creating additional operational efficiencies in their environments.

 

Our support and software maintenance agreements (“SMA”) create recurring revenue opportunities for the life of the contract and include options for general support as well as dedicated support through cleared individuals (up to the Top Secret clearance level). Our SMA provides customers access to new releases, patches, and other software updates as they are made public.

 

Our Customer Base

 

Our market-entry strategy has been to build enduring partnerships with large early adopters, or lighthouse customers, primarily in the United States. We believe these lighthouse customers serve as validation of our capabilities to other potential customers in similar and adjacent verticals by demonstrating the value and operational efficiencies our platform provides. From our first lighthouse customer in the commercial space, we have successfully expanded our footprint to include additional enterprise customers in the commercial market, as well as numerous federal, military, and intelligence agencies across the U.S. government.

 

 
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After our initial contract is established, our customers tend to expand their use of our products and services, as they realize the efficiency and value provided. We also tend to see rapid expansion into adjacent buying entities within the customer, allowing them to break down data silos between functional areas that have historically existed, through the sharing of data securely and efficiently across network and operational domains.

 

We believe there are substantial opportunities to leverage work done for our existing lighthouse customers in the commercial and government sectors, where we continue to see growing parallels around operational needs and the technology capabilities we provide that can solve them.

 

Revenue Mix

 

Historically, a majority of our product revenue has consisted primarily of a bundled hardware and software product and to date we have sold or licensed a minimal amount of standalone software. In the future, we expect to see more deliveries of our products using a cloud based software solution which will allow us to create additional subscription revenue.

 

We expect to capitalize on the significant investments made over the last several years by refining our enterprise software platform for federated users in our defined customer verticals and completing the development of our AI driven edge hardware platform running our proprietary edge software and analytic platform.

 

These investments have positioned us to not only significantly grow market share at higher margins in these existing verticals but to also find and/or create opportunities in greenfield spaces where the benefits of AI are just starting to emerge.

 

Competitive Strengths

 

We believe that our approach to providing a holistic data management solution that leverages AI is the key to our future success, as much as the foresight to build a scalable and federated data management backend was when we first started our company. Our software and capabilities are more than just tools in a customer’s toolbox, they are integral parts of their day-to-day operational workflow and equally ingrained into their operational processes.

 

 

·

Single Pane of Glass Platform: Our platform brings together disparate edge generated data into one place, structured and unstructured, allowing our customers the ability to visualize multiple analyzed data forms in a true “single pane of glass.” This approach substantially reduces the infrastructure, human and physical, that has been historically needed to view and extract operational value from the customers’ data.

 

 

 

 

·

Superior Customer Experience: Our direct approach to customer engagements enables our team to manage the entire customer experience, starting with the first platform demonstration and continuing through installation and long-term employment. This is key to our goal to build partnerships with our customers, which we equate to potential long-term recurring revenue engagements with strong opportunities for expansion within the organization.

 

 

·

Ease of Use and Adoption: Our solution is architected such that it can be installed in as little as one hour with minimal direct engagement or support needed, yet ready to support operational engagements of a handful of users and devices to thousands of users and tens of thousands of attached devices. Everything within the architecture is purpose built to be intuitive and straightforward, allowing users to become operationally proficient in short order with limited training.

 

 

 

 

·

Hardened and Secure Platform: As a U.S. owned and operated company, our offerings are compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”), the Commercial Software and the Trade Agreements Act (“TAA”), and the Buy American Act. Thus, cybersecurity and safeguarding data at rest and in transit is factored into everything we do, resulting in our platform having been accredited with numerous Authorities to Operate (“ATO”) for U.S. government agencies for on-premise deployments as well at the Fed Ramp high impact level in the secure cloud. This allows us to bring government-grade security to the larger commercial sector.

 

 

 

 

·

Significant Cost Savings: Our edge solution enables customers to add AI capabilities to their existing IT infrastructure, allowing them to immediately recognize the operational benefits of our AI platform without having to add expensive backend servers. Additionally, our open approach to edge sensors and devices allows customers to extract the full value out of their existing devices compared to the more common industry standard rip and replace approach.

 

 
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Market Opportunity

 

Airship AI serves a large and rapidly growing addressable market. We determined the total addressable market (“TAM”) based upon publicly-available third-party industry reports on the current and projected markets for edge AI hardware and software offerings as well as federal, state, and local grants and set-aside funding for law enforcement, public safety, and community violence intervention efforts.

 

In addition to the $7 billion combined edge AI hardware and software addressable market by 2029, growing at a blended compounded average growth rate (“CAGR”) of 21.8%, for 2023 alone the U.S. government has set aside $3.2 billion in discretionary resources for state and local grants and $30 billion in mandatory resources to support law enforcement, crime prevention, and violence intervention, based on The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2023.

 

We believe our existing product market fit in the law enforcement vertical supported by our rapidly growing edge AI hardware and software offerings positions us well in this market. We plan to take advantage of this nexus market opportunity by targeting the larger state and local public safety marketplaces as well as commercial customers where our edge AI platform can allow them to participate in joint public-private ventures to improve public safety for their larger communities.

 

We expect that our market opportunity will continue to grow as we expand our edge AI hardware and software capabilities allowing us to serve our customers more broadly across their operations.

 

Growth Strategy

 

For FY 2024, we started with a pipeline of $142 million, consisting largely of U.S. government agency contracts. The opportunities that make up this pipeline include opportunities for expansion within existing agencies as well as new opportunities within the agency and/or new agencies themselves. While many of these opportunities are multi-year engagements which are expected to be highly competitive, they represent years of work of developing the opportunity around our unique value proposition and differentiators in support of a sole source award or to position Airship AI as the company to beat.

 

While this pipeline represents the path for substantial growth over the next 12-18 months, we are executing a number of strategies which we believe will bring our value proposition to a broader audience in the United States and abroad.

 

 

·

Embrace Existing Direct Routes to Market While Building A Channel Program: Our focus in the near term is to continue building and expanding relationships with existing customers who we enjoy direct relationships with, while we build partnerships with global integrators who bring capabilities outside our core competencies along with access and placement to customers and verticals which we do not currently enjoy. We believe that these strategies can not only co-exist but be mutually beneficial.

 

 

 

 

·

Expand Our Technology Partnerships and Integrations: Our focus remains on providing a best of breed “single pane of glass” solution for our customers data management challenges, which entails expanding our existing technology partnership ecosystem within our existing customer framework, as well as adjacent verticals. We believe this will drive new customer acquisitions as well as help expand our distribution capability into spaces our partners already participate.

 

 

·

Commercial Expansion: Based on our existing lighthouse customers and the rapid acceleration of AI in solving public safety and operational challenges, we see significant opportunities for expansion of our platform in the broader commercial marketplace. While we see opportunities across multiple industry verticals, our focus in the short term will be on those verticals that can immediately benefit from the work already done, significantly reducing additional development efforts along with shortening the sales cycle. These verticals include infrastructure, transportation, logistics, and retail.

 

 

 

 

·

Strategic M&A Activities: As part of our commercial landing and government expansion strategies, we plan to focus on strategic acquisition targets with complementary technologies that can rapidly accelerate existing development efforts or add new capabilities to our platform that are supportive of our existing technology partnerships and routes to market strategies.

 

 
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Employees 

 

We employed 51 employees as of June 30, 2024. The employees are headquartered in Redmond, WA and are supported by a growing team at its Customer Center of Excellence located in Charlotte, NC. We employed eight research and development personnel in Taiwan as of June 30, 2024.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may become involved in actions, claims, litigation, and other legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of its business from time to time, including assertions by third parties relating to intellectual property infringement, contract or warranty breaches, or employment-related matters. We are not currently a party to any actions, claims, suits, or other legal procedures whose conclusion, if not determined in our favor, would have a major adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We do not have any patents and instead rely on trade secrets and know-how in the development of our business. Although large technology companies use patent portfolios as a means of strategic and legal deterrence, we believe it is more advantageous not to disclose our proprietary know-how.

 

Properties

 

On July 13, 2023, Airship AI entered into a lease in Redmond, WA for 15,567 square feet of office and warehouse space which started October 1, 2023. The monthly payment is $25,000 per month. The lease expires on October 31, 2027 and the monthly payment increases 3% on July 31, 2024 and each year thereafter. There is a one three-year option to extend based on the fair market rate on October 31, 2027.

 

On February 29, 2024, we extended a lease for the property located in Moorestown, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment is $6,488. The lease expires on August 29, 2024.

 

We believe that all our properties have been adequately maintained, are generally in good condition, and are suitable and adequate for our business.

 

 
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

Executive Officers and Directors

 

Our directors and executive officers are as follows:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Victor Huang

 

55

 

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director

Derek Xu

 

67

 

Chief Operating Officer, Director, Secretary and Treasurer

Paul Allen

 

54

 

President

Yanda Ma

 

45

 

Chief Technology Officer

Mark E. Scott

 

71

 

Chief Financial Officer

Peeyush Ranjan

 

50

 

Director

Louis Lebedin

 

66

 

Director

Amit Mital

 

54

 

Director

 

Background and Business Experience:

 

Victor Huang joined Airship AI as its first employee in October 2004. Mr. Huang has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since December 2023. He has served as Airship AI’s Chief Executive Officer since April 2007 and a member of the Board of Directors of Airship AI since March 2005 and as Chairman of the Board beginning in January 2012. From June 1996 to September 2004, Mr. Huang was an independent trader and investor. From January 1992 to June 1996, Mr. Huang worked at Smith Barney as a financial consultant. Mr. Huang attended University of Washington where he studied business administration.

 

Derek Xu is a co-founder of Airship AI. Mr. Xu has served as our Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Treasurer and a member of the Board since December 2023. He has served as Airship AI’s Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Treasurer since March 2022 and as a member of the Board of Directors since the incorporation of Airship AI in 2003. Mr. Xu also previously served as Airship AI’s Chief Technology Officer from April 2007. Prior to 2003, Mr. Xu co-founded and sold his Web service company that provided eCommerce solutions for small businesses. Before that, Mr. Xu worked in leadership positions at various tech companies where he helped develop and launch several Web based products for financial institutions. Mr. Xu holds a Ph.D. degree in Geophysics from University of Washington.

 

Paul Allen has served as our President since December 2023. He has served as Airship AI’s President since 2019. Mr. Allen joined Airship AI as the Director of Business Development in 2015 and was promoted to Vice President of Sales in 2017 before being promoted to President in 2019. Prior to joining Airship AI, Mr. Allen was partner at a boutique firm in Northern Virginia, providing technical goods and services to the U.S. Government and Department of Defense, which he left following a successful private acquisition. Mr. Allen previously spent 14 years with IBM, leaving as a Business Unit Executive in their partner channel organization to pursue a career in direct support of the U.S. Government and Department of Defense. Mr. Allen retired from the U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Command in 2021 with over 28 years of service, the majority of which he spent in the U.S. Army Special Forces as a Green Beret, retiring as the 3rd Battalion 20th Special Forces Group (National Guard) Senior Warrant Officer at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3). Mr. Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Studies & Defense Analysis from Norwich University.

 

Yanda Ma has served as our Chief Technology Officer since December 2023. He has served as Airship AI’s Chief Technology Officer since March 2022. Previously, Mr. Ma was Airship AI’s Vice President Engineering, a position he held from 2005. His primary role is aligning the direction of engineering and product development to the strategic goals of Airship AI. To that end, over the years Mr. Ma has developed multiple evolutions of Airship AI’s product offerings from introducing Airship Enterprise Management, re-focusing with a government specific surveillance solution, delivering innovative edge solutions such as Nexus Outpost and creating value-add through end-to-end solution sets. Mr. Ma holds a bachelor’s degree in EECS from U.C. Berkeley. He has over twenty years of technology leadership experience in the streaming video and security industries and has been awarded multiple patents for key technologies he has helped develop over the course of his career.

 

 
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Mark E. Scott has served as our Chief Financial Officer since March 1, 2024. He served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Airship AI since November 2021 and served as a consultant from February 2021 to November 2021. Mr. Scott has served as a consultant and Chief Financial Officer for Valterra Partners LLC, a private equity firm, from 2017 to 2024.  Mr. Scott also served as a consultant and Chief Financial Officer of Valuto, Inc., a bitcoin kiosk company, from January 2021 to November 2021. Mr. Scott served as a consultant and Chief Financial Officer from August 2014 to December 2020 of GrowLife, Inc., an equipment supplier to the cultivation industry. Mr. Scott also served as a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of GrowLife, Inc. from February 2017 to December 2020. Mr. Scott has operated a wholly owned consulting firm where he advises companies on financial matters. Mr. Scott has significant financial, SEC and merger and acquisition experience in public and private microcap companies. Mr. Scott is a certified public accountant and received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Washington.

 

Peeyush Ranjan has served as a member of the Board since December 2023. From 2017 to present and from 2006-2015, Mr. Ranjan has served as VP, Director or Manager of Engineering at Google, a technology services firm. From 2015 to 2016, he was CTO of Flipkart, an e-commerce services company based in India, and a VP of Engineering at Airbnb. Previously, he was part of engineering teams at Consera Technologies, Hewlett Packard, Infospace, Inc. and Microsoft. He holds a B.Tech. degree in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur, an M.S. in Computer Science from Purdue University and an M.B.A. in Technology Management from University of Washington.

 

Louis Lebedin has served as a member of the Board since March 2021. Mr. Lebedin has over 25 years of banking experience with a proven track record of building and leading a world class business. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Lebedin served as an advisor to Unio Capital LLC, an asset management firm, responsible for product development. From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Lebedin was global head of JP Morgan’s prime brokerage business, a leading provider of clearing and financing services for equity and fixed income hedge funds. He was responsible for defining and executing the strategy for the business, to expand its market share while continuing to meet the evolving needs of its hedge fund clients. From 2008 to 2012, Mr. Lebedin served on JP Morgan Clearing Corp.’s Operations Committee and the Equities Division’s Executive Committee. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Lebedin was the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Bear Stearns’s Global Clearing Services division. Mr. Lebedin joined the Clearance Division in 1988 assuming the role of controller before being promoted to chief financial officer in 1996. From 1980 to 1987, he worked at Coopers & Lybrand, rising to the level of audit manager specializing in financial services. Mr. Lebedin holds a B.S. in accounting from Syracuse University, and he earned his CPA license in 1982.

 

Amit Mital has served as a member of the Board since December 2023. Mr. Mital has over two decades of experience in the tech field and currently serves as CEO and founder of Kernel Labs, which focuses on machine learning, virtual reality and cybersecurity, a position he also held from 2018 to 2021. From 2021 to 2022, Mr. Mital was on the National Security Council (NSC) as the senior director for cybersecurity strategy and policy and also served in the White House as a special assistant to the President. Before Kernel Labs, Mr. Mital was chief technology officer at Symantec Corporation, where he oversaw technology strategy for the cybersecurity company from 2013-2015. While at Kernel Labs, Mr. Mital was also co-founder and chairman of the blockchain-based distributed identification platform Trusted Key, which was later acquired by Workday. Mr. Mital’s longest-tenured job came at Microsoft, where he worked as a corporate vice president for 20 years, and as a general manager concurrently for seven years. Mr. Mital holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering from Dartmouth College.

 

Board Composition

 

The Company’s business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board. The Board consists of five directors, including three independent directors, namely Amit Mital, Peeyush Ranjan and Louis Lebedin. A director is not required to hold any shares in the Company to qualify as a director.

 

 
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Director Independence

 

Nasdaq rules generally require that independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, the Company has determined that Peeyush Ranjan, Louis Lebedin, and Amit Mital, representing three of the Company’s five directors, are “independent” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules.

 

Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

 

The Board has extensive involvement in the oversight of risk management related to the Company and its business and will accomplish this oversight through the regular reporting to the Board by the audit committee. The audit committee represents the Board by periodically reviewing the Company’s accounting, reporting and financial practices, including the integrity of its financial statements, the surveillance of administrative and financial controls and its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Through its regular meetings with management, including the finance, legal, internal audit and information technology functions, the audit committee reviews and discusses all significant areas of the Company’s business and summarize for the Board all areas of risk and the appropriate mitigating factors. In addition, the Board receives periodic detailed operating performance reviews from management.

 

Controlled Company Exemption

 

Victor Huang, Airship AI’s co-Founder and our Chief Executive Officer, and Derek Xu, Airship AI’s co-Founder and our Chief Operating Officer, beneficially own (including shares underlying warrants, stock options and SARs) approximately 60.4% of the combined voting power for the election of directors to the Board, and, as a result, the Company is considered a “controlled company” for the purposes of Nasdaq listing rules. For so long as the Company remains as a controlled company under that definition, it is permitted to elect to rely on certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements, including that a majority of the Company consist of “independent directors,” as defined under Nasdaq listing rules. In addition, the Company is not required to have a nominating and corporate governance committee or compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with written charters addressing the committees’ purposes and responsibilities and an annual performance evaluation of these committees.

 

If at any time the Company ceases to be a “controlled company” under Nasdaq listing rules, the Board intends to take any action that may be necessary to comply with Nasdaq listing rules, subject to a permitted “phase-in” period.

 

Board Committees

 

The Board has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, which have the responsibilities and authority necessary to comply with applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Board may from time to time establish other committees.

 

The Company’s chief executive officer and other executive officers will regularly report to the non-executive directors and the audit, the compensation and the nominating and corporate governance committees to ensure effective and efficient oversight of the Company’s activities and to assist in proper risk management and the ongoing evaluation of management controls. We believe that the leadership structure of the Board will provide appropriate risk oversight of the Company’s activities.

 

Audit Committee

 

Amit Mital, Peeyush Ranjan and Louis Lebedin serve as members of the audit committee of the Company (the “Audit Committee”), with Mr. Mital serving as the chairperson. Each of the members of the Audit Committee satisfies all independence requirements under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Our Board has determined that Louis Lebedin possesses accounting or related financial management experience that qualifies him as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq.

 

 
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The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. The Audit Committee is generally responsible for, among other things:

 

 

·

appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

 

 

 

·

discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions as defined by applicable law or Nasdaq listing requirements;

 

 

 

 

·

meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and

 

 

 

 

·

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Peeyush Ranjan and Amit Mital serve as members of the compensation committee of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”), with Mr. Ranjan serving as the chairperson. Each of the members of the Compensation Committee satisfies the independence requirements under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq.

 

The Compensation Committee is generally responsible for overseeing and making recommendations to the Board regarding the salaries and other compensation of our Executive Officers and general employees and providing assistance and recommendations with respect to our compensation policies and practices. The Compensation Committee is generally responsible for, among other things:

 

 

·

reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives applicable to the compensation of the chief executive officer, evaluating the chief executive officer’s performance, and determining and approving the chief executive officer’s compensation level based on this evaluation;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing and approving the compensation of all other Executive Officers;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing, approving and recommending incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans to the Board and stockholders of the Company for approval, and administering the Company’s incentive compensation plans, equity-based plans and the clawback policy;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing, approving and recommending employment agreements and severance arrangements or plans to the Board for approval;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing all Director compensation and benefits for service on the Board and Board committees, and recommending any changes to the Board as necessary; and

 

 

 

 

·

overseeing, in conjunction with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, engagement with stockholders and proxy advisory firms on executive compensation matters.

 

 
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

Peeyush Ranjan and Amit Mital serve as members of the nominating and governance committee of the Company (the “Nominating and Governance Committee”), with Mr. Ranjan serving as the chairperson.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee is generally responsible for identifying and proposing new potential director nominees to the Board for consideration and for reviewing our corporate governance policies. The Nominating and Governance Committee is generally responsible for, among other things:

 

 

·

determining the qualifications, qualities, skills, and other expertise required to be a director, and developing and recommending to the Board the criteria to be considered in selecting director nominees for the Board’s approval;

 

 

 

 

·

identifying and screening individuals qualified to become members of the Board, and considering any director candidates recommended by the Company’s stockholders;

 

 

 

 

·

selecting and approving the director nominees to be submitted to a stockholder vote at the stockholders’ annual meeting, subject to approval by the Board;

 

 

 

 

·

developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company, reviewing these principles and recommending any changes to the Board;

 

 

 

 

·

overseeing the Company’s corporate governance practices and procedures, including identifying best practices, and reviewing and recommending to the Board for approval any changes to the documents, policies and procedures in the Company’s corporate governance framework;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing the Board’s committee structure and composition and to make recommendations to the Board annually regarding the appointment of directors to serve as members of each committee and committee chairmen;

 

 

·

if a vacancy on the Board and/or any Board committee occurs, identifying and making recommendations to the Board regarding the selection and approval of candidates to fill such vacancy either by election by stockholders or appointment by the Board;

 

 

 

 

·

developing and overseeing a Company orientation program for new Directors and a continuing education program for current Directors, periodically reviewing these programs and updating them as necessary;

 

 

 

 

·

reviewing and discussing with management disclosure of the Company’s corporate governance practices;

 

 

 

 

·

developing and recommending to the Board for approval an officer succession plan, to review such succession plan periodically with the chief executive officer, developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions, and recommending to the Board any changes to and any candidates for succession under the succession plan.

 

 
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Code of Ethics

 

The Company has adopted code of business conduct that applies to all of its directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Company’s code of business conduct is a “code of ethics,” as defined in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. Please note that the Company’s Internet website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The Company will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of its code of ethics on its Internet website.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

None of the members of our compensation committee was at any time one of the Company’s officers or employees. None of the Company’s executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last completed fiscal year, on the compensation committee or board of directors of any other entity, one of whose executive officers served as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

 

Communication with our Board of Directors

 

Our stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with our Board of Directors by sending written communication in an envelope addressed to “Board of Directors” in care of Airship AI Holdings, Inc., 8210 154th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.

 

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate, subject to certain conditions, the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties. Our charter limits the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

 

We have purchased and intend to maintain director and officer liability insurance to cover liabilities our directors and officers may incur in connection with their services to the Company, including matters arising under the Securities Act. Our charter and bylaws also provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our bylaws further provide that we will indemnify any other person whom we have the power to indemnify under Delaware law. In addition, we have entered into customary indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors.

 

There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents in which indemnification will be required or permitted. We are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceedings that may result in a claim for such indemnification.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, executive officers or persons controlling the Company, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

 
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Airship AI,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” in this section are to the business and operations of Airship AI prior to the Merger and the business and operations of the Company as directly or indirectly affected by Airship AI by virtue of the Company’s ownership of the business of Airship AI following the Merger.

 

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for (i) the individual who served as our principal executive officer during fiscal years 2023 and 2022; and (ii) our next two most highly compensated executive officers who earned more than $100,000 during fiscal years 2023 and 2022 and were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2023 or 2022. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.”

 

This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt following the Merger may differ materially from the currently planned programs summarized in this discussion. As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies.

 

Summary Compensation Table – Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Plan

 

 

Option

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

 

Bonus

 

 

Awards

 

 

Compensation

 

 

Awards

 

 

Compensation

 

 

Total

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

($) 

 

 

($)

 

 

($)  (1)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

Victor Huang,  Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director

 

12/31/2023

 

$399,145

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$1,068,058

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$1,467,203

 

 

 

12/31/2022

 

$364,167

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$364,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Xu, Chief Operating Officer, Director, Secretary and Treasurer

 

12/31/2023

 

$388,000

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$1,068,058

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$1,456,058

 

 

 

12/31/2022

 

$371,833

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$371,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Allen, President (2)

 

12/31/2023

 

$300,000

 

 

$32,942

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$317,519

 

 

$-

 

 

$650,461

 

 

 

12/31/2022

 

$300,000

 

 

$42,178

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$317,520

 

 

$-

 

 

$659,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yanda Ma, Chief Technology Officer

 

12/31/2023

 

$227,500

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$227,500

 

 

 

12/31/2022

 

$200,000

 

 

$29,500

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$229,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Scott, Chief Financial Officer

 

12/31/2023

 

$200,237

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$83,250

 

 

$-

 

 

$283,487

 

 

 

12/31/2022

 

$183,333

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$33,139

 

 

$-

 

 

$216,472

 

 

(1)

These amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by Regulation S-K Item 402(n)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

 

(2)

Mr. Allen was paid a discretionary annual bonus of $42,178 during the year ended December 31, 2022. See “Outstanding Equity Awards as of the Year Ended December 31, 2022” for a discussion of option award compensation.

 

 
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Outstanding Equity Awards as of the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The number of shares subject to Airship AI options outstanding at the effective time of the Merger, and the exercise price of such Airship AI options, have been adjusted to reflect the Merger.

 

 

 

Option Awards 

 

Stock Awards

 

 

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable

 

 

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable

 

 

Option Exercise Price

 

 

Option Expiration

 

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

 

 

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

 

Name

 

(#)

 

 

(#)

 

 

 ($) 

 

 

Date

 

(#)

 

 

($)

 

Victor Huang (1)

 

 

1,758,105

 

 

 

-

 

 

$0.12

 

 

1/15//2032

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

Victor Huang (1)- SARS

 

 

1,758,105

 

 

 

-

 

 

$0.12

 

 

2/16/2032

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Xu

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Allen (2)

 

 

935,058

 

 

 

-

 

 

$0.57

 

 

1/15/2032

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yanda Ma

 

 

797,698

 

 

 

-

 

 

$0.12

 

 

1/15/2032

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark E. Scott

 

 

43,952

 

 

 

-

 

 

$0.57

 

 

1/15/2032

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

43,952

 

 

 

-

 

 

$1.640

 

 

8/6/2033

 

 

-

 

 

$-

 

 

____________

(1)

On January 16, 2018, Mr. Huang received a stock option grant to purchase 1,758,105 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.12 per share. As of December 31, 2023, 1,758,105 shares were vested. These shares were valued at $0.11 per share, or $190,000, as of the date of grant. On January 16, 2018, Mr. Huang received 1,758,105 stock appreciation rights for past service. The stock appreciation rights each has a base value of $0.12 per share.

(2)

On January 16, 2022, Mr. Allen received a stock option grant to purchase 935,058 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.57 per share. Of these options, 467,528 vested immediately, 233,765 vested on December 31, 2022 and 233,765 vested on December 31, 2023. These options were valued at grant date Black-Scholes value of $1.35 per share, or $1,270,078.

 

Executive Compensation Arrangements

 

Other than the annual compensation, bonus and equity incentive awards described above and below, the Company has no other executive compensation, change in control or similar agreements or arrangements.

 

On March 1, 2024, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mark E. Scott, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, which provides for a base salary of $250,000 annually. Mr. Scott is also eligible to participate in annual performance-based bonus programs established by the Board or Compensation Committee, subject to the achievement of applicable performance criteria established by the Board or Compensation Committee, which shall be determined in good faith by the Board or Compensation Committee. Mr. Scott was also granted options to purchase up to Twenty Five Thousand (25,000) shares of common stock with an exercise price equal to $1.49, which options vested in full on the date of issuance.

 

 
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2022 Combined Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan

 

Related to the Share Exchange Agreement with Supersimple AI, Inc., on February 17, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2022 Combined Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2022 Plan”) to issue options to acquire a maximum of 3,000,000 common stock shares. Effective upon the closing of the Merger, the 2022 Plan will no longer be available for use for the grant of future awards. The 2022 Plan will continue to govern the terms of awards that have been granted under the 2022 Plan before, and that are still outstanding following, the Merger.

 

The 2022 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including options that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code, as well as non-qualified stock options. Each award is set forth in a separate agreement with the person who received the award which indicates the type, terms and conditions of the award.

 

Certain Transactions

 

If as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in our capital stock, the outstanding shares of common stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company without the receipt of consideration by the Company, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares are converted into or exchanged for other securities of the Company. or any successor entity, the administrator shall make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2022 Plan, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding awards under the 2022 Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding award, and (iv) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding options under the 2022 Plan.

 

Amendment and Termination

 

Our board of directors may terminate or amend the 2022 Plan at any time, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent. However, we must generally obtain stockholder approval for any such amendments to the extent required by applicable law. The administrator may exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding stock options to the then current fair market value if the fair market value of the common stock covered by such option has declined since the date the option was granted, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.

 

Upon consummation of the Merger, each outstanding option under the 2022 Plan that was outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) converted into (i) an option (each, a “Converted Stock Option”), on substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such award immediately prior to the Effective Time, to purchase the number of shares of common stock, determined by multiplying the number of shares of Airship AI common stock subject to such award as of immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Merger conversion ratio, at an exercise price per share of common stock equal to (A) the exercise price per share of common stock of such award divided by (B) the Merger conversion ratio, and (ii) the right to receive a number of earnout shares in accordance with, and subject to, the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights Plan

 

Related to the Share Exchange Agreement with Supersimple AI, Inc., on February 17, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2022 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “SAR Plan”) to issue a maximum of 1,500,000, which was later adjusted to 2,637,150 stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) after the Merger.

 

As of December 31, 2023, after adjusting for the Merger, there were 1,758,105 SARs outstanding with a base value of $0.12 and January 2028 expiration.

 

Payment of Appreciation Amount

 

The appreciation distribution in respect to a SAR may be paid in cash, in common stock of the Company, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the stock appreciation rights agreement evidencing such SAR.

 

 
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Amendment and Termination

 

Our board of directors may terminate or amend the SAR Plan at any time, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent.

 

Upon consummation of the Merger, each SAR granted under the SAR Plan that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time converted into a stock appreciation right denominated in shares of common stock (each, a “Converted SAR”). Each Converted SAR will continue to have and be subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that (i) each Converted SAR will cover that number of shares of common stock equal to (A) the product of (1) the number of shares of Airship AI common stock subject to such SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time and (2) the Merger conversion ratio and (B) a number of earnout shares in accordance with, and subject to, the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement, and (ii) the per share base value for each share of common stock covered by the Converted SAR will be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the base value per share of common stock of such SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Merger conversion ratio.

 

2023 Equity Incentive Plan

 

In connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company has adopted the Airship AI Holdings, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), which plan was approved by stockholders at the extraordinary general meeting. This section summarizes certain principal features of the Equity Incentive Plan.

 

The Equity Incentive Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which the Company can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to its officers, employees, directors, consultants and advisers. The purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan is to help the Company attract, motivate and retain such persons with awards under the Equity Incentive Plan and thereby enhance shareholder value.

 

Administration. The Equity Incentive Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Board, which consists of three members of the Board, each of whom is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements. If a member of the compensation committee is eligible to receive an award under the Equity Incentive Plan, such compensation committee member shall have no authority under the plan with respect to his or her own award. Among other things, the compensation committee has complete discretion, subject to the express limits of the Equity Incentive Plan, to determine the directors, employees and nonemployee consultants to be granted an award, the type of award to be granted the terms and conditions of the award, the form of payment to be made and/or the number of shares of common stock subject to each award, the exercise price of each option and base price of each stock appreciation right (“SAR”), the term of each award, the vesting schedule for an award, whether to accelerate vesting, the value of the common stock underlying the award, and the required withholding, if any. The compensation committee may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding award, provided that the participant’s consent to such action is required if the action would impair the participant’s rights or entitlements with respect to that award. The compensation committee is also authorized to construe the award agreements, and may prescribe rules relating to the Equity Incentive Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the compensation committee does not have any authority to grant or modify an award under the Equity Incentive Plan with terms or conditions that would cause the grant, vesting or exercise thereof to be considered nonqualified “deferred compensation” subject to Code Section 409A, unless such award is structured to be exempt from or comply with all requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

Grant of Awards; Shares Available for Awards. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, SARs, performance share awards, performance unit awards, distribution equivalent right awards, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and unrestricted stock awards to non-employee directors, officers, employees and nonemployee consultants of the Company or its affiliates. The aggregate number of shares of common stock initially reserved and available for grant and issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan is 4,000,000. Such aggregate number of shares of stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to 2.0% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year; provided, however, that the Board may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of common stock. No more than 4,000,000 shares of common stock in the aggregate may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan in connection with incentive stock options. Shares shall be deemed to have been issued under the Equity Incentive Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an award. If any award granted under the Equity Incentive Plan expires, is cancelled, or terminates unexercised or is forfeited, the number of shares subject thereto is again available for grant under the Equity Incentive Plan, other than any shares tendered or withheld in order to exercise or satisfy withholding obligation in respect of any award. The Equity Incentive Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board.

 

 
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It is expected that all of our employees, consultants, advisors and service providers and all of our non-executive officer directors will be eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan. Future new hires and additional non-employee directors and/or consultants would be eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan as well. The number of stock options and/or shares of restricted stock to be granted to executives and directors cannot be determined at this time as the grant of stock options and/or shares of restricted stock is dependent upon various factors such as hiring requirements and job performance.

 

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for a limit on non-employee director compensation. The maximum number of shares of stock that may be subject to an award granted under the Equity Incentive Plan during any single fiscal year to any non-employee director, when taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during such year in respect of his or her service as a non-employee director (including service as a member or chair of any committee of the board), shall not exceed $250,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such award based on the fair market value on the date of grant of such award for financial reporting purposes).

 

Stock Options. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of either “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”), which are intended to meet the requirements for special federal income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, or “nonqualified stock options” (“NQSOs”). Stock options may be granted on such terms and conditions as the compensation committee may determine, which shall be specified in the option agreement; provided, however, that the per share exercise price under a stock option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant and the term of the stock option may not exceed 10 years (110% of such value and five years in the case of an ISO granted to an employee who owns (or is deemed to own) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of our company or a parent or subsidiary of our company). ISOs may only be granted to employees. In addition, the aggregate fair market value of common stock covered by one or more ISOs (determined at the time of grant), which are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Any excess is treated as an NQSO.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. A SAR entitles the participant, upon exercise, to receive an amount, in cash or stock or a combination thereof, equal to the increase in the fair market value of the underlying common stock between the date of grant and the date of exercise. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable SAR award agreement the terms and conditions of the SAR, including the base value for the SAR (which shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant), the number of shares subject to the SAR and the period during which the SAR may be exercised and any other special rules and/or requirements which the compensation committee imposes on the SAR. No SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of grant. SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, stock options granted under the Equity Incentive Plan. A SAR granted in tandem with a stock option (i) is exercisable only at such times, and to the extent, that the related stock option is exercisable in accordance with the procedure for exercise of the related stock option; (ii) terminates upon termination or exercise of the related stock option (likewise, the common stock option granted in tandem with a SAR terminates upon exercise of the SAR); (iii) is transferable only with the related stock option; and (iv) if the related stock option is an ISO, may be exercised only when the value of the stock subject to the stock option exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. A SAR that is not granted in tandem with a stock option is exercisable at such times as the compensation committee may specify.

 

Performance Shares and Performance Unit Awards. Performance share and performance unit awards entitle the participant to receive cash or shares of common stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals. In the case of performance units, the right to acquire the units is denominated in cash values. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable award agreement the performance goals and objectives and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply. If such goals and objectives are achieved, such distribution of shares, or payment in cash, as the case may be, shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A.

 

Distribution Equivalent Right Awards. A distribution equivalent right award entitles the participant to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or common stock distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the participant had the participant held a specified number of shares of common stock during the period the participant held the distribution equivalent right. A distribution equivalent right may be awarded as a component of another award (but not an option or SAR award) under the Equity Incentive Plan, where, if so awarded, such distribution equivalent right will expire or be forfeited by the participant under the same conditions as under such other award. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable distribution equivalent rights award agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at fair market value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional shares of common stock, or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives.

 

Restricted Stock Awards. A restricted stock award is a grant or sale of common stock to the holder, subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the compensation committee or the board of directors may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such instalments or otherwise, as the compensation committee or the board of directors may determine at the date of grant or purchase or thereafter. If provided for under the restricted stock award agreement, a participant who is granted or has purchased restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the compensation committee or the board of directors or in the award agreement). During the restricted period applicable to the restricted stock, subject to certain exceptions, the restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of by the participant.

 

 
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Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A restricted stock unit award provides for a grant of shares or a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable restricted stock unit award agreement the individual service-based vesting requirements which the holder would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment and the number of units awarded to the holder. The holder of a restricted stock unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock, or one share of common stock, as determined in the sole discretion of the compensation committee and as set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement, for each restricted stock unit subject to such restricted stock unit award, if and to the extent the holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirements. Such payment or distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the restricted stock unit first becomes vested, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A. A restricted stock unit shall not constitute an equity interest in the company and shall not entitle the holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of shares prior to the time the holder shall receive a distribution of shares.

 

Unrestricted Stock Awards. An unrestricted stock award is a grant or sale of shares of common stock to the employees, non-employee directors or non-employee consultants that are not subject to transfer, forfeiture or other restrictions, in consideration for past services rendered to the company or an affiliate or for other valid consideration.

 

Adjustment to Shares. Subject to any required action by shareholders of the company, the number of shares of common stock covered by each outstanding award shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares, including, but not limited to, a stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, continuation or reclassification, or the payment of a stock dividend (but only on the stock) or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the company.

 

Change-in-Control Provisions. The compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, at the time an award is granted or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a change in control, cause any award either (i) to be cancelled in consideration of a payment in cash or other consideration in amount per share equal to the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per share of common stock in the change in control over the per share exercise, base or purchase price of such award, which may be paid immediately or over the vesting schedule of the award; (ii) to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefore, by the surviving corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such surviving corporation following such change in control; (iii) accelerate any time periods, or waive any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an award so that any award to a holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a change in control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the compensation committee; (iv) to be purchased from a holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a change of control, upon the holder’s request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise, payment or distribution of such rights had such award been currently exercisable or payable; or (v) terminate any then outstanding award or make any other adjustment to the awards then outstanding as the compensation committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect such transaction or change. The number of shares subject to any award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

Transferability. No award may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a holder except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or by gift to any immediate family member of the holder, subject to compliance with applicable laws.

 

Amendment and Termination. The compensation committee may adopt, amend and rescind rules relating to the administration of the Equity Incentive Plan, and amend, suspend or terminate the Equity Incentive Plan, but no such amendment or termination will be made that materially and adversely impairs the rights of any participant with respect to any award received thereby under the Equity Incentive Plan without the participant’s consent, other than amendments that are necessary to permit the granting of awards in compliance with applicable laws. In addition, no amendment that results (directly or indirectly) in the reduction of the exercise price of an option or SAR or that otherwise requires shareholder approval under applicable law will be made without shareholder approval.

 

 
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Director Compensation

 

We primarily use monthly fees and stock option grants to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. This compensation reflected the financial condition of the Company. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company as well as the skill-level required by our members of the Board. During the year ended December 31, 2023, Victor Huang and Derek Xu did not receive any compensation for their services as directors. The compensation disclosed in the “Summary Compensation Table” above represents the total compensation for Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu.

 

Our independent non-employee directors are compensated in cash and stock option grants. There is no formal stock compensation plan for independent non-employee directors. Our non-employee directors received the following compensation during the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash

 

 

Stock Awards

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation

 

 

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings

 

 

Other Compensation

 

 

 

Name

 

$

 

 

(1)

 

 

(1)

 

($)

 

 

$

 

 

($)

 

 

Total

 

Peeyush Ranjan (2)

 

 

60,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20,108

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

80,108

 

Louis Lebedin

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Amit Mital

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

26,088

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

26,088

 

____________

(1)

These amounts reflect the grant date market value as required by Regulation S-K Item 402(r)(2), computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

 

(2)

Fees earned were monthly payments of $5,000 paid to Peeyush Ranjan. Mr. Ranjan was appointed to the Board of Directors on November 1, 2021.

 

 
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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

 

The following table sets forth information as of August 16, 2024 regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by:

 

 

·

each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of our voting securities;

 

 

 

 

·

each of our current executive officers and directors; and

 

 

 

 

·

all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.

 

Percentage of beneficial ownership of common stock is based on 23,736,027 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 16, 2024.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to, or the power to receive the economic benefit of ownership of, the securities. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days are included, including through the exercise of any option or other right or the conversion of any other security. However, these shares are not included in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of our shares beneficially owned by them.

 

 

 

 Common Stock Beneficially Owned

 

Name of Beneficial Owner (1)

 

 Shares

 

 

%

 

Directors and Named Executive Officers-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victor Huang (2)

 

 

8,305,514

 

 

 

29.0%

Derek Xu (3)

 

 

9,783,856

 

 

 

39.0%

Paul Allen (4)

 

 

935,059

 

 

 

3.8%

Yanda Ma (5)

 

 

797,698

 

 

 

3.3%

Mark E. Scott (6)

 

 

112,904

 

 

*

 

Peeyush Ranjan (7)

 

 

87,904

 

 

*

 

Louis Lebedin (8)

 

 

75,000

 

 

*

 

Amit Mital (9)

 

 

50,765

 

 

*

 

Total Directors and Officers (8 in total)

 

 

20,148,700

 

 

 

63.4%

   

Greater than 5% Ownership

 

 

 

 Shares Beneficially Owned

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

 Number 

 

 

Percentage

 

Airship Kirkland LP (Victor Huang) (10)

 

 

6,900,563

 

 

 

26.2%

Airship Redmond LP (Derek Xu ) (11)

 

 

8,438,905

 

 

 

35.6%

__________

* Less than 1%

 

(1)

Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the directors and executive officers of is c/o Airship AI Holdings, Inc., 8210 154th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.

 

 

(2)

Includes (i) shares owned by Airship Kirkland Family LP, over which Mr. Huang has voting and dispositive power, (ii) 1,344,951 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common stock, (iii) 1,758,105 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days, and (iv) 1,758,105 shares of common stock subject to stock appreciation rights. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 
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(3)

Includes (i) shares owned by Airship Redmond Family LP, over which Mr. Xu has voting and dispositive power, (ii) 1,344,951 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common stock exercisable within 60 days. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

(4)

Includes (i) shares owned by Mr. Allen, and (ii) 835,059 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

(5)

Includes (i) shares owned by Mr. Ma, and (ii) 737,698 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

(6)

Includes 112,904 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

(7)

Includes 87,904 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

(8)

Includes 25,000 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days.

 

 

(9)

Includes 50,765 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

(10)

Includes (i) 1,758,105 shares of common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days, and (ii) 1,758,105 shares of common stock subject to stock appreciation rights. Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement. Victor Huang has voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by Airship Kirkland Family LP.

 

 

(11)

Excludes the right to receive a number of earnout shares, in accordance with and subject to the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement. Derek Xu has voting and dispositive power over the shares owned by Airship Redmond Family LP.

 

 
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

BYTE Acquisition Corp.

 

Founder Shares

 

On January 22, 2021, Byte Holdings LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership and the sponsor of BYTS (the “Sponsor”) paid an aggregate of $25,000 to cover certain offering costs of BYTS in consideration for 8,625,000 of BYTS Class B ordinary shares (the “Founder Shares”). The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 1,125,000 shares subject to forfeiture by the Sponsor to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment was not exercised in full or in part, so that the number of Founder Shares would collectively represent 20% of BYTS’ issued and outstanding shares upon the completion of the BYTS’ initial public offering (excluding the private placement shares). On April 7, 2021, the underwriter exercised its over-allotment option in part, and 532,687 Founder Shares were subsequently forfeited by the Sponsor. Effective as of March 27, 2023, pursuant to the terms of BYTS’ Cayman constitutional documents, the Sponsor elected to convert each outstanding Class B ordinary share held by it on a one-for-one basis into Class A ordinary shares of BYTS, with immediate effect. On June 26, 2023, BYTS issued one Class B ordinary share in connection with the domestication of BYTS as a Delaware corporation (the “Domestication”).

 

At the time of BYTS’ IPO, the Sponsor agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of its Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of a Merger; and (B) subsequent to a Merger, (x) if the closing price of the Class A ordinary shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 120 days after a Merger, or (y) the date on which BYTS completes a liquidation, merger, amalgamation, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of BYTS’ shareholders having the right to exchange their Class A ordinary shares for cash, securities or other property.

 

In connection with the Merger, the Sponsor has entered into the Parent Support Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2023, with BYTS and Airship AI. Pursuant to the Parent Support Agreement, the Sponsor forfeited 1,000,000 Founder Shares held by it and made the share contribution to secure non-redemption agreements and/or PIPE Financing. The Parent Support Agreement also provided that 4,492,313 Founder Shares will be subject to a lock-up for a period of 180 days following the closing of the Merger.

 

Related Party Loans

 

On July 26, 2023, the Sponsor advanced $70,560 to BYTS, on September 8, 2023, the Sponsor advanced an additional $70,000 to BYTS, on November 1, 2023, BYTS received an additional advance from a related party of $224,500 and on November 2, 2023, the Sponsor advanced $25,159 to BYTS, for an aggregate $390,219 advanced to BYTS. These advances were repaid to the Sponsor at the time of closing of the Merger.

 

Administrative Services Agreement

 

BYTS entered into an agreement that provided that, commencing on effective date of the BYTS’ initial public offering, BYTS agreed to pay the Sponsor $10,000 per month for office space, utilities, secretarial and administrative support services. During the three months ended December 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022, BYTS incurred $30,000 and $90,000, respectively, of such fees. On November 30, 2022, BYTS assigned the Administrative Services Agreement, previously entered into by and between BYTS and the Sponsor to Sagara Group, LLC, which is a company controlled by Mr. Gloor. In connection with the Merger, the Company agreed to extend the term of the Administrative Services Agreement for an additional three months following the closing of the Merger.

 

 
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Non-Redemption Agreements

 

On August 1, 2023, BYTS entered into a Non-Redemption Agreement with the Sponsor pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to acquire from shareholders of BYTS $6 million in aggregate value of public shares, either in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, at a price no higher than the redemption price per share payable to public shareholders who exercise redemption rights with respect to their public shares, prior to the closing date of the Merger, to waive its redemption rights and hold the public shares through the closing date of the Merger, and to abstain from voting and not vote the public shares in favor of or against the Merger. As consideration for the Non-Redemption Agreement, BYTS agreed to pay the Sponsor $0.033 per public share per month, which will begin accruing on the date that is three days after the date of the Non-Redemption Agreement and terminate on the earlier of the closing date of the Merger, the termination of the Merger Agreement, or the Outside Closing Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement). Additionally, on August 1, 2023, BYTS entered into a Non-Redemption Agreement with a shareholder holding public shares, pursuant to which such shareholder agreed not to redeem $1 million in aggregate value of public shares held by it on the date of the Non-Redemption Agreement in connection with the Merger. Such shareholder is an investor in our Sponsor and, other than indirectly through its interest in our Sponsor, such shareholder did not receive any separate consideration for such waiver.

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

 

Advances to Founders and Transfer of Zeppelin Worldwide LLC and Zeppelin Taiwan, Ltd. Interests

 

In 2020, Victor Huang and Derek Xu, the founders, officers and directors of Airship AI (“Airship AI Founders”), borrowed $3,000,000 (“shareholder advances”) from Airship AI. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, Airship AI was owed $1,100,000 by the Airship AI Founders. Due to the lack of certainty over the payment of interest, Airship AI will record when received. Due to the uncertainty of the timing of payment, the advances will be treated as a long-term asset. The shareholder advances bear interest at 5% and during 2022 and 2021 no interest was paid. Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu owned all the membership units of Zeppelin Worldwide, LLC and its subsidiary, Zeppelin Taiwan, Ltd. (together, “Zeppelin”).

 

During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Zeppelin received from Airship AI an additional $1,095,000 and $590,000, respectively, in cash advances to fund operations which commenced in 2021. These advances between the companies are eliminated in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

When Zeppelin started, their intent was to explore the technology in-development and determine value for external customers by providing cloud based back-end products. After a period of time for Zeppelin’s development it became apparent these efforts would be of value and accretive to Airship AI. In 2022, Airship AI began utilizing Zeppelin’s research and development personnel to develop Airship AI’s products.

 

On February 28, 2023, the Airship AI Founders transferred their interests in Zeppelin to Airship AI for the $1,100,000 owed by the Airship AI Founders.

 

Vehicle and Condominium

 

On March 30, 2021, Airship AI sold a vehicle to an Airship AI Founder for a promissory note in the amount of $80,000. The note had a simple interest rate of 4%, compounded annually, computed daily based on a 360-day year with principal and interest due in March 2023. Interest payments were due annually. The promissory note plus interest in the amount of $84,844 was repaid during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

On May 5, 2021, Airship AI sold a condominium in Juanita Beach, Washington, to an Airship AI Founder for a secured promissory note in the amount of $750,000. The note had interest of 4% per annum, computed on the diminishing principal balance. Interest commenced on the closing with the first payment due on the first of each month after closing. The note was to be paid in full on or before 24 months from the date of the note. Interest payments were due annually. The promissory note plus interest in the amount of $794,917 was repaid during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

 
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Founder Advances

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $1,900,000 and were repaid $1,300,000, with $600,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2022. In the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI a total of $1,350,000 and were repaid a total of $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023. During 2024, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $2,100,000 and was repaid $1,300,000, with $2,550,000 recorded as advances from founders as of June 30, 2024. The advances are non-interest bearing and the Company expects to pay the balance off within a one year period.

 

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

 

On May 8, 2023, Airship AI issued warrants to purchase 1,344,951 shares of common stock to each of Victor Huang and Derek Xu. The warrants were valued at $2,136,115 based on the exercise price of $1.77, the fair market stock price of $1.89, a five year term, a volatility of 39.4% and interest of 3.41%. The warrants were recorded as stock-based compensation expense and as additional paid in capital. All warrants are fully vested as they were issued for services performed.

 

Issuance of Bankruptcy Plan Shares

 

On December 13, 2023, BYTS formed a wholly-owned subsidiary in Nevada, BYTS NV Merger Sub, Inc. (“NV Merger Sub”), for the purpose of acquiring SILLC (E) Acquisition Corp., a Nevada corporation (“SILLC”), an entity subject to a bankruptcy proceeding that has no assets, no equity owners and no liabilities, except for claims of approximately 400 holders of allowed unsecured claims and a holder of allowed administrative expenses (collectively, the “Claim Holders”). On December 15, 2023, BYTS entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “SILLC Merger Agreement”) by and among BYTS, NV Merger Sub, SILLC, and the other parties thereto.

 

On December 21, 2023, immediately following the consummation of the Domestication and prior to the consummation of the Merger, and as contemplated by the SILLC Merger Agreement, NV Merger Sub merged (the “SILLC Merger”) with and into SILLC, with SILLC surviving the SILLC Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYTS. SILLC became the successor and “Post Confirmation Debtor” pursuant to the bankruptcy plan. As a result of the SILLC Merger, and in accordance with the bankruptcy plan, the Company issued an aggregate of 150,000 shares of common stock (the “Plan Shares”) to the Claim Holders as full settlement and satisfaction of their respective claims, pursuant to Section 1145 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Sponsor forfeited an equal number of shares of common stock.

 

The issuance of the Plan Shares by the Company was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Plan Shares will not be subject to any lock-up or other transfer restriction.

 

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

 

On December 21, 2023, the Company entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Sponsor, Victor Huang and Derek Xu (collectively, the “Holders”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to register for resale, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, certain shares of common stock and warrants that are held by the Holders from time to time. The Registration Rights Agreement amended and restated the registration rights agreement that was entered into by BYTS, the Sponsor and the other parties thereto in connection with BYTS’ initial public offering. The Registration Rights Agreement will terminate on the earlier of (a) the five year anniversary of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement or (b) with respect to any Holder, on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities (as defined therein).

 

Indemnification

 

The Company’s charter and bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers.

 

 
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Policies and Procedures for Related Persons Transactions

 

Pursuant to its Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee will have the responsibility to review related party transactions. A “related person transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the post-combination company or any of its subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000 (or, for so long as we remain a “smaller reporting company” the lesser of (i) $120,000 and (ii) 1% of our average total assets of the two completed fiscal years), and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “related person” means:

 

 

·

any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of the Company’s executive officers or directors;

 

 

 

 

·

any person who is known by the post-combination company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company voting stock;

 

 

 

 

·

any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a director, executive officer or a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s voting stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s voting stock; and

 

 

 

 

·

any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal, or in a similar position, or in which such person has a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

 

Director Independence

 

Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of the Company’s board of directors be independent. For a description of the director independence, see “Directors and Executive Officers” for additional information.

 

 
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES

 

The following summary sets forth the material terms of the Company’s securities. The following summary is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and preferences of such securities and is qualified by reference to our charter and bylaws. You are encouraged to read the Delaware General Corporation Law, our charter and bylaws in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and preferences of the Company’s securities.

 

Authorized and Outstanding Stock

 

We are a Delaware company and our affairs are governed by its certificate of incorporation, its bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we refer to as the “DGCL” or “Delaware Law” below, and the common law of the State of Delaware. Our charter authorizes the issuance of 205,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”).

 

Common Stock

 

Voting rights. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. The holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class.

 

Dividend Rights. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board out of funds legally available for such purposes.

 

Liquidation Rights. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of the Company’s debts and other liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock, then outstanding, if any.

 

Other rights. The holders of Common Stock have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of the Common Stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of the Preferred Stock that the Company may issue in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

There are no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding. Our charter authorizes the Board to establish one or more series of Preferred Stock. Unless required by law or any stock exchange, the authorized shares of Preferred Stock will be available for issuance without further action by the holders of Common Stock. The Board has the discretion to determine the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. Additionally, the issuance of Preferred Stock may adversely affect the holders of Common Stock by restricting dividends on the Common Stock, diluting the voting power of the Common Stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the Common Stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of Preferred Stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of the Common Stock, restricting dividends on the Company’s capital stock, diluting the voting power of Common Stock, impairing the liquidation rights of the Company’s capital stock, or delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. At present, there are no plans to issue any Preferred Stock.

 

 
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Warrants

 

Public Warrants

 

Each whole warrant contained in the units sold in the BYTS’ IPO (the “Public Warrant”) will entitle the registered holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $7.80 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the Closing, provided that the Company has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or the Company permits holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the Warrant Agreement) and such shares of Common Stock are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities, or blue sky, laws of the state of residence of the holder. Pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its Public Warrants only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock. This means only a whole Public Warrants may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the Closing, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Public Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No Public Warrants will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue a share of Common Stock upon exercise of a Public Warrant unless the Common Stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Public Warrant, the holder of such Public Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Public Warrant and such Public Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any Public Warrant.

 

The Company is registering the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In order to comply with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act following the Closing, under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, the Company has agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the Closing, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment or a new registration statement covering the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and thereafter the Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such post-effective amendment or registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration or redemption of the Public Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement. If such post-effective amendment or registration statement covering the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective by the sixtieth (60th) business day after the Closing, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective post-effective amendment or registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Public Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Common Stock is at the time of any exercise of a Public Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event the Company does not so elect, the Company will use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Public Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (as defined below) over the exercise price of the Public Warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the average reported closing price of the Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.

 

 
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Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00

 

Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:

 

 

·

in whole and not in part;

 

 

 

 

·

at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

 

 

 

·

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and

 

 

 

 

·

if, and only if, the closing price of the shares of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Public Warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days before we send to the notice of redemption to the warrant holders (which we refer to as the “Reference Value”).

 

The Company will not redeem the Public Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common Stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

 

We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Public Warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its Public Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the Common Stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Public Warrant described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”) as well as the $7.80 warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.

 

Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00

 

Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:

 

 

·

in whole and not in part;

 

 

 

 

·

at a price of $0.10 per warrant;

 

 

 

 

·

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, provided that holders will be able to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table below, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” (as defined below) of Common Stock except as otherwise described below;

 

 

 

 

·

if, and only if, the Reference Value equals or exceeds $10.00 per Public Share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise) or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”; and

 

 

 

 

·

if the Reference Value is less than $18.00 per share, the Private Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding Public Warrants, as described above.

 

 
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Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the Public Warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of shares of Common Stock that a warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, based on the “fair market value” of Common Stock on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their Public Warrants and such warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per warrant), determined for these purposes based on the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, and the number of months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the warrants, each as set forth in the table below. the Company will provide warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends.

 

The share prices set forth in the column headings of the table below will be adjusted as of any date on which the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Public Warrant or the exercise price of a Public Warrant is adjusted as set forth under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” below. If the number of shares issuable upon exercise of Public Warrants is adjusted, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the share prices immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Public Warrant immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator of which is the number of shares deliverable upon exercise of a Public Warrant as so adjusted. The number of shares in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Public Warrant. If the exercise price of a warrant is adjusted, (a) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the fifth paragraph under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the higher of the Market Value and the Newly Issued Price as set forth under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” and the denominator of which is $10.00 and (b) in the case of an adjustment pursuant to the second paragraph under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” below, the adjusted share prices in the column headings will equal the unadjusted share price less the decrease in the exercise price of a warrant pursuant to such exercise price adjustment.

 

Redemption Date (period to expiration of warrants)

 

 

Fair Market Value of Common Stock

 

 

 

≤10.00

 

 

11.00

 

 

12.00

 

 

13.00

 

 

14.00

 

 

15.00

 

 

16.00

 

 

17.00

 

 

≥18.00

 

60 months

 

 

 

0.261

 

 

 

0.281

 

 

 

0.297

 

 

 

0.311

 

 

 

0.324

 

 

 

0.337

 

 

 

0.348

 

 

 

0.358

 

 

 

0.361

 

57 months

 

 

 

0.257

 

 

 

0.277

 

 

 

0.294

 

 

 

0.310

 

 

 

0.324

 

 

 

0.337

 

 

 

0.348

 

 

 

0.358

 

 

 

0.361

 

54 months

 

 

 

0.252

 

 

 

0.272

 

 

 

0.291

 

 

 

0.307

 

 

 

0.322

 

 

 

0.335

 

 

 

0.347

 

 

 

0.357

 

 

 

0.361

 

51 months

 

 

 

0.246

 

 

 

0.268

 

 

 

0.287

 

 

 

0.304

 

 

 

0.320

 

 

 

0.333

 

 

 

0.346

 

 

 

0.357

 

 

 

0.361

 

48 months

 

 

 

0.241

 

 

 

0.263

 

 

 

0.283

 

 

 

0.301

 

 

 

0.317

 

 

 

0.332

 

 

 

0.344

 

 

 

0.356

 

 

 

0.361

 

45 months

 

 

 

0.235

 

 

 

0.258

 

 

 

0.279

 

 

 

0.298

 

 

 

0.315

 

 

 

0.330

 

 

 

0.343

 

 

 

0.356

 

 

 

0.361

 

42 months

 

 

 

0.228

 

 

 

0.252

 

 

 

0.274

 

 

 

0.294

 

 

 

0.312

 

 

 

0.328

 

 

 

0.342

 

 

 

0.355

 

 

 

0.361

 

39 months

 

 

 

0.221

 

 

 

0.246

 

 

 

0.269

 

 

 

0.290

 

 

 

0.309

 

 

 

0.325

 

 

 

0.340

 

 

 

0.354

 

 

 

0.361

 

36 months

 

 

 

0.213

 

 

 

0.239

 

 

 

0.263

 

 

 

0.285

 

 

 

0.305

 

 

 

0.323

 

 

 

0.339

 

 

 

0.353

 

 

 

0.361

 

33 months

 

 

 

0.205

 

 

 

0.232

 

 

 

0.257

 

 

 

0.280

 

 

 

0.301

 

 

 

0.320

 

 

 

0.337

 

 

 

0.352

 

 

 

0.361

 

30 months

 

 

 

0.196

 

 

 

0.224

 

 

 

0.250

 

 

 

0.274

 

 

 

0.297

 

 

 

0.316

 

 

 

0.335

 

 

 

0.351

 

 

 

0.361

 

27 months

 

 

 

0.185

 

 

 

0.214

 

 

 

0.242

 

 

 

0.268

 

 

 

0.291

 

 

 

0.313

 

 

 

0.332

 

 

 

0.350

 

 

 

0.361

 

24 months

 

 

 

0.173

 

 

 

0.204

 

 

 

0.233

 

 

 

0.260

 

 

 

0.285

 

 

 

0.308

 

 

 

0.329

 

 

 

0.348

 

 

 

0.361

 

21 months

 

 

 

0.161

 

 

 

0.193

 

 

 

0.223

 

 

 

0.252

 

 

 

0.279

 

 

 

0.304

 

 

 

0.326

 

 

 

0.347

 

 

 

0.361

 

18 months

 

 

 

0.146

 

 

 

0.179

 

 

 

0.211

 

 

 

0.242

 

 

 

0.271

 

 

 

0.298

 

 

 

0.322

 

 

 

0.345

 

 

 

0.361

 

15 months

 

 

 

0.130

 

 

 

0.164

 

 

 

0.197

 

 

 

0.230

 

 

 

0.262

 

 

 

0.291

 

 

 

0.317

 

 

 

0.342

 

 

 

0.361

 

12 months

 

 

 

0.111

 

 

 

0.146

 

 

 

0.181

 

 

 

0.216

 

 

 

0.250

 

 

 

0.282

 

 

 

0.312

 

 

 

0.339

 

 

 

0.361

 

9 months

 

 

 

0.090

 

 

 

0.125

 

 

 

0.162

 

 

 

0.199

 

 

 

0.237

 

 

 

0.272

 

 

 

0.305

 

 

 

0.336

 

 

 

0.361

 

6 months

 

 

 

0.065

 

 

 

0.099

 

 

 

0.137

 

 

 

0.178

 

 

 

0.219

 

 

 

0.259

 

 

 

0.296

 

 

 

0.331

 

 

 

0.361

 

3 months

 

 

 

0.034

 

 

 

0.065

 

 

 

0.104

 

 

 

0.150

 

 

 

0.197

 

 

 

0.243

 

 

 

0.286

 

 

 

0.326

 

 

 

0.361

 

0 months

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

0.042

 

 

 

0.115

 

 

 

0.179

 

 

 

0.233

 

 

 

0.281

 

 

 

0.323

 

 

 

0.361

 

 

 
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The exact fair market value and redemption date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case, if the fair market value is between two values in the table or the redemption date is between two redemption dates in the table, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued for each Public Warrant exercised will be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of shares set forth for the higher and lower fair market values and the earlier and later redemption dates, as applicable, based on a 365 or 366-day year, as applicable. For example, if the volume weighted average price of Common Stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants is $11.00 per share, and at such time there are 57 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their warrants for 0.277 shares of Common Stock for each whole warrant. For an example where the exact fair market value and redemption date are not as set forth in the table above, if the volume weighted average price of Common Stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the warrants is $13.50 per share, and at such time there are 38 months until the expiration of the warrants, holders may choose to, in connection with this redemption feature, exercise their warrants for 0.298 shares of Common Stock for each whole warrant. In no event will the Public Warrants be exercisable on a cashless basis in connection with this redemption feature for more than 0.361 shares of Common Stock per warrant (subject to adjustment). Finally, as reflected in the table above, if the Public Warrants are out of the money and about to expire, they cannot be exercised on a cashless basis in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, since they will not be exercisable for any shares of Common Stock.

 

This redemption feature is structured to allow for all of the outstanding Public Warrants to be redeemed when the Common Stock is trading at or above $10.00 per share, which may be at a time when the trading price of the Common Stock is below the exercise price of the Public Warrants. We have established this redemption feature to provide us with the flexibility to redeem the Public Warrants without the Public Warrants having to reach the $18.00 per share threshold set forth above under “— Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00.” Holders choosing to exercise their Public Warrants in connection with a redemption pursuant to this feature will, in effect, receive a number of shares for their warrants based on an option pricing model with a fixed volatility input as of the date of the prospectus. This redemption right provides us with an additional mechanism by which to redeem all of the outstanding warrants, and therefore have certainty as to our capital structure as the warrants would no longer be outstanding and would have been exercised or redeemed and we will be required to pay the applicable redemption price to warrant holders if we choose to exercise this redemption right and it will allow us to quickly proceed with a redemption of the Public Warrants if we determine it is in our best interest to do so. As such, we would redeem the Public Warrants in this manner when we believe it is in our best interest to update our capital structure to remove the warrants and pay the applicable redemption price to the warrant holders.

 

As stated above, we can redeem the Public Warrants when the Common Stock is trading at a price starting at $10.00, which is below the exercise price of $7.80, because it will provide certainty with respect to our capital structure and cash position while providing warrant holders with the opportunity to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis for the applicable number of shares. If we choose to redeem the Public Warrants when the Common Stock is trading at a price below the exercise price of the Public Warrants, this could result in the warrant holders receiving fewer shares than they would have received if they had chosen to wait to exercise their warrants for shares of Common Stock if and when the Common Stock was trading at a price higher than the exercise price of $7.80.

 

No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon exercise. If, upon exercise, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will round down to the nearest whole number of the number of shares to be issued to the holder. If, at the time of redemption, the Public Warrants are exercisable for a security other than shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, the Public Warrants may be exercised for such security. At such time as the Public Warrants become exercisable for a security other than Common Stock, the Company (or the surviving company) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to register under the Securities Act the security issuable upon exercise of the warrants.

 

Redemption Procedures

 

In the event that the Company determines to redeem the Public Warrants when the closing price of the shares of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share or $10.00 per share, pursuant to Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 of the Warrant Agreement, respectively, the Company will fix a date for the redemption. Notice of redemption will be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company not less than thirty (30) days prior to the redemption date to the registered holders of the Public Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided will be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the registered holder received such notice.

 

 
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Beneficial Ownership Limitations

 

A holder of a Public Warrant may notify us in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 4.9% or 9.8% (as specified by the holder) of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.

 

Anti-dilution Adjustments.    If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a share capitalization payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a sub-division of shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such share capitalization, sub-division or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Public Warrant will be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares. A rights offering made to all or substantially all holders of securities entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the fair market value will be deemed a share capitalization of a number of shares equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock) and (ii) the quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid in such rights offering and (y) the fair market value. For these purposes (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, in determining the price payable for Common Stock, there will be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) fair market value means the volume weighted average price of Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

 

In addition, if the Company, at any time while the Public Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to all or substantially all of the holders of the Common Stock on account of such Common Stock (or other securities into which the Public Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described above or (b) any cash dividends or cash distributions which, when combined on a per share basis with all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution does not exceed $0.50 (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any other adjustments and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the exercise price or to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each warrant) but only with respect to the amount of the aggregate cash dividends or cash distributions equal to or less than $0.50 per share, then the warrant exercise price will be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such event, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such event.

 

If the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division or reclassification of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share sub-division, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Public Warrant will be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants is adjusted, as described above, the warrant exercise price will be adjusted by multiplying the warrant exercise price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which will be the number of shares purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which will be the number of shares so purchasable immediately thereafter.

 

 
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In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than those described above or that solely affects the par value of such shares), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of us with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which we are the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of our issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which we are dissolved, the holders of the Public Warrants will thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Public Warrants and in lieu of the Common Stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Public Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised their Public Warrants immediately prior to such event. However, if such holders were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets for which each Public Warrant will become exercisable will be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by such holders in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and if a tender, exchange or redemption offer has been made to and accepted by such holders under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock, the holder of a Public Warrant will be entitled to receive the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a shareholder if such warrant holder had exercised the Public Warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the Common Stock held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustment (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in the Warrant Agreement. If less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of Common Stock in such a transaction is payable in the form of shares in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the registered holder of the warrant properly exercises the warrant within thirty days following public disclosure of such transaction, the warrant exercise price will be reduced as specified in the Warrant Agreement based on the Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) of the warrant. The purpose of such exercise price reduction is to provide additional value to holders of the Public Warrants when an extraordinary transaction occurs during the exercise period of the Public Warrants pursuant to which the holders of the warrants otherwise do not receive the full potential value of the Public Warrants.

 

The Public Warrants are issued in registered form under a Warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and BYTS. The Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the Public Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity or to correct any defective provision or mistake, including to conform the provisions of the Warrant Agreement to the description of the terms of the Public Warrants and the Warrant Agreement, (ii) adjusting the provisions relating to cash dividends on shares as contemplated by and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement or (iii) adding or changing any provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Warrant Agreement as the parties to the Warrant Agreement may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem to not adversely affect the rights of the registered holders of the Public Warrants, provided that the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then-outstanding Public Warrants is required to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Public Warrants, and, solely with respect to any amendment to the terms of the Private Warrants, 50% of the then outstanding Private Warrants. You should review a copy of the Warrant Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the Public Warrants.

 

The Public Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of shares of Common Stock and any voting rights until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of Common Stock. After the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Public Warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by shareholders.

 

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the Public Warrants. If, upon exercise of the Public Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the warrant holder.

 

 
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Exclusive Forum

 

The Warrant Agreement provides that, subject to applicable law, (i) any action, proceeding or claim against us arising out of or relating in any way to the warrant agreement, including under the Securities Act, will be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and (ii) that we irrevocably submit to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be the exclusive forum for any such action, proceeding or claim. We will waive any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, these provisions of the Warrant Agreement will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America are the sole and exclusive forum. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our warrants shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the forum provisions in our warrant agreement. If any action, the subject matter of which is within the scope the forum provisions of the Warrant Agreement, is filed in a court other than a court of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (a “foreign action”) in the name of any holder of our warrants, such holder shall be deemed to have consented to: (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of New York in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the forum provisions (an “enforcement action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such warrant holder in any such enforcement action by service upon such warrant holder’s counsel in the foreign action as agent for such warrant holder.

 

This choice-of-forum provision may limit a warrant holder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes, which may discourage such lawsuits and result in increased costs to warrant holders to bring a lawsuit. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision of our Warrant Agreement inapplicable or unenforceable with respect to one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and result in a diversion of the time and resources of our management and board.

 

Private Warrants

 

The warrants included as part of the private units which were issued in a private placement in connection with BYTS’ IPO (the “Private Warrants”) (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the Closing (except, among other limited exceptions, to BYTS’ officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor) and they will not be redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the Sponsor, members of the Sponsor or their permitted transferees (except as set forth under “— Warrants — Public Warrants — Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00”). The Sponsor or its permitted transferees have the option to exercise the Private Warrants on a cashless basis. Except as described below, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants sold as part of the Units in BYTS’ IPO. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the Units sold in BYTS’s IPO.

 

 
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Except as described above under “— Public Warrants — Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00,” if holders of the Private Warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares underlying the Private Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” of the Common Stock (as defined below) over the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” means the average reported closing price of the Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees is because it was not known at the time of BYTS’ IPO whether the Sponsor would be affiliated with us following a merger. If the Sponsor remains affiliated with the Company, its ability to sell the Company’s securities in the open market will be significantly limited. The Company has policies in place that prohibit insiders from selling securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell the Company’s securities, an insider cannot trade in the Company’s securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public stockholders who could exercise their Public Warrants and sell the shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities.

 

Dividends

 

We have not paid any cash dividends on Common Stock and do not intend to pay cash dividends on Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, for reinvestment in the development and expansion of our business. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and any other factors that the Board decides is relevant. If we incur any indebtedness, our ability to declare dividends may be limited by restrictive covenants we may agree to in connection therewith.

 

Our Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent

 

We have appointed Equiniti Trust Company, LLC located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, telephone number (800) 937-5449, as the transfer agent for the Common Stock. The warrant agent for the Public Warrants is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Its address is 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004, and its telephone number is (212) 509-4000.

 

Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws and Certain Provisions of Delaware Law

 

Our charter and bylaws and the DGCL contain provisions, which are summarized in the following paragraphs, which are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of the Company. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, reduce the Company’s vulnerability to a hostile change of control or other unsolicited acquisition proposal, and enhance the ability of the Board to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire the Company. However, these provisions may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a merger or acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including attempts that might result in a premium over the prevailing market price for the shares of Common Stock. Our charter provides that, from and after the date the Company ceases to qualify as a “controlled company” within the meaning of Nasdaq listing standards, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company’s stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders, except that any action required or permitted to be taken by holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly permitted to do so by the certificate of designation relating to one or more series of Preferred Stock, if a consent or consents, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant class or series having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and are delivered to the Company in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL. See also “Risk Factors — Risks Related to our Securities — Anti-takeover provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could impair a takeover attempt”.

 

 
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Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

 

Delaware law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the listing requirements of Nasdaq, which would apply if and so long as the Common Stock remains listed on Nasdaq, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of Common Stock. Additional shares that may be issued in the future may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions. One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved capital stock may be to enable the Board to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise and thereby protect the continuity of management and possibly deprive stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of Common Stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.

 

Election of Directors and Vacancies

 

Our charter provides that the Board will determine the number of directors who will serve on the board. The exact number of directors will be fixed from time to time by a majority of the Board. The Board is declassified and consists of one class of directors only, and all directors will be elected annually and will be elected for one year terms expiring at the next annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. There will be no limit on the number of terms a director may serve on the Board.

 

In addition, our charter provides that any vacancy on the Board, including a vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors or a vacancy that results from the removal of a director with cause, may be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, subject to any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock.

 

Quorum

 

Our bylaws provide that at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the total number of directors then in office constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

 

No Cumulative Voting

 

Under Delaware law, the right to vote cumulatively does not exist unless the certificate of incorporation expressly authorizes cumulative voting. Our charter does not authorize cumulative voting.

 

Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

Our charter provides that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or President, in each case, in accordance with our charter and bylaws.

 

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Meetings, Nominations and Proposals

 

Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board or a committee of the Board. For any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide the Company with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at the Company’s principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws allow the Board to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of a meeting of the stockholders as it deems appropriate, which may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the rules and regulations are not followed. These provisions may also defer, delay or discourage a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to influence or obtain control of the Company.

 

 
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Supermajority Provisions

 

Our charter and bylaws provide that the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal, in whole or in part, the bylaws without a stockholder vote in any matter not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or our charter. The Company’s stockholders also will have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in an election of directors, voting together as a single class, subject to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by applicable law or by our charter (including any certificate of designation in respect of any series of Preferred Stock) or our bylaws.

 

The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless the certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our charter provides that the following provisions therein may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 and 2/3% in voting power all the then outstanding shares of the Company’s stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class:

 

 

·

the provision regarding the Board being authorized to establish one or more series of Preferred Stock with such powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences as the Board may determine;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding removal of directors;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding filling vacancies on the Board and newly created directorships;

 

 

 

 

·

the provision regarding the Board being authorized to amend the bylaws without a stockholder vote;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding calling special meetings of stockholders;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of other business proposed to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding limitation on liability and indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding the Company electing not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions adopting Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation and adopting the federal district courts of the United States as the exclusive forum for resolving complaints asserting a cause of action under the Securities Act;

 

 

 

 

·

the provisions regarding the Company renouncing its interest or expectancy in any corporate opportunity offered to any of its non-employee directors or principal stockholders and their affiliates; and

 

 

 

 

·

the amendment provision requiring that the above provisions be amended only with a 66 and 2/3% supermajority vote.

 

These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying or preventing changes in control of the Company or its management, such as a merger, reorganization or tender offer. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continued stability in the composition of the Board and its policies and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened acquisition of the Company. These provisions are designed to reduce the Company’s vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions are also intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for Common Stock and, as a consequence, may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of Common Stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in management.

 

 
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Exclusive Forum

 

Our charter provides that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate court thereof shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under the Delaware statutory or common law: (i) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action, suit or proceeding against the Company or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our charter or bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time), (iv) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our charter or bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder), (v) any action, suit or proceeding as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Chancery Court, or (vi) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director, officer or other employee of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine or otherwise related to the Company’s internal affairs, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our charter. Our charter further provides that unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for the resolutions of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. This provision in our charter will not apply to any claim or action arising under the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction; however, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. However, it is possible that a court could find the Company’s forum selection provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. Although the Company believes this provision will benefit the Company by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, the provision may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against the Company’s directors and officers.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its officers, directors or stockholders. Our charter, to the maximum extent permitted from time to time by Delaware law, renounces any interest or expectancy that the Company has in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, specified business opportunities that are from time to time presented to a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries, or the principal stockholders of the Company and their affiliates. Our charter does not renounce the Company’s interest in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to a non-employee director solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. Our charter includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors and officers for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. The effect of these provisions is to eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on the Company’s behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director or officer for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. However, exculpation does not apply to any director or officer if the director or officer has acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized illegal dividends or redemptions or derived an improper benefit from his or her actions as a director or officer.

 

The limitation of liability provision in our charter and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors or officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit the Company and its stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent the Company pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to any indemnity agreements that may be entered into. The Company believes that this provision, liability insurance and any indemnity agreements that may be entered into are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced directors and officers.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to the Company’s directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of the Company’s respective directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

 

 
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock and the purchase, exercise, disposition and lapse of common warrants (which we sometimes refer to herein as our “securities” and holders thereof as “holders”), but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings, and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. These authorities may be changed, possibly retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, any ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

 

This summary also does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any non-U.S., state, or local jurisdiction, under U.S. federal gift and estate tax rules, or under any applicable tax treaty. In addition, this discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to an investor’s particular circumstances or to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:

 

 

·

banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions;

 

 

 

 

·

regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;

 

 

 

 

·

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income;

 

 

 

 

·

tax-exempt accounts, organizations, or governmental organizations;

 

 

 

 

·

pension plans and tax-qualified retirement plans;

 

 

 

 

·

controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

 

 

 

·

brokers or dealers in securities or currencies;

 

 

 

 

·

traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

 

 

 

·

persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% (by vote or value) of our securities (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

 

 

 

·

certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

 

 

 

·

partnerships (or entities or arrangements classified as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes), other pass-through entities, and investors therein;

 

 

 

 

·

persons who hold our securities as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction,” or other risk reduction transaction;

 

 

 

 

·

persons who hold or receive our securities pursuant to the exercise of any option or otherwise as compensation;

 

 

 

 

·

persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our securities being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” as defined in Section 451(b) of the Code;

 

 

 

 

·

persons who do not hold our securities as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, as property held for investment); or

 

 

 

 

·

persons deemed to sell our securities under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.

 

In addition, if a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or other flow-through entity holds our securities, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership or owner of other such entity generally will depend on the status of the partner or owner and upon the activities of the partnership or other such entity. A partner in a partnership, or owner of other such entity, that will hold our securities should consult his, her, or its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our securities through the partnership or other such entity, as applicable.

 

You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our securities arising under the U.S. federal gift or estate tax rules or under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S., or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

 

 
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For purposes of this discussion, you are a “non-U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our securities that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is not a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership and the equity holders therein) and is not:

 

 

·

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

 

 

 

·

a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise treated as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

 

 

 

·

an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

 

 

 

·

a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) that has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a “United States person” within the meaning of the Code.

 

Allocation of Purchase Price

 

In determining the tax basis of each common stock and common warrant purchased together in this offering, holders should allocate their purchase price between the common stock and common warrants on the basis of their relative fair market values at the time of issuance. We do not intend to advise holders of securities with respect to this determination. A holder’s allocation of the purchase price between the common stock and common warrants is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with a holder’s allocation. All holders are advised to consult their tax and financial advisors with respect to the relative fair market values of the common stock and common warrants for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

U.S. Holders

 

Distributions

 

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock to date. However, if we make distributions on our common stock, those payments will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed both our current and our accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce your basis in our securities (determined separately with respect to each share of our common stock), but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock as described below in “—Gain on Disposition of Our Securities.”

 

Exercise and Expiration of Common Warrants

 

In general, a U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon exercise of a common warrant. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a share of common stock received upon exercise will be equal to the sum of (i) the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrants and (ii) the exercise price of the common warrant. It is unclear whether a U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock received will commence on the date of exercise of the common warrant or the day following the date of exercise of the common warrant; in either case, the holding period will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the common warrant.

 

In certain limited circumstances, a U.S. holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless exercise of common warrants into our common stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of common warrants into our common stock is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences upon the exercise of a common warrant described in the preceding paragraph. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of common warrants.

 

The lapse or expiration of a common warrant will be treated as if the U.S. holder sold or exchanged the common warrant and recognized a capital loss equal to the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. This loss will be long-term capital loss if, at the time of the expiration, the U.S. holder’s holding period in the common warrant is more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Certain Adjustments to and Distributions on Common Warrants

 

Under Section 305 of the Code, an adjustment to the number of shares of common stock issued on the exercise of the common warrants or an adjustment to the exercise price of the common warrants may be treated as a constructive distribution to a U.S. holder of the common warrants if, and to the extent that, such adjustment has the effect of increasing such U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in our “earnings and profits” or assets, depending on the circumstances of such adjustment (for example, if such adjustment is to compensate for a distribution of cash or other property to our stockholders). An adjustment made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing dilution should generally not be considered to result in a constructive distribution. Any such constructive distribution would be taxable whether or not there is an actual distribution of cash or other property to the holders of common warrants. In certain circumstances, if we were to make a distribution in cash or other property with respect to our common stock after the issuance of the common warrants, then we may make a corresponding distribution to the holders of the common warrants. The taxation of a distribution received with respect to a common warrant is unclear. It is possible such a distribution would be treated as a distribution (or constructive distribution), although other treatments are possible. For more information regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations related to distributions, see the discussion below regarding “-Distributions.” U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to the common warrants and any distributions with respect to the common warrants.

 

Gain on Disposition of Our Securities

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our securities will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the securities for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

 
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

In general, information reporting requirements may apply to distributions (whether actual or constructive) paid to a U.S. Holder on our securities, and to the proceeds of the sale, exchange or other disposition of our securities, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding will apply to such payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number, a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

Non-U.S. Holders

 

Distributions

 

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock to date. However, if we make distributions on our common stock, those payments will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed both our current and our accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce your basis in our common stock (determined separately with respect to each share of our common stock), but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock as described below in “—Gain on Disposition of Our Securities.”

 

Subject to the discussions below on effectively connected income and in “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA),” any dividend paid to you generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, the applicable withholding agent may withhold up to 30% of the gross amount of the entire distribution even if the amount constituting a dividend, as described above, is less than the gross amount. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, you must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 certifying qualification for the reduced rate. If you hold our common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you generally will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then may be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. You should consult your tax advisor regarding your entitlement to benefits under any applicable tax treaty.

 

Dividends received by you that are treated as effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United States) are generally exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, subject to the discussions below in “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).” In order to obtain this exemption, you must provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or other applicable IRS Form W-8 properly certifying such exemption. Such effectively connected dividends, although not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, are taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits and subject to an applicable income tax treaty providing otherwise. In addition, if you are a corporate non-U.S. holder, dividends you receive that are effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United States) may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence. You should consult your tax advisor regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

Exercise and Expiration of Common Warrants

 

In general, a non-U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of common warrants into shares of our common stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of common warrants into our common stock is unclear. A non-U.S. holder should consult his, her, or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of common warrants.

 

The expiration of a common warrant will be treated as if the non-U.S. holder sold or exchanged the common warrant and recognized a capital loss equal to the non-U.S. holder’s tax basis in the common warrant. However, a non-U.S. holder will not be able to utilize a loss recognized upon expiration of a common warrant against the non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability unless the loss is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) or is treated as a U.S.-source loss and the non-U.S. holder is present 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met.

 

Certain Adjustments to and Distributions on Warrants

 

As described under “-U.S. Holders -Certain Adjustments to and Distributions on Common Warrants,” an adjustment to the common warrants could result in a constructive distribution to a non-U.S. holder, which would be treated as described under “-Distributions” below, and the tax treatment of distributions on the common warrants is unclear. Any resulting withholding tax attributable to deemed dividends would be collected from other amounts payable or distributable to the non-U.S. holder. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the proper treatment of any adjustments to and distributions on the common warrants.

 

 
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Gain on Disposition of Our Securities

 

Subject to the discussions in “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA),” you generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our securities unless:

 

 

·

the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United States);

 

 

 

 

·

you are an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; or

 

 

 

 

·

our securities constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of our status as a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding your disposition of our securities or your holding period for our securities, or the applicable testing period.

 

If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above, you will be required to pay tax on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition of our securities (net of certain deductions and credits) under regular U.S. federal income tax rates, and a corporate non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above also may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are an individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet above, you will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition of our securities, which gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses for the year, provided you have timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. You should consult your tax advisor regarding any applicable income tax or other treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

We believe that we are not currently and will not become a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the remainder of this discussion so assumes. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our U.S. and worldwide real property interests plus our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future. However, even if we are or become a USRPHC, our securities will not constitute United States real property interests if our securities is regularly traded on an established securities market and you hold no more than 5% of our outstanding securities, directly, indirectly, or constructively, at all times during the applicable testing period. If we are a USRPHC at any time within the applicable testing period and either our securities is not regularly traded on an established securities market or you hold more than 5% of our outstanding securities directly, indirectly, or constructively, at any time during the applicable testing period, you will generally be taxed on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our securities in the same manner as gain that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, except that the branch profits tax generally will not apply. If we are a USRPHC at any time within the applicable testing period and our securities is not regularly traded on an established securities market, your proceeds received on the disposition of shares will also generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 15%. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the possible consequences to you if we are, or were to become, a USRPHC.

 

 
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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

 

Subject to the following paragraph, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, Treasury Regulations issued thereunder and official IRS guidance with respect thereto, or, collectively, FATCA, generally impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on and the gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our securities paid to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules), unless otherwise provided by the Treasury Secretary or such institution (i) enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to, among other things, withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding certain U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners) or (ii) otherwise establishes an exemption. subject to the following paragraph, FATCA also generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on and the gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our securities paid to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined under these rules), unless otherwise provided by the Treasury Secretary or such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity, certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners, or otherwise establishes an exemption. The withholding tax will apply regardless of whether the payment otherwise would be exempt from U.S. nonresident and backup withholding tax, including under the other exemptions described above. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this section. Prospective investors should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the application of FATCA withholding to their investment in, and ownership and disposition of, our securities.

 

The U.S. Treasury Department has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate withholding under FATCA with respect to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our securities. In the preamble to such proposed Treasury Regulations, the Treasury Secretary stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed Treasury Regulations until final regulations are issued or until such proposed regulations are rescinded.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Generally, we or the applicable agent must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to you, your name, your address and the amount of tax withheld, if any. A similar report will be sent to you. Pursuant to applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make these reports available to tax authorities in your country of residence.

 

Payments of dividends on or of proceeds from the disposition of our securities made to you may also be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) and additional information reporting unless you establish an exemption, for example, by certifying your non-U.S. status on a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that you are a U.S. person.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

The preceding discussion of U.S. federal tax considerations is for general information only. It is not tax advice to investors in their particular circumstances. Each prospective investor should consult its own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. tax considerations of purchasing, holding, and disposing of our securities, including the consequences of any proposed change in applicable laws.

 

 
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have engaged Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) and The Benchmark Company, LLC (together, the “placement agents”), to act as our exclusive placement agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus on a reasonable best efforts basis. The placement agents are not purchasing or selling any securities, nor are they required to arrange for the purchase and sale of any specific number or dollar amount of securities, other than to use their “reasonable best efforts” to arrange for the sale of the securities by us. Therefore, we may not sell the entire amount of securities being offered. There is no minimum amount of proceeds that is a condition to closing of this offering. The placement agents do not guarantee that they will be able to raise new capital in this offering. The terms of this offering were subject to market conditions and negotiations between us and prospective investors in consultation with the placement agents. The placement agents will have no authority to bind us. This offering will terminate no later than           , 2024, unless we decide to terminate the offering (which we may do at any time in our discretion) prior to that date. We will have one closing for all the securities purchased in this offering. The combined public offering price per share and accompanying common warrant will be fixed for the duration of this offering. The placement agents may engage one or more sub-placement agents or selected dealers to assist with the offering.

 

We will enter into a securities purchase agreement directly with the institutional investors, at the investor’s option, who purchase our securities in this offering. Investors who do not enter into a securities purchase agreement shall rely solely on this prospectus in connection with the purchase of our securities in this offering.

 

Placement Agent Fees and Expenses

 

The following table shows the per share and accompanying common warrants and total placement agent fees we will pay in connection with the sale of the securities in this offering:

 

 

 

Per Share and Common Warrant

 

 

Total

 

Public offering price

 

$

 

 

$

 

Placement agents fees(1)

 

$

 

 

$

 

Proceeds to us, before expenses(2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

(1)

We have agreed to pay the placement agents a cash placement commission equal to 7.0% of the aggregate proceeds from this offering. Because there is no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds required as a condition to closing in this offering, the actual public offering amount, placement agent fees, and proceeds to us, if any, are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total maximum offering amounts set forth above.

(2)

We have also agreed to reimburse the placement agents at closing for legal and other expenses incurred by the placement agents in connection with this offering in an amount equal to $150,000.

 

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding placement agent fees, will be approximately $          , all of which are payable by us. This figure includes the placement agents’ accountable expenses, including, but not limited to, legal fees for placement agents’ legal counsel, that we have agreed to pay at the closing of the offering up to an aggregate expense reimbursement of $150,000.

 

Placement Agent’s Warrants

 

We have agreed to issue to Roth or its designees warrants to purchase shares of our common stock (the “Placement Agent’s Warrants”), which represents 10% of the number of shares of common stock being sold in this offering. The Placement Agent’s Warrants will have a term of five years from the commencement of sales pursuant to this offering and an exercise price per share equal to $           per share, which represents 100% of the public offering price for the shares of common stock and common warrants sold in this offering and shall be in the form of the common warrant issued to the investors in this offering, except as required by FINRA. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e), the Placement Agent’s Warrants and any shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the Placement Agent’s Warrants shall not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of commencement of sales of this offering, except the transfer of any security: (i) by operation of law or by reason of reorganization of the issuer; (ii) to any FINRA member firm participating in the offering and the officers, partners, registered persons or affiliates thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period; (iii) if the aggregate amount of our securities held by Roth or related persons does not exceed 1% of the securities being offered; (iv) that is beneficially owned on a pro-rata basis by all equity owners of an investment fund, provided that no participating member manages or otherwise directs investments by the fund and the participating members in the aggregate do not own more than 10% of the equity in the fund; (v) the exercise or conversion of any security, if all securities remain subject to the lock-up restriction set forth above for the remainder of the time period; (vi) if we meet the registration requirements of Forms S-3, F-3 or F-10; or (vii) back to us in a transaction exempt from registration with the SEC. The Placement Agent’s Warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the Placement Agent’s Warrants are registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Determination of Offering Price

 

The combined public offering price per share and common warrant we are offering and the exercise prices and other terms of the warrants were negotiated between us and the investors, in consultation with the placement agents based on the trading of our common stock prior to this offering, among other things. Other factors considered in determining the public offering price of the securities we are offering and the exercise prices and other terms of the warrants include the history and prospects of our company, the stage of development of our business, our business plans for the future and the extent to which they have been implemented, an assessment of our management, general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering and such other factors as were deemed relevant.

 

 
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Tail

 

In the event this offering does not close we have also agreed to pay Roth a tail fee equal to the cash and warrant compensation in this offering, subject to certain exceptions, if any investor, who Roth introduced to the Company or conducted discussions with on behalf of the Company during its engagement, provides us with capital in any public or private offering of the Company’s securities during the six month period following expiration or termination of our engagement of Roth.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

Each of our officers and directors and certain of our stockholders have agreed to be subject to a lock-up period of 90 days following the closing date of this offering. This means that, during the applicable lock-up period, they may not offer for sale, contract to sell, or sell any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock subject to certain customary exceptions. The placement agents may, in their sole discretion and without notice, waive the terms of any of these lock-up agreements. In addition, we have agreed to not issue any shares of common stock or securities exercisable or convertible into shares of common stock for a period of 60 days following the closing date of this offering, subject to certain exceptions, or enter into an agreement to issue securities at a future determined price, for a period of 90 days following the closing date of this offering. The placement agents may, in their sole discretion and without notice, waive the terms of this lock-up agreement or prohibition.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the placement agents against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the placement agents may be required to make for these liabilities.

 

Regulation M

 

The placement agents may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act and any fees received by it and any profit realized on the sale of the securities by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. The placement agents will be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of our securities by the placement agents. Under these rules and regulations, the placement agents may not (i) engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and (ii) bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until they have completed their participation in the distribution.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the placement agents and the placement agents may distribute prospectuses electronically. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the placement agents and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Other Relationships

 

The placement agents and their affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they may in the future receive customary fees. Roth provided financial services and placement agent duties to us in connection with the Merger, for which it received an aggregate of 532,945 shares of common stock on January 2, 2024, in addition to $2 million in cash, of which $500,000 was paid prior to December 31, 2023, $500,000 was paid in April 2024 and the remaining $1.0 million is expected to be paid in 2024.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar and Warrant Agent

 

We have appointed Equiniti Trust Company, LLC located at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, telephone number (800) 937-5449, as the transfer agent for our common stock and the warrant agent for the common warrants being offered.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “AISP” and our public warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “AISPW.” The final public offering price will be determined between us, the placement agents and the investors in the offering, and may be at a discount to the current market price of our common stock. Therefore, the assumed combined public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final public offering price. There is no established public trading market for the common warrants being offered, and we do not expect such markets to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for a listing of the common warrants on any national securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system.

 

 
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EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Airship AI Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, included in this prospectus, have been so included in reliance on the report of BPM LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Loeb and Loeb LLP. Certain legal matters related to the offering will be passed upon for the placement agents by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the shares of common stock and common warrants offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information pertaining to us and our securities, you should refer to the registration statement and our exhibits.

 

In addition, we file annual and current reports, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public on a website maintained by the SEC located at www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at https://airship.ai. Through our website, we make available, free of charge, annual and current reports, and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus.

 

 
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Page

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc. Unaudited Financial Statements

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

F-2

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

F-3

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

F-4

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

F-5

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-6

 

  

 

Page

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc. Audited Financial Statements

 

 

 

Independent Auditor’s Report (PCAOB ID Number 207)

 

F-24

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-25

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-26

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-27

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-28

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-29

 

 

 
F-1

Table of Contents

 

  

PART I

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

12/31/2023 (1)

 

ASSETS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$226,750

 

 

$3,124,413

 

Accounts receivable, net of provision for credit losses of $0

 

 

3,440,121

 

 

 

1,648,904

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

494,616

 

 

 

18,368

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

9,640

 

 

 

7,230

 

Total current assets

 

 

4,171,127

 

 

 

4,798,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

180,432

 

 

 

182,333

 

Operating lease right of use asset

 

 

953,713

 

 

 

1,104,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$5,305,272

 

 

$6,087,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable - trade

 

$1,505,442

 

 

$2,908,472

 

Advances from founders

 

 

2,550,000

 

 

 

1,750,000

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

161,406

 

 

 

200,531

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

2,675,919

 

 

 

2,825,366

 

Current portion of operating lease liability

 

 

198,002

 

 

 

174,876

 

Deferred revenue- current portion

 

 

3,791,970

 

 

 

4,008,654

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

10,882,739

 

 

 

11,867,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

795,993

 

 

 

943,702

 

Warrant liability

 

 

5,972,729

 

 

 

667,985

 

Earnout liability

 

 

11,741,351

 

 

 

5,133,428

 

Deferred revenue- non-current

 

 

3,878,997

 

 

 

4,962,126

 

Total liabilities

 

 

33,271,809

 

 

 

23,575,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock - no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Common stock - $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 23,736,027 and 22,812,048 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

2,372

 

 

 

2,281

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

3,014,089

 

 

 

-

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(30,979,174)

 

 

(17,476,700)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(3,824)

 

 

(12,808)

Total stockholders' deficit

 

 

(27,966,537)

 

 

(17,487,227)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 

$5,305,272

 

 

$6,087,913

 

  

 

(1)

Derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-2

Table of Contents

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

NET REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

$5,358,808

 

 

$1,805,163

 

 

$14,757,584

 

 

$3,639,329

 

Post contract support

 

 

1,042,223

 

 

 

964,855

 

 

 

2,218,462

 

 

 

2,069,286

 

 

 

 

6,401,031

 

 

 

2,770,018

 

 

 

16,976,046

 

 

 

5,708,615

 

COST OF NET REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

1,306,386

 

 

 

557,792

 

 

 

9,095,795

 

 

 

2,135,958

 

Post contract support

 

 

588,438

 

 

 

538,889

 

 

 

745,917

 

 

 

1,095,040

 

 

 

 

1,894,824

 

 

 

1,096,681

 

 

 

9,841,712

 

 

 

3,230,999

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

4,506,207

 

 

 

1,673,337

 

 

 

7,134,334

 

 

 

2,477,616

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

 

 

702,771

 

 

 

665,203

 

 

 

1,398,137

 

 

 

1,339,283

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

 

2,827,120

 

 

 

4,092,646

 

 

 

6,162,414

 

 

 

5,925,016

 

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

3,529,891

 

 

 

4,757,849

 

 

 

7,560,551

 

 

 

7,264,299

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

976,316

 

 

 

(3,084,512)

 

 

(426,217)

 

 

(4,786,683)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) from change in fair value of earnout liability

 

 

14,876,927

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6,607,923)

 

 

-

 

Gain (loss) from change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

1,542,347

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(5,304,744)

 

 

-

 

Gain (loss) from change in fair value of convertible debt

 

 

1,527,193

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(512,184)

 

 

-

 

Loss on note conversion

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(158,794)

 

 

-

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(421,500)

 

 

(19,005)

 

 

(453,324)

 

 

(19,005)

Other (expense) income

 

 

(39,288)

 

 

238

 

 

 

(39,288)

 

 

(9,767)

Total other income (expense), net

 

 

17,485,679

 

 

 

(18,767)

 

 

(13,076,257)

 

 

(28,772)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISON FOR INCOME TAXES

 

 

18,461,995

 

 

 

(3,103,279)

 

 

(13,502,474)

 

 

(4,815,455)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

18,461,995

 

 

 

(3,103,279)

 

 

(13,502,474)

 

 

(4,815,455)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation income, net

 

 

3,239

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8,984

 

 

 

42,551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

$18,465,234

 

 

$(3,103,279)

 

$(13,493,490)

 

$(4,772,904)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$0.80

 

 

$(0.14)

 

$(0.59)

 

$(0.21)

Diluted

 

$0.58

 

 

$(0.14)

 

$(0.59)

 

$(0.21)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

23,220,709

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

23,059,598

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

Diluted

 

 

30,272,228

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

23,059,598

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-3

Table of Contents

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Stock

 

 

Paid in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

$

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Deficit

 

Balance as of January 1, 2023

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

$2,281

 

 

$1,963,727

 

 

$(10,314,313)

 

$(10,106)

 

$(8,358,411)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

136,709

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

136,709

 

Net loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,712,176)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,712,176)

Balance as of March 31, 2023

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

2,281

 

 

 

2,100,436

 

 

 

(12,026,489)

 

 

(10,106)

 

 

(9,933,878)

Stock-based compensation- stock option grants

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

136,709

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

136,709

 

Stock based compensation- warrants

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,136,115

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,136,115

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

42,551

 

 

 

42,551

 

Net loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,103,279)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,103,279)

Balance as of June 30, 2023

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

2,281

 

 

 

4,373,260

 

 

 

(15,129,768)

 

 

32,445

 

 

 

(10,721,782)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2024

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

2,281

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(17,476,700)

 

 

(12,808)

 

 

(17,487,227)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

268,989

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

268,989

 

Issuance of common stock for prior period services

 

 

15,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Issuance of common stock for conversion of debt

 

 

169,204

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

835,593

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

835,610

 

Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants

 

 

162,867

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

293,233

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

293,249

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,239

 

 

 

3,239

 

Net loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(31,964,469)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(31,964,469)

Balance as of March 31, 2024

 

 

23,159,119

 

 

 

2,314

 

 

 

1,397,815

 

 

 

(49,441,169)

 

 

(9,569)

 

 

(48,050,609)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

261,636

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

261,636

 

Issuance of common stock for services

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

198,495

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

198,500

 

Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants

 

 

100

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

800

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

800

 

Issuance of common stock for stock options exercise

 

 

294,448

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

146,943

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

146,972

 

Issuance of common stock for debt interest payment

 

 

232,360

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

1,008,400

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,008,423

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5,745

 

 

 

5,745

 

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

18,461,995

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

18,461,995

 

Balance as of June 30, 2024

 

 

23,736,027

 

 

$2,372

 

 

$3,014,089

 

 

$(30,979,174)

 

$(3,824)

 

$(27,966,537)

 

The shares of the Company’s common stock, prior to the Merger, have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio of approximately 1.7581 established in the Merger described in Note 1.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.                                 

 

 
F-4

Table of Contents

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$(13,502,474)

 

$(4,815,455)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,861

 

 

 

7,440

 

Stock-based compensation- stock option grants

 

 

530,625

 

 

 

273,418

 

Stock-based compensation- warrants

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,136,115

 

Amortization of operating lease right of use asset

 

 

151,091

 

 

 

358,199

 

Issuance of common stock for services

 

 

198,500

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash interest expense

 

 

521,582

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

5,304,744

 

 

 

-

 

Loss from change in fair value of earnout liability

 

 

6,607,923

 

 

 

-

 

Loss from change in fair value of convertible note

 

 

512,184

 

 

 

-

 

Loss on note conversions

 

 

158,794

 

 

 

-

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,791,217)

 

 

40,554

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

11,394

 

 

 

(159)

Other assets

 

 

1,901

 

 

 

-

 

Operating lease liability

 

 

(124,583)

 

 

(302,233)

Payroll and income tax receivable

 

 

(2,410)

 

 

962,793

 

Accounts payable - trade and accrued expenses

 

 

(1,426,970)

 

 

(66,397)

Accrued income tax expense

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,000)

Deferred revenue

 

 

(1,299,813)

 

 

678,623

 

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(4,146,868)

 

 

(737,102)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from convertible promissory note

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,984,582

 

Proceeds from warrant exercise

 

 

293,249

 

 

 

-

 

Advances from founders, net

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

 

146,972

 

 

 

-

 

Repayment of small business loan and line of credit

 

 

-

 

 

 

(424,540)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

1,240,221

 

 

 

2,660,042

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(2,906,647)

 

 

1,922,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect from exchange rate on cash

 

 

8,984

 

 

 

41,306

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

 

 

3,124,413

 

 

 

298,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

 

$226,750

 

 

$2,262,860

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$-

 

 

$5,064

 

Taxes paid

 

$2,410

 

 

$14,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elimination of advances to founders in connection with contribution of Zeppelin by shareholders

 

$-

 

 

$1,100,000

 

Elimination of payables to founders in connection with contribution of Zeppelin by shareholders

 

$-

 

 

$1,100,000

 

Issuance of common stock for debt interest payment

 

 

487,642

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock for debt conversion

 

$835,610

 

 

$-

 

Recognition of warrant liability

 

$-

 

 

$15,418

 

  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-5

Table of Contents

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization

 

On March 7, 2023, Airship AI Holdings, Inc. changed its name from Super Simple AI, Inc. Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Airship”) is a holding company that executes business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Airship AI, Inc. (“Airship AI”). Prior to the formation of Super Simple AI, Inc. in 2022, the Company operated as Airship AI, Inc. (formerly known as JDL Digital Systems, Inc.). Super Simple AI, Inc. was formed in January 2022 through a share exchange with JDL Digital Systems, Inc. JDL Digital Systems, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington on June 30, 2003.

 

On December 21, 2023, the Company completed the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2023 and amended on September 22, 2023, by and among BYTE Acquisition Corp. (“BYTS”), BYTE Merger Sub, Inc., a Washington corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of BYTS (“Merger Sub”), and Airship AI.

 

Effective December 21, 2023, Merger Sub merged with and into Airship AI with Airship AI as the surviving corporation. Thus, Airship AI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the merger, Airship AI changed its name to “Airship AI, Inc.” See Note 13 —Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.

 

Fair Value Transactions

 

As a result of the merger, the Company entered into the following transactions that were measured at fair value and vary quarterly with the share price and other items. Any change is non-cash and is recorded as a gain or loss in other income (expense). See Note 14– Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

 

 

Liability as of

 

 

Liability as of

 

 

 

June 30,

2024

 

 

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout liability

 

$11,741,351

 

 

$5,133,428

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

2,675,919

 

 

 

2,825,366

 

Warrant liability (Public Warrants)

 

 

144,120

 

 

 

646,428

 

Warrant liability (Private Warrants)

 

 

5,828,609

 

 

 

21,557

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 

$20,389,999

 

 

$8,626,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other loss related to instruments recorded at fair value during the six months ended June 30, 2024

 

$(12,424,851 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other loss related to instruments recorded at fair value during the six months ended June 30, 2023

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

    

Private Placement and Public Warrants

 

At the merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,159,012 public warrants outstanding. See Note 12– Private Placement and Public Warrants for more information.

 

Business

 

The Company is a robust AI-driven data management platform that solves complex data challenges for large institutions operating in dynamic and mission-critical environments with rapidly increasing volumes of data being ingested from a similarly rapidly growing number of data sources.

 

 
F-6

Table of Contents

 

The Company solves these challenges by structuring “dark” or unstructured data at the edge, the location at which the data is generated and collected, and leveraging purpose-built AI models. Unstructured, or “dark” data, which is typically categorized as qualitative data, cannot be processed and analyzed via conventional data tools and methods. Conversely, structured data, typically categorized as quantitative data, is highly organized and easily decipherable by machine learning algorithms.

 

Structuring and then analyzing data using AI models at the edge, versus transmitting the data from the edge back to a central processing location for structuring and analysis, enables real-time decision making and data-driven operational efficiency.

 

The Company specializes in ingesting all available metadata from edge-based sensors used by government and law enforcement agencies around the world, including surveillance cameras (video), audio, telemetry, acoustic, seismic, and autonomous devices, along with large commercial corporations with fundamentally similar capabilities and requirements.

 

Data generated by these edge-based sensors, including video, can then be run through the Company’s trained AI models to detect objects present within the video frame. Once an object is detected, for example an automobile, additional identifying characteristics of the object can be extracted from the image including the license plate characters and the make, model, and color of the automobile. This process of analyzing, logging and categorizing ingested data is referred to as “structuring” the data.

 

Airship AI’s software allows customers to view structured data both in real-time as well as to conduct searches on the structured data at a later point in time. Real-time structured data use includes, for example, alarms on a specific license plate or a specific make, model or color of automobile. Non-real-time structured data use includes, for example, searching a database of video data that has been previously ingested and stored to find instances of a particular license plate being visible, along with other logged vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color of an automobile.

 

Additional edge deployed AI models enable similar object detection and recognition of common and custom trained objects, such as an aircraft, boat, person, animal, bag, or weapon. Airship AI’s models provide similar data points for these object types allowing analysts the ability to be notified in real-time of the detection of a specified object and similarly search for historically detected objects. Examples include detecting aircrafts and boats along with their respective tail numbers and hull registration numbers.

 

The Company’s AI modelling process starts with pre-trained AI models from its technology ecosystem partners which the Company then customizes using proprietary datasets tailored towards its customers’ unique workflow requirements. Where customers have pre-existing AI models or engines, the Company integrates those models or engines into its edge platform allowing customers to leverage proprietary models within the Airship AI software ecosystem.

 

The Company’s primary offerings include Outpost AI, Acropolis, and Airship Command. Its offerings allow customers to manage their data across the full data lifecycle, when and where they need it, using a highly secure permissioned based architecture.

 

The Company employed 51 employees as of June 30, 2024. The employees are headquartered in Redmond, WA and are supported by a growing team at its Customer Center of Excellence located in Charlotte, NC. The Company employed 8 research and development personnel in Taiwan as of June 30, 2024.

 

Liquidity

 

The Company has incurred losses from operations the past few years and had an accumulated deficit of $30,979,174 as of June 30, 2024. The Company also had at June 30, 2024 a working capital deficit of approximately $6,712,000. The net working capital deficit included a couple of items that are expected to require limited cash outlays in the future, including the current deferred revenue totaling $3,791,970 and convertible debt totaling $2,675,919, which the Company expects to be converted to equity.

 

The Company has received purchase orders from various federal government agency customers totaling over $16 million from which it started shipping in the first and second quarters of 2024.

 

Mr. Huang, the Company’s CEO, has committed to providing additional temporary funding if it is necessary.

 

Based on the Company’s actions undertaken during 2023 and 2024 to close customer deals, build sales pipeline, manage operating expenses and opportunities to raise additional capital after the merger, management believes that the Company’s current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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The Company’s assessment of the period of time through which its financial resources will be adequate to support its operations is a forward-looking statement and involves risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could vary as a result of its near and long-term future capital requirements that will depend on many factors.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

 

For periods prior to the merger, the reported share and per share amounts have been retroactively converted by the applicable exchange ratio with the exception of the authorized shares and shares reserved for issuance. See Note 11—Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.

 

Functional Currency

 

The Company’s consolidated functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. The operations of Zeppelin Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiary, Zeppelin Taiwan, Ltd. (together “Zeppelin”) use the Taiwan Dollar as its functional currency. At each period end, Zeppelin’s balance sheet is translated into U.S. Dollars based upon the period end exchange rate, while their statements of operations and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows are translated into U.S. Dollars based upon an average exchange rate during the period.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company classifies highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk for cash on deposit.

 

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

 

The Company primarily generates revenue from sales of systems and products and the related post contract support to customers. The Company’s primary systems and products include Outpost AI, Acropolis and Airship Command. To date, the majority of the Company’s product revenue that has been recognized consists primarily of a bundled offering of hardware and software which delivers on premise solutions to its customers. Separate limited software subscription services have been delivered to customers including those customers that are able to operate in a cloud based environment. The transaction price recognized as revenue represents the amount the Company expects to be entitled to and is primarily comprised of product revenue, net of returns and variable consideration, including sales incentives provided to customers. Payment is typically due within 30 to 90 calendar days of the invoice date.

 

The Company recognizes revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services by following a five-step process: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price, and (5) recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation, as further described below.

 

Product Revenue

 

Product revenue is derived primarily from sales of the Company’s system offerings, Outpost AI, Acropolis and Airship Command. The Company recognizes product revenue at a point in time when title transfers, when the products are shipped, or when control of the system is transferred to the customer, which usually is upon delivery of the system and when contractual performance obligations have been satisfied.

 

Post Contract Support Revenue

 

Post Contract Support (“PCS”) revenue is derived primarily from the Company’s support and software maintenance agreements (“SMA”). The Company’s PCS includes the right to receive, on a when and if available basis, future unspecified firmware upgrades and features as well as bug fixes, and email and telephone support. The Company allocates a portion of the transaction price to the PCS performance obligation based on a cost-plus methodology and recognizes the associated revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated term of the support period. The Company’s support contracts are typically one to five years with an average of four years, payment is due within 30 to 90 calendars days of the invoice date and may include options to renew. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $80,236 and $40,608, respectively, related to one-year support contracts. For the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $961,987 and $924,247, respectively, related to multi-year support contracts. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $139,597 and $81,215, respectively, related to one-year support contracts. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $2,078,865 and $1,988,071, respectively, related to multi-year support contracts.

 

 
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Other Services

 

The Company earns other service revenues from installation services, training and licensing which are short-term in nature and revenue for these services are recognized at the time of performance when the service is provided.

 

Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations

 

The Company’s contracts with customers often contain multiple performance obligations that can include three separate obligations: (i) a hardware component (which may be bundled with hardware accessories) and the embedded firmware essential to the functionality of the hardware component delivered at the time of sale; (ii) the right to the Company’s downloadable free application and software solutions, and (iii) the right for the customer to receive post contract support (“PCS”) after the initial sale. The Company’s products and PCS offerings have significant standalone functionalities and capabilities. Accordingly, the products are distinct from the Company’s PCS services as customers can benefit from the products without the PCS services and such PCS services are separately identifiable within the contracts. The Company accounts for multiple agreements with a single customer as a single contract if the contractual terms and/or substance of those agreements indicate that they may be so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single contract. The amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for delivering on the contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.

 

The Company establishes the standalone selling price using the prices charged for a deliverable when sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, the Company estimates the standalone selling price based on its pricing model and offering type (products or PCS services).

 

The Company has elected the practical expedient to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component as the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year.

 

The Company sells its products primarily through a direct sales force. The Company considers revenue to be earned when all of the following criteria are met:

 

 

·

The Company has a contract with a customer that creates enforceable rights and obligations,

 

 

 

 

·

Promised performance obligations are identified,

 

 

 

 

·

The transaction price, or the amount the Company expects to receive, is determinable and

 

 

 

 

·

The Company has satisfied the performance obligations to the customer.

 

Transfer of control is evidenced upon passage of title and risk of loss to the customer unless the Company is required to provide additional services.

 

The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $3,791,970 and $3,878,997 as of June 30, 2024. The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,008,654 and $4,962,126 as of December 31, 2023. Of the deferred revenue balance of $8,970,780 as of January 1, 2024, the Company recognized approximately $1,000,090 and $2,166,588 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

Accounts Receivable and Provision for Credit Losses

 

The Company generally sells its products to large governmental entities and large corporations in the United States. Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts and are non-interest bearing.

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (codified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326) on January 1, 2023. ASC 326 adds to U.S. GAAP the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, a measurement model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, the Company evaluated receivables regularly and adjusted the allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly. The Company determined estimates of uncollectible accounts receivable based primarily on actual historical bad debt and sales return trends, customers financial condition and general economic conditions. Under the application of ASC 326, the Company’s historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, as well as current economic and business conditions, and anticipated future economic events that may impact collectability. In developing its expected credit loss estimate, the Company evaluated the appropriate grouping of financial assets based upon its evaluation of risk characteristics, including consideration of the types of products and services sold. Account balances are written off against the allowance for expected credit losses after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

 
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Occasionally certain long-standing customers, who routinely place large orders, will have unusually large receivables balances relative to the total gross receivables. Management monitors the payments for these large balances closely and very often requires payment of existing invoices before shipping new sales orders. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have a reserve for credit losses as all accounts receivable are considered collectible. Accounts receivable balances as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $3,440,121 and $1,648,904, respectively.

 

Concentration of Credit and Sales Risk

 

The Company sells its product to commercial and government customers under agreements that are normally paid within 30 days of contract completion.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had revenue from 36 customers and two customer represented 72% and 11% of total revenue, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the high level of customer concentration for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was due to one large order received in late 2023 which was fulfilled in the six months ended June 30, 2024. As of June 30, 2024, four customers represent approximately 49%, 20%, 11% and 10% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is estimated to be minimal.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, two customers represented 60% and 18% of total revenue. The primary reason for the high level of customer concentration for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was due to the lag-time in delivering on a large order received in late 2022 from one division of a customer which was not fulfilled until 2023. As of December 31, 2023, three customers represent approximately 51%, 26% and 17% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is estimated to be minimal.

 

Inventory

 

The Company’s purchase of inventory, primarily computer servers, is undertaken to match purchase orders received from customers. Upon receipt of inventory, the Company generally configures the servers and loads proprietary software onto the servers before shipping out. The Company holds inventory for a short period of time and as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, it had no inventory in stock. Inventory value is primarily material costs and is valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out method) or net realizable value.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets under certain circumstances are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value (less the projected cost associated with selling the asset). To the extent carrying values exceed fair values, an impairment loss is recognized in operating results. The Company recorded impairment losses of $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors who design, engineer and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies and facilities used in producing prototypes.

 

The Company’s current research and development efforts are primarily focused on improving the Company’s products. The Company is also actively involved in identifying new applications. The Company’s current internal team along with outside consultants has considerable experience working with the application of the Company’s technologies and their applications. The Company engages third party experts as required to supplement the Company’s internal team. The Company believes that continued development of new and enhanced technologies is essential to the Company’s future success. The Company incurred research and development expenses of $702,771 and $665,203 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, on development activities. The Company incurred research and development expenses of $1,398,137 and $1,339,283 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, on development activities.

 

 
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Software Development Costs

 

Costs incurred in the development of software programs for the Company’s products are charged to operations as incurred until technological feasibility of the software has been established. Generally, technological feasibility is established when the software module performs its primary functions described in its original specifications, contains features required for it to be usable in a production environment, is completely documented and the related hardware portion of the product is complete. After technological feasibility is established, any additional costs are capitalized. Capitalization of software costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended use. No software development costs have been capitalized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

 

Cost of Net Revenues

 

Cost of net revenues for products includes components and freight. Cost of net revenues for post contract support and other services includes primarily the cost of personnel and personnel-related expenses to conduct implementations and ongoing client support.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $66,863 and $3,500, respectively. Advertising and marketing costs for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $89,321 and $53,328, respectively.

 

Shipping and Handling of Products

 

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of products are included in net revenues. Costs incurred related to shipping and handling of products are included in cost of revenues.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

 

Level 2 — Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

 

Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The recorded value of other financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. The Company recorded its Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note, earnout liability, and the warrants that were issued with the Convertible Promissory Note at fair value, remeasured on a recurring basis and considered them as Level 3 instruments. The public and private warrants were considered Level 1 and 2 instruments, respectively. The method of determining the fair value of the Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note and attached warrants is described below.

 

The Company classifies as liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net- cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

 

Accounting for Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes at Fair Value

 

The Company has elected the fair value option to account for the senior secured convertible note that was issued on June 22, 2023 and the convertible notes that were issued in October and November 2023 and record them at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. As a result of applying the fair value option, direct costs and fees related to the convertible notes are recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. Values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires management to make judgments and consider factors specific to the liability. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and determine an estimated fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has used a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model that factors in potential outcomes being consummated, such as the convertible notes being repaid in cash and the convertible notes being converted to common stock. All of these scenarios take into consideration the terms and conditions of the underlying convertible notes plus potential changes in the underlying value of the common stock. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $512,184 for the change in fair value of the notes and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The Company believes accounting for the convertible notes at fair value better aligns the measurement methodologies of assets and liabilities, which may mitigate certain earnings volatility.

 

 
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Derivative Liabilities and Earnout Liabilities

 

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants and  earnout shares to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period. The Company classifies as liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net- cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

 

At the merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,159,012 public warrants outstanding. See Note 12– Private Placement and Public Warrants for more information.

 

Upon consummation of the merger, the Company evaluated the warrants and concluded that they did not meet the criteria to be classified within the stockholders’ deficit. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The initial estimated fair value of the warrants was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. The subsequent estimated fair value of the public warrants is based on the listed price in an active market for such warrants while the fair value of the private placement warrants continues to be measured using a Monte Carlo simulation with the key inputs being directly or indirectly observable public warrants listed price. Since the public and private warrants meet the definition of a derivative, the Company recorded the public and private warrants as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value upon the merger closing, with subsequent changes in the fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations at each reporting date.

 

At the closing of the merger, the Airship AI securityholders that hold shares of common stock of Airship AI, Airship AI options, Airship AI earnout warrants or Airship AI SARs have the contingent right to receive up to 5.0 million additional shares of common stock, subject to certain contingencies.  These earnout shares have been categorized into two components: (i) the vested shares that are associated with stockholders with vested equity at the closing of the merger that will be earned upon achievement of the earnout milestones and (ii) the unvested shares associated with stockholders with unvested equity at the closing of the merger that will be earned over the remaining service period with the Company on their unvested equity shares and upon achievement of the earnout milestones.

 

The earnout shares associated with vested shares are recognized as derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40, as the events that determine the number of earnout shares required to be released or issued, as the case may be, include events that were not solely indexed to the fair value of common stock of the Company. The earnout shares were measured at the merger closing and subsequently measured at each reporting date until settled or when they met the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the earnout shares as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The earnout shares were valued using a Monte Carlo analysis.

 

At the closing of the merger, the unvested earnout shares were considered to be equity instruments and valued at approximately $2,675,000. This amount will be recognized as stock-based compensation going forward over the five-year vesting period.

 

Derivative warrant and earnout shares liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of significant current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has share-based compensation plans under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be granted restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, unvested earnout shares and warrants to purchase shares of common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant. Stock-based compensation cost is measured by the Company at the grant date and the fair value of the award is recognized as an expense, over the requisite service period which is generally the vesting period. The Company adjusts stock-based compensation for changes to the estimate of expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.

 

 
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Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends upon future taxable income, as well as the limitations discussed below. For financial reporting purposes, a deferred tax asset must be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized prior to expiration. The Company considers historical and future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years, and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for valuation.

 

Comprehensive Gain

 

Comprehensive gain is defined as the change in equity of a business during a period from non-owner sources. There was other comprehensive gain of $3,239 and $0 related foreign exchange translation for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There was other comprehensive gain of $8,984 and $42,551 related foreign exchange translation for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

Going Concern Assessment

 

The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification 205-40 (“ASC 205-40”), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued to provide guidance on determining when and how reporting companies must disclose going concern uncertainties in their consolidated financial statements. ASC 205-40 requires management to perform assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date of issuance of the entity’s consolidated financial statements (or within one year after the date on which the consolidated financial statements are available to be issued, when applicable). Further, a company must provide certain disclosures if there is “substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern” and management plans to alleviate the going concern.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the calculation of revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, valuation of common stock, valuation of senior secured convertible notes, warrant liability, earnout share liabilities, accruals for potential liabilities including income taxes, valuation of deferred tax assets and valuation assumptions related to share-based compensation.

 

Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic income (loss) per share is based upon the net income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 divided by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share is determined using the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares (representing the dilutive effect of stock options, warrants, convertible notes payable and stock appreciation rights) outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Common stock equivalents for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share given the Company incurred a loss and they are anti-dilutive.

 

Reportable Segments

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting, requires that an enterprise report selected information about reportable segments in its financial reports issued to its stockholders. Management monitors the revenue and expense components of the various products and services the Company offers, but operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a corporation-wide basis in comparison to a business plan which is developed each year. Accordingly, all operations are considered by management to be one operating segment and one reportable segment as contained in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

All recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

 

3. Advances due to and from Founders

 

Advances due to Founders

 

Prior to 2023, the founders had advanced the Company a net $600,000. In the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI a total of $1,350,000 and were repaid a total of $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023. During 2024, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $2,100,000 and was repaid $1,300,000, with $2,550,000 recorded as advances from founders as of June 30, 2024. The advances are non-interest bearing and the Company expects to pay the balance off within a one year period.

 

4. Revenues

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

The Company’s net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 consisted of approximately $5.4 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of hardware and software bundled systems for which revenue is transferred at a point in time. The Company’s net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 consisted of approximately $14.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of hardware and software bundled systems for which revenue is transferred at a point in time. The Company’s remaining net revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 of approximately $1 million and $0.96 million, respectively, related to PCS revenue and other services which are transferred over time. The Company’s remaining net revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 of approximately $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, related to PCS revenue and other services which are transferred over time. Within each product category, contract terms, conditions and economic factors affecting the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty around revenue recognition and cash flow are substantially similar.

 

Contract Balances

 

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company delivers goods or provides services or when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. The Company usually does not record contract assets because the Company has an unconditional right to payment upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, and therefore, a receivable is more commonly recorded than a contract asset. Receivables are generally paid within thirty days and there is no financing element to the customer contracts. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no unbilled receivable balances.

 

The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $3,791,970 and $3,878,997 as of June 30, 2024. The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,008,654 and $4,962,126 as of December 31, 2023. Of the deferred revenue balance of $8,970,780 as of January 1, 2024, the Company recognized approximately $1,000,090 and $2,166,588 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.

 

Remaining Performance Obligations

 

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $7.7 million of remaining performance obligations, which were comprised of deferred service contracts not yet delivered. The Company expects to recognize approximately 27% of its remaining performance obligations as revenue in fiscal 2024 and the remaining 73% in fiscal 2025 and years thereafter.

 

Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract

 

The Company does not pay any material variable compensation to obtain a customer contract. Additionally, the majority of the Company’s cost of fulfillment as a seller of products is classified as inventory and then cost of revenue when the product is sold. Other costs of contract fulfillment such as software maintenance are expensed in the period incurred and align with when the revenue is amortized.

 

5. Notes Payable, Line of Credit and Convertible Notes Payable

 

On June 22, 2023, the Company issued a $2,000,000 senior secured convertible promissory note to Platinum Capital Partners, Inc. As a condition of funding, the Company paid off three small notes and accounts payable totaling $374,000. At the option of the holder, the note is convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. The conversion into the Company’s common stock was $6.50 per share as of December 31, 2023. The repayment amount of the note is 110% ($2,200,000) and had an original maturity date of June 22, 2024. Interest on the note is 6% per annum calculated on 360 days. In connection with the convertible notes transaction, the Company issued warrants to purchase 53,800 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.50 upon the conclusion of the BYTS merger. The value of the warrants totaled $15,418 and reduced the fair value of the convertible promissory notes.

 

 
F-14

Table of Contents

 

On February 2, 2024, the Company issued in a private placement an amended and restated senior secured convertible promissory note to Platinum in the principal amount of $2,000,000. The Platinum convertible note amends and restates in its entirety the senior secured convertible promissory note issued to Platinum in the principal amount of $2,000,000 on June 22, 2023. The repayment amount of the Platinum convertible note is 110% of the principal amount ($2,200,000) and had an original maturity date of June 22, 2024. Interest accrues on the Platinum convertible note at the rate of 6% per annum calculated on the basis of 360 days. At the option of Platinum, the principal amount of the Platinum convertible note plus any accrued but unpaid interest is convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price per share equal to the lower of (i) $3.69717, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the Platinum convertible note, and (ii) 65% of the VWAP for the common stock for the preceding five trading days immediately prior to any conversion, but in no event below $2.27518, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the Platinum convertible note. The Platinum convertible note contains “weighted average” anti-dilution protection for issuances of shares of common stock or common stock equivalents at a price less than the conversion price then in effect.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Platinum convertible note, the Company also issued to Platinum an amended and restated common stock purchase warrant dated February 2, 2024 to purchase 189,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of $3.69717. The term of the Platinum warrant expires on June 22, 2028. The Platinum convertible note may not be converted, and the Platinum warrant may not be exercised, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion and/or exercise, Platinum (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion and/or exercise. On March 18, 2024, Platinum exercised the Platinum warrant and received 137,367 shares of common stock. Platinum forfeited 51,967 shares.

 

On June 22, 2024, the Company entered into an Extension Agreement related to the Platinum convertible note. The Extension Agreement extended the due date of the Platinum convertible note from June 22, 2024 to June 22, 2025. The Company issued 232,360 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock in payment of all interest and extension fees through June 22, 2025 with a value of $1,008,400. Approximately $487,000 of the total payment related to the future interest period and was recorded in prepaid expenses and others on the consolidated balance sheet. Subject to the terms and conditions of such Extension Agreement, for a period commencing on December 22, 2024 and ending at the close of business on December 22, 2025, Platinum has a one-time put right to have the Company purchase all or a portion of Platinum’s 232,360 restricted shares at $2.27518 per share. The Company granted piggyback registration rights to Platinum.

 

At the option of Platinum, the $2,000,000 principal amount of the note is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price per share equal to the lower of (i) $3.69717, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the note, and (ii) 65% of the VWAP of the common stock for the five trading days immediately prior to any conversion, but in no event below $2.27518, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the note. The note contains “weighted average” anti-dilution protection for issuances of shares of common stock or common stock equivalents at a price less than the conversion price then in effect.

 

The obligations under the note are secured by a blanket lien on all assets of the Company pursuant to an Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated February 2, 2024 and are guaranteed pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guaranty dated February 2, 2024. The Company also concurrently entered into an Amended and Restated Subordination Agreement.

 

On October 3, 2023, the Company issued senior secured convertible promissory notes for $600,000 to two private investors. At the option of the holders, the notes are convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. The repayment amount of the notes is 110% ($660,000) and mature on September 30, 2024. Interest on the notes is 6% per annum calculated on the basis of 360 days. On March 5, 2024, the two private investors converted senior secured convertible promissory notes with a face value of $600,000 and interest into 169,204 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $835,610. The Company recognized a loss on debt conversion of $158,794 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.

 

The Company accounts for the notes under the fair value method of accounting and as of  June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the notes were recorded at $2,675,919 and $2,825,366. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company

 

recorded an increase in the fair value of the convertible notes payable totaling $512,184 which was recorded as loss from change in fair value of convertible debt on the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 14 – Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

6. Stockholders’ Deficit

 

Authorized and Outstanding Stock 

 

The Company is a Delaware company and its affairs are governed by its certificate of incorporation, its bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law and the common law of the State of Delaware. The Company’s charter authorizes the issuance of 205,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

 

Details on the common stock, preferred stock and equity incentive plans were disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.

 

Common Stock 

 

As of June 30, 2024, there were 23,736,027 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company had the following sales of unregistered equity securities:

 

On March 5, 2024, a private investor converted a senior secured convertible promissory note for $250,000 and interest into 70,502 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On March 5, 2024, a private investor converted a senior secured convertible promissory note for $350,000 and interest into 98,702 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On March 21, 2024, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock for services performed as of December 31, 2023 to MZHCI, LLC related to an investor relations consulting agreement.

 

On May 16, 2024, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Pamria LLC for consulting and investor relations services.

 

On June 22, 2024, the Company entered into an extension agreement with Platinum Capital Partners Inc. to extend the maturity date of the Platinum convertible note to June 22, 2025. In consideration for entering into the extension agreement, the Company agreed to issue to Platinum 232,360 shares of common stock.

 

In June 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 294,448 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options at exercise prices ranging from $0.12 to $1.64 per share.

 

2023 Equity Incentive Plan 

 

The Company has adopted the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan, which plan was approved by stockholders at the extraordinary general meeting held in December 2023. Details on the equity incentive plan were disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.

 

The aggregate number of shares of common stock initially reserved and available for grant and issuance under the equity incentive plan is 4,080,000 as of June 30, 2024. Such aggregate number of shares of stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to 2.0% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year.

 

The Company had the following stock option activity during the six months ended June 30, 2024:

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company granted stock options to six employees to purchase an aggregate of 525,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $4.61 and which vest primarily quarterly over four years and expire on March 31, 2034.

 

Stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was as follows:

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

Potential

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Proceeds

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2023

 

 

4,664,589

 

 

$0.55

 

 

$2,545,765

 

Granted

 

 

525,000

 

 

 

4.61

 

 

 

2,420,750

 

Exercised

 

 

(294,448)

 

 

(0.50)

 

 

(146,972)

Outstanding as of June 30, 2024

 

 

4,895,141

 

 

$0.98

 

 

$4,819,543

 

  

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2024:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Range of

 

 

Number

 

 

Remaining Life

 

 

Average

 

 

Number

 

 

Exercise Price

 

Exercise Prices

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

In Years

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Exercisable

 

 

Exercisable

 

$

0.12

 

 

 

2,495,803

 

 

 

3.84

 

 

$0.12

 

 

 

2,495,803

 

 

$0.12

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

922,963

 

 

 

4.02

 

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

922,963

 

 

 

0.57

 

 1.49-1.65

 

 

 

1,126,562

 

 

 

7.93

 

 

 

1.64

 

 

 

483,625

 

 

 

1.64

 

 

1.90

 

 

 

49,813

 

 

 

3.48

 

 

 

1.90

 

 

 

6,227

 

 

 

1.90

 

 6.59-7.61

 

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

9.75

 

 

 

6.84

 

 

 

18,750

 

 

 

6.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,895,141

 

 

 

5.17

 

 

$0.98

 

 

 

3,927,367

 

 

$0.45

 

  

There were 4,895,141 options to purchase common stock at an average exercise price of $0.98 per share outstanding as of June 30, 2024 under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company recorded $261,636 and $136,709 of compensation expense, net of related tax effects, relative to stock options for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  The Company recorded $530,625 and $273,418 of compensation expense, net of related tax effects, relative to stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in accordance with ASC 718. As of June 30, 2024, there was $1,553,651 of total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options that were not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 4.75-5.17 years.

 

The significant weighted-average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s stock option grants were as follows for the three months ended:

 

Assumptions

 

6/30/2024

 

 

3/31/2024

 

Estimated stock price

 

$

7.61

 

 

 $1.49-$6.59

 

Exercise price

 

$

7.61

 

 

 $1.49-$6.59

 

Dividend yield

 

 

0

%

 

 

0%

Expected life

 

4 years

 

 

5-10 years

 

Expected volatility

 

 

69%

 

 

69%

Risk free interest rate

 

 

4.68%

 

 

4.23%

  

There were stock incentive plan awards outstanding at June 30, 2024 totaling 4,895,141 shares with an aggregate intrinsic value of $13,728,765.

 

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 there were 1,758,000 SARs outstanding. There were no SAR grants in the six months ended June 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

 

See Note 12 for public and private placement warrants assumed after the merger.

 

The Company had the following warrant activity during the six months ended June 30, 2024:

 

In connection with the issuance of the Platinum convertible note, the Company also issued to Platinum an amended and restated common stock purchase warrant dated February 2, 2024 to purchase 189,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of $3.69717. The term of the Platinum warrant expires on June 22, 2028. The Platinum convertible note may not be converted, and the Platinum warrant may not be exercised, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion and/or exercise, Platinum (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion and/or exercise. On March 18, 2024, Platinum exercised the Platinum warrant and received 137,367 shares of common stock. Platinum forfeited 51,967 shares.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2024, investors exercised warrants for 25,600 shares of the Company’s common stock at $11.49 per share and the Company received proceeds of $293,249.

 

 
F-16

Table of Contents

 

A summary of the warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2024 were as follows:

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Price

 

Outstanding January 1, 2024

 

 

19,443,314

 

 

$10.16

 

Issued

 

 

135,534

 

 

 

3.70

 

Exercised

 

 

(162,967)

 

 

(4.92)

Forfeited

 

 

(51,967)

 

 

(3.70)

Expired

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2024

 

 

19,363,914

 

 

$6.96

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Number of

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Shares

 

 

Exercise

 

Warrants

 

 

Life ( In Years)

 

 

Price

 

 

Exercisable

 

 

Price

 

 

2,689,902

 

 

 

3.85

 

 

$1.77

 

 

 

2,689,902

 

 

$1.77

 

 

515,000

 

 

 

4.42

 

 

 

7.80

 

 

 

515,000

 

 

 

7.80

 

 

16,159,012

 

 

 

4.42

 

 

 

7.80

 

 

 

16,159,012

 

 

 

7.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,363,914

 

 

 

4.40

 

 

$6.96

 

 

 

19,363,914

 

 

$6.96

 

  

The significant weighted average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s warrants issued for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were as follows:

 

Assumptions

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

Expected life

 

3-5 years

 

Expected volatility

 

 

69%

Risk free interest rate

 

 

4.23%

  

Warrants for 19,363,914 shares had an aggregate intrinsic value of $4,895,622 as of June 30, 2024.  

 

Earnout Liability

 

See Note 13 for common stock shares related to earnout liability.

 

In addition, a portion of the earnout shares may be issued to individuals with unvested equity awards. While the payout of these shares requires the achievement of the earnout milestones, the individuals must complete the remaining service period associated with these unvested equity awards to be eligible to receive the earnout shares. As a result, these unvested earn-out shares are equity-classified awards and have an aggregated grant date fair value of $2,675,223 (or $5.96 per share). During the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company stock-based compensation expense for the vesting of earnout shares was $133,761 and $267,522, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested earnout shares totaled $2,407,702. The weighted average period over which this remaining compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 4.5 years.

 

7. Employee 401(k) Plan

 

The Company has a 401(k) plan for its employees. The plan provides for a 3.5% match on up to 6% of deferred salary. The Company expensed $50,696 and $47,563 of contributions during the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company expensed $100,798 and $93,559 of contributions during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

8. Related Party Transactions

 

Advances due to Founders

 

Prior to 2023, the founders had advanced the Company a net $600,000. In the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI a total of $1,350,000 and were repaid a total of $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023. During 2024, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $2,100,000 and was repaid $1,300,000, with $2,550,000 recorded as advances from founders as of June 30, 2024. The advances are non-interest bearing and the Company expects to pay the balance off within a one year period.

 

9. Commitments, Contingencies and Legal Proceedings

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company is currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding that is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.

 

Properties and Operating Leases-Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability

 

Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether an arrangement is or contains a lease in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. Right of use lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The incremental borrowing taking into consideration the Company’s credit quality and borrowing rate for similar assets is used in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense is recorded as general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

On May 1, 2019, the Company leased 31,765 square feet for its executive offices in Redmond, Washington. The Company’s net monthly payment was $44,440. The monthly payment increased approximately 3% each year and the lease was set to expire on April 30, 2024. The Company had two five-year renewal options. In April 2023, the Company and its landlord entered into an agreement whereby the Company’s office lease was terminated on September 30, 2023.

 

On July 13, 2023, the Company entered into a new lease in Redmond, WA for 15,567 square feet of office and warehouse space which starts October 1, 2023. The monthly payment is $25,000 per month. The lease expires October 31, 2027 and the monthly payment increases 3% on July 31, 2024 and each year thereafter. There is a one three year option to extend based on the fair market rate on October 31, 2027.

 

On January 1, 2021, the Company leased offices located in Moorestown, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment was $4,828. The monthly payment increases approximately 3%-6% annually thereafter. The lease expired on February 28, 2024. On February 29, 2024, the Company extended the lease and the net monthly payment is $6,488. The lease expires on August 29, 2024.

 

The Company has entered into operating leases for office and development facilities for four years and include options to renew. The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based upon the unique facts and circumstances at the inception of the lease. Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use assets are recorded based upon the present value of the lease payments over the expected lease term. As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, total operating lease liabilities was approximately $993,995 and $1,118,578,  respectively. Right of use assets totaled approximately $953,713 and $1,104,804 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Current lease liabilities were $198,002 and $174,876 at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. In the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $128,124 and $162,414 in total lease costs for the leases, respectively. In the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $227,067 and $324,828 in total lease costs for the leases, respectively. Because the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments.

 

The weighted average remaining lease term for the operating leases was forty three months at June 30, 2024 and the weighted average discount rate was 7 %.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

The minimum future lease payments as of June 30, 2024 are as follows:

 

Years Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2025

 

$261,752

 

2026

 

 

364,885

 

2027

 

 

375,859

 

2028

 

 

128,397

 

Total remaining payments

 

 

1,130,893

 

Less Imputed Interest

 

 

(136,898)

Total lease liability

 

$993,995

 

  

Employment Agreement

 

On March 1, 2024, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mark E. Scott, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, which provides for a base salary of $250,000 annually. Mr. Scott is also eligible to participate in annual performance-based bonus programs established by the board or compensation committee, subject to the achievement of applicable performance criteria established by the board or compensation committee, which shall be determined in good faith by the board or compensation committee. Mr. Scott was also granted options to purchase up to twenty five thousand (25,000) shares of common stock with an exercise price equal to $1.49, which options vested in full on the date of issuance.

 

10. Income Taxes

 

The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 0% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 primarily related to the valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets.

 

For interim periods, the Company estimates its annual effective income tax rate and applies the estimated rate to the year-to-date income or loss before income taxes. The Company also computes the tax provision or benefit related to items reported separately and recognizes the items net of their related tax effect in the interim periods in which they occur. The Company also recognizes the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates in the interim periods in which the changes occur.

 

As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company retains a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets. The realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets depends primarily on its ability to generate taxable income in future periods. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable in future periods may change as management continues to reassess the underlying factors it uses in estimating future taxable income.

 

11. Reverse Recapitalization

 

On December 21, 2023, the Company completed the merger and received net proceeds of $2.8 million, net of transaction costs of $6.6 million.

 

The merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, BYTS, who was the legal acquirer, was treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and Airship AI was treated as the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the merger was treated as the equivalent of Airship AI issuing shares at the closing of the merger for the net assets of BYTS as of the closing date, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of BYTS was stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Airship AI was determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

 

·

Airship AI’s stockholders have the majority voting interest in the combined company;

 

 

 

 

·

The board of the post-merger company is composed of one (1) director designated by BYTS and four (4) directors designated by Airship AI;

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI’s senior management is the senior management of the post-merger company;

 

 

 

 

·

The business of Airship AI comprises the ongoing operations of post-merger company; and

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI is the larger entity, in terms of substantive assets.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

The table below summarizes the shares of common stock issued immediately after the closing of the merger as well as the impact on the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as of December 21, 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Par Amount

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid in Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

SPAC Financing

 

 

8,891,718

 

 

$0.0001

 

 

$889

 

 

$8,315,186

 

 

$-

 

Transaction expenses (1)

 

 

532,986

 

 

 

0.0001

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

(6,651,674)

 

 

(894,662)

Earnout liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,470,918)

 

 

(22,638,859)

Warrants liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,009,105)

 

 

-

 

Reverse capitalization on December 21, 2023 (1)

 

 

9,424,704

 

 

 

 

 

 

$942

 

 

$(4,816,511)

 

$(23,533,521)

 

 

(1)

Adjusted for correction of transaction expense discussed below.

 

Immaterial Revision of Prior Period Financial Information

 

In connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements, the Company identified an immaterial error related to the classification of prepaid expenses and transaction expenses (classified in accumulated deficit as reverse recapitalization). In accordance with SAB No. 99, “Materiality,” and SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company evaluated the error and determined that the impact was not material to its financial statements for the prior annual and current interim period, accordingly the Company revised the prior period financial information for comparative purposes. The revision does not impact the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. A summary of the revision to the Company’s previously reported consolidated balance sheets is included below for comparative purposes:

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023

 

 

 

As Reported

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

As Revised

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

$913,030

 

 

$(894,662)

 

$18,368

 

Total current assets

 

 

5,693,577

 

 

 

(894,662)

 

 

4,798,915

 

Total assets

 

 

6,982,575

 

 

 

(894,662)

 

 

6,087,913

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(16,582,038)

 

 

(894,662)

 

 

(17,476,700)

Total stockholders' deficit

 

 

(16,592,565)

 

 

(894,662)

 

 

(17,487,227)

  

The revision had no impact to cash provided by operating activities in such period.

 

12. Private Placement and Public Warrants

 

At the merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,159,012 public warrants outstanding.

 

Details on the warrants were disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024. The public warrants will expire on December 21, 2028.

 

The following table is a summary of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of the public and private warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2024:       

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Expiration Date

 

Fair Value

 

Public Warrants

 

 

16,159,012

 

 

$7.80

 

 

December 21, 2028

 

 

5,828,609

 

Private Warrants

 

 

515,000

 

 

$7.80

 

 

December 21, 2028

 

 

144,120

 

  

13. Earnout Liability

 

Certain of the Company’s stockholders are entitled to receive up to 5,000,000 earnout shares of the Company’s common stock if the following earnout milestones are met.

 

 

(A)

25% of the earnout shares if, for the period starting on the closing date and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the first anniversary of the closing date, (1) Company Revenue (as defined below) is at least $39 million, or (2) the aggregate value of new contract awards (including awards obtained through purchase orders) with federal law enforcement agencies (whether such awards are obtained directly or through intermediaries) has grown by at least 100% as compared to the year-over-year amount for the twelve-month period ending on the date of the Merger Agreement (the “First Operating Performance Milestone”);

 

 
F-20

Table of Contents

 

 

(B)

75% of the earnout shares if, for the period starting on the closing date and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the third anniversary of the closing date, Company Revenue is at least $100 million (the “Second Operating Performance Milestone”);

 

 

 

 

(C)

50% of the earnout shares if, at any time during the period starting on the closing date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the closing date, over any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the common stock is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share (the “First Share Price Performance Milestone”); and

 

 

 

 

(D)

50% of the earnout shares if, at any time during the period starting on the closing date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the closing date, over any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period the VWAP of the common stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 per share (the “Second Share Price Performance Milestone”).

 

Further, the earnout milestones are also considered to be met if the Company undergoes a change of control. A change of control is defined as (i) any transaction or series of related transactions that results in any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) acquiring equity interests that represent more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company or (ii) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, any earnout shares issuable under the Merger Agreement to a Airship AI securityholder in respect of each Airship AI option or Airship AI SAR held by such holder as of immediately prior to the effective time of the merger shall be earned by such holder on the later of (i) the occurrence of the applicable earnout milestone, and (ii) the date on which the option in respect of such Airship AI option or SAR in respect of such Airship AI SAR, as applicable, becomes vested pursuant to its applicable vesting schedule, but only if such holder continues to provide services (whether as an employee, director or individual independent contractor) to the Company or one of its subsidiaries through such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any earnout shares that are not earned by a Airship AI securityholder in respect of its options or SARs on or before the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the merger shall be forfeited without any consideration. Any earnout shares that are forfeited pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be reallocated to the other Airship AI securityholders who remain entitled to receive earnout shares in accordance with their respective earnout pro rata shares.

 

These earnout shares have been categorized into two components: (i) the “Vested Shares” - those associated with earnout holders with vested equity at the closing of the merger that will be earned upon achievement of the earnout milestones and (ii) the “Unvested Shares” - those associated with earnout holders with unvested equity at the closing of the merger that will be earned over the remaining service period with the Company on their unvested equity shares and upon achievement of the earnout milestones. The Vested Shares, which represent 95% of the total earnout shares are classified as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations due to the variability in the number of earnout shares at settlement which could change upon a change of control event. The earnout arrangement contains a settlement provision that violates the indexation guidance under ASC 815-40. The Unvested Shares are equity-classified share-based compensation to be recognized over time under ASC 718 due to the service component.

 

At the closing of the merger on December 21, 2023, the earnout liability had an initial fair value of $27,109,777, which was recorded as a long-term liability and a reduction to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the earnout liability had decreased to $5,133,428 as a result of the decline in the Company’s share price since the closing of the merger. As of June 30, 2024, the estimated fair value of the earnout liability increased to $11,741,351 primarily due to the increase in the Company’s share price, which resulted in a loss due to the change in fair value of the earnout liability during the six months ended June 30, 2024 of $6,607,923 and is recorded on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 14– Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

As of June 30, 2024, the Company is currently evaluating the earnout shares to determine the first operating performance milestone has been met.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

14. Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, fair value hierarchy of the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2024:

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout liability

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$11,741,351

 

 

$11,741,351

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,675,919

 

 

 

2,675,919

 

Warrant liability (Public Warrants)

 

 

5,828,609

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5,828,609

 

Warrant liability (Private Warrants)

 

 

-

 

 

 

144,120

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

144,120

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 

$5,828,609

 

 

$144,120

 

 

$14,417,270

 

 

$20,389,999

 

  

The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, fair value hierarchy of the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout liability

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$5,133,428

 

 

$5,133,428

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,825,366

 

 

 

2,825,366

 

Warrant liability (Public Warrants)

 

 

646,428

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

646,428

 

Warrant liability (Private Warrants)

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,557

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,557

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 

$646,428

 

 

$21,557

 

 

$7,958,794

 

 

$8,626,779

 

  

The estimated fair value of the earnout liability was determined using a Monte Carlo Model. The assumptions utilized in the calculation are based on the achievement of certain stock price milestones including projected stock price, volatility, probability of meeting the federal law enforcement agency growth and risk-free rate. The following assumptions were used in the simulation at each valuation date:

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Stock price

 

$3.59

 

 

$1.70

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

4.33%

 

 

3.84%

Expected term (in years)

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

5

 

Expected volatility

 

 

62.9%

 

 

75.9%

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

  

The assumptions also included the probability of meeting the federal law enforcement agency growth milestone at 100%.

 

The initial estimated fair value of the private warrants was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. The estimated fair value of the public warrants is based on the listed price in an active market for such warrants and the fair value of the private placement warrants continues to be measured based on the public warrants listed price.

 

The estimated fair value of the senior secured convertible promissory notes was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model that factors in potential outcomes being consummated, such as the convertible notes being repaid in cash and the convertible notes being converted to common stock. All of these scenarios take into consideration the terms and conditions of the underlying convertible notes plus potential changes in the underlying value of the common stock. The following assumptions were used in the simulation:

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Stock price

 

$3.59

 

 

 

1.70

 

Effective discount rate

 

 

14.83%

 

 

12.95%

Expected term (in years)

 

 

0.98

 

 

0.48 to 0.75

 

Expected volatility

 

 

56.9%

 

 

62.5%

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

 

There were no transfers of financial instruments between valuation levels during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

 
F-22

Table of Contents

 

15. Earnings per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Six months ended

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Six months ended

 

Net income (loss) - Basic

 

$18,461,995

 

 

$(13,502,474)

 

$(3,103,279)

 

$(4,815,455)
Less: interest expense and remeasurement of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

convertible debt

 

 

(1,005,611)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Net income (loss) - Diluted

 

$17,456,384

 

 

$(13,502,474)

 

$(3,103,279)

 

$(4,815,455)
Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

23,220,709

 

 

 

23,059,598

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

Add: dilutive effect of convertible debt, stock options, SARs and Airship warrants

 

 

7,051,519

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Diluted

 

 

30,272,228

 

 

 

23,059,598

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$0.80

 

 

$(0.59)

 

$(0.14)

 

$(0.21)

Diluted

 

$0.58

 

 

$(0.59)

 

$(0.14)

 

$(0.21)

 

The following potentially dilutive shares were not included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding for the periods presented as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

 

 

June 30, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Public Warrants

 

 

16,159,012

 

 

 

16,184,612

 

Private Warrants

 

 

515,000

 

 

 

515,000

 

Convertible debt

 

 

-

 

 

 

452,240

 

Warrants

 

 

-

 

 

 

53,800

 

Outstanding stock options

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

16,974,012

 

 

 

17,205,652

 

  

The 5,000,000 earnout shares are excluded from basic and diluted net loss per share as such shares are contingently issuable until the Company exceeds certain milestone thresholds that have not been achieved. As of June 30, 2024, the Company is currently evaluating the earnout shares to determine if the first operating performance milestone has been met.

 

As a result of the merger, the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of net income (loss) per share have been retroactively converted by applying the conversion ratio.

 

16. Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events, for the purpose of adjustment or disclosure, up through the date the financial statements were issued. Subsequent to June 30, 2024, there were no material transactions that require disclosure.

 

 
F-23

Table of Contents

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ BPM LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

Santa Rosa, California

April 1, 2024

 

 
F-24

Table of Contents

 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$3,124,413

 

 

$298,614

 

Accounts receivable, net of provision for credit losses of $0

 

 

1,648,904

 

 

 

705,752

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

913,030

 

 

 

16,039

 

Payroll and income tax receivable

 

 

7,230

 

 

 

967,613

 

Total current assets

 

 

5,693,577

 

 

 

1,988,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

 

1,861

 

 

 

16,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances to founders

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

Other assets

 

 

182,333

 

 

 

-

 

Operating lease right of use asset

 

 

1,104,804

 

 

 

804,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$6,982,575

 

 

$3,909,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable - trade

 

$2,908,472

 

 

$216,718

 

Advances from founders

 

 

1,750,000

 

 

 

600,000

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

200,531

 

 

 

120,662

 

Current portion of Small Business Loan

 

 

-

 

 

 

292,932

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

2,825,366

 

 

 

-

 

Current portion of operating lease liability

 

 

174,876

 

 

 

628,371

 

Deferred revenue- current portion

 

 

4,008,654

 

 

 

4,168,016

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

11,867,899

 

 

 

6,026,699

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payable to founders

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

Small Business Loan- non-current

 

 

-

 

 

 

131,608

 

Operating lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

943,702

 

 

 

203,769

 

Warrant liability

 

 

667,985

 

 

 

-

 

Earnout liability

 

 

5,133,428

 

 

 

-

 

Deferred revenue- non-current

 

 

4,962,126

 

 

 

4,805,431

 

Total liabilities

 

 

23,575,140

 

 

 

12,267,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock - no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Common stock - $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 22,812,048 and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,387,344 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

 

2,281

 

 

 

1,339

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,964,669

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(16,582,038)

 

 

(10,314,313)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(12,808)

 

 

(10,106)

Total stockholders' deficit

 

 

(16,592,565)

 

 

(8,358,411)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

 

$6,982,575

 

 

$3,909,096

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-25

Table of Contents

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

NET REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

$7,439,045

 

 

$9,376,465

 

Post contract support

 

 

4,692,487

 

 

 

5,008,328

 

Other services

 

 

168,052

 

 

 

164,348

 

 

 

 

12,299,584

 

 

 

14,549,141

 

COST OF NET REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

4,767,159

 

 

 

4,554,340

 

Post contract support

 

 

1,681,267

 

 

 

1,494,583

 

Other services

 

 

86,841

 

 

 

79,205

 

 

 

 

6,535,267

 

 

 

6,128,128

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

5,764,317

 

 

 

8,421,013

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES

 

 

2,729,492

 

 

 

3,614,814

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

 

9,675,190

 

 

 

7,630,012

 

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

12,404,682

 

 

 

11,244,826

 

OPERATING LOSS

 

 

(6,640,365)

 

 

(2,823,813)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from change in fair value of warrants

 

 

1,341,120

 

 

 

-

 

Gain from change in fair value of earnout liability

 

 

21,976,349

 

 

 

-

 

Loss from change in fair value of convertible debt

 

 

(240,784)

 

 

-

 

Interest income

 

 

-

 

 

 

42,565

 

Interest expense

 

 

(55,685)

 

 

(75,256)

Other expense

 

 

9,501)

 

 

-

 

Other income- PPP loan forgiveness

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,146,235

 

Other income- employee retention tax credit

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,232,776

 

Total other income, net

 

 

23,011,499

 

 

 

2,346,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISON FOR INCOME TAXES

 

 

16,371,134

 

 

 

(477,493)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

16,371,134

 

 

 

(487,493)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation loss, net

 

 

(2,702)

 

 

(10,106)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

$16,368,432

 

 

$(497,599)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$1.20

 

 

$(0.04)

Diluted

 

$0.80

 

 

$(0.04)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

13,671,376

 

 

 

13,387,344

 

Diluted

 

 

20,390,663

 

 

 

13,387,344

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-26

Table of Contents

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OFCHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Stock

 

 

Paid in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Stock 

 

 

$

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Loss

 

 

Deficit

 

Balance as of January 1, 2022 (1)

 

 

13,387,344

 

 

$1,339

 

 

$1,418,209

 

 

$(9,826,820)

 

$-

 

 

$(8,407,272)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

546,460

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

546,460

 

Foreign currency translation loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10,106)

 

 

(10,106)

Net loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(487,493)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(487,493)

Balance as of December 31, 2022 (1)

 

 

13,387,344

 

 

 

1,339

 

 

 

1,964,669

 

 

 

(10,314,313)

 

 

(10,106)

 

 

(8,358,411)

Stock-based compensation- stock option grants

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

715,727

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

715,727

 

Stock-based compensation- warrants

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,136,115

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,136,115

 

Reverse recapitalization on December 21, 2023

 

 

9,424,704

 

 

 

942

 

 

 

(4,816,511)

 

 

(22,638,859)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(27,454,428)

Foreign currency translation loss

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2,702)

 

 

(2,702)

Net income

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16,371,134

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16,371,134

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

 

 

22,812,048

 

 

$2,281

 

 

$-

 

 

$(16,582,038)

 

$(12,808)

 

$(16,592,565)

 

(1) The shares of the Company's common stock, prior to the Merger, have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio of approximately 1.7581 established in the Merger described in Note 1.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$16,371,134

 

 

$(487,493)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

14,879

 

 

 

14,879

 

Stock-based compensation- stock option grants

 

 

715,727

 

 

 

546,460

 

Stock-based compensation- warrants

 

 

2,136,115

 

 

 

-

 

Gain on forgiveness of note payable - PPP

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,146,235)

Amortization of operating lease right of  use asset

 

 

596,556

 

 

 

517,232

 

Accelerated amortization of ROU asset - lease termination

 

 

265,130

 

 

 

-

 

Gain from lease liability termination

 

 

(344,093)

 

 

-

 

Gain from change in fair value of warrant liability

 

 

(1,341,120)

 

 

-

 

Gain from change in fair value of earnout liability

 

 

(21,976,349)

 

 

-

 

Loss from change in fair value of convertible note

 

 

240,784

 

 

 

 

 

Non cash interest, net

 

 

65,487

 

 

 

17,181

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(943,152)

 

 

125,601

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

(2,329)

 

 

14,063

 

Other assets

 

 

(182,333)

 

 

-

 

Operating lease liability

 

 

(531,621)

 

 

(560,435)

Payroll and income tax receivable

 

 

960,383

 

 

 

(939,850)

Accounts payable - trade and accrued expenses

 

 

666,136

 

 

 

(88,784)

Deferred revenue

 

 

(2,667)

 

 

(915,278)

 NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(3,291,333)

 

 

(2,902,659)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from convertible promissory note

 

 

2,584,582

 

 

 

-

 

Advances from founders, net

 

 

1,150,000

 

 

 

600,000

 

Proceeds from reverse recapitalization

 

 

2,809,792

 

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from small business loan and line of credit

 

 

-

 

 

 

565,050

 

Proceeds from notes receivable - related parties

 

 

-

 

 

 

841,917

 

Repayment of small business loan and line of credit

 

 

(424,540)

 

 

(140,510)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

6,119,834

 

 

 

1,866,457

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

2,828,501

 

 

 

(1,036,202)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect from exchange rate on cash

 

 

(2,702)

 

 

(10,106)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year

 

 

298,614

 

 

 

1,344,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year

 

$3,124,413

 

 

$298,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$21,438

 

 

$19,950

 

Taxes paid

 

$17,247

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncash investing and financing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elimination of advances to founders in connection with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

contribution of Zeppelin by shareholders

 

$1,100,000

 

 

$-

 

Elimination of payables to founders in connection with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

contribution of Zeppelin by shareholders

 

$1,100,000

 

 

$-

 

Warrants issued in connection with debt

 

$15,418

 

 

$-

 

Recognition of right-of-use asset

 

$1,162,152

 

 

$1,321,570

 

Recognition of operating lease liability

 

$1,162,152

 

 

$1,392,575

 

Deferred rent write off

 

$-

 

 

$71,005

 

Noncash activity related to Merger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognition of warrant liability

 

$2,009,105

 

 

$-

 

Recognition of earnout liability

 

$27,109,777

 

 

$-

 

Recognition of prepaid assets

 

$894,662

 

 

$-

 

Recognition of accounts payable

 

$1,500,000

 

 

$-

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

1. Organization

 

On March 7, 2023, the Company changed its name to Airship AI Holdings, Inc. from Super Simple AI, Inc. Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Airship”) is a holding company that executes business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Airship AI, Inc. Prior to the formation of Super Simple AI, Inc. in 2022, the Company operated as Airship AI, Inc. (formerly known as JDL Digital Systems, Inc.) Super Simple AI, Inc. was formed in January 2022 through a share exchange with JDL Digital System. JDL Digital Systems, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington on June 30, 2003.

 

The Company has historically enabled government and commercial customers, through a combination of hardware, software, including artificial intelligence (“AI”) and service offerings to manage existing and emerging physical security challenges through a secure single-pane-of-glass Common Operational Picture (COP), connecting a wide range of sensors and edge Internet of Things (“IoT”) devices across disparate networks, environments, and geographic locations to a single consolidated location.

The Company employed forty seven employees as of December 31, 2023. The employees are headquartered in Redmond, WA and are supported by a growing team at our Customer Center of Excellence located in Charlotte, NC. The Company employed eight research and development personnel in Taiwan as of December 31, 2023.

 

The Company’s products appeal to customers whose business operations are geographically diverse, providing essential goods and services, requiring physical security solutions that are tailored to their unique physical security requirements. Airship further appeals to customers who want to choose the right tool for the job (or tailor the tool to fit the job), rather than have to operate based on the tools that are commercially available to them.

 

The Company has historically promoted its goods and services through very select marketing and advertising channels, most of which are closed to the general public and or are limited in their focus to customers specifically looking for solutions in the physical security and video surveillance arena.

 

The Company’s initial software application is now further evolving into an enterprise grade solution addressing a broadened data management lifecycle, starting at the edge. Edge Cloud Computing is being increasingly viewed as a key enabler and technology necessity.

 

In 2020, the Company’s two main owners started a new business, Zeppelin Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiary, Zeppelin Taiwan, Ltd. (together “Zeppelin”). Zeppelin’s focus is on the development of cloud-based products. Zeppelin was considered a variable interest entity (VIE) and was consolidated with the Company. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred their interest in Zeppelin to the Company and Zeppelin became a wholly-owned subsidiary. The transaction had no impact on the consolidated financial statements, other than $1.1 million Advance to Founders and the $1.1 million Payable to Founders are now eliminated.

 

Merger with BYTE Acquisition Corp. (“BYTE”)

 

On December 21, 2023, the Company completed the merger (the “Merger”) contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2023 (as amended on September 22, 2023 and as may be further amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”) by and among BYTS, BYTE Merger Sub, Inc., a Washington corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of BYTS (“Merger Sub”), and Airship AI.

 

Effective December 21, 2023, following the filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington, Merger Sub merged with and into Airship AI with Airship AI as the surviving corporation. Thus, Airship AI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Merger, Airship AI changed its name to “Airship AI, Inc.” See Note 13 —Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.

 

 
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Liquidity

 

The Company has incurred losses from operations the past few years and had an accumulated deficit of $16,582,038 as of December 31, 2023. The Company also has at December 31, 2023 a working capital deficit of approximately $6,174,000. The net working capital deficit includes a couple of items that are expected to require limited cash outlays in the future including the current deferred revenue totaling $4,009,000 and convertible debt totaling $2,825,000, which we expect to be converted to equity. The Company has primarily funded its operations with proceeds from debt borrowings, advances from founders, and proceeds from the Merger.

 

The Company has recently received purchase orders from various government agency customers totaling over $13 million from which we expect to start receiving cash in the first quarter of 2024.

 

Mr. Huang has committed to providing $2.5 million in additional temporary funding if it is necessary.

 

Based on the Company’s actions undertaken during 2023 and 2024 to close customer deals, manage operating expenses and opportunities to raise additional capital after the Merger, Management believes that the Company’s current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company’s assessment of the period of time through which its financial resources will be adequate to support its operations is a forward-looking statement and involves risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could vary as a result of its near and long-term future capital requirements that will depend on many factors.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

For periods prior to the Merger, the reported share and per share amounts have been retroactively converted by the applicable exchange ratio with the exception of the authorized shares and shares reserved for issuance. See Note 13—Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.

 

Functional Currency

 

The Company’s consolidated functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. The operations of Zeppelin use the Taiwan Dollar as its functional currency. At each period end, Zeppelin’s balance sheet is translated into U.S. Dollars based upon the period end exchange rate, while their statements of operations and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows are translated into U.S. Dollars based upon an average exchange rate during the period.

 

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

 

A VIE is a legal entity that has either a total equity investment that is insufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The Company’s variable interest arises from contractual, ownership or other monetary interests in the entity, which change with fluctuations in the fair value of the entity’s net assets.

 

A VIE is consolidated by its primary beneficiary, the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company consolidates a VIE when it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The Company assesses whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company was considered to be the primary beneficiary of Zeppelin. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred their interest in Zeppelin to the Company and Zeppelin became a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company classifies highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk for cash on deposit.

 

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

 

The Company primarily generates revenue from sales of systems and products and the related post contract support to customers. The Company’s primary systems and products include Outpost AI, Acropolis and Airship Command. To date, the majority of the Company’s product revenue that has been recognized consists primarily of a bundled offering of hardware and software which delivers on premise solutions to its customers. Separate limited software subscription services have been delivered to customers including those customers that are able to operate in a cloud based environment. The transaction price recognized as revenue represents the amount the Company expects to be entitled to and is primarily comprised of product revenue, net of returns and variable consideration, including sales incentives provided to customers. Payment is typically due within 30 to 90 calendar days of the invoice date.

 

The Company recognizes revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services by following a five-step process: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price, and (5) recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation, as further described below.

 

Product Revenue

 

Product revenue is derived primarily from sales of the Company’s system offerings, Outpost AI, Acropolis and Airship Command. The Company recognizes product revenue at a point in time when title transfers, when the products are shipped, or when control of the system is transferred to the customer, which usually is upon delivery of the system and when contractual performance obligations have been satisfied.

 

Post Contract Support Revenue

 

Post Contract Support (“PCS”) revenue is derived primarily from the Company’s support and software maintenance agreements (“SMA”). The Company’s PCS includes the right to receive, on a when and if available basis, future unspecified firmware upgrades and features as well as bug fixes, and email and telephone support. The Company allocates a portion of the transaction price to the PCS performance obligation based on a cost-plus methodology and recognizes the associated revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated term of the support period. The Company’s support contracts are typically one to five years with an average of four years, payment is due within 30 to 90 calendars days of the invoice date and may include options to renew. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized revenue of $196,739 and $80,929, respectively, related to one-year support contracts. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized revenue of $4,495,748 and $4,912,258, respectively, related to multi-year support contracts.

 

Other Services

 

The Company earns other service revenues from installation services, training and licensing which are short-term in nature and revenue for these services are recognized at the time of performance when the service is provided.

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations

 

The Company’s contracts with customers often contain multiple performance obligations that can include three separate obligations: (i) a hardware component (which may be bundled with hardware accessories) and the embedded firmware essential to the functionality of the hardware component delivered at the time of sale; (ii) the right to the Company’s downloadable free application and software solutions, and (iii) the right for the customer to receive post contract support (“PCS”) after the initial sale. The Company’s products and PCS offerings have significant standalone functionalities and capabilities. Accordingly, the products are distinct from the Company’s PCS services as customers can benefit from the products without the PCS services and such PCS services are separately identifiable within the contracts. The Company accounts for multiple agreements with a single customer as a single contract if the contractual terms and/or substance of those agreements indicate that they may be so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single contract. The amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for delivering on the contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.

 

The Company establishes the standalone selling price using the prices charged for a deliverable when sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, the Company estimates the standalone selling price based on its pricing model and offering type (products or PCS services).

 

The Company has elected the practical expedient to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component as the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year.

 

The Company sells its products primarily through a direct sales force. The Company considers revenue to be earned when all of the following criteria are met:

 

 

·

The Company has a contract with a customer that creates enforceable rights and obligations,

 

 

 

 

·

Promised performance obligations are identified,

 

 

 

 

·

The transaction price, or the amount the Company expects to receive, is determinable and

 

 

 

 

·

The Company has satisfied the performance obligations to the customer.

 

Transfer of control is evidenced upon passage of title and risk of loss to the customer unless the Company is required to provide additional services.

 

The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,008,654 and $4,962,126 as of December 31, 2023. The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,168,016 and $4,805,431 as of December 31, 2022. Of the deferred revenue balance of $8,973,447 and $9,888,275 as of January 1, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized approximately $4,168,016 and $4,593,794 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Accounts Receivable and Provision for Credit Losses

 

The Company generally sells its products to large governmental entities and large corporations in the United States. Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts and are non-interest bearing.

 

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (codified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326) on January 1, 2023. ASC 326 adds to U.S. GAAP the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, a measurement model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, the Company evaluated receivables regularly and adjusted the allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly. The Company determined estimates of uncollectible accounts receivable based primarily on actual historical bad debt and sales return trends, customers financial condition and general economic conditions. Under the application of ASC 326, the Company’s historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, as well as current economic and business conditions, and anticipated future economic events that may impact collectability. In developing its expected credit loss estimate, the Company evaluated the appropriate grouping of financial assets based upon its evaluation of risk characteristics, including consideration of the types of products and services sold. Account balances are written off against the allowance for expected credit losses after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

Occasionally certain long-standing customers, who routinely place large orders, will have unusually large receivables balances relative to the total gross receivables. Management monitors the payments for these large balances closely and very often requires payment of existing invoices before shipping new sales orders. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have a reserve for credit losses as all accounts receivable are considered collectible. Accounts receivable balances as of January 1, 2022, December 31, 2022 and December 31 2023 were $831,353, 705,752 and $1,648,904, respectively.

 

 
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Concentration of Credit and Sales Risk

 

The Company sells its product to commercial and government customers under agreements that are normally paid within 30 days of contract completion. For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers represented 34%, 21% and 12% of total revenue from 58 customers, although such a high level of 50% customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the increase in reliance on a single customer for the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the lag-time in delivering on a large order received in late 2022 from one division of a customer which was not fulfilled until 2023. As of December 31, 2023, three customers represent approximately 51%, 26% and 17% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is minimal.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, two customers represented 28% and 17% of total revenue from 45 customers, which is more representative of our typical customer concentration. As of December 31, 2022, four customers represent approximately 42%, 19%, 14% and 10% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is minimal.

 

Inventory

 

The Company’s purchase of inventory, primarily computer servers, is undertaken to match purchase orders received from customers. Upon receipt of inventory, the Company generally configures the servers and loads proprietary software onto the servers before shipping out. The Company holds inventory for a short period of time and as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, it had no inventory in stock. Inventory value is primarily material costs and is valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out method) or net realizable value.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and Equipment consists of vehicles, which are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or lease period of the relevant asset. Computer equipment is expensed to research and development or selling, general and administrative expense and any furniture and computer equipment is either fully depreciated or immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets under certain circumstances are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value (less the projected cost associated with selling the asset). To the extent carrying values exceed fair values, an impairment loss is recognized in operating results. The Company recorded impairment losses of $0 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors who design, engineer and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies and facilities used in producing prototypes.

 

The Company’s current research and development efforts are primarily focused on improving the Company’s products. The Company is also actively involved in identifying new applications. The Company’s current internal team along with outside consultants has considerable experience working with the application of the Company’s technologies and their applications. The Company engages third party experts as required to supplement the Company’s internal team. The Company believes that continued development of new and enhanced technologies is essential to the Company’s future success. The Company incurred expenses of $2,729,492 and $3,614,814 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, on development activities.

 

 
F-33

Table of Contents

 

 

Software Development Costs

 

Costs incurred in the development of software programs for the Company’s products are charged to operations as incurred until technological feasibility of the software has been established. Generally, technological feasibility is established when the software module performs its primary functions described in its original specifications, contains features required for it to be usable in a production environment, is completely documented and the related hardware portion of the product is complete. After technological feasibility is established, any additional costs are capitalized. Capitalization of software costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended use. No software development costs have been capitalized as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Cost of Net Revenues

 

Cost of net revenues for products includes components and freight. Cost of net revenues for post contract support and other services includes primarily the cost of personnel and personnel-related expenses to conduct implementations and ongoing client support.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $94,272 and $69,975, respectively.

 

Shipping and Handling of Products

 

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of products are included in net revenues. Costs incurred related to shipping and handling of products are included in cost of revenues.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

 

 

 

Level 1 —

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 —

Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 —

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The recorded value of other financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. The Company recorded its Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note, earnout liability, Private Warrants and the warrants that were issued with this Note at fair value, remeasured on a recurring basis and considered them as Level 3 instruments. The method of determining the fair value of the Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note and warrants are described below.

 

The Company classifies as liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net- cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

 

Accounting for Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes at Fair Value

 

The Company has elected the fair value option to account for the Senior Secured Convertible Note that was issued on June 22, 2023 and the convertible notes that were issued in October and November 2023 and record them at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. As a result of applying the fair value option, direct costs and fees related to the convertible notes are recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. Values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires management to make judgments and consider factors specific to the liability. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and determine an estimated fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has used a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model that factors in potential outcomes being consummated, such as the convertible notes being repaid in cash and the convertible notes being converted to common stock. All of these scenarios take into consideration the terms and conditions of the underlying convertible notes plus potential changes in the underlying value of the common stock. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $240,784 for the change in fair value of the notes and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The Company believes accounting for the convertible notes at fair value better aligns the measurement methodologies of assets and liabilities, which may mitigate certain earnings volatility.

 

Derivative Liabilities and Earnout Liabilities

 

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants and  earnout shares to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period. The Company classifies as liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net- cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

 

At Closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants (“Private Warrants”) and 16,184,612 Public Warrants (together the “BYTE Warrants”).

 

Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company evaluated the BYTE Warrants and concluded that they did not meet the criteria to be classified within the stockholders’ deficit. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The initial estimated fair value of the warrants was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. The subsequent estimated fair value of the Public Warrants is based on the listed price in an active market for such warrants while the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants continues to be measured using a Monte Carlo simulation with the key inputs being directly or indirectly observable from the Public Warrants listed price. Since the Public and Private Warrants meet the definition of a derivative, the Company recorded the Public and Private Warrants as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value upon the Closing, with subsequent changes in the fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations at each reporting date.

 

At Closing, the Airship AI security holders that hold shares of common stock of Airship AI (“Airship Common Stock”), Airship Options, Airship Earnout Warrants or Airship SARs (the “Airship Earnout Holders”) have the contingent right to receive up to 5.0 million additional shares of Airship Pubco Common Stock (the “Earnout Shares”), subject to certain contingencies.  These earnout shares have been categorized into two components: (i) the “Vested Shares” - those associated with stockholders with vested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned upon achievement of the Earnout Milestones and (ii) the “Unvested Shares” - those associated with stockholders with unvested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned over the remaining service period with the Company on their unvested equity shares and upon achievement of the Earnout Milestones.

 

The earnout shares associated with vested shares are recognized as derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40, as the events that determine the number of Earnout Shares required to be released or issued, as the case may be, include events that were not solely indexed to the fair value of common stock of the Company. The Earnout Shares were measured at Closing and subsequently measured at each reporting date until settled or when they met the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the earnout shares as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The Earnout shares were valued using a Monte Carlo analysis.

 

 
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At closing, the unvested earnout shares were considered to be equity instruments and valued at approximately $2,675,000. This amount will be recognized as stock-based compensation going forward over the five-year vesting period.

 

Derivative warrant and earnout shares liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of significant current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has share-based compensation plans under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be granted restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, unvested earnout shares and warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant. Stock-based compensation cost is measured by the Company at the grant date and the fair value of the award is recognized as an expense, over the requisite service period which is generally the vesting period.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends upon future taxable income, as well as the limitations discussed below. For financial reporting purposes, a deferred tax asset must be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized prior to expiration. The Company considers historical and future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years, and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for valuation.

 

Advances due to Founders and Advances due from Founders

 

The Company accounts for advances made to founders as a contra equity balance unless payment has been received subsequent to period end or such amounts can be offset with amounts due to the Founders. As of December 31, 2022 the Company has $1,100,000 of advances due from the Founders and advances due to the Founders. The transactions were entered into separately by Airship and Zeppelin and thus are reported separately on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In February 2023, these balances were eliminated in a transaction involving the shareholders. See Notes 3 and 10.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $1,900,000 and were repaid $1,300,000, with $600,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2022. In the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $1,350,000 and were repaid $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023.The advances are non-interest bearing and Airship AI expects to pay the balance off within a one year period. During 2024, Mr. Huang advanced Airship AI $900,000 and was repaid $900,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of March 29, 2024. The advances are non-interest bearing and Airship AI expects to pay the balance off within a one year period.

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business during a period from non-owner sources. There was other comprehensive loss of $2,702 and $10,106 related foreign exchange translation for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Going Concern Assessment

 

The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification 205-40 (“ASC 205-40”), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued to provide guidance on determining when and how reporting companies must disclose going concern uncertainties in their consolidated financial statements. ASC 205-40 requires management to perform assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date of issuance of the entity’s consolidated financial statements (or within one year after the date on which the consolidated financial statements are available to be issued, when applicable). Further, a company must provide certain disclosures if there is “substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern” and management plans to alleviate the going concern.

 

 
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Use of Estimates

 

In preparing these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the calculation of revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, valuation of common stock, valuation of Senior Secured Convertible Notes, warrant liability, earnout share liabilities, accruals for potential liabilities including income taxes, valuation of deferred tax assets and valuation assumptions related to share-based compensation.

 

Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic income (loss) per share is based upon the net income (loss) for the year divided by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share is determined using the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares (representing the dilutive effect of stock options, warrants, convertible notes payable and stock appreciation rights) outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2022 are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share given the Company incurred a loss and they are anti-dilutive.

 

Reportable Segments

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting, requires that an enterprise report selected information about reportable segments in its financial reports issued to its stockholders. Management monitors the revenue and expense components of the various products and services the Company offers, but operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a corporation-wide basis in comparison to a business plan which is developed each year. Accordingly, all operations are considered by management to be one operating segment and one reportable segment as contained in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In October 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative, which clarifies and improves disclosure or presentation requirements of a variety of Codification Topics. ASU 2023-06 aligns disclosure and presentation requirements under US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) regulations. The effective date for each amendment will be the date on which the SEC’s removal of that related disclosure requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K becomes effective, with early adoption prohibited. For all other entities, the amendments will be effective two years after the date of such removal. Future adoption of the new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and included within reported measures of segment profit or loss. ASU 2023-07 also requires disclosure of the title and position of the CODM, how the CODM assesses segment performance, and additional detail around other segment items. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. Future adoption of the new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which addresses investor requests for more transparency around income tax information. ASU 2023-09 requires additional information within the disclosures related to income tax rate reconciliations and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Future adoption of the new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

All other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

 

3. Advances due to and from Founders and Transactions with Zeppelin Worldwide LLC

 

In 2020, Victor Huang and Derek Xu, the Founders, officers and directors of the Company, borrowed $3,000,000 (“shareholder advances”) from Airship. As of December 31, 2022 the Company was owed $1,100,000 by the Founders. Due to the lack of certainty over the payment of interest, the Company will record when received. Due to the uncertainty of the timing of payment, the advances will be treated as a long-term asset. The shareholders advances bear interest at 5% and during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 no interest was paid. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred their interest in Zeppelin to the Company and the $1,100,000 and related interest owed by the Founders to the Company was eliminated.

 

As of December 31, 2022, Zeppelin had received from the Company $1,095,000 in cash advances to fund operations which commenced in 2021. These advances between the companies are eliminated in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022 Zeppelin owes the Founders $1,100,000 for funds they have provided for the commencement of operations in 2021. The balance was not expected to be paid in the next year and was treated as long-term liabilities. On February 28, 2023, in connection with the transfer of the Zeppelin ownership from the shareholders to the Company, the $1,100,000 Payable to the founders was eliminated.

 

As of December 31, 2022, Zeppelin had approximately $73,000 in assets which is primarily cash, and accrued liabilities of approximately $60,000. As of December 31, 2022, Zeppelin's liability to the Company and shareholders for advances totals $2,254,000. Zeppelin advances from the Company at December 31, 2022 totaling approximately $1,150,000 are eliminated in consolidation. As of December 31, 2022 the Zeppelin stockholder’s deficit totaled approximately $2,181,000.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $1,900,000 and were repaid $1,300,000, with $600,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2022. In the year  ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $1,350,000 and were repaid $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023. The advances are non-interest bearing and Airship AI expects to pay the balance off within a one year period.

 

During 2024, Mr. Huang advanced Airship AI $900,000 and was repaid $900,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of March 29, 2024. The advances are non-interest bearing and Airship AI expects to pay the balance off within a one year period.

 

Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu originally owned all the Zeppelin membership units. When Zeppelin started, their intent was exploring the technology in-development and determine value for external customers by providing cloud based back-end products. After a period of time for Zeppelin’s development it became apparent these efforts would be of value and accretive to the Company. In 2022, the Company began utilizing Zeppelin’s research and development personnel to develop the Company’s products. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred their interest in Zeppelin to the Company.

 

4. Property and Equipment, Net

 

 
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Property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was comprised of the following:

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Lives

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Vehicles

 

5 years

 

$74,398

 

 

$199,502

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

(72,537)

 

 

(182,762)

 

 

 

 

$1,861

 

 

$16,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total depreciation expense was $14,879 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company retired fully depreciated assets with a cost basis of $125,104. All equipment is used for selling, general and administrative purposes and accordingly all depreciation is classified in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

5. Revenues

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

The Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of approximately $7.4 million and $9.4 million of hardware and software bundled systems for which revenue is transferred at a point in time. The Company’s remaining net revenue of approximately $4.9 million and $5.2 million relates to PCS revenue and other services which are transferred over time. Within each product category, contract terms, conditions and economic factors affecting the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty around revenue recognition and cash flow are substantially similar.

 

Contract Balances

 

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company delivers goods or provides services or when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. The Company usually does not record contract assets because the Company has an unconditional right to payment upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, and therefore, a receivable is more commonly recorded than a contract asset. Receivables are generally paid within thirty days and there is no financing element to the customer contracts. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there are no unbilled receivable balances.

 

The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,008,654 and $4,962,126 as of December 31, 2023. The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,168,016 and $4,805,431 as of December 31, 2022. Of the deferred revenue balance of $8,973,447 and $9,888,275 as of January 1, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized approximately $4,168,016 and $4,593,794 during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Remaining Performance Obligations

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $9.0 million of remaining performance obligations, which were comprised of deferred service contracts not yet delivered. The Company expects to recognize approximately 45% of its remaining performance obligations as revenue in fiscal 2024 and the remaining 55% in fiscal 2025 and years thereafter.

 

Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract

 

The Company does not pay any material variable compensation to obtain a customer contract. Additionally, the majority of the Company’s cost of fulfillment as a seller of products is classified as inventory and then cost of revenue when the product is sold. Other costs of contract fulfillment such as software maintenance are expensed in the period incurred and align with when the revenue is amortized.

 

6. Notes Payable, Line of Credit and Convertible Notes Payable

 

On January 25, 2021, the Company received $1,131,878 under the Paycheck Protection Program of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 7(a) Loan Program pursuant to the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Pub. Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020). The Note Payable bears interest at 1% and is due January 23, 2026. The Company accrued interest of $9,845 as of December 31, 2021. The Company has used the funds in accordance with the legal requirements and has applied for forgiveness. No payments are due unless the Company receives notification that their application for forgiveness is not approved at which time monthly payments through January 2026 would be required to repay the balance. In May 2022, the entire unpaid balance was forgiven and approximately $1,146,000 recognized as other income.

 

 
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On July 8, 2022, the Company entered into a Business Loan with Funding Circle of Denver, Colorado for $500,000. The Company received $480,050. The $500,000 plus interest at 6.99% is being repaid at $22,384 per month over twenty-four months. The Business Loan is secured by the assets of the Company and is guaranteed by the founders. The balance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0 and $424,540, respectively. As of December 31 2022, $292,932 was due in 2023 and $131,608 in 2024. The Company recorded interest expense of $5,064 and $0 during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. On June 21, 2023, the Company paid the remaining balance of $256,541 to pay off the Loan.

 

The Company had an $85,000 revolving line of credit agreement with no stated expiration date. The Company owed $0 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The line of credit totaling $85,300 was paid off on June 20, 2023 and was terminated.

 

On June 22, 2023, the Company issued a $2,000,000 senior secured convertible promissory note to Platinum Capital Partner, Inc. As a condition of funding, the Company paid off three small notes and accounts payable totaling $374,000. At the option of the holder, the note is convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. The conversion into the Company’s common stock was $6.50 per share as of December 31, 2023. The repayment amount of the note is 110% ($2,200,000) and matures on June 22, 2024. The number of common shares issuable equals 452,240 if fully converted into common stock, including accrued interest. Interest on the note is 6% per annum calculated on 360 days.

 

If, at any time while the note is outstanding, the effective time of the merger between BYTE and the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement dated on June 22, 2023 occurs, then, any subsequent conversion of the note, the holder has the right to receive, for each conversion share that would had been issuable upon conversion immediately prior to the BYTE merger, at the option of the holder, the same kind of securities, cash or property as it would have been entitled to receive on the occurrence of the BYTE merger if it had been, immediately prior to the BYTE merger, the holder of one share of common stock (“BYTE alternate consideration”). The BYTE alternate consideration conversion price for purposes of any conversion following the BYTE merger, the conversion price is the lower of (A) $6.50 for each unit and (B) 65% of the volume weighted average price for the BYTE alternate consideration for the preceding five trading days immediately prior to any conversion by the holder, but (C) in no event will the conversion price be below $4.00, subject to anti-dilution provisions. The note was amended and restated on February 2, 2024. See Note 18 – Subsequent Events.

 

On October 3, 2023, the Company issued senior secured convertible promissory notes for $600,000 to two private investors. At the option of the holders, the notes are convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. The Conversion Price shall be the lower of (A) $6.50 for each unit or share of BYTE Alternate Consideration, subject to appropriate adjustment and (B) 65% of the VWAP for the BYTE Alternate consideration for the preceding five (5) Trading Days immediately prior to any conversion by the Holder, but (C) in no event shall the Conversion Price be below $4.00, subject to appropriate adjustment. The repayment amount of the notes is 110% ($660,000) and mature on September 30, 2024. Interest on the notes is 6% per annum calculated on 360 days.

 

The Company accounts for the notes under the fair value method of accounting and as of December 31, 2023 the notes are recorded at $2,825,366. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an increase in the fair value of the convertible note payable totaling $240,784 which was recorded as loss from change in fair value of convertible debt on the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. In connection with the convertible notes transaction, the Company issued warrants to purchase 53,800 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.50 upon the conclusion of the BYTE merger. The value of the warrants totaled $15,418 and reduced the fair value of the convertible promissory notes. See Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

7. Stockholders’ Deficit

 

Authorized and Outstanding Stock 

 

 
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We are a Delaware company and our affairs are governed by our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we refer to as the “DGCL” or “Delaware Law” below, and the common law of the State of Delaware. The Charter authorizes the issuance of 205,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”). 

 

Common Stock 

 

As of December 31, 2023, there were 22,812,048 shares of Common Stock outstanding. 

 

Voting rights.    Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. The holders of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by all stockholders present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class. 

 

Dividend Rights.    Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board out of funds legally available for such purposes. 

 

Liquidation Rights.    In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company’s affairs, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of the Company’s debts and other liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock, then outstanding, if any. 

 

Other rights.    The holders of Common Stock have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of the Common Stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of the Preferred Stock that the Company may issue in the future. 

 

Preferred Stock 

 

There are no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding. The Charter authorizes the Board to establish one or more series of Preferred Stock. Unless required by law or any stock exchange, the authorized shares of Preferred Stock will be available for issuance without further action by the holders of Common Stock. The Board has the discretion to determine the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders. Additionally, the issuance of Preferred Stock may adversely affect the holders of Common Stock by restricting dividends on the Common Stock, diluting the voting power of the Common Stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the Common Stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of Preferred Stock could have an adverse impact on the market price of the Common Stock, restricting dividends on the Company’s capital stock, diluting the voting power of Common Stock, impairing the liquidation rights of the Company’s capital stock, or delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. At present, there are no plans to issue any Preferred Stock. 

 

2022 Combined Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan 

 

Related to the Share Exchange Agreement with Super Simple AI, Inc., on February 17, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2022 Combined Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2022 Plan”) to issue options to acquire a maximum of 3,000,000 common stock shares. Effective upon the Closing, the 2022 Plan will no longer be available for use for the grant of future awards. The 2022 Plan will continue to govern the terms of awards that have been granted under the 2022 Plan before, and that are still outstanding following, the Merger. 

 

The 2022 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including options that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code, as well as non-qualified stock options. Each award is set forth in a separate agreement with the person who received the award which indicates the type, terms and conditions of the award. 

 

 
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Certain Transactions

 

If as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in our capital stock, the outstanding shares of common stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Company without the receipt of consideration by the Company, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the outstanding shares are converted into or exchanged for other securities of the Company. or any successor entity, the administrator shall make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2022 Plan, (ii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding awards under the 2022 Plan, (iii) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding award, and (iv) the exercise price for each share subject to any then outstanding options under the 2022 Plan. 

 

Amendment and Termination 

 

Our board of directors may terminate or amend the 2022 Plan at any time, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent. However, we must generally obtain stockholder approval for any such amendments to the extent required by applicable law. The administrator may exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding stock options to the then current fair market value if the fair market value of the common stock covered by such option has declined since the date the option was granted, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders. 

 

Upon consummation of the Merger, each outstanding option under the 2022 Plan that was outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time converted into (i) an option (each, a “Converted Stock Option”), on substantially the same terms and conditions as are in effect with respect to such award immediately prior to the Effective Time, to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock, determined by multiplying the number of shares of common stock subject to such award as of immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Conversion Ratio, at an exercise price per share of Common Stock equal to (A) the exercise price per share of common stock of such award divided by (B) the Conversion Ratio, and (ii) the right to receive a number of Earnout Shares in accordance with, and subject to, the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights Plan 

 

Related to the Share Exchange Agreement with Super Simple AI, Inc., on February 17, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2022 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “SAR Plan”) to issue a maximum of 1,500,000, which was later adjusted to 2,637,150 stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) after the Merger closed. 

 

As of December 31, 2023, after adjusting for the Merger, there were one 1,758,100 SARs outstanding with a base value of $0.12 and January 2028 expiration. The SARs were fully vested and expensed at the grant date on January 16, 2018.

 

Payment of Appreciation Amount 

 

The appreciation distribution in respect to a SAR may be paid in cash, in common stock of the Company, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the stock appreciation rights agreement evidencing such SAR. 

 

Amendment and Termination

 

 
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Our board of directors may terminate or amend the SAR Plan at any time, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding award without the holder’s consent. 

 

Upon consummation of the Merger, each SAR granted under the SAR Plan that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time converted into a stock appreciation right denominated in shares of Common Stock (each, a “Converted SAR”). Each Converted SAR will continue to have and be subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that (i) each Converted SAR will cover that number of shares of Common Stock equal to (A) the product of (1) the number of shares of common stock subject to such SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time and (2) the Conversion Ratio and (B) a number of Earnout Shares in accordance with, and subject to, the contingencies set forth in the Merger Agreement, and (ii) the per share base value for each share of Common Stock covered by the Converted SAR will be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the base value per share of common stock of such SAR immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the Conversion Ratio.

 

2023 Equity Incentive Plan 

 

The Company has adopted the Equity Incentive Plan, which plan was approved by stockholders at the extraordinary general meeting. This section summarizes certain principal features of the Equity Incentive Plan.  

 

The Equity Incentive Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which the Company can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to its officers, employees, directors, consultants and advisers. The purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan is to help the Company attract, motivate and retain such persons with awards under the Equity Incentive Plan and thereby enhance shareholder value. 

 

Administration. The Equity Incentive Plan is administered by the Board, and upon consummation of the Merger will be administered by the compensation committee of the Board, which shall consist of three members of the Board, each of whom is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements. If a member of the compensation committee is eligible to receive an award under the Equity Incentive Plan, such compensation committee member shall have no authority under the plan with respect to his or her own award. Among other things, the compensation committee has complete discretion, subject to the express limits of the Equity Incentive Plan, to determine the directors, employees and nonemployee consultants to be granted an award, the type of award to be granted the terms and conditions of the award, the form of payment to be made and/or the number of shares of common stock subject to each award, the exercise price of each option and base price of each stock appreciation right (“SAR”), the term of each award, the vesting schedule for an award, whether to accelerate vesting, the value of the common stock underlying the award, and the required withholding, if any. The compensation committee may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding award, provided that the participant’s consent to such action is required if the action would impair the participant’s rights or entitlements with respect to that award. The compensation committee is also authorized to construe the award agreements, and may prescribe rules relating to the Equity Incentive Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the compensation committee does not have any authority to grant or modify an award under the Equity Incentive Plan with terms or conditions that would cause the grant, vesting or exercise thereof to be considered nonqualified “deferred compensation” subject to Code Section 409A, unless such award is structured to be exempt from or comply with all requirements of Code Section 409A. 

 

Grant of Awards; Shares Available for Awards. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, SARs, performance share awards, performance unit awards, distribution equivalent right awards, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and unrestricted stock awards to non-employee directors, officers, employees and nonemployee consultants of the Company or its affiliates. The aggregate number of shares of common stock initially reserved and available for grant and issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan is 4,000,000. Such aggregate number of shares of stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to 2.0% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year; provided, however, that the Board may act prior to January 1 of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of common stock. No more than 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan in connection with incentive stock options. Shares shall be deemed to have been issued under the Equity Incentive Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an award. If any award granted under the Equity Incentive Plan expires, is cancelled, or terminates unexercised or is forfeited, the number of shares subject thereto is again available for grant under the Equity Incentive Plan, other than any shares tendered or withheld in order to exercise or satisfy withholding obligation in respect of any award. The Equity Incentive Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board. 

 

 
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Following the Closing, it is expected that all of our employees, consultants, advisors and service providers and all of our non-executive officer directors will be eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan. Future new hires and additional non-employee directors and/or consultants would be eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan as well. The number of stock options and/or shares of restricted stock to be granted to executives and directors cannot be determined at this time as the grant of stock options and/or shares of restricted stock is dependent upon various factors such as hiring requirements and job performance. 

 

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for a limit on non-employee director compensation. The maximum number of shares of stock that may be subject to an award granted under the Equity Incentive Plan during any single fiscal year to any non-employee director, when taken together with any cash fees paid to such non-employee director during such year in respect of his or her service as a non-employee director (including service as a member or chair of any committee of the board), shall not exceed $250,000 in total value (calculating the value of any such award based on the fair market value on the date of grant of such award for financial reporting purposes).

 

Stock Options. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for the grant of either “incentive stock options” (“ISOs”), which are intended to meet the requirements for special federal income tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, or “nonqualified stock options” (“NQSOs”). Stock options may be granted on such terms and conditions as the compensation committee may determine, which shall be specified in the option agreement; provided, however, that the per share exercise price under a stock option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant and the term of the stock option may not exceed 10 years (110% of such value and five years in the case of an ISO granted to an employee who owns (or is deemed to own) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of our company or a parent or subsidiary of our company). ISOs may only be granted to employees. In addition, the aggregate fair market value of common stock covered by one or more ISOs (determined at the time of grant), which are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Any excess is treated as a NQSO.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. A SAR entitles the participant, upon exercise, to receive an amount, in cash or stock or a combination thereof, equal to the increase in the fair market value of the underlying common stock between the date of grant and the date of exercise. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable SAR award agreement the terms and conditions of the SAR, including the base value for the SAR (which shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant), the number of shares subject to the SAR and the period during which the SAR may be exercised and any other special rules and/or requirements which the compensation committee imposes on the SAR. No SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of grant. SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, stock options granted under the Equity Incentive Plan. A SAR granted in tandem with a stock option (i) is exercisable only at such times, and to the extent, that the related stock option is exercisable in accordance with the procedure for exercise of the related stock option; (ii) terminates upon termination or exercise of the related stock option (likewise, the common stock option granted in tandem with a SAR terminates upon exercise of the SAR); (iii) is transferable only with the related stock option; and (iv) if the related stock option is an ISO, may be exercised only when the value of the stock subject to the stock option exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. A SAR that is not granted in tandem with a stock option is exercisable at such times as the compensation committee may specify. 

 

Performance Shares and Performance Unit Awards. Performance share and performance unit awards entitle the participant to receive cash or shares of common stock upon the attainment of specified performance goals. In the case of performance units, the right to acquire the units is denominated in cash values. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable award agreement the performance goals and objectives and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply. If such goals and objectives are achieved, such distribution of shares, or payment in cash, as the case may be, shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A. 

 

 
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Distribution Equivalent Right Awards. A distribution equivalent right award entitles the participant to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or common stock distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the participant had the participant held a specified number of shares of common stock during the period the participant held the distribution equivalent right. A distribution equivalent right may be awarded as a component of another award (but not an option or SAR award) under the Equity Incentive Plan, where, if so awarded, such distribution equivalent right will expire or be forfeited by the participant under the same conditions as under such other award. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable distribution equivalent rights award agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at fair market value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional shares of common stock, or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives. 

 

Restricted Stock Awards. A restricted stock award is a grant or sale of common stock to the holder, subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the compensation committee or the board of directors may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such instalments or otherwise, as the compensation committee or the board of directors may determine at the date of grant or purchase or thereafter. If provided for under the restricted stock award agreement, a participant who is granted or has purchased restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the compensation committee or the board of directors or in the award agreement). During the restricted period applicable to the restricted stock, subject to certain exceptions, the restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of by the participant.

 

Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A restricted stock unit award provides for a grant of shares or a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The compensation committee shall set forth in the applicable restricted stock unit award agreement the individual service-based vesting requirements which the holder would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment and the number of units awarded to the holder. The holder of a restricted stock unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock, or one share of common stock, as determined in the sole discretion of the compensation committee and as set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement, for each restricted stock unit subject to such restricted stock unit award, if and to the extent the holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirements. Such payment or distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the restricted stock unit first becomes vested, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A. A restricted stock unit shall not constitute an equity interest in the company and shall not entitle the holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of shares prior to the time the holder shall receive a distribution of shares. 

 

Unrestricted Stock Awards. An unrestricted stock award is a grant or sale of shares of common stock to the employees, non-employee directors or non-employee consultants that are not subject to transfer, forfeiture or other restrictions, in consideration for past services rendered to the company or an affiliate or for other valid consideration. 

 

Adjustment to Shares. Subject to any required action by shareholders of the company, the number of shares of common stock covered by each outstanding award shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares, including, but not limited to, a stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, continuation or reclassification, or the payment of a stock dividend (but only on the stock) or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the company. 

 

 
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Change-in-Control Provisions. The compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, at the time an award is granted or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a change in control, cause any award either (i) to be cancelled in consideration of a payment in cash or other consideration in amount per share equal to the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per share of common stock in the change in control over the per share exercise, base or purchase price of such award, which may be paid immediately or over the vesting schedule of the award; (ii) to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefore, by the surviving corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such surviving corporation following such change in control; (iii) accelerate any time periods, or waive any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an award so that any award to a holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a change in control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the compensation committee; (iv) to be purchased from a holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a change of control, upon the holder’s request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise, payment or distribution of such rights had such award been currently exercisable or payable; or (v) terminate any then outstanding award or make any other adjustment to the awards then outstanding as the compensation committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect such transaction or change. The number of shares subject to any award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. 

 

Transferability. No award may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a holder except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or by gift to any immediate family member of the holder, subject to compliance with applicable laws. 

 

Amendment and Termination. The compensation committee may adopt, amend and rescind rules relating to the administration of the Equity Incentive Plan, and amend, suspend or terminate the Equity Incentive Plan, but no such amendment or termination will be made that materially and adversely impairs the rights of any participant with respect to any award received thereby under the Equity Incentive Plan without the participant’s consent, other than amendments that are necessary to permit the granting of awards in compliance with applicable laws. In addition, no amendment that results (directly or indirectly ) in the reduction of the exercise price of an option or SAR or that otherwise requires shareholder approval under applicable law will be made without shareholder approval.

 

Determining Fair Value under ASC 718

 

The Company records stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options, SAR’s and other equity-based compensation using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for estimating fair value of stock options granted under the plan. The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options on a ratable basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting periods. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock based on the historical volatility of publicly traded peer companies over the most recent period corresponding with the estimated expected life of the award. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black Scholes-Merton option valuation model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model and adjusts stock-based compensation for changes to the estimate of expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $715,727 and $546,460 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Stock Incentive Plans Activity (Excluding SAR)

 

As of December 31, 2023, there are 4,664,589 options outstanding under various stock option plans to acquire common stock at an average exercise price of $0.55 per share. As of December 31, 2023, there is $635,351 of total unrecognized stock-based compensation related to employee granted stock options that are not vested.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued stock option grants to employees for 502,522 shares at an average exercise price of $1.67 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued stock option grants to employees for 492,695 shares at an average exercise price of $1.64 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2022, stock option grants to employees for 143,581 shares at an exercise price of $1.00 per share were forfeited. The stock option grants vest over various terms and expire in five to ten years. Activity in the stock incentive plans for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:

 

 
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Options

 

 

Weighted Average

 

 

Potential

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Proceeds

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2021

 

 

3,812,953

 

 

$0.26

 

 

$982,326

 

Granted

 

 

492,695

 

 

 

1.64

 

 

 

808,020

 

Forfeitures

 

 

(143,581)

 

 

(1.00)

 

 

(81,668)

Outstanding as of December 31, 2022

 

 

4,162,067

 

 

 

0.411

 

 

 

1,708,677

 

Granted

 

 

502,522

 

 

 

1.67

 

 

 

837,087

 

Exercised

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Forfeitures

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2023

 

 

4,664,589

 

 

$0.55

 

 

$2,545,765

 

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Remaining Life

 

Range of

 

 

Number

 

 

Average

Remaining Life

 

 

Weighted

Average

 

 

Number

 

 

Average

Exercise Price

 

 

In Years - Vested

 

Exercise Prices

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

In Years

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Exercisable

 

 

Exercisable

 

 

and Exercisable

 

$0.12

 

 

 

2,646,410

 

 

 

4.38

 

 

$0.12

 

 

 

2,646,410

 

 

$0.12

 

 

 

4.38

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

1,022,963

 

 

 

4.47

 

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

1,022,963

 

 

 

0.57

 

 

 

4.47

 

 

1.64

 

 

 

945,403

 

 

 

9.08

 

 

 

1.64

 

 

 

386,806

 

 

 

1.64

 

 

 

9.08

 

 

1.90

 

 

 

49,813

 

 

 

3.98

 

 

 

1.90

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.90

 

 

 

3.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,664,589

 

 

 

5.35

 

 

$0.55

 

 

 

4,056,179

 

 

$0.38

 

 

 

5.35

 

 

The significant weighted-average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s stock option grants for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

Assumptions

 

12/31/2023

 

 

12/31/2022

 

Estimated stock price

 

 

1.89

 

 

 

1.64

 

Exercise price

 

 

1.64

 

 

 

1.64

 

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

Expected life

 

5-10 years

 

 

5 years

 

Expected volatility

 

 

39%

 

 

70%

Risk free interest rate

 

 

0.00%

 

 

4.06%

 

There were stock incentive plan awards outstanding at December 31, 2023  totaling 4,664,589 shares with an aggregate intrinsic value of $5,394,000.

 

There were no SAR grants in 2023.

 

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

 

See Note 14 for Public Warrants and Private Warrants assumed after the Merger.

 

On May 8, 2023, the Company issued equity classified warrants to purchase common to Victor Huang and Derek Xu for 1,344,951 shares to each of the founders. The warrants were valued at $2,136,115 based on the exercise price of $1.77, the fair market stock price of $1.89, a five year term, a volatility of 39.4% and interest risk-free rate of 3.41%. The warrants were recorded as stock-based compensation expense and as additional paid in capital. All warrants are fully vested as they were issued for services performed and.

 

In connection with the convertible notes transaction, the Company issued warrants to purchase 53,800 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $6.50 upon the conclusion of the BYTE merger. The warrants were initially valued using a Black-Scholes Model at $15,418 based on the exercise price of $13.18, stock price per share of $1.77, a five-year expected term, volatility of 39.4% and risk-free rate of 3.41%. The warrants are classified as a liability, included in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet. There was no significant change in fair value of these warrants during the year ended December 31, 2023. 

 

 
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Unvested Earnout Shares

 

A portion of the earnout shares may be issued to individuals with unvested equity awards. While the payout of these shares requires the achievement of the Earn-out Milestones, the individuals must complete the remaining service period associated with these unvested equity awards to be eligible to receive the earnout shares. As a result, these unvested earn-out shares are equity-classified awards and have an aggregated grant date fair value of $2,675,223 (or $5.96 per share). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company stock-based compensation expense for the vesting of earnout shares was immaterial. As of December 31, 2023, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested earnout shares totaled $2,675,223. The weighted average period over which this remaining compensation cost is expected to be recognized is five years.

 

9. Employee 401(k) Plan

 

The Company has a 401(k) plan for its employees. The plan provides for a 3.5% match on up to 6% of deferred salary. The Company expensed $182,446 and $198,534 of contributions during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

10. Related Party Transactions

 

In 2020, Victor Huang and Derek Xu, the Founders, officers and directors of the Company, borrowed $3,000,000 (“shareholder advances”) from Airship. As of December 31, 2022, the Company was owed $1,100,000 by the Founders. Due to the lack of certainty over the payment of interest, the Company will record when received. Due to the uncertainty of the timing of payment, the advances will be treated as a long-term asset. The shareholders’ advances bear interest at 5% and during the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 no interest was paid. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred their interest in Zeppelin to the Company and the $1,100,000 and related interest owed by the Founders to the Company was eliminated.

 

As of December 31, 2022, Zeppelin had received from the Company $1,095,000 in cash advances to fund operations which commenced in 2021. These advances between the companies are eliminated in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022, Zeppelin owes the Founders $1,100,000 for funds they have provided for the commencement of operations in 2021. The balance was not expected to be paid in the next year and was treated as long term liabilities. On February 28, 2023 in connection with the transfer of the Zeppelin ownership from the shareholders to the Company, the $1,100,000 Payable to the founders was eliminated.

 

Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu originally owned all the Zeppelin membership units. When Zeppelin started, their intent was exploring the technology in-development and determining value for external customers by providing cloud based back-end products. After a period of time for Zeppelin’s development it became apparent these efforts would be of value and accretive to the Company. In 2022, the Company began utilizing research and development personnel to further develop the Company’s products. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred its interest in Zeppelin to the Company

 

The Company sold a vehicle to a founder on March 30, 2021 for a promissory note in the amount of $80,000. The note has a simple interest rate of 4%, compounded annually, computed daily based on a 360-day year with principal and interest due in March 2023. Interest payments are due annually. The promissory note and interest of $84,844 was repaid during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

A condominium in Juanita Beach, Washington was sold to a founder on May 5, 2021 for a secured promissory note in the amount of $750,000. The note has interest of 4% per annum, computed on the diminishing principal balance. Interest commenced on the closing with the first payment due on the first of each month after closing. The note is to be paid in full on or before 24 months from the date of the note. Interest payments are due annually. The promissory note and interest of $794,917 was repaid during the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

The Company sold the vehicle and the condominium to the founders and recorded a loss of $31,721 on the date of the sale. The Company recorded notes receivable-related parties of $830,000 and accrued interest at 4% of $24,585 as of December 31, 2021. The Company had previously acquired these assets for which the founders were using for a combination of business and personal use.

 

 
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Advances due to Founders and Advances due from Founders

 

The Company accounted for advances made to founders as a contra equity balance unless payment has been received subsequent to period end or such amounts can be offset with amounts due to the Founders. As of December 31, 2022 the Company has $1,100,000 of advances due from the Founders and advances due to the Founders. The transactions were entered into separately by Airship and Zeppelin and thus are reported separately on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In February, 2023 these balances were eliminated in a transaction involving the shareholders. See Note 3.

 

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

 

On May 8, 2023, the Company issued equity classified warrants to purchase common to Victor Huang and Derek Xu for 1,344,951 shares to each of the founders. The warrants were valued at $2,136,115 based on the exercise price of $1.77, the fair market stock price of $1.89, a five year term, a volatility of 39.4% and interest of 3.41%. The warrants were recorded as stock-based compensation expense and as additional paid in capital. All warrants are fully vested as they were issued for services performed.

 

11. Commitments, Contingencies and Legal Proceedings

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company is currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding that is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.

 

Properties and Operating Leases-Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability

 

Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether an arrangement is or contains a lease in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. Right of use lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The incremental borrowing taking into consideration the Company’s credit quality and borrowing rate for similar assets is used in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense is recorded as general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2022 and the adoption did not have any impact on previously reported stockholders’ deficit.

 

On May 1, 2019, the Company leased 31,765 square feet for its executive offices in Redmond, Washington. The Company’s net monthly payment was $44,440. The monthly payment increased approximately 3% each year and the lease was set to expire on April 30, 2024. The Company had two five-year renewal options. In April 2023, the Company and its landlord entered into an agreement whereby the Company’s office lease was terminated on September 30, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net gain on lease termination of $78,963 as an offset to selling general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The gain is comprised of a $344,093 gain from lease liability termination and a loss of $265,130 for accelerated amortization of right-of-use asset.

 

On July 13, 2023, the Company entered into a new lease in Redmond, WA for 15,567 square feet of office and warehouse space which starts October 1, 2023. The monthly payment is $25,000 per month. The lease expires October 31, 2027 and the monthly payment increases 3% on July 31, 2024 and each year thereafter. There is a one three year option to extend based on the fair market rate on October 31, 2027.

 

On January 1, 2021, the Company leased offices located in Moorestown, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment is $4,828. The monthly payment increases approximately 3%-6% annually thereafter. The lease expired on February 28, 2024 and can be extended for one three-year term.

 

On February 29, 2024, the Company extended a lease leased in Moorestown, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment is $6,488. The lease expires on July 29, 2024.

 

 
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The Company has entered into operating leases for office and development facilities for four years and include options to renew. The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based upon the unique facts and circumstances at the inception of the lease. Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use asses are recorded based upon the present value of the lease payments over the expected lease term. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, total operating lease liabilities was approximately $1,118,578 and $832,140, respectively. Right of use assets totaled approximately $1,104,804 and $804,338 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. All of the lease Current lease liabilities were $174,876 and $628,371 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $591,442 and $649,655 in total lease costs for the leases, respectively. Because the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments.

 

The weighted average remaining lease term for the operating leases was forty four months at December 31, 2023 and the weighted average discount rate was 7%.

 

The minimum future lease payments as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

$245,051

 

2025

 

 

359,563

 

2026

 

 

370,357

 

2027

 

 

316,785

 

Total remaining payments

 

 

1,291,756

 

Less Imputed Interest

 

 

(173,178)

Total lease liability

 

$1,118,578

 

 

12. Income Taxes and Employee Retention Tax Credits

 

The Company’s provision for income tax for 2023 and 2022 includes the results of operations for Zeppelin which was contributed to the Company on February 28, 2023. Prior to the contribution Zeppelin was structured as a limited liability corporation with the profits and losses flowing directly to the owners who were responsible for any taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Zeppelin incurred losses of approximately $560,000 and $1,254,000, respectively.

 

The Company is subject to possible tax examination for the years 2014 through 2023.The Company is also subject to examination with respect to federal net operating loss carryforwards generated and carried forward from those years. There are currently no federal or state income tax audits in process.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate principally due to research and development credit carry-forward, research and experimental expenditures, deferred revenue and certain items such loan forgiveness, tax credits and stock-based compensation expense being excluded from the determination of taxable income (loss).

 

 
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The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$-

 

 

$10,000

 

State

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Foreign

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total current provision

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,000

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

State

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Foreign

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total deferred income taxes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

$-

 

 

$10,000

 

 

A reconciliation of the United States Federal Statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate  for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Federal statutory tax rate

 

 

21%

 

 

21%

R&D credit, net impact

 

 

0%

 

 

30%

Nontaxable variable interest loss

 

 

0%

 

 

(53)%

Share based compensation

 

 

5%

 

 

(23)%

Nontaxable revaluation of fair value instruments

 

 

(32)%

 

-

%

Nontaxable PPP loan forgiveness

 

 

0%

 

 

48%

Nontaxable ERTC credits

 

 

0%

 

 

51%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

True-up to prior year valuation allowance

 

 

0%

 

 

(50)%

Change in valuation allowance

 

 

6%

 

 

(26)%

Effective tax rate

 

 

0%

 

 

(2)%

 

 
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The components of net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following:

 

Deferred tax assets

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Tax credit carryforward

 

$1,286,195

 

 

$1,286,195

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

1,009,141

 

 

 

1,112,003

 

Capitalized research and development costs

 

 

951,497

 

 

 

620,791

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

 

898,302

 

 

 

318,302

 

Capital loss carry-forward

 

 

52,560

 

 

 

52,560

 

Operating lease liability

 

 

234,901

 

 

 

-

 

Property and equipment

 

 

4,920

 

 

 

29,971

 

 

 

 

4,437,516

 

 

 

3,419,822

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(4,205,507)

 

 

(3,419,822)

Net deferred tax assets

 

$232,009

 

 

$-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets

 

 

(232,009)

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Income tax expense is the sum of the tax currently payable and the change in the deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period. Valuation allowances are established when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance based on all positive and negative evidence.

 

The Company has significant deferred tax assets as a result of temporary differences between the taxable income on our tax returns and GAAP income, R&D tax credit carry forwards. A deferred tax asset generally represents future tax benefits to be received when temporary differences previously reported in our consolidated financial statements become deductible for income tax purposes, or when tax credit carry forwards are utilized on our tax returns. The Company assesses the realizability of our deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance based on the guidance provided in current financial accounting standards.

 

Significant judgment is required in determining the realizability of our deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether valuation allowances are required considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of any current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry forward periods, our experience with loss carry forwards not expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. In analyzing the need for valuation allowances, the Company first considered our history of cumulative operating results for income tax purposes over the past three years in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, our financial performance in recent quarters, statutory carry forward periods and tax planning alternatives. In addition, the Company considered both its near-term and long-term financial outlook. After considering all available evidence (both positive and negative), the Company concluded that recognition of a valuation allowance for all of its deferred tax assets was required at December 31, 2023 and 2022. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $786,000 and $128,000 in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase during the current year is primarily related to capitalized research and development expenditures and net operating losses. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has a federal net operating loss carryforward totaling approximately $3,800,000 and $1,500,000. The federal net operating loss carryforward generated from the years ended after December 31, 2017 may be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, R&D tax credit carryforwards total approximately $1,513,000 and $1,513,000, respectively, and begin to expire in 2036. Realization of the carryforwards is dependent on the Company generating sufficient taxable income and may also be subject to usage limitations to the extent there are changes in the Company’s ownership.

 

Pursuant to Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, or IRC, annual use of the Company's net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards may be limited in the event a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period. The amount of annual limitation is determined based on the value of the Company immediately prior to the ownership changes.  The Company is in process of performing an assessment of whether a change in ownership has occurred or whether there have been multiple changes in ownership, within the meaning of Section 382.  Based on preliminary assessment, these ownership changes are not expected to materially limit the net operating loss carryforward and research and development credits available to offset the Company’s tax liabilities. The Company expects to finalize this assessment in 2024.

 

 
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The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions using the “more likely than not” threshold (i.e., a likelihood of occurrence greater than fifty percent). The recognition threshold is met when an entity concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. Those tax positions failing to qualify for initial recognition are classified as a gross unrecognized tax benefit until they meet the more likely than not standard or are resolved through negotiation or litigation with the taxing authority, or upon expiration of the statute of limitations. As of December 31, 2023, the unrecognized tax benefit totals approximately $227,000. As of December 31, 2022, the unrecognized tax benefit totals approximately $227,000 which was an increase of approximately $11,000 from the beginning of 2022.

 

The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate as these unrecognized tax benefits would increase deferred tax assets that would be subject to a full valuation allowance. No material changes in the gross unrecognized tax benefits are expected over the next twelve months. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, will be recognized as a component of income tax expense..

 

Employee Retention Tax Credits

 

The CARES Act allowed eligible employers to claim employee retention tax credits (“ERTC”) for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. The ERTC was extended to June 30, 2021 under the passage of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2020 (“ACT”) which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. We qualified for credits under the provisions of the CARES Act for the entire period subsequent to March 12, 2020 through January 1, 2021 and for the entire period subsequent to January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

 

On September 8, 2021, the Company applied for ERTC credits for qualifying 2020 wages. The Company filed amended payroll tax returns to claim the credit it believed it was entitled to, $99,132 and $190,983, respectively. On April 4, 2022, the Company received $99,826 and $192,793, including interest.

 

The Company accounted for this in the year they believed collectability was assured. Considering the length of time after year-end and the lack of certainty over the government’s handling of ERTC claims, the Company deemed it appropriate and conservative to not record this transaction in the year ended December 31, 2021 but rather in 2022 when the cash received.

 

On May 25, 2022, the Company applied for ERTC credits for qualifying 2021 wages. The Company filed amended payroll tax returns to claim the credit it believed it was entitled to, $461,043 and $459,614, respectively. The Company received two refunds in January 2023 for $468,880 and $470,970, including interest. The Company recorded the amounts in payroll tax receivable as of December 31, 2022.

 

13. Reverse Recapitalization

 

On December 21, 2023, the Company completed the Merger and received net proceeds of $2.8 million, net of transaction costs of $6.6 million.

 

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, BYTS, who was the legal acquirer, was treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and Airship AI was treated as the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the Merger was treated as the equivalent of Airship AI issuing shares at the closing of the Merger for the net assets of BYTS as of the closing date, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of BYTS was stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Airship AI was determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

 

·

Airship AI’s stockholders have the majority voting interest in the combined company;

 

 

 

 

·

The Airship Pubco Board is composed of one (1) director designated by BYTS and four (4) directors designated by Airship AI;

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI’s senior management is the senior management of Airship Pubco;

 

 

 

 

·

The business of Airship AI comprises the ongoing operations of Airship Pubco; and

 

 

 

 

·

Airship AI is the larger entity, in terms of substantive assets.

 

 
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The table below summarizes the shares of common stock issued immediately after the closing of the Merger as well as the impact on the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as of December 21, 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Par Amount

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid in Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

SPAC Financing

 

 

8,891,718

 

 

$0.0001

 

 

$889

 

 

$8,315,186

 

 

$-

 

Transaction expenses

 

 

532,986

 

 

 

0.0001

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

(6,651,674)

 

 

-

 

Earnout liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,470,918)

 

 

(22,638,859)

Warrants liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,009,105)

 

 

-

 

Reverse capitalization on December 21, 2023

 

 

9,424,704

 

 

 

 

 

 

$942

 

 

$(4,816,511)

 

$(22,638,859)

 

14. Warrants

 

At Closing on December 21, 2023, the Company assumed 515,000 Private Placement Warrants (“Private Warrants”) and 16,184,612 public warrants (“Public Warrants”). The 515,000 Private Warrants and 16,184,626 Public Warrants were outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

Each whole Public Warrant will entitle the registered holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below, at any time commencing 30 days after the Closing, provided that the Company has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or the Company permits holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis under the circumstances specified in the Warrant Agreement) and such shares of Common Stock are registered, qualified or exempt from registration under the securities, or blue sky, laws of the state of residence of the holder. Pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, a warrant holder may exercise its Public Warrants only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock. This means only a whole Public Warrants may be exercised at a given time by a warrant holder. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the Closing, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

 

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Public Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to our satisfying our obligations described below with respect to registration. No Public Warrants will be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue a share of Common Stock upon exercise of a Public Warrant unless the Common Stock issuable upon such warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Public Warrant, the holder of such Public Warrant will not be entitled to exercise such Public Warrant and such Public Warrant may have no value and expire worthless. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle any Public Warrant.

 

 
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The Company is registering the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants in a registration statement on Form S-1. In order to comply with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act following the Closing, under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, the Company has agreed that, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the Closing, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a post-effective amendment or a new registration statement covering the registration under the Securities Act of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and thereafter the Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such post-effective amendment or registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration or redemption of the Public Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement. If such post-effective amendment or registration statement covering the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is not effective by the sixtieth (60th) business day after the Closing, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective post-effective amendment or registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise Public Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. Notwithstanding the above, if the Common Stock is at the time of any exercise of a Public Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, require holders of Public Warrants who exercise their warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and, in the event the Company so elects, the Company will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, and in the event the Company does not so elect, the Company will use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the Public Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the lesser of (A) the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (as defined below) over the exercise price of the Public Warrants by (y) the fair market value and (B) 0.361. The “fair market value” as used in this paragraph shall mean the average reported closing price of the Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the notice of exercise is received by the warrant agent.

 

Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00.

 

Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants:

 

 

·

in whole and not in part;

 

 

 

 

·

at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

 

 

 

·

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption (the “30-day redemption period”) to each warrant holder; and

 

 

 

 

·

if, and only if, the closing price of the shares of Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Public Warrant as described under the heading “— Warrants — Public Warrants — Anti-Dilution Adjustments”) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending three business days before we send to the notice of redemption to the warrant holders (which we refer to as the “Reference Value”).

 

The Company will not redeem the Public Warrants as described above unless a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the issuance of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants is then effective and a current prospectus relating to those shares of Common Stock is available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If and when the Public Warrants become redeemable, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if the Company is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

 

 
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We have established the last of the redemption criterion discussed above to prevent a redemption call unless there is at the time of the call a significant premium to the warrant exercise price. If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption of the Public Warrants, each warrant holder will be entitled to exercise his, her or its Public Warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date. However, the price of the Common Stock may fall below the $18.00 redemption trigger price (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise or the exercise price of a Public Warrant described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”) as well as the $11.50 warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued.

 

Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00.

 

Once the Public Warrants become exercisable, the Company may redeem the outstanding warrants:

 

 

·

in whole and not in part;

 

 

 

 

·

at a price of $0.10 per warrant;

 

 

 

 

·

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption, provided that holders will be able to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive that number of shares determined by reference to the table below, based on the redemption date and the “fair market value” (as defined below) of Common Stock except as otherwise described below;

 

 

 

 

·

if, and only if, the Reference Value equals or exceeds $10.00 per Public Share (as adjusted for adjustments to the number of shares issuable upon exercise) or the exercise price of a warrant as described under the heading “— Anti-dilution Adjustments”; and

 

 

 

 

·

if the Reference Value is less than $18.00 per share, the Private Warrants must also be concurrently called for redemption on the same terms as the outstanding Public Warrants, as described above.

 

Beginning on the date the notice of redemption is given until the Public Warrants are redeemed or exercised, holders may elect to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis. The numbers in the table below represent the number of shares of Common Stock that a warrant holder will receive upon such cashless exercise in connection with a redemption by us pursuant to this redemption feature, based on the “fair market value” of Common Stock on the corresponding redemption date (assuming holders elect to exercise their Public Warrants and such warrants are not redeemed for $0.10 per warrant), determined for these purposes based on the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock during the 10 trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of warrants, and the number of months that the corresponding redemption date precedes the expiration date of the warrants, each as set forth in the table below. the Company will provide warrant holders with the final fair market value no later than one business day after the 10-trading day period described above ends.

 

The Private Warrants (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the Closing (except, among other limited exceptions, to BYTS’ officers and directors and other persons or entities affiliated with the Sponsor) and they will not be redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the Sponsor, members of the Sponsor or their permitted transferees (except as set forth under “— Warrants — Public Warrants — Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00”). The Sponsor or its permitted transferees have the option to exercise the Private Warrants on a cashless basis. Except as described below, the Private Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the warrants sold as part of the Units in BYTS’ IPO. If the Private Warrants are held by holders other than the Sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the holders on the same basis as the warrants included in the Units sold in BYTS’s IPO.

 

Except as described above under “— Public Warrants — Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of Common Stock equals or exceeds $10.00,” if holders of the Private Warrants elect to exercise them on a cashless basis, they would pay the exercise price by surrendering his, her or its warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares underlying the Private Warrants, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” of the Common Stock (as defined below) over the exercise price of the warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” means the average reported closing price of the Common Stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of warrant exercise is sent to the warrant agent. The reason that we have agreed that these warrants will be exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees is because it was not known at the time of the IPO whether the Sponsor would be affiliated with us following a business combination. If the Sponsor remains affiliated with the Company, its ability to sell the Company’s securities in the open market will be significantly limited. The Company has policies in place that prohibit insiders from selling securities except during specific periods of time. Even during such periods of time when insiders will be permitted to sell the Company’s securities, an insider cannot trade in the Company’s securities if he or she is in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, unlike public stockholders who could exercise their Public Warrants and sell the shares received upon such exercise freely in the open market in order to recoup the cost of such exercise, the insiders could be significantly restricted from selling such securities.

 

 
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The Company has reviewed the terms of the Public and Private Warrants to determine whether warrants should be classified as liabilities or stockholders’ equity in its consolidated balance sheet. In order for a warrant to be classified in stockholders’ equity, the warrant must be (a)indexed to the Company’s equity and (b) meet the conditions for equity classification in ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. If a warrant does not meet the conditions for equity classification, it is carried on the consolidated balance sheet as a warrant liability measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrant recorded in the statement of operations as change in fair value of warrants. The Company determined that all warrants are required to be carried as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. At the closing of the Merger on December 21, 2023, the warrants had an initial fair value of $2,009,105, which was recorded as liability and a reduction to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the Private and Public Warrants had an aggregate fair value of $667,985, which resulted in a gain of $1,341,120 due to decrease in the fair value of the warrant liability subsequent to the closing date.  See Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements for more information.

The following table is a summary of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public and Private Warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2023:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

Price

 

 

Expiration Date

 

Initial Fair Value

 

Public Warrants

 

 

16,184,612

 

 

$11.50

 

 

December 21, 2028

 

 

1,942,153

 

Private Warrants

 

 

515,000

 

 

$11.50

 

 

December 21, 2028

 

 

66,952

 

 

 

15. Earnout Liability

 

Certain of the Company’s stockholders are entitled to receive up to 5,000,000 Earnout Shares of the Company’s common stock if the following Earnout Milestones are met.

 

 

(A)

25% of the Earnout Shares if, for the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (1) Company Revenue (as defined below) is at least $39 million, or (2) the aggregate value of new contract awards (including awards obtained through purchase orders) with federal law enforcement agencies (whether such awards are obtained directly or through intermediaries) has grown by at least 100% as compared to the year-over-year amount for the twelve-month period ending on the date of the Merger Agreement (the “First Operating Performance Milestone”);

 

 

 

 

(B)

75% of the Earnout Shares if, for the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the full calendar quarter immediately following the third anniversary of the Closing Date, Company Revenue is at least $100 million (the “Second Operating Performance Milestone”);

 

 

 

 

(C)

50% of the Earnout Shares if, at any time during the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, over any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Airship Pubco Common Stock is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share (the “First Share Price Performance Milestone”); and

 

 

 

 

(D)

50% of the Earnout Shares if, at any time during the period starting on the Closing Date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, over any twenty (20) trading days within any thirty (30) trading day period the VWAP of the Airship Pubco Common Stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 per share (the “Second Share Price Performance Milestone”).

 

 
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Further, the Earnout Milestones are also considered to be met if the Company undergoes a change of control. A change of control is defined as (i) any transaction or series of related transactions that results in any Person or “group” (within the

meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) acquiring equity interests that represent more than 50% of the total voting power of Parent or (ii) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, any Earnout Shares issuable under the Merger Agreement to a Company Earnout Holder in respect of each Company Option or Company SAR held by such Company Earnout Holder as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be earned by such Company Earnout Holder on the later of (i) the occurrence of the applicable Earnout Milestone, and (ii) the date on which the Converted Stock Option in respect of such Company Option or Converted SAR in respect of such Company SAR becomes vested pursuant to its applicable vesting schedule, but only if such Company Earnout Holder continues to provide services (whether as an employee, director or individual independent contractor) to Parent or one of its Subsidiaries through such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Earnout Shares that are not earned by a Company Earnout Holder in respect of its Company Options or Company SARs on or before the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date shall be forfeited without any consideration. Any Earnout Shares that are forfeited pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be reallocated to the other Company Earnout Holders who remain entitled to receive Earnout Shares in accordance with their respective Earnout Pro Rata Shares.

 

These earnout shares have been categorized into two components: (i) the “Vested Shares” - those associated with Earnout Holders with vested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned upon achievement of the Earnout Milestones and (ii) the “Unvested Shares” - those associated with Earnout Holders with unvested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned over the remaining service period with the Company on their unvested equity shares and upon achievement of the Earnout Milestones. The Vested Shares, which represent 95% of the total Earnout Shares are classified as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations due to the variability in the number of Earnout Shares at settlement which could change upon a change of control event. The Earnout arrangement contains a settlement provision that violates the indexation guidance under ASC 815-40. The Unvested Shares are equity-classified share-based compensation to be recognized over time under ASC 718 due to the service component.

 

At the closing of the Merger on December 21, 2023, the earnout liability had an initial fair value of $27,109,777, which was recorded as a long-term liability and a reduction to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the earnout liability had decreased to $5,133,428 as a result of the decline in our share price since the closing of the Merger, which resulted in a gain due to the change in fair value of the earnout liability of $21,976,349 and is recorded on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements for more information.

 

 
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16. Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, fair value hierarchy of the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnout liability

 

$-

 

 

$-

 

 

$5,133,428

 

 

$5,133,428

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,825,366

 

 

 

2,825,366

 

Warrant liability (Public Warrants)

 

 

646,428

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

646,428

 

Warrant liability (Private Warrants)

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,557

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21,557

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

 

$646,428

 

 

$21,557

 

 

$7,958,794

 

 

$8,626,779

 

 

The estimated fair value of the earnout liability was determined using a Monte Carlo Model. The assumptions utilized in the calculation are based on the achievement of certain stock price milestones including projected stock price, volatility, probability of meeting the federal law enforcement agency growth and risk-free rate. The following assumptions were used in the simulation at each valuation date:

 

 

 

December 21, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Stock price

 

$6.49

 

 

$1.70

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

3.87%

 

 

3.84%

Expected term (in years)

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Expected volatility

 

 

76.40%

 

 

75.90%

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

 

The assumptions also included the probability of meeting the federal law enforcement agency growth milestone at 100%.

 

The initial estimated fair value of the Private Warrants was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. The estimated fair value of the Public Warrants is based on the listed price in an active market for such warrants while the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants continues to be measured using a Monte Carlo simulation with the key inputs being directly or indirectly observable from the Public Warrants listed price. The estimated fair value of the Private Warrants was determined using the following assumptions at each valuation date:

 

 

 

December 21, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Stock price

 

$6.49

 

 

$1.70

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

3.87%

 

 

3.84%
Expected term (in years)

 

 

5.01

 

 

 

4.98

 

Expected volatility

 

 

13.90%

 

 

41.50%
Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

 

0%

 

The estimated fair value of the Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model that factors in potential outcomes being consummated, such as the convertible notes being repaid in cash and the convertible notes being converted to common stock. All of these scenarios take into consideration the terms and conditions of the underlying convertible notes plus potential changes in the underlying value of the common stock. The following assumptions were used in the simulation:

 

 
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December 31, 2023

 

Stock price

 

$1.70

 

Effective discount rate

 

 

12.95%

Expected term (in years)

 

0.48 to 0.75

 

Expected volatility

 

 

62.50%

Dividend yield

 

 

0%

 

There were no transfers of financial instruments between valuation levels during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

17. Earnings per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Net Income (loss)

 

$16,371,134

 

 

$(487,493)

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

13,671,376

 

 

 

13,387,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: dilutive effect of stock options, SARs and Airship warrants

 

6,719,287

 

 

-

 

Diluted

 

 

20,390,663

 

 

 

13,387,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$1.20

 

 

$(0.04)

Diluted

 

$0.80

 

 

$(0.04)

 

 
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The following potentially dilutive shares were not included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding for the periods presented as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Public Warrants

 

 

16,184,612

 

 

 

-

 

Private Warrants

 

 

515,000

 

 

 

-

 

Convertible debt

 

 

452,240

 

 

 

-

 

Warrants

 

 

53,800

 

 

 

-

 

Outstanding stock options

 

 

-

 

 

 

4,162,067

 

SARs

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,758,100

 

 

 

 

17,205,652

 

 

 

5,920,167

 

 

The 5,000,000 Earnout Shares are excluded from basic and diluted net loss per share as such shares are contingently issuable until the Company exceeds certain milestone thresholds that have not been achieved as of December 31, 2023.

As a result of the Merger, the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock used in the calculation of net income (loss) per share have been retroactively converted by applying the conversion ratio.

 

18. Subsequent Events

 

On February 2, 2024, the Company issued in a private placement an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note to Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (“Platinum”) in the principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Platinum Convertible Note”). The Platinum Convertible Note amends and restates in its entirety the Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued to Platinum in the principal amount of $2,000,000 on June 22, 2023. The repayment amount of the Platinum Convertible Note is 110% of the principal amount ($2,200,000) and matures in full on June 22, 2024. Interest accrues on the Platinum Convertible Note at the rate of 6% per annum calculated on the basis of 360 days. At the option of Platinum, the principal amount of the Platinum Convertible Note plus any accrued but unpaid interest is convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price per share equal to the lower of (i) $3.69717, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the Platinum Convertible Note, and (ii) 65% of the VWAP for the Common Stock for the preceding five trading days immediately prior to any conversion, but in no event below $2.27518, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the Platinum Convertible Note. The Platinum Convertible Note contains “weighted average” anti-dilution protection for issuances of shares of Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents at a price less than the conversion price then in effect.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Platinum Convertible Note, the Company also issued to Platinum an Amended and Restated Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the “Platinum Warrant”) dated February 2, 2024 to purchase 189,334 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per share of $3.69717. The term of the Platinum Warrant expires on June 22, 2028. The Platinum Convertible Note may not be converted, and the Platinum Warrant may not be exercised, to the extent that after giving effect to such conversion and/or exercise, Platinum (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such conversion and/or exercise. On March 18, 2024, Platinum exercised the Platinum Warrant and received 137,367 shares of the Company’s common stock. Platinum forfeited 51,967 shares.

 

On February 29, 2024, the Company extended a lease in Moorestown, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment is $6,488. The lease expires on July 29, 2024.

 

On March 1, 2024, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mark E. Scott, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, which provides for a base salary of $250,000 annually. Mr. Scott is also eligible to participate in annual performance-based bonus programs established by the Board or Compensation Committee, subject to the achievement of applicable performance criteria established by the Board or Compensation Committee, which shall be determined in good faith by the Board or Compensation Committee. Mr. Scott was also granted options to purchase up to twenty five thousand (25,000) shares of Common Stock with an exercise price equal to $1.49, which options vested in full on the date of issuance.

 

On March 3, 2024, the Company granted a stock option to a director to purchase two hundred thousand shares (200,000) shares of Common Stock with an exercise price equal to $1.65, which options vest quarterly over four years and which expire on March 3, 2029.

 

On March 5, 2024, a private investor converted a senior secured convertible promissory note for $250,000 and interest into 70,502 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On March 5, 2024, a private investor converted a senior secured convertible promissory note for $350,000 and interest into 98,702 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On March 21, 2024, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock valued at $25,500 as of December 31, 2023 to MZHCI, LLC related to an investor relations consulting agreement.

 

 

 
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Up to 2,801,120 Shares of Common Stock

Up to 2,801,120 Common Warrants to Purchase up to 2,801,120 Shares of Common Stock

Up to 2,801,120 Shares of Common Stock underlying the Common Warrants

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

_________________

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

_________________

 

Roth Capital Partners

The Benchmark Company

 

, 2024

 

 

Table of Contents

 

PART II - INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the expenses in connection with this registration statement.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

 

$3,100

 

FINRA filing fee

 

 

2,000

 

Accountant’s fee and expenses

 

 

50,000

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

 

175,000

 

Blue Sky fees and expenses

 

 

5,000

 

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

 

 

2,500

 

Printing and related fees

 

 

1,000

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

11,400

 

Total other expenses

 

$250,000

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 145(a) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), because he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor because the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which he or she shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court shall deem proper.

 

Section 145(g) of the DGCL provides, in general, that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

The Company’s charter contains provisions limiting the liability of the members of the Company’s board of directors, and the Company’s bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify each of the members of the Company’s board of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. The Company’s bylaws will also provide the board of directors with discretion to indemnify employees and agents of the Company.

 

 
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The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers and certain other key employees. The indemnification agreements provide that the Company will indemnify each of its directors and executive officers and such other key employees against any and all expenses incurred by such director, executive officer or other key employee because of his or her status as one of the Company’s directors, executive officers or other key employees, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and the Company’s charter and bylaws. In addition, the indemnification agreements will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Company will advance all expenses incurred by its directors, executive officers and other key employees in connection with a legal proceeding involving his or her status as a director, executive officer or key employee.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

We issued the foregoing securities in transactions not involving an underwriter and not requiring registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on the exemption afforded by Section 4(a)(2) thereof.

 

Following the closing of the Merger, on January 2, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 532,945 shares of common stock to Roth Capital Partners LLC, in satisfaction of fees payable to Roth Capital Partners LLC for financial services and placement agent duties provided to Airship AI in connection with the Merger. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

On February 2, 2024, the Company issued in a private placement the Platinum Convertible Note to Platinum in the principal amount of $2,000,000 (the “Platinum Convertible Note”). At the option of Platinum, the principal amount of the Platinum Convertible Note plus any accrued but unpaid interest is convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price per share equal to the lower of (i) $3.69717, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the Platinum Convertible Note, and (ii) 65% of the VWAP for the common stock for the preceding five trading days immediately prior to any conversion, but in no event below $2.27518, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the Platinum Convertible Note. In connection with the issuance of the Platinum Convertible Note, the Company also issued to Platinum the Platinum Warrant to purchase 189,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of $3.69717. The term of the Platinum Warrant expires on June 22, 2028. On March 18, 2024, Platinum exercised the Platinum Warrant and received 137,367 shares of the common stock. Platinum forfeited 51,967 shares. These securities were offered and sold in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements under Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

On March 5, 2024, the Company issued 70,502 shares of common stock upon the conversion of a convertible promissory note issued by us to Geng Cui in a private placement on October 3, 2023 in the principal amount of $250,000 (and accrued interest) at a conversion price per share of $4.00. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

On March 5, 2024, the Company issued 98,702 shares of common stock upon the conversion of a convertible promissory note issued by us to Kelly and Finley White in a private placement on October 3, 2023 in the principal amount of $350,000 (and accrued interest) at a conversion price per share of $4.00. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

On March 21, 2024, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock valued at $25,500 as of December 31, 2023 to MZHCI, LLC related to an investor relations consulting agreement. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

On May 16, 2024, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Pamria LLC for consulting and investor relations services. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

On June 22, 2024, the Company entered into an extension agreement with Platinum Capital Partner, Inc. to extend the maturity date of the Platinum Convertible Note to June 22, 2025. In consideration for entering into the extension agreement, the Company agreed to issue to Platinum 232,360 shares of common stock. This issuance was made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

In June 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 294,448 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options at exercise prices ranging from $0.12 to $1.64 per share. These issuances were made pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2).

 

 
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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1†

 

Merger Agreement, dated June 27, 2023, by and among BYTE Acquisition Corp., BYTE Merger Sub, Inc. and Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2023).

2.2

 

First Amendment to Merger Agreement, dated September 22, 2023, by and among BYTE Acquisition Corp., BYTE Merger Sub, Inc. and Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 26, 2023).

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation of BYTE Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2023).

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of BYTE Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2023).

3.3

 

Bylaws of Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2023).

4.1

 

Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-l (File No. 333-276932), filed with the SEC on February 7, 2024).

4.2

 

Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Registration Statement on Form S-l (File No. 333-253618), filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021).

4.3

 

Warrant Agreement, dated March 18, 2021, by and between BYTE Acquisition Corp. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2021).

4.4

 

Amended and Restated Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued February 2, 2024 by Airship AI Holdings, Inc. to Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024).

4.5*

 

Form of Warrant Agency Agreement.

4.6*

 

Form of Common Warrant Certificate.

4.7*

 

Form of Placement Agent Warrant.

5.1*

 

Opinion of Loeb & Loeb LLP.

10.1

 

Letter Agreement, dated March 18, 2021, by and among BYTE Acquisition Corp., its officers, its directors and Byte Holdings LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2021).

10.2

 

Parent Support Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2023, by and among BYTE Holdings LP, BYTE Acquisition Corp., and Airship AI Holdings, Inc. ((incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 27, 2023).

10.3

 

Letter Amendment to Form of Bylaws, dated December 20, 2023, by and between BYTE Acquisition Corp. and Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 27, 2023).

10.4

 

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 21, 2023 by and among Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and certain of its stockholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2023).

10.5

 

Earnout Escrow Agreement, dated December 21, 2023 by and between Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2023).

10.6

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2023).

10.7+

 

2023 Airship AI Holdings, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex C to BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s prospectus filed with the SEC on dated December 5, 2023.).

10.8

 

Lease, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and between JDL Digital Systems Inc. DBA Airship Industries, Inc. and Langtree Development Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-274464), filed with the SEC on October 18, 2023).

10.9

 

Sublease Agreement, effective July 13, 2023, by and between Helion Energy, Inc. and JDL Systems, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-274464), filed with the SEC on October 18, 2023).

10.10

 

Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued June 22, 2023 by Airship AI Holdings, Inc. to Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of BYTE Acquisition Corp.’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-274464), filed with the SEC on October 18, 2023).

10.11

 

Amended and Restated Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued February 2, 2024 by Airship AI Holdings, Inc. to Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024).

10.12

 

Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated February 2, 2024 between Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024).

10.13

 

Amended and Restated Guaranty dated February 2, 2024 between Airship AI Holdings, Inc., Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024).

10.14

 

Amended and Restated Subordination Agreement dated February 2, 2024 between Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and Platinum Capital Partners Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2024).

10.15

 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2024, between Airship AI Holdings, Inc. and Mark Scott (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024).

10.16*

 

Form of Lock-up Agreement.

10.17*

 

Form of Securities Purchase Agreement.

10.18*

 

Form of Placement Agency Agreement.

16.1

 

Letter from Marcum LLP, dated December 28, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2023).

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2023).

23.1*

 

Consent of BPM LLP — independent registered public accounting firm.

23.2*

 

Consent of Loeb & Loeb LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 hereto).

24.1**

 

Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page to the initial registration statement).

107*

 

Filing Fee Table

 

 

*

Filed herewith.

 

**

Previously filed.

 

+

Indicates a management or compensatory plan.

 

†

Certain schedules and similar attachments to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon request.

 

 
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Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

 

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

 

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

 

 

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

 

 

 

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

 

 

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

 

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 
II-4

Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Redmond, State of Washington on August 22, 2024.

 

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

 

By:

/s/ Victor Huang

 

 

 

Name: Victor Huang

 

 

 

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement and power of attorney have been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on August 22, 2024.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

 

 

/s/ Victor Huang

 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Victor Huang

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

/s/ Mark E. Scott

 

Chief Financial Officer

Mark E. Scott

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

*

 

Chief Operating Officer and Director

Derek Xu

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

Peeyush Ranjan

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

Louis Lebedin

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

Amit Mital

 

 

 

*By: /s/ Mark E. Scott

Mark E. Scott

 

 

 
II-5

 

EXHIBIT 4.5

 

 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

and

 

EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY, as

Warrant Agent

 

 

 

Warrant Agency Agreement

 

Dated as of ___________, 2024

 

 
1

 

 

WARRANT AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

WARRANT AGENCY AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 2024 (“Agreement”), by and between Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Equiniti Trust Company, a ________ [limited liability company/corporation] (the “Warrant Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to an offering by the Company of Warrants (as defined below), the Company wishes to issue Warrants in book entry form entitling the respective holders of the Warrants (the “Holders”, which term shall include a Holder’s transferees, successors and assigns and “Holder” shall include, if the Warrants are held in “street name”, a Participant (as defined below) or a designee appointed by such Participant) to purchase an aggregate of up to ______ shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants (as defined below) upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the “Offering”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to act on behalf of the Company, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrants.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

(a) “Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

(b) “Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which the Nasdaq Stock Market is authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

(c) “Close of Business” on any given date means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, it means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

(e) “Person” means an individual, corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or governmental agency or other entity.

 

(f)   “Warrants” means Common Stock Purchase Warrants of the Company with a term of exercise of five (5) years following the Initial Exercise Date.

 

(g)  “Warrant Certificate” means a certificate in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 1-A hereto, representing such number of Warrant Shares (as defined below) as is indicated therein, provided that any reference to the delivery of a Warrant Certificate in this Agreement shall include delivery of notice from the Depository or a Participant (each as defined below) of the transfer or exercise of the Warrant in the form of a Global Warrant (as defined below).

 

(h)  “Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants and issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

 

All other capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Warrant Certificates.

 

Section 2. Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the express terms or conditions hereof (and no implied terms and conditions), and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such Co-Warrant Agents as it may, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or desirable upon ten (10) calendar days’ prior written notice to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and shall in no event be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such Co-Warrant Agent.  In the event the Company appoints one or more co-Warrant Agents, the respective duties of the Warrant Agent and any Co-Warrant Agent shall be as the Company shall reasonably determine, provided that such duties and determination are consistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

 
2

 

 

Section 3. Global Warrants.

 

(a) The Warrants shall be issuable in book entry form.  All of the Warrants shall initially be represented by one or more Global Warrants (the “Global Warrants” and, each, a “Global Warrant”), deposited with the Warrant Agent and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depository”), or as otherwise directed by the Depository. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Warrants, shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by (i) the Depository or its nominee for each Global Warrant or (ii) institutions that have accounts with the Depository (such institution, with respect to a Warrant in its account, a “Participant”).  For purposes of Regulation SHO, a holder whose interest in a Global Warrant is a beneficial interest in certificate(s) representing such Warrant held in book-entry form through the Depository shall be deemed to have exercised its interest in such Warrant upon instructing its broker that is a Participant to exercise its interest in such Warrant, provided that in each such case payment of the applicable aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is delivered by such Participant within the earlier of (i) two trading days and (ii) the number of trading days comprising the Standard Settlement Period, in each case following such instruction.  As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of trading days, on the Company’s primary trading market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Exercise Notice.

 

(b) If the Depository subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for the Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Warrants available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depository to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each Global Warrant, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent in writing to deliver to each Holder a Warrant Certificate.

 

(c)  A Holder has the right to elect at any time or from time to time a Warrant Exchange (as defined below) pursuant to a Warrant Certificate Request Notice (as defined below).  Upon written notice by a Holder to the Warrant Agent for the exchange of some or all of such Holder’s Global Warrants for a Warrant Certificate, evidencing the same number of Warrants, which request shall be in the form attached hereto as Annex A (a “Warrant Certificate Request Notice” and the date of delivery of such Warrant Certificate Request Notice by the Holder, the “Warrant Certificate Request Notice Date” and the deemed surrender upon delivery by the Holder of a number of Global Warrants for the same number of Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate, a “Warrant Exchange”), the Warrant Agent shall promptly effect the Warrant Exchange and shall promptly issue and deliver, at the expense of the Company, to the Holder a Warrant Certificate, for such number of Warrants in the name set forth in the Warrant Certificate Request Notice.  Such Warrant Certificate shall be dated the original issue date of the Warrants, shall be executed by manual signature by an authorized signatory of the Company, and shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1-A.  In connection with a Warrant Exchange, the Company agrees to deliver, or to direct the Warrant Agent to deliver, the Warrant Certificate, to the Holder within three (3) Business Days of the Warrant Certificate Request Notice pursuant to the delivery instructions in the Warrant Certificate Request Notice (“Warrant Certificate Delivery Date”).  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall act as warrant agent with respect to any physical Warrant Certificate issued pursuant to this section.  If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Certificate subject to the Warrant Certificate Request Notice by the Warrant Certificate Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares evidenced by such Warrant Certificate (based on the VWAP (as defined in the Warrants) of the Common Stock on the Warrant Certificate Request Notice Date), $10 per Business Day for each Business Day after such Warrant Certificate Delivery Date until such Warrant Certificate is delivered or, prior to delivery of such Warrant Certificate, the Holder rescinds such Warrant Exchange.  In no event shall the Warrant Agent be liable for the Company’s failure to deliver the Warrant Certificate by the Warrant Certificate Delivery Date. The Company covenants and agrees that, upon the date of delivery of the Warrant Certificate Request Notice, the Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of the Warrant Certificate, as applicable, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Warrant Certificate shall be deemed for all purposes to contain all of the terms and conditions of the Warrants, evidenced by such Warrant Certificate, and the terms of this Agreement, other than Sections 3(c) and 9 herein, shall not apply to the Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificate.

 

Section 4. Form of Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Certificate, together with the form of election to purchase Common Stock (“Exercise Notice”) and the form of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in the form of Exhibit 1-A hereto.

 

 
3

 

 

Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Warrant Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Vice President, either manually or by .pdf via email signature. The Warrant Certificates shall be countersigned by the Warrant Agent either manually or by .pdf via email signature and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Warrant Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Warrant Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Warrant Agent, issued and delivered with the same force and effect as though the Person who signed such Warrant Certificate had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any Person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Warrant Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such Person was not such an officer.

 

The Warrant Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at its office designated for such purposes, books for registration and transfer of the Warrant Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective Holders of the Warrant Certificates, the number of warrants evidenced on the face of each such Warrant Certificate and the date of each such Warrant Certificate.  The Warrant Agent will create a special account for the issuance of Warrant Certificates.

 

Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Warrant Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Warrant Certificates. With respect to the  Global Warrant, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Certificate, and the last sentence of this first paragraph of Section 6 and subject to applicable law, rules or regulations, or any “stop transfer” instructions the Company may give to the Warrant Agent, at any time after the closing date of the Offering, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the Termination Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate), any Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates or Global Warrant or Global Warrants may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates or Global Warrant or Global Warrants, entitling the Holder to purchase a like number of shares of Common Stock as the Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates or Global Warrant or Global Warrants surrendered then entitled such Holder to purchase. Any Holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Warrant Certificate or Global Warrant shall make such request in writing delivered to the Warrant Agent and shall surrender the Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates, together with the required form of assignment and certificate duly executed and properly completed and such other documentation as the Warrant Agent may reasonably request, to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office of the Warrant Agent designated for such purpose, provided that no such surrender is applicable to the Holder of a Global Warrant. Any requested transfer of Warrants, whether in book-entry form or certificate form, shall be accompanied by evidence of authority of the party making such request that may be reasonably required by the Warrant Agent. Thereupon the Warrant Agent shall, subject to the last sentence of this first paragraph of Section 6, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment from the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Agent shall not have any duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment of taxes and/or charges unless and until it is satisfied that all such payments have been made.

 

Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Warrant Certificate, which evidence shall include an affidavit of loss, or in the case of mutilated certificates, the certificate or portion thereof remaining, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Warrant Agent, and satisfaction of any other reasonable requirements established by Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Delaware, and reimbursement to the Company and the Warrant Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Warrant Agent and cancellation of the Warrant Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor to the Warrant Agent for delivery to the Holder in lieu of the Warrant Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

 

Section 7. Exercise of Warrants; Exercise Price; Termination Date.

 

(a) The Warrants shall be exercisable commencing on the Initial Exercise Date. The Warrants shall cease to be exercisable on the Termination Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate).  Subject to the foregoing and to Section 7(b) below, the Holder of a Warrant may exercise the Warrant, in whole or in part upon surrender of the  Warrant Certificate, if required, with the properly completed and duly executed Exercise Notice and payment of the Exercise Price (unless exercised via a cashless exercise), which may be made, at the option of the Holder, by wire transfer or by certified or official bank check in United States dollars, to the Warrant Agent at the office of the Warrant Agent designated for such purposes. In the case of the Holder of a Global Warrant, the Holder shall deliver the duly executed Exercise Notice and the payment of the Exercise Price as described herein. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, a holder whose interest in a Global Warrant is a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant held in book-entry form through the Depository (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) shall effect exercises by delivering to the Depository (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that is required by the Depository (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable). The Company acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services provided under this Agreement will be in its name and that the Warrant Agent may receive investment earnings in connection with the investment at Warrant Agent risk and for its benefit of funds held in those accounts from time to time.  Neither the Company nor the Holders will receive interest on any deposits or Exercise Price. No ink-original Exercise Notice shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Exercise Notice be required.

 

 
4

 

 

(b) Upon receipt of an Exercise Notice for a Cashless Exercise, the Warrant Agent shall deliver a copy of the Exercise Notice to the Company and request from the Company, and the Company shall promptly calculate and transmit to the Warrant Agent in writing, the number of Warrant Shares issuable in connection with such Cashless Exercise. The Warrant Agent shall have no obligation under this Agreement to calculate, the number of Warrant Shares issuable in connection with a Cashless Exercise, nor shall the Warrant Agent have any duty or obligation to investigate or confirm whether the Company’s determination of the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise, pursuant to this Section 7, is accurate or correct.

 

(c) Upon the Warrant Agent’s receipt of a Warrant Certificate, at or prior to the Close of Business on the Termination Date set forth in such Warrant Certificate, with the executed Exercise Notice and payment of the Exercise Price for the shares to be purchased (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) and an amount equal to any applicable tax, or governmental charge referred to in Section 6 by wire transfer, or by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company (or, in the case of the Holder of a Global Warrant, the delivery of the executed Exercise Notice and the payment of the Exercise Price (other than in the case of a Cashless Exercise) and any other applicable amounts as set forth herein), the Warrant Agent shall cause the Warrant Shares underlying such Warrant Certificate, or Global Warrant, to be delivered to or upon the order of the Holder of such Warrant Certificate, or  Global Warrant, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such Holder, no later than the Warrant Share Delivery Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate). If the Company is then a participant in the DWAC system of the Depository and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) the Warrant is being exercised via Cashless Exercise, then the certificates for Warrant Shares shall be transmitted by the Warrant Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s broker with the Depository through its DWAC system. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company becomes obligated to pay any amounts to any Holders pursuant to Sections 2(d)(i) or 2(d)(iv)of the  Warrant Certificate, such obligation shall be solely that of the Company and not that of the Warrant Agent. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, except in the case of a Cashless Exercise, if any Holder fails to duly deliver payment to the Warrant Agent of an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Warrant Shares to be purchased upon exercise of such Holder’s Warrant as set forth in Section 7(a) hereof by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Warrant Agent will not be obligated to deliver such Warrant Shares (via DWAC or otherwise) until following receipt of such payment, and the applicable Warrant Share Delivery Date shall be deemed extended by one day for each day (or part thereof) until such payment is delivered to the Warrant Agent.

 

(d) The Warrant Agent shall deposit all funds received by it in payment of the Exercise Price for all Warrants in the account of the Company maintained with the Warrant Agent for such purpose (or to such other account as directed by the Company in writing) and shall advise the Company via email at the end of each day on which exercise notices are received, or funds for the exercise of any Warrant are received, of the amount so deposited to its account.

 

(e) In case the Holder of any Warrant Certificate shall exercise fewer than all Warrants evidenced thereby, upon the request of the Holder, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants equivalent to the number of Warrants remaining unexercised may be issued by the Warrant Agent to the Holder of such Warrant Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns in accordance with Section 2(d)(ii)of the Warrant Certificate, subject to the provisions of Section 6 hereof.

 

Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Warrant Certificates. All Warrant Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Warrant Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Warrant Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Warrant Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Warrant Agent shall so cancel and retire any other Warrant Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Warrant Agent shall deliver all canceled Warrant Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such canceled Warrant Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company, subject to any applicable law, rule or regulation requiring the Warrant Agent to retain such canceled certificates.

 

 
5

 

  

Section 9. Certain Representations; Reservation and Availability of Shares of Common Stock or Cash.

 

(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Warrant Agent, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and the Warrants have been duly authorized, executed and issued by the Company and, assuming due execution thereof by the Warrant Agent pursuant hereto and payment therefor by the Holders, constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits hereof; in each case except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(b) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) ______ shares of Common Stock, of which _____ shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding, and _______ shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants, (ii) _______ shares of preferred stock, ______ of which are issued and outstanding and _______ shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Preferred Stock; and (iii) ______ shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance to employees, consultants and directors pursuant to the Company’s stock plan, under which options to purchase _____ shares are issued and outstanding. There are no other outstanding obligations, warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase from the Company any class of capital stock of the Company.

 

(c) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock or its authorized and issued shares of Common Stock held in its treasury, free from preemptive rights, the number of shares of Common Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants.

 

(d) The Warrant Agent will create a special account for the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of Warrants.

 

(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Warrant Certificates or certificates evidencing Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax or governmental charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Warrant Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificate for shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any Warrants until any such tax or governmental charge shall have been paid (any such tax or governmental charge being payable by the Holder of such Warrant Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s and the Warrant Agent’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax or governmental charge is due.

 

Section 10. Common Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares of Common Stock is issued (or to whose broker’s account is credited shares of Common Stock through the DWAC system) upon the exercise of Warrants shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record for the Common Stock represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date on which submission of the Exercise Notice was made, provided that the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant was duly surrendered (but only if required herein) and payment of the Exercise Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was received on or prior to the Warrant Share Delivery Date; provided, however, that, if the date of submission of the Exercise Notice is a date upon which the Common Stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding day on which the Common Stock transfer books of the Company are open.

 

Section 11. Adjustment of Exercise Price, Number of Shares of Common Stock or Number of the Company Warrants. The Exercise Price, the number of shares covered by each Warrant and the number of Warrants outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate.  In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate, the Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than shares of Common Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares contained in Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9 and 13 of this Agreement with respect to the shares of Common Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.  All Warrants originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Exercise Price pursuant to the Warrant Certificate shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Warrants, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein. 

 

 
6

 

 

Section 12. Certification of Adjusted Exercise Price or Number of Shares of Common Stock. Whenever the Exercise Price or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant Certificate is adjusted as provided in Section 11 or 13, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth the Exercise Price of each Warrant Certificate, as so adjusted, and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Warrant Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock a copy of such certificate and (c) instruct the Warrant Agent, at the Company’s expense, to send a brief summary thereof to each Holder of a Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent shall be fully protected in relying on such certificate and on any adjustment or statement therein contained and shall have no duty or liability with respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment or any such event unless and until it shall have received such certificate.

 

Section 13. Fractional Shares of Common Stock.

 

(a) The Company shall not issue fractions of Warrants or distribute Warrant Certificates which evidence fractional Warrants. Whenever any fractional Warrant would otherwise be required to be issued or distributed, the actual issuance or distribution shall reflect a rounding of such fraction to the nearest whole Warrant (rounded up).

 

(b) The Company shall not issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of Warrants or distribute stock certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. Whenever any fraction of a share of Common Stock would otherwise be required to be issued or distributed, the actual issuance or distribution in respect thereof shall be made in accordance with Section 2(d)(v)of the Warrant Certificate.

 

Section 14. Concerning the Warrant Agent.

 

(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Warrant Agent, pursuant to the fee schedule mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and provided separately on the date hereof, for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, delivery, negotiation, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.

 

(b) The Company covenants and agrees to indemnify and to hold the Warrant Agent harmless against any costs, expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of its legal counsel), losses or damages, which may be paid, incurred or suffered by or to which it may become subject, arising from or out of, directly or indirectly, any claims or liability resulting from its actions or omissions as Warrant Agent pursuant hereto; provided, that such covenant and agreement does not extend to, and the Warrant Agent shall not be indemnified with respect to, such costs, expenses, losses and damages incurred or suffered by the Warrant Agent as a result of, or arising out of, its gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct (each as determined by a final non-appealable court of competent jurisdiction). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any liability of the Warrant Agent under this Agreement will be limited to the amount of annual fees paid by the Company to the Warrant Agent during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from the Warrant Agent is being sought. The costs and expenses incurred by the Warrant Agent in enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid by the Company.

 

(c)  Upon the assertion of a claim for which the Company may be required to indemnify the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent shall promptly notify the Company of such assertion, and shall keep the other party reasonably advised with respect to material developments concerning such claim. However, failure to give such notice shall not affect the Warrant Agent’s right to and the Company’s obligations for indemnification hereunder.

 

(d) Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special or incidental damages under any provisions of this Agreement or for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special or incidental damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder even if that party has been advised of or has foreseen the possibility of such damages.

 

(e) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 14 shall survive termination of this Agreement, the expiration of the Warrants and/or the resignation, removal or replacement of the Warrant Agent.

 

Section 15. Purchase or Consolidation or Change of Name of Warrant Agent. Any Person into which the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent shall be party, or any Person succeeding to the stock transfer or other shareholder services business of the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent, shall be the successor to the Warrant Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 17. In case at the time such successor Warrant Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Warrant Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Warrant Agent and deliver such Warrant Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases, such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

 
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In case at any time the name of the Warrant Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Warrant Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Warrant Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases, such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.

 

Section 16. Duties of Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following express terms and conditions (and no implied terms and conditions), by all of which the Company, by its acceptance hereof, shall be bound and shall not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust with any of the Holders of the Warrants or any other Person:

 

(a) The Warrant Agent may consult with legal counsel selected by it (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion and advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in accordance with such opinion or advice.

 

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Vice President of the Company; and such certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent, and the Warrant Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.  The Warrant Agent shall have no duty to act without such a certificate as set forth in this Section 16(b).

 

(c) Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 14, the Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (each as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

(d) The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Warrant Certificates (including in the case of any notation in book-entry form to reflect ownership), except its countersignature thereof, by the Company or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

 

(e) The Warrant Agent shall not have any liability or be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Warrant Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for the adjustment of the Exercise Price or the making of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock required under the provisions of Section 11 or 13 or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such change or adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment or change (except with respect to the exercise of Warrants evidenced by Warrant Certificates after actual notice of any adjustment of the Exercise Price); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(f) Each party hereto agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the other party hereto for the carrying out or performing by any party of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

 
8

 

 

(g) The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable and shall be indemnified and held harmless for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer, provided Warrant Agent carries out such instructions without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

 

(h) The Warrant Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other Person. In the event that the Warrant Agent seeks to exercise a Warrant, and provides the Company with (i) an opinion of counsel to the effect that a public sale or transfer of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant may be made without registration under the 1933 Act and such sale or transfer is effected or (ii) the Purchaser provides reasonable assurances that the Securities can be sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Rule 144, Section 4(a)(1), or other applicable exemption, the Company shall permit the transfer, and, in the case of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant, promptly instruct its transfer agent to issue one or more certificates, free from restrictive legend, in such name and in such denominations as specified by the Holder. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder by vitiating the intent and purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for a breach of its obligations under this Section 16(h) may be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Company of the provisions of this Section, that the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach and requiring immediate transfer, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

(i) The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorney or agents, and the Warrant Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorney or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence or bad faith in the selection and continued employment thereof (which gross negligence and bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

 

(j) The Warrant Agent shall not be obligated to expend or risk its own funds or to take any action that it believes would expose or subject it to expense or liability or to a risk of incurring expense or liability, unless it has been furnished with assurances of repayment or indemnity satisfactory to it.

 

(k) The Warrant Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of its obligations relating to any registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or this Agreement, including without limitation obligations under applicable regulation or law.

 

(l) The Warrant Agent may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed.

 

(m) In the event the Warrant Agent believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Warrant Agent hereunder, the Warrant Agent, may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action, and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to Company, the holder of any Warrant or any other Person for refraining from taking such action, unless the Warrant Agent receives written instructions signed by the Company which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction of Warrant Agent.

 

(n) This Section 16 shall survive the expiration of the Warrants, the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Warrant Agent.  The costs and expenses incurred in enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid by the Company.

 

 
9

 

 

Section 17. Change of Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing sent to the Company and, in the event that the Warrant Agent or one of its affiliates is not also the transfer agent for the Company, to each transfer agent of the Common Stock. In the event the transfer agency relationship in effect between the Company and the Warrant Agent terminates, the Warrant Agent will be deemed to have resigned automatically and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement as of the effective date of such termination, and the Company shall be responsible for sending any required notice thereunder. The Company may remove the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent upon thirty (30) days’ notice in writing, sent to the Warrant Agent or successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and to the Holders of the Warrant Certificates. If the Warrant Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Warrant Agent or by the Holder of a Warrant Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit this Warrant Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the Holder of any Warrant Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Warrant Agent, provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to be the Warrant Agent until a new warrant agent is appointed. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a Person, other than a natural person, organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of a state thereof, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Warrant Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. After appointment, the successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Warrant Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Warrant Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Warrant Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose but such predecessor Warrant Agent shall not be required to make any additional expenditure (without prompt reimbursement by the Company) or assume any additional liability in connection with the foregoing. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Warrant Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock and mail a notice thereof in writing to the Holders of the Warrant Certificates. However, failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 17, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent or the appointment of the successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be.

 

Section 18. Issuance of New Warrant Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrants to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price per share and the number or kind or class of shares of stock or other securities or property purchasable under the several Warrant Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 19. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made (i) by the Warrant Agent or by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Company, (ii) by the Company or by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Warrant Agent or (iii) by the Company or the Warrant Agent to the Holder of any Warrant Certificate, shall be deemed given when in writing (a) on the date delivered, if delivered personally, (b) on the first Business Day following the deposit thereof with Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier, if sent by Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier, (c) on the fourth Business Day following the mailing thereof with postage prepaid, if mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), and (d) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Business Day and (e) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail attachment on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day, in each case to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

(a)  If to the Company, to:

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

8210 154th Ave NE

Redmond, WA  98052

E-mail: [_______]

Attn: [_______]

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

E-mail: [_______]

Attn: [_______]

 

(b)  If to the Warrant Agent, to:

 

Equiniti Trust Company

1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101

Mendota Heights, MN 55120

E-mail: [_______]

Attn: [_______]

 

 
10

 

 

For any notice delivered by email to be deemed given or made, such notice must be followed by notice sent by overnight courier service to be delivered on the next Business Day following such email, unless the recipient of such email has acknowledged via return email receipt of such email.

 

(c) If to the Holder of any Warrant Certificate, to the address of such Holder as shown on the registry books of the Company. Any notice required to be delivered by the Company to the Holder of any Warrant may be given by the Warrant Agent on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, where this Agreement provides for notice of any event to a Holder of any Warrant, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository (or its designee) pursuant to the procedures of the Depository or its designee.  To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Section 20. Supplements and Amendments.

 

(a) The Company and the Warrant Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any Holders of Global Warrants in order to (i) add to the covenants and agreements of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Global Warrants, (ii) to surrender any rights or power reserved to or conferred upon the Company in this Agreement, (iii) to cure any ambiguity, (iv) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or (v) to make any other provisions with regard to matters or questions arising hereunder which the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable, provided that such addition, correction or surrender shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Global Warrants or Warrant Certificates in any material respect.

 

(b) In addition to the foregoing, with the consent of Holders of Warrants entitled, upon exercise thereof, to receive not less than a majority of the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder, the Company and the Warrant Agent may modify this Agreement for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Global Warrants; provided, however, that that (i) if any amendment, modification or waiver disproportionately and adversely impacts a Holder (or group of Holders), the consent of such disproportionately impacted Holder (or group of Holders) shall also be required and (ii) no modification of the terms (including but not limited to the adjustments described in Section 11) upon which the Warrants are exercisable or reducing the percentage required for consent to modification of this Agreement may be made without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding warrant certificate affected thereby; provided further, however, that no amendment hereunder shall affect any terms of any Warrant Certificate issued in a Warrant Exchange. As a condition precedent to the Warrant Agent’s execution of any amendment, the Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent a certificate from a duly authorized officer of the Company that states that the proposed amendment complies with the terms of this Section 20. No supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless duly executed by the Warrant Agent.

 

Section 21. Successors. All covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

 

Section 22. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the Holders of Warrant Certificates and the Warrant Agent any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders of the Warrant Certificates.

 

Section 23. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement and each Warrant Certificate issued hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenience forum.

 

 
11

 

 

Section 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Agreement transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect and enforceability as an original signature.

 

Section 25. Captions. The captions of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

 

Section 26. Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that if such prohibited and invalid provision shall adversely affect the rights, immunities, liabilities, duties or obligations of the Warrant Agent, the Warrant Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately upon written notice to the Company.

 

Section 27. Conflicts. To the extent any provision of this Agreement conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Certificate, the provisions of the Warrant Certificate shall govern and be controlling.

 

Section 28. Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Warrant Agent will not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, war, or civil unrest.

 

Section 29. Entire Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge that there are no agreements or understandings, written or oral, between them with respect to matters contemplated hereunder other than as set forth herein and the Warrant Certificates, that this Agreement and the Warrant Certificates contain the entire agreement between them with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

Section 30. Fees; Expenses. As consideration for the services provided by the Warrant Agent (the “Services”), the Company shall pay to the Warrant Agent the fees set forth on Schedule 1 hereto (the “Fees”). If the Company requests that the Warrant Agent provide additional services not contemplated hereby, the Company shall pay to the Warrant Agent fees for such services at the Warrant Agent’s reasonable and customary rates, such fees to be governed by the terms of a separate agreement to be mutually agreed to and entered into by the Parties at such time (the “Additional Service Fee”; together with the Fees, the “Service Fees”).

 

(a) The Company shall reimburse the Warrant Agent for all reasonable and documented expenses incurred by the Warrant Agent (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with the Services (the “Expenses”); provided, however, that the Warrant Agent reserves the right to request advance payment for any out-of-pocket expenses. The Company agrees to pay all Service Fees and Expenses within thirty (30) days following receipt of an invoice from the Warrant Agent.

 

(b) The Company agrees and acknowledges that the Warrant Agent may adjust the Service Fees annually, on or about each anniversary date of this Agreement, by the annual percentage of change in the latest Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers United States City Average, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

(c) Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Warrant Agent shall assist the Company with the transfer of records of the Company held by the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall be entitled to reasonable additional compensation and reimbursement of any Expenses for the preparation and delivery of such records to the successor agent or to the Company, and for maintaining records and/or Stock Certificates that are received after the termination of this Agreement (the “Record Transfer Services”).

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUINITI TRUST COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

                                                                                            

 
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Annex A: Form of Warrant Certificate Request Notice

 

WARRANT CERTIFICATE REQUEST NOTICE

 

To: Equiniti Trust Company, as Warrant Agent for Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

The undersigned Holder of Common Stock Purchase Warrants (“Warrants”) in the form of Global Warrants issued by the Company hereby elects to receive a Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants held by the Holder as specified below:

 

1.       Name of Holder of Warrants in form of Global Warrants: ___________________________

 

2.       Name of Holder in Warrant Certificate (if different from name of Holder of Warrants in form of Global Warrants): ________________________________

 

3.       Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Global Warrants: ___________________

 

4.       Number of Warrants for which Warrant Certificate shall be issued: __________________

 

5.       Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Global Warrants after issuance of Warrant Certificate, if any: ___________

 

6.       Warrant Certificate shall be delivered to the following address:

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with this Warrant Exchange and the issuance of the Warrant Certificate, the Holder is deemed to have surrendered the number of Warrants in form of Global Warrants in the name of the Holder equal to the number of Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificate.

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity: ____________________________________________________

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: ______________________________

 

Name of Authorized Signatory: ________________________________________________

 

Title of Authorized Signatory: _________________________________________________

 

Date: _______________________________________________________________

 

 
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Exhibit 1-A: Form of Warrant Certificate

 

 
15

 

 

Schedule 1

Fees

 

Monthly Warrant Administration Fee (per Warrant Issue) 

 

$____.00

 

 

 

 

EXCHANGE OF WARRANTS INTO COMMON SHARES

 

 

 

 

Per Manual Exercise of Warrants (until established on DTC WARR System)

 

$____.00

 

 

SPECIAL SERVICES

 

Services not included herein (including, without limitation, trustee and custodial services, exchange/tender offer services and stock dividend disbursement services) but requested by the Company may be subject to additional charges. 

 

OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

 

All customary out-of-pocket expenses will be billed in addition to the foregoing fees.  These charges include, but are not limited to, printing and stationery, freight and materials delivery, postage and handling.

 

The foregoing fees apply to services ordinarily rendered by the Warrant Agent and are subject to reasonable adjustment based on final review of documents. 

 

 
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EXHIBIT 4.6

 

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

CUSIP: ___________

 

Warrant Shares: _______                                          

 

Initial Exercise Date: _______, 2024

 

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on ________1 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock.  The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of a security held in book-entry form and the Depository Trust Company or its nominee (“DTC”) shall initially be the sole registered holder of this Warrant, subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.

 

Section 1. Definitions.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 __________________________

1 Insert the date that is the five (5) year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date, provided that, if such date is not a Trading Day, insert the immediately following Trading Day.

 

 
1

 

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281333).

 

 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

 
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“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 and a telephone number of (800) 937-5449, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

“Warrant Agency Agreement” means that certain warrant agency agreement, dated on or about the Initial Exercise Date, between the Company and the Warrant Agent.

 

“Warrant Agent” means the Transfer Agent and any successor warrant agent of the Company.

 

“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 2. Exercise.

 

a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) one (1) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Subject to Section 2(d)(ii) hereof, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation as soon as reasonably practicable of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

 
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Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 2(a), a holder whose interest in this Warrant is a beneficial interest in certificate(s) representing this Warrant held in book-entry form through DTC (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), shall effect exercises made pursuant to this Section 2(a) by delivering to DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that are required by DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable), subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.

 

b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $_____, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

 

c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

 
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(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised.  The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

d) Mechanics of Exercise.

 

i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (i) one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) one (1) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

 

 
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ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 
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v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.

 

vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be [4.99%][9.99%] of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds [4.99%][9.99%] of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

 
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.

 

a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re‑classification.

 

 
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b) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

c) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

 
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d) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person (other than for the purpose of changing the Company’s name, jurisdiction of organization or forming or collapsing a holding company), (ii) the Company (or any Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of greater than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company's control, including not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Successor Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of (1) the 30 day volatility, (2) the 100 day volatility or (3) the 365 day volatility, each of clauses (1)-(3) as obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be [he greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the VWAP immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier), (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.

 

 
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e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

f) Notice to Holder.

 

i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

 
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.

 

a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

 
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b) New Warrants. If this Warrant is not held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

c) Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

Section 5. Miscellaneous.

 

a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

 
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d) Authorized Shares.

 

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

 
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e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at ___________, Attention: ___________, email address: ___________, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 
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i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand and the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Warrant, on the other hand.

 

m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

o) Warrant Agency Agreement. If this Warrant is held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary),this Warrant is issued subject to the Warrant Agency Agreement. To the extent any provision of this Warrant conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Agency Agreement, the provisions of this Warrant shall govern and be controlling.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To: Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

 

(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or

 

[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

                                    _______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

                                    _______________________________

 

                                    _______________________________

 

                                    _______________________________

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________

Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________

Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 
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ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

 (To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information.  Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:

______________________________________

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Address:

______________________________________

 

 

Phone Number:

 

Email Address:

 

(Please Print)

 

______________________________________

 

______________________________________

 

Dated: _______________ __, ______

 

 

 

Holder’s Signature:                                       

 

 

 

Holder’s Address:                                         

 

 

 

 

 
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EXHIBIT 4.7

 

PLACEMENT AGENT COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: _______   

 

 Initial Exercise Date: _______, 2024

 

THIS PLACEMENT AGENT COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on ________1 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to ______ shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

 

Section 1. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 ________________________

1 Insert the date that is the five (5) year anniversary of the commencement of sales in the offering pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

 
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“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

“Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281333).

 

 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 and a telephone number of (800) 937-5449, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

 
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“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 2. Exercise.

 

a) Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) one (1) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Subject to Section 2(d)(ii) hereof, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation as soon as reasonably practicable of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

 
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b) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $_____, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

 

c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

 
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d) Mechanics of Exercise.

 

i. Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earlier of (i) one (1) Trading Day after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) one (1) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the fifth Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

 

ii. Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

 
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iii. Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

iv. Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 
6

 

 

v. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares.

 

vii. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

 
7

 

 

e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be [4.99%][9.99%] of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds [4.99%][9.99%] of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

 
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Section 3. Certain Adjustments.

 

a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re‑classification.

 

b) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

 
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c) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise, other than cash (including, without limitation, any distribution of stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

 
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d) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person (other than for the purpose of changing the Company’s name, jurisdiction of organization or forming or collapsing a holding company), (ii) the Company (or any Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of greater than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company's control, including not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Successor Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the greater of (1) the 30 day volatility, (2) the 100 day volatility or (3) the 365 day volatility, each of clauses (1)-(3) as obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be [he greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the VWAP immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier), (D) a remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.

 

 
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e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

f) Notice to Holder.

 

i. Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii. Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

 
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Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.

 

a) Transferability. Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e), neither this Warrant nor any Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of commencement of sales of the offering pursuant to which this Warrant is being issued, except the transfer of any security:

 

 

(i)

by operation of law or by reason of reorganization of the Company;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

to any FINRA member firm participating in the offering and the officers, partners, registered persons or affiliates thereof, if all securities so transferred remain subject to the lock-up restriction in this Section 4(a) for the remainder of the time period;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

if the aggregate amount of securities of the Company held by the Holder or related person does not exceed 1% of the securities being offered;

 

 

 

 

(iv)

that is beneficially owned on a pro-rata basis by all equity owners of an investment fund, provided that no participating member manages or otherwise directs investments by the fund, and participating members in the aggregate do not own more than 10% of the equity in the fund; or

 

 

 

 

(v)

the exercise or conversion of any security, if all securities received remain subject to the lock-up restriction in this Section 4(a) for the remainder of the time period;

 

 

 

 

(vi)

if the Company meets the registration requirements of Forms S-3, F-3 or F-10; or

 

 

 

 

(vii)

back to the Company in a transaction exempt from registration with the Commission.

 

Subject to the foregoing restriction, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

 
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b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

Section 5. Miscellaneous.

 

a) No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

 
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c) Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

d) Authorized Shares.

 

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

 
15

 

 

e) Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

 
16

 

 

h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at ___________, Attention: ___________, email address: ___________, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

l) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand and the Holder, on the other hand.

 

m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 
17

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 
18

 

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To:      Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

 

(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

[ ] in lawful money of the United States; or

 

[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

_______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________

Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________

Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 
19

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

 (To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information.  Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:

______________________________________

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Address:

______________________________________

 

 

Phone Number:

 

Email Address:

 

(Please Print)

 

______________________________________

 

______________________________________

 

Dated: _______________ __, ______

 

 

 

Holder’s Signature:                                       

 

 

 

Holder’s Address:                                         

 

 

 

 

 
20

 

  EXHIBIT 5.1

 

 

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

 

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY  10154-1895

 

 

 

 

 

Main

Fax

 

 

 

 

212.407.4000

212.407.4990

 

 

August 22, 2024

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

8210 154th Ave NE

Redmond, WA  98052

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281333)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its filing of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281333), as amended prior to being declared effective (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Registration Statement relates to (i) up to $10,000,000 aggregate public offering price of a presently indeterminate number of shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants”); (ii) the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”); (iii) warrants to be issued to the placement agents in the Company’s offering (the “Placement Agent Warrants”) to purchase up to 10% of the number of shares of Common Stock sold in the offering; and (iv) the shares of Common Stock underlying the Placement Agent  Warrants (the “Placement Agent Shares”).

 

In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) originals, or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the form of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, each in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iii) the securities purchase agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and the investors in the Company’s offering (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”), in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (iv) the Warrants, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (v) the placement agency agreement to be entered into by and between the Company and Roth Capital Partners, LLC and The Benchmark Company, LLC, acting as placement agents, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “Placement Agency Agreement”), (vi) the Placement Agent Warrants, in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (vii) the resolutions and other actions of the Company’s board of directors that authorize and provide for the filing of the Registration Statement, the execution of the Securities Purchase Agreement and the Placement Agency Agreement, the offer and sale of the Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares and the issuance of the Placement Agent Warrants and the Placement Agent Shares (the “Board Resolutions”), and (viii) such other documents, records and instruments as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of the opinion set forth herein. We have, to the extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain officers of the Company as to questions of fact material to this opinion.

 

We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of the documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile, or photo static copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

 

Los Angeles    New York    Chicago    Nashville    San Francisco   Washington, DC   Beijing     Hong Kong    www.loeb.com

 

A limited liability partnership including professional corporations

 

 

1

 

 

Airship AI Holdings, Inc.

August 22, 2024

Page 2

 

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and sold by the Company and delivered by the Company against receipt of the purchase price therefor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

2. The Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

3. The Warrant Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

4. The Placement Agent Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Placement Agency Agreement, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

5. The Placement Agent Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Placement Agent Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

We are opining solely on (i) all applicable statutory provisions of Delaware corporate law, including the rules and regulations underlying those provisions, all applicable provisions of the Constitution of the State of Delaware and all applicable judicial and regulatory determinations, and (ii) the laws of the State of New York.

 

In addition, the foregoing opinions are qualified to the extent that (a) enforceability may be limited by and be subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including, without limitation, concepts of notice and materiality), and by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ and debtors’ rights generally (including, without limitation, any state or federal law in respect of fraudulent transfers); and (b) no opinion is expressed herein as to compliance with or the effect of federal or state securities or blue sky laws. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name as your counsel and to all references made to us in the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Loeb & Loeb LLP

 

Loeb & Loeb LLP

 

 

2

 

EXHIBIT 10.16 

 

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

_____________, 2024

 

Roth Capital Partners, LLC

The Benchmark Company, LLC

as placement agents in the Offering (as defined below)

 

Re: Offering (as defined below) by Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned irrevocably agrees with the Company that, from the date hereof until ninety (90) days following the closing of the Company’s offering of registered securities pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281333) (the “Offering”) (such period, the “Restriction Period”) for which Offering Roth Capital Partners, LLC and The Benchmark Company, LLC (together, the “Placement Agents”) are acting as exclusive placement agents of the Company, the undersigned will not offer, sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the undersigned or any Affiliate (as defined in the Purchase Agreement (as defined below)) of the undersigned or any person in privity with the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned), directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to, any shares of Common Stock of the Company or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into or for shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned, held or hereafter acquired by the undersigned (the “Securities”). Beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the undersigned may transfer the Securities provided that (1) the Company receives a signed lock-up letter agreement (in the form of this letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”)) for the balance of the Restriction Period from each donee, trustee, distributee, or transferee, as the case may be, prior to such transfer, (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (3) such transfer is not required to be reported with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act and no report of such transfer shall be made voluntarily, and (4) neither the undersigned nor any donee, trustee, distributee or transferee, as the case may be, otherwise voluntarily effects any public filing or report regarding such transfers, with respect to transfer:

 

 

i)

as a bona fide gift or gifts;

 

 

ii)

to any immediate family member or to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this Letter Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin);

 

 
1

 

 

 

iii)

to any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity all of the equity holders of which consist of the undersigned and/or the immediate family of the undersigned;

 

 

iv)

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity (a) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an Affiliate of the undersigned or (b) in the form of a distribution to limited partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the undersigned;

 

 

v)

if the undersigned is a trust, to the beneficiary of such trust; or

 

 

vi)

by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the undersigned.

 

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Letter Agreement shall not restrict the delivery of shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) to the undersigned upon (i) exercise of any options granted under any employee benefit plan of the Company; provided that any shares of Common Stock or Securities acquired in connection with any such exercise will be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Letter Agreement, or (ii) the exercise of warrants; provided that such shares of Common Stock delivered to the undersigned in connection with such exercise are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Letter Agreement.

 

Furthermore, the undersigned may enter into any new plan established in compliance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act; provided that (i) such plan may only be established if no public announcement or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other applicable regulatory authority, is made in connection with the establishment of such plan during the Restriction Period and (ii) no sale of shares of Common Stock are made pursuant to such plan during the Restriction Period.

 

For purposes herein, the “Purchase Agreement” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between the Company and the purchasers signatory thereto for the purchase of securities in the Offering.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that the execution, delivery and performance of this Letter Agreement is a material inducement to the Placement Agents to place the Offering and that the Placement Agents shall be third party beneficiaries of this Letter Agreement and the Company shall be entitled to specific performance of the undersigned’s obligations hereunder.  The undersigned hereby represents that the undersigned has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Letter Agreement, that the undersigned has received adequate consideration therefor and that the undersigned will indirectly benefit from the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Offering.

 

 
2

 

 

This Letter Agreement may not be amended or otherwise modified in any respect without the written consent of each of the Company, the Placement Agents and the undersigned.  This Letter Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The undersigned hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court sitting in the Southern District of New York and the courts of the State of New York located in Manhattan, for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Letter Agreement, and hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that (i) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, (ii) the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (iii) the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. The undersigned hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by receiving a copy thereof sent to the Company at the address in effect for notices to it under the Purchase Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof.  The undersigned hereby waives any right to a trial by jury.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.  The undersigned agrees and understands that this Letter Agreement does not intend to create any relationship between the undersigned and the Placement Agents and that no issuance or sale of the Securities is created or intended by virtue of this Letter Agreement.

 

This Letter Agreement shall be binding on successors and assigns of the undersigned with respect to the Securities and any such successor or assign shall enter into a similar agreement for the benefit of the Placement Agents.

 

*** SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS***

 

 
3

 

 

This Letter Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together may be considered one and the same agreement.

 

_________________________

Signature

 

__________________________

Print Name

 

__________________________

Position in Company, if any

 

Address for Notice:

__________________________

__________________________

 

By signing below, the Company agrees to enforce the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Letter Agreement.

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

By: _________________________________  

Name:

Title:

 

 
4

 

EXHIBIT 10.17

 

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of August ____, 2024, between Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and each purchaser identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (as defined below), the Company desires to issue and sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

 

“Acquiring Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.5.

 

“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).

 

“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York are generally open for use by customers on such day.

 

“Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

 
1

 

 

“Closing Date” means the Trading Day on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto, and all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchasers’ obligations to pay the Subscription Amount and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Securities, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than the first (1st) Trading Day following the date hereof (or the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date hereof if this Agreement is signed on a day that is not a Trading Day or after 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) and before midnight (New York City time) on a Trading Day).

   

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

“Company Counsel” means Loeb & Loeb LLP, with offices located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154.

 

“Disclosure Schedules” means the Disclosure Schedules of the Company delivered concurrently herewith.

 

“Disclosure Time” means, (i) if this Agreement is signed on a day that is not a Trading Day or after 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) and before midnight (New York City time) on any Trading Day, 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, unless otherwise instructed as to an earlier time by the Placement Agents, and (ii) if this Agreement is signed between midnight (New York City time) and 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, no later than 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, unless otherwise instructed as to an earlier time by the Placement Agents.

 

“EGS” means Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, with offices located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105-0302.

 

“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(s).

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 
2

 

 

“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) warrants to Roth Capital Partners, LLC in connection with the transactions pursuant to this Agreement and any securities upon exercise of warrants to Roth Capital Partners, LLC, securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period in Section 4.11(a) herein, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equityholders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities and (d) up to $_____ of Securities issued to other purchasers pursuant to the Prospectus concurrently with the Closing at the Per Share Purchase Price, less the aggregate Subscription Amount pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

“GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).

 

“Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(bb).

 

“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(p).

 

“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

 

“Lock-Up Agreement” means the Lock-Up Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the Company’s officers and directors and the entities listed on Schedule I, in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).

 

“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(n).

 

“Per Share Purchase Price” equals $_______, subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.

 

 
3

 

 

“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

“Placement Agents” means Roth Capital Partners, LLC and The Benchmark Company, LLC.

 

“Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act...“Pricing Prospectus” means (i) the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Securities that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to ___ a.m./p.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof and (ii) any free writing prospectus (as defined in the Securities Act) identified on Schedule I hereto, taken together.

 

“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

 

“Prospectus” means the final prospectus filed for the Registration Statement.

 

“Purchaser Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.8.

 

“Registration Statement” means the effective registration statement with Commission file No. 333-281333 which registers the sale of the Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares to the Purchasers, and includes any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

 

“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).

 

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” means any registration statement prepared by the Company registering additional Securities, which was filed with the Commission on or prior to the date hereof and became automatically effective pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

 

“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).

 

 
4

 

 

“Securities” means the Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to each Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include locating and/or borrowing shares of Common Stock).

 

“Subscription Amount” means, as to each Purchaser, the aggregate amount to be paid for Shares and Warrants purchased hereunder as specified below such Purchaser’s name on the signature page of this Agreement and next to the heading “Subscription Amount,” in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a) and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

 

“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Warrants, the Lock-Up Agreement, the Warrant Agency Agreement, all exhibits and schedules thereto and hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

“Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 and a facsimile number of ___________, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

“Variable Rate Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.11(b).

   

“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if OTCQB Venture Market (“OTCQB”) or OTCQX Best Market (“OTCQX”) is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (“Pink Market”) operated by OTC Markets, Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest of the Securities then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

 
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“Warrant Agency Agreement” means the warrant agency agreement dated on or about the date hereof, among the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

 

“Warrants” means, collectively, the Common Stock purchase warrants delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, which Warrants shall be exercisable immediately and have a term of exercise equal to ____ years, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

 

ARTICLE II.

PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1 Closing. On the Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase, up to an aggregate of $_______ of Shares and Warrants. Each Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Purchaser shall be made available for “Delivery Versus Payment” settlement with the Company or its designee. The Company shall deliver to each Purchaser its respective Shares and a Warrant as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a), and the Company and each Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Closing shall occur at the offices of EGS or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree take place remotely by electronic transfer of the Closing documentation. Unless otherwise directed by the Placement Agent, settlement of the Shares shall occur via “Delivery Versus Payment” (“DVP”) (i.e., on the Closing Date, the Company shall issue the Shares registered in the Purchasers’ names and addresses and released by the Transfer Agent directly to the account(s) at the Placement Agent identified by each Purchaser; upon receipt of such Shares, the Placement Agent shall promptly electronically deliver such Shares to the applicable Purchaser, and payment therefor shall be made by the Placement Agent (or its clearing firm) by wire transfer to the Company). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time on or after the time of execution of this Agreement by the Company and an applicable Purchaser, through, and including the time immediately prior to the Closing (the “Pre-Settlement Period”), such Purchaser sells to any Person all, or any portion, of the Shares to be issued hereunder to such Purchaser at the Closing (collectively, the “Pre-Settlement Shares”), such Purchaser shall, automatically hereunder (without any additional required actions by such Purchaser or the Company), be deemed to be unconditionally bound to purchase, such Pre-Settlement Shares at the Closing; provided, that the Company shall not be required to deliver any Pre-Settlement Shares to such Purchaser prior to the Company’s receipt of the purchase price of such Pre-Settlement Shares hereunder; and provided further that the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the forgoing shall not constitute a representation or covenant by such Purchaser as to whether or not during the Pre-Settlement Period such Purchaser shall sell any shares of Common Stock to any Person and that any such decision to sell any shares of Common Stock by such Purchaser shall solely be made at the time such Purchaser elects to effect any such sale, if any. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein and a Purchaser’s Subscription Amount set forth on the signature pages attached hereto, the number of Shares purchased by a Purchaser (and its Affiliates) hereunder shall not, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock owned by such Purchaser (and its Affiliates) at such time, result in such Purchaser beneficially owning (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) in excess of 9.9% of the then issued and outstanding Common Stock outstanding at the Closing (the “Beneficial Ownership Maximum”), and such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount, to the extent it would otherwise exceed the Beneficial Ownership Maximum immediately prior to the Closing, shall be conditioned upon the issuance of Shares at the Closing to the other Purchasers signatory hereto. To the extent that a Purchaser’s beneficial ownership of the Shares would otherwise be deemed to exceed the Beneficial Ownership Maximum, such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount shall automatically be reduced as necessary in order to comply with this paragraph. Each Purchaser acknowledges that, concurrently with the Closing and pursuant to the Prospectus, the Company may sell up to $_____ of Securities to purchasers not party to this Agreement, less the aggregate Subscription Amount pursuant to this Agreement, and will issue to such purchasers such Shares and Warrants in the same form and at the same Per Share Purchase Price.

   

2.2 Deliveries.

 

(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser the following:

 

(i) this Agreement duly executed by the Company;

 

(ii) a legal opinion of Company Counsel, directed to the Placement Agents and the Purchasers, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Placement Agents and Purchasers;

 

(iii) subject to Section 2.1, the Company shall have provided each Purchaser with the Company’s wire instructions, on Company letterhead and executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer;

 

(iv) subject to Section 2.1, a copy of the irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent instructing the Transfer Agent to deliver on an expedited basis via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) Shares equal to such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount divided by the Per Share Purchase Price, registered in the name of such Purchaser;

 

 
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(v) a Warrant registered in the name of such Purchaser to purchase up to a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 100% of such Purchaser’s Shares, with an exercise price equal to $_____, subject to adjustment therein;

 

(vi) the Company shall have provided each Purchaser with the Company’s wire instructions, on Company letterhead and executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer;

 

(vii) the Warrant Agency Agreement, duly executed by the parties thereto;

 

(viii) the Lock-Up Agreements, duly executed; and

 

(ix) the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus (which may be delivered in accordance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act).

 

(b) On or prior to the Closing Date, each Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company the following:

 

(i) this Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser; and

 

(ii) such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount, which shall be made available for “Delivery Versus Payment” settlement with the Company or its designee.

 

2.3 Closing Conditions.

 

(a) The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i) the accuracy in all material respects (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate in all material respects (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of such date);

 

(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of each Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed; and

 

(iii) the delivery by each Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.

 

 
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(b) The respective obligations of the Purchasers hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i) the accuracy in all material respects (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) when made and on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate in all material respects or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such date);

 

(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed;

 

(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement;

 

(iv) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company;

 

(v) from the date hereof to the Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market, and, at any time prior to the Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of such Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at the Closing.

 

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to each Purchaser:

 

(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on Schedule 3.1(a). The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.

 

 
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(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite corporate power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.

 

(c) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

 
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(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, anti-dilution or similar adjustments, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Agreement, (ii) the filing with the Commission of the Prospectus Supplement, (iii) application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the listing of the Shares and Warrant Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, and (iv) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).

 

(f) Issuance of the Securities; Registration. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement and the Warrants. The Company has prepared and filed the Registration Statement in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, which became effective on ______, 2024, including the Prospectus, and such amendments and supplements thereto as may have been required to the date of this Agreement. The Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act and no stop order preventing or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or suspending or preventing the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company, are threatened in writing by the Commission. The Company, if required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, shall file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b). At the time the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became effective, at the date of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, as applicable, or any amendment or supplement thereto was issued and at the Closing Date, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

 
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(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company as of the date hereof is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), which Schedule 3.1(g) shall also include the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company as of the date hereof. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or capital stock of any Subsidiary. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Purchasers). There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary with any provision that adjusts the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price of such security or instrument upon an issuance of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary. There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions other than the warrants held by public holders outstanding as of the date hereof, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.

 

 
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(h) SEC Reports; Financial Statements. Since December 21, 2023, the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has never been an issuer subject to Rule 144(i) under the Securities Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.

 

(i) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(i), (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 3.1(i), no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least 1 Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.

 

 
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(j) Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(j), there is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”). None of the Actions set forth on Schedule 3.1(j), (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.

 

(k) Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 
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(l) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree, or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m) Environmental Laws. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n) Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.

 

(o) Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.

 

 
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(p) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(q) Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage at least equal to the aggregate Subscription Amount. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.

 

(r) Transactions with Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(r), none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.

 

 
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(s) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(t) Certain Fees. Except for fees payable by the Company to the Placement Agents, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Purchasers shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

(u) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

 
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(v) Registration Rights. No Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(w) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not, since December 21, 2023, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees to the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.

 

(x) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti‑takeover provision under the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could become applicable to the Purchasers as a result of the Purchasers and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Purchasers’ ownership of the Securities.

 

(y) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided any of the Purchasers or their agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information which is not otherwise disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchasers will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchasers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company since December 21, 2023 taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.

 

 
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(z) No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchasers’ representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of any applicable stockholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.

 

(aa) Solvency. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, (i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature, (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the Closing Date. Schedule 3.1(bb) sets forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $200,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $200,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(bb), neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default in any material respect with respect to any Indebtedness.

 

 
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(bb) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.

 

(cc) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.

 

(dd) Accountants. The Company’s accounting firm is set forth on Schedule 3.1(ff) of the Disclosure Schedules. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

 

(ee) No Disagreements with Accountants and Lawyers. There are no disagreements of any kind presently existing, or reasonably anticipated by the Company to arise, between the Company and the accountants and lawyers formerly or presently employed by the Company and the Company is current with respect to any fees owed to its accountants and lawyers which could affect the Company’s ability to perform any of its obligations under any of the Transaction Documents.

 

(ff) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchasers’ Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each of the Purchasers is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by any Purchaser or any of their respective representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchasers’ purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.

 

 
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(gg) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding (except for Sections 3.2(g) and 4.13 hereof), it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) none of the Purchasers has been asked by the Company to agree, nor has any Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term, (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by any Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, Short Sales or “derivative” transactions, before or after the closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities, (iii) any Purchaser, and counter-parties in “derivative” transactions to which any such Purchaser is a party, directly or indirectly, presently may have a “short” position in the Common Stock and (iv) each Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction.The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) one or more Purchasers may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, including, without limitation, during the periods that the value of the Warrant Shares deliverable with respect to Securities are being determined, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing stockholders' equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents.

 

(hh) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Placement Agents in connection with the placement of the Securities.

 

(ii) [Reserved]

 

(jj) [Reserved]

 

(kk) Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.

 

 
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(ll) Cybersecurity. (i)(x) There has been no material security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company and the Subsidiaries have not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect its material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices.

 

(mm) Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. (i) The Company and the Subsidiaries are, and at all times during the last three (3) years were, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable state, federal and foreign data privacy and security laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) (EU 2016/679) (collectively, “Privacy Laws”); (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have in place, comply with, and take appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling and analysis of Personal Data (as defined below) (the “Policies”); (iii) the Company provides accurate notice of its applicable Policies to its customers, employees, third party vendors and representatives as required by the Privacy Laws; and (iv) applicable Policies provide accurate and sufficient notice of the Company’s then-current privacy practices relating to its subject matter, and do not contain any material omissions of the Company’s then-current privacy practices, as required by Privacy Laws. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, email address, photograph, social security number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as “personally identifying information” under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) “personal data” as defined by GDPR; and (iv) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any identifiable data related to an identified person’s health or sexual orientation. (i) None of such disclosures made or contained in any of the Policies have been inaccurate, misleading, or deceptive in any material respect in violation of any Privacy Laws and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents will not result in a breach of any Privacy Laws or Policies. Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries (i) to the knowledge of the Company, has received written notice of any actual or potential liability of the Company or the Subsidiaries under, or actual or potential violation by the Company or the Subsidiaries of, any of the Privacy Laws; (ii) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation or other corrective action pursuant to any regulatory request or demand pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement by or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority that imposed any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.

 

 
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(nn) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company's knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).

 

(oo) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon Purchaser’s request.

 

(pp) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

 

(qq) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.

 

 
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3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser, for itself and for no other Purchaser, hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date to the Company as follows (unless as of a specific date therein, in which case they shall be accurate as of such date):

 

(a) Organization; Authority. Such Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of such Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by such Purchaser, and when delivered by such Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

(b) Understandings or Arrangements. Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities (this representation and warranty not limiting such Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.

 

(c) Purchaser Status. At the time such Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, and on each date on which it exercises any Warrants, it will be an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9), (a)(12), or (a)(13) under the Securities Act.

 

(d) Experience of Such Purchaser. Such Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Such Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

 

 
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(e) Access to Information. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) and the SEC Reports and has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities; (ii) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment. Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that neither the Placement Agents nor any Affiliate of the Placement Agents has provided such Purchaser with any information or advice with respect to the Securities nor is such information or advice necessary or desired. Neither the Placement Agents nor any Affiliate has made or makes any representation as to the Company or the quality of the Securities and the Placement Agents and any Affiliate may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Company which such Purchaser agrees need not be provided to it. In connection with the issuance of the Securities to such Purchaser, neither the Placement Agents nor any of its Affiliates has acted as a financial advisor or fiduciary to such Purchaser.

 

(f) Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, such Purchaser has not, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with such Purchaser, directly or indirectly executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that such Purchaser first received a term sheet (written or oral) from the Company or any other Person representing the Company setting forth the material pricing terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending immediately prior to the execution hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Purchaser’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement. Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement or to such Purchaser’s representatives, including, without limitation, its officers, directors, partners, legal and other advisors, employees, agents and Affiliates, such Purchaser has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to locating or borrowing shares in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.

 

The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Company is relying on the representations contained in this Section 3.2 for purposes of establishing a private placement exemption for the sale of the Securities, but the Purchaser’s representations shall not modify, amend or affect such Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to locating or borrowing shares in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.

 

 
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ARTICLE IV.

OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

4.1 Warrant Shares. If all or any portion of a Warrant is exercised at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the issuance or resale of the Warrant Shares or if the Warrant is exercised via cashless exercise, the Warrant Shares issued pursuant to any such exercise shall be issued free of all legends. If at any time following the date hereof the Registration Statement (or any subsequent registration statement registering the sale or resale of the Warrant Shares) is not effective or is not otherwise available for the sale or resale of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall immediately notify the holders of the Warrants in writing that such registration statement is not then effective and thereafter shall promptly notify such holders when the registration statement is effective again and available for the sale or resale of the Warrant Shares (it being understood and agreed that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Company to issue, or any Purchaser to sell, any of the Warrant Shares in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). The Company shall use best efforts to keep a registration statement (including the Registration Statement) registering the issuance or resale of the Warrant Shares effective during the term of the Warrants.

 

4.2 Furnishing of Information. Until the earliest of the time that (i) no Purchaser owns Securities or (ii) the Warrants have expired, the Company covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the Exchange Act even if the Company is not then subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act

 

4.3 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.

 

4.4 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall (a) by the Disclosure Time, issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents to the Purchasers that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to any of the Purchasers by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, Affiliates or agents, including, without limitation, the Placement Agents, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such press release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, Affiliates or agents, including, without limitation, the Placement Agents, on the one hand, and any of the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. The Company and each Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor any Purchaser shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of any Purchaser, or without the prior consent of each Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, except (a) as required by federal securities law in connection with the filing of final Transaction Documents with the Commission and (b) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or Trading Market regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchasers with prior notice of such disclosure permitted under this clause (b) and reasonably cooperate with such Purchaser regarding such disclosure.

 

 
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4.5 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that any Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that any Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and the Purchasers.

 

4.6 Non-Public Information. Except with respect to the material pricing terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, which shall be disclosed pursuant to Section 4.4, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf will provide any Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes, or the Company reasonably believes constitutes, material non-public information, unless prior thereto such Purchaser shall have consented in writing to the receipt of such information and agreed in writing with the Company to keep such information confidential. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. To the extent that the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates delivers any material, non-public information to a Purchaser without such Purchaser’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Purchaser shall not have any duty of confidentiality to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, Affiliates or agents, including, without limitation, the Placement Agents, or a duty to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, Affiliates or agents, including, without limitation, the Placement Agents, not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information, provided that the Purchaser shall remain subject to applicable law. To the extent that any notice provided pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously with the delivery of such notice file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.

 

 
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4.7 Use of Proceeds. Except as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder for working capital purposes and shall not use such proceeds: (a) for the satisfaction of any portion of the Company’s debt (other than payment of trade payables in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and prior practices), (b) for the redemption of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, (c) for the settlement of any outstanding litigation or (d) in violation of FCPA or OFAC regulations.

 

4.8 Indemnification of Purchasers. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.8, the Company will indemnify and hold each Purchaser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each Person who controls such Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, shareholders, agents, members, partners or employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling persons (each, a “Purchaser Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Purchaser Parties in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any stockholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is solely based upon a material breach of such Purchaser Party’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser Party may have with any such stockholder or any violations by such Purchaser Party of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser Party which is finally judicially determined to constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct. If any action shall be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and, the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Party. Any Purchaser Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by a Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations and warranties of such Purchaser Party in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party. The indemnification required by this Section 4.8 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Purchaser Party against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.

 

 
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4.9 Reservation of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Shares pursuant to this Agreement and Warrant Shares pursuant to any exercise of the Warrants.

 

4.10 Listing of Common Stock. The Company hereby agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market on which it is currently listed, and concurrently with the Closing, the Company shall apply to list or quote all of the Shares and Warrant Shares on such Trading Market and promptly secure the listing of all of the Shares and Warrant Shares on such Trading Market. The Company further agrees, if the Company applies to have the Common Stock traded on any other Trading Market, it will then include in such application all of the Shares and Warrant Shares, and will take such other action as is necessary to cause all of the Shares and Warrant Shares to be listed or quoted on such other Trading Market as promptly as possible. The Company will then take all action reasonably necessary to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock on a Trading Market and will comply in all material respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the Trading Market. The Company agrees to maintain the eligibility of the Common Stock for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation, including, without limitation, by timely payment of fees to the Depository Trust Company or such other established clearing corporation in connection with such electronic transfer.

 

4.11 Subsequent Equity Sales.

 

(a) From the date hereof until sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or (ii) file any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto, other than the Prospectus or filing a registration statement on Form S-8 in connection with any employee benefit plan.

 

(b) From the date hereof until ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive, additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon, and/or varies with, the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit or an “at-the-market offering”, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price, regardless of whether shares pursuant to such agreement have actually been issued and regardless of whether such agreement is subsequently canceled. Any Purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.

 

 
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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.11 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance.

 

4.12 Equal Treatment of Purchasers. No consideration (including any modification of this Agreement) shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration is also offered to all of the parties to this Agreement. For clarification purposes, this provision constitutes a separate right granted to each Purchaser by the Company and negotiated separately by each Purchaser, and is intended for the Company to treat the Purchasers as a class and shall not in any way be construed as the Purchasers acting in concert or as a group with respect to the purchase, disposition or voting of Securities or otherwise.

 

4.13 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants that neither it, nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, such Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Disclosure Schedules (other than as disclosed to its legal and other representatives). Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) no Purchaser makes any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, (ii) no Purchaser shall be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4 and (iii) no Purchaser shall have any duty of confidentiality or duty not to trade in the securities of the Company to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, Affiliates or agent, including, without limitation, the Placement Agents after the issuance of the initial press release as described in Section 4.4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Purchaser’s assets, the covenant set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.

 

 
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4.14 Acknowledgment of Dilution. The Company acknowledges that the issuance of the Securities may result in dilution of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, which dilution may be substantial under certain market conditions. The Company further acknowledges that its obligations under the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, its obligation to issue the Shares and Warrant Shares pursuant to the Transaction Documents, are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any right of set off, counterclaim, delay or reduction, regardless of the effect of any such dilution or any claim the Company may have against any Purchaser and regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership of the other stockholders of the Company.

 

4.15 Exercise Procedures. The form of Notice of Exercise included in the Warrants set forth the totality of the procedures required of the Purchasers in order to exercise the Warrants. No additional legal opinion, other information or instructions shall be required of the Purchasers to exercise their Warrants. Without limiting the preceding sentences, no ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise form be required in order to exercise the Warrants. The Company shall honor exercises of the Warrants and shall deliver Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms, conditions and time periods set forth in the Transaction Documents.

 

4.16 Lock-Up Agreements. The Company shall not amend, modify, waive or terminate any provision of any of the Lock-Up Agreements except to extend the term of the lock-up period and shall enforce the provisions of each Lock-Up Agreement in accordance with its terms. If any party to a Lock-Up Agreement breaches any provision of a Lock-Up Agreement, the Company shall promptly use its best efforts to seek specific performance of the terms of such Lock-Up Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by any Purchaser, as to such Purchaser’s obligations hereunder only and without any effect whatsoever on the obligations between the Company and the other Purchasers, by written notice to the other parties, if the Closing has not been consummated on or before the fifth (5th) Trading Day following the date hereof; provided, however, that no such termination will affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties).

 

 
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5.2 Fees and Expenses. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company and any exercise notice delivered by a Purchaser), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to the Purchasers.

 

5.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.

 

5.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment at the email address as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via email attachment at the email address as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.

 

5.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and Purchasers which purchased at least 50.1% in interest of the Shares based on the initial Subscription Amounts hereunder (or, prior to the Closing, the Company and each Purchaser) or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought, provided that if any amendment, modification or waiver disproportionately and adversely impacts a Purchaser (or multiple Purchasers), the consent of such disproportionately impacted Purchaser (or at least 50.1% in interest of such multiple Purchasers) shall also be required. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right. Any proposed amendment or waiver that disproportionately, materially and adversely affects the rights and obligations of any Purchaser relative to the comparable rights and obligations of the other Purchasers shall require the prior written consent of such adversely affected Purchaser. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 5.5 shall be binding upon each Purchaser and holder of Securities and the Company.

 

 
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5.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

5.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Purchaser (other than by merger). Any Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Purchaser assigns or transfers any Securities, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchasers.”

 

5.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Placement Agents shall be the third party beneficiary of the representations, warranties, and covenants of the Company in this Agreement and the representations, warranties, and covenants of the Purchasers in this Agreement. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.8 and this Section 5.8.

 

5.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any Action or Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such Action or Proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such Proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Action or Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If any party shall commence an Action or Proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.8, the prevailing party in such Action or Proceeding shall be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such Action or Proceeding.

 

5.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and the delivery of the Securities.

 

 
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5.11 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

5.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

5.13 Rescission and Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever any Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights; provided, however, that, in the case of a rescission of an exercise of a Warrant, the applicable Purchaser shall be required to return any shares of Common Stock subject to any such rescinded exercise notice concurrently with the return to such Purchaser of the aggregate exercise price paid to the Company for such shares and the restoration of such Purchaser’s right to acquire such shares pursuant to such Purchaser’s Warrant (including, issuance of a replacement warrant certificate evidencing such restored right).

 

5.14 Replacement of Securities. If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.

 

5.15 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, each of the Purchasers and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any Action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

 
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5.16 Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or a Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

5.17 Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Purchaser under any Transaction Document are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance or non-performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any Proceeding for such purpose. Each Purchaser has been represented by its own separate legal counsel in its review and negotiation of the Transaction Documents. For reasons of administrative convenience only, each Purchaser and its respective counsel have chosen to communicate with the Company through EGS. EGS does not represent any of the Purchasers and only represents the Placement Agents. The Company has elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and Transaction Documents for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any of the Purchasers. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between the Company and a Purchaser, solely, and not between the Company and the Purchasers collectively and not between and among the Purchasers.

 

5.18 Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.

 

5.19 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

 
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5.20 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.

 

5.21 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.

 

Address for Notice:

 

 

 

By:__________________________________________

Name:

Title:

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Email:

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]

 

 
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[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGES TO AISP SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.

 

Name of Purchaser: ________________________________________________________

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: __________________________________

 

Name of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________

 

Title of Authorized Signatory: _____________________________________________________

 

Email Address of Authorized Signatory: ______________________________________________

 

Address for Notice to Purchaser:

 

Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):

 

Subscription Amount: $_________________

 

Shares: _________________

 

Warrant Shares: ______________     Beneficial Ownership Blocker ☐ 4.99% or ☐ 9.99%

 

EIN Number: _______________________

 

☐  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, by checking this box (i) the obligations of the above-signed to purchase the securities set forth in this Agreement to be purchased from the Company by the above-signed, and the obligations of the Company to sell such securities to the above-signed, shall be unconditional and all conditions to Closing shall be disregarded, (ii) the Closing shall occur on the first (1st) Trading Day following the date of this Agreement(the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date hereof in the event this Agreement is signed on a day that is not a Trading Day or after 4:01 p.m. (New York City time) and before midnight (New York City time) on a Trading Day) and (iii) any condition to Closing contemplated by this Agreement (but prior to being disregarded by clause (i) above) that required delivery by the Company or the above-signed of any agreement, instrument, certificate or the like or purchase price (as applicable) shall no longer be a condition and shall instead be an unconditional obligation of the Company or the above-signed (as applicable) to deliver such agreement, instrument, certificate or the like or purchase price (as applicable) to such other party on the Closing Date.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES CONTINUE]

 

 
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SCHEDULE I

 

 

·

Airship Kirkland Family LP

 

 

 

 

·

Airship Redmond Family LP
 
 
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EXHIBIT 10.18 

 

PLACEMENT AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

August ___, 2024

Roth Capital Partners, LLC

888 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400

Newport Beach, CA 92660

 

The Benchmark Company, LLC

150 E 58th St # 17

New York, NY 10155

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Introduction. Subject to the terms and conditions herein (this “Agreement”), Airship AI Holdings, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), hereby agrees to sell up to an aggregate of $_______ of registered securities (the “Securities”) of the Company, including, but not limited to, ________ shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock”), and common stock purchase warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of ___________ shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants” and, together with the Shares and Warrant Shares (as defined in Section 2(i)), the “Securities”) directly to various investors (each, an “Investor” and, collectively, the “Investors”) through Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) and The Benchmark Company, LLC (“Benchmark” and, together with Roth, the “Placement Agents”) as co-placement agents. The documents executed and delivered by the Company and the Investors in connection with the Offering (as defined below), including, without limitation, a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents.” The purchase price to the Investors for each Share is $____ and the exercise price to the Investors for each share of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is $_____. The Placement Agents may retain other brokers or dealers to act as sub-agents or selected-dealers on their behalf in connection with the Offering.

 

The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the Placement Agents as follows:

 

Section 1. Agreement to Act as Placement Agents.

 

(a) On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company herein contained, and subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Placement Agents shall be the exclusive placement agents in connection with the private offering and sale by the Company of the Securities pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281333) (the “Registration Statement”), with the terms of such offering (the “Offering”) to be subject to market conditions and negotiations between the Company, the Placement Agents and the prospective Investors. The Placement Agents will act on a reasonable best-efforts basis and the Company agrees and acknowledges that there is no guarantee of the successful placement of the Securities, or any portion thereof, in the prospective Offering. Under no circumstances will the Placement Agents or any of their “Affiliates” (as defined below) be obligated to underwrite or purchase any of the Securities for its own account or otherwise provide any financing. The Placement Agents shall act solely as the Company’s agents and not as principals. The Placement Agents shall have no authority to bind the Company with respect to any prospective offer to purchase Securities and the Company shall have the sole right to accept offers to purchase Securities and may reject any such offer, in whole or in part. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Securities shall be made at one or more closings (each a “Closing” and the date on which each Closing occurs, a “Closing Date”). As compensation for services rendered, on each Closing Date, the Company shall pay to the Placement Agents the fees and expenses set forth below:

 

(i) A cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities at the closing of the Offering (the “Closing”).

 

 
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(ii) Such number of Common Stock purchase warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants”) to Roth or its designees at each Closing to purchase shares of Common Stock equal to 10.0% of the aggregate number of Shares sold in the Offering. The Placement Agent Warrants shall have the same terms as the Warrants except that the Placement Agent Warrants shall have an expiration date of 5 years from the commencement of sales in the Offering and an exercise price equal to $____1. The Placement Agent Warrants shall not be transferable for six months from the date of the Offering except as permitted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

 

(iii) The Company also agrees to reimburse the Placement Agents’ expenses (with supporting invoices/receipts) of $150,000 payable immediately upon the Closing of the Offering.

 

(b) The term of the Placement Agents’ exclusive engagement will be until the completion of the Offering (the “Exclusive Term”); provided, however, that a party hereto may terminate the engagement with respect to itself at any time upon 10 days written notice to the other parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions concerning confidentiality, indemnification and contribution contained herein and the Company’s obligations contained in the indemnification provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement, and the Company’s obligation to pay fees actually earned and payable and to reimburse expenses actually incurred and reimbursable pursuant to Section 1 hereof and which are permitted to be reimbursed under FINRA Rule 5110(g), will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the ability of the Placement Agents or their respective Affiliates to pursue, investigate, analyze, invest in, or engage in investment banking, financial advisory or any other business relationship with Persons (as defined below) other than the Company. As used herein (i) “Persons” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind and (ii) “Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

_____________________________

1 100% of the offering price

 

 
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Section 2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Placement Agents as of the date hereof, and as of each Closing Date, as follows:

 

(a) Securities Law Filings. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the Registration Statement under the Securities Act, which was filed on August 7, 2024 and declared effective on August __, 2024 for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act. Following the determination of pricing among the Company and the prospective Investors introduced to the Company by Placement Agent, the Company will file with the Commission pursuant to Rules 430A and 424(b) under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Commission promulgated thereunder, a final prospectus relating to the placement of the Securities, their respective pricings and the plan of distribution thereof and will advise the Placement Agent of all further information (financial and other) with respect to the Company required to be set forth therein. Such registration statement, at any given time, including the exhibits thereto filed at such time, as amended at such time, is hereinafter called the “Registration Statement”; the preliminary prospectus in the form in which it was filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) is hereinafter called the “Preliminary Prospectus”; and the final prospectus, in the form in which it will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rules 430A and/or 424(b) is hereinafter called the “Final Prospectus.” Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”), if any, which were or are filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), at any given time, as the case may be; and any reference in this Agreement to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the date of this Agreement, or the issue date of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included,” “described,” “referenced,” “set forth” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be. As used in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Agreement, “Time of Sale Disclosure Package” means the Preliminary Prospectus, any subscription agreement between the Company and the Investors, and any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433 of the Act (each, an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”), if any, that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package. The term “any Prospectus” shall mean, as the context requires, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, and any supplement to either thereof. The Company has not received any notice that the Commission has issued or intends to issue a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or intends to commence a proceeding for any such purpose.

 

(b) Assurances. The Registration Statement, as amended, (and any further documents to be filed with the Commission) contains all exhibits and schedules as required by the Securities Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Preliminary Prospectus, and the Final Prospectus, each as of its respective date, comply or will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, did not and will not contain as of the date thereof any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Incorporated Documents, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder, and none of such documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to Incorporated Documents incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus or Final Prospectus), in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading. No post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting any facts or events arising after the date thereof which represent, individually or in the aggregate, a fundamental change in the information set forth therein is required to be filed with the Commission. Except for this Agreement, there are no documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby that (x) have not been filed as required pursuant to the Securities Act or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period. Except for this Agreement, there are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Preliminary Prospectus or Final Prospectus, or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which have not been described or filed as required.

 

 
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(c) Offering Materials. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to each Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Time of Sale Disclosure Package.

 

(d) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of each of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and under the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) or the Company’s stockholders in connection therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals (as defined below). This Agreement has been duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

(e) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to which it is a party do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement).

 

 
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(f) Certificates. Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Placement Agents or to counsel for the Placement Agents shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Placement Agents as to the matters set forth therein.

 

(g) Reliance. The Company acknowledges that the Placement Agents will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and warranties and hereby consents to such reliance.

 

(h) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

(i) FINRA Affiliations. There are no affiliations with any FINRA member firm that is participating in the Offering among the Company’s officers, directors or, to the knowledge of the Company, any five percent (5%) or greater stockholder of the Company.

 

(j) Representations, Warranties and Covenants Incorporated by Reference. Each of the representations, warranties and covenants (together with any related disclosure schedules thereto) made to the Investors in the Purchase Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference (as though fully restated herein) and is hereby made to, and in favor of, the Placement Agents.

 

Section 3. Delivery and Payment. Each Closing shall occur at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105 (“Placement Agent Counsel”) (or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Placement Agents and the Company). Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at each Closing payment of the purchase price for the Securities sold on such Closing Date shall be made by Federal Funds wire transfer, against delivery of such Securities, and such Securities shall be registered in such name or names and shall be in such denominations, as the Placement Agents may request at least one business day before the time of purchase.

 

Deliveries of the documents with respect to the purchase of the Securities, if any, shall be made at the offices of Placement Agent Counsel. All actions taken at a Closing shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously.

 

 
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Section 4. Covenants and Agreements of the Company. The Company further covenants and agrees with the Placement Agents as follows:

 

(a) Registration Statement Matters. The Company will advise the Placement Agent promptly after it receives notice thereof of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and will furnish the Placement Agent with copies thereof. The Company will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of any Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the Offering. The Company will advise the Placement Agent, promptly after it receives notice thereof (i) of any request by the Commission to amend the Registration Statement or to amend or supplement any Prospectus or for additional information, and (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or any order directed at any Incorporated Document, if any, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the institution or threatened institution of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or a Prospectus or for additional information. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or prevention or suspension of such use. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order or order or notice of prevention or suspension at any time, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment, or will file a new registration statement and use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A, 430B and 430C, as applicable, under the Securities Act, including with respect to the timely filing of documents thereunder, and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) are received in a timely manner by the Commission.

 

(b) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will cooperate with the Placement Agents and the Investors in endeavoring to qualify the Securities for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions (United States and foreign) as the Placement Agents and the Investors may reasonably request and will make such applications, file such documents, and furnish such information as may be reasonably required for that purpose, provided the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or required to file such a consent, and provided further that the Company shall not be required to produce any new disclosure document. The Company will, from time to time, prepare and file such statements, reports and other documents as are or may be required to continue such qualifications in effect for so long a period as the Placement Agents may reasonably request for distribution of the Securities. The Company will advise the Placement Agents promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

 
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(c) Amendments and Supplements to a Prospectus and Other Matters. The Company will comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the Incorporated Documents and any Prospectus. If during the period in which a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with the distribution of Securities contemplated by the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), any event shall occur as a result of which, in the judgment of the Company or in the opinion of the Placement Agent or counsel for the Placement Agent, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, as the case may be, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any Incorporated Document to comply with any law, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, and furnish at its own expense to the Placement Agent and to dealers, an appropriate amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus that is necessary in order to make the statements in the Incorporated Documents and any Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, as the case may be, not misleading, or so that the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, will comply with law. Before amending the Registration Statement or supplementing the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus in connection with the Offering, the Company will furnish the Placement Agent with a copy of such proposed amendment or supplement and will not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Placement Agent reasonably objects.

 

(d) Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to a Prospectus. The Company will furnish the Placement Agent, without charge, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the last Closing Date of the Offering, as many copies of any Prospectus or prospectus supplement and any amendments and supplements thereto, as the Placement Agent may reasonably request.

 

(e) Free Writing Prospectus. The Company covenants that it will not, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Company Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Securities Act. In the event that the Placement Agent expressly consents in writing to any such free writing prospectus (a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”), the Company covenants that it shall (i) treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Company Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) comply with the requirements of Rule 164 and 433 of the Securities Act applicable to such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

 

(f) Transfer Agent. The Company will maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.

 

(g) Additional Documents. The Company will enter into any subscription, purchase or other customary agreements as the Placement Agents or the Investors deem reasonably necessary to consummate the Offering, all of which will be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Placement Agents, the Company and the Investors. The Company agrees that the Placement Agents may rely upon, and each is a third party beneficiary of, the representations and warranties, and applicable covenants, set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

(h) No Manipulation of Price. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company.

 

(i) Acknowledgment. The Company acknowledges that any advice given by the Placement Agents to the Company is solely for the benefit and use of the Board of Directors of the Company and may not be used, reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to, without the Placement Agents’ prior written consent.

 

 
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(j) Announcement of Offering. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Placement Agents may, subsequent to the Closing, make public their involvement with the Offering.

 

(k) Reliance on Others. The Company confirms that it will rely on its own counsel and accountants for legal and accounting advice.

 

(l) Research Matters. By entering into this Agreement, the Placement Agents do not provide any promise, either explicitly or implicitly, of favorable or continued research coverage of the Company and the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Placement Agents’ selection as placement agents for the Offering was in no way conditioned, explicitly or implicitly, on the Placement Agents providing favorable or any research coverage of the Company. In accordance with FINRA Rule 2711(e), the parties acknowledge and agree that the Placement Agents have not directly or indirectly offered favorable research, a specific rating or a specific price target, or threatened to change research, a rating or a price target, to the Company or inducement for the receipt of business or compensation.

 

Section 5. Conditions of the Obligations of the Placement Agents. The obligations of the Placement Agents hereunder shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof, in each case as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by each of the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder on and as of such dates, and to each of the following additional conditions:

 

(a) Accountants’ Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the Placement Agent shall have received, and the Company shall have caused to be delivered to the Placement Agent, a letter from BPM LLP (the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company), addressed to the Placement Agent, dated as of the date hereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Placement Agent. The letter shall not disclose any change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, operations, business or prospects of the Company from that set forth in the Incorporated Documents or the applicable Prospectus or prospectus supplement, which, in the Placement Agent's sole judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the Placement Agent's sole judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the Offering of the Securities as contemplated by such Prospectus.

 

(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No Objection from the FINRA. Each Prospectus (in accordance with Rule 424(b)) and “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), if any, shall have been duly filed with the Commission, as appropriate; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; no order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; no order having the effect of ceasing or suspending the distribution of the Securities or any other securities of the Company shall have been issued by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange; all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with; and the FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the placement terms and arrangements.

 

(c) Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters in connection with this Agreement, the Registration Statement and each Prospectus, and the registration, sale and delivery of the Securities, shall have been completed or resolved in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agents’ counsel, and such counsel shall have been furnished with such papers and information as it may reasonably have requested to enable such counsel to pass upon the matters referred to in this Section 5.

 

 
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(d) No Material Adverse Effect. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to each Closing Date, in the Placement Agents’ sole judgment after consultation with the Company, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect or any material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.

 

(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Company. The Placement Agents shall have received on each Closing Date the favorable opinion of US legal counsel to the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter addressed to the Placement Agents, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agents.

 

(f) Officers’ Certificate. The Placement Agents shall have received on each Closing Date a certificate of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that, and the Placement Agents shall be satisfied that, the signers of such certificate have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents, the Prospectus, and this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and to the further effect that:

 

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, as if made on and as of such Closing Date, and the Company has complied in all material respects with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such Closing Date;

 

(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened under the Securities Act; no order having the effect of ceasing or suspending the distribution of the Securities or any other securities of the Company has been issued by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange in the United States and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange in the United States;

 

(iii) When the Registration Statement became effective, at the time of sale, and at all times subsequent thereto up to the delivery of such certificate, the Registration Statement and the Incorporated Documents, if any, when such documents became effective or were filed with the Commission, and any Prospectus, contained all material information required to be included therein by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as the case may be, and in all material respects conformed to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as the case may be, and the Registration Statement and the Incorporated Documents, if any, and any Prospectus, did not and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided, however, that the preceding representations and warranties contained in this paragraph (iii) shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the Placement Agent expressly for use therein) and, since the effective date of the Registration Statement, there has occurred no event required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder to be set forth in the Incorporated Documents which has not been so set forth; and

 

 
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(iv) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents and any Prospectus, there has not been: (a) any Material Adverse Change; (b) any transaction that is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business; (c) any obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary, except obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business; (d) any material change in the capital stock (except changes thereto resulting from the exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants) or outstanding indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary; (e) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company; or (f) any loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company or any Subsidiary which has been sustained or will have been sustained which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g) Bring-down Comfort Letter. On each Closing Date, the Placement Agent shall have received from BPM LLP, or such other independent registered public accounting firm of the Company, a letter dated as of such Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Placement Agent, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5, except that the specified date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures shall be no more than three business days prior to such Closing Date.

 

(h) Lock-Up Agreements. The Placement Agents shall have received the executed lock-up agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, from each of the directors and officers of the Company and the entities listed on Schedule I.

 

(i) Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Stock shall be registered under the Exchange Act and shall be listed on the Trading Market, and the Company shall not have taken any action designed to terminate, or likely to have the effect of terminating, the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or delisting or suspending from trading the Common Stock from the Trading Market, nor shall the Company have received any information suggesting that the Commission or the Trading Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

 

(j) Additional Documents. On or before each Closing Date, the Placement Agents and counsel for the Placement Agents shall have received such information and documents as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

 

 
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If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Placement Agents by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to a Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Section 6 (Payment of Expenses), Section 7 (Indemnification and Contribution) and Section 8 (Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery) shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

Section 6. Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation: (i) all expenses incident to the issuance, delivery and qualification of the Securities (including all printing and engraving costs); (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock; (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors; (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement; (vi) all filing fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Placement Agents in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the securities laws of any other country, and, if requested by the Placement Agents, preparing and printing a “Blue Sky Survey,” an “International Blue Sky Survey” or other memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Placement Agents of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions; (vii) if applicable, the filing fees incident to the review and approval by the FINRA of the Placement Agents’ participation in the offering and distribution of the Securities; (viii) the fees and expenses associated with including the Shares and Warrant Shares on the Trading Market; (ix) all costs and expenses incident to the travel and accommodation of the Company’s and the Placement Agents’ employees on the “roadshow,” if any and (x) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Part II of the Registration Statement.

 

Section 7. Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Placement Agents, their respective affiliates and each person controlling the Placement Agents (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act), and the directors, officers, agents and employees of the Placement Agents, their respective affiliates and each such controlling person (the Placement Agents, and each such entity or person. an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs and other liabilities (collectively, the “Liabilities”), and shall reimburse each Indemnified Person for all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for all Indemnified Persons, except as otherwise expressly provided herein) (collectively, the “Expenses”) as they are incurred by an Indemnified Person in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any Actions, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto, (i) caused by, or arising out of or in connection with, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Incorporated Document, or any Prospectus or by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (other than untrue statements or alleged untrue statements in, or omissions or alleged omissions from, information relating to an Indemnified Person furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person expressly for use in the Incorporated Documents) or (ii) otherwise arising out of or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered by any Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby or any Indemnified Person's actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transactions; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (ii) only, the Company shall not be responsible for any Liabilities or Expenses of any Indemnified Person that are finally judicially determined to have resulted solely from such Indemnified Person's (x) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any of the advice, actions, inactions or services referred to above or (y) use of any offering materials or information concerning the Company in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities in the Offering which were not authorized for such use by the Company and which use constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company also agrees to reimburse each Indemnified Person for all Expenses as they are incurred in connection with enforcing such Indemnified Person's rights under this Agreement.

 

 
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(b) Upon receipt by an Indemnified Person of actual notice of an Action against such Indemnified Person with respect to which indemnity may be sought under this Agreement, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the Company in writing; provided that failure by any Indemnified Person so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have on account of this indemnity or otherwise to such Indemnified Person, except to the extent the Company shall have been prejudiced by such failure. The Company shall, if requested by the Placement Agents, assume the defense of any such Action including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agents, which counsel may also be counsel to the Company. Any Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless: (i) the Company has failed promptly to assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such Action (including any impeded parties) include such Indemnified Person and the Company, and such Indemnified Person shall have been advised in the reasonable opinion of counsel that there is an actual conflict of interest that prevents the counsel selected by the Company from representing both the Company (or another client of such counsel) and any Indemnified Person; provided that the Company shall not in such event be responsible hereunder for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of separate counsel for all Indemnified Persons in connection with any Action or related Actions, in addition to any local counsel. The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any Action effected without its written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld). In addition, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Placement Agents (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened Action in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not such Indemnified Person is a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all Liabilities arising out of such Action for which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder. The indemnification required hereby shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred and is due and payable.

 

(c) In the event that the foregoing indemnity is unavailable to an Indemnified Person other than in accordance with this Agreement, the Company shall contribute to the Liabilities and Expenses paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and to the Placement Agents and any other Indemnified Person, on the other hand, of the matters contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by the immediately preceding clause is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Placement Agents and any other Indemnified Person, on the other hand, in connection with the matters as to which such Liabilities or Expenses relate, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to ensure that all Indemnified Persons, in the aggregate, are not liable for any Liabilities and Expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by the Placement Agents pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and to the Placement Agents on the other hand, of the matters contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value paid or contemplated to be paid to or received or contemplated to be received by the Company in the transaction or transactions that are within the scope of this Agreement, whether or not any such transaction is consummated, bears to (b) the fees paid to the Placement Agents under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act, as amended, shall be entitled to contribution from a party who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

 
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(d) The Company also agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Company for or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered by any Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby or any Indemnified Person's actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transactions except for Liabilities (and related Expenses) of the Company that are finally judicially determined to have resulted solely from such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any such advice, actions, inactions or services.

 

(e) The reimbursement, indemnity and contribution obligations of the Company set forth herein shall apply to any modification of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any termination of, or the completion of any Indemnified Person's services under or in connection with, this Agreement.

 

Section 8. Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company or any person controlling the Company, of its officers, and of the Placement Agents set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Placement Agents, the Company, or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement. A successor to a Placement Agents, or to the Company, its directors or officers or any person controlling the Company, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Agreement.

 

Section 9. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered or e-mailed and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

 

If to Roth to the address set forth above, attention: Head of Capital Markets, email: ecm@roth.com

 

If to Benchmark to the address set forth above, attention: [______], email: [_______]

 

With a copy to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10105

E-mail: capmkts@egsllp.com

 

 
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If to the Company:

 

_______________________

_______________________

_______________________

e-mail: _______________

Attention:  _______________

 

With a copy to: 

 

________________________

________________________

________________________

e-mail: _______________

Attention:  _______________

 

Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others. 

 

Section 10. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and to their respective successors, and personal representative, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

Section 11. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

Section 12. Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and delivered in New York City and both this engagement letter and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed as to validity, interpretation, construction, effect and in all other respects by the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. Each of the Placement Agents and the Company: (i) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this engagement letter and/or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted exclusively in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waives any objection which it may have or hereafter to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Placement Agents and the Company further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company, in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Placement Agents mailed by certified mail to the Placement Agent’s respective address shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the respective Placement Agents, in any such suit, action or proceeding. Notwithstanding any provision of this engagement letter to the contrary, the Company agrees that neither the Placement Agents nor its respective affiliates, and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives of the Placement Agents, its respective affiliates and each other person, if any, controlling the Placement Agents or any of its respective affiliates, shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Company for or in connection with the engagement and transaction described herein except for any such liability for losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred by us that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such individuals or entities. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provision of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

 
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Section 13. General Provisions.

 

(a) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Engagement Agreement, dated June 6, 2024, as amended on ____, 2024 (“Engagement Agreement”), by and between the Company and Roth shall continue to be effective and the terms therein shall continue to survive and be enforceable by Roth in accordance with its terms, provided that, in the event of a conflict between the terms of the Engagement Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Company acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Securities: (i) the Placement Agents have acted at arms length, are not agents of, and owe no fiduciary duties to the Company or any other person, (ii) the Placement Agents owe the Company only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and (iii) the Placement Agents may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Placement Agents arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]

 

 
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign below whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

AIRSHIP AI HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

 

a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

The foregoing Placement Agency Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written. 

 

ROTH CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

THE BENCHMARK COMPANY, LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 
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SCHEDULE I

 

 

·

Airship Kirkland LP

 

 

 

 

·

Airship Redmond LP

 

 
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EXHIBIT 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated April 1, 2024, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Airship AI Holdings, Inc., which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ BPM LLP

 

Santa Rosa, California

August 22, 2024