As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2025.

Registration No. 333-284105

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________________________

Amendment No. 2 to

FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under The Securities Act of 1933

_____________________________________

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

_____________________________________

Delaware

 

5090

 

86-0585310

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

5141 W. 122nd Street
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 371-0660
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

_____________________________________

Matthew Lipman, Chief Executive Officer
Edward Schultz, Chief Financial Officer
Capstone Holding Corp.
5141 W. 122
nd Street
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 371-0660
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number including area code, of agent for service)

_____________________________________

With Copies to:

Joseph M. Lucosky, Esq.
Lawrence Metelitsa, Esq.
Steven A. Lipstein, Esq.
Lucosky Brookman LLP
101 Wood Avenue South, 5
th Floor
Woodbridge, New Jersey 08830
Phone: (732) 395
-4400

Fax: (732) 395-4401

 

Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Sarah Williams, Esq.
Justin Grossman, Esq.
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Phone: (212) 370
-1300
Fax: (212) 370
-7889

_____________________________________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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 of 1933, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

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

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

DATED: FEBRUARY 6, 2025

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.

Common Stock

This is a firm commitment underwritten public offering of 1,250,000 shares of common stock at an offering price of $4.00 per share (the “Common Stock”) of Capstone Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”).

Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace (the “OTCQB”) under the symbol “CAPS.” As of February 3, 2025 the last reported sales price for our Common Stock as quoted on the OTCQB was $2.50 per share.

We have applied to list our shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CAPS”, pending the consummation of this offering. No assurance can be given that a trading market will develop for our Common Stock. Prices of our Common Stock as reported on the OTCQB may not be indicative of the prices of our Common Stock if our Common Stock were traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

We will be considered a “controlled company” following this offering under Nasdaq listing standards. We will be a “controlled company” because we expect that entities individually or jointly controlled by Matthew Lipman, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors, and Michael Toporek, the chairman of our board of directors (Brookstone Partners Acquisition XIV, LLC (“BPA XIV, LLC”), BP Peptides LLC, and Nectarine Management LLC) will have the ability to control all matters requiring shareholder approval because these entities will own over 50% of our common stock, will control over 50% of our voting stock (inclusive of the votes of the over 50% of the Series B Preferred Stock shares outstanding we expect to issue to Nectarine Management LLC prior to the consummation of this offering), and, via the protective provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock, will have to consent before we can conduct major corporate actions. Although we will be considered a “controlled company” following our listing on Nasdaq, we do not intend to rely on the exemptions to corporate governance requirements as a controlled company. BP Peptides, LLC, an entity controlled by Messrs. Lipman and Toporek, currently holds 77.3% of the voting power of the Company.

The offering price of the Common Stock will be determined by us and Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC as representative of the underwriters (“Joseph Gunnar” or the ”Representative”), taking into consideration several factors as described between the underwriters and us at the time of pricing, considering our historical performance and capital structure, prevailing market conditions, and overall assessment of our business, and will not be based upon the price of our Common Stock on the OTCQB. Therefore, the assumed public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the actual public offering price for our Common Stock.

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and have elected to take advantage of certain scaled disclosure available to smaller reporting companies. This prospectus is intended to comply with the requirements that apply to an issuer that is a smaller reporting company. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company.”

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities offered hereby, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Per Share of
Common Stock

 

Total

Public offering price

 

$

   

$

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

 

$

   

$

 

Proceeds to us, before expenses(2)

 

$

   

$

 

____________

(1)    See “Underwriting” beginning on page 75 of this prospectus for additional information regarding underwriting compensation.

(2)    The amount of offering proceeds to us presented in this table does not give effect to any exercise of the: (i) Underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option we have granted to the underwriters as described below.

We have granted a 45-day option to the underwriters, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part, to purchase up to an additional 187,500 shares of Common Stock at the public offering price per share of Common Stock less the underwriting discounts payable by us, in any combination solely to cover over-allotments, if any (the “Underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option”).

The underwriters expect to deliver the securities against payment to the investors in this offering on or about [_], 2025.

Sole Book-Running Manager

Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

The date of this prospectus is __, 2025

 

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

Prospectus Summary

 

1

Risk Factors

 

14

Use of Proceeds

 

29

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

30

Market For Our Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

 

31

Capitalization

 

32

Dilution

 

34

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

36

Business

 

45

Directors and Executive Officers

 

55

Executive Compensation

 

59

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

61

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

 

63

Description of Capital Stock

 

66

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

 

69

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

70

Underwriting

 

75

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

79

Legal Matters

 

79

Experts

 

79

Where You Can Find More Information

 

79

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-1

You should rely only on information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional information or information different from that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor the sale of our securities means that the information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus or such free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy our securities under any circumstances in which the offer or solicitation is unlawful or in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus and the information in any free writing prospectus that we may provide you in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

No person is authorized in connection with this prospectus to give any information or to make any representations about us, the securities offered hereby or any matter discussed in this prospectus, other than the information and representations contained in this prospectus. If any other information or representation is given or made, such information or representation may not be relied upon as having been authorized by us.

Through and including __, 2025 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

Neither we nor the underwriter have 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 the United States. You are required to inform yourself about, and to observe any restrictions relating to, this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. While this summary highlights what we consider to be important information about us, you should carefully read this entire prospectus before investing in our Common Stock, especially the risks and other information we discuss under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1. Our fiscal year end is December 31 and our fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are sometimes referred to herein as fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. Some of the statements made in this prospectus discuss future events and developments, including our future strategy and our ability to generate revenue, income and cash flow. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”. Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, the words “Capstone,” “we,” “us,” “our”, the “Company” or “our Company” refer to Capstone Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.

Business Overview

Capstone Holding Corp. formerly known as Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and OrthoLogic Corp., incorporated in Delaware in 1987 as a domestic corporation, is a building products distribution company. We intend to continue to grow our business organically and through successfully integrating well-timed acquisitions.

Our current operating company, TotalStone, LLC (dba Instone), services 31 US states (with such states having over 60% of American households). Our over 400 active customers are primarily masonry, building materials and landscape dealers.

A key differentiating factor for our strategy is that we own or control five of the eight brands we sell. Our products include stone veneer, landscape stone, and modular masonry fireplaces. The brands we distribute which we do not control are Cultured Stone, Dutch Quality, and Isokern. The brands we distribute which we own or control include Aura, Pangea, Toro Stone, Beon Stone, and Interloc.

We operate in a market environment where there are about 7,000 building products distributors, most of which are privately held. Most of these distributors are not able to optimize route density or properly use technology to drive profitability. According to a December 2023 study jointly released by the management consulting firm, Roland Berger, and the financial advisory firm, Lazard, “Trends in the Building Envelope Industry,” the sector has recently grown by 5-7%. Given the recent peak of the interest rate cycle constraining the revenue of building products companies (due to fewer housing starts and less commercial construction) we believe current conditions are the ideal backdrop for us to execute value-creating, accretive acquisitions.

Utilizing the capital from the Offering, we plan to expand the breadth of our building products distribution organically and via acquisitions.

Our Business Strategy and Operating Model

Capstone Long-Term Growth Strategy.    Our long-term growth strategy is built on the foundational strengths of our current operating subsidiary and the strategic opportunities available in the building products distribution and manufacturing industry. Our strategy has the following characteristics:

Deep Team.    Capstone is controlled by Brookstone Partners, a private equity group with 25 years of deep expertise in building products investment. Brookstone Partners is controlled by Matthew Lipman, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors and Michael Toporek, the chairman of our board. The Capstone leadership team includes seasoned operating executives and building products acquisition and investment professionals. Capstone’s leadership team will include, following the pricing of this offering, its Lead Independent Director, Charles “Chuck” Dana. Mr. Dana spent 19 years at Owens Corning, a leading building materials company. At Owens Corning, Mr. Dana held various positions including Controller, President Global Composites and then Group President Building Materials. In addition, from the Company’s acquisition of Instone in April 2020 through December 31, 2023, Instone’s revenues have increased from approximately $32.2 million to approximately $48.4 million. In February 2008, a Brookstone Partners affiliate invested $8.8 million in Woodcrafter’s Home Products Holdings LLC. Brookstone’s team worked with Woodcrafter’s management to grow earnings and Brookstone completed the sale of all of its interests in Woodcrafter’s for $32 million in December 2013. The ability to identify, acquire and integrate

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acquisition candidates is a critical skill set to augment the operating expertise that drives organic growth. The current operating company has successfully executed multiple acquisitions and integrations, laying a solid foundation for continued expansion.

Strategic Timing.    We believe we are strategically positioned to capitalize on market conditions within the building products sector. Historically, acquiring companies at interest rate peaks has yielded strong returns, and we are poised to leverage these strategic investment opportunities as the market evolves.

Industry Dynamics.    According to the Bain & Company Global M&A Report published in 2024 (the “Bain Report”), this is “just the type of environment that has proved to offer opportunities to companies that are willing to make bold moves.” The Bain Report goes on to say, “building products companies that make frequent and material acquisitions substantially outpace inactive companies in total shareholder returns, 9.6% vs 2.7%” and “the most successful companies will pursue scope M&A to build product, geography, and capability adjacencies.”

The M&A environment for the building products sector is expected to improve because, according to the Bain Report, “there are ample one-off opportunities to acquire struggling assets”, and “financial investors have taken a step back, especially in North America, removing a potentially formidable layer of competition.”

The “Annual total shareholder returns for building products companies” chart and quotes from the Bain Report are used with permission from Bain & Company. The Bain Report was not commissioned by the Company. The Company does not currently and has not in the past had a direct or indirect business relationship with Bain & Company. The Bain Report is publicly available via the Insight — Featured Topics portion of Bain & Company’s website.

Strategic Positioning.    We believe we are strategically well-positioned to take advantage of the current market opportunities because of:

Team strength.    The industry experience of the Board and Instone management provides the Company with the expertise to evaluate, acquire, and integrate acquisitions.

Experience integrating acquisitions.    Since 2006, the Company has successfully integrated four acquisitions. The team believes the Company has the resources and expertise to continue to integrate acquisitions successfully.

Geographic distribution footprint of Instone.    The current service area of the Company, which includes 31 states (with such states having over 60% of American households), provides a good basis on which to make both “scale” and “scope” acquisitions.

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Growth Premium.    As Capstone continues to scale, growing its EBITDA, we anticipate benefiting from valuation premiums associated with increased size. This growth, coupled with consistent earnings performance, is expected to drive substantial shareholder value and enhance our market positioning

Our current operating company, TotalStone, LLC (dba Instone), strives to drive sustainable growth, expands its geographic presence in the building products industry, and deliver superior value to its customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders.    We expect to work with Instone to create sustainable value through the following strategic pillars:

Expand Market Presence.    We are committed to expanding our geographic footprint, increasing penetration in existing markets, and entering new, underserved regions. We will achieve this through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions that complement our existing business and provide opportunities to broaden our product offerings and customer base.

Enhance Product Portfolio.    We continuously strive to expand and diversify our product offerings to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This includes introducing new textures, colors, and materials within our stone product lines, as well as expanding into adjacent building products and stone substitutes. By broadening our portfolio, we aim to increase our share of wallet with existing customers and attract new customers.

Operational Excellence.    We are focused on optimizing our operations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. This involves investing in advanced technologies, streamlining our supply chain, and implementing best practices across all aspects of our business. Operational excellence is key to maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring long-term profitability.

Customer-Centric Approach.    Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to building strong, long-lasting relationships by providing high-quality products, exceptional service, and expert support. Our goal is to be the preferred partner for our customers, helping them succeed in their projects and meet their business objectives.

Innovation.    We recognize the importance of innovation in the building products sector and prioritize it, continually seeking new ways to improve our products, processes, and services to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the demands of a changing market. The most recent example is our introduction of the ToroTM family of manufactured stone products.

TotalStone, LLC

On April 1, 2020, the Company obtained controlling interest in a materials distribution company called TotalStone, LLC (“TotalStone”) that distributes masonry stone products for residential and commercial construction in the Midwest and Northeast United States under the trade name Instone, which going forward is the Company’s primary business activity. TotalStone, LLC (dba “Instone”), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on October 4, 2006. TotalStone is consolidated in the Company’s financials. TotalStone currently has 5 Managers, who control decision-making and are appointed by Designees designated by Members. Through its membership interests, Capstone currently designates 4 of the 5 Managers (80%) of which 3 are officers or board members of Capstone.

Contingent on the Company raising at least $3,000,000 in gross proceeds from this Offering with the pricing of this Offering on or prior to February 13, 2025 (the “Restructuring Condition”), a series of transactions will be consummated on the date of the satisfaction of the Restructuring Condition (the “Restructuring Date”) prior to the issuance of Common Stock on the Restructuring Date that will have the effect of the Company owning 100% of the equity interests of TotalStone on the Restructuring Date. Please see the description of the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date under “Business — TotalStone, LLC — Future TotalStone Equity Interests Transactions” on page 53 of this prospectus.

TotalStone, LLC has a wholly owned subsidiary that is a single member Delaware limited liability company, Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC (“NMD”, f/k/a NEM Purchaser, LLC), that was formed on September 23, 2019. On November 14, 2019, NEM Purchaser, LLC completed the purchase of Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC including all of the assets and assumed liabilities, receivables, fixed assets, and other assets. The aggregate purchase price was $6,029,342. Post acquisition, NEM Purchaser LLC changed its name to Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC. Prior to the acquisition, NMD was engaged in light fabrication and distribution of natural stone products with operations in Plainville, Massachusetts. All of its manufacturing and distribution operations are performed in Massachusetts. Administrative functions are performed in Massachusetts and New Jersey. NMD services the Northeast and Midwest regions, which comprise 31 states.

TotalStone, LLC’s administrative functions are performed in Massachusetts and Illinois, with its corporate headquarters located in New Jersey.

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Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market

Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “CAPS.” We intend to apply to list our shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “CAPS”, pending the consummation of this offering. Upon consummation of the offering, our Common Stock will cease to be traded on the OTCQB. No assurance can be given that a trading market will develop for our Common Stock. Nasdaq listing requirements include, among other things, a minimum stock price threshold. As a result, prior to effectiveness, we will need to take the necessary steps to meet Nasdaq listing requirements.

Description of Capital Stock

Below is a summary of each of our classes of capital stock:

Common Stock

As of February 3, 2025, there were 157,610 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Preferred Stock

We have 5,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, the terms of which may be fixed by our Board of Directors (the “Board”). We presently have no outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create and issue one or more series of such preferred stock and to determine the voting, dividend and other rights of holders of such preferred stock. If we raise additional funds to continue operations, we may issue preferred stock. The issuance of any of such series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the holders of common stock.

The Board of Directors of the Company approved a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (“Benefit Plan”) dated April 18, 2017, between the Company and Computershare. The Benefit Plan and the exercise of rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock, pursuant to the terms thereof, may delay, defer or prevent a change in control without the approval of the Board. In addition to the anti-takeover effects of the rights granted under the Benefit Plan, the issuance of preferred stock, generally, could have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.

Under the Benefit Plan, each outstanding share of our common stock has attached one preferred stock purchase right, each share of our common stock subsequently issued prior to the expiration of the Benefit Plan will likewise have attached one right. Under specified circumstances involving an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”), the right under the Benefit Plan that attaches to each share of our common stock will entitle the holder thereof to purchase 1/100 of a share of our Series A Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $5.00 (subject to adjustment), and to receive, upon exercise, shares of our common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. The Benefit Plan was recently extended on May 1, 2024 to a new maturity of April 1, 2027.

Concurrently with transaction close, this Preferred Stock and related Tax Benefit Preservation Plan provisions will be nullified.

Series “A” Preferred Stock

The Company, pursuant to the consent of the Board filed a Certificate of Designation with the Delaware Secretary of State which designated 5,000 (following a 1 for 400 reduction in the authorized preferred stock in February 2021) shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series “A” Preferred Stock, par value $0.0005. The Series “A” Preferred Stock has the following attributes:

•        Ranks senior only to any other class or series of designated and outstanding preferred shares of the Company;

•        Is entitled to receive a dividend (a) quarterly, and (b) after a dividend has been made on the common stock;

•        In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the Corporation the “preferential amount” that the holders of the Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation shall be $0.10 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon;

•        The Company does not have any rights of redemption;

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•        Has no voting rights except as provided by Delaware statutes;

•        Entitled to same notice of meeting provisions as common stockholders; and

•        Protective provisions require approval of 66-2/3% of the Series “A” Preferred Shares outstanding to modify the provisions or increase the authorized Series “A” Preferred Shares; and

Principal Risks

We are subject to various risks discussed in detail under “Risk Factors” starting on page 14 of this prospectus and which include risks related to the following:

•        history of losses;

•        pandemics;

•        our ability to compete;

•        our ability to successfully protect our intellectual property rights, and claims of infringement by others;

•        the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts;

•        our ability to retain key management personnel;

•        failure to remedy material weaknesses in internal accounting controls and failure to implement proper and effective internal controls;

•        our need to raise additional capital;

•        the dilution of our shares as a result of the issuance of additional shares in connection with financing arrangements;

•        the volatility of our stock price;

•        the decline in the price of our stock due to offers or sales of substantial number of shares;

•        limited trading volume and price fluctuations of our stock;

•        the immediate and substantial dilution of the net tangible book value of our Common Stock; and

•        our ability to meet the continuing listing requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth and Smaller Reporting Company

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As an emerging growth company, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to: (1) presenting only two years of audited financial statements in addition to any required unaudited interim financial statements with correspondingly reduced “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure in this prospectus; (2) not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”); (3) having reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; (4) being exempt from the requirements to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation or to seek stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved; and (5) not being required to adopt certain accounting standards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

Although we are still evaluating our options under the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and reporting obligations that will be available to us so long as we qualify as an “emerging growth company,” and thus the level of information we provide may be different than that of other public companies. If we do take advantage of any of these exemptions, some investors may find our securities less attractive, which could result in

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a less active trading market for our Common Stock, and the price of our Common Stock may be more volatile. As an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, we are permitted to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies.

We do not intend to take advantage of this extended transition period, which means that the financial statements included in this prospectus, as well as any financial statements that we file in the future, will be subject to all new or revised accounting standards generally applicable to public companies. The decision not to take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.

We could remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest to occur of: (1) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of this offering; (2) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.235 billion or more; (3) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We have taken advantage of reduced disclosure regarding executive compensation arrangements and the presentation of certain historical financial information in this prospectus, and we may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced disclosure obligations in future filings. If we do, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different from what you might get from other public companies in which you hold stock.

We are also a smaller reporting company, as defined in the Exchange Act. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a smaller reporting company, which would allow us to continue taking advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. In addition, for so long as we continue to qualify as a non-accelerated filer, we will not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Corporate Information

Capstone Holding Corp., formerly known as Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and OrthoLogic Corp., was incorporated in Delaware in 1987 as a domestic corporation, with formal name changes in February 2022 and May 2010, respectively. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 5141 W. 122nd St. Alsip, IL 60803 and the telephone number is (708) 371-0660.

Prior Medical Products Business

Prior to November 2003, the Company developed, manufactured and marketed proprietary, technologically advanced orthopedic products designed to promote the healing of musculoskeletal bone and tissue, with particular emphasis on fracture healing and spine repair. Our product lines, which included bone growth stimulation and fracture fixation devices, are referred to as our “Bone Device Business.” In November 2003, we sold our Bone Device Business for total proceeds of approximately $100 million.

Subsequently, we were focused on the development and commercialization of two products: AZX100 and Chrysalin (TP508). In 2012, we terminated the license for Chrysalin (targeting orthopedic indications). In 2014, we terminated the license for AZX100 (targeting dermal scar reduction). Capstone no longer has any rights to or interest in Chrysalin or AZX100.

On August 3, 2012, we invested in a new company, LipimetiX Development, LLC, (now LipimetiX Development, Inc.), (“LIPI”), to develop Apo E mimetic peptide molecule AEM-28 and its analogs. LIPI had a development plan to pursue regulatory approval of AEM-28, or an analog, as treatment for Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia, other hyperlipidemic indications, and acute coronary syndrome/atherosclerosis regression. The initial AEM-28 development plan extended through Phase 1a and 1b/2a clinical trials and was completed in the fourth quarter of 2014. The clinical trials had a safety primary endpoint and an efficacy endpoint targeting reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides.

On December 31, 2020, LIPI, an approximately 62% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a License Transfer and Royalty Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Anji Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Anji Pharma”).

In August 2019, the Company adopted a Contingent Value Rights Agreement, whereby the net proceeds, if any, from the Company’s investment in LIPI were to be distributed to the Company’s July 10, 2019 shareholders of record. Accordingly, the Company effectively has no financial interest in LipimetiX, Development, Inc..

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Brookstone Investment

As described in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 17, 2017 (filed under the issuer name of Capstone Therapeutics Corp.), on July 14, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase, Loan and Security Agreement (the “Brookstone Agreement”) with BP Peptides, LLC (“Brookstone”).

Pursuant to the Brookstone Agreement, Brookstone funded an aggregate of $3,440,000, with net proceeds of approximately $2,074,000, after paying off (a) certain convertible promissory notes dated December 11, 2015 and due July 14, 2017, payable to Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. and affiliated entities and (b) transaction costs. Of this amount, $1,012,500 went towards the purchase of 18,000 (following a 1 for 750 reduction in the authorized common stock in February 2021) newly issued shares of our Common Stock, and $2,427,500 was in the form of a secured loan, due October 15, 2020. On July 14, 2017 Brookstone also purchased 6,722 (following a 1 for 750 reduction in the authorized common stock in February 2021) shares of the Company’s Common Stock directly from Biotechnology Value Fund affiliated entities, resulting in ownership of 24,722 shares.

In August 2019 the Company filed a Form 15 and received approval from its shareholders for a 1-for-750 reverse stock split of common shares to reduce the number of authorized common shares to 200,000 and a 1 for 400 reverse stock split of the preferred shares to reduce the number of preferred shares to 2,500. This split brought shareholders of record to below 300 and allowed Capstone to become exempt from standard reporting requirements of the SEC. The Company continues to fully comply with the Alternate Reporting Format guidelines of the OTCQB, which, in part, requires filing of quarterly financial statements and audited annual financial statements.

Building Materials Business

In March 2020 the Company entered into a transaction, which was effective April 1, 2020, whereby it obtained a 100% interest in a materials distribution company (TotalStone, LLC) that distributes masonry stone products for residential and commercial construction in the Midwest and Northeast United States, under the trade names Instone and Northeast Masonry Distributors (NMD), which has been the Company’s primary business activity since 2020.

TotalStone, LLC (dba “Instone”), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on October 4, 2006. The Company is engaged in the distribution of pre-cast specialty items and thin stone products and related accessories. All of its operations are performed in Illinois, Ohio and New Jersey. Its administrative functions are performed in Massachusetts and Illinois, with its corporate headquarters located in New Jersey. Instone services the Northeast and Midwest regions, which comprise 31 states.

TotalStone, LLC has a wholly owned subsidiary that is a single member Delaware limited liability company, Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC (“NMD”, f/k/a NEM Purchaser, LLC), that was formed on September 23, 2019. On November 14, 2019, NEM Purchaser, LLC completed the purchase of Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC including all of the assets and assumed liabilities, receivables, fixed assets, and other assets. The aggregate purchase price was $6,029,342. Post acquisition, NEM Purchaser LLC changed its name to Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC. Prior to the acquisition, NMD was engaged in light fabrication and distribution of natural stone products with operations in Plainville, Massachusetts. All of its manufacturing and distribution operations are performed in Massachusetts. Administrative functions are performed in Massachusetts and New Jersey. NMD services the Northeast and Midwest regions, which comprise 31 states.

Other Corporate Actions

In March 2020 the Company and Brookstone amended the Brookstone Agreement to extend the Secured Debt’s maturity to March 31, 2022 and continued deferral of interest payable. As consideration, the Company has provided an option, for a period ending December 31, 2021, to convert all or part of the aggregate outstanding principal amount and any accrued interest of the Secured Debt or exercise of any warrant into Capstone common stock at a conversion price range of between $10.00 and $30.00 per share, as determined by an independent valuation at the time of conversion.

In December 2020 Brookstone exercised its option to convert $572,700 of accrued interest and secured debt into 24,900 shares of Capstone common stock at an exercise price of $23 per share as supported by independent valuation. With this acquisition, Brookstone owned 54.8% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

In March 2021 the Company and Brookstone amended the Brookstone Agreement to extend the Secured Debt’s maturity to April 1, 2024 (subsequently extended to December 31, 2024) with continued interest deferral on the loan.

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In February 2022, the Company legally changed its name from Capstone Therapeutics Corp. to Capstone Holding Corp. reflecting its primary line of business in building products.

In March 2022 Brookstone exercised its option to convert $688,104 of accrued interest and $1,951,260 of secured debt into 78,153 shares of Capstone common stock at an exercise price of $24.75 per share as supported by independent valuation. With this acquisition, Brookstone currently owns 77.3% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

In November 2023, Capstone and Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI, LLC (“Brookstone XXI”), a related entity to the Company’s majority shareholder, agreed to terms of an unsecured promissory note in the amount of $800,000 as part of a 2021 transaction through its Capstone Beta, LLC (“Beta”) subsidiary to own a minority membership interest in Diamond Products Holdings, LLC (“DPH”) valued at $8 million for a $8 million secured note payable to Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI. The agreed to terms of the $800,000 note were formalized in a note agreement executed on March 31, 2024. The sole assets of DPH consisted of a 95% membership interest in Diamond Products LLC (“Diamond”), a consumer products holding company. The majority membership interests in DPH and Diamond were controlled by Brookstone XXI. The $800,000 unsecured promissory note was triggered when the members of Diamond sold their membership interests to a third party as part of a restructuring and recapitalization transaction of the Diamond operating entities. This $800,000 unsecured promissory note was issued on March 31, 2024. The primary consideration received in the transaction was the release of guarantees of the senior debt of Diamond operating entities. No cash proceeds were received in the transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Beta and Brookstone XXI $8 million secured note, upon sale or disposition of the membership interests in Diamond, Brookstone XXI’s remaining payments due under the note are limited to cash proceeds received by DPH from the sale, accrued interest and a limited payment guaranty of $800,000 provided by Capstone. Since no cash proceeds were received upon the sale of the Diamond membership interests, the $8 million note payable to Brookstone XXI was forgiven and replaced by the new $800,000 note issued by Capstone resulting in a net $7.2 million gain on extinguishment of debt which offset the $8 million write-off of the investment in DPH. This promissory note of $800,000 plus accrued interest of $240,555 (as of September 30, 2024) has been amended and extended for maturity through June 30, 2026.

In May 2024, the Board authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0005 per share, of the Company to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 1, 2024. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0005 per share, of the Company at an exercise price of $5.00 per one one-hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. The terms of the Rights are set forth in a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (the “Benefit Plan”), dated as of May 1, 2024, between the Company and Computershare Inc., as rights agent.

By adopting the Benefit Plan, the Board is seeking to protect the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses and other tax attributes (collectively, “Tax Benefits”). The Company views its Tax Benefits as highly valuable assets that are likely to inure to the benefit of the Company and its shareholders. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders that the Company provide for the protection of these assets. The final expiration date of the Benefit Plan is April 1, 2027. However, the Board plans to take action to terminate the Benefit Plan concurrent with the effective date of this Offering.

On November 11, 2024, BP Peptides, LLC (a Brookstone entity) and the Company agreed to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Note, with a principal amount of $700,617.52 and an accrued interest of $101.810.28, at an initial interest rate of 6.0% per annum, to extend the maturity date through June 30, 2026.

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THE OFFERING

Securities offered by us

 

An aggregate of 1,250,000 shares of our common stock at an assumed public offering price of $4.00.

Common Stock outstanding before the offering

 


157,610 shares of common stock.

Common Stock to be outstanding after this offering(1)

 


5,190,251 shares of Common Stock (or 5,377,751 shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock in full) which includes (in addition to 1,250,000 shares of our common stock to be offered in this offering) 3,782,641 shares to be issued pursuant to the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date. Please see the description of the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date under “Business — TotalStone, LLC — Future TotalStone Equity Interests Transactions” on page 53 of this prospectus.

Over-allotment option

 

We have granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to 187,500 additional shares of Common Stock at the public offering price per share of Common Stock less the underwriting discounts payable by us, in any combination solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

Use of proceeds

 

We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $3,558,045, or $4,240,545 if the underwriter exercises their over-allotment option in full, from this offering for the following purposes: approximately $745,530 in total ($743,333 of principal and $2,197 of interest) for the repayment of a term loan issued by Berkshire Bank with a maturity date of December 1, 2025, and approximately $2,731,378, or $3,413,878 if the underwriter exercises their over-allotment option in full, for general corporate purposes. We currently have no agreements or commitments for any acquisitions and no guarantee can be made that we will make such acquisitions in the future. See “Use of Proceeds” section on page 29.

Representative’s Warrant

 

The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part also registers warrants (the “Representative’s Warrant”) to purchase up to 62,500 shares (or 71,875 shares if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock in full) of our Common Stock to Joseph Gunnar (the “Representative”), as a portion of the underwriting compensation in connection with this offering. The Representative’s Warrant will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing six (6) months following date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and expiring one and one-half (1.5) years from the effective date of the offering at an exercise price of $4.00 (100% of the assumed public offering price per share of Common Stock). Please see “Underwriting — Representative’s Warrant” on page 76 of this prospectus for a description of these Warrants.

____________

(1)      Does not include the following shares of Common Stock:

•        187,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option; and

•        62,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Representative’s Warrant.

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Underwriter Compensation

 

In connection with this offering, the underwriter will receive an underwriting discount equal to eight percent (8.0%) of the gross proceeds from the sale of Common Stock in the offering. We will also reimburse the underwriter for certain out-of-pocket actual expenses related to the offering and the representative of the underwriter shall be entitled to a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1.0%) of the public offering price. See “Underwriting” starting on page 75 of this prospectus.

Proposed Nasdaq Capital Market Trading Symbol and Listing

 


Our Common Stock is presently quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol “CAPS”. We intend to apply to list our shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CAPS” pending the consummation of this offering. No assurance can be given that a trading market will develop for our Common Stock.

Dividends

 

We do not anticipate paying dividends on our Common Stock for the foreseeable future.

Lock-up

 

We and our directors, officers and principal stockholders have agreed with the underwriter not to offer for sale, issue, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of our Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock for a period of six (6) months after the closing date of this Offering. See “Underwriting” section on page 75.

Risk factors

 

Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the information set forth in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 14 before deciding to invest in our securities.

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2024 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The historical financial data presented below is not necessarily indicative of our financial results in future periods, and the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of our operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 or any other period. You should read the summary consolidated financial data in conjunction with those financial statements and the accompanying notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations as of and for such periods.

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CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Sales

 

$

48,643

 

 

$

61,651

 

Sales returns and allowances

 

 

(289

)

 

 

(90

)

Net sales

 

 

48,354

 

 

 

61,561

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

45,030

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

16,531

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

10,867

 

 

 

12,538

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

(1,256

)

 

 

3,993

 

Loss on investment

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,672

)

 

 

(1,267

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

143

 

 

 

372

 

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

 

(3,585

)

 

 

3,098

 

Income tax expense

 

 

234

 

 

 

783

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

(3,819

)

 

 

2,315

 

Less: Net loss attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special preferred units

 

 

(150

)

 

 

(62

)

Class B units preferred return

 

 

(1,766

)

 

 

(2,263

)

Net Income (loss) attributable to Capstone Holding Corp. stockholders

 

$

(5,735

)

 

$

(10

)

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

   

2024
(unaudited)

 

2023
(unaudited)

Sales

 

$

35,293

 

 

$

39,026

 

Sales returns and allowances

 

 

(730

)

 

 

(157

)

Net sales

 

 

34,563

 

 

 

38,869

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

30,484

 

Gross Profit

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

8,385

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

7,791

 

 

 

8,672

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(290

)

 

 

(287

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,148

)

 

 

(1,288

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

—

 

 

 

143

 

Loss from operations before taxes

 

 

(1,438

)

 

 

(1,432

)

Income tax expense

 

 

22

 

 

 

368

 

Net Loss

 

 

(1,460

)

 

 

(1,800

)

Less: Net loss attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special preferred units

 

 

(191

)

 

 

(94

)

Class B units preferred return

 

 

(2,709

)

 

 

(2,559

)

Net loss attributable to Capstone Holding Corp. stockholders

 

$

(4,360

)

 

$

(4,453

)

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CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

September 30,
2024
(unaudited)

 

December 31,
2023

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

13

 

 

$

52

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

4,812

 

 

 

2,581

 

Inventories

 

 

11,151

 

 

 

13,750

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

263

 

 

 

458

 

Other current assets

 

 

242

 

 

 

241

 

Total current assets

 

 

16,481

 

 

 

17,082

 

Long-term Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,648

 

 

 

1,756

 

Goodwill

 

 

23,286

 

 

 

23,286

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

46

 

 

 

10

 

Right of use assets

 

 

2,330

 

 

 

2,922

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

7,597

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

146

 

 

 

48

 

Total long-term assets

 

 

35,053

 

 

 

35,619

 

Total Assets

 

$

51,534

 

 

$

52,701

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,909

 

 

$

2,575

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

432

 

 

 

324

 

Line of credit

 

 

8,410

 

 

 

8,574

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

1,916

 

 

 

3,612

 

Current portion, lease liability

 

 

802

 

 

 

887

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

15,469

 

 

 

15,972

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued related party management fee

 

 

351

 

 

 

351

 

Long term debt, net of current portion

 

 

6,412

 

 

 

5,114

 

Lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

1,639

 

 

 

2,141

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

8,402

 

 

 

7,606

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

23,871

 

 

 

23,578

 

TotalStone, LLC – Class B Preferred Units

 

 

28,580

 

 

 

25,871

 

TotalStone, LLC – Special Preferred Units

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

815

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock $0.0005 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 157,610 issued as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

193,044

 

 

 

193,044

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(194,967

)

 

 

(190,607

)

Total Equity

 

 

(1,923

)

 

 

2,437

 

Total Liabilities, TotalStone, LLC. Preferred Units & Equity

 

$

51,534

 

 

$

52,701

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a great deal of risk. Careful consideration should be made of the following factors as well as other information included in this prospectus before deciding to purchase our securities. There are many risks that affect our business and results of operations, some of which are beyond our control. Our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed by any of these risks. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also affect our business and results of operations.

Risks related to our industry and economic and market conditions

Our industry is cyclical and highly sensitive to macroeconomic conditions. Negative economic events including, but not limited to, recessions, lower consumer confidence, high interest rates, inflation, and lower new construction home starts may materially and adversely affect the outlook for our business, liquidity and results of operations.

The construction industry is highly sensitive to national and regional macroeconomic conditions.

The current market story for 2024 is one of “deferral”, with home improvement projects and new constructions being delayed due to higher interest rates. This pent-up demand is likely to lead to a more volatile upswing when growth resumes in 2025 and beyond. According to Zonda Home (“Zonda”), building products spending overall will grow +2.6% in 2025, with repair/remodel spend set to grow +7% in 2025. Cash-out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are expected to increase ~25% and remodel growth is expected to increase 20%+ in 2025, based on historical precedents in the year following rate-hike driven deferrals.

In addition to commercial and residential market indicators, we also depend to a significant extent upon the levels of home repair and remodeling and new construction spending, affected by such factors as interest rates, inflation, consumer confidence, unemployment and the availability of consumer credit.

Our performance is also dependent upon consumers having the ability to finance home repair and remodeling projects and/or the purchase of new homes. The ability of consumers to finance these purchases is affected by such factors as new and existing home prices, homeowners’ equity values, interest rates and home foreclosures, which in turn could result in a tightening of lending standards by financial institutions and reduce the ability of some consumers to finance home purchases or repair and remodeling expenditures. Despite the recent abatement of these negative market factors, any recurrence or worsening of these items may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Historically, any uncertainty about current economic conditions has had a negative effect on our business, and will continue to pose a risk to our business as our customers may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values, which could have a material negative effect on the demand for our products. Other factors that could influence demand include fuel and other energy costs, conditions in the nonresidential real estate markets, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, tariffs, and other macroeconomic factors. From time to time, our industry has also been adversely affected in various parts of the country by declines in nonresidential construction starts, including but not limited to, high vacancy rates, changes in tax laws affecting the real estate industry, high interest rates and the unavailability of financing. Sales of our products may be adversely affected by continued weakness in demand for our products within particular customer groups, or a continued decline in the general construction industry or particular geographic regions. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and on our financial condition and operating results.

We cannot predict the timing or severity of any future economic or industry downturns or adverse weather conditions. A prolonged economic downturn or negative weather patterns, particularly in states where many of our sales are made, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets and worldwide economic conditions may adversely affect our operating results.

The markets in which we compete are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States and worldwide, including availability of credit, interest rates, fluctuations in capital, credit and mortgage markets and business and consumer confidence. Adverse developments in global financial markets and general business and

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economic conditions, including through recession, downturn or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including our ability and the ability of our customers and suppliers to access capital.

Risks related to our business

An inability to successfully develop new products or improve existing products could negatively impact our ability to attract new customers and/or retain existing customers, including our significant customers.

Our success depends on meeting consumer needs and anticipating changes in consumer preferences with successful new products and product improvements. We aim to introduce products and new or improved production processes proactively to offset obsolescence and decreases in sales of existing products. While we devote significant focus to the development of new products, we may not be successful in product development and our new products may not be commercially successful. In addition, it is possible that competitors may improve their products more rapidly or effectively, which could adversely affect our sales. Furthermore, market demand may decline as a result of consumer preferences trending away from our categories or trending down within our brands or product categories, which could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The loss of, or a significant adverse change in our relationships with our largest customers, or loss of market position of any major customer, whether because of an inability to successfully develop new products or improve existing products, or otherwise, could cause a material decrease in net sales. The loss of, or a reduction in orders from, any significant customers, losses arising from customers’ disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or performance or related matters, or an inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could adversely impact our net income and cash flow. In addition, revenue from customers that have accounted for significant revenue in past periods, individually or as a group, may not continue, or if continued, may not reach or exceed historical levels in any period.

Although we historically have been able to retain the majority of our customers on a year to year basis, if we fail to attract new customers, retain existing customers, or maintain or increase sales to customers, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects will be harmed.

Although we historically have been able to retain the majority of our customers on a year to year basis, we do not have long-term agreements with our customers and their purchases are made on an order-by-order basis. Our business with our customers has been, and we expect it will continue to be, conducted based on the actual orders received from time to time. Our customers are not obligated in any way to continue placing orders with us at the same or increasing levels, or at all. Our customers level of demand for our products may fluctuate significantly from period to period. Such fluctuation is attributable mainly to changes in customer demand, including their business strategies and operational needs. The loss of our repeat customers, or if we are unable to attract new customers or if our existing customers decrease their spending on the products we offer, fail to make repeat purchases of our products, will harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.

Our business may be adversely affected by weather conditions and other external factors beyond our control.

Markets for our products are seasonal and can be affected by inclement weather conditions. Historically, our business has experienced increased sales in the second and third quarters of the year due to increased construction during those periods. Because much of our overhead and operating expenses are spread ratably throughout the year, our operating profits tend to be lower in the first and fourth quarters. Inclement weather conditions can affect the timing of when our products are applied or installed, causing reduced profit margins when such conditions exist. For example, unseasonably cold weather or extraordinary amounts of rainfall may decrease construction activity.

Further, other external factors beyond our control could cause disruptions at any of our facilities, including maintenance outages; prolonged power failures or reductions; a breakdown, failure or substandard performance of any equipment or other operational problems; disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, including railroad tracks, bridges, tunnels or roads; fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or other catastrophic disasters; pandemics, such as Coronavirus; or an act of terrorism. Any prolonged disruption in operations at any of our facilities could cause a significant loss in production. As a result, we could incur significantly higher costs and longer lead times associated with distributing our products to customers during the time that it takes for us to reopen or replace a damaged facility, which could cause our customers to purchase from our competitors either temporarily or permanently. If any of these events were to occur, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations

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Price volatility and supply constraints for raw materials could prevent us from meeting delivery schedules to our customers or reduce our profit margins.

Our suppliers are heavily dependent on the price and supply of raw materials such as limestone, and natural stone. Raw material prices have been volatile in recent years and may remain volatile in the future. Raw material prices are influenced by numerous factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions domestically and internationally, currency fluctuations, the availability of raw materials, competition, labor costs, freight and transportation costs, production costs, tariffs, import duties and other trade restrictions.

Further, energy is used in the freight transportation of our products, many of which are sourced from overseas. Consequently, our operating costs typically increase if energy costs rise. During periods of higher energy costs, we may not be able to recover our operating cost increases through price increases without reducing demand for our products. To the extent we are not able to recover these cost increases through price increases or otherwise, our profitability and cash flow will be adversely impacted. We partially hedge our exposure to higher prices through fixed forward positions.

Failure to retain or replace key personnel could hurt our operations.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the efforts, contributions and abilities of our senior management and other highly skilled personnel, including our sales personnel. These executives and managers have many accumulated years of experience in our industry and have developed personal relationships with our customers and suppliers that are important to our business. If we do not retain the services of our key personnel or if we fail to adequately plan for the succession of such individuals, our customer relationships, or our supplier relationships, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

If we are unable to enforce our intellectual property rights, or if such intellectual property rights become obsolete, our competitive position could be adversely affected.

As a company that manufactures and markets branded products, we expect to rely on trademark and service mark protection to protect our brands. We have filed applications for three trademarks that are used on our products, all of which are under review or pending. These protections may not adequately safeguard our intellectual property and we may incur significant costs to defend our intellectual property rights, which may harm our operating results. There is a risk that third parties, including our current competitors, will infringe on our intellectual property rights, or claim that our products infringe on their intellectual property rights. These third parties may bring infringement claims against us or our customers, which may harm our operating results.

If we are unable to protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, or if there are any successful intellectual property challenges or infringement proceedings against us, our business and revenue could be materially and adversely affected.

We could incur significant costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under applicable environmental, health and safety laws.

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws. Among other things, these laws regulate the emission or discharge of materials into the environment, govern the use, storage, treatment, disposal and management of hazardous substances and wastes, protect the health and safety of our employees and the end-users of our products, regulate the materials used in our products and impose liability for the costs of investigating and remediating, and other damages resulting from, present and past releases of hazardous substances. Violations of these laws or of any conditions contained in environmental permits can result in substantial fines or penalties, injunctive relief, requirements to install pollution or other controls or equipment, civil and criminal sanctions, permit revocations and facility shutdowns. We could be held liable for the costs to investigate, remediate or otherwise address contamination at any real property we have ever owned, operated or used as a disposal site or other sites at which we or predecessors released hazardous materials. We also could incur fines, penalties or sanctions or be subject to third-party claims, including indemnification claims, for property damage, personal injury or otherwise as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental, health and safety laws or in connection with releases of hazardous or other materials. In addition, changes in, or new interpretations of, existing laws, regulations or enforcement policies, the discovery of previously unknown contamination, or the imposition of other environmental liabilities or obligations in the future, including additional investigation, remediation or other obligations with respect to our products or business activities or the imposition of new permit requirements, may lead to additional costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Changes in building codes and standards could increase the cost of our products, lower the demand for our products, or otherwise adversely affect our business.

Our products and markets are subject to extensive and complex local, state, federal, and foreign statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. These mandates, including building design and safety and construction standards and zoning requirements, affect the cost, selection, and quality requirements of building components.

These statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations often provide broad discretion to governmental authorities as to the types and quality specifications of products used in new residential and non-residential construction and home renovations and improvement projects, and governmental authorities can impose different standards. Compliance with these standards and changes in such statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations may increase the costs of manufacturing our products or may reduce the demand for certain of our products in the affected geographical areas or product markets. Conversely, a decrease in product safety standards could reduce demand for our more modern products if less expensive alternatives that did not meet higher standards became available for use in that market. All or any of these changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive.

We compete with all other alternative methods of building construction, which may be viewed as more traditional, more aesthetically pleasing, or having other advantages over our products. In addition, competition in the construction markets of the building industry is intense. It is based primarily on quality; service; on-time delivery and project completion; ability to provide added value in distribution, manufacture, design and engineering; price; and personal relationships with customers.

We may be significantly affected by global climate change or by legal, regulatory or market responses to global climate change.

Concern over the effects of global climate change has led to federal, state and international legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas, or GHG, emissions. In the past, the United States Congress has considered various bills to regulate GHG emissions. Though the legislation did not become law, the U.S. Congress could pass climate change legislation in the future. In addition, in the past, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, took steps to regulate GHG emissions, though at this time the EPA is not actively regulating GHG emissions. More stringent federal, regional, state and foreign laws and regulations relating to global climate change and GHG emissions may be adopted in the future. These laws and regulations could impact our facilities, raw material suppliers, the transportation and distribution of our products, and our customers, and could reduce demand for our products or cause us to incur additional capital, operating or other costs. Until the timing, scope and extent of any future legislation or regulation becomes known, we cannot predict its effect on our business. In addition, global climate change may increase the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events, such as storms, floods, heat waves, and other events that could affect our facilities and demand for our products. We are mindful of the harmful effects of global climate change and are taking steps to minimize our GHG emissions.

We rely on third-party suppliers, some of which are international, for materials and if we fail to identify and develop relationships with a sufficient number of qualified suppliers, or if there is a significant interruption in our supply chains, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our ability to offer a wide variety of products to our customers is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate product supply from third-party suppliers, namely quarries. We generally have multiple suppliers; however, in some cases, materials are provided by a single supplier. The loss of, or substantial decrease in the availability of, products from our suppliers, or the loss of a key supplier, could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Supply interruptions could arise from production difficulties including the closure of a quarry, and any suitable alternative for a particular stone quality, color, size, or packaging may be at a significantly higher cost. In addition, we may be materially adversely impacted by commodity cost volatility, pandemics, labor disputes, natural disasters, weather conditions, international trade disputes or trade policy changes or restrictions, tariffs or import-related taxes, third-party strikes, lock-outs, work stoppages or slowdowns, shortages of supply chain labor and truck drivers, shipping capacity constraints, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, civil unrest, or other factors beyond our control.

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For example, U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption related to the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the military conflict currently ongoing in Ukraine and the Middle East. These conflicts could lead to market or operational disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain shipping and freight interruptions. The price and availability of freight shipping containers, known as container freight rates, could materially negatively impact our business as it may no longer be economical to import materials from overseas suppliers. Many of our suppliers and manufacturers are located outside of the United States. Thus, compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding the importation of products, import taxes or costs, including new or increased tariffs, anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, or similar duties, some of which could be applied retroactively, could increase the cost of the products that we distribute. In addition, quotas, embargoes, sanctions, safeguards, and customs restrictions, as well as foreign labor strikes, work stoppages, or boycotts, could reduce the supply of the products available to us. Short- and long-term disruptions in our supply chain would result in a need to maintain higher inventory levels as we replace similar product, a higher cost of product and ultimately a decrease in our net sales and profitability. To the extent our suppliers experience disruptions, there is a risk for delivery delays, production delays, production issues or delivery of non-conforming products by our suppliers. Even where these risks do not materialize, we may incur costs as we prepare contingency plans to address such risks. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of materials. If the costs of our imported products increase and we are not able to pass along those increased costs to our customers, then our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our agreements with suppliers are generally terminable by either party on limited notice, and in some cases we do not have written agreements with our suppliers. If market conditions change or worsen, suppliers may stop offering us favorable terms, including volume-based incentive terms. Our suppliers may increase prices or reduce discounts on the products we distribute and we may be unable to pass on any cost increase to our customers, thereby resulting in reduced margins and profits. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on favorable terms, commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could put pressure on our operating margins or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Loss of key suppliers and manufacturers would be highly disruptive and could affect our financial health.

Our ability to offer a wide variety of products to our customers, including our private label products, is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate product supply from manufacturers and suppliers. Our most critical suppliers are Westlake, Pangaea Stone, Stonehenge Slate, Hoch Stone, and Earthcore. Generally, our products are obtainable from various sources and in sufficient quantities subject to then current market conditions. However, the loss of, or a substantial decrease in the availability of, key products from our suppliers, or the loss of key supplier arrangements, could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows. Although in many instances we have agreements with our suppliers, these agreements are generally terminable by either party on limited notice. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, would be highly disruptive and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.

Breaches of our information system security measures could disrupt our internal operations.

We are dependent upon information technology for the distribution of information internally and also to our customers and suppliers. This information technology is subject to theft, damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including but not limited to malicious computer viruses, security breaches and defects in design. Purchase of our products may involve the transmission and/or storage of data, including in certain instances customers’ business and personally identifiable information. Thus, maintaining the security of computers, computer networks and data storage resources is a critical issue for us and our customers, as security breaches could result in vulnerabilities and loss of and/or unauthorized access to confidential information. We have in the past faced, and may in the future face attempts by hackers, cybercriminals or others with authorized access to our systems to misappropriate our proprietary information and technology, interrupt our business, and/or gain unauthorized access to confidential information. The reliability and security of our information technology infrastructure and software, and our ability to expand and continually update technologies in response to our changing needs is critical to our business. To the extent that any disruptions or security breaches result in a loss or damage to our data, it could cause harm to our reputation or brand. This could lead some customers to stop purchasing our products and reduce or delay future purchases of our products or the use of competing products; lead to state or federal enforcement action, which could result in fines, penalties and/or other liabilities and which may cause us to incur legal fees and costs; and/or result in additional costs associated

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with responding to a cyberattack. Increased regulation regarding cyber security may increase our costs of compliance, including fines and penalties, as well as costs of cyber security audits. Any of these actions could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.

We have invested in industry appropriate protections and monitoring practices of our data and information technology to reduce these risks and continue to monitor our systems on an ongoing basis for any current or potential threats. There can be no assurance, however, that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches to our third party providers’ databases or systems that could adversely affect our business.

Damage to our computer infrastructure and software systems could harm our business.

The unavailability of any of our primary information management systems for any significant period of time could have an adverse effect on our operations. In particular, our ability to deliver products to our customers when needed, collect our receivables and manage inventory levels successfully largely depend on the efficient operation of our computer hardware and software systems. Through information management systems, we provide inventory availability to our sales and operating personnel, improve customer service through better order and product reference data and monitor operating results. Difficulties associated with upgrades, installations of major software or hardware, and integration with new systems could lead to business interruptions that could harm our reputation, increase our operating costs and decrease our profitability. In addition, these systems are vulnerable to, among other things, damage or interruption from power loss, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, operator negligence, physical and electronic loss of data, or security breaches and computer viruses.

We risk liabilities and losses due to property damage or product liability claims, which may not be covered by insurance.

Exposures that could create insured (or uninsured) liabilities are difficult to assess and quantify due to unknown factors, including but not limited to injury frequency and severity, natural disasters, terrorism threats, third-party liability, and claims that are incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Although we engage third-party actuarial professionals to assist us in determining our probable future loss exposure, it is possible that claims or costs could exceed our estimates or our insurance limits, or could be uninsurable. In such instances we might be required to use working capital to satisfy these losses rather than to maintain or expand our operations, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and our financial condition.

Further, we face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims, including class action claims and warranties, in the event that the use of any of our products results in personal injury or property damage. In the event that any of our products are defective or prove to be defective, among other things, we may be responsible for damages related to any defective products and may be required to cease production, recall or redesign such products. Because of the long useful life of our products, it is possible that latent defects might not appear for several years. Any insurance we maintain may not continue to be available on acceptable terms or such coverage may not be adequate for liabilities actually incurred. Further, any claim or product discontinuance, recall or redesign could result in adverse publicity against us, which could cause sales to decline, or increase warranty costs.

Increases in labor costs, potential labor disputes, union organizing activity and work stoppages at our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers could delay or impede our production, reduce sales of our products and increase our costs.

Our financial performance is affected by the availability of qualified personnel and the cost of labor. Any interruption in the production or delivery of our products could reduce sales of our products and increase our costs. Our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel to operate our facilities efficiently is critical to our financial performance. Any labor shortage will create operating inefficiencies that could adversely impact our financial performance.

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Risks related to our company

Our business has generated net loses, and we intend to continue to invest substantially in our business. Thus, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability. We may not be able to secure financing on favorable terms, or at all, to meet our future capital needs.

We may expand through investments in, acquisitions of, or the development of new products with assistance from, other companies, any of which may not be successful and may divert our management’s attention.

In the past, we completed strategic acquisitions. We also may evaluate and enter into discussions regarding an array of potential strategic transactions, including acquiring complementary products, technologies or businesses. An acquisition, investment or business relationship may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. In particular, we may encounter difficulties integrating the businesses, technologies, products, personnel or operations of the acquired companies, particularly if the key personnel of the acquired company choose not to be employed by us, and we may have difficulty retaining the customers of any acquired business due to changes in management and ownership. Acquisitions may also disrupt our ongoing business, divert our resources and require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, investment or business relationship would be realized timely, if at all, or that we would not be exposed to unknown liabilities. In connection with any such transaction, we may:

•        encounter difficulties retaining key employees of the acquired company or integrating diverse business cultures;

•        incur large charges or substantial liabilities, including without limitation, liabilities associated with products or technologies accused or found to infringe on third-party intellectual property rights or violate existing or future privacy regulations;

•        issue shares of our capital stock as part of the consideration, which may be dilutive to existing stockholders;

•        become subject to adverse tax consequences, legal disputes, substantial depreciation or deferred compensation charges;

•        use cash that we may otherwise need for ongoing or future operation of our business;

•        enter new geographic markets that subject us to different laws and regulations that may have an adverse impact on our business;

•        experience difficulties effectively utilizing acquired assets;

•        encounter difficulties integrating the information and financial reporting systems of acquired businesses, particularly those that operated under accounting principles other than those generally accepted in the U.S. prior to the acquisition by us; and

•        incur debt, which may be on terms unfavorable to us or that we are unable to repay.

If we are unable to obtain additional financing, business operations will be harmed and if we do obtain additional financing then existing shareholders may suffer substantial dilution.

We need substantial capital to implement our sales distribution strategy for our current products, strategic acquisitions to maximize existing technologies to create opportunities to create synergy and opportunity. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

•        the problems, delays, expenses, and complications frequently encountered by early-stage companies;

•        market acceptance of our products;

•        the success of our sales and marketing programs; and

•        we expect, if we raise at least $5,000,000 in gross proceeds in this offering, that the net proceeds, along with our current cash position, will be able to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure for at least the next two years. Thereafter, unless we achieve profitability, we anticipate that we will need to raise

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additional capital to fund our operations and to otherwise implement our overall business strategy. We currently do not have any contracts or commitments for additional financing. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any additional equity financing may involve substantial dilution to then existing shareholders.

If adequate funds are not available or if we fail to obtain acceptable additional financing, we may be required to:

•        severely limit or cease our operations or otherwise reduce planned expenditures and forego other business opportunities, which could harm our business;

•        obtain financing with terms that may have the effect of substantially diluting or adversely affecting the holdings or the rights of the holders of our capital stock; or

•        obtain funds through arrangements with future collaboration partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to some or all of our technologies or products.

Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our senior management.

Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Matthew Lipman, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Edward Schultz, and Kevin Grotke, President and Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary, TotalStone, LLC. We do not carry key person life insurance on any of its management, which would leave us uncompensated for the loss of any of its management. The loss of the services of any of our senior management could make it more difficult to successfully operate our business and achieve our business goals. In addition, our failure to retain qualified personnel in the diverse areas required for continuing its operations could harm our product development capabilities and customer and employee relationships, delay the growth of sales of our products and could result in the loss of key information, expertise or know-how.

We may not be able to hire or retain other key personnel required for our business, which could disrupt the development and sales of our products and limit our ability to grow.

Competition in our industry for senior management and other key personnel is intense. If we are unable to retain our existing personnel, or attract and train additional qualified personnel, either because of competition in our industry for such personnel or because of insufficient financial resources, our growth may be limited.

Affiliates of Brookstone (BPA XIV, LLC, Nectarine Management LLC and BP Peptides LLC) currently have and will, following this offering continue to have significant control over shareholder matters and the minority shareholders will have little or no control over our affairs.

Currently, BP Peptides LLC, an entity jointly controlled by Messrs. Lipman and Toporek, owns 77.3% of the Company’s shares. Following the offering, we expect that BP Peptides LLC, an entity jointly controlled by Messrs. Lipman and Toporek, BPA XIV, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Lipman (but not Mr. Toporek), and an entity, Nectarine Management LLC, whose voting of our securities held by such entity is solely controlled by Mr. Toporek, will have the ability to control all matters requiring shareholder approval because these entities will own over 50% of our common stock, will control over 50% of our voting stock (inclusive of the votes of the over 50% of the Series B Preferred Stock shares outstanding we expect to issue to Nectarine Management LLC prior to the consummation of this offering), and, via the protective provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock, will have to consent before we can conduct major corporate actions. BP Peptides, LLC, BPA XIV, LLC, and Nectarine Management LLC may have interests that are different from yours. For example, these entities may support proposals and actions with which you may disagree. The concentration of ownership could delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or otherwise discourage a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of our Company, which in turn could reduce the price of our stock. In addition, these entities could use their voting influence to maintain our existing management and directors in office (including Messrs. Lipman and Toporek), delay or prevent changes in control of our Company, or support or reject other management and board proposals that are subject to stockholder approval, such as amendments to our employee stock plans and approvals of significant financing transactions.

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We may not have sufficient resources to effectively introduce and market our services and products, which could materially harm our operating results.

Continuation of market acceptance for our existing services and products require substantial marketing efforts and will require our sales account executives and contract partners to make significant expenditures of time and money. In some instances, we will be significantly or totally reliant on the marketing efforts and expenditures of our contract partners, outside sales agents and distributors.

Because we currently have very limited marketing resources and sales capabilities, commercialization of our products, some of which require regulatory clearance prior to market entrance, we must either expand our own marketing and sales capabilities or consider collaborating with additional third parties to perform these functions. We may, in some instances, rely significantly on sales, marketing and distribution arrangements with collaborative partners and other third parties. In these instances, our future revenue will be materially dependent upon the success of the efforts of these third parties.

Should we determine that expanding our own marketing and sales capabilities is required, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to serve in our sales and marketing organization, to develop an effective distribution network or to support our commercialization activities otherwise effectively. The cost of establishing and maintaining a more comprehensive sales and marketing organization may exceed its cost effectiveness. If we fail to further develop our sales and marketing capabilities, if sales efforts are not effective or if costs of increasing sales and marketing capabilities exceed their cost effectiveness, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.

We could be impacted by unfavorable results of legal proceedings

We may from time to time be involved in future litigation in which substantial monetary damages are sought. Litigation claims may relate to intellectual property, contracts, employment, securities and other matters arising out of the conduct of our current and past business activities. Any claims, whether with or without merit, could be time consuming, expensive to defend and could divert management’s attention and resources. We may maintain insurance against some, but not all, of these potential claims, and the levels of insurance we do maintain may not be adequate to fully cover any and all losses.

With respect to any litigation, our insurance may not reimburse us, or may not be sufficient to reimburse us, for the expenses or losses we may suffer in contesting and concluding such lawsuit. The results of any future litigation or claims are inherently unpredictable and substantial litigation costs, including the substantial self-insured retention that we are required to satisfy before any insurance applies to a claim, unreimbursed legal fees or an adverse result in any litigation may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash from operating activities or financial condition.

We operate in a highly competitive industry.

We may encounter competition from local, regional or national entities, some of which have superior resources or other competitive advantages in the larger materials distribution space. Intense competition may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. These competitors may be larger and more highly capitalized, with greater name recognition. We will compete with such companies on brand name, quality of services, level of expertise, advertising, product and service innovation and differentiation of product and services. As a result, our ability to secure significant market share may be impeded.

We have material weaknesses in our internal control over financing reporting. If we fail to establish and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, our operating results and our ability to operate our business could be harmed.

Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place so that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Prior to this offering, due to accounting resource constraints, we have had limited review controls. These constraints have resulted in (1) a lack of segregation of duties, since we have a limited administrative staff, and (2) lack of internal controls structure review. As a result of these constraints, we have a material weakness in our internal control over financing reporting.

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Our management is composed of a small number of individuals resulting in a situation where limitations on segregation of duties exist. All responsibility for accounting entries and the creation of financial statements is held by a single person, though the Company engages multiple accounting consultants for accounting, tax and audit support. To remedy this situation, we would need to hire additional staff or financial consultant support. Currently, we are unable to hire additional staff to facilitate greater segregation of duties but will reassess our capabilities after completion of the offering.

In connection with this offering, we intend to begin the process of documenting, reviewing and improving our internal controls and procedures for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which will require annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. To comply with the requirements of being a public company, the Company has undertaken various actions, and will take additional actions, such as remediating the material weaknesses described above, implementing additional internal controls and procedures and hiring internal audit staff or financial consultants. Testing and maintaining internal controls can divert our management’s attention from other matters that are important to the operation of our business. Additionally, when evaluating internal controls over financial reporting, the Company may identify additional material weaknesses that it may not be able to remediate in time to meet the applicable deadline imposed upon us for compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If the Company identifies any additional material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting or is unable to remediate the material weakness described above or comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner or if the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an unqualified opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting once it is no longer an emerging growth company, or if the Company is unable to conclude in our quarterly and annual reports that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of the Company’s financial reports and the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected, and the Company could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.

In addition, if the Company fails to remediate any material weakness, including the material weaknesses described above, our financial statements could be inaccurate and the Company could face restricted access to capital markets. Our small size and internal control deficiencies may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operation and access to capital. Moreover, our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, we may not be able to manage our business as effectively as we would if an effective control environment existed, and our business and reputation with investors may be harmed.

The liquidity of the Company is largely dependent on our ability to borrow funds on our ABL Facility.

We fund our operations primarily through cash provided from operations of our building products distribution network and available capacity under our ABL Facility (“Revolver”). Our operating cash flows fluctuate based on seasonality with the first half of the year typically resulting in negative operating cash flows from the build in accounts receivable and inventories and the second half of the year generating positive operating cash flows as we bring accounts receivables and inventory levels down from seasonal high periods and pay down our Revolver. The liquidity of the Company is largely dependent on our ability to borrow funds on our Revolver. If the Company fails to fulfill its financial covenant requirements, it could lose access to funding under the Revolver, which would significantly impact our liquidity and put our ability to continue as a going concern at risk.

The proceeds from this offering are expected to improve our liquidity position and reduce our reliance on the Revolver, enhancing our ability to meet financial covenant requirements and fund our operations. However, while we believe we will be able to continue to borrow funds on our Revolver when and as required, there can be no assurance that financing sufficient to enable us to continue our operations will be available to us in the future. If additional financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to operate our business as planned or at all, fund our expansion, successfully promote our business, develop or enhance our products and services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Risks related to our securities

Capstone Holding Corp. is a holding company with no operations of its own, and it depends on its operating subsidiary for cash to fund all of its operations and expenses, including to make future dividend payments, if any.

Our operations are conducted entirely through our operating subsidiary, and our ability to generate cash to fund operations and expenses, to pay dividends or to meet debt service obligations is highly dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from our subsidiaries through dividends or intercompany loans. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of Capstone Holding Corp. (“Holdings”) and its subsidiaries for any reason could limit or impair their ability to pay such distributions.

Additionally, to the extent that Holdings needs funds, and its subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of our financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

If we do not complete this offering, our Common Stock will remain quoted on the OTCQB where trading is volatile, and we may not be able to meet our anticipated cash needs.

If we do not complete this offering, our Common Stock will remain quoted on the OTCQB. Trading in securities quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors, some of which may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our Common Stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover, the OTCQB is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTCQB is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on Nasdaq. These factors may result in investors having difficulty reselling any shares of our Common Stock.

In addition, if we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market products that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

Sales of a significant number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market or the perception of such possible sales, could depress the market price of our Common Stock.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public markets, which include an offering of our preferred stock or Common Stock could depress the market price of our Common Stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or equity-related securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Common Stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our Common Stock.

Our share price could be volatile and our trading volume may fluctuate substantially.

The price of our Common Stock has been and may in the future continue to be extremely volatile. Many factors could have a significant impact on the future price of our shares of Common Stock, including:

•        our inability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, whether through the issuance of equity securities or debt;

•        our failure to successfully implement our business objectives;

•        compliance with ongoing regulatory requirements;

•        market acceptance of our products;

•        changes in government regulations;

•        general economic conditions and other external factors;

•        actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results; and

•        the degree of trading liquidity in our shares of Common Stock.

•        domestic and international economic and political factors unrelated to our performance;

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•        changes in securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance;

•        action by institutional stockholders or other large stockholders, including future sales;

•        failure to meet any guidance given by us or any change in any guidance given by us, or changes by us in our guidance practices;

•        announcements by us of significant impairment charges;

•        speculation in the press or investment community;

•        investor perception of us and our industry;

•        changes in market valuations or earnings of similar companies;

•        announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, dispositions or strategic partnerships;

•        war, terrorist acts and epidemic disease;

•        any future sales of our common stock or other securities; and

•        additions or departures of key personnel.

In particular, we cannot assure that you will be able to resell your shares at or above your purchase price. The stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which would harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

A decline in the price of our shares of Common Stock could affect our ability to raise further capital and adversely impact our ability to continue operations.

The relatively low price of our shares of Common Stock, and a decline in the price of our shares of Common Stock, could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our Common Stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. Because we expect a significant portion of our operations will be financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our shares of Common Stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity and our operations. Such reductions and declines may force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may have a significant negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to continue our current operations. If the price for our shares of Common Stock declines, it may be more difficult to raise additional capital. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital, and we are unable to generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations, we will not have the resources to continue our operations.

The market price for our shares of Common Stock may also be affected by our ability to meet or exceed expectations of analysts or investors. Any failure to meet these expectations, even if minor, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our shares of Common Stock.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock.

FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our Common Stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.

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We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock. As result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our Common Stock appreciates.

We currently do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. In addition, in the future we may enter into agreements that prohibit or restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. As a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment will be if the market price of our Common Stock appreciates and you sell your shares at a profit.

We could issue additional Common Stock, which might dilute the book value of our Common Stock.

Our Board has authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or a part of our authorized but unissued shares. Such stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount or a premium from the then-current trading price of our Common Stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters on which our shareholders vote and might dilute the book value of our Common Stock. You may incur additional dilution if holders of stock warrants or options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their options, or if warrant holders exercise their warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock.

We may issue preferred stock with terms that could adversely affect the voting power or value of our Common Stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we have designated 5,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series “A” Preferred Stock, par value $0.0005, which rank senior only to any other class or series of designated and outstanding preferred shares of the Company, and the holders of which are entitled to receive a quarterly dividend, payable after a dividend has been made on the common stock. In addition, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or upon the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of our common stock. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock”.

In addition, prior to the consummation of this offering we expect to create a class of Series B Preferred Stock with such preferred stock’s certificate of designation containing protective provisions requiring holders of 50% of the stock to consent before we can conduct major corporate actions. We expect to issue to Nectarine Management LLC (an entity whose voting of our securities held by such entity is solely controlled by Mr. Toporek, prior to the consummation of this offering, more than 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

Future issuance of our Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants could dilute the interests of existing stockholders.

We may issue additional shares of our Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants in the future. The issuance of a substantial amount of Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants could have the effect of substantially diluting the interests of our current stockholders. In addition, the sale of a substantial amount of Common Stock or preferred stock in the public market, or the exercise of a substantial number of warrants and options either in the initial issuance or in a subsequent resale by the target company in an acquisition which received such Common Stock as consideration or by investors who acquired such Common Stock in a private placement could have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock.

Future debt issuance may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.

If, in the future, we decide to issue debt securities that rank senior to our common stock, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt securities

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in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.

Anti-takeover provisions in our certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and Tax Benefit Plan could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and may affect the trading price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and Tax Benefit Plan include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

RISKS RELATED TO THE OFFERING

Investors in This Offering Will Experience Immediate and Substantial Dilution in Net Tangible Book Value.

The public offering price per share of our Common will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, investors in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $4.59 per share, based on the assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share. Investors in this offering will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our assets after subtracting our liabilities. See “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment will be diluted upon the completion of this offering.

We May Need Additional Capital, and the Sale of Additional Shares or Equity or Debt Securities Could Result in Additional Dilution to Our Stockholders.

We believe that our existing cash, together with the net proceeds from this offering, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next two years. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain one or more credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a Common Stockholder. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. It is uncertain whether financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

If we raise additional funds through government grants, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements or marketing and distribution arrangements, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue stream or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.

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.” 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 and delay the development of our product candidates. 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.

Substantial future sales of shares of our Common Stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

Holders of shares of Common Stock that we have issued, including shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion and/or exercise of outstanding shares of preferred stock, options, and warrants, may be entitled to dispose of their shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Additional sales of a substantial number of our shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on

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the price of our Common Stock. Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace and there is not now, nor has there been, any significant market for shares of our Common Stock, and an active trading market for our shares may never develop or be sustained. Investors are currently able to use Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act to sell shares of our Common Stock and, if they do so, the then-prevailing market prices for our Common Stock may be reduced. Any substantial sales of our Common Stock may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market following this offering could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. If there are more shares of Common Stock offered for sale than buyers are willing to purchase, then the market price of our Common Stock may decline to a market price at which buyers are willing to purchase the offered shares of Common Stock and sellers remain willing to sell the shares. Following the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, all of the shares of Common Stock sold to Northbridge pursuant to the Investment Agreement will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act.

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company,” and the reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies may make our Common Stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. See “Prospectus Summary — Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company.”

Although we are still evaluating our options under the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and reporting obligations that will be available to us so long as we qualify as an “emerging growth company,” and thus the level of information we provide may be different from that of other public companies. If we do take advantage of any of these exemptions, some investors may find our securities less attractive, which could result in a less active trading market for our Common Stock, and the price of our Common Stock may be more volatile.

As an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, we are permitted to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. We do not intend to take advantage of this extended transition period, which means that the financial statements included in this prospectus, as well as any financial statements that we file in the future, will be subject to all new or revised accounting standards generally applicable to public companies. The decision not to take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable.

We could remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest to occur of: (1) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of this offering; (2) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.235 billion or more; (3) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Exchange Act. We have taken advantage of reduced disclosure regarding executive compensation arrangements and the presentation of certain historical financial information in this prospectus, and we may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced disclosure obligations in future filings. If we do, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different from what you might get from other public companies in which you hold stock.

We are also a smaller reporting company, as defined in the Exchange Act. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a smaller reporting company, which would allow us to continue taking advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. In addition, for so long as we continue to qualify as a non-accelerated filer, we will not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive due to our reliance on these exemptions. If investors were to find our securities less attractive as a result of our election, we may have difficulty raising in this offering and future offerings and the market price of our securities may be more volatile.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $3,558,045, or $4,240,545 if the underwriter exercises their over-allotment option in full, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.

We currently expect to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for the following purposes:

•        Approximately $745,530 in total ($743,333 of principal and $2,197 of interest) for the repayment of a term loan issued by Berkshire Bank with interest charged at the one-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 3.5% (7.86% and 8.96% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) and a maturity date of December 1, 2025. The proceeds of the term loan were used for working capital; and

•        Approximately $2,731,378, or $3,413,878 if the underwriter exercises their over-allotment option in full, for general corporate purposes to enable us to grow organically by expanding the breadth of our distribution by both geography and new products, either through contractual relationships or owning in-house brands.

Although we plan to also grow via a rapid acquisition program of building products distributors and manufacturers, we do not currently have any definitive plans to acquire any specific entities or assets.

We believe that the expected net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months, although we cannot assure you that this will occur.

The amount and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the status of our development efforts, sales and marketing activities and the amount of cash generated or used by our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use portions of the proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion and flexibility in the application of the net proceeds. Pending these uses, the proceeds will be invested in a variety of capital preservation investments, including short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments and US government securities. We anticipate that the proceeds from this offering will enable us to further grow the business and increase cash flows from operations.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and include statements regarding, among other things, our projected revenue growth and profitability, our growth strategies and opportunity, anticipated trends in our market and our anticipated needs for working capital. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. These statements may be found under the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business,” as well as in this prospectus generally. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective products, market acceptance, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, and the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings and financial results. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding:

•        our need for, and our ability to raise, additional equity or debt financing on acceptable terms, if at all;

•        our need to take additional cost reduction measures, cease operations or sell our operating assets, if we are unable to obtain sufficient additional financing;

•        our belief that we have sufficient liquidity to finance normal operations;

•        the options we may pursue in light of our financial condition;

•        the amount of cash necessary to operate our business;

•        general economic conditions;

•        the anticipated future financial performance and business operations of our company; and

•        our ability to retain our core group of personnel.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all of those risks, nor can we assess the impact of all of those risks on our business or the extent to which any factor may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are based on assumptions management believes are reasonable. However, due to the uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and unless required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly update any of them in light of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Market and Other Information

Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the trading symbol “CAPS”. We intend to apply to The Nasdaq Capital Market to list our Common Stock under the symbol “CAPS”

As of February 3, 2025, there were approximately 461 holders of record of our Common Stock. The last reported sales price for our Common Stock, as reported on the OTCQB on February 3, 2025, was $2.50 per share.

Dividend Policy

To date, we have not paid any dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any such dividends in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends on the Common Stock is at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our operating results, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions or such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. We currently expect to use all available funds to finance the future development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent of our Common Stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Their address is 150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated cash and capitalization as of September 30, 2024. Such information is set forth on the following basis:

(1)    on an actual basis as of September 30, 2024;

(2)    on a pro forma basis, giving effect to: 1,250,000 shares to be issued in connection with this offering at an assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of $1,441,995; and

(3)    on a pro forma as adjusted basis, giving further effect to:

(i)     3,782,641 shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date, including (a) the cancellation of TotalStone’s Class A TS Warrants to purchase 1,125 TotalStone’s Class A Common Interests, (b) the exchange of all of TotalStone’s Class B and Class C Preferred Interests with an outstanding balance of $28,579,525 as of September 30, 2024 for 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock (please see the description of the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date under “Business — TotalStone, LLC — Future TotalStone Equity Interests Transactions” on page 53 of this prospectus);

(ii)    the Special Preferred Membership Interests being exchanged on the Restructuring Date for loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,006,377 plus certain amounts for each day after September 30, 2024 until the Restructuring Date.; and

(iii)   The repayment of approximately $745,530 in total ($743,333 of principal and $2,197 of accrued interest) on the Berkshire Bank term loan with a maturity date of December 1, 2025.

TotalStone’s 75 Class C Preferred Interests, with an outstanding balance of approximately $42,000, are included in TotalStone’s Class B Preferred Interests on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The pro forma as adjusted information below is illustrative 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 this table together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

(in thousands)

 

Actual as of
September 30,
2024
(unaudited)

 

Pro Forma
(unaudited)

 

Pro Forma
as Adjusted
(unaudited)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

13

 

 

$

3,571

 

 

$

2,825

 

Total current assets

 

 

16,481

 

 

 

20,039

 

 

 

19,293

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

15,469

 

 

 

15,469

 

 

 

14,723

 

Total liabilities

 

 

23,871

 

 

 

23,871

 

 

 

24,132

 

TotalStone, LLC – Class B and Class C Preferred Interests

 

 

28,580

 

 

 

28,580

 

 

 

—

 

TotalStone, LLC – Special Preferred Membership Interests

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

—

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: $0.0005 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 157,610 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 1,407,610 issued and outstanding on a pro forma basis and 5,190,251 on a pro forma as adjusted basis

 

 

—

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

193,044

 

 

 

196,601

 

 

 

225,180

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(194,967

)

 

 

(194,967

)

 

 

(194,967

)

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

$

(1,923

)

 

$

1,635

 

 

$

30,215

 

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A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price per share would increase or decrease our pro forma cash, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity (deficit) and total capitalization by approximately $1,137,500 assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The table above excludes the following shares:

•        187,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriters’ Over-Allotment Option; and

•        62,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Representative’s Warrant

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DILUTION

If you invest in our securities, your investment will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of Common Stock, and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock immediately after this offering.

Net tangible book value (deficit) represents the amount of our total tangible assets reduced by (a) our total liabilities and (b) the TotalStone Preferred Stock. Tangible assets equal our total assets less intangible assets. As of September 30, 2024, our actual net tangible book value (deficit) was $(35,181,606) and our net tangible book value (deficit) per share was $(223.22).

Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents our net tangible book value divided by the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding after this offering. Pro forma net tangible book value per share includes the effect of 1,250,000 shares to be issued in connection with this offering at an assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of $1,441,995. Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) as of September 30, 2024 is $(31,623,561) or $(22.47) per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) of $200.75 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $(26.47) per share to new investors purchasing Common Stock in the offering.

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share includes the effects of the shares to be issued in the offering, net of expenses, and the following:

(i)     3,782,641 shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date, including (a) the cancellation of TotalStone’s Class A TS Warrants to purchase 1,125 TotalStone’s Class A Common Interests, (b) the exchange of all of TotalStone’s Class B and Class C Preferred Interests with an outstanding balance of $28,579,525 as of September 30, 2024 for 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock, (please see the description of the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date under “Business — TotalStone, LLC — Future TotalStone Equity Interests Transactions” on page 53 of this prospectus), and

(ii)    the Special Preferred Membership Interests of TotalStone being converted into loans in like aggregate principal amount of $1,006,377 plus certain amounts for each day after September 30, 2024 until the Restructuring Date,

TotalStone’s 75 Class C Preferred Interests, with an outstanding balance of approximately $42,000, are included in TotalStone’s Class B Preferred Interests on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) as of September 30, 2024 would have been $(3,044,036) or $(0.59) per share. The effects of (i) and (ii) above represent an additional immediate increase from pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) of $21.88 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate decrease in the net tangible book deficit of $21.88 per share to new investors purchasing Common Stock in the offering.

The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

Public offering price per share of Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

$

4.00

 

Net tangible book deficit value per share as of September 30, 2024

 

$

(223.22

)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

$

200.75

 

Pro forma net tangible book value per share

 

 

 

 

 

$

(22.47

)

Additional increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to the effects of the pro forma as adjusted items (i) and (ii)

 

 

 

 

 

$

21.88

 

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.59

)

Dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors

 

 

 

 

 

$

(4.59

)

If the underwriter’s overallotment option is exercised, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value following the offering will be $(0.44) per share, and the dilution to new investors in the offering will be $(4.44) per share.

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A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed public offering price per share of Common Stock would increase or decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $0.22 and dilution per share to new investors would be $(5.37) for an increase of $1.00, or $(3.81) for a decrease of $1.00, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual public offering price of our Common Stock and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

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

The following discussion and analysis provides information that our management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. This discussion may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. For more information, see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” When reviewing the discussion below, you should keep in mind the substantial risks and uncertainties that impact our business. In particular, we encourage you to review the risks and uncertainties described in “Risk Factors”. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by our forward-looking statements contained in this report. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, included in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Throughout this discussion, unless the context specifies or implies otherwise the terms the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to the business and operations of Capstone Holding Corp and its operating subsidiary, TotalStone, LLC (dba Instone).

All dollar amounts stated herein are in U.S. dollars unless specified otherwise.

Overview

Capstone Holding Corp. formerly known as Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and OrthoLogic Corp., incorporated in Delaware in 1987 as a domestic corporation, is the parent entity of TotalStone, LLC (dba Instone). Instone has a building products distribution network that services 31 US states (with such states having over 60% of American households). Our over 400 active customers are primarily masonry, building materials and landscape dealers.

Historically, the product mix for Instone was heavily concentrated on Cultured Stone®, in 2018 Cultured Stone® comprised almost 80% of our total revenue. Through acquisition and product expansions, we have increased our product offering to our customers. This expansion has made Instone a more attractive supplier to new and existing dealers.

We provide value to our dealers by making the procurement and logistics process easy for product lines that are otherwise challenging for dealers to manage if they were to purchase directly with a manufacturer or quarry. Our website provides efficiency, and we believe our product offering provides options and ability for vendor consolidation and our logistical capabilities provide cost effective and efficient delivery, typically within a week or less.

A key differentiating factor for our strategy is that we own or control five of the eight brands we sell. Our products include stone veneer, landscape stone, and modular masonry fireplaces. The brands we distribute which we do not control are Cultured Stone®, Dutch Quality®, and Isokern®. The brands we distribute which we own or control include Aura™, Pangea Stone®, Toro Stone™, Beon Stone®, and Interloc™.

We operate in a market environment where there are about 7,000 building products dealers, most of which are privately held. Most of these dealers are not able to efficiently purchase or optimize storage space, which constrains their ability to sell the diverse range of products we offer. Our website enables dealers to buy in the quantities they require thus driving a more optimal level of inventory while also significantly reducing logistical challenges. We believe the ability for customers to buy in the quantities they need across many product lines instead of buying single product lines form different manufacturers helps them manage cash and, in turn, allows them to offer a higher level of service to their own customers. According to a December 2023 study jointly released by the management consulting firm, Roland Berger, and the financial advisory firm, Lazard, “Trends in the Building Envelope Industry,” the sector has recently grown by 5 – 7%. Given the recent peak of the interest rate cycle constraining the revenue of building products companies (due to fewer housing starts and less commercial construction) we believe current conditions are the ideal backdrop for us to execute value-creating, accretive acquisitions.

We intend to continue to grow our business organically and through successfully integrating well-timed acquisitions.

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Recent Developments

On November 9, 2023, related party entities of the Company’s majority shareholder entered into a transaction that resulted in unwinding the Company’s 2021 investment in Diamond Products Holdings, LLC (“DPH”) valued at $8 million that was obtained in exchange for a $8 million note payable to Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI, LLC (“Brookstone XXI”).

Components of Results of Operations

Sales

Our sales primarily consist of distributing manufactured and natural stone cladding products, natural stone landscape products, and related goods for residential and commercial construction through a dealer network in 31 states in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. The Company recognizes revenue when control over the products has been transferred to the customer, and the Company has a present right to payment.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit

Cost of goods sold includes the purchase price of material, freight, miscellaneous import fees (if applicable), warranty and related expenses that are directly attributable to our fabricated products. The Company also includes amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling and shipping and handling expenses in cost of goods sold.

Gross profit is equal to revenue less cost of goods sold. Gross profit margin is equal to gross profit divided by revenue.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of personnel-related costs, including salaries and benefits, advertising and marketing expenses, travel and entertainment, facility-related costs, investor relations, legal and consulting fees.

Other Income and Expenses

Other income and expenses consist primarily of interest expenses on our line of credit and debt and, the write-off of our related party investment in DPH and related gain on extinguishment of a note payable to Brookstone XXI.

Results of Operations

The following is management’s discussion of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 & 2022 in (“000’s”):

Results of Operations Comparing Year Ended December 31, 2023 to 2022.

 

Year Ended
December 31,

       
   

2023

 

2022

 

$ Change

 

% Change

   

(in thousands)

       

Net Sales

 

$

48,354

 

 

$

61,561

 

 

$

(13,207

)

 

(21

)%

Cost of goods sold

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

45,030

 

 

 

(6,287

)

 

(14

)%

Gross profit

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

16,531

 

 

 

(6,920

)

 

(42

)%

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Selling, General and administrative

 

 

10,867

 

 

 

12,538

 

 

 

(1,671

)

 

(14

)%

(Loss) income from operations

 

 

(1,256

)

 

 

3,993

 

 

 

(5,249

)

 

(131

)%

Loss on investment

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8,000

)

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

7,200

 

 

—

 

Interest and other expense, net

 

 

(1,529

)

 

 

(895

)

 

 

(634

)

 

71

%

Income tax expense

 

 

(234

)

 

 

(783

)

 

 

549

 

 

(70

)%

Net (loss) income

 

$

(3,819

)

 

 

2,315

 

 

$

(6,134

)

 

(265

)%

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Table of Contents

Sales

Sales were $48.4 million in 2023 compared to $61.6 million in 2022. Revenue decreased between 2023 and 2022 by $13.2 million.

The construction industry experienced a significant slowdown in 2023 following a surge in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the initial shock of the pandemic in 2020, the industry experienced an increased demand and higher unit prices in 2021 and 2022. However, by 2023, rising interest rates, elevated inflation and higher borrowing costs significantly impacted the construction industry resulting in lower demand and decreases in unit prices.

For our owned and controlled brands, revenue was down $4.8 million driven by price reductions and offset by a slight increase in volume of $63.0 thousand or approximately 6,000 square feet. For brands we do not control, revenue was down $8.4 million primarily attributed to lower volume of $5.6 million or 606,000 square feet driven by lower market demand and distribution changes with our largest supplier and price reductions of $2.8 million.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold decreased by $6.3 million, or 14%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.

During the pandemic, the industry experienced significant supply chain disruptions on both domestic and imported products. The impact on imported products was more significant and volatile in both costs and operations when compared to domestic products. Supply constraints, container availability, container costs, port congestion among other factors drove an increase in cost of goods sold throughout periods during the pandemic. By 2023, these issues and related costs began to normalize.

Gross profit margin decreased from 26.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022 to 19.9% to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in gross profit margin was attributable to the Company turning inventory through cost of goods sold in 2023 that had higher freight costs during the supply chain disruptions noted above. The Company estimates the supply chain disruptions during the pandemic negatively affected gross profit in 2023 by $2.3 million or 4.8%.

Selling general and administrative expenses

Selling general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.7 million, or 13.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease results primarily from a reduction in force of $920.0 thousand, reduced bonuses due to financial performance of $264.0 thousand, lower travel expenses of $144.0 thousand and considerable efforts to reduce overall spending of $243.0 thousand to adjust for lower revenues.

Other Income and expenses

Other expenses, net, increased by $1.4 million, or 160%, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase consists of higher interest expense of $405.0 thousand, largely attributed to our revolving line of credit, lower other income of $229.0 thousand, and a $8 million loss on write-off of our related party investment in DPH and a related $7.2 million gain on extinguishment (forgiveness) of debt by Brookstone XXI associated with the DPH investment.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased by $549.0 thousand or 70% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The effective tax rate is (7%) in 2023 and 25% in 2022. The negative effective tax rate in 2023 is primarily attributable to state taxes and an increase in the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets.

Segment Results

The Company has one operating and reportable segment which consists of the operations of TotalStone. The Company also has corporate-level SG&A expenses which are included in Capstone Holding Corp. (“Capstone” or “the Parent”) and consist primarily of board fees and, investor relations, filing, legal, insurance, accounting and consulting expenses not identifiable and allocated to TotalStone.

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Table of Contents

The following table is a summary of TotalStone’s operating results through operating income (loss) reconciled to the Company’s consolidated totals with the inclusion of Parent and eliminating amounts:

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

2023

 

2022

   

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Income (loss) from
operations before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

48,354

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

48,354

 

 

$

61,561

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

61,561

Cost of goods sold

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

45,030

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

45,030

Gross Profit

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

16,531

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

16,531

Selling, general and administrative
e
xpenses

 

 

10,765

 

 

 

342

 

 

 

(240

)

 

 

10,867

 

 

 

12,426

 

 

376

 

 

 

(264

)

 

 

12,538

(Loss) income from operations

 

$

(1,154

)

 

$

(342

)

 

$

240

 

 

$

(1,256

)

 

$

4,105

 

$

(376

)

 

$

264

 

 

$

3,993

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation & amortization included in SG&A expenses

 

$

306

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

306

 

 

$

241

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

241

The above discussion of consolidated operating results through operating income (loss) is in substance the operating results of TotalStone for the comparable periods presented. The elimination of selling, general and administrative expenses reflect the elimination of management fees incurred by TotalStone and earned by Parent. The Parent classifies the management fee income earned as a component of net non-operating income (expense) and the corresponding income is also eliminated in the Company’s consolidated results.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

       
   

2024

 

2023

 

$ Change

 

% Change

   

(in thousands)

           

Net Sales

 

$

34,563

 

 

$

38,869

 

 

$

(4,306

)

 

(11

)%

Cost of goods sold

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

30,484

 

 

 

(3,422

)

 

(11

)%

Gross profit

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

8,385

 

 

 

(844

)

 

(11

)%

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Selling, General and administrative

 

 

7,791

 

 

 

8,672

 

 

 

(881

)

 

(10

)%

(Loss) income from operations

 

 

(290

)

 

 

(287

)

 

 

(3

)

 

(1

)%

Interest and other expense, net

 

 

(1,148

)

 

 

(1,145

)

 

 

(3

)

 

(1

)%

Income tax expense

 

 

22

 

 

 

368

 

 

 

(346

)

 

(94

)%

Net (loss) income

 

$

(1,460

)

 

 

(1,800

)

 

$

(340

)

 

(19

)%

Sales

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $34.6 million compared to $38.9 million in 2023. Revenue decreased between 2024 and 2023 by $4.3 million.

For our owned and controlled brands, revenue was down $3.2 million driven by a decrease in volume of $2.3 million or 217,000 square feet and price reductions of $698.0 thousand. For brands we do not control, revenue was down $1.1 million primarily attributed to a decrease in volume of $771.0 thousand or 95,000 square feet driven by lower market demand and distribution changes with our largest supplier and price reductions of $318.0 thousand.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold decreased by $3.4 million, or 11%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

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Table of Contents

Gross profit margin slightly increased from 21.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 21.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The slight increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to a decrease in freight expense.

Selling general and administrative expenses

Selling general and administrative expenses decreased by $882.0 thousand, or 10%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease results primarily from a reduction in force of $483.0 thousand, reduced bonuses due to financial performance of $252.0 thousand, and lower travel expenses of $93.0 thousand.

Other Income and expenses

Other income and expenses slightly decreased by $3.0 thousand, or less than 1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease consists primarily of lower other income $143.0 thousand, offset by lower interest expense $140.0 thousand, largely attributed to our revolving line of credit.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased by $346.0 thousand or 94% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The period over period decrease is primarily attributable to higher provisions in 2023 related to state taxes for those states where taxable income was projected in 2023.

Segment Results

The Company has one operating and reportable segment which consists of the operations of TotalStone. The Company also has corporate-level SG&A expenses, which are included in Capstone Holding Corp. (“Capstone” or “the Parent”) and consist primarily of board fees and, investor relations, filing, legal, insurance, accounting and consulting expenses not identifiable and allocated to TotalStone.

The following table is a summary of TotalStone’s operating results through operating income (loss) reconciled to the Company’s consolidated totals with the inclusion of Parent and eliminating amounts:

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2024

 

2023

   

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Income (loss) from
operations before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

34,563

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

34,563

 

 

$

38,869

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

38,869

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

30,484

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

30,484

 

Gross Profit

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

8,385

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,385

 

SG&A expenses

 

 

7,540

 

 

 

431

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

7,791

 

 

 

8,584

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

(173

)

 

 

8,672

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

$

(39

)

 

$

(431

)

 

$

180

 

 

$

(290

)

 

$

(199

)

 

$

(261

)

 

$

173

 

 

$

(287

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation & amortization included in SG&A expenses

 

$

270

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

270

 

 

$

229

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

229

 

The above discussion of consolidated operating results through operating income (loss) is in substance the operating results of TotalStone for the comparable periods presented. The $170,000 increase in Parent SG&A expenses in 2024 is primarily attributable to strategic consulting services. The elimination of selling, general and administrative expenses reflects the elimination of management fee expenses incurred by TotalStone and earned by Parent. The Parent classifies the management fee income earned as a component of net non-operating income (expense) and the corresponding income is also eliminated in the Company’s consolidated results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working capital was $1.0 million as of September 30, 2024, a decrease of $100,000 as compared to $1.1 million as of December 31, 2023.

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Table of Contents

Working capital was $1.1 million as of December 31, 2023, a decrease of $8 million as compared to $9.1 million as of December 31, 2022. The decrease in working capital is primarily attributable to a decrease in inventory and increases in current liabilities.

The Company primarily funds our operations through cash provided from operations of our building products distribution network and available capacity under our ABL Facility (“Revolver”). Our operating cash flows fluctuate based on seasonality with the first half of the year typically resulting in negative operating cash flows from the build in accounts receivable and inventories and the second half of the year generating positive operating cash flows as we bring accounts receivables and inventory levels down from seasonal high periods and pay down our Revolver. The liquidity of the Company is largely dependent on our ability to borrow funds on our Revolver. If the Company fails to fulfill its financial covenant requirements, our ability to continue as a going concern could be at risk. We believe ongoing availability of our Revolver plus cash provided from operations combined with our considerable efforts to reduce overall spending will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for at least one year after the date the consolidated financials are issued. The Company believes we will be able to continue to borrow funds on our Revolver when and as required. Future acquisitions may be financed through other forms of financing that will depend on then-existing conditions.

Seasonality

The Company historically experiences higher sales during our second and third quarters due to the favorable weather in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States for new construction and remodeling.

Summary of Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows for each of the periods presented:

(in thousands)

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

1,449

 

 

$

(2,890

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(173

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(1,213

)

 

 

3,036

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

$

28

 

 

$

(27

)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily resulting from our net loss of $3.8 million combined with $4.1 million provided in changes in our non-cash working capital, partially offset by non-cash expenses.

Net cash used in operating activities was $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily resulting from our net income of $2.3 million combined with $6.0 million used in changes in our non-cash working capital.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $208.0 thousand and $173.0 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These cash outflows were related to purchases of property and equipment.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The cash outflow was a result of $1.3 million proceeds from bank borrowing under the line of credit, offset primarily by the repayment of debt of $2.1 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The cash inflow was a result of $5.7 million in proceeds from bank borrowing under the line of credit and $3.1 million proceeds of the sale-leaseback of our Navarre facility, offset by the repayment of debt of $6.4 million.

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Table of Contents

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023

(in thousands)

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2024

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2023

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

976

 

 

$

49

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(101

)

 

 

(166

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(914

)

 

 

176

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

$

(39

)

 

$

59

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $976.0 thousand for nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily resulting from our net loss of $1.5 million combined with $2.2 million provided from changes in our non-cash working capital and $0.3 million of depreciation and amortization.

Net cash used in operating activities was $49.0 thousand for nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily resulting from our net loss of $1.8 million combined with $1.6 million provided by the change in non-cash working capital and $0.2 million of depreciation and amortization.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $101.0 thousand and $166.0 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. These cash outflow were related to property and equipment purchases.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $914.0 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The cash outflow was largely attributed to the repayment of debt of $750.0 thousand.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $176 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The cash inflow was a result of $2.3 million proceeds from bank borrowings under the line of credit and offset by the repayment of debt of $1.8 million and cash payment to special preferred equity members of $389 thousand.

Funding Requirements

We currently expect to use the net proceeds of this offering primarily for organic growth, by expanding the breadth of our distribution network by both geography and new products, and inorganic growth via rapid acquisition program of building products distributors and manufacturers whose distribution core can be fortified to expand their footprint.

The Company plans to raise additional funds to finance the growth of our operations through equity financing or debt financing arrangements. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or equity-linked securities, the ownership of our existing stockholders will be diluted.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the periods presented we did not have, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

We periodically review our financial reporting and disclosure practices and accounting policies to ensure that they provide accurate and transparent information relative to the current economic and business environment. As part of this process, we have reviewed our selection, application and communication of critical accounting policies and financial disclosures. Management has discussed the development and selection of the critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosure relating to critical accounting policies in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

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Table of Contents

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements included as part of this report, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the revenue and expenses incurred during the reported periods. We base estimates on our historical experience, known trends and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The full details of our accounting policies are presented in Note 2 of our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. These policies are considered by management to be essential to understanding the processes and reasoning that go into the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could have a bearing on its financial results. The significant accounting policies that we believe to be most critical in fully understanding and evaluating our financial results are revenue recognition and management estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Sales are recognized when revenue is realized or becomes realizable and has been earned, net of sales tax. In general, revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is usually upon shipment of the product. Our revenue is recognized at a point in time when ownership, risks and rewards transfer. For 2023 and 2022, there are no estimates of variable consideration represented in revenue.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make a number of assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s assumptions regarding current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents costs in excess of the estimated fair values of acquired net assets in a business combination. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed annually for impairment.

Under U.S. GAAP, goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed annually for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below the operating segment, depending on whether certain criteria are met. All of the Company’s goodwill is reported in our subsidiary (reporting unit), TotalStone, and relates to our acquisition of TotalStone in April 2020.

We perform our annual impairment test as of October 1 each year, or in between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable, to determine whether an impairment exists. The goodwill impairment test compares a market participant perspective of fair value for a reporting unit to its carrying amount. As necessary, we recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill.

We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. However, we may elect to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test even if no indications of a potential impairment exist.

Factors considered in our qualitative assessments include (i) macroeconomic conditions including changes in interest rates and discount rates, (ii) industry and market considerations including multiples based on business enterprise value to EBITDA, (iii) trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA of TotalStone determined on a consistent basis as that utilized in our debt financial covenants, and (iv) revenue levels, adjusted EBITDA and the EBITDA multiple implied in the enterprise valuation of TotalStone in our business combination transaction.

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For 2023 and 2022, we completed our qualitative assessments concluding that it was more likely than not that the fair value of TotalStone exceeded its carrying value. In 2022, there continued to be a surge in activity in our industry from COVID and TotalStone reported adjusted EBITDA of $5.5 million. In 2023, rising interest rates, elevated inflation and higher borrowing costs significantly impacted the construction industry resulting in the decline in TotalStone’s sales and gross profit contributing to the Company’s consolidated reported operating loss. TotalStone’s 2023 gross profit was also negatively impacted by gross margin compression resulting from the turn of higher per unit inventory costs that included higher freight costs we incurred in 2022 and decreasing sales prices in 2023 responsive to the fallen industry demand. Freight costs began to decrease in 2023 relative to COVID peak costs reducing our landed inventory costs. Adjusted EBITDA for TotalStone was $3.2 million for 2023. TotalStone’s sales and adjusted EBITDA reported in 2023 are favorable to those reflected in the valuation of TotalStone upon acquisition in April 2020 prior to the COVID surge.

In evaluating our qualitative assessment, we consider the sensitivity of our estimates utilized in our estimated fair value based on an EBITDA multiple. For 2023, the excess of fair value over carrying value was 15%. Independently, if 2023 adjusted EBITDA was 13% less than as reported or our estimated EBITDA multiple was 13% less than the multiple used, the fair value of TotalStone as of December 31, 2023 would be equal to its carrying value.

For the purpose of measuring the carrying amount of TotalStone, we consider the preferred stock of TotalStone as equity. Under U.S. GAAP, the preferred stock of TotalStone is classified outside of equity in our consolidated financial statements. If we considered the preferred stock of TotalStone as interest-bearing debt, then our consideration of the excess of fair value over carrying value would subtract the interest-bearing debt from both the fair value and carrying value in that analysis resulting in the same “cushion” or “shortfall” in the analysis.

Long-lived Asset Impairments

Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events of changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount of which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. For 2023 and 2022, no impairment charges were necessary.

Inventories

Inventories consisting of finished goods are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the average cost method, or net realizable value. Inventories also include deposits placed on inventory purchases for shipments not yet received. Significant prepaid inventory may be located overseas. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total prepaid inventory balance was $912.0 thousand and $1.4 million, respectively. We periodically review our inventory on hand and record a provision for excess, obsolete and slow-moving inventory based on our estimated forecast of product demand, as well as historical usage. The reserve for obsolete or slow-moving inventory at December 31, 2023 and 2022, totaled $324.0 thousand and $301.0 thousand, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated over the estimated useful lives ranging from three to forty years. Depreciation is computed by using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and straight-line and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. Property and equipment is comprised of building, machinery & equipment, computer equipment, leasehold improvements, software, office equipment, vehicles, and furniture & fixtures. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

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BUSINESS

Our Company

Capstone Holding Corp. is a building products distribution network. The existing network is comprised of Instone, is a leading distributor of thin veneer stone and related masonry products in the United States, serving both residential and commercial construction markets. Founded over 30 years ago, we have grown to become the largest wholesale distributor in the thin veneer masonry products industry. Our comprehensive product offering includes a wide range of manufactured and natural stone products, supported by a strategically located distribution network designed to provide reliable and efficient service to our diverse customer base.

We are committed to being the preferred partner for our customers by providing high-quality products, expert support, and exceptional service. Our success is driven by our deep industry expertise, long-standing customer relationships, and a relentless focus on operational excellence.

Our Business Strategy and Operating Model

Capstone Long-Term Growth Strategy.    Our long-term growth strategy is built on the foundational strengths of our current operating subsidiary and the strategic opportunities available in the building products distribution and manufacturing industry. Our strategy has the following characteristics:

Deep Team.    Capstone is controlled by Brookstone Partners, a private equity group with 25 years of deep expertise in building products investment. Brookstone Partners is controlled by Matthew Lipman, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors, and Michael Toporek, the chairman of our board. The Capstone leadership team includes seasoned operating executives and building products acquisition and investment professionals. Capstone’s leadership team will include, following the pricing of this offering, its Lead Independent Director, Charles “Chuck” Dana. Mr. Dana spent 19 years at Owens Corning, a leading building materials company. At Owens Corning, Mr. Dana held various positions including Controller, President Global Composites and then Group President Building Materials. In addition, from the Company’s acquisition of Instone in April 2020 through December 31, 2023, Instone’s revenues have increased from approximately $32.2 million to approximately $48.4 million. In February 2008, a Brookstone Partners affiliate invested $8.8 million in Woodcrafter’s Home Products Holdings LLC. Brookstone’s team worked with Woodcrafter’s management to grow earnings and Brookstone completed the sale of all of its interests in Woodcrafter’s for $32 million in December 2013. The ability to identify, acquire and integrate acquisition candidates is a critical skill set to augment the operating expertise that drives organic growth. The current operating company has successfully executed multiple acquisitions and integrations, laying a solid foundation for continued expansion.

Strategic Timing.    We believe we are strategically positioned to capitalize on market conditions within the building products sector. Historically, acquiring companies at interest rate peaks has yielded strong returns, and we are poised to leverage these strategic investment opportunities as the market evolves.

Industry Dynamics.    According to the Bain & Company Global M&A Report published in 2024 (the “Bain Report”), this is “just the type of environment that has proved to offer opportunities to companies that are willing to make bold moves.” The Bain Report goes on to say, “building products companies that make frequent and material acquisitions substantially outpace inactive companies in total shareholder returns, 9.6% vs 2.7%” and “the most successful companies will pursue scope M&A to build product, geography, and capability adjacencies.”

The M&A environment for the building products sector is expected to improve because, according to the Bain Report, “there are ample one-off opportunities to acquire struggling assets”, and “financial investors have taken a step back, especially in North America, removing a potentially formidable layer of competition.”

Scale.    For scale M&A, opportunities in core businesses allow for more operational synergies. The Bain Report states that “allowing management to focus on a more related group of products with some level of shared channels, end markets, or manufacturing processes helps focus efforts and tells a clearer equity story.”

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Scope.    Given macroeconomic uncertainty, companies who leverage their parenting advantage, the ability to effectively manage and integrate acquisitions, will be the most successful with regards to scope M&A. The Bain Report states that “the path to leadership generally means overlooking smaller assets in favor of bigger players for a first move in a new space.”

The “Annual total shareholder returns for building products companies” chart and quotes from the Bain Report are used with permission from Bain & Company. The Bain Report was not commissioned by the Company. The Company does not currently and has not in the past had a direct or indirect business relationship with Bain & Company. The Bain Report is publicly available via the Insight — Featured Topics portion of Bain & Company’s website.

Strategic Positioning.    We believe we are strategically well-positioned to take advantage of the current market opportunities because of:

Team strength.    The industry experience of the Board and Instone management provides the Company with the expertise to evaluate, acquire, and integrate acquisitions.

Experience integrating acquisitions.    Since 2006, the Company has successfully integrated four acquisitions. The team believes the Company has the resources and expertise to continue to integrate acquisitions successfully.

Geographic distribution footprint of Instone.    The current service area of the Company, which includes 31 states (with such states having over 60% of American households), provides a good basis on which to make both “scale” and “scope” acquisitions.

Growth Premium.    As Capstone continues to scale, growing its EBITDA, we anticipate benefiting from valuation premiums associated with increased size. This growth, coupled with consistent earnings performance, is expected to drive substantial shareholder value and enhance our market positioning

Our current operating company, Instone, intends to drive sustainable growth, expands its geographic presence in the building products industry, and delivers superior value to its customers, shareholders, and other stakeholders. We expect to work with Instone to achieve this through the following strategic pillars:

Expand Market Presence.    We are committed to expanding our geographic footprint, increasing penetration in existing markets, and entering new, underserved regions. Our sales and marketing team continues to seek new opportunities to onboard customers in markets we are not currently servicing. In 2024, we onboarded customers in 6 new states, which are included in our distribution network of 31 states. We will achieve this through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions that complement our existing business and provide opportunities to broaden our product offerings and customer base.

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Enhance Product Portfolio.    We continuously strive to expand and diversify our product offerings to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This includes introducing new textures, colors, and materials within our stone product lines, as well as expanding into adjacent building products and stone substitutes. By broadening our portfolio, we aim to increase our share of wallet with existing customers and attract new customers.

Operational Excellence.    We are focused on optimizing our operations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. This involves investing in advanced technologies, streamlining our supply chain, and implementing best practices across all aspects of our business. Operational excellence is key to maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring long-term profitability.

Customer-Centric Approach.    Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to building strong, long-lasting relationships by providing high-quality products, exceptional service, and expert support. Our goal is to be the preferred partner for our customers, helping them succeed in their projects and achieve their business objectives.

Innovation.    We recognize the importance of innovation in the building products sector and prioritize it, continually seeking new ways to improve our products, processes, and services to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the demands of a changing market. The most recent example is our introduction of the Toro® family of manufactured stone products. We used our 30 years of market knowledge to formulate a product offering that is well thought out to meet the needs of end use customers and distributors. We painstakingly designed each color family. We honed in on key manufacturing steps to drive quality and consistency then thoughtfully designed packaging to meet the needs of distributors. The end result was a set of products that competes with high-end alternatives in the sector on aesthetics, but for a better value. We expect Toro® to help drive significant organic revenue growth in the next three years.

Operating Model

Our operating model is designed to support our business strategy and drive consistent, profitable growth. Key elements of our operating model include:

Integrated Supply Chain.    We operate an integrated supply chain that connects our network of suppliers, manufacturing partners, and distribution centers. This allows us to efficiently manage inventory, optimize logistics, and ensure timely delivery of products to our customers. Our supply chain capabilities are a critical component of our ability to provide reliable service and meet the needs of our diverse customer base.

Strategic Distribution Network.    Our strategically located distribution centers enable us to serve 31 states (with such states having over 60% of American households) with speed and efficiency. These facilities are designed to optimize inventory management, reduce lead times, and ensure that our customers have access to the products they need, when they need them. Our distribution network is a key competitive advantage that supports our position in the industry. This extensive reach provides a robust base for integrating additional distributors or manufacturers, driving consistent revenue growth.

Scalable Infrastructure.    We have invested in scalable infrastructure that can support our growth objectives and adapt to changing market conditions. This includes state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technology, and robust business processes that enable us to efficiently manage our operations and deliver consistent performance.

Experienced and Committed Workforce.    Our employees are the foundation of our success. We have a highly experienced and committed workforce that shares our dedication to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We invest in the training and development of our employees to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to drive our business forward and meet the challenges of a dynamic industry.

Financial Discipline.    We are committed to maintaining financial discipline and leveraging our resources to drive sustainable growth. This includes prudent capital allocation, cost management, and a focus on generating strong cash flow. We intend to invest in strategic initiatives, pursue growth opportunities, and return value to our shareholders.

Through the execution of our business strategy and the strength of our operating model, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities in the thin veneer stone and masonry products industry and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders.

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Industry Overview

The building products industry in the United States is an essential segment of the broader construction market, contributing to both the structural integrity and aesthetic enhancement of buildings. The stone veneer subsector comprises several key segments, including natural stone, manufactured stone, and masonry products, each serving distinct roles within the construction process. As of 2023, the U.S. stone industry is valued at approximately $15 billion, with growth projections indicating continued expansion through 2024 and beyond.

Market Dynamics

Residential Construction Growth.    The new residential construction market, a significant driver of demand in the stone industry, has softened as interest rates have increased. This is also in part driven by the timing of weakening new single and multi-family construction and renovation spending. New construction spending growth is expected to be down ~-6.1% year over year for 2025; however, the backlog of units already authorized but not yet started has increased sequentially, which could mean higher than expected new construction in 2025 as interest rates are expected to decrease.

Renovation and Remodeling.    The renovation and remodeling market has seen substantial growth, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred increased investment in home improvement. In 2022, U.S. homeowners spent over $500 billion on renovation projects, with a significant portion directed towards exterior upgrades and outdoor living spaces. Thin veneer stone, known for its durability and aesthetic versatility, is increasingly favored for these applications. In 2024 however, remodel spending growth is expected to be down ~-3.6% YoY coinciding with increased interest rates and depletion of excess pandemic-era excess savings, but is expected to grow ~+7.0% in 2025 and ~+12.2% in 2026. Overall building products spending is expected to grow +2.6% in 2025 vs only +1.0% in 2024.

Commercial Construction.    The commercial construction sector, particularly in hospitality, retail, and office buildings, continues to present growth opportunities for the stone industry. Stone products are highly valued in commercial construction for their durability, fire resistance, and ability to convey a sense of luxury. As of 2024, the commercial construction market in the U.S. is expected to grow by 5-6%, further boosting demand for stone products.

Competitive Landscape

The U.S. stone distribution market is highly fragmented, with a mix of large national distributors, regional players, and numerous smaller local suppliers. Despite this fragmentation, Capstone has achieved a leadership position by leveraging its extensive product offerings, strategic distribution network, and strong customer relationships.

Consolidation Trends.    The industry is experiencing consolidation, with larger players acquiring smaller distributors to expand their geographic reach and product portfolios. This trend is expected to continue as companies seek to achieve economies of scale and enhance their market positioning.

Technological Advancements.    Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the stone industry. From advanced manufacturing techniques that produce more realistic manufactured stone products to digital tools that improve inventory management and customer service, technology is helping distributors like Capstone improve efficiency and meet evolving customer needs.

Labor and Supply Chain Challenges.    The stone and masonry industry faces challenges related to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Navigating these challenges through strategies like vertical integration, strategic partnerships, and our unique delivery network is critical for maintaining competitiveness.

Outlook for 2024 and Beyond

The U.S. stone and masonry industry are expected to continue its growth trajectory, supported by strong demand in both residential and commercial construction, as well as ongoing trends towards sustainability and green building practices. Industry forecasts project a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4-5% through 2025. Companies that adapt to changing market dynamics, invest in technology, and offer a broad range of high-quality products will be well-positioned for long-term success.

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Our Competitive Strengths

Capstone’s success is underpinned by several competitive strengths that differentiate us in the market:

Extensive Product Offering.    With over 1,980 SKUs, we offer one of the most comprehensive selections of stone products in the industry, including a variety of manufactured and natural stone options. Our diverse product line allows us to meet the needs of a broad customer base and cater to a wide range of construction applications.

Optimized Distribution Network.    Our four strategically located distribution centers in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois enable us to serve 31 states (with such states having over 60% of American households) (with such states’ population consisting of about 40% of American households) efficiently. These facilities are designed to optimize inventory management and delivery times, ensuring that our customers receive the products they need when they need them.

Strong Customer Relationships.    We have cultivated deep and lasting relationships with our customers, including some of the largest and most respected names in the construction industry. Our ability to provide a one-stop shop for stone and masonry products, combined with our commitment to service excellence, has made us a trusted partner for over 400 active customers.

Operational Excellence.    We maintain the highest standards of operational efficiency, supported by state-of-the-art distribution facilities and a team of experienced professionals.

Experienced Management Team.    Our leadership team has extensive experience in the stone and masonry industry with a proven track record of driving growth and delivering results. Our senior management team is supported by a talented group of managers and employees who share a commitment to continuous improvement and a passion for customer service.

One of Brookstone Partners’ successful past investments outside of the building products industry includes Anomatic, a company that makes caps and closures for the health and beauty and cosmetics industry and makes over 1 billion parts a year, in which a Brookstone Partners’ affiliate invested $5.86 million in November 2005 and its return on investment as of the final sale of its interests in February 2016 was approximately $91.61 million. The Company’s annual revenue during that period grew from approximately $48 million to approximately $120 million.

Additionally, during 2020, our leadership team invested in and helped create Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc. (“Advanced DRI”), an environmental, construction and restoration firm out of three different firms. Advanced DRI serves customers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and, since it was formed, Advanced DRI has increased its aggregate revenue versus the revenue of the three formerly individual companies.

Our Growth Strategy

Capstone’s growth strategy is focused on expanding our market presence, enhancing our product offerings, and optimizing our operations:

•        Strategic Acquisitions:    We intend to pursue strategic acquisitions that complement our existing business and provide opportunities for growth. Potential targets include other distributors of stone products, manufacturers of complementary building products, and companies offering innovative products or technologies.

•        Product Line Expansion:    We are continuously expanding our product offerings to meet the evolving needs of our customers, including new textures, colors, and materials of stone, as well as adjacent building products and stone substitutes.

•        Increased Marketing Efforts:    We have invested in marketing initiatives to increase brand awareness and drive demand for our products. These efforts are focused on reaching a broader audience of end-users and contractors, as well as promoting the benefits of our products to architects, designers, and builders.

•        Geographic Expansion:    We see significant opportunities to expand our geographic footprint and increase our market penetration in underserved regions. This will be achieved through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

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•        Operational Efficiency:    We are focused on improving our operational efficiency to reduce costs, enhance productivity, and improve customer satisfaction. This includes investing in technology and process improvements, optimizing our supply chain, and leveraging our scale to achieve cost advantages.

Product Categories

Capstone offers a diverse range of product categories, each supported by leading brands that are recognized for their quality and reliability. Our product categories include:

•        Thin Veneer Stone:

•        Manufactured Stone:

•        Cultured Stone®:    A leading brand of manufactured stone veneer that offers the look and feel of natural stone in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures.

•        Dutch Quality Stone®:    Mid-Tier stone veneer products that combine craftsmanship with affordability, offering a broad selection of colors and profiles.

•        Toro Stone™:    A high quality product offering of both Stone and Brick profiles, designed by Instone to be a cost competitive product with ‘smart packaging’ design that provides up to 30% more efficiency in warehousing operations.

•        Natural Stone:

•        Pangaea Stone®:    A premium brand offering a wide selection of natural stone products, including ledgestone, ashlar, and fieldstone, sourced from quarries around the world.

•        Interloc™:    An innovative panelized stone product that can be installed 8x faster than traditional materials.

•        Mechanically Attached:

•        Beon Stone:    A mechanically attached manufactured stone panelized product. With patented D-Rain™ moisture management system, Beon Stone offers the look and feel of stone installed with the simplicity of siding.

•        Landscape Products:

•        Aura™ Natural Landscapes:    A curated offering of natural stone pavers, steps, treads, pool coping and slab material from all over the world.

•        Modular Masonry Fireplaces

•        Isokern® Fireplaces:    A brand specializing in high-performance, modular fireplace systems made from volcanic pumice, known for their energy efficiency and design flexibility.

These product categories, supported by leading brands, enable Capstone to offer a comprehensive solution for a wide range of construction and renovation projects, and be a “one-stop-shop” to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers.

Customers and Markets

Capstone serves a diverse customer base, including masonry dealers, brick distributors, landscape yards, heart and home dealers, and building material dealers. We have built strong, long-lasting relationships with our customers, who rely on us for our extensive product selection, reliable delivery, and expert support.

Our primary markets include residential and commercial construction, with a focus on both new construction and renovation projects. We serve customers across the United States, with a particular focus on the Northeast and Midwest.

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Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing efforts are centered on building strong relationships with our customers and promoting the benefits of our products and services provided on our business to business website, allowing customers to review inventory, pricing, our route truck delivery, and place orders without worrying about the logistics. We believe giving customers the ability to see all of these options in one website differentiates Instone from other suppliers. We employ a direct sales force that works closely with customers to understand their needs and provide personalized service. Our sales team is supported by a marketing team that develops targeted campaigns, product promotions, and educational materials. We give customers the ability to buy the quantities they need across many product lines instead of needing to buy a single product line from different manufacturers or quarries. Giving customers this ability we believe helps them manage their cash and allows them to, in turn, often offer a higher service level of service to their own customers.

We also invest in digital marketing, including our website, social media, and online advertising, to reach a broader audience and generate leads. Our website, www.instoneco.com, serves as a key resource for customers, providing detailed information about our products, services, and company news. The Company also utilizes www.budsboneyard.com to sell discounted products, www.torostone.com to market our owned manufactured stone veneer, and www.indigital-media.com to promote our digital media capabilities.

Competition

The stone distribution industry is competitive, with numerous regional and local distributors vying for market share, in addition to competition from quarry operators, manufacturers, and brokers who sell directly into the market. Key competitive factors include product selection, pricing, logistics, lead times, customer service, and industry expertise. While the industry is fragmented, Capstone has established a leadership position through its comprehensive product offering, logistics capability, strategic distribution network, and commitment to customer service.

We compete with both large national distributors and smaller regional players, as well as manufacturers, quarry operators and brokers. Our ability to offer a one-stop shop for stone and masonry products, combined with our focus on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, gives us a competitive advantage.

Supply Chain and Operations

Capstone’s supply chain is designed to support our extensive product offering and ensure timely delivery to our customers. We source our products from a network of trusted suppliers, including both domestic and international manufacturers. Our distribution centers are strategically located to optimize inventory management and minimize lead times.

We continuously invest in our operations to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This includes upgrading our facilities, implementing new technologies, and improving our logistics capabilities. Our commitment to operational excellence allows us to deliver high-quality products while maintaining competitive pricing.

Regulatory and Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those related to environmental protection, health and safety, and labor practices. We are committed to complying with all applicable regulations and maintaining high standards of environmental stewardship and workplace safety.

We also recognize the importance of sustainability in our industry and are committed to reducing our environmental impact through initiatives to minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, and promote the use of environmentally friendly products.

Employees

As of the date of this filing, Capstone employs approximately 38 full-time employees and 2 independent contractors across our distribution centers and corporate offices. Our employees are the backbone of our company, and we are committed to fostering a positive and productive work environment that encourages growth, collaboration, and innovation. We believe that our team’s expertise, dedication, and passion are key drivers of our success, and we continuously invest in their development through training and professional growth opportunities.

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Seasonality

The Company historically experiences higher sales during our second and third quarters due to the favorable weather in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States for new constructions and remodels.

Properties

TotalStone’s headquarters is located at 1 Red Valley Road, Millstone, NJ, 08510, (“Millstone”), which also serves as a distribution hub. The Millstone lease was entered into on November 1, 2020, consists of approximately 7.91 acres, and the term of the lease is through October 2027, with an average annual rent of approximately $381,000.

We lease distribution and fabrication hubs located at 5141 W. 122nd Street, Alsip, IL 60803, (“Alsip”), and at 26 Commerce Blvd., Plainville, MA, 02762, (“Plainville”). The Alsip lease is comprised of approximately 77,000 square feet of leased office and warehouse space, which also serves as Capstone’s corporate office. The Alsip lease agreement was entered into on March 1, 2021. The term of the lease is through July 2028, with an average annual rent of approximately $240,000. The Plainville lease was entered into on April 1, 2020, approximately 6.43 acres, and the term of the lease is through December 2024, with an annual rent of approximately $158,000.

On January 25, 2021, we closed on the purchase of approximately 4.99 acres at 9318 Erie Avenue, Navarre, OH, 44633, (“Navarre”) for $600,000. Prior to the Navarre real estate purchase, the Company leased this property.

On December 29, 2022, we closed on the sale of 9318 Erie Avenue, Navarre, OH, 44633, (“Navarre”) for $3.2 million. The Company will leaseback the property through December 2047, with an average annual rent of approximately $332,000. This transaction is accounted for as a finance transaction under the accounting requirements of ASC 842.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be engaged in various lawsuits and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently not aware of any legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of which, in our judgment based on information currently available, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

TotalStone, LLC

On April 1, 2020, the Company obtained controlling interest in TotalStone, a company that distributes masonry stone products for residential and commercial construction in the Midwest and Northeast United States under the trade name Instone. TotalStone, LLC (dba “Instone”), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on October 4, 2006. TotalStone is the Company’s primary business activity and it is consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. TotalStone currently has 5 Managers, who control decision-making and are appointed by Designees designated by Members. Through its membership interests, Capstone currently designates 3 of the 5 Managers (60%). 3 of the 5 Managers are officers or board members of Capstone.

Contingent on the Company raising at least $3,000,000 in gross proceeds from this Offering with the pricing of this Offering on or prior to February 13, 2025 (the “Restructuring Condition”), a series of transactions will be consummated on the date of the satisfaction of the Restructuring Condition (the “Restructuring Date”) prior to the issuance of Common Stock on the Restructuring Date that will have the effect of the Company owning 100% of the equity interests of TotalStone on the Restructuring Date.

TotalStone Management Agreement

On April 1, 2020, the Company and TotalStone entered into a Management Agreement (the “TotalStone Management Agreement”), whereby Capstone agreed to provide advisory services to TotalStone, until the mutual termination of the agreement by the parties. Specifically, Capstone shall offer advisement on financial transactions, acquisitions, and other senior management matters to TotalStone, for (i) a monthly fee of $20,000/month; and (ii) an upside fee, calculated annually and equal to 7% of income before federal taxes of TotalStone and its affiliates, less the aggregate Monthly Fee.

TotalStone Membership information

Class A Membership

Holders of TotalStone’s Class A Common Interests (the “Class A Members”) hold the only voting rights of TotalStone. The Class A Members may designate three TotalStone managers. In the event of a distribution of residual proceeds, Class A Members are inferior to the Special Preferred Members, Class B Members and Class C Members. Additionally, Class A

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Members shall receive distributions with respect to income tax in an amount equal to such member’s tax distribution. The Company owns all of the outstanding Class A Common Interests. Further, TotalStone issued warrants to certain members of its management team to purchase Class A Common Interests of TotalStone (the “Class A TS Warrants”).

Class B Membership

Holders of TotalStone’s Class B Preferred Interests (the “Class B Members”) have no voting rights and are entitled to designate two TotalStone managers. The TotalStone managers may not take certain actions without the express consent of the Class B Members, who also have preemptive rights such as a right of first refusal over new securities of TotalStone and the right of overallotment. Upon a Redemption Default, Class B Members have the right to sell to the company its interests, and also receive warrants to purchase common stock of Capstone in an aggregate amount equal to 2% of Capstone’s outstanding common stock at an exercise price of $0.01. In the event of a distribution of residual proceeds or operating cash flow, the Class B Members have second priority to the Special Preferred Members and have the right to receive in-kind distributions in the same proportions as cash would be distributed.

On July 23, 2023, a Redemption Default pursuant to the TotalStone operating agreement occurred, allowing Class B Members to receive warrants to purchase common stock of Capstone in an aggregate amount of 2%. The Class B Members have agreed to waive and not exercise their rights in accordance with the terms of the TotalStone operating agreement.

Class C Membership

As of February 3, 2025, there are currently 75 TotalStone’s Class C Preferred Interests outstanding. TotalStone’s Class C Preferred Interests are treated as profit interests and the one holder of TotalStone’s Class C Preferred Interests (the “Class C Member”) has no voting rights in TotalStone and receives no tax distributions. In the event of a distribution of proceeds, the Class C Member receives Class C Incentive Distributions concurrently with distributions made to Class B Members, but only after $5,000,000 in distributions have been made to the Special Preferred Members and the Class B Members since the date of grant of such Class C Preferred Interests. The outstanding balance of the Class C Preferred Interests as of September 30, 2024, is approximately $42,000 and included in TotalStone’s Class B Preferred Interests on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Special Preferred Membership

Holders of TotalStone’s Special Preferred Membership Interests (the “Special Preferred Membership Interests”, and the holder thereof, the “Special Preferred Members”) have no voting rights. The Company may not amend its charter in a way that adversely affects the Special Preferred Members without a written consent of a majority of the Special Preferred Members. In the event of a distribution on residual proceeds or operating cash flow, the Special Preferred Members shall receive first priority and have a right to receive distributions on income tax equal to such Member’s tax distribution. The Special Preferred Members have a right to receive in-kind distributions in the same proportions as cash would be distributed.

Future TotalStone Equity Interests Transactions

Class A TS Warrants to purchase 1,125 TotalStone’s Class A Common Interests have been or will be cancelled prior to the Restructuring Date.

On the Restructuring Date, pursuant to a master exchange agreement (the “Master Exchange Agreement”) to be entered into by the Company, TotalStone and TotalStone’s Class B and Class C Members, all of TotalStone’s Class B and Class C Preferred Interests will be exchanged for 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock that will constitute approximately 96% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Restructuring Date immediately prior to the issuance of Common Stock in this Offering, to be allocated to the Class B and Class C Members as set forth in the Master Exchange Agreement. As consideration for the issuance of 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock, the Class B and Class C Members will surrender their existing TotalStone’s membership interests and withdraw from the membership of TotalStone. Following the restructuring, BP Peptides, LLC, the current owner of approximately 77.3% of the Company’s shares, will own approximately 3% of the Company’s shares. Following the restructuring, the largest holder of the Company’s shares (approximately 64%) will be BPA XIV, LLC. BP Peptides, LLC is jointly controlled by Matthew Lipman, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors, and Michael Toporek, the chairman of our board of directors, and BPA XIV, LLC is controlled by Mr. Lipman.

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On the Restructuring Date, the Class C Member has agreed to cancel his Class A TS Warrants, and his right to receive incentive compensation from TotalStone.

In total, on the Restructuring Date, in exchange for TotalStone’s outstanding Class B and Class C preferred interests, 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock will be issued pursuant to the restructuring transactions.

The Special Preferred Membership Interests were issued by TotalStone in connection with the restructuring of its mezzanine indebtedness. This indebtedness is documented pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2023, with Stream Finance, LLC, as agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (as amended, the “Stream Finance Credit Agreement”). The maturity date of the Stream Finance Credit Agreement is September 30, 2026 (the “Stream Finance Maturity Date”). The Special Preferred Membership Interests will be exchanged on the Restructuring Date for loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,006,377 plus certain amounts for each day after September 30, 2024 until the Restructuring Date.

Other provisions of the Stream Finance Credit Agreement include that no financial covenants will be tested until the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2026 (and will continue to be tested each quarter ending thereafter). An amendment fee of $695,000 shall be payable on the earliest to occur of (i) the date of repayment or prepayment of the entire outstanding principal balance of the loan, (ii) the acceleration of the entire outstanding principal balance of the loan and (iii) the Stream Finance Maturity Date. The earliest of the date of repayment, the acceleration date, and the Stream Finance Maturity Date is referred to as the “Deferral Date.” In addition, interest accrued during the period commencing on August 1, 2023 through the Restructuring Date will be due and payable on the Deferral Date; the standard interest rate will be an annual rate of 14 percent; the portion of such accrued interest at a rate of 2 percent during each appliable period shall be paid in kind with the balance paid in cash; interest accrued during the period commencing on the Restructuring Date through March 31, 2025 shall be due and payable on July 1, 2025; and interest accrued during the quarter ending June 30, 2025 (and each quarter thereafter) shall be paid on the first day of the immediately following quarter.

Effective as of the Restructuring Date, TotalStone will enter into a fifth amended and restated limited liability company agreement to govern its operations and affairs and its relationship with its members, which will only be the Company.

Berkshire Bank Credit Agreement

On December 20, 2017, TotalStone executed a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Berkshire Bank (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). Under the terms of the Eleventh Amendment to the Revolving Credit Agreement, executed on October 18, 2024, TotalStone, LLC’s maximum revolving advance amount is $14.0 million for working capital purposes. Advances under the credit agreement are limited to a formula-based amount of up to eighty-five (85%) percent of the face amount of the TotalStone “Eligible Accounts Receivable” plus approximately fifty-five (55%) percent of the face amount of the TotalStone “Finished Goods Inventory” up to a maximum amount of $8.0 million. Interest charged on the unpaid principal amount of the Credit Agreement bears a rate per annum of SOFR plus 2.5%. The balance outstanding on the line of credit was $8.4 million and $8.6 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, with a maturity date of April 30, 2025.

Corporate History

The Company was formed in 1987 as OrthoLogic Corp. In 2005, the Company filed its restated certificate of incorporation (the “Restated Certificate of Incorporation”). In 2010, the Company changed its name to Capstone Therapeutics Corp. On August 22, 2019, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation effecting a 1 for 1,000 reverse stock split of the common stock of the Company, whereby each 1,000 shares of common stock of the Company became 1 share of common stock. In 2021, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation decreasing the total number of shares of common stock authorized to be issued by the Company from 150,000,000 shares to 205,000 shares, consisting of 200,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0005 per share and 5,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0005 per share. On February 18, 2022, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, changing the Company’s name from Capstone Therapeutics Corp. to Capstone Holding Corp.

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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The names of our executive officers and directors and their age, title, and biography as of December 30, 2024, are set forth below. Messrs. Dana, Strout, Feldman, and Howse have been appointed to serve as members of the Board effective upon the pricing of this offering.

Set forth below is certain biographical information concerning our current executive officers and directors. We currently have two executive officers as described below.

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Position/Title

 

Age

Matthew E. Lipman

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

44

Michael M. Toporek, III

 

Chairman

 

59

Edward Schultz

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

40

Charles Dana

 

Director Nominee (Lead Independent Director)

 

68

John M. Holliman, III

 

Director

 

71

Gordon Strout

 

Director Nominee

 

62

Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D.

 

Director Nominee

 

83

Elwood D. Howse, Jr.

 

Director Nominee

 

85

The following information sets forth the backgrounds and business experience of the directors and executive officers.

Matthew E. Lipman, Chief Executive Officer and Director.    Mr. Lipman brings over 20 years of experience working with companies to establish growth strategies and execute acquisitions. Mr. Lipman has served as a director since July 14, 2017. Mr. Lipman has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Soluna Holdings, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed digital infrastructure company, since 2016. Since 2004, Mr. Lipman has served as Managing Director of Brookstone Partners. From July 2001 through June 2004, Mr. Lipman was an analyst in the mergers and acquisitions group at UBS Financial Services Inc. Mr. Lipman has a B.S. in Business Administration from Babson College. Mr. Lipman currently serves on the Board of Directors of Denison Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Advanced Disaster Recovery Inc., and Harmattan Energy Limited. The Board believes that Mr. Lipman’s proficiency in reading and understanding financial statements, generally accepted accounting principles and internal controls, qualifies him to serve as Chief Executive Officer.

Michael M. Toporek, Chairman.    Mr. Toporek has served as a director since July 14, 2017. Since 2003, Mr. Toporek has served as the Managing General Partner of Brookstone Partners, a lower/middle market private equity firm based in New York and an affiliate of BP Peptides, LLC (“Brookstone Partners”). Mr. Toporek, a member of the Board of Directors of Soluna Holdings since 2016, served as Soluna Holdings’ Chief Executive Officer from November 2020 until May 2023 and has served as Executive Chairman of the Board since that date. Prior to founding Brookstone Partners in 2003, Mr. Toporek was both an active principal investor and an investment banker. Mr. Toporek began his career in Chemical Bank’s Investment Banking Group, later joined Dillon, Read and Co., which became UBS Warburg Securities Ltd. during his tenure, and SG Cowen and Company. Mr. Toporek currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Harlem Academy. Mr. Toporek has a B.A. in Economics and an M.B.A from the University of Chicago. Mr. Toporek brings strategic and financial expertise to the Board as a result of his experience with Brookstone Partners, which the Board believes qualifies him to serve as Chairman.

Edward Schultz, CFO.    Mr. Schultz has served as Chief Financial Officer since August 25, 2023. Mr. Schultz also serves as the Vice President of Finance of TotalStone, LLC since June 2021. Prior to his employment with Capstone and TotalStone, Mr. Schultz was employed as Director of Financial Reporting and Technical Accounting for Brookfield Properties Retail from September 2012 through June 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the Governors State University.

Charles “Chuck” Dana, Director Nominee (Lead Independent Director).    Mr. Dana, upon his joining the Board, will serve as lead independent director. Mr. Dana has been an investor in Brookstone since 2003, and in 2016 joined the firm as an Operating Partner. His main responsibilities are to assist in the strategy and operations of Brookstone’s portfolio companies and to identify and acquire middle market companies. Mr. Dana has over 40 years of financial and general management experience. He started his career at GE and had successively more responsible financial role’s culminating as President — GE Locomotives Indonesia. Mr. Dana then joined Owens Corning in 1995. He was the President of the Composites Solutions Business from 2003 to 2010 growing sales from $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion both through organic sales growth but also with via several acquisitions. Mr. Dana then served as the Group President for Building Materials ($4.5 billion sales) from 2010 to 2015, a segment that produced eighteen (18) consecutive quarters

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of net income growth for the insulation business under his leadership. Mr. Dana retired from Owens Corning and served as EVP at Molded Fiber Glass Companies before joining Brookstone. The Board believes the experience and knowledge of Mr. Dana qualifies him to serve on our Board.

John M. Holliman, III, Director.    Mr. Holliman has served as a director of the Company since September 1987 and as former Chairman of the Board of Directors from August 1997 through July 2017. Since February 1993 he has been a general partner of entities which are the general partners of Valley Ventures, LP (formerly known as Arizona Growth Partners, LP), Valley Ventures II, LP, Valley Ventures III, LP, Valley Ventures III Annex, LP, all of which are venture capital funds. He has over thirty-nine years of business experience, including service on the boards of over forty companies, commercial lending experience with major financial institutions, and has been active in venture capital financing for over thirty-five years serving a variety of industries. Mr. Holliman earned a BBA in Finance and a MBA from Southern Methodist University and a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. During his career Mr. Holliman has gained substantial executive and board level experience in business, finance and operations. The Board believes the experience and knowledge of Mr. Holliman qualifies him to serve on our board and to chair our Audit Committee.

Gordon Strout, Director Nominee.    Mr. Strout ran a small industrial supply business as well as a heating oil business starting in 1985. After successfully selling off the heating oil business he purchased his father’s minority stake in the Industrial supply company in 1989. Instone and Total Lubrication (a Mobil branded lubricants distributor) grew out of the industrial supply business. In 2004 Gordon acquired a majority equity position. Gordon then partnered with Brookstone Partners in 2006 and served as President and CEO through April 2021 at which time he transitioned to Executive Chairman of the Instone board. Mr. Strout holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables Fla. The Board believes the experience and knowledge of Mr. Strout qualifies him to serve on our Board.

Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D., Director Nominee.    Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D., has been the President of FJF Associates, a consultant to venture capital and emerging companies, since February 1992 and has served as a director of the Company since 1991. From September 1995 to June 1996, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Biex, Inc., a women’s healthcare company. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Oncogenetics, Inc., a cancer genetics research company, from 1992 to 1995. Between 1988 and 1992, Dr. Feldman was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Microgenics Corporation, a medical diagnostics company. From 1984 to 1988 Dr. Feldman was Vice President and then President of Instrumentation laboratory a medium sized International Medical Diagnostic Instrumentation Company. Dr. Feldman received his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Maryland. He has been a director of a number of public and private companies. The Board believes that Dr. Feldman’s over 40 years of operating, scientific and business experience in industry qualifies him for service on our board.

Elwood D. Howse, Jr., Director Nominee.    Elwood D. Howse, Jr., previously served as a director of the Company from 1987 to 2023. In 1982, Mr. Howse founded Cable, Howse and Ragen, investment banking and stock brokerage firm, subsequently known as Ragen MacKenzie. In 1977, Mr. Howse co-founded Cable & Howse Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on technology. In 1976, he served as Vice President, Corporate Finance, for Foster & Marshall, a northwest stock brokerage firm. In 1974 he was the Chief Financial Officer of Seattle Stevedore Company and the Miller Produce Company. Mr. Howse has served as a corporate director and advisor to various public, private and non-profit enterprises. He served on the board of the National Venture Capital Association and is past President of the Stanford Business School Alumni Association. Mr. Howse holds a BS in Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Howse also served in the US Navy as a nuclear submariner. The Board believes Mr. Howse’s education and company operations skills brings important financial and business experience to the board and qualifies him to serve on our board.

None of the above directors and executive officers has been involved in any legal proceedings as listed in Regulation S-K, Section 401(f).

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

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Board Composition, Committees, and Independence

Director Independence

The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require a majority of a listed company’s Board of Directors to be comprised of independent directors within one year of listing. In addition, the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees be independent and that audit committee members also satisfy independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

Under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee, accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.

Our Board of Directors has reviewed the composition of our Board of Directors and its committees and the independence of each director. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, including family relationships, our Board of Directors has determined that each of Messrs. Charles Dana, Gordon Strout, Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D., Elwood D. Howse, Jr., and John M. Holliman, III is an “independent director” as defined under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Our Board of Directors also determined that John M. Holliman, Elwood D. Howse Jr. and Fredric J. Feldman Ph.D., who will comprise our audit committee following this offering, Fredric J. Feldman Ph.D., Charles Dana and John M. Holliman, who will comprise our compensation committee following this offering, and Charles Dana, Elwood D. Howse Jr. and Fredric J. Feldman Ph.D., who will be members of our nominating and corporate governance committee following this offering, satisfy the independence standards for such committees established by the SEC and the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, as applicable. In making such determinations, our Board of Directors considered the relationships that each such non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our Board of Directors deemed relevant in determining independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director.

Audit Committee.    We have established an audit committee consisting of John M. Holliman, III, Elwood D. Howse, Jr., and Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D. John M. Holliman, III is chairman of the audit committee and he qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

The audit committee’s duties are to recommend to our board of directors the engagement of independent auditors to audit our financial statements and to review its accounting and auditing principles. The audit committee will review the scope, timing and fees for the annual audit and the results of audit examinations performed by the internal auditors and independent public accountants, including their recommendations to improve the system of accounting and internal controls. The audit committee will at all times be composed exclusively of directors who are, in the opinion of our board of directors, free from any relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a committee member and who possess an understanding of financial statements and generally accepted accounting principles.

Compensation Committee.    We have established a compensation committee consisting of Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D., Charles Dana, and John M. Holliman, III. Fredric J. Feldman is chairman of the compensation committee.

In considering and determining executive and director compensation, the compensation committee reviews compensation that is paid by other similar public companies to its officers and takes that into consideration in determining the compensation to be paid to our officers. The compensation committee also determines and approves any non-cash compensation paid to any employee. We do not engage any compensation consultants to assist in determining or recommending the compensation to our officers or employees.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.    We have established a nominating and corporate governance committee consisting of Charles Dana, Elwood D. Howse, Jr., and Fredric J. Feldman, Ph.D. Charles Dana is chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

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The responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee include the identification of individuals qualified to become Board members, the selection of nominees to stand for election as directors, the oversight of the selection and composition of committees of the Board, establishing procedures for the nomination process, oversight of possible conflicts of interests involving the Board and its members, developing corporate governance principles, and the oversight of the evaluations of the Board and management. The nominating and corporate governance committee has not established a policy with regard to the consideration of any candidates recommended by stockholders. If we receive any stockholder recommended nominations, the nominating and corporate governance committee will carefully review the recommendation(s) and consider such recommendation(s) in good faith.

Code of Ethics

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to each officer, director, and employee of the Company. The full text of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be posted on our website at www.capstonethx.com. We intend to disclose on our website any future amendments of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or waivers that exempt any principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, persons performing similar functions or our directors from provisions in the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.

Term of Office

Our directors are appointed at the annual meeting of shareholders and hold office until the annual meeting of the shareholders next succeeding his or her election, or until his or her prior death, resignation or removal in accordance with our bylaws. Our officers are appointed by the Board and hold office until the annual meeting of the Board next succeeding his or her election, and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to earlier termination by his or her death, resignation or removal.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and all other of our executive officers and any of our employees whose cash compensation exceeded $100,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

Annual Compensation

 

Long-Term Compensation(3)

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary(1)

 

Bonus(2)

 

Other
Annual
Compensation

 

Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings

 

Securities
Underlying
Options

 

Total
Compensation

Matthew Lipman

 

2024

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

CEO

 

2023

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

Michael M. Toporek III

 

2024

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

Chairman

 

2023

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

48,000

Edward Schultz(3)

 

2024

 

$

216,161

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

216,161

CFO

 

2023

 

$

192,210

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

192,210

____________

(1)      Management base salaries can be increased by our Board of Directors based on the attainment of financial and other performance guidelines set by our management.

(2)      Salaries listed do not include annual bonuses to be paid based on profitability and performance. These bonuses will be set, from time to time, by a disinterested majority of our Board of Directors. No bonuses will be set until such time as the aforementioned occurs.

(3)      Mr. Schultz receives compensation through the Company’s subsidiary TotalStone, LLC where he also serves as the Vice President of Finance.

Equity Incentive Plan

In June 2015, our stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and reserved 1,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance. At December 31, 2023, no shares remained available to grant under the Plan and all granted shares are fully vested.

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. The Company generally estimates the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. No options were granted in 2024 or 2023.

Stock Compensation

The Company intends to grant options to purchase our common stock and awards restricted stock to employees and directors under an equity incentive plan the Company expects to put into place during 2025. The Company expects to reserve shares of common stock for future option exercise representing approximately 10% of authorized shares (or 5 million shares) under such an equity incentive plan. The issuance of grants and future exercise into shares of Common Stock as well as the grant of restricted stock awards may cause future dilution of ownership to shareholders.

The benefits provided under these plans are share-based payments and the Company accounts for stock-based awards exchanged for employee service in accordance with the appropriate share-based payment accounting guidance.

Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees and directors. The Company measures stock-based compensation cost at grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost as expense on a straight-line basis in accordance with the vesting of the options (net of estimated forfeitures) over the employee’s requisite service period. The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based awards on the grant date using a Black- Scholes valuation model.

As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were approximately 500 and 976 options exercisable and vested at a weighted average exercise price of $163.00 and $210.00, respectively. The exercisable life for these remaining options has expired and they are effectively cancelled. In addition, the Company issued a warrant to Brookstone Partners IAC to purchase up to 6,322 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, which provides for

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quarterly vesting of shares in amounts approximately equal to the amount of quarterly interest payable that would have been payable under the Agreement, converted into shares at $0.075, all of which has now vested, and can be exercised through October 15, 2028 with an exercise price that was between $10.00 and $30.00 per share, as determined by an independent valuation, through April 1, 2024, and, since that date, the lesser of (i) $75.00 per warrant share and (ii) the 10-day average closing price of the Company’s common stock.

Employee Pension, Profit Sharing or other Retirement Plan

TotalStone, LLC maintains a defined contribution pension plan, which covers all employees electing to participate after completing certain service requirements. Employer contributions are made at the Company’s discretion. Generally, the Company makes safe harbor matching contributions equal to 100% of employee contribution up to 4% of the employee’s Plan Compensation, as defined. Each participant is 100% vested in in their salary deferral and the safe harbor Company’s matching contributions. Other employer discretionary contributions are subject to a graded vesting schedule.

Compensation of Executive Officers

On January 2, 2025, we entered into an executive employment agreement with Matthew Lipman, our Chief Executive Officer, which will become effective upon the consummation of a public offering of Common Stock for an aggregate gross proceeds of at least $3 million. Under this agreement, Mr. Lipman will serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer with a base salary of $250,000 per annum and an annual performance bonus ranging from 50% to 100% of the base salary. The agreement will commence on its effective date and terminate on January 31, 2028, with automatic one-year extensions unless either party provides 120 days’ written notice to opt-out. The agreement includes a noncompetition clause effective for 18 months following the termination of Mr. Lipman’s employment with the Company. In the event of termination due to death, disability, for cause by the Company, resignation by Mr. Lipman without good reason, or non-extension of the agreement, Mr. Lipman will be entitled to any previously earned but unpaid base salary through the termination date, any earned but unpaid annual performance bonus, and other accrued benefits. If the agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Lipman for good reason, Mr. Lipman will receive a lump sum payment equal to three years’ base salary and the target performance bonus, as well as continued copayment by the Company of coverage premiums for 12 months following the termination date, at the same level and cost as if he were an active employee.

Effective August 25, 2023, we began to compensate Mr. Edward Schultz, our Chief Financial Officer, an annual salary of $200,000 paid in accordance with our standard employee payroll practices. Mr. Schultz receives his compensation through the Company’s subsidiary TotalStone, LLC where he also serves as the Vice President of Finance.

Compensation of Directors

John M. Holliman, III. and Michael M. Toporek, III. have received director compensation of $48,000 annually for 2024 and 2023 for service on the Company’s board prior to this offering.

In connection with the completion of this offering, the Company will adopt a director compensation plan. This director compensation plan will consist of an annual cash retainer of $20,000 paid quarterly in arrears.

Change of Control

On the Restructuring Date, the Class B Preferred Interests will be exchanged for 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock that will constitute approximately 96% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Restructuring Date immediately prior to the issuance of Common Stock in this Offering. Following the restructuring, BP Peptides, LLC, the current owner of approximately 77.4% of the Company’s shares, will own approximately 3% of the Company’s shares. Following the restructuring, the largest holder of the Company’s shares (approximately 64%) will be BPA XIV, LLC. BP Peptides, LLC is jointly controlled by Matthew Lipman, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors, and Michael Toporek, the chairman of our board of directors, and BPA XIV, LLC is controlled by Mr. Lipman.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following sets forth information as of February 3, 2025 regarding the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each person that we know beneficially owns more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of our directors and executive officers and (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

The amounts and percentages of our Common Stock beneficially owned are reported on the basis of SEC rules governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days through the exercise of any stock option, warrant or other right, and the conversion of preferred stock. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the shareholders named in the table below, or his or her family members, has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares of our Common Stock. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the shareholders listed below is: 5141 W. 122nd Street, Alsip, IL 60803.

 

Before the Offering(2)

 

After the Offering

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)

 

Total
Common Stock
Shares
Beneficially
Owned

 

% of
Common
Stock
Class
(2)

 

Total
Common Stock
Shares
Beneficially
Owned

 

Voting
% of
Common
Stock
Class
(3)

 

Total
% of
Voting
Capital
Stock
(4)

Directors and Executive Officers:

   

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

     

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

Matthew E. Lipman

 

128,096

​(5)(7)

 

78.14

%

 

2,656,758

 

50.52

%

 

42.55

%

Michael M. Toporek, III

 

128,096

​(6)(7)

 

78.14

%

 

128,096

 

2.44

%

 

17.83

%

Edward Schultz

 

—

 

 

—

%

 

—

 

—

%

 

—

%

John M. Holliman, III

 

1,095

 

 

*

 

 

1,095

 

*

 

 

*

 

Gordon Strout

 

—

​(7)(8)

 

—

%

 

822,128

 

15.63

%

 

13.17

%

     

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (5 persons)

 

129,191

 

 

78.81

%

 

3,479,981

 

66.17

%

 

71.51

%

     

 

   

 

       

 

   

 

5% Shareholders:

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

BP Peptides, LLC(7)

 

128,096

 

 

78.14

%

 

128,096

 

2.44

%

 

2.05

%

BPA XIV, LLC

 

—

 

 

—

%

 

2,528,662

 

48.08

%

 

40.50

%

____________

*       Less than one (1) percent

(1)    The person named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock reflected as beneficially owned.

(2)    Based on 157,610 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 3, 2025.

(3)    Based on 5,190,251 shares of Common Stock to be outstanding after this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock) which includes, in addition to 1,250,000 shares of our common stock to be offered in this offering, 3,782,641 shares to be issued pursuant to the restructuring transactions to take place on the Restructuring Date.

(4)    Includes 985,063 votes pursuant to the Series B Preferred Stock to be created and issued to Nectarine Management LLC (an entity whose voting of our securities held by such entity is solely controlled by Mr. Toporek) prior to the consummation of this offering.

(5)    Includes 121,774 shares controlled by Matthew Lipman, through his control of BP Peptides, LLC. Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation owns 81% of BP Peptides, LLC. Mr. Lipman owns approximately 4% of Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation.

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(6)    Consists of 121,774 shares controlled by Michael Toporek, through his control of BP Peptides, LLC. Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation owns 81% of BP Peptides, LLC. Mr. Toporek owns approximately 30% of Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation.

(7)    Includes a warrant to purchase up to 6,322 shares of Common Stock issued to Brookstone Partners IAC, Inc., the investment manager of BP Peptides, LLC which is controlled by Matthew Lipman and Michael Toporek.

(8)    Mr. Strout has an interest in BP Peptides, LLC; however, he does not control it. Control of BP Peptides, LLC is held solely by Matthew Lipman and Michael Toporek.

On the Restructuring Date, the Class B Preferred Interests will be exchanged for 3,782,641 shares of Common Stock that will constitute approximately 96% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Restructuring Date immediately prior to the issuance of Common Stock in this Offering. Following the restructuring, BP Peptides, LLC, the current owner of approximately 77.3% of the Company’s shares, will own approximately 3% of the Company’s shares. Following the restructuring, the largest holder of the Company’s shares (approximately 64%) will be BPA XIV, LLC. BP Peptides, LLC is jointly controlled by Matthew Lipman, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors, and Michael Toporek, the chairman of our board of directors, and BPA XIV, LLC is controlled by Mr. Lipman.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Since the beginning of our last fiscal year, other than compensation arrangements, the following is a description of transactions to which we were a participant or will be a participant to, in which:

•        the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of 1% of our total assets or $120,000; and

•        any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

TotalStone, LLC is party to an agreement with a related party, Brookstone Partners IAC, whereby such entity will provide consulting services totaling $400,000 per annum, billed quarterly. The agreement also provides for an additional management fee equal to 5% of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) in excess of $4.0 million. Amounts accrued for such consulting services totaled $351,000 and $419,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Stream Finance, LLC, which serves as a creditor on the TotalStone’s mezzanine term loan of $1.3 million, is managed by Brookstone Partners, which has a 77.3% ownership through BP Peptides, LLC, and two board member seats of the Company.

TotalStone, LLC, was leasing a facility from a former officer and current Board Member of TotalStone, LLC for $29,000 per month. As of February 2022, the lessor is no longer a related party.

On December 21, 2020, BP Peptides, LLC exercised its right to convert $572,700 of accrued interest ($538,000) and secured debt ($35,000) into 24,900 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (exercised price of $23/share). The Company incurred issuance expenses of $5,000 resulting in a net increase in Additional Paid-in Capital of $568,000.

On January 15, 2021, Capstone acquired a minority interest in a consumer products company, Diamond Products, LLC (“Diamond”), a sexual wellness holding company. The structure of the transaction was as follows: i) Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation (“Brookstone XXI”) contributed its approximately 95% equity interest in Diamond, which represented approximately 62% equity ownership on a fully-diluted basis, to Diamond Products Holdings, LLC (“DPH”); ii) The Company formed Capstone Beta LLC (“Beta”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Beta purchased a portion of Brookstone XXI’s interest in DPH; iii) Beta issued a promissory note to Brookstone XXI in the original principal amount of $8.0 million, bearing interest at 1% per annum over a 36 month term, and secured its obligations thereunder by pledging Beta’s interests in DPH; and iv) As additional credit support, Capstone issued a limited payment guaranty to Brookstone XXI in the amount of 10% of the principal amount of Beta’s promissory note. The terms of the promissory note issued by Beta to Brookstone XXI include provisions whereby in the event that the membership interests in Diamond are sold or otherwise disposed of, any proceeds received by Beta are to be utilized to prepay the promissory note to Brookstone XXI and Brookstone XXI’s remaining recourse for the remaining note balance, if any, is limited to the pledged collateral (Beta’s membership interest in DPH) and the $800,000 limited payment guarantee provide by Capstone. DPH was structured to hold one asset, the membership interest in Diamond, and accordingly upon the sale or other disposition of the membership interests in Diamond, the sole recourse of payment by Brookstone XXI is the $800,000 limited payment guarantee. In summary, the intent of Brookstone XXI and the special committee of Capstone’s independent directors entering into this arrangement was to limit Capstone’s downside risk to $800,000.

The 20% minority investment in DPH represented an effective 19% equity interest in Diamond and approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis. The Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of Diamond and DPH. The December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet includes the Company’s $8.0 million investment in long-term assets and the corresponding $8.0 million note payable plus accrued interest.

On November 9, 2023 in connection with a restructuring and recapitalization transaction of Diamond’s operating entities, Diamond and other related party entities affiliated with Brookstone XXI entered into a transaction that sold 100% of the membership interest in Diamond inclusive of Beta’s minority interest in Diamond via its membership interest in DPH to a third party. No cash consideration was received in this transaction. Rather, the primary consideration received by the selling parties was the release of guarantees of senior debt of Diamond operating entities. The third party assumed none of the $8.0 million debt liability and no other consideration was transferred. As a result, the Company’s wrote-off its equity investment in DPH from $8.0 million to zero, and recognized a $7.2 million gain on debt extinguishment from Brookstone XXI’s debt forgiveness which was consistent with the terms of the note agreement that limited

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Captone’s risk upon sale or disposition of Diamond’s membership interests to the $800,000 limited guaranty provided by Capstone which is the net amount of the loss recognized in the 2023 statement of operations from this transaction. An $800,000 unsecured promissory note was issued on March 31, 2024. The remaining unsecured debt liability $800,000 plus accrued interest will remain on the Company’s balance sheet with a maturity date of June 30, 2026.

On June 15, 2022, Brookstone exercised its right to convert $1.9 million of accrued interest and debt from its senior secured note into 78,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock exercised at $24.75 per share. With this transaction, Brookstone now owns 121,774 shares of the Company’s Common Stock or 77.3% of the 157,610 outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company owed the following notes payable and accrued interest to related parties:

Terms

 

BP Peptides,
LLC

 

Stream
Finance,
LLC

 

Brookstone
Acquisition
Partners XXI
(1)

Issuance dates of notes

 

 

July 17, 2017

 

 

 

November 14, 2019

 

 

 

March 31, 2021
and March 31,
2024

 

Maturity date

 

 

June 30, 2026

 

 

 

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

June 30, 2026

 

Interest rate

 

 

6%

 

 

 

Disclosed Note 8

 

 

 

1% and 6%

 

Collateral

 

 

Secured

 

 

 

Unsecured

 

 

 

Secured/
Unsecured

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance – January 1, 2022

 

$

2,647,657

 

 

$

2,070,321

 

 

$

8,061,111

 

Accrual of interest

 

$

24,374

 

 

 

—

 

 

$

81,111

 

Conversion of principal and accrued interest to
common stock

 

$

(1,938,742

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Balance – December 31, 2022

 

$

733,289

 

 

$

2,070,321

 

 

$

8,142,222

 

Principal and interest payments

 

 

—

 

 

$

(761,077

)

 

 

—

 

Accrual of interest

 

$

41,038

 

 

 

—

 

 

$

67,556

 

Debt extinguishment

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

$

(7,200,000

)

Balance – December 31, 2023

 

$

774,327

 

 

$

1,309,244

 

 

$

1,009,778

 

Accrual of interest

 

$

31,556

 

 

$

202,419

 

 

$

30,778

 

Balance – September 30, 2024

 

$

805,883

 

 

$

1,511,663

 

 

$

1,040,556

 

____________

(1)      In connection with the unwinding of the Diamond transaction in November 2023, the March 31, 2021 secured note accruing interest at 1% was replaced by a new unsecured note for $800,000 plus existing accrued interest with interest accruing from November 2023 to maturity at 6% per annum.

BPA XIV, LLC, an entity controlled by Matthew Lipman, our Chief Executive Officer, and Gordon Rocks, Inc., an entity controlled by Gordon Strout, our director nominee, will be parties to the Master Exchange Agreement to be entered into by the Company, TotalStone and TotalStone’s Class B Members. Pursuant to the Master Exchange Agreement, BPA XIV, LLC and Gordon Rocks, Inc. will surrender their existing TotalStone’s membership interests and withdraw from the membership of TotalStone in exchange for 2,528,662 and 822,128 shares of Common Stock, respectively, on the Restructuring Date immediately prior to the issuance of Common Stock in this Offering.

Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, an entity controlled by Mr. Toporek will purchase 985,063 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for a total purchase price of $30,000.

Director Independence

Our Common Stock is currently trading on the OTCQB operated by the OTC Markets Group, which does not require that the majority of the board of directors be independent. The OTC Markets Group defines an independent director as “a person other than an executive officer or employee of a company or any other person having a relationship which, in the opinion of the company’s board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgement in carrying out their responsibilities as a director”. Under this definition, the board of directors does not have at least 2 independent directors and has until February 27, 2025 to meet this requirement.

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Disclosure of SEC Position on Indemnification of Securities Act Liabilities

Our directors and officers are indemnified as provided by the Delaware corporate law and our bylaws. We have agreed to indemnify each of our directors and certain officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, we have 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. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than our payment of expenses incurred or paid by our director, officer or controlling person 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, we will, unless in the opinion of our 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.

We have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 is asserted by one of our directors, officers, or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our legal counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit the question of whether such indemnification is against public policy to a court of appropriate jurisdiction. We will then be governed by the court’s decision.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Authorized Capital

As of February 3, 2025, we were authorized to issue 200,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0005 par value and 5,000 shares of Series A preferred stock, $0.0005 par value. The Company expects that, prior to the consummation of this offering, the Company’s controlling shareholder will authorize the Company to file an amendment to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock to 50,000,000 shares and increase the authorized shares of preferred stock to 25,000,000 shares.

Common Stock

Each share of our Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote in the election of each director and on all other matters voted on generally by our stockholders, other than any matter that (1) solely relates to the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock or the number of shares of that series and (2) does not affect the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the powers, privileges and rights pertaining to the Common Stock. No share of our Common Stock affords any cumulative voting rights. This means that the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all directors to be elected if they choose to do so.

Holders of our Common Stock will be entitled to dividends in such amounts and at such times as our Board of Directors in its discretion may declare out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. We currently intend to retain our entire available discretionary cash flow to finance the growth, development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Any future dividends will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors.

If we liquidate or dissolve our business, the holders of our Common Stock will share ratably in all our assets that are available for distribution to our stockholders after our creditors are paid in full and the holders of all series of our outstanding preferred stock, if any, receive their liquidation preferences in full.

Our Common Stock has no preemptive rights and is not convertible or redeemable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund.

As of February 3, 2025, there were 157,610 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

Preferred Stock

We have 5,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, the terms of which may be fixed by our Board of Directors. We presently have no outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create and issue one or more series of such preferred stock and to determine the voting, dividend and other rights of holders of such preferred stock. If we raise additional funds to continue operations, we may issue preferred stock. The issuance of any of such series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the holders of common stock.

The Board of Directors of the Company approved a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (“Benefit Plan”) dated April 18, 2017, between the Company and Computershare. The Benefit Plan and the exercise of rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock, pursuant to the terms thereof, may delay, defer or prevent a change in control without the approval of the Board. In addition to the anti-takeover effects of the rights granted under the Benefit Plan, the issuance of preferred stock, generally, could have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.

Under the Benefit Plan, each outstanding share of our common stock has attached one preferred stock purchase right, each share of our common stock subsequently issued prior to the expiration of the Benefit Plan will likewise have attached one right. Under specified circumstances involving an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”), the right under the Benefit Plan that attaches to each share of our common stock will entitle the holder thereof to purchase 1/100 of a share of our Series A Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $5.00 (subject to adjustment), and to receive, upon exercise, shares of our common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. The Company and Computershare, as rights agents, are in discussions to extend the Benefit Plan to April 1, 2027.

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Series “A” Preferred Stock

The Company, pursuant to the consent of the Board filed a Certificate of Designation with the Delaware Secretary of State which designated 5,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series “A” Preferred Stock, par value $0.0005. The Series “A” Preferred Stock has the following attributes:

•        Ranks senior only to any other class or series of designated and outstanding preferred shares of the Company;

•        Is entitled to receive a dividend (a) quarterly, and (b) after a dividend has been made on the common stock;

•        In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the Corporation the “preferential amount” that the holders of the Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation shall be $0.10 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon;

•        The Company does not have any rights of redemption;

•        Has no voting rights except as provided by Delaware statutes;

•        Entitled to same notice of meeting provisions as common stockholders; and

•        Protective provisions require approval of 67-2/3% of the Series “A” Preferred Shares outstanding to modify the provisions or increase the authorized Series “A” Preferred Shares.

Series B Preferred Stock

Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the Company will file a Certificate of Designation (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”) with the Delaware Secretary of State which will designate [2 million] shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), no par value.

Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, an entity controlled by Mr. Toporek will purchase 985,063 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for a total purchase price of $30,000.

Voting rights

The holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stockholders”) shall have the right to vote, together with the holders of all the outstanding shares of Common Stock on all matters on which holders of Common Stock shall have the right to vote. The holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right to cast one vote for each share of Series B Preferred Stock held by them.

Conversion rights

Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at the holder’s option any time after the two-year anniversary of the date of this initial public offering, provided the Common Stock’s closing price meets or exceeds $40 per share on the date of conversion. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock is based on a specified formula as set forth in the Series B Certificate of Designation. By way of example only, if the closing price is $45 on the conversion date, one thousand (1,000) shares of Series B Preferred Stock will convert into approximately 1,110 shares of Common Stock. Adjustments to the conversion rate apply for stock splits, dividends, reorganizations, and certain corporate transactions.

Protective rights

The Series B Preferred Stockholders will have certain protective rights. Until less than 50% of the originally issued Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding, holders of at least 50% of such shares may appoint two directors to the Board. Additionally, until less than 20% of shares of Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the Company cannot take certain actions without the approval of at least 50% of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, including amending governing documents, altering the Board size, issuing or modifying Series B Preferred Stock, engaging in mergers, consolidations, or asset sales (except in the ordinary course), repurchasing shares (except under employment agreements), adopting equity incentive plans exceeding 10% of outstanding Common Stock, issuing additional shares (except under an approved plan), acquiring other entities, or incurring new indebtedness beyond refinancing existing debt.

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Stock Warrants

As of September 30, 2024, 6,322 warrants were outstanding. All of these warrants were issued to Brookstone Partners IAC in March 2020. The warrants are exercisable through October 15, 2028 with an exercise price that was between $10.00 and $30.00 per share, as determined by an independent valuation, through April 1, 2024, and, since that date, the exercise price is the lesser of (i) $75.00 per warrant share and (ii) the 10-day average closing price of the Company’s common stock at time of exercise.

At December 31, 2023, the total intrinsic value of warrants outstanding and exercisable is not determinable given the variable nature of the exercise price. The Company did not issue any warrants as compensation for services during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, there were 6,322 warrants outstanding and exercisable.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Delaware General Corporation Law limits or eliminates the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:

•        for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit;

•        for any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

•        for any unlawful payment of dividends or redemption of shares; or

•        for any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders.

Our bylaws include provisions that require us to indemnify our directors or officers against monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of our company. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect our directors, officers, employees and agents for certain liabilities.

We also intend to enter into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our bylaws. These agreements, among other things, will provide for indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by such persons in any action or proceeding arising out of this person’s services as a director or executive officer or at our request. We believe that these provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions under the Delaware General Corporation Law and in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. However, these provisions do not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s fiduciary duties. Moreover, the provisions do not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

Our authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval, except as may be required under the listing rules of any stock exchange on which our Common Stock is then listed. We may use additional shares for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

We cannot predict the effect, if any, future sales of shares of Common Stock, or the availability for future sale of shares of Common Stock, will have on the market price of shares of our Common Stock prevailing from time to time. Future sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur may adversely affect market prices prevailing from time to time. Furthermore, there may be sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public market after the existing legal and contractual restrictions lapse. This may adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise equity capital in the future. See “Risk Factors — Risks Associated with our Common Stock — Substantial Future Sales of Shares of Our Common Stock in The Public Market Could Cause Our Stock Price To Fall.”

Based on the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 3, 2025, after giving pro forma effect to the closing of this offering we will have 5,190,251 shares of Common Stock outstanding, assuming (1) no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares of Common Stock and (2) no exercise of outstanding options or warrants. Of those shares, all the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable.

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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 relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Common Stock purchased in this offering but is for general information purposes only and 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”), existing and proposed 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 and estate tax consequences different from those set forth below. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein, and we have not obtained, and do not intend to obtain, an opinion of counsel or ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership or disposition of our Common Stock.

This summary does not address any alternative minimum tax considerations, any considerations regarding the tax on net investment income, or the tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, or under any non-income tax laws, including U.S. federal gift and estate tax laws, except to the limited extent set forth below. In addition, this summary 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;

•        tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

•        regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;

•        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 five percent of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

•        tax-qualified retirement plans;

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

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

•        persons who hold our Common Stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction or integrated investment;

•        persons who hold or receive our Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

•        persons who do not hold our Common Stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; or

•        persons deemed to sell our Common Stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code.

In addition, if a partnership (or entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships that hold our Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their tax advisors.

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You are urged to consult your own tax advisors 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 Common Stock arising under the U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws or under the laws of any state, local, non-U.S., or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to a U.S. Holder of our Common Stock. For purposes of this discussion, you are a U.S. Holder if, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are a beneficial owner of our Common Stock, other than a partnership, that is:

•        an individual 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, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

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

•        a trust (x) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) which has made a valid election to be treated as a “United States person.”

Distributions

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions on our Common Stock, those payments will constitute dividends for U.S. 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, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock as described below under “— Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock.”

Dividend income may be taxed to an individual U.S. Holder at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that a minimum holding period and other limitations and requirements are satisfied. Any dividends that we pay to a U.S. Holder that is a corporation will qualify for a deduction allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations equal to a portion of any dividends received, subject to generally applicable limitations on that deduction. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the holding period and other requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the reduced tax rate on dividends or the dividends-received deduction.

Constructive Distributions

The terms of the warrants allow for changes in the exercise price of the warrants under certain circumstances. A change in exercise price of a warrant that allows holders to receive more shares of Common Stock on exercise may increase a holder’s proportionate interest in our earnings and profits or assets. In that case, such holder may be treated as though it received a taxable distribution in the form of our Common Stock. A taxable constructive stock distribution would generally result, for example, if the exercise price is adjusted to compensate holders for distributions of cash or property to our stockholders.

Not all changes in the exercise price that result in a holder’s receiving more Common Stock on exercise, however, would be considered as increasing a holder’s proportionate interest in our earnings and profits or assets. For instance, a change in exercise price could simply prevent the dilution of a holder’s interest upon a stock split or other change in capital structure. Changes of this type, if made pursuant to bona fide reasonable adjustment formula, are not treated as constructive stock distributions for these purposes. Conversely, if an event occurs that dilutes a holder’s interest and the exercise price is not adjusted, the resulting increase in the proportionate interests of our stockholders could be treated as a taxable stock distribution to our stockholders.

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Any taxable constructive stock distributions resulting from a change to, or a failure to change, the exercise price of the warrants that is treated as a distribution of Common Stock would be treated for U.S federal income tax purposes in the same manner as distributions on our Common Stock paid in cash or other property, resulting in a taxable dividend to the recipient to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (with the recipient’s tax basis in its Common Stock or warrants, as applicable, being increased by the amount of such dividend), and with any excess treated as a return of capital or as capital gain. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding whether any taxable constructive stock dividend would be eligible for tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, or the dividends-received deduction described under “— Distributions,” as the requisite applicable holding period requirements might not be considered to be satisfied.

Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock

A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our Common Stock. The amount of gain or loss will equal the difference between the amount realized on the sale and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such Common Stock. The amount realized will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received in exchange for such Common Stock. Gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the Common Stock for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally taxed at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Lapse or Other Taxable Disposition of a Warrant

Upon a sale, exchange, redemption, lapse or other taxable disposition of a warrant, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized (if any) on the disposition and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant. The amount realized will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received in exchange for the warrant. The U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant generally will equal the amount the holder paid for the warrant. Gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the warrant for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders are generally taxed at preferential rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Exercise of a Warrant

The exercise of a warrant for shares of Common Stock generally will not be a taxable event for the exercising U.S. Holder, except with respect to cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share. A U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the shares of Common Stock received on exercise of a warrant equal to the sum of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the warrant surrendered, reduced by any portion of the basis allocable to a fractional share, plus the exercise price of the warrant. A U.S. Holder generally will have a holding period in shares of Common Stock acquired on exercise of a warrant that commences on the date of exercise of the warrant.

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to a Non-U.S. Holder of our Common Stock or warrants. A “non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our Common Stock or warrants (other than a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is not a U.S. Holder.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion below regarding effectively connected income, any dividend, including any taxable constructive stock dividend resulting from certain adjustments, or failure to make adjustments, to the exercise price of a warrant (as described above under “Consequences to U.S. Holders — Constructive Distributions”), paid to a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. 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. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, a Non-U.S. Holder must provide us with an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable IRS Form W-8 properly certifying qualification for the reduced rate. These forms must be updated periodically. A Non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. If a Non-U.S. Holder

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holds our Common Stock or warrants through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. Holder’s behalf, the Non-U.S. Holder 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.

Dividends received by a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with its conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States) are generally exempt from such withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder satisfies certain certification and disclosure requirements. In order to obtain this exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must provide us with an IRS Form W-8ECI or other applicable IRS Form W-8 properly certifying such exemption. Such effectively connected dividends, although not subject to withholding tax, are taxed at the same graduated U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. Holders, net of certain deductions and credits. In addition, dividends received by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with its conduct of a U.S. trade or business 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. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Gain on Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Stock or Warrants

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our Common Stock or a warrant unless:

•        the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. Holder’s 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 the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States);

•        the Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien 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

•        shares of our Common Stock or our warrants, as applicable, constitute U.S. real property interests by reason of our status as a “United States real property holding corporation” (a USRPHC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the non-U.S. Holder’s disposition of, or the non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for, our Common Stock or warrants, as applicable.

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 relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if we become a USRPHC, however, if our Common Stock becomes regularly traded on an established securities market (as defined by applicable Treasury regulations), such Common Stock will be treated as U.S. real property interests only if the Non-U.S. Holder actually or constructively held more than five percent of such regularly traded Common Stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding the non-U.S. Holder’s disposition of, or the non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for, our Common Stock. In addition, provided that our Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market (as defined by applicable Treasury regulations), a warrant will not be treated as a U.S. real property interest with respect to a Non-U.S. Holder if such holder did not own, actually or constructively, warrants whose total fair market value on the date they were acquired (and on the date or dates any additional warrants were acquired) exceeded the fair market value on that date (and on the date or dates any additional warrants were acquired) of five percent of all our Common Stock.

If the Non-U.S. Holder is described in the first bullet above, it will be required to pay tax on the net gain derived from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition under regular graduated 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 rate of 30%, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. An individual Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet above will be required to pay a flat 30% tax (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition, which gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses for the year (provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses). Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax or other treaties that may provide for different rules.

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Federal Estate Tax

Common Stock or warrants beneficially owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of their death will generally be includable in the decedent’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes. Such shares, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to you, your name and 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 if you reside outside of the United States.

Payments of dividends on or of proceeds from the disposition of our Common Stock or warrants made to you may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. Backup withholding may apply at a current rate of 24% unless you (i) provide the payor with a correct taxpayer identification number and comply with applicable certification requirements, or (ii) establish an exemption, for example, by properly certifying your non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable 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 that is not an exempt recipient.

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.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes withholding tax at a rate of 30% on dividends on and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our Common Stock or warrants paid to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules), unless such institution 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 the 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 otherwise establishes an exemption. FATCA also generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our Common Stock or warrants paid to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined for purposes of these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying certain substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity, certifies that there are none or otherwise establishes an exemption. 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 paragraph. The withholding provisions under FATCA generally apply to dividends paid by us. While withholding under FATCA would also have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock on or after January 1, 2022, recently proposed Treasury regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our Common Stock or warrants.

Each prospective investor should consult its own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of our Common Stock or warrants, including the consequences of any proposed changes in applicable laws.

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UNDERWRITING

Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC (“Joseph Gunnar” or the “Representative”) is acting as underwriter of this offering. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC, dated [•], 2025, with respect to the shares of our Common Stock subject to this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from us on a firm commitment basis, the number of shares of our Common Stock set forth opposite its name in the table below:

Underwriter

 

Number of
Shares

Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

 

 

Total

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus are subject to various conditions and representations and warranties, including the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The shares of Common Stock are offered by the underwriter, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them. The underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part. The underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus if any such shares of Common Stock are taken, other than those shares of Common Stock covered by the over-allotment option described below.

The Common Stock sold in this offering are expected to be ready for delivery on or about [•], 2025, against payment in immediately available funds. The underwriter may reject all or part of any order.

Over-Allotment Option

We have granted to the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 187,500 shares of Common Stock from us at the same price to the public, and with the same underwriting discount, as set forth in the table below. The underwriters may exercise this option any time during the 45-day period after the date of closing of this offering, but only to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent the underwriters exercise the option, the underwriters will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the shares of Common Stock for which they exercise the option.

Discounts and Commissions

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at a price of $[•] per share. The underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock to certain dealers at the same price less a concession of not more than $[•] per share. After the offering, these figures may be changed by the underwriters.

The table below summarizes the underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the over-allotment option.

 

Per Share

 

Total without
Over-
Allotment
Option

 

Total with
Over-
Allotment
Option

Public offering price

 

$

[•]

 

$

[•]

 

$

[•]

Underwriting discounts and commissions (8.0%)

 

$

[•]

 

$

[•]

 

$

[•]

Proceeds, before expenses to us

 

$

[•]

 

$

[•]

 

$

[•]

We have agreed to pay the underwriter’s out-of-pocket accountable expenses, including its legal fees, up to a maximum amount of $125,000 if this offering is completed as well as a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1.0%) of the public offering price. The fees and expenses of the underwriters that we have agreed to reimburse are not included in the underwriting discounts set forth in the table above. The underwriting discount and reimbursable expenses the underwriters will receive were determined through arms’ length negotiations between us and the underwriters.

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, not including the underwriting discount, will be approximately $[•], which includes up to $125,000 that we have agreed to reimburse the underwriter for the fees and expenses incurred by it and its legal counsel in connection with this offering and a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1.0%) of the public offering price. These expenses are payable by us.

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We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, or to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

Representative’s Warrant

We have agreed to issue to Joseph Gunnar (or its permitted assignees) a warrant to purchase a number of common shares that is equal to 5.0% of the aggregate number of common shares sold in this offering (up to 62,500 common shares, or up to 71,875 common shares if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full). The Representative’s Warrant will be non-exercisable for six (6) months from the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and will expire one and one half (1.5) years after such date. The warrant is exercisable at a per share price equal to 100% of the offering price, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. Such warrant will be subject to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1) in that, except as otherwise permitted by FINRA rules, for a period of 180 days from the commencement of sales of this offering, the warrant 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 except as permitted by FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2). The Representative’s Warrant and the shares of common stock underlying the Representative’s Warrant are being registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The Representative’s Warrants will provide for registration rights including unlimited piggyback rights and a one-time demand registration rights for a period of one and one half (1.5) years from the effective date of this registration statement, as permitted under FINRA Rule 5110(g). The exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation consistent with FINRA Rule 5110.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, each of our officers, directors and executive and 5% or greater shareholders have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock for a period of six (6) months after this offering is completed without the prior written consent of the Representative.

The Representative may in its sole discretion and at any time without notice release some or all of the shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period.

Right of First Refusal

Upon the closing of this offering, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the closing date of this offering, we will grant Joseph Gunnar the right of first refusal to act as sole managing underwriter and sole book runner, sole placement agent, or sole sales agent, for any and all future public or private equity or equity-linked offerings, for which we retain the service of an underwriter, agent, advisor, finder or other person or entity in connection with such offering during such eighteen (18) month period. The Company shall not offer to retain any entity or person in connection with any such offering on terms more favorable than terms on which it offers to retain Joseph Gunnar.

Tail

In the event that any investor whom the Representative had contacted or introduced to us during the term of its engagement provides any capital to us, in a public or private offering or other financing or capital-raising transaction of any kind, within the twelve (12) months following the later of (a) the closing of this offering and (b) the expiration or termination of the engagement of the underwriter, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, we will pay the Representative the cash and warrant compensation provided above, calculated in the same manner. If the Company terminates such engagement of the Representative for cause, in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(B), then no tail fee will be owed to the Representative.

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Stabilization

SEC rules may limit the ability of the underwriters to bid for or purchase shares before the distribution of the shares is completed. However, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in accordance with the rules:

•        Stabilizing transactions — The representative may make bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the shares, so long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum

•        Over-allotments and syndicate covering transactions — The underwriters may sell more common shares in connection with this offering than the number of shares than they have committed to purchase. This over-allotment creates a short position for the underwriters. This short sales position may involve either “covered” short sales or “naked” short sales. Covered short sales are short sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in this offering described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising its over-allotment option or by purchasing shares in the open market. To determine how they will close the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market, as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Naked short sales are short sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that, in the open market after pricing, there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares that could adversely affect investors who purchase shares in this offering.

•        Penalty bids — If the representative purchases shares in the open market in a stabilizing transaction or syndicate covering transaction, it may reclaim a selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of this offering.

•        Passive market making — Market makers in the shares who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may make bids for or purchases of shares, subject to limitations, until the time, if ever, at which a stabilizing bid is made.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales or to stabilize the market price of our common shares may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common shares or preventing or mitigating a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result, the price of the common shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the shares if it discourages resales of the shares.

Listing

Our Common Stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “CAPS.” We have applied to have our Common Stock approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CAPS”. Completion of this offering is contingent on the approval of our listing application for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Determination of Offering Price

The public offering price will be determined by negotiations between us and the representative of the underwriters. In determining the public offering price, we and the representative of the underwriters expect to consider a number of factors including:

•        the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representative;

•        our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

•        an assessment of our management;

•        our prospects for future earnings;

•        the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

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•        the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common shares of generally comparable companies; and

•        other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our Common Stock, or that the shares will trade in the public market at or above the public offering price.

Offer Restrictions Outside the United States

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.

The shares offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares

A prospectus in electronic format may be delivered to potential investors by one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering. The prospectus in electronic format will be identical to the paper version of such prospectus. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Certain Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and certain of their affiliates may in the future perform, various commercial and investment banking and financial advisory services for us, for which they will receive customary fees and expenses.   

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TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The transfer agent of our Common Stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Their address is 150 Royall Street Canton, MA 02021.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by Lucosky Brookman LLP, Woodbridge, New Jersey. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriter by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York, in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of GBQ Partners LLC, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and the exhibits of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities being offered under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto.

The SEC maintains an Internet web site, which is located at www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may access the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part at the SEC’s Internet web site. We are subject the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.

You may request, orally or in writing, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference. These documents will be provided to you at no cost by contacting: Capstone Holding Corp., Attn: Office of the Corporate Secretary, 5141 W. 122nd Street, Alsip, IL 60803. In addition, copies of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be accessed at our website at https://www.capstonethx.com contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus. The inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is only as an inactive textual reference.

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F-1

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors
Capstone Holding Corp.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Capstone Holdings Corp. (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, 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 the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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 standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 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 audits 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 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/ GBQ Partners LLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

Columbus, Ohio
December 30, 2024

F-2

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

December 31,
2023

 

December 31,
2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

52

 

 

$

23

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

2,581

 

 

 

3,031

 

Inventories

 

 

13,750

 

 

 

17,398

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

458

 

 

 

313

 

Other current assets

 

 

241

 

 

 

207

 

Total current assets

 

 

17,082

 

 

 

20,972

 

Long-term Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,756

 

 

 

1,815

 

Goodwill

 

 

23,286

 

 

 

23,286

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

10

 

 

 

23

 

Right of use assets

 

 

2,922

 

 

 

3,439

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

7,629

 

Investment in non-marketable securities

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,000

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

48

 

 

 

48

 

Total long-term assets

 

 

35,619

 

 

 

44,240

 

Total Assets

 

$

52,701

 

 

$

65,212

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

2,575

 

 

$

1,419

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

324

 

 

 

1,307

 

Line of credit

 

 

8,574

 

 

 

7,271

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

3,612

 

 

 

1,094

 

Current portion, lease liability

 

 

887

 

 

 

797

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

15,973

 

 

 

11,888

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued related party management fee

 

 

351

 

 

 

351

 

Long term debt, net of current portion

 

 

5,114

 

 

 

16,915

 

Lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

2,141

 

 

 

2,727

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

7,606

 

 

 

19,993

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

23,578

 

 

 

31,881

 

TotalStone, LLC – Class B Preferred Units

 

 

25,871

 

 

 

24,105

 

TotalStone, LLC – Special Preferred Units

 

 

815

 

 

 

1,054

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock $0.0005 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 157,610 issued as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

193,044

 

 

 

193,044

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(190,607

)

 

 

(184,872

)

Total Equity

 

 

2,437

 

 

 

8,172

 

Total Liabilities, TotalStone, LLC. Preferred Units & Equity

 

$

52,701

 

 

$

65,212

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-3

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Sales

 

$

48,643

 

 

$

61,651

 

Sales returns and allowances

 

 

(289

)

 

 

(90

)

Net sales

 

 

48,354

 

 

 

61,561

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

45,030

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

16,531

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

10,867

 

 

 

12,538

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

(1,256

)

 

 

3,993

 

Loss on investment

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,672

)

 

 

(1,267

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

143

 

 

 

372

 

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

 

(3,585

)

 

 

3,098

 

Income tax expense

 

 

234

 

 

 

783

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

(3,819

)

 

 

2,315

 

Less: Net loss attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special preferred units

 

 

(150

)

 

 

(62

)

Class B units preferred return

 

 

(1,766

)

 

 

(2,263

)

Net Income (loss) attributable to Capstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holding Corp. stockholders

 

$

(5,735

)

 

$

(10

)

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-4

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

 

Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2023

 

Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2022

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(3,819

)

 

$

2,315

 

Non cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

306

 

 

 

241

 

Loss on investment

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(7,200

)

 

 

—

 

Deferred taxes

 

 

32

 

 

 

525

 

Change in other operating items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and other assets

 

 

4,436

 

 

 

(4,873

)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

 

(305

)

 

 

(1,098

)

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

 

 

1,449

 

 

 

(2,890

)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment, net

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(173

)

Cash flows used in investing activities

 

 

(208

)

 

 

(173

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from debt issuance

 

 

0

 

 

 

730

 

Proceeds from sale-leaseback

 

 

—

 

 

 

3,071

 

Borrowings under line of credit, net

 

 

1,303

 

 

 

5,673

 

Debt payments

 

 

(2,127

)

 

 

(6,438

)

Cash payment to special preferred equity members

 

 

(389

)

 

 

—

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(1,213

)

 

 

3,036

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

28

 

 

 

(27

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

23

 

 

 

50

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

51

 

 

$

23

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from finance leases (interest)

 

$

10

 

 

$

9

 

Financing cash flows from finance leases (principal portion)

 

 

134

 

 

 

120

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

 

762

 

 

 

745

 

Non-cash operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on investment in Diamond Products Holding, LLC

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt DPH secured promissory note

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of senior secured note into 78,333 shares of common stock

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,939

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-5

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except Common Stock Shares)

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)

 

Total
Equity

 

Class B
Units

 

Special
Preferred
Unit

Balance at January 1, 2022

 

79,277

 

$

191,105

 

$

(184,864

)

 

$

6,241

 

 

$

21,844

 

$

992

Net income

     

 

   

 

2,315

 

 

 

2,315

 

 

 

   

 

 

Accrued Class B Distributions

     

 

   

 

(2,261

)

 

 

(2,261

)

 

 

2,261

 

 

 

Accrued Special Preferred Distributions

     

 

   

 

(62

)

 

 

(62

)

 

 

   

 

62

Debt conversion to Common Stock (78,333 shares)

 

78,333

 

 

1,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(184,872

)

 

$

8,172

 

 

$

24,105

 

$

1,054

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)

 

Total
Equity

 

Class B
Units

 

Special
Preferred
Unit

Balance at January 1, 2023

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(184,872

)

 

$

8,172

 

 

$

24,105

 

$

1,054

 

Net income

     

 

   

 

(3,819

)

 

 

(3,819

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued Class B Distributions

     

 

   

 

(1,766

)

 

 

(1,766

)

 

 

1,766

 

 

 

 

Accrued Special Preferred Distributions

     

 

   

 

(150

)

 

 

(150

)

 

 

   

 

150

 

Special Preferred Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

(389

)

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(190,607

)

 

$

2,437

 

 

$

25,871

 

$

815

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-6

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1        Nature of Operations

Capstone Holding Corp. (the “Capstone”) is a holding company and its operations consist substantially of the operations of its consolidated subsidiary, TotalStone, LLC (“TotalStone,” or “Instone”). On April 1, 2020, Capstone obtained controlling interests in TotalStone, a materials distribution company that distributes masonry stone products for residential and commercial construction in the Midwest and Northeast United States under the trade names Instone and Northeast Masonry Distributors (“NMD”).

Note 2        Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Preparation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Capstone and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of these financial statements and accompanying notes are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, and all adjustments were of a normal recurring nature.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make a number of assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s assumptions regarding current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Cash

Cash consists of balances held in commercial bank accounts.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. The Company estimates expected credit losses for the allowance for expected credit losses based upon its assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of its customers, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect the Company’s ability to collect from customers. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled approximately $104.0 thousand and $106.0 thousand, respectively.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company places cash with high credit quality institutions. During the normal course of business, balances in these accounts may exceed the maximum amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s diverse customer base and generally short payment terms. Management believes there is no business vulnerability regarding concentrations of accounts receivable and sales due to the strong relationships and financial strength of our customers.

F-7

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2        Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Inventories

Inventories consisting of finished goods are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the average cost method, or net realizable value. Inventories also include deposits placed on inventory purchases for shipments not yet received. Significant prepaid inventory may be located overseas. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the total prepaid inventory balance was $912.0 thousand and $1.4 million, respectively. The reserve for obsolete or slow-moving inventory at December 31, 2023 and 2022, totaled $324.0 thousand and $301.0 thousand, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated over the estimated useful lives ranging from three to forty years. Depreciation is computed by using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and straight-line and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. Property and equipment is comprised of building, machinery & equipment, computer equipment, leasehold improvements, software, office equipment, vehicles, and furniture & fixtures. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment annually as of the 1st day of the fourth quarter of each year or more frequently if indications of potential impairment exist. The Company’s goodwill is recognized in one reporting unit, its consolidated subsidiary, TotalStone.

In evaluating potential goodwill impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on a review of qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a quantitative analysis. If the quantitative analysis indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we measure any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company determined that no impairment was required for the periods presented.

Intangible assets with finite lives, consist of a non-compete agreement, amortized over the term of the agreement.

Long-lived Asset Impairments

Long-lived assets and finite lived identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events of changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount of which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company determined that no impairment was required for the periods presented.

Investment in Non-Marketable Securities

Investments in non-marketable securities without readily determinable fair values by entities that do not exercise significant influence over the investee are recorded at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes.

Revenue Recognition

Sales are recognized when revenue is realized or becomes realizable and has been earned, net of sales tax. In general, revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is usually upon shipment of the product. Our sales predominantly contain a single delivery element and revenue is recognized at a point in time when ownership, risks and rewards transfer. For 2023 and 2022, there are no estimates of variable consideration represented in revenue.

F-8

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2        Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Shipping and Handling

The Company includes amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling and shipping and handling expenses in cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs

Advertising and promotional expenses are expensed in the period incurred unless there are material costs that benefit future periods. The consolidated financial statements currently do not reflect any prepaid advertising expenses. For 2023 and 2022, advertising expenses were $285.0 thousand and $283.0 thousand, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were not significant in the periods presented.

Note 3        Related Party Transactions

TotalStone is party to an agreement with a related party, BP Peptides, LLC, an entity controlled by Brookstone Partners (“Brookstone”), the Company’s majority shareholder. Pursuant to this agreement, Brookstone Partners Acquisition XIV, LLC provides annual consulting services totaling $400.0 thousand. The agreement also provides for an additional management fee equal to 5% of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) in excess of $4.0 million. Amounts accrued for such consulting services totaled $351.0 and $419.0 thousand as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, $67.0 thousand is also included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. The management fees expensed in 2023 and 2022 were $400.0 and $512.0 thousand, respectively, and included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Stream Finance, LLC, which serves as a creditor on the TotalStone’s mezzanine term loan of $1.3 million as of December 31, 2023, is managed by Brookstone, which has a 77.3% ownership through BP Peptides, LLC, and two board member seats of the Company.

TotalStone was leasing a facility from a former officer and current Board Member of TotalStone for $29.0 thousand per month. As of February 2022, the lessor is no longer a related party.

On December 21, 2020, BP Peptides, LLC exercised its right to convert $572.7 thousand of accrued interest ($538.0 thousand) and secured debt ($35.0 thousand) into 24,900 shares of Capstone’s Common Stock (exercised price of $23/share). The Company incurred issuance expenses of $5.0 thousand resulting in a net increase in Additional Paid-in Capital of $568.0 thousand.

As further disclosed in Note 6, on March 31, 2021 a subsidiary of the Company acquired a minority interest in Diamond Products, LLC (“Diamond”) from an entity affiliated with Brookstone in exchange for a note payable issued to Brookstone by a Company subsidiary.

The 20% minority investment in DPH represented an effective 19% equity interest in Diamond and approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis. The Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of Diamond and DPH. The December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet includes the Company’s $8.0 million investment in long-term assets and the corresponding $8.0 million note payable plus accrued interest.

On November 9, 2023 in connection with a restructuring and recapitalization transaction of Diamond’s operating entities, Diamond and other related party entities affiliated with Brookstone XXI entered into a transaction that sold 100% of the membership interest in Diamond inclusive of Beta’s minority interest in Diamond via its membership interest in DPH to a third party. No cash consideration was received in this transaction. Rather, the primary consideration received by the selling parties was the release of guarantees of senior debt of Diamond operating entities. The third

F-9

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3        Related Party Transactions (cont.)

party assumed none of the $8.0 million debt liability and no other consideration was transferred. As a result, the Company’s wrote-off its equity investment in DPH from $8.0 million to zero, and recognized a $7.2 million gain on debt extinguishment from Brookstone XXI’s debt forgiveness which was consistent with the terms of the note agreement that limited Captone’s risk upon sale or disposition of Diamond’s membership interests to the $800.0 thousand limited guaranty provided by Capstone which is the net amount of the loss recognized in the 2023 statement of operations from this transaction. The remaining unsecured debt liability $800.0 thousand plus accrued interest will remain on the Company’s balance sheet with a maturity date of June 30, 2026.

On June 15, 2022, Brookstone, exercised its right to convert $1.9 million of accrued interest and debt from its senior secured note into 78,333 shares of the Capstone’s Common Stock exercised at $24.75 per share. With this transaction, Brookstone now owns 121,774 shares of Capstone’s Common Stock or 77.3% of the 157,610 outstanding shares of common stock.

Note 4        Property and Equipment, Net.

A summary of the Company’s property and equipment is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

December 31,
2023

 

December 31,
2022

Property and Equipment, Net,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and buildings

 

$

685

 

 

$

685

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

856

 

 

 

842

 

Computer equipment

 

 

323

 

 

 

230

 

Computer software

 

 

347

 

 

 

259

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

332

 

 

 

332

 

Leasehold Improvements

 

 

749

 

 

 

736

 

Total property and equipment

 

$

3,292

 

 

$

3,084

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,536

)

 

 

(1,269

)

Total property and equipment

 

$

1,756

 

 

$

1,815

 

Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment for 2023 and 2022 was $267.0 thousand and $241.0 thousand, respectively.

Note 5        Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $23.3 million in goodwill. There were no changes in the recognized goodwill balance during 2023 and 2022.

The following tables summarize the Company’s other intangible assets in (“000’s”):

 

As of December 31, 2022

   

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

Non-compete agreements

 

$

50

 

$

(30

)

 

$

20

Customer lists

 

 

231

 

 

(231

)

 

 

—

Other

 

 

11

 

 

(8

)

 

 

3

Total definite-lived intangible assets

 

 

292

 

 

(269

)

 

 

23

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

Total intangible assets

 

$

292

 

$

(269

)

 

$

23

F-10

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5        Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (cont.)

 

As of December 31, 2023

   

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

Non-compete agreements

 

$

50

 

$

(40

)

 

$

10

Customer lists

 

 

231

 

 

(231

)

 

 

—

Other

 

 

11

 

 

(11

)

 

 

—

Total definite-lived intangible assets

 

 

292

 

 

(282

)

 

 

10

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

Total intangible assets

 

$

292

 

$

(282

)

 

$

10

Expected amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets held as of December 31, 2023 is as follows in (“000’s”):

Year

   

2024

 

$

10

2025

 

 

—

2026

 

 

—

Thereafter

 

 

—

Total

 

$

10

Note 6        Investment in Non-Marketable Securities

On January 15, 2021, the Capstone acquired a minority interest in a consumer products company, Diamond Products, LLC (“Diamond”), a sexual wellness holding company. The structure of the transaction was as follows: i) Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation (“Brookstone XXI”) contributed its approximately 95% equity interest in Diamond, which represented approximately 62% equity ownership on a fully-diluted basis, to Diamond Products Holdings, LLC (“DPH”); ii) The Company formed Capstone Beta LLC (“Beta”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Beta purchased a portion of Brookstone XXI’s interest in DPH; iii) Beta issued a promissory note to Brookstone XXI in the original principal amount of $8.0 million, bearing interest at 1% per annum over a 36 month term, and secured its obligations thereunder by pledging Beta’s interests in DPH; and iv) As additional credit support, Capstone issued a limited payment guaranty to Brookstone XXI in the amount of 10% of the principal amount of Beta’s promissory note. The terms of the promissory note issued by Beta to Brookstone XXI include provisions whereby i) in the event that the membership interests in Diamond are sold or otherwise disposed of, any proceeds received by Beta are to be utilized to prepay the promissory note to Brookstone XXI and Brookstone XXI’s remaining recourse for the remaining note balance, if any, is limited to the pledged collateral (Beta’s membership interest in DPH) and the $800.0 thousand limited payment guarantee provide by Capstone. DPH was structured to hold one asset, the membership interest in Diamond, and accordingly upon the sale or other disposition of the membership interests in Diamond, the sole recourse of payment by Brookstone XXI is the $800.0 thousand limited payment guarantee. In summary, the intent of Brookstone XXI and the special committee of Capstone’s independent directors entering into this arrangement was to limit Capstone’s downside risk to $800.0 thousand.

The 20% minority investment in DPH represented an effective 19% equity interest in Diamond and approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis. The Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of Diamond and DPH. The December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet includes the Company’s $8.0 million investment in long-term assets and the corresponding $8.0 million note payable plus accrued interest.

F-11

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 6        Investment in Non-Marketable Securities (cont.)

On November 9, 2023 in connection with a restructuring and recapitalization transaction of Diamond’s operating entities, Diamond and other related party entities affiliated with Brookstone XXI entered into a transaction that sold 100% of the membership interest in Diamond inclusive of Beta’s minority interest in Diamond via its membership interest in DPH to a third party. No cash consideration was received in this transaction. Rather, the primary consideration received by the selling parties was the release of guarantees of senior debt of Diamond operating entities. The third party assumed none of the $8.0 million debt liability and no other consideration was transferred. As a result, the Company’s wrote-off its equity investment in DPH from $8.0 million to zero, and recognized a $7.2 million gain on debt extinguishment from Brookstone XXI’s debt forgiveness which was consistent with the terms of the note agreement that limited Captone’s risk upon sale or disposition of Diamond’s membership interests to the $800.0 thousand limited guaranty provided by Capstone which is the net amount of the loss recognized in the 2023 statement of operations from this transaction. The remaining unsecured debt liability $800.0 thousand plus accrued interest will remain on the Company’s balance sheet with a maturity date of June 30, 2026, as agreed upon by the noteholder.

Note 7        Line of Credit

On June 29, 2015, TotalStone established a Revolving Credit Note which has been amended since. Under the terms of the Tenth Amendment to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Berkshire Bank, executed on December 20, 2023, TotalStone, LLC maximum revolving advance amount is $14.0 million for working capital purposes. Advances under the credit agreement are limited to a formula-based amount of up to eighty-five (85%) percent of the face amount of the TotalStone “Eligible Accounts Receivable” plus about fifty-five (55%) percent of the face amount of the TotalStone, “Finished Goods Inventory” up to a maximum amount of $8.0 million. Interest charged on unpaid principal amount of the Credit Agreements bear a rate per annum of SOFR plus 2.5% (7.96% and 6.89% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively). The balance outstanding on the line of credit was $8.5 million and $7.2 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with a maturity date of April 30, 2025.

Note 8        Debt

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $9.0 million in long-term debt, with $3.6 million payable within 12 months. A summary of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

December 31,
2023

 

December 31,
2022

Long-term Debt

       

Note payable to BP Peptides, LLC “Brookstone”. The unsecured loan bears interest at 6% per annum, with interest payable quarterly and the amended maturity date is June 30, 2026.

 

774

 

733

Mezzanine term loan to Steam Finance, LLC, collateralized by substantially all of TotalStone’s assets and subordinated to the Bank term notes. Interest is calculated monthly as the Base Rate divided by an Adjustment Factor of 0.75, not to exceed 15% per annum (see further details below), with a maturity date of December 31, 2025.

 

1,309

 

2,070

Seller’s note with Avelina Masonry, LLC, which required monthly payments of $48.0 thousand. The original maturity date was November 13, 2022 but the loan has not been paid in full and is in default. The loan bears interest at one-month SOFR plus 4.5% plus 3.0% default (12.96% and 8.89% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At December 31, 2023, $60.0 thousand of accrued interest remains unpaid and is included within this amount.

 

819

 

1,095

F-12

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8        Debt (cont.)

 

December 31,
2023

 

December 31,
2022

Term note agreement with Berkshire Bank, due in 48 consecutive monthly payments of $83.0 thousand. The loan matures on December 1, 2025 and is secured by all assets of TotalStone. Interest is charged at the one-month SOFR plus 3.5% (8.96% and 7.89% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively).

 

 

1,910

 

 

 

3,000

 

In December 2022, TotalStone sold its facility in Navarre, Ohio to a nonaffiliated third party for a purchase price of $3.2 million and concurrently entered into a leaseback transaction. The transaction is treated as a failed sale in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company therefore recorded a financing liability related to the sale-leaseback in the amount of the sale price. The obligation matures in January 2048 and requires monthly payments of principal and interest. With the sale leaseback, TotalStone signed a lease agreement with a 25-year lease term. The initial annual lease payment of $259.0 thousand increases 2% per annum. The imputed interest rate is 8.10%.

 

 

3,181

 

 

 

3,183

 

Auto loan from VW Credit, Inc. with an interest rate of 3.99% per annum over 48 months commencing January 1, 2020. The loan was paid in full on December 26, 2023.

 

 

—

 

 

 

10

 

Unsecured promissory note with Brookstone plus accrued interest to acquire a minority interest in DPH. Interest accrues at 6% per annum, with a maturity date of June 30, 2026.

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

8,142

 

   

 

9,003

 

 

 

18,233

 

Less: current portion

 

 

(3,612

)

 

 

(1,094

)

Less unamortized loan origination fees

 

 

(277

)

 

 

(224

)

Total Long-term debt

 

$

5,114

 

 

$

16,915

 

Mezzanine Term Loan — Stream Finance, LLC.

Table A

or

Table B

     

Level

Adjusted EBITDA of TotalStone
(exclusive of Northeast)

Rate

 

Level

Adjusted EBITDA of TotalStone
and Northeast

Rate

I

Greater than $2,500,000

12%

 

I

Greater than $4,000,000

12%

II

Less than or equal to $2,500,000, but greater than or equal to $2,000,000

10%

 

II

Less than or equal to $4,000,000, but greater than or equal to $3,500,000

10%

III

Less than $2,000,000

8%

 

III

Less than $3,500,000

8%

Scheduled maturities of long-term as of December 31, 2023, are as follows:

2024

 

$

3,610

2025

 

 

2,232

2026

 

 

20

2027

 

 

27

2028

 

 

35

Thereafter

 

 

3,079

Total

 

$

9,003

F-13

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 9        Leases

As of December 31, 2023, the balance of our right-of-use (“ROU”) assets was $2.9 million, net and lease liabilities of $3.0 million, are included in current portion, lease liability and lease liability, net of current portion. The maturity of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023 is as follows in (“000’s”):

Year

 

Finance

 

Operating

2024

 

$

160

 

 

$

778

 

2025

 

 

126

 

 

 

638

 

2026

 

 

79

 

 

 

656

 

2027

 

 

26

 

 

 

602

 

2028

 

 

8

 

 

 

86

 

Thereafter

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Total undiscounted Lease Payments

 

 

401

 

 

 

2,760

 

Less: Present value discount

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(123

)

Total Lease Liability

 

$

391

 

 

$

l,637

 

Lease expense recognized on our leases is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

Twelve months
ended
December 31,
2023

 

Twelve months
ended
December 31,
2022

Finance leases

 

 

   

 

 

Amortization expense

 

$

139

 

$

121

Interest expense

 

 

11

 

 

9

Operating leases

 

 

   

 

 

Straight-line rent expense

 

 

779

 

 

779

Total lease expense

 

$

929

 

$

909

The following summarizes additional information related to our leases for 2023 and 2022 in (“000’s”):

 

Twelve months ended
December 31, 2023

 

Twelve months ended
December 31, 2022

   

Finance

 

Operating

 

Finance

 

Operating

Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years)

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

4.8

 

Weighted-average discount rate

 

 

3.93

%

 

 

2.95

%

 

 

3.77

%

 

 

2.95

%

ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities

 

$

219

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

99

 

 

$

—

 

Note 10      TotalStone Preferred Units

The Company owns 100% of TotalStone’s outstanding common voting units and receives certain funding from TotalStone, in exchange for potential benefits to the combined organization from the use of the Company’s Federal Net Operating Loss and other tax benefit carryovers. The existing holders of TotalStone’s common stock received Class B Preferred Units valued at $20.5 million, with a quarterly dividend.

In addition, as part of the merger of the Company and TotalStone, the Mezzanine lender accepted $873.0 thousand as a Special Preferred Unit in lieu of debt. The Special Preferred Unit has a preferential distribution position but does not earn a preferred return.

On March 8, 2023, the Company entered into the Ninth Amendment to the Revolving Credit, term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Ninth Amendment”). The Ninth Amendment permited a payment of $389.0 thousand to the Special Preferred Unit holders.

F-14

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 11      TotalStone Warrants

In connection with the April 2020 TotalStone transaction, 1,175 warrants to purchase class A common interest in TotalStone were granted to TotalStone management. The warrants have a purchase price of $0.01 per warrant unit and vested in equal annual installments over a three-year period, with March 31, 2023 as the final vesting date.

Vested warrants may be exercised through March 31, 2030 subject to continuing employment. The fair value of the warrants granted was not significant and accordingly no equity-based compensation has been recognized in the statements of operations.

Note 12      Stockholders’ Equity

In June 2015, our stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and reserved 1,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance. At December 31, 2023, no shares remained available to grant under the Plan and all granted shares are fully vested.

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. The Company generally estimates the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. No options were granted in 2023 or 2022.

Stock Compensation

There were no stock compensation costs, option grants or stock options exercised in 2023 or 2022. At December 31, 2023, there were no remaining unamortized non-cash stock compensation costs.

As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were approximately 976 and 1,753 options exercisable and vested at a weighted average exercise price of $210.00 and $220.00, respectively. The exercisable life for these remaining options has expired and they are effectively cancelled. In addition, the Company issued a warrant to Brookstone to purchase up to 6,322 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, which provides for quarterly vesting of shares in amounts approximately equal to the amount of quarterly interest payable that would have been payable under the Agreement, converted into shares at $0.075, all of which has now vested, and can be exercised through October 15, 2028 with an exercise price between $10.00 and $30.00 per share, as determined by an independent valuation, through April 1, 2024, and after that date, the lesser of (i) $75.00 per warrant share and (ii) the 10-day average closing price of the Company’s common stock.

Preferred Stock

We have 5,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, the terms of which may be fixed by our Board of Directors. We presently have no outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create and issue one or more series of such preferred stock and to determine the voting, dividend and other rights of holders of such preferred stock. If we raise additional funds to continue operations, we may issue preferred stock. The issuance of any of such series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the holders of common stock.

The Board of Directors of the Company approved a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (“Benefit Plan”) dated April 18, 2017, between the Company and Computershare. The Benefit Plan and the exercise of rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock, pursuant to the terms thereof, may delay, defer or prevent a change in control without the approval of the Board. In addition to the anti-takeover effects of the rights granted under the Benefit Plan, the issuance of preferred stock, generally, could have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.

Under the Benefit Plan, each outstanding share of our common stock has attached one preferred stock purchase right, Each share of our common stock subsequently issued prior to the expiration of the Benefit Plan will likewise have attached one right. Under specified circumstances involving an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”), the right under the Benefit Plan that attaches to each share of our common stock will entitle the holder thereof to purchase 1/100 of a share of our Series A Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $5.00 (subject to adjustment), and to receive, upon exercise, shares of our common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In May of 2024, The Company and Computershare extended the Benefit Plan through December 31, 2027.

F-15

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 13      TotalStone 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan

TotalStone maintains a defined contribution pension plan, which covers all employees electing to participate after completing certain service requirements. Employer contributions are made at the Company’s discretion. Generally, the Company makes safe harbor matching contributions equal to 100% of employee contribution up to 4% of the employee’s Plan Compensation, as defined. Each participant is 100% vested in in their salary deferral and the safe harbor Company’s matching contributions. Other employer discretionary contributions are subject to a graded vesting schedule. Company matching contribution expense in 2023 and 2022 was $195.5 thousand and $207.7 thousand, respectively.

Note 14      Income Taxes

The components of deferred income tax assets are as follows as of December 31 (“000’s”):

 

2023

 

2022

Stock Options

 

$

79

 

 

$

79

 

Basis Difference in TotalStone

 

 

463

 

 

 

519

 

Basis Difference in Diamond Products

 

 

247

 

 

 

247

 

Interest Expense Limitation

 

 

425

 

 

 

76

 

Federal Credits

 

 

3,866

 

 

 

3,866

 

Federal NOL Carryforward

 

 

29,497

 

 

 

29,100

 

Other

 

 

460

 

 

 

459

 

   

 

35,037

 

 

 

34,346

 

Less: valuation allowance

 

 

(27,440

)

 

 

(26,717

)

Net, deferred income tax assets

 

$

7,597

 

 

$

7,629

 

ASC 740 requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period-to-period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, the Company takes into account all evidence with regard to the utilization of a deferred tax asset including past earnings history, expected future earnings, the character and jurisdiction of such earnings, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect utilization of a deferred tax asset, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset. Management has evaluated the available evidence about future taxable income and other possible sources of realization of deferred tax assets and has established a valuation allowance of $27.4 million and $26.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to an amount that management believes will more likely than not be realized.

The components of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows in (“000’s):

 

2023

 

2022

Federal:

 

 

   

 

 

Current

 

$

—

 

$

—

Deferred

 

 

32

 

 

525

   

 

32

 

 

525

State and local:

 

 

   

 

 

Current

 

 

202

 

 

258

Deferred

 

 

—

 

 

—

   

 

202

 

 

258

Income tax provision

 

$

234

 

$

783

F-16

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 14      Income Taxes (cont.)

The Company has accumulated approximately $139.0 million in federal and $16.0 million in state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and approximately $3.9 million of research and development tax credit carryforwards. The federal NOLs generated before 2018 have 20-year carryforward periods with NOLs generated in 2018 and after having no expiration period. Federal NOLs generated in 2018 and after total $3.5 million. The Arizona state NOL’s expire in different periods through 2038. The availability of these NOL’s to offset future taxable income could be limited in the event of a change in ownership, as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

A reconciliation of the difference between the provision for income taxes and income taxes at the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

2023

 

2022

Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate

 

$

(753

)

 

$

651

 

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

 

162

 

 

 

204

 

Net change in NOL carryforward, federal credits and valuation allowance

 

 

817

 

 

 

(92

)

Other

 

 

8

 

 

 

20

 

Income tax provision recognized

 

$

234

 

 

$

783

 

Note 15      Condensed Financial Information of the Parent Company (Unaudited)

The Company performed a test on the restricted net assets of its consolidated subsidiaries in accordance with Rule 4-08(e), 5-04(c) Schedule I and 12-04 of Regulation S-X and concluded that it was applicable for the Company to disclose the financial statements for Capstone Holding Corp, the parent company.

Except for tax distributions, TotalStone’s credit facility with Berkshire Bank restricts the payment of distributions from TotalStone to Capstone without the consent of the Bank. As of December 31, 2023, the restricted net assets of TotalStone was a deficit of approximately $3 million.

The following presents condensed parent company only information for Capstone Holding Corp. Certain information and footnote disclosures generally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or are not required. The subsidiaries did not pay any dividends to the parent during the periods presented.

F-17

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15      Condensed Financial Information of the Parent Company (Unaudited) (cont.)

PARENT COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

 

December 31,
2023

 

December 31,
2022

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

55

 

 

$

31

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

30

 

 

 

109

 

Other current assets

 

 

241

 

 

 

134

 

Total current assets

 

 

326

 

 

 

274

 

Long-term Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

7,629

 

Investment in non-marketable securities

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,000

 

Total long-term assets

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

15,629

 

Total Assets

 

$

7,923

 

 

$

15,903

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

714

 

 

$

681

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

1,784

 

 

 

—

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

2,498

 

 

 

681

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long term debt, net of current portion

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,875

 

Lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

2,498

 

 

 

8,875

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

2,498

 

 

 

9,556

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock $0.0005 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 157,610 issued as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Capital Contributions

 

 

341

 

 

 

159

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

193,044

 

 

 

193,044

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(187,690

)

 

 

(186,856

)

Total Equity

 

 

5,425

 

 

 

6,347

 

Total Liabilities & Equity

 

$

7,923

 

 

$

15,903

 

F-18

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15      Condensed Financial Information of the Parent Company (Unaudited) (cont.)

PARENT COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

342

 

 

$

376

 

Loss from operations

 

 

342

 

 

 

376

 

Loss on investment

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

Interest expense

 

 

(110

)

 

 

(105

)

Other income

 

 

383

 

 

 

636

 

Loss from operations before taxes

 

 

869

 

 

 

155

 

Income tax expense

 

 

235

 

 

 

783

 

Net Loss

 

$

1,104

 

 

$

628

 

F-19

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15      Condensed Financial Information of the Parent Company (Unaudited) (cont.)

PARENT COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

 

Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2023

 

Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2022

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,104

)

 

$

(628

)

Non cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on investment

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(7,200

)

 

 

—

 

Deferred taxes

 

 

32

 

 

 

525

 

Change in other operating items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and other assets

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(125

)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

 

143

 

 

 

44

 

Cash flows used in operating activities

 

 

(157

)

 

 

(184

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from debt issuance

 

 

—

 

 

 

104

 

Capital Contributions

 

 

182

 

 

 

74

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities

 

 

182

 

 

 

178

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

25

 

 

 

(6

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

31

 

 

 

37

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

55

 

 

$

31

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on investment in Diamond Products Holding, LLC

 

 

8,000

 

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt DPH secured promissory note

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of senior secured note into 78,333 shares of common stock

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,939

 

Note 16      Segment Information

The Company has one operating and reportable segment which consists of the operations of TotalStone. The Company also has corporate-level activity, which is included in Capstone Holding Corp. (“Capstone” or “the Parent”) and consists primarily of board fees and, investor relations, filing, legal, insurance, accounting and consulting expenses and other non-operating income and expenses not identifiable and allocated to TotalStone. The Parent balance sheet information includes cash and cash equivalents, net deferred tax asset, debt and other assets and liabilities which are also not identifiable to the operations of TotalStone.

The Company’s chief executive officer is also the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of segments based on operating income (loss).

F-20

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 16      Segment Information (cont.)

The following tables present financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segment reconciled to the Company’s consolidated totals.

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

   

2023

 

2022

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Income (loss) from operations before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

48,354

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

48,354

 

 

$

61,561

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

61,561

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

38,743

 

 

 

45,030

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

45,030

 

Gross Profit

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

9,611

 

 

 

16,531

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

16,531

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

10,765

 

 

 

342

 

 

 

(240

)

 

 

10,867

 

 

 

12,426

 

 

 

376

 

 

 

(264

)

 

 

12,538

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

$

(1,154

)

 

$

(342

)

 

$

240

 

 

$

(1,256

)

 

$

4,105

 

 

$

(376

)

 

$

264

 

 

$

3,993

 

Loss on investment

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(8,000

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

—

 

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,562

)

 

 

(110

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,672

)

 

 

(1,162

)

 

 

(105

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,267

)

Other income (expense) net

 

 

—

 

 

 

383

 

 

 

(240

)

 

 

143

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

636

 

 

 

(264

)

 

 

372

 

Income (loss) from operations before taxes

 

$

(2,716

)

 

$

(869

)

 

$

—

 

 

$

(3,585

)

 

$

2,943

 

 

$

155

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

3,098

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation & amortization

 

$

306

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

306

 

 

$

241

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

241

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

208

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

173

 

 

As of December 31, 2023

 

As of December 31, 2022

   

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Total assets

 

$

45,281

 

$

7,923

 

$

(503

)

 

$

52,701

 

$

49,900

 

$

15,903

 

$

(591

)

 

$

65,212

Note 17      Subsequent Events

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant requirements under the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Berkshire Bank (the “Credit Agreement”). In October 2024, terms of the Credit Agreement were agreed to that modified the financial covenant requirements to align with the Company’s current forecast. Further, the amended terms provided a waiver for the Company’s compliance of the financial covenants not met through September 30, 2024. The Company was in compliance through December 30, 2024, the date of the independent accountant’s report.

F-21

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

 

September 30,
2024

 

December 31,
2023

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

13

 

 

$

52

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

4,812

 

 

 

2,581

 

Inventories

 

 

11,151

 

 

 

13,750

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

263

 

 

 

458

 

Other current assets

 

 

242

 

 

 

241

 

Total current assets

 

 

16,481

 

 

 

17,082

 

Long-term Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,648

 

 

 

1,756

 

Goodwill

 

 

23,286

 

 

 

23,286

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

46

 

 

 

10

 

Right of use assets

 

 

2,330

 

 

 

2,922

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

7,597

 

 

 

7,597

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

146

 

 

 

48

 

Total long-term assets

 

 

35,053

 

 

 

35,619

 

Total Assets

 

$

51,534

 

 

$

52,701

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

3,909

 

 

$

2,575

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

432

 

 

 

324

 

Line of credit

 

 

8,410

 

 

 

8,574

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

1,916

 

 

 

3,612

 

Current portion, lease liability

 

 

802

 

 

 

887

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

15,469

 

 

 

15,972

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued related party management fee

 

 

351

 

 

 

351

 

Long term debt, net of current portion

 

 

6,412

 

 

 

5,114

 

Lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

1,639

 

 

 

2,141

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

 

8,402

 

 

 

7,606

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

23,871

 

 

 

23,578

 

TotalStone, LLC – Class B Preferred Units

 

 

28,580

 

 

 

25,871

 

TotalStone, LLC – Special Preferred Units

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

815

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock $0.0005 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 157,610 issued as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

193,044

 

 

 

193,044

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(194,967

)

 

 

(190,607

)

Total Equity

 

 

(1,923

)

 

 

2,437

 

Total Liabilities, TotalStone, LLC. Preferred Units & Equity

 

$

51,534

 

 

$

52,701

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-22

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

   

2024

 

2023

Sales

 

$

35,293

 

 

$

39,026

 

Sales returns and allowances

 

 

(730

)

 

 

(157

)

Net sales

 

 

34,563

 

 

 

38,869

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

30,484

 

Gross Profit

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

8,385

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

7,791

 

 

 

8,672

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(290

)

 

 

(287

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,148

)

 

 

(1,288

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

—

 

 

 

143

 

Loss from operations before taxes

 

 

(1,438

)

 

 

(1,432

)

Income tax expense

 

 

22

 

 

 

368

 

Net Loss

 

 

(1,460

)

 

 

(1,800

)

Less: Net loss attributable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special preferred units

 

 

(191

)

 

 

(94

)

Class B units preferred return

 

 

(2,709

)

 

 

(2,559

)

Net loss attributable to Capstone Holding Corp. stockholders

 

$

(4,360

)

 

$

(4,453

)

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-23

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2024

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2023

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,460

)

 

$

(1,800

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

270

 

 

 

229

 

Accounts receivable and other assets

 

 

1,007

 

 

 

1,909

 

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

 

1,159

 

 

 

(289

)

Cash flows used in operating activities

 

 

976

 

 

 

49

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment, net

 

 

(101

)

 

 

(166

)

Cash flows used in investing activities

 

 

(101

)

 

 

(166

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from debt issuance

 

 

—

 

 

 

44

 

Borrowings under line of credit, net

 

 

(164

)

 

 

2,335

 

Debt payments

 

 

(750

)

 

 

(1,814

)

Cash payment to special preferred equity members

 

 

—

 

 

 

(389

)

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

(914

)

 

 

176

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(39

)

 

 

59

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

52

 

 

 

23

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

13

 

 

$

82

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEIMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from finance leases (interest)

 

$

11

 

 

$

8

 

Financing cash flows from finance leases (principal portion)

 

 

120

 

 

 

102

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

 

582

 

 

 

569

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-24

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except Common Stock Shares)

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)

 

Total
Equity

 

Class B
Units

 

Special
Preferred
Unit

Balance at December 31, 2023

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(190,607

)

 

$

2,437

 

 

$

25,871

 

$

815

Net Loss

     

 

   

 

(1,460

)

 

 

(1,460

)

 

 

   

 

 

Accrued Class B Distributions

     

 

   

 

(2,709

)

 

 

(2,709

)

 

 

2,709

 

 

 

Accrued Special Preferred Distributions

     

 

   

 

(191

)

 

 

(191

)

 

 

   

 

191

Special Preferred Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

—

Balance at September 30, 2024

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(194,967

)

 

$

(1,923

)

 

$

28,580

 

$

1,006

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)

 

Total
Equity

 

Class B
Units

 

Special
Preferred
Unit

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(184,872

)

 

$

8,172

 

 

$

24,105

 

$

1,054

 

Net Loss

     

 

   

 

(1,800

)

 

 

(1,800

)

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accrued Class B Distributions

     

 

   

 

(2,559

)

 

 

(2,559

)

 

 

2,559

 

 

 

 

Accrued Special Preferred Distributions

     

 

   

 

(94

)

 

 

(94

)

 

 

   

 

94

 

Special Preferred Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

(389

)

Balance at September 30, 2023

 

157,610

 

$

193,044

 

$

(189,325

)

 

$

3,719

 

 

$

26,664

 

$

759

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

F-25

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1        Nature of Operations

Capstone Holding Corp. (the “Capstone”) is a holding company and its operations consist substantially of the operations of its consolidated subsidiary, TotalStone, LLC (“TotalStone”). On April 1, 2020, Capstone obtained controlling interest in TotalStone, a materials distribution company that distributes masonry stone products for residential and commercial construction in the Midwest and Northeast United States under the trade names Instone and Northeast Masonry Distributors (“NMD”).

Note 2        Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Preparation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Capstone and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of these financial statements and accompanying notes are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, and all adjustments were of a normal recurring nature.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make a number of assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s assumptions regarding current events and actions that may impact the Company in the future, actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Cash

Cash consists of balances held in a commercial bank account.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. The Company estimates expected credit losses for the allowance for expected credit losses based upon its assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of its customers, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect the Company’s ability to collect from customers. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled approximately $104.0 thousand.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company places cash with high credit quality institutions. During the normal course of business, balances in these accounts may exceed the maximum amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s diverse customer base and generally short payment terms. Management believes there is no business vulnerability regarding concentrations of accounts receivable and sales due to the strong relationships and financial strength of our customers.

F-26

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2        Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Inventories

Inventories consisting of finished goods are stated at the lower of cost, determined by the average cost method, or net realizable value. Inventories also include deposits placed on inventory purchases for shipments not yet received. Significant prepaid inventory may be located overseas. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the total prepaid inventory balance was $277.0 thousand and $912.0 thousand, respectively. The reserve for obsolete inventory at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, totaled $324.0 thousand.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated over the estimated useful lives ranging from three to forty years. Depreciation is computed by using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and straight-line and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. Property and equipment is comprised of building, machinery & equipment, computer equipment, leasehold improvements, software, office equipment, vehicles, and furniture & fixtures. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment annually as of the 1st day of the fourth quarter of each year or more frequently if indications of potential impairment exist. The Company’s goodwill is recognized in one reporting unit, its consolidated subsidiary, TotalStone.

In evaluating potential goodwill impairment, we first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, based on a review of qualitative factors, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a quantitative analysis. If the quantitative analysis indicates the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we measure any goodwill impairment losses as the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company determined that no impairment was required for the periods presented.

Intangible assets with finite lives, consist of a non-compete agreement, amortized over the term of the agreement.

Long-lived Asset Impairments

Long-lived assets and finite lived identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events of changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount of which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company determined that no impairment was required for the periods presented.

Investment in Non-Marketable Securities

Investments in non-marketable securities without readily determinable fair values by entities that do not exercise significant influence over the investee are recorded at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes.

Revenue Recognition

Sales are recognized when revenue is realized or becomes realizable and has been earned, net of sales tax. In general, revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is usually upon shipment of the product. Our sales predominantly contain a single delivery element and revenue is recognized at a point in time when ownership, risks and rewards transfer. For 2024 and 2023, there are no estimates of variable consideration represented in revenue.

F-27

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2        Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)

Shipping and Handling

The Company includes amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling and shipping and handling expenses in cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs

Advertising and promotional expenses are expensed in the period incurred unless there are material costs that benefit future periods. The consolidated financial statements currently do not reflect any prepaid advertising expenses. For the nine months ended September 2024 and 2023, advertising expenses were $103.0 thousand and $249.0 thousand, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were not significant in the periods presented.

Note 3        Related Party Transactions

TotalStone is party to an agreement with a related party, BP Peptides, LLC, an entity controlled by Brookstone Partners (“Brookstone”), the Company’s majority shareholder. Pursuant to this agreement, BP Peptides, LLC provides annual consulting services totaling $400.0 thousand. The agreement also provides for an additional management fee equal to 5% of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) in excess of $4.0 million. Amounts accrued for such consulting services totaled $351.0 thousand as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The management fees expensed in the nine-months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were $300.0 thousand and included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Stream Finance, LLC, which serves as a creditor on TotalStone’s mezzanine term loan of $1.5 million as of September 30, 2024, is managed by Brookstone, which has a 77.3% ownership through BP Peptides, LLC, and two board member seats of the Company.

As further disclosed in Note 6, on March 31, 2021 a subsidiary of the Company acquired a minority interest in Diamond Products, LLC (“Diamond”) from an entity affiliated with Brookstone in exchange for a note payable issued to Brookstone by a Company subsidiary.

Note 4        Property and Equipment, Net.

A summary of the Company’s property and equipment is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

September 30,
2024

 

December 31,
2023

Property and Equipment, Net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and buildings

 

$

685

 

 

$

685

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

873

 

 

 

856

 

Computer equipment

 

 

326

 

 

 

323

 

Computer software

 

 

462

 

 

 

347

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

332

 

 

 

332

 

Leasehold Improvements

 

 

715

 

 

 

749

 

Total property and equipment

 

$

3,393

 

 

$

3,292

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,745

)

 

 

(1,536

)

Total property and equipment

 

$

1,648

 

 

$

1,756

 

Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment for six months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $209.0 and $228.0 thousand, respectively.

F-28

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5        Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $23.3 million in goodwill. There were no changes in the recognized goodwill balance during the periods presented.

The following tables summarize the Company’s other intangible assets in (“000’s”):

 

As of December 31, 2023

   

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

Non-compete agreements

 

$

50

 

$

(40

)

 

$

10

Customer lists

 

 

231

 

 

(231

)

 

 

—

Other

 

 

11

 

 

(11

)

 

 

—

Total definite-lived intangible assets

 

 

292

 

 

(282

)

 

 

10

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

Total intangible assets

 

$

292

 

$

(282

)

 

$

10

 

As of September 30, 2024

   

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net Carrying
Amount

Non-compete agreements

 

$

50

 

$

(50

)

 

$

—

Customer lists

 

 

231

 

 

(231

)

 

 

—

Other

 

 

11

 

 

(11

)

 

 

—

Total definite-lived intangible assets

 

 

292

 

 

(292

)

 

 

—

Trademark

 

 

46

 

 

0

 

 

 

46

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

46

 

 

—

 

 

 

46

Total intangible assets

 

$

338

 

$

(292

)

 

$

46

As of September 30, 2024, the definite-lived intangible assets are fully amortized and there is no future amortization expense.

Note 6        Investment in Non-Marketable Securities

On January 15, 2021, the Capstone acquired a minority interest in a consumer products company, Diamond Products, LLC (“Diamond”), a sexual wellness holding company. The structure of the transaction was as follows: i) Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation (“Brookstone XXI”) contributed its approximately 95% equity interest in Diamond, which represented approximately 62% equity ownership on a fully-diluted basis, to Diamond Products Holdings, LLC (“DPH”); ii) The Company formed Capstone Beta LLC (“Beta”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Beta purchased a portion of Brookstone XXI’s interest in DPH; iii) Beta issued a promissory note to Brookstone XXI in the original principal amount of $8.0 million, bearing interest at 1% per annum over a 36 month term, and secured its obligations thereunder by pledging Beta’s interests in DPH; and iv) As additional credit support, Capstone issued a limited payment guaranty to Brookstone XXI in the amount of 10% of the principal amount of Beta’s promissory note. The terms of the promissory note issued by Beta to Brookstone XXI include provisions whereby in the event that the membership interests in Diamond are sold or otherwise disposed of, any proceeds received by Beta are to be utilized to prepay the promissory note to Brookstone XXI and Brookstone XXI’s remaining recourse for the remaining note balance, if any, is limited to the pledged collateral (Beta’s membership interest in DPH) and the $800.0 thousand limited payment guarantee provide by Capstone. DPH was structured to hold one asset, the membership interest in Diamond, and accordingly upon the sale or other disposition of the membership interests in Diamond, the sole recourse of payment by Brookstone XXI is the $800.0 thousand limited payment guarantee. In summary, the intent of Brookstone XXI and the special committee of Capstone’s independent directors entering into this arrangement was to limit Capstone’s downside risk to $800.0 thousand.

The 20% minority investment in DPH represented an effective 19% equity interest in Diamond and approximately 12% on a fully-diluted basis. The Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of Diamond and DPH. The December 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet includes the Company’s $8.0 million investment in long-term assets and the corresponding $8.0 million note payable plus accrued interest.

F-29

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 6        Investment in Non-Marketable Securities (cont.)

On November 9, 2023 in connection with a restructuring and recapitalization transaction of Diamond’s operating entities, Diamond and other related party entities affiliated with Brookstone XXI entered into a transaction that sold 100% of the membership interest in Diamond inclusive of Beta’s minority interest in Diamond via its membership interest in DPH to a third party. No cash consideration was received in this transaction. Rather, the primary consideration received by the selling parties was the release of guarantees of senior debt of Diamond operating entities. The third party assumed none of the $8.0 million debt liability and no other consideration was transferred. As a result, the Company’s wrote-off its equity investment in DPH from $8.0 million to zero, and recognized a $7.2 million gain on debt extinguishment from Brookstone XXI’s debt forgiveness which was consistent with the terms of the note agreement that limited Captone’s risk upon sale or disposition of Diamond’s membership interests to the $800.0 thousand limited guaranty provided by Capstone which is the net amount of the loss recognized in the 2023 statement of operations from this transaction. The remaining unsecured debt liability $800.0 thousand plus accrued interest will remain on the Company’s balance sheet with a maturity date of June 30, 2026.

Note 7        Line of Credit

On June 29, 2015, TotalStone established a Revolving Credit Note which has been amended since. Under the terms of the Eleventh Amendment to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Berkshire Bank, executed on October 16, 2024, TotalStone, LLC’s maximum revolving advance amount is $14.0 million for working capital purposes. Advances under the credit agreement are limited to a formula-based amount of up to eighty-five (85%) percent of the face amount of the TotalStone “Eligible Accounts Receivable” plus approximately fifty-five (55%) percent of the face amount of the TotalStone, “Finished Goods Inventory” up to a maximum amount of $8.0 million. Interest charged on the unpaid principal amount of the Credit Agreement bears a rate per annum of SOFR plus 2.5% (6.86% and 7.96% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively). The balance outstanding on the line of credit was $8.4 million and $8.6 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, with a maturity date of April 30, 2025.

Note 8        Debt

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $8.6 million in long-term debt, with $3.8 million payable within 12 months. A summary of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

September 30,
2024

 

December 31,
2023

Long-term Debt

       

Note payable to BP Peptides, LLC “Brookstone”. The unsecured loan bears interest at 6% per annum, with interest payable quarterly and the as amended maturity date is June 30, 2026.

 

806

 

774

Mezzanine term loan to Steam Finance, LLC, collateralized by substantially all of TotalStone’s assets and subordinated to the Bank term notes. Interest is calculated monthy as the Base Rate divided by an Adjustment Factor of 0.75, not to exceed 15% per annum (see further details below), with a maturity date of December 31, 2025. At September 30, 2024, $202.0 thousand of accrued interest remains unpaid and is included within this amount.

 

1,512

 

1,309

Seller’s note with Avelina Masonry, LLC, which required monthly payments of $48.0 thousand. The original maturity date was November 13, 2022 but the loan has not been paid in full and is in default. The loan bears interest at one-month SOFR plus 4.5% plus 3.0% default (12.46% and 12.96% at September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023, respectively. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $146.0 thousand and $60.0 thousand of accrued interest remains unpaid and is included within this amount, respectively.

 

903

 

819

Term note agreement with Berkshire Bank, due in 48 consecutive monthly payments of $83.0 thousand. The loan matures on December 1, 2025 and is secured by all assets of TotalStone. Interest is charged at the one- month SOFR plus 3.5% (7.86% and 8.96% at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively).

 

1,160

 

1,910

F-30

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8        Debt (cont.)

 

September 30,
2024

 

December 31,
2023

In December 2022, TotalStone sold its facility in Navarre, Ohio to a nonaffiliated third party for a purchase price of $3.2 million and concurrently entered into a leaseback transaction. The transaction is treated as a failed sale in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company therefore recorded a financing liability related to the sale-leaseback in the amount of the sale price. The obligation matures in January 2048 and requires monthly payments of principal and interest. With the sale leaseback, TotalStone signed a lease agreement with a 25-year lease term. The initial annual lease payment of $259.0 thousand increases 2% per annum. The imputed interest rate is 8.10%.

 

 

3,176

 

 

 

3,181

 

Unsecured promissory note with Brookstone plus accrued interest to acquire a minority interest in DPH. Interest accrues at 6% per annum and the maturity date is June 30, 2026.

 

 

1,040

 

 

 

1,010

 

   

 

8,597

 

 

 

9,003

 

Less: current portion

 

 

(1,916

)

 

 

(3,612

)

Less unamortized loan origination fees

 

 

(269

)

 

 

(277

)

Total Long-term debt

 

$

6,412

 

 

$

5,114

 

Mezzanine Term Loan — Stream Finance, LLC.

Table A

or

Table B

Level

Adjusted EBITDA of TotalStone
(exclusive of Northeast)

Rate

 

Level

Adjusted EBITDA of TotalStone
and Northeast

Rate

I

Greater than $2,500,000

12%

 

I

Greater than $4,000,000

12%

II

Less than or equal to $2,500,000, but greater than or equal to $2,000,000

10%

 

II

Less than or equal to $4,000,000, but greater than or equal to $3,500,000

10%

III

Less than $2,000,000

8%

 

III

Less than $3,500,000

8%

Scheduled maturities of long-term as of September 30, 2024, are as follows:

2024

 

$

1,160

2025

 

 

2,232

2026

 

 

1,866

2027

 

 

27

2028

 

 

35

Thereafter

 

 

3,074

Total

 

$

8,394

Note 9        Leases

As of September 30, 2024, the balance of our right-of-use (“ROU”) assets was $2.3 million, net and lease liabilities of $2.4 million, included in current portion, lease liability and lease liability, net of current portion. The maturity of our lease liabilities as of September 30, 2024 is as follows in (“000’s”):

Year

 

Finance

 

Operating

Remainder of 2024

 

$

42

 

 

$

197

 

2025

 

 

150

 

 

 

639

 

2026

 

 

103

 

 

 

657

 

2027

 

 

29

 

 

 

604

 

2028

 

 

20

 

 

 

88

 

Thereafter

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Total undiscounted Lease Payments

 

 

344

 

 

 

2,184

 

Less: Present value discount

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(80

)

Total Lease Liability

 

$

337

 

 

$

2,104

 

F-31

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 9        Leases (cont.)

Lease expense recognized on our leases is as follows in (“000’s”):

 

Nine months
Ended
September 30,
2024

 

Nine months
Ended
September 30,
2023

Finance leases

 

 

   

 

 

Amortization expense

 

$

124

 

$

107

Interest expense

 

 

11

 

 

8

Operating leases

 

 

   

 

 

Straight-line rent expense

 

 

584

 

 

584

Total lease expense

 

$

718

 

$

699

The following summarizes additional information related to our leases for 2024 and 2023 in (“000’s”):

 

Nine months ended
September 30, 2024

 

Nine months ended
September 30, 2023

   

Finance

 

Operating

 

Finance

 

Operating

Weighted-average remaining lease terms (years)

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

4.1

 

Weighted-average discount rate

 

 

4.00

%

 

 

2.95

%

 

 

3.91

%

 

 

2.95

%

ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities

 

$

63

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

219

 

 

$

—

 

Note 10      TotalStone Preferred Units

The Company owns 100% of TotalStone’s outstanding common voting units and receives certain funding from TotalStone, in exchange for potential benefits to the combined organization from the use of the Company’s Federal Net Operating Loss and other tax benefit carryovers. The existing holders of TotalStone’s common stock received Class B Preferred Units valued at $20.5 million, with a quarterly dividend.

In addition, as part of the merger of the Company and TotalStone, the Mezzanine lender accepted $873.0 thousand as a Special Preferred Unit in lieu of debt. The Special Preferred Unit has a preferential distribution position but does not earn a preferred return.

On March 8, 2023, the Company entered into the Ninth Amendment to the Revolving Credit, term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Ninth Amendment”). The Ninth Amendment permitted a payment of $389.0 thousand to the Special Preferred Unit holders.

Note 11      TotalStone Warrants

In connection with the April 2020 TotalStone transaction, 1,175 warrants to purchase class A common interest in TotalStone were granted to TotalStone management. The warrants have a purchase price of $0.01 per warrant unit and vested in equal annual installments over a three-year period, with March 31, 2023 as the final vesting date.

Vested warrants may be exercised through March 31, 2030 subject to continuing employment. The fair value of the warrants granted was not significant and accordingly no equity-based compensation has been recognized in the statement of income.

F-32

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 12      Stockholders’ Equity

In June 2015, our stockholders approved the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and reserved 1,000,000 shares of our common stock for issuance. At September 30, 2024, no shares remained available to grant under the Plan and all granted shares are fully vested.

Stock-based compensation expense reflects the fair value of stock-based awards measured at the grant date and recognized over the relevant vesting period. The Company generally estimates the fair value of each stock-based award on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model which incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of the options, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. No options were granted in 2024 or 2023.

Stock Compensation

There were no stock compensation costs, option grants or stock options exercised in 2024 or 2023. At September 30, 2024, there were no remaining unamortized non-cash stock compensation costs.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were approximately 900 and 976 options exercisable and vested at a weighted average exercise price of $0.20 and $0.21, respectively In addition, Capstone issued a Warrant to Brookstone to purchase up to 6,322 shares of the Capstone’s Common Stock with an exercise price between $10.00 and $30.00 per share, as determined by an independent valuation, through April 1, 2024, and after that date, the lesser of (i) $75.00 per warrant share and (ii) the 10-day average closing price of the Company’s common stock.

Preferred Stock

We have 5,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, the terms of which may be fixed by our Board of Directors. We presently have no outstanding shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create and issue one or more series of such preferred stock and to determine the voting, dividend and other rights of holders of such preferred stock. If we raise additional funds to continue operations, we may issue preferred stock. The issuance of any of such series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the holders of common stock.

The Board of Directors of the Company approved a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (“Benefit Plan”) dated April 18, 2017, between the Company and Computershare. The Benefit Plan and the exercise of rights to purchase Series A Preferred Stock, pursuant to the terms thereof, may delay, defer or prevent a change in control without the approval of the Board. In addition to the anti-takeover effects of the rights granted under the Benefit Plan, the issuance of preferred stock, generally, could have a dilutive effect on our stockholders.

Under the Benefit Plan, each outstanding share of our common stock has attached one preferred stock purchase right. Each share of our common stock subsequently issued prior to the expiration of the Benefit Plan will likewise have attached one right. Under specified circumstances involving an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”), the right under the Benefit Plan that attaches to each share of our common stock will entitle the holder thereof to purchase 1/100 of a share of our Series A Preferred Stock for a purchase price of $5.00 (subject to adjustment), and to receive, upon exercise, shares of our common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In May of 2024, The Company and Computershare extended the Benefit Plan through December 31, 2027.

Note 13      TotalStone 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan

TotalStone maintains a defined contribution pension plan, which covers all employees electing to participate after completing certain service requirements. Employer contributions are made at the Company’s discretion. Generally, the Company makes safe harbor matching contributions equal to 100% of employee contribution up to 4% of the employee’s Plan Compensation, as defined. Each participant is 100% vested in in their salary deferral and the safe harbor Company’s matching contributions. Other employer discretionary contributions are subject to a graded vesting schedule. Company matching contribution expense for the nine-months ended September 30, 2024 in 2023 were $118.0 thousand and $145.0 thousand, respectively.

F-33

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 14      Income Taxes

As of September 30, 2024, there are no significant changes to the components of our deferred income tax assets compared to December 31, 2023. The components of deferred income tax assets are as follows as of December 31 (“000’s”):

 

2023

 

2022

Stock Options

 

$

79

 

 

$

79

 

Basis Difference in TotalStone

 

 

463

 

 

 

519

 

Basis Difference in Diamond Products

 

 

247

 

 

 

247

 

Interest Expense Limitation

 

 

425

 

 

 

76

 

Federal Credits

 

 

3,866

 

 

 

3,866

 

Federal NOL Carryforward

 

 

29,497

 

 

 

29,100

 

Other

 

 

460

 

 

 

459

 

   

 

35,037

 

 

 

34,346

 

Less: valuation allowance

 

 

(27,440

)

 

 

(26,717

)

Net, deferred income tax assets

 

$

7,597

 

 

$

7,629

 

ASC 740 requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period-to-period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, the Company takes into account all evidence with regard to the utilization of a deferred tax asset including past earnings history, expected future earnings, the character and jurisdiction of such earnings, unsettled circumstances that, if unfavorably resolved, would adversely affect utilization of a deferred tax asset, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset. Management has evaluated the available evidence about future taxable income and other possible sources of realization of deferred tax assets and has established a valuation allowance of $27.4 million and $26.7 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to an amount that management believes will more likely than not be realized.

The Company has accumulated approximately $139.0 million in federal and $16.0 million in state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and approximately $3.9 million of research and development tax credit carryforwards. The federal NOLs generated before 2018 have 20-year carryforward periods with NOLs generated in 2018 and after having no expiration period. Federal NOLs generated in 2018 and after total $3.5 million. The Arizona state NOL’s expire in different periods through 2038. The availability of these NOL’s to offset future taxable income could be limited in the event of a change in ownership, as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the nine-months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we have recognized income tax provisions of $23.0 and $368.0 thousand, respectively. The amounts recognized relate to state tax obligations. The reduction in tax expense in 2024 from 2023 reflects the termination of our investment in DPH in November 2023 and the associated state taxes related to taxable income on that investment.

Note 15      Segment Information

The Company has one operating and reportable segment which consists of the operations of TotalStone. The Company also has corporate-level activity, which is included in Capstone Holding Corp. (“Capstone” or “the Parent”) which consists primarily of board fees and, investor relations, filing, legal, insurance, accounting and consulting expenses and other non-operating income and expenses not identifiable and allocated to TotalStone. The Parent balance sheet information includes cash and cash equivalents, net deferred tax asset, debt and other assets and liabilities which are also not identifiable to the operations of TotalStone.

The Company’s chief executive officer is also the Company’s chief operating decision maker. The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of segments based on operating income (loss).

F-34

Table of Contents

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 15      Segment Information (cont.)

The following tables present financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segment reconciled to the Company’s consolidated totals.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

   

2024

 

2023

   

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Income (loss) from operations
before taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

34,563

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

34,563

 

 

$

38,869

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

38,869

 

Cost of goods sold

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

27,062

 

 

 

30,484

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

30,484

 

Gross Profit

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,501

 

 

 

8,385

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,385

 

SG&A expenses

 

 

7,540

 

 

 

431

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

7,791

 

 

 

8,584

 

 

 

261

 

 

 

(173

)

 

 

8,672

 

(Loss) income from
operations

 

$

(39

)

 

$

(431

)

 

$

180

 

 

$

(290

)

 

$

(199

)

 

$

(261

)

 

$

173

 

 

$

(287

)

Interest expense

 

 

(1,098

)

 

 

(50

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,148

)

 

 

(1,196

)

 

 

(92

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,288

)

Other income (expense) net

 

 

—

 

 

 

180

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

316

 

 

 

(173

)

 

 

143

 

Loss (income) from operations before taxes

 

$

(1,137

)

 

$

(301

)

 

$

—

 

 

$

(1,438

)

 

$

(1,395

)

 

$

(37

)

 

$

—

 

 

$

(1,432

)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other financial information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation & amortization

 

$

270

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

270

 

 

$

229

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

229

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

101

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

166

 

 

As of September 30, 2024

 

As of December 31, 2023

   

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

TotalStone

 

Parent

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Total assets

 

$

44,217

 

$

8,132

 

$

(815

)

 

$

51,534

 

$

45,281

 

$

7,923

 

$

(503

)

 

$

52,701

Note 16      Subsequent Events

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant requirements under the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement with Berkshire Bank (the “Credit Agreement”). In October 2024, terms of the Credit Agreement were amended that modified the financial covenant requirements to align with the Company’s current forecast. Further, the amended terms provided a waiver for the Company’s compliance of the financial covenants not met through September 2024. Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company has remained in compliance with the financial covenant requirements.

On November 13, 2024, the Company entered into the Termination of Securities Purchase, Loan and Security Agreement (the “Termination Agreement”). The Termination Agreement amends and restates the note payable between the Company and BP Peptides, LLC. and as part of such transaction, terminates the Brookstone Agreement as described in an 8-K filing with the SEC on July 17, 2017 (filed under the issuer name of Capstone Therapeutics Corp.). The Termination Agreement so that the Company’s liabilities and obligations with respect to the loan are solely set forth in the note payable with BP Peptides, LLC. as disclosed Note 8. The Termination Agreement has no impact on the Company’s financial statements or any liabilities outstanding or compliance with any affected debt.

F-35

Table of Contents

Shares of Common Stock

Capstone Holding Corp.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

PROSPECTUS

–––––––––––––––––––––––––

Sole Book-Running Manager

Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

        , 2025

Through and including [_], 2025 (the 25th day after the date of this offering), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

  

 

Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the Common Stock being registered. All amounts other than the SEC registration fees and FINRA fees are estimates.

 

Amount to
be Paid

SEC Registration Fees

 

$

920

FINRA Fees

 

 

1,400

Legal Fees and Expenses

 

 

250,000

Accounting Fees and Expenses

 

 

50,000

Total

 

$

302,320

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and the bylaws of the Company provide that the Company shall indemnify its officers, directors and certain others to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). Section 145 of the DGCL, provides in pertinent part as follows:

(a)     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) by reason of the fact that he 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 him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he 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 conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he 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 reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

(b)    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 by reason of the fact that he 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 him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

(c)     To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.

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(d)    Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section. Such determination shall be made with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination (1) by a majority vote of directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (4) by the stockholders.

(e)     Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

(f)     The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

(g)    A corporation shall have power to 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 him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this Section.

(h)    For purposes of this Section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(i)     For purposes of this Section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Section.

(j)     The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

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As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the Company’s restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, eliminates the personal liability of each of the Company’s directors to the Company and its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of his or her fiduciary duties as a director except that a director shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law (i) for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

The following sets forth information regarding all unregistered securities sold by us in transactions that were exempt from the requirements of the Securities Act in the last three years. Except where noted, all of the securities discussed in this Item 15 were all issued in reliance on the exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

On June 15, 2022, Brookstone convert $1.9 million of accrued interest and secured debt into 78,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock ($24.75 per share conversion price).

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)    EXHIBITS

We have filed the exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index of this registration statement and below in this Item 16:

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 


Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

Form

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

1.1

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement

             

X

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated April 22, 2005, as amended on May 21, 2010, June 22, 2015, August 22, 2019, February 10, 2021, and February 18, 2022

 

S-1

 

3.1

 

12/31/2024

   

3.2

 

Bylaws of the Company

 

S-8

 

4.2

 

06/23/2015

   

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock, dated June 22, 2015

 

S-1

 

3.3

 

12/31/2024

   

3.4

 

Form of Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation

             

X

3.5

 

Form of Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock

             

X

4.1

 

Form of Representative’s Warrant

             

X

4.2

 

Amended and Restated Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated March 20, 2020, issued to BP Peptides, LLC

 

S-1

 

4.2

 

12/31/2024

   

4.3

 

Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated January 30, 2018, issued to BP Peptides, LLC

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

02/01/2018

   

5.1

 

Opinion of Lucosky Brookman LLP

             

X

10.1

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement

             

X

10.2

 

Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated August 25, 2016, by and between LipimetiX Development, Inc. and Capstone Therapeutics Corp.

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

08/26/2016

   

10.3

 

Securities Purchase, Loan and Security Agreement dated July 14, 2017, by and between Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and BP Peptides, LLC

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

07/17/2017

   

10.4

 

First Amendment to Securities Purchase Loan and Security Agreement dated January 30, 2018, by and between Capstone Therapeutics, Corp. and BP Peptides, LLC

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

02/01/2018

   

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 


Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

Form

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

10.5

 

Second Amendment to Securities Purchase Loan and Security Agreement dated March 15, 2019, by and between Capstone Therapeutics, Corp. and BP Peptides, LLC

 

8-K

 

10.1

 

03/19/2019

   

10.6

 

Third Amendment to Securities Purchase Loan and Security Agreement dated March 27, 2020, by and between Capstone Therapeutics, Corp. and BP Peptides, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.6

 

12/31/2024

   

10.7

 

Fourth Amendment to Securities Purchase Loan and Security Agreement dated March 15, 2021, by and between Capstone Therapeutics, Corp. and BP Peptides, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.7

 

12/31/2024

   

10.8

 

Termination of Securities Purchase, Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 13, 2024, by and between Capstone Holding Corp. and BP Peptides, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.8

 

12/31/2024

   

10.9

 

Promissory Note dated July 14, 2017, payable to BP Peptide, LLC

 

8-K

 

10.2

 

07/17/2017

   

10.10

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of TotalStone, LLC, dated March 27, 2020 and Effective as of November 26, 2021

 

S-1

 

10.10

 

12/31/2024

   

10.11

 

Consent and First Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of TotalStone, LLC, dated March 27, 2020 and Effective as of November 26, 2021

 

S-1

 

10.11

 

12/31/2024

   

10.12

 

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated March 8, 2023, by and between TotalStone, LLC, Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC, TotalStone Properties, LLC, and Stream Finance, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.12

 

12/31/2024

   

10.13

 

Consent, Waiver and Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 18, 2024, by and between TotalStone, LLC, Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC, TotalStone Properties, LLC, and Stream Finance, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.13

 

12/31/2024

   

10.14

 

Non-negotiable Secured Subordinated Promissory Note by and between TotalStone, LLC and Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.14

 

12/31/2024

   

10.15

 

Non-negotiable Secured Subordinated Contingent Value Promissory Note by and between NEM Purchaser, LLC and Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.15

 

12/31/2024

   

10.16

 

Brookstone Partners IAC, Inc. Amended and Restated Management Fee Agreement Dated March 1, 2020 by and between TotalStone, LLC and Brookstone Partners IAC, Inc.

 

S-1

 

10.16

 

12/31/2024

   

10.17

 

Management Fee Agreement, dated March 27, 2020, by and between TotalStone, LLC and Capstone Holding Corp.

 

S-1

 

10.17

 

12/31/2024

   

10.18

 

Amendment of Amended and Restated Management Fee and Transaction Fee Agreement, dated November 15, 2024, by and between Capstone Holding Corp., TotalStone, LLC, and Brookstone Partners IAC, Inc.

 

S-1

 

10.18

 

12/31/2024

   

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 


Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

Form

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

10.19

 

Limited Payment Guarantee dated March 31, 2021, between Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and Brookstone Acquisition Partners XXI Corporation

 

S-1

 

10.19

 

12/31/2024

   

10.20

 

Series B-2 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 11, 2017, by and between Capstone Therapeutics Corp. and LipimetiX Development, Inc.

 

10-Q

 

10.1

 

08/14/2017

   

10.21

 

First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement of LipimetiX Development, Inc., dated August 11, 2017

 

10-Q

 

10.2

 

08/14/2017

   

10.22

 

Joinder of August 25, 2016 Registration Rights Agreement of LipimetiX Development, Inc., dated August 11, 2017

 

10-Q

 

10.3

 

08/14/2017

   

10.23

 

LipimetiX Development, Inc. Contingent Value Rights Agreement, dated August 23, 2019, by and among Capstone Therapeutics Corp., the Shareholder Representative and Computershare Inc., and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent

 

S-1

 

10.23

 

12/31/2024

   

10.24

 

Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated November 11, 2024, issued by Capstone Holding Corp. to BP Peptides, LLC

 

S-1

 

10.24

 

12/31/2024

   

10.25

 

Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement by and among TotalStone, LLC, Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC, TotalStone Properties, LLC, and Berkshire Bank, dated December 20, 2017

 

S-1

 

10.25

 

12/31/2024

   

10.26

 

Amendments to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement Still in Effect As of December 30, 2024

 

S-1

 

10.26

 

12/31/2024

   

10.27

 

Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note Issued by TotalStone, LLC and Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC to Berkshire Bank, dated November 14, 2019

 

S-1

 

10.27

 

12/31/2024

   

10.28

 

Term Note Issued by TotalStone, LLC, Northeast Masonry Distributors, LLC, and TotalStone Properties, LLC to Berkshire Bank, dated November 22, 2021

 

S-1

 

10.28

 

12/31/2024

   

10.29

 

Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note Issued by Capstone Holding Corp. to Brookstone Partners Acquisition XXI Corporation, dated November 11, 2024

 

S-1

 

10.29

 

12/31/2024

   

10.30

 

Form of Master Exchange Agreement by and among Capstone Holding Corp., TotalStone, LLC, and TotalStone’s Class B Member

             

X

10.31

 

Form of Subscription Agreement for Purchase of Series B Preferred Stock

             

X

10.32

 

Executive Employment Agreement by and between Capstone Holding Corp. and Matthew Lipman

             

X

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries

 

S-1

 

21.1

 

12/31/2024

   

23.1

 

Consent of GBQ Partners LLC

             

X

23.2

 

Consent of Lucosky Brookman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)

             

X

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 


Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

Form

 

Exhibit

 

Filing Date

 

99.1

 

Consent of Charles Dana to be named as a director nominee

 

S-1

 

99.1

 

12/31/2024

   

99.2

 

Consent of Gordon Strout to be named as a director nominee

 

S-1

 

99.2

 

12/31/2024

   

99.3

 

Consent of Fredric J. Feldman to be named as a director nominee

 

S-1

 

99.3

 

12/31/2024

   

99.4

 

Consent of Elwood D. Howse to be named as a director nominee

 

S-1

 

99.4

 

12/31/2024

   

107

 

Filing Fee Table

 

 

 

 

X

____________

*        To be filed by amendment.

(b) Financial statement schedules.

All schedules have been omitted because either they are not required, are not applicable or the information is otherwise set forth in the financial statements and related notes thereto.

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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 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 of 1933 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.

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(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.

(6)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

(7)    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 provisions described in Item 14 above, or otherwise, the Registrant 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. 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.

(8)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(i)     That for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4), or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(ii)    That for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and this offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Alsip, Illinois, on February 6, 2025.

 

Capstone Holding Corp.

   

By:

 

/s/ Matthew E. Lipman

       

Matthew E. Lipman

       

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ Matthew E. Lipman

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

February 6, 2025

Matthew E. Lipman

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

/s/ Edward C. Schultz

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

February 6, 2025

Edward C. Schultz

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

   

/s/ Michael M. Toporek

 

Chairman

 

February 6, 2025

Michael M. Toporek, III

       

/s/ John M. Holliman

 

Director

 

February 6, 2025

John M. Holliman, III

       

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Exhibit 1.1

 

[_________] SHARES of Common Stock

 

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

[_______], 2025

 

Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

As the Representative of the

Several underwriters, if any, named in Schedule I hereto

c/o Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

1000 RXR Plaza

Uniondale, New York 11556

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Capstone Holding Corp., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration Statement as being subsidiaries or affiliates of Capstone Holding Corp., the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with the several underwriters (such underwriters, including the Representative (as defined below), the “Underwriters” and each an “Underwriter”) named in Schedule I hereto for which Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC is acting as representative to the several Underwriters (the “Representative” and if there are no Underwriters other than the Representative, references to multiple Underwriters shall be disregarded and the term Representative as used herein shall have the same meaning as Underwriter) on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

It is understood that the several Underwriters are to make a public offering of the Public Shares as soon as the Representative deems it advisable to do so. The Public Shares are to be initially offered to the public at the initial public offering price set forth in the Prospectus.

 

It is further understood that you will act as the Representative for the Underwriters in the offering and sale of the Closing Shares and, if any, the Option Shares in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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:

 

“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(k).

 

“Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

“Applicable Laws” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(n).

 

“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.

 

“Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Closing Shares pursuant to Section 2.1.

 

“Closing Date” means the hour and the date on the Trading Day on which all conditions precedent to (i) the Underwriters’ obligations to pay the Closing Purchase Price and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Closing Shares, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on 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) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company.

 

“Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

“Closing Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a).

 

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0005 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.

 

2

 

 

“Company Auditor” means GBQ Partners LLC, with offices located at 230 West Street, Suite 700, Colombus, Ohio 43215.

 

“Company Counsel” means Lucosky Brookman LLP, with offices located at 101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor, Woodridge, New Jersey 08830.

 

“Effective Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(f).

 

“EGS” means Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, with offices located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Execution Date” shall mean the date on which the parties execute and enter into this Agreement.

 

“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

“GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(i).

 

“General Disclosure Package” means, collectively, the Permitted Free Writing Prospectus(es), and the Preliminary Prospectus.

 

“Governmental Authority” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(n).

 

“Indebtedness” means (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) 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 (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

 

“Lock-Up Agreements” means the lock-up agreements that are delivered on the date hereof by each of the Company’s officers and directors and each holder of Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents holding, on a fully diluted basis, more than 5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock, in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

 

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“Material Adverse Effect” means (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.

 

“Offering” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c).

 

“Option Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(c).

 

“Option Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

“Option Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

 

“Over-Allotment Option” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2.

 

“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.

 

“Preliminary Prospectus” means, if any, any preliminary prospectus relating to the Public Shares included in the Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b).

 

“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.

 

“Prospectus Supplement” means, if any, any supplement to the Prospectus complying with Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act that is filed with the Commission.

 

“Public Shares” means, collectively, the Closing Shares and, if any, the Option Shares.

 

“Registration Statement” means, collectively, the various parts of the registration statement prepared by the Company on Form S-1 (File No. 333-284105) with respect to the Public Shares, each as amended as of the date hereof, including the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement and all exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference into such registration statement, and includes any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

 

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“Representative’s Warrant” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(ii).

 

“Representative’s Warrant Shares” means the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Representative's Warrant.

 

“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).

 

“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 Public Shares, 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.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Share Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

 

“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 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, the New York Stock Exchange, OTCQX or OTCQB (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, the Representative’s Warrants and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

“Transfer Agent” means Computershare Trust Company, N.A., with offices located at 150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE II.

PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1 Closing.

 

(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell in the aggregate [_______] shares of Common Stock, and each Underwriter agrees to purchase, severally and not jointly, at the Closing, the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Closing Shares”) set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof;

 

(b) The aggregate purchase price for the Closing Shares shall equal the amount set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereto (the “Closing Purchase Price”). The purchase price for one Share shall be $[____] per Share (representing an 8.0% discount to the purchase price offered to the public) (the “Share Purchase Price”); and

 

(c)  On the Closing Date, each Underwriter shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, via wire transfer, immediately available funds equal to such Underwriter’s Closing Purchase Price and the Company shall deliver to, or as directed by, such Underwriter its respective Closing Shares and the Company shall deliver the other items required pursuant to Section 2.3 deliverable at the Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.3 and 2.4, the Closing shall occur at the offices of EGS or such other location as the Company and Representative shall mutually agree. The Public Shares are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the “Offering”).

 

2.2 Over-Allotment Option.

 

(a) For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Closing Shares, the Representative is hereby granted an option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) to purchase, in the aggregate, up to [_____]1 shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares”) at the Share Purchase Price.

 

(b) In connection with an exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the purchase price to be paid for the Option Shares is equal to the product of the Share Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Shares to be purchased (the aggregate purchase price to be paid on an Option Closing Date, the “Option Closing Purchase Price”).

 

(c) The Over-Allotment Option granted pursuant to this Section 2.2 may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Shares within forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date. An Underwriter will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Shares prior to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Representative. The Over-Allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or other electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Shares (each, an “Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than one (1) full Business Day after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of EGS or at such other place (including remotely by other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Shares does not occur on the Closing Date, each Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice. Upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Shares specified in such notice. The Representative may cancel the Over-Allotment Option at any time prior to the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option by written notice to the Company.

 

 

1Insert 15% of the Closing Shares

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2.3 Deliveries. The Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Underwriter (if applicable) the following:

 

(i) At the Closing Date, the Closing Shares and, as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the applicable Option Shares, which shares shall be delivered via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters;

 

(ii) At the Closing Date, and each Option Closing Date, if any, to the Representative only, a Warrant to purchase up to a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 5.0% of the Closing Shares and Option Shares issued on such Closing Date and Option Closing Date, as applicable, for the account of the Representative (or its designees), which Warrant shall have an exercise price of $[____]2, subject to adjustment therein, and registered in the name of the Representative (the “Representative’s Warrant”), substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A;

 

(iii)  At the Closing Date, a legal opinion of Company Counsel addressed to the Underwriters, including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter, substantially in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, and as to each Option Closing Date, if any, a bring-down opinion, including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter from Company Counsel addressed to the Underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative;

 

(iv) Contemporaneously herewith, a cold comfort letter, addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Representative from the Company Auditor dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and a bring-down letter dated as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any;

 

(v) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, the duly executed and delivered Officer’s Certificate, substantially in the form required by Exhibit B attached hereto;

 

 

2Insert 100% of the offering price

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(vi) On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, the duly executed and delivered Secretary’s Certificate, substantially in the form required by Exhibit C attached hereto; and

 

(vii) Contemporaneously herewith, the duly executed and delivered Lock-Up Agreements.

 

2.4 Closing Conditions. The respective obligations of each Underwriter hereunder in connection with the Closing and each Option Closing Date are subject to the following conditions being met:

 

(i) the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the date in question (other than representations and warranties of the Company already qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein);

 

(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the date in question shall have been performed;

 

(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.3 of this Agreement;

 

(iv) the Registration Statement shall be effective on the date of this Agreement and at each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative;

 

(v) by the Execution Date, if required by FINRA, the Underwriters shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement;

 

(vi) the Closing Shares and the Option Shares have been approved for listing on the Trading Market; and

 

(vii) prior to and on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects 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, the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and neither the Registration Statement, nor the General Disclosure Package nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

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ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Execution Date, as of the Closing Date and as of each Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:

 

(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. 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.

 

(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 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 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 to which the Company is a party 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 the Company 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 Public Shares 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 Applicable Law 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 filing with the Commission of the Prospectus and (ii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws and (iii) approval for listing on the Trading Market (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).

 

(f) Registration Statement. The Company has filed with the Commission the Registration Statement, including any related Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectuses, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, which Registration Statement has been prepared by the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on [_______], 2025 (the “Effective Date”). The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 000-[___]) providing for the registration under the Exchange Act of Closing Shares and the Option Shares. The registration of the Closing Shares and the Option Shares under the Exchange Act is effective as of the date hereof. The Company has advised the Representative of all further information (financial and other) with respect to the Company required to be set forth therein in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein; and any reference in this Agreement to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement 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, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, 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, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement (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, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, as the case may be. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement has been issued, and no proceeding for any such purpose is pending or has been initiated or, to the Company's knowledge, is threatened by the Commission. For purposes of this Agreement, “free writing prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. The Company will not, without the prior consent of the Representative, prepare, use or refer to, any free writing prospectus.

 

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(g) Issuance of Shares and Representative’s Warrant. The Public Shares 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 Representative’s Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Representative’s Warrant, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized shares the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant. The holder of the Public Shares will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders. The Public Shares are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Public Shares has been duly and validly taken. The Public Shares conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(h) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. 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 in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, 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 the capital stock of any Subsidiary. The issuance and sale of the Public Shares will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Underwriters). 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, 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. The authorized shares of the Company conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the Company’s securities were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers, exempt from such registration requirements. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Public Shares. 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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(i) Financial Statements; Material Agreements. 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. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, and any Prospectus Supplement conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, and any Prospectus Supplement or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, and any Prospectus Supplement, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. None of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing Applicable Law or order or decree of any Governmental Authority or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

 

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(j) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the latest dates as of which such information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, (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, (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans and (vi) no officer or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Public Shares contemplated by this Agreement, 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. Unless otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.

 

(k) Litigation. 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, Government Authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Public Shares 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.

 

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(l) 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 Applicable Laws 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.

 

(m) 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.

 

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(n) Regulatory Permits. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries: (A) is and at all times since January 1, 2023 has been in material compliance with all United States (federal, state and local) and foreign statutes, rules, regulations, codes, treaties, or guidance applicable to the Company or the Subsidiaries (“Applicable Laws”); (B) since January 1, 2023 has not received any notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from any Governmental Authority (as defined below) alleging or asserting noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Applicable Laws (“Authorizations”); (C) since January 1, 2023 has not received notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Governmental Authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and has no knowledge that any such Governmental Authority or third party intends to assert any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (D) since January 1, 2023 has not received notice that any Governmental Authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations and the Company has no knowledge that any such Governmental Authority is considering such action; and (E) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct in all material respects on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission), except in the case of (A) through (E) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. “Governmental Authority” means any federal, provincial, state, local, foreign or other governmental, quasi-governmental or administrative agency, court or body or any other type of regulatory authority or body, including, without limitation, the Nasdaq Capital Market. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (each, a “Material Permit”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit. The disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of Federal, State, local and all foreign regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects.

 

(o) Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all real property and all personal property 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 Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and which the failure to do so 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 Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, 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. 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. 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 in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, 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 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.

 

(t) Certain Fees. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company 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. To the Company’s knowledge, there are no other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its stockholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA. The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii)  any FINRA member participating in the Offering as defined in FINRA Rule 5510 (a “Participating Member”); or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any Participating Member, within the twelve months prior to the Execution Date, other than the prior payment of $25,000 to the Representative as provided hereunder in connection with the Offering. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any Participating Member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.

 

(u) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Public Shares 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.

 

(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.

 

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(w) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) 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 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 of 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 as a result of the Underwriters and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents.

 

(y) Disclosure; 10b-5. The Registration Statement (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, if any, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Act and did not and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will 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 General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, each as of its respective date, complied and complies in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations. Each of the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, 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. 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. 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. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the General Disclosure Package, Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which have not been described or filed as required. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading.

 

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(z) No Integrated Offering. 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 Public Shares to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company.

 

(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 Public Shares 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. The Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus set 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. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness other than as disclosed in the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement.

 

(bb) Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan, if any, 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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(cc) 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. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. The term “taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.

 

(dd) 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 Applicable Law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the FCPA.

 

(ee) Accountants. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, the Company Auditor (i) is an independent 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 ended December 31, 2024. The Company Auditor has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

(ff) 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.

 

(gg) 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 the Representative’s request.

 

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(hh) 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 (25%) 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.

 

(ii) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance 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 Government Authority 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.

 

(jj) D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering and in the Lock-Up Agreement provided to the Underwriters is true and correct in all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in such questionnaires become inaccurate and incorrect.

 

(kk) FINRA Affiliation. No officer, director or any beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any Participating Member (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA) that is participating in the Offering. The Company will advise the Representative and EGS if it learns that any officer, director or owner of 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a Participating Member.

 

(ll) Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or EGS shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

 

(mm) Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of the Trading Market. At least one member of the Board of Directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the rules of the Trading Market. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent” as defined under the rules of the Trading Market.

 

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(nn) Cybersecurity.  (i)(x) There has been no 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.

 

(oo) 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 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 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.

 

(pp) Environmental Laws. 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.

 

ARTICLE IV.

OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

4.1 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company has delivered, or will as promptly as practicable deliver, to the Underwriters complete conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts, as applicable, filed as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits), the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, as amended or supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as an Underwriter reasonably requests. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to the Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Public Shares other than the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement and copies of the documents incorporated by reference therein. The Company shall not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.

 

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4.2 Federal Securities Laws.

 

(a) Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Shares in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Shares is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will notify the Underwriters promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 4.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Securities Act.

 

(b) Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424.

 

(c) Exchange Act Registration. For a period of three years from the Execution Date, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the Common Stock under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

(d) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Public Shares that would constitute an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, without the prior written consent of the Representative. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is herein referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in rule and regulations under the Securities Act, and has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 of the Securities Act, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record keeping.

 

4.3 Delivery to the Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to you two original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original executed consents of certified experts.

 

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4.4 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriters. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus until nine (9) months from the Execution Date, and will notify the Underwriters immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in this Section 4.4 that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

 

4.5 Review of Financial Statements. For a period of two (2) years from the Execution Date, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent registered public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial information.

 

4.6 Expenses of the Offering.

 

(a) General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the Public Shares to be sold in the Offering (including the Option Shares) with the Commission; (b) all FINRA Public Offering Filing System fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; (c) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Closing Shares and Option Shares on the Trading Market and such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Representative together determine; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of the Company’s officers, directors and entities in an amount not to exceed $15,000 in the aggregate; (e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of such Shares under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as Joseph Gunnar may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of “blue sky” counsel, it being agreed that such fees and expenses will be limited to $5,000 to such counsel upon the commencement of “blue sky” work by such counsel and an additional $5,000 at Closing); (f) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of Public Shares under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate; (g) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents, Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as Joseph Gunnar may reasonably deem necessary; (h) the costs and expenses of the public relations firm; (i) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the Public Shares; (j) fees and expenses of the transfer agent for the Public Shares; (k) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriter; (l) the costs associated with post-Closing advertising the Offering in the national editions of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times; (m) up to a maximum of $7,000, the costs associated with bound volumes of the Offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones, each of which the Company or its designee will provide within a reasonable time after the Closing in such quantities as the Underwriter may reasonably request; (n) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (o) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives; (p) the fees and expenses of the Underwriter’s legal counsel not to exceed $125,000 if the Offering closes; or $35,000 if the Offering does not close; (q) the $19,950 cost associated with the use of Ipreo’s book building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the Offering; and (r) up to $25,000 of the Underwriter’s actual accountable “road show” expenses for the Offering. The Underwriters may also deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or each Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Underwriters.

 

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(b) Non-accountable Expenses. The Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to Section 4.6(a), on the Closing Date it will pay to the Representative a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Public Shares by deduction from the proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein.

 

4.7 Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

 

4.8 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the Execution Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Execution Date.

 

4.9 Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Public Shares.

 

4.10 Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (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 existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

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4.11 Accountants. The Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized independent certified public accounting firm for a period of at least three years after the Execution Date. The Underwriters acknowledge that the Company Auditor is acceptable to the Underwriters.

 

4.12 FINRA. The Company shall advise the Underwriters (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is aware that any 5% or greater shareholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an Underwriter.

 

4.13 No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual and commercial in nature, based on arms-length negotiations and that neither the Underwriters nor their affiliates or any selected dealer shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company acknowledges that the Underwriters may have financial interests in the success of the Offering that are not limited to the difference between the price to the public and the purchase price paid to the Company by the Underwriters for the shares and the Underwriters have no obligation to disclose, or account to the Company for, any of such additional financial interests. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

 

4.14 Board Composition and Board Designations. The Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of the Trading Market and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the Board of Directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.

 

4.15 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. At the request of the Representative, by [9:00] a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, the Company shall issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the Offering. The Company and the Representative shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the Offering, and neither the Company nor any Underwriter 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 such Underwriter, or without the prior consent of such Underwriter, 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. The Company will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Representative’s prior written consent, for a period ending at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first business day following the 45th day following the Closing Date, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

 

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4.16 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 Underwriter of the Public Shares 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 Underwriter of Public Shares could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Public Shares.

 

4.17 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 Option Shares pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option.

 

4.18 Listing of Common Stock. The Company hereby agrees to use best 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 Closing Shares and Option Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market and promptly secure the listing of all of the Closing Shares and Option Shares on the Nasdaq Capital 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 Closing Shares and Option Shares, and will take such other action as is necessary to cause all of the Closing Shares and Option 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 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.

 

4.19 Right of First Refusal. Subject to the right of the Company to terminate this Agreement for cause pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(B), the Company agrees that if the Securities are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Representative shall have an irrevocable preferential right for a period of eighteen (18) months from the Closing Date to act as sole, lead, or co-placement agent or sole, lead, or co-lead managing underwriter and joint book runner, each such role at the option of the Company, with at least 30% of the compensation to be paid to the underwriters or placements of such offering paid to the Representative, for any and all future private and public equity and debt offerings during such eighteen (18) month period of the Company, or any subsidiary of or successor to the Company any securities (whether debt or equity or any combination thereof) of the Company or any such subsidiary or successor which the Company or any such subsidiary or successor may seek to sell whether with or without or through an underwriter, placement agent or broker-dealer and whether pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or otherwise. The Company and any such subsidiary or successor will consult the Representative with regard to any such proposed financing and will offer the Representative the opportunity to purchase or sell any such securities on terms not more favorable to the Company or any such subsidiary or successor, as the case may be, than it or they can secure elsewhere. If the Representative fails to accept such offer within 10 business days after the mailing of a notice containing the material terms of the proposed financing proposal by registered mail or overnight courier service addressed to the Representative, then the Representative shall have no further claim or right with respect to the financing proposal contained in such notice. If, however, the terms of such financing proposal are subsequently modified in any material respect, the preferential right referred to herein shall apply to such modified proposal as if the original proposal had not been made. The Representative’s failure to exercise its preferential right with respect to any particular proposal shall not affect its preferential rights relative to future proposals.

 

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4.20 Company Lock-Up Agreement. The Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not, for a period of six (6) months after the Closing Date (the “Lock-Up Period”), (a) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, except that the Company may grant awards under its stock incentive plan in the ordinary course of business as long as the Company does not file a Form S-8 or other registration statement covering common stock underlying the awards or otherwise issued as awards during the six (6) month period; (b) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (c) complete any offering of debt securities of the Company, other than entering into a line of credit with a traditional bank; or (d) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

4.21 Release of D&O Lock-up Period. If the Representative, in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreements for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three (3) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release through a major news service at least two (2) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

 

4.22 Future Offerings. Subject to the right of the Company to terminate this Agreement for cause pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(B), if the Closing of the Offering does not occur prior to the end of the Representative’s Engagement Period (as defined in the Engagement Agreement) (other than a termination for Cause (as defined in the Engagement Agreement)), then if within twelve (12) months following such time, the Company completes any public or private financing of equity, equity-linked, convertible or debt or other capital-raising activity with, or receives any proceeds from, any investors the Representative contacted in connection with the Offering, then the Company shall pay the Representative upon closing of such financing or receipt of such proceeds the cash and warrant compensation as described herein, in each case only with respect to the portion of such proceeds received from such investors contacted and introduced to the Company.

 

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4.23 Research Independence. The Company acknowledges that each Underwriter’s research analysts and research departments, if any, are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriter’s research analysts may hold and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of its investment bankers. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against such Underwriter with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriter’s investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that the Representative is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short position in debt or equity securities of the Company.

 

ARTICLE V.

DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS

 

If on the Closing Date or any Option Closing Date, if any, any Underwriter shall fail to purchase and pay for the portion of the Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, which such Underwriter has agreed to purchase and pay for on such date (otherwise than by reason of any default on the part of the Company), the Representative, or if the Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, shall use their reasonable efforts to procure within 36 hours thereafter one or more of the other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase from the Company such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms set forth herein, the Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase. If during such 36 hours the Representative shall not have procured such other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase the Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, agreed to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then (a) if the aggregate number of Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur does not exceed 10% of the Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, covered hereby, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in proportion to the respective numbers of Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, which they are obligated to purchase hereunder, to purchase the Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase, or (b) if the aggregate number of Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur exceeds 10% of the Closing Shares or Option Shares, as the case may be, covered hereby, the Company or the Representative will have the right to terminate this Agreement without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters or of the Company except to the extent provided in Article VI hereof. In the event of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters, as set forth in this Article V, the applicable Closing Date may be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven (7) days, as the Representative, or if the Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, may determine in order that the required changes in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. The term “Underwriter” includes any Person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter. Any action taken under this Section shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE VI.

INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1 Indemnification of the Underwriters. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters, and each dealer selected by each Underwriter that participates in the offer and sale of the Public Shares (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each Person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or any Selected Dealer (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between such Underwriter and the Company or between such Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Public Shares, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Article VI, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Public Shares under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, Trading Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the applicable Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application, as the case may be. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the General Disclosure Package, if any, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6.1 shall not inure to the benefit of an Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the Person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Public Shares to such Person as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement. The Company agrees promptly to notify each Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Public Shares or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

 

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6.2 Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 6.1, such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter or such Selected Dealer, as the case may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by such Underwriter (in addition to local counsel), Selected Dealer and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter, Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

6.3 Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other Person so indemnified based on the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other Person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to such Underwriter by the provisions of this Article VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.3, no Underwriter shall be required to indemnify the Company for any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Public Shares purchased by such Underwriter. The Underwriters' obligations in this Section 6.3 to indemnify the Company are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

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6.4 Contribution.

 

(a) Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Securities Act in any case in which (i) any Person entitled to indemnification under this Article VI makes a claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Article VI provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such Person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Article VI, then, and in each such case, the Company and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and such Underwriter, as incurred, in such proportions that such Underwriter is responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no Person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each Person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.4, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Public Shares purchased by such Underwriter. The Underwriters' obligations in this Section 6.4 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

 

(b) Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 6.4 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1 Termination.

 

(a) Termination Right. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in its opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on any Trading Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other Government Authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Public Shares, or (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder, or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Public Shares or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Public Shares.

 

(b) Expenses. In the event this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(a), within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Representative its actual and accountable out of pocket expenses related to the transactions contemplated herein then due and payable, including the fees and disbursements of EGS up to $35,000 (provided, however, that such expense cap in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement).

 

(c) Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Article VI shall not be in any way effected by such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

 

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7.2 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement, 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. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Engagement Agreement, dated July 26, 2024 (“Engagement Agreement”), by and between the Company and Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC, shall continue to be effective and the terms therein, including, without limitation, Section 15 with respect to any future offerings, shall continue to survive and be enforceable by the Representative 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.

 

7.3 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 e-mail attachment at the email address 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 e-mail attachment at the e-mail 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.

 

7.4 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 the Representative. 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.

 

7.5 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.

 

7.6 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

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7.7 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 either 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 Article VI, the prevailing party in such Action or Proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such Action or Proceeding.

 

7.8 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and the Option Closing, if any, and the delivery of the Public Shares.

 

7.9 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.

 

7.10 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.

 

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7.11 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Underwriters 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.

 

7.12 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.

 

7.13 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.

 

7.14 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVE FOREVER ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
   
  By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

Address for Notice:

 

Copy to:

 

Accepted on the date first above written.

Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

As the Representative of the several

Underwriters listed on Schedule I

By: Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC

 

By:  
  Name:                        
  Title:    
   
Address for Notice:  

 

1000 RXR Plaza

Uniondale, New York 11556

 

Copy to:

 

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SCHEDULE I

 

Schedule of Underwriters

 

Underwriters   Closing Shares   Closing Purchase Price
Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC        
         
Total        

 

 

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Exhibit 3.4

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TOTHE

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.

 

Capstone Holding Corp., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

 

FIRST: That the following resolutions were duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, in accordance with the Corporation’s bylaws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, setting forth a proposed amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as follows:

 

RESOLVED, that the first sentence of Section 5 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is deleted and replaced by the following;

 

“5. Authorized Capital. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 75,000,000 shares, consisting of 50,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.0005 per share (the “Common Stock”) and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $0.0005 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).”

 

SECOND: The foregoing Amendment was duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

THIRD: The foregoing Amendment was duly approved by the Corporation’s stockholders.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by the undersigned duly authorized officer who declares under penalty of perjury that the matters set forth in the foregoing Certificate of Amendment are true and correct to his knowledge.

 

Dated: February [   ], 2025

 

  CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
     
  By:  
  Name:  Matthew E. Lipman
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Exhibit 3.5

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK

OF

CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.

 

The undersigned, being the chief financial officer of Capstone Holding Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that, pursuant to the provisions of Section 151 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the board of directors of the Corporation duly adopted the following resolution, which resolution remains in full force and effect as of the date hereof:

 

Series B Preferred Stock

 

RESOLVED, that the Board, pursuant to the authority vested in it by the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, hereby establishes a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, no par value, and fixes the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as follows:

 

This series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, par value $0.0005 per share, consisting of up to two million (2,000,000) shares, shall be, and hereby is, designated “Series B Preferred Stock”. The following is a statement of the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock of the Corporation:

 

1.1 Dividends.

 

A. From and after the date of the issuance of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

B. If the Corporation shall declare and pay to the holders of Common Stock a dividend or other distribution (excluding a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock) (any such non-excluded dividend or other distribution, a “Distribution”) at any time after the issuance of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, then, in each such case, a holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive (as hereinafter described) the amount of the Distribution that such holder would have been entitled to receive after the declaration and payment of such Distribution if such shares of Series B Preferred Stock has been converted (without giving effect to any limitation on conversion) immediately prior to the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such Distribution (a “Specified Dividend Amount”). Any accumulation of a Specified Dividend Amount shall not bear interest. Specified Dividend Amount shall be paid upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 1.3 below.

 

 

 

 

1.2 Liquidation.

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary (but excluding a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale, transfer or other disposition of all of substantially all of its property, assets or business), distributions to the stockholders of the Corporation shall be made in the following manner:

 

A. Preferred Stock Preference. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets or surplus funds of the Corporation to the holders of the Common Stock, the accumulated and unpaid Specified Dividend Amounts (the “Liquidation Preference”). If, upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the assets and funds distributed are insufficient to permit the payment of the full Liquidation Preferences set forth in this Section 1.2A, then the entire assets and funds legally available for distribution shall be first distributed ratably among the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock in proportion to the Liquidation Preference each such holder is otherwise entitled to receive.

 

B. Remaining Assets. After payment or setting apart of payment of the Liquidation Preference set forth in Section 1.2A, the holders of the Common Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the remaining assets of the Corporation pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder of Common Stock and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock held by each such holder of Series B Preferred Stock if such shares of Series B Preferred Stock has been converted (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion).

 

1.3 Conversion.

 

A. The holder of any share or shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right, at its option, to convert all or any portion of such shares into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, at any time after the two (2) year anniversary of the IPO Date, subject to the Closing Share Price being equal to or greater than the Hurdle Share Price as of such conversion date. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Conversion Rate”) shall be equal to the result of the Incremental Share Price as of such date of determination, multiplied by 985,063 shares of Common Stock (such number of shares, the “Specified Share Count”), multiplied by the Reciprocal Number, divided by the Closing Share Price as of such date of determination.

 

B. The Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible at the principal office of the Corporation into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at their applicable Conversion Rate.

 

C. In order to convert shares of Series B Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the right of conversion set forth in subsection (A) above, the holder thereof shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, duly endorsed to the Corporation or in blank, at the principal office of the Corporation and shall give written notice to the Corporation that such holder elects to convert the same, stating in such notice the name or names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates representing shares of Common Stock to be issued. The Corporation shall, within five (5) business days, deliver at said office or other place to such holder of Series B Preferred Stock, or to such holder’s nominee or nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid, together with any cash to which such holder shall be entitled in lieu of fractional shares. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been converted as of the date of the surrender of such shares for conversion as provided above, and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date. Upon conversion of only a portion of the number of shares covered by a certificate representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion, the Corporation shall issue and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the holder of the certificate so surrendered for conversion, at the expense of the Corporation, a new certificate covering the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock representing the unconverted portion of the certificate so surrendered, which new certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to the rights of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented thereby to the same extent as if the certificate theretofore covering such unconverted shares had not been surrendered for conversion.

 

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D. The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to the converting stockholder for any original issue or transfer tax in respect of the issuance of such certificates and any such tax shall be paid by the Corporation. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so converted were registered, and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the person or entity requesting such issuance has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid.

 

E. The applicable Conversion Rate shall be subject to the following adjustments:

 

(i) If the Corporation shall declare and pay to the holders of Common Stock a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock, the applicable Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the holders of Series B Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive after the declaration and payment of such dividend or other distribution if such shares of Series B Preferred Stock has been converted immediately prior to the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such adjustment shall be made if the holders of Series B Preferred Stock simultaneously receive a dividend or other distribution of shares of Common Stock in a number equal to the number of shares of Common Stock as they would have received if all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event.

 

(ii) If the Corporation shall subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, or combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a lesser number of shares, or issue by reclassification of its shares of Common Stock any shares of the Corporation, the applicable Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted so that the holders of Series B Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock which such holder would have owned or been entitled to receive after the happening of any of the events described above if such shares of Series B Preferred Stock had been converted immediately prior to the happening of such event on the day upon which such subdivision, combination or reclassification, as the case may be, becomes effective.

 

3 

 

 

(iii) In case the Corporation shall effect a reorganization, shall merge with or consolidate into another entity, or shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property, assets or business and, pursuant to the terms of such reorganization, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets, shares of stock or other securities, property or assets of the Corporation, successor or transferee or an affiliate thereof or cash are to be received by or distributed to the holders of Common Stock, then each holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall be given a written notice from the Corporation informing each holder of the terms of such reorganization, merger, consolidation, or disposition of assets and of the record date thereof for any distribution pursuant thereto, at least ten (10) days in advance of such record date, and each holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right thereafter to receive, upon conversion of such Series B Preferred Stock, the number of shares of stock or other securities, property or assets of the Corporation, successor or transferee or Affiliate thereof or cash receivable upon or as a result of such reorganization, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate applicable to such series immediately prior to such event, multiplied by the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock as may be converted (without giving effect to any limitations on the ability to convert). The provisions of this subsection (iii) shall similarly apply to successive reorganizations, mergers, consolidations or dispositions of assets.

 

(iv) If a purchase, tender or exchange offer is made to and accepted by the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Corporation shall not effect any consolidation, merger or sale with the person having made such offer or with any Affiliate of such person, unless prior to the consummation thereof each holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have been given a reasonable opportunity to elect to receive, upon conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then held by such holder (without giving effect to any limitations on the ability to convert), either the stock, securities, cash or assets then issuable with respect to the Common Stock or the stock, securities, cash or assets issued to previous holders of the Common Stock in accordance with such offer, or the equivalent thereof.

 

(v) The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Corporation, and the disposition of such shares shall be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock, for the purposes of this subsection 1.3(E).

 

(vi) If a state of facts shall occur which, without being specifically controlled by the provisions of this subsection 1.3(E), would not fairly protect the conversion rights of the Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with the essential intent and principles of such provisions, then the Board of Directors shall make an adjustment in the application of such provisions, in accordance with such essential intent and principles, so as to protect such conversion rights.

 

4 

 

 

(vii) All calculations under this subsection (E) shall be made to the nearest one-thousandth of a share.

 

(viii) Whenever the applicable Conversion Rate shall be adjusted pursuant to this subsection (E), the Corporation shall forthwith obtain, and cause to be delivered to each holder of Series B Preferred Stock, a certificate signed by the principal financial or accounting officer of the Corporation, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment was calculated (including a description of the basis on which the Board of Directors determined the fair value of any consideration) and specifying the new applicable Conversion Rate. In the case referred to in subsection (iii), such a certificate shall be issued describing the amount and kind of stock, securities, property or assets or cash which shall be receivable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock after giving effect to the provisions of such subsection (iii).

 

F. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, the full number of shares of Common Stock then deliverable upon the conversion or exchange of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding. The Corporation shall at all times take such corporate action as shall be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

G. No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon any conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, but, in lieu thereof, there shall be paid an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of a whole share of Common Stock on the business day preceding the day of conversion.

 

1.4 Voting.

 

Except as otherwise required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “DGCL”), the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designation, or any agreement among holders of capital stock of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right to vote, together with the holders of all the outstanding shares of Common Stock and not by series, on all matters on which holders of Common Stock shall have the right to vote. The holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right to cast one vote for each share of Series B Preferred Stock held by them.

 

1.5 Series B Preferred Stock Protective Provisions.

 

A. Until such time as less than 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued on the IPO Date remain outstanding (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right to appoint two (2) members to the Board of Directors.

 

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B. Except as otherwise required by the DGCL, until such time as less than 20% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued on the IPO Date remain outstanding (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock), without the approval of the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, given in writing or by vote at a meeting, consenting or voting (as the case may be) separately as a class, the Corporation will not, either directly or indirectly, by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise:

 

(i) amend, alter or change the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or this Certificate of Designation, or increase or decrease the authorized number of members constituting its Board of Directors;

 

(ii) increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock (or options, warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire any such capital stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any such capital stock), or authorize, create or issue any series or shares of capital stock which have any rights (such as voting, liquidation, redemption or otherwise) which are senior or pari passu to, or could adversely affect any of the rights of, the Series B Preferred Stock (or options, warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire any such capital stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any such capital stock), as the case may be, or otherwise take any action which would alter or adversely affect the rights of the Series B Preferred Stock (or options, warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire any such capital stock or any security convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any such capital stock);

 

(iii) become a party to any merger or consolidation; sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its or any of its subsidiaries’ assets other than sales and leases of assets in the ordinary course of business and other than the replacement of outmoded or damaged equipment with new equipment; voluntarily dissolve, liquidate or wind up the Corporation or carry out any partial liquidation of the Corporation;

 

(iv) purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock other than pursuant to agreements with officers or employees of the Corporation relating to repurchase of stock after termination of employment;

 

(v) adopt or otherwise institute any stock option, restricted stock, or equity incentive plan for, or otherwise issue any stock or options to, employees, consultants or directors of the Corporation, except that the Corporation may authorize an equity incentive plan and issue stock or options pursuant thereto for employees, consultants and directors provided that the total number of shares and options issued thereunder shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation on a fully diluted basis and such shares and options may only be issued on terms and conditions acceptable to the Board of Directors;

 

6 

 

 

(vi) issue any shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than pursuant to an equity incentive plan permitted pursuant to preceding subsection (v);

 

(vii) acquire any assets or stock of another entity, whether by means of acquisition of assets or stock or by merger, or enter into any joint venture; and

 

(viii) incur (or any of its subsidiaries incur) any indebtedness for borrowed money, other than refinancings of existing indebtedness that do not increase the then outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness.

 

1.6 Definitions.

 

A. “Applicable Exchange” means the principal securities exchange or trading market where shares of Common Stock are listed or traded.

 

B. “Board” or “Board of Directors” shall mean the board of directors of the Corporation, as constituted from time to time.

 

C. “Closing Share Price” means, as of any date of determination, the closing price per share of Common Stock on the Applicable Exchange as reported by Bloomberg, LP as of such date.

 

D. “Hurdle Share Price” means $40 per share of Common Stock, subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or similar recapitalization with respect to the Common Stock.

 

E. “Incremental Share Price” means, as of any date of determination, the amount by which the Closing Share Price exceeds the Hurdle Share Price.

 

F. “Reciprocal Number” means 1 divided by the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued on the IPO Date.

 

G. “IPO Date” means the date of issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Specified Registration Statement.

 

H. “Market Capitalization” means, as of any date of determination, the product of the Closing Share Price as of the immediately preceding date and the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of such immediately preceding date.

 

I. “Specified Registration Statement” means the Form S-1 registration statement publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February __, 2025, as amended.

 

1.7 Amendments.

 

No provision of this Certificate of Designation may be amended, modified or waived without the approval of the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designation to be signed by Edward Schultz, its Chief Financial Officer, this ___ day of February, 2025.

 

Capstone Holding Corp.  
   
By:    
Name:  Edward Schultz  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

REPRESENTATIVE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

CAPSTONe Holding Corp.

 

Warrant Shares: [_______]   Issue Date: [_______], 2025

 

THIS REPRESENTATIVE COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC 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 [_____]1 (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_____]2 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Capstone Holding Corp., 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 is issued pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (as defined below).

 

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.

 

 

1Insert 6 months from commencement of sales
2Insert the date that is the one (1) year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date, provided that, if such date is not a Trading Day, insert the immediately following Trading Day.

 

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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 $0.0005 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. 333-284105).

 

“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, OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

“Transfer Agent” means Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 150 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

“Underwriting Agreement” means the underwriting agreement, dated as of [_________], 2025, among the Company and Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC as representative of the underwriters named therein, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

“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 Representative 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. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, 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 within three (3) Trading Days 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 on the Trading 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.

 

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) delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) 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 highest Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) within two (2) hours of the time of the Holder’s delivery of the Notice of Exercise pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof if such Notice of Exercise is delivered during “regular trading hours,” or within two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours,” on a Trading Day 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 delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after two (2) hours following 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.

 

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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 third 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.

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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.

 

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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.

 

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% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 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 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).

 

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, (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. 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 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)(1), 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 from the commencement of sales of the offering pursuant to which this Warrant is being issued, except as permitted under FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2). 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.

 

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.

 

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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. Registration Rights.

 

a) “Piggy-Back” Registration. Unless all of the Common Stock underlying the Warrants (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”) are included in an effective registration statement with a current prospectus, the Holder shall have the right, until the Termination Date, to include the remaining Registrable Securities as part of any other registration of securities filed by the Company (other than in connection with a transaction contemplated by Rule 145 promulgated under the Act or pursuant to Form S-8 or any equivalent form); provided, however, that if, solely in connection with any primary underwritten public offering for the account of the Company, the managing underwriter(s) thereof shall, in its reasonable discretion, impose a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock of Registrable Securities which may be included in the registration statement because, in such underwriter(s)’ judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company shall be obligated to include in such registration statement only such limited portion of the Registrable Securities with respect to which the Holder requested inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall reasonably permit; and further provided that no such piggy-back rights shall exist for so long as the Registrable Securities (which term shall include those paid as consideration pursuant to the cashless exercise provisions of this Warrant) may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 of the Act without restriction. Any exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Holders seeking to include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities sought to be included by such Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the Company has first excluded all outstanding securities, the holders of which are not entitled to inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not entitled to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities. In the event of such a proposed registration, the Company shall furnish the then Holders of outstanding Registrable Securities with not less than fifteen (15) days written notice prior to the proposed date of filing of such registration statement. Such notice to the Holders shall continue to be given for each registration statement filed by the Company until such time as all of the Registrable Securities have been sold by the Holder. The holders of the Registrable Securities shall exercise the “piggy-back” rights provided for herein by giving written notice, within seven (7) days of the receipt of the Company’s notice of its intention to file a registration statement. Except as otherwise provided in this Purchase Warrant, there shall be no limit on the number of times the Holder may request registration under this Section 5(a).

 

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b) Demand Registration.

 

i. Grant of Right. The Company, upon written demand (a “Demand Notice”) of the Holders of at least 51% of the Warrants and/or underlying Warrant Shares, agrees to register, on one (1) occasion, all or any portion of the Registrable Securities. On such occasion, the Company will file a registration statement with the Commission covering the Registrable Securities within sixty (60) days after receipt of a Demand Notice and use its reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective promptly thereafter, subject to compliance with review by the Commission; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to comply with a Demand Notice if the Company has filed a registration statement with respect to which the Holder is entitled to piggyback registration rights pursuant to Section 5(a) hereof and either: (i) the Holder has elected to participate in the offering covered by such registration statement or (ii) if such registration statement relates to an underwritten primary offering of securities of the Company, until the offering covered by such registration statement has been withdrawn or until thirty (30) days after such offering is consummated. The Company covenants and agrees to give written notice of its receipt of any Demand Notice by any Holders to all other registered Holders of the Warrants and/or the Registrable Securities within ten (10) days after the date of the receipt of any such Demand Notice.

 

ii. Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to the registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 5(b)(i), but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the filing required herein to become effective promptly and to qualify or register the Registrable Securities in such states as are reasonably requested by the Holders; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be required to register the Registrable Securities in a State in which such registration would cause: (i) the Company to be obligated to register or license to do business in such State or submit to general service of process in such State, or (ii) the principal shareholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of capital stock of the Company. The Company shall cause any registration statement filed pursuant to the demand right granted under Section 5(b) to remain effective for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months after the date that the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement are first given the opportunity to sell all of such securities. The Holders shall only use the prospectuses provided by the Company to sell the shares covered by such registration statement, and will immediately cease to use any prospectus furnished by the Company if the Company advises the Holder that such prospectus may no longer be used due to a material misstatement or omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.1.2, the Holder shall be entitled to a demand registration under this Section 4.1.2 on only one (1) occasion and such demand registration right shall terminate on the first anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8)(C).

 

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c) General Terms.

 

i. Expenses of Registration. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 5 hereof, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities.

 

ii. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, the Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to any registration statement hereunder and each person, if any, who controls such Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 (a) of the Exchange Act, against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from such registration statement but only to the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter contained in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

iii. Exercise of Warrants. Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as requiring the Holder(s) to exercise their Warrants prior to or after the initial filing of any registration statement or the effectiveness thereof.

 

iv. Documents to be Delivered by Holder(s). Each of the Holder(s) participating in any registration statement filed by the Company shall furnish to the Company a completed and executed questionnaire provided by the Company requesting information customarily sought of selling security holders.

 

v. Damages. Should the registration or the effectiveness thereof required by Section 5 hereof be delayed by the Company or the Company otherwise fails to comply with such provisions, the Holder(s) shall, in addition to any other legal or other relief available to the Holder(s), be entitled to obtain specific performance or other equitable (including injunctive) relief against the threatened breach of such provisions or the continuation of any such breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages and without the necessity of posting bond or other security.

 

13

 

 

Section 6. 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.

 

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).

 

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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.

 

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.

 

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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 Capstone Holding Corp., 5141 W. 122nd Street, Alsip, IL 60803, Attention: Edward Schultz, 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.

 

 

********************

 

(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.

 

  CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To: Capstone holding corp.

 

(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: ________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

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:    
  (Please Print
     
Phone Number:    
     
Email Address:    
     
Dated: _______________ __, ______    
     
Holder’s Signature:    
       
Holder’s Address:      

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

LUCOSKY BROOKMAN LLP

101 Wood Avenue South

5th Floor

Woodbridge, NJ 08830

T - (732) 395-4400

F- (732) 395-4401

   
 

111 Broadway

Suite 807

New York, NY 10006

T - (212) 417-8160

F - (212) 417-8161

www. lucbro.com

 

February 6, 2025

 

Capstone Holding Corp.

5141 W. 122nd Street

Alsip, IL 60803

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-284105)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to you, Capstone Holding Corp. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, in connection with the public offering contemplated by the registration statement on Form S-1 filed by the Company on December 31, 2024 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for an offering of (i) up to 1,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), $0.0005 par value per share (the “Company Shares”); (ii) up to 187,500 shares of Common Stock, purchased pursuant to over allotments, if any (the “Over Allotment Shares”); (iii) up to 71,875 warrants to purchase 71,875 shares of Common stock that will be issued to the representatives of the underwriters (the “Representatives’ Warrants”); and (iv) up to 71,875 shares of Common Stock underlying the Representatives’ Warrants (the “Representatives’ Warrant Shares”) that may be issued upon exercise of the Representatives’ Warrants.

 

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

 

In connection with this opinion, we have examined the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the following: (a) the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended to date; (b) the bylaws of the Company, as amended to date, and (c) the Registration Statement and all exhibits thereto. In addition to the foregoing, we also have relied as to matters of fact upon the representations made by the Company and its representatives and we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us certified or photostatic copies.

 

Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications, limitations, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

(i) the Company Shares and the Over-Allotment Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and, when issued, delivered and paid for as contemplated in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement (as defined in the Registration Statement), the shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

 

 

 

 

(ii) the Representatives’ Warrants have been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed by the Company and issued and delivered to the purchaser thereof as contemplated by the Registration Statement and in accordance with terms of the Underwriting Agreement, such Representatives’ Warrants will constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms;

 

(iii) the Representatives’ Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Representatives’ Warrants against payment therefor as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Underwriting Agreement and the Representatives’ Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and

 

We are opining herein as to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws. This opinion is limited to the laws in effect as of the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission and is provided exclusively in connection with the public offering contemplated by the Registration Statement.

 

This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion letter if any applicable laws change after the date of this opinion letter or if we become aware after the date of this opinion letter of any facts, whether existing before or arising after the date hereof, that might change the opinions expressed above.

 

This opinion letter is furnished in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and may not be relied upon for any other purpose without our prior written consent in each instance. Further, no portion of this letter may be quoted, circulated or referred to in any other document for any other purpose without our prior written consent.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name as it appears in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,  
   
/s/ Lucosky Brookman LLP  
Lucosky Brookman LLP  

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Capstone Holding Corp.

 

Indemnification Agreement

 

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”), by and between Capstone Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Capstone”), and [●] (“Indemnitee”), is effective as of the date the Agreement is fully executed by the parties below. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Company” shall be deemed to include Capstone and its subsidiaries, as appropriate.

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors or officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation and due to the fact that such exposure frequently bears no relationship to compensation paid to such officers and directors; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Indemnitee recognize the substantial increase in corporate litigation, subjecting directors, officers, and key employees to expensive litigation risks at the same time as the availability and coverage of liability insurance has been severely limited; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to induce Indemnitee to provide, or continue to provide, services to the Company, the Company wishes to provide for the indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, Indemnitee to the maximum extent permitted by law; and

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the current protection available as adequate under the present circumstances, and the Indemnitee and other directors and officers of the Company may not be willing to continue to serve in such capacities without additional protection; and

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that he or she will not be so indemnified; and

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and Indemnitee’s agreement to serve, or continue to serve, as a director to the Company, the Company and Indemnitee, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Indemnification.

 

(a) Third-Party Proceedings. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding (as hereinafter defined), other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

(b) Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee, if Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in the Company’s favor, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such Proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

(c) Success on the Merits. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Section 1(a) or Section 1(b) or the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in a Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such successfully resolved claims, issues or matters to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. If any Proceeding is disposed of on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to Indemnitee, (ii) an adjudication that Indemnitee was liable to the Company, (iii) a plea of guilty by Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and (v) with respect to any criminal Proceeding, an adjudication that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee shall be considered for the purposes hereof to have been wholly successful with respect thereto.

 

(d) Witness Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding.

 

2. Contribution.

 

(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Section 1 is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason other than those set forth in Section 7, then in respect to any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.

 

(b) With respect to a Proceeding brought against directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from any claims for contribution that may be brought by any such directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company (other than Indemnitee) who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee, to the same extent Indemnitee would have been entitled to such indemnification under this Agreement if such Proceeding had been brought against Indemnitee.

 

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3. Indemnification Procedure.

 

(a) Advancement of Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall advance all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Such advances shall be unsecured and interest free and shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Indemnitee shall be entitled to continue to receive advancement of Expenses pursuant to this Section 3(a) unless and until the matter of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder has been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment from which no further right of appeal exists. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it ultimately is determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the other provisions of this Agreement. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, which shall constitute the requisite undertaking with respect to repayment of advances made hereunder and no other form of undertaking shall be required to qualify for advances made hereunder other than the execution of this Agreement.

 

(b) Notice and Cooperation by Indemnitee. Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter for which indemnification will or could be sought under this Agreement. Such notice to the Company shall include a description of the nature of, and facts underlying, the Proceeding, shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 14(e) below. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such additional information and cooperation as the Company may reasonably request. Indemnitee’s failure to so notify, provide information, and otherwise cooperate with the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation that it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, except to the extent that the Company is adversely affected by such failure.

 

(c) Determination of Entitlement.

 

(i) Final Disposition. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

  

(ii) Determination and Payment. Subject to the foregoing, promptly after receipt of a statement requesting payment with respect to the indemnification rights set forth in Sections 1 or 2, to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall take the steps necessary to authorize such payment in the manner set forth in Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Company shall pay any claims made under this Agreement, under any statute, or under any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws providing for indemnification or advancement of Expenses, within thirty (30) days after a written request for payment thereof has first been received by the Company, and if such claim is not paid in full within such thirty (30) day-period, Indemnitee may, but need not, at any time thereafter bring an action against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, subject to Section 13, Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with bringing such action. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for advancement of Expenses under Section 3(a)) that Indemnitee has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption with clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. In addition, it is the parties’ intention that if the Company contests Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, the question of Indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be for the court to decide, and neither the failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct required by applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors, any committee or subgroup of the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct. If any requested determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder has not been made within ninety (90) days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, the requisite determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made.

 

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(iii) Change of Control. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, if a Change of Control has occurred, any person or body appointed by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law to review the Company’s obligations hereunder and under applicable law shall be Independent Counsel selected by the Company. Such counsel, among other things, will render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law and the Indemnitee agrees to abide by such opinion. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to pay Expenses of more than one Independent Counsel in connection with all matters concerning a single Indemnitee, and such Independent Counsel shall be the Independent Counsel for any or all other Indemnitees unless (i) the Company otherwise determines or (ii) any Indemnitee shall provide a written statement setting forth in detail a reasonable objection to such Independent Counsel representing other indemnitees under agreements similar to this Agreement.

 

(d) Payment Directions. To the extent payments are required to be made hereunder, the Company shall, in accordance with Indemnitee’s request (but without duplication), (i) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses.

 

(e) Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(f) Defense of Claim and Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall be obligated under Section 1(a) hereof to advance Expenses with respect to any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election so to do. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding, provided that (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense or (C) the Company shall not, in fact, have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. In addition, if there exists a potential, but not an actual conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee, the actual and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Indemnitee for separate counsel retained by Indemnitee to monitor the Proceeding (so that such counsel may assume Indemnitee’s defense if the conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee becomes an actual conflict of interest) shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder. The existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, and whether such conflict may be waived, shall be determined pursuant to the rules of attorney professional conduct and applicable law. The Company shall not be required to obtain the consent of Indemnitee for the settlement of any Proceeding the Company has undertaken to defend if the Company assumes full and sole responsibility for each such settlement; provided, however, that the Company shall be required to obtain Indemnitee’s prior written approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, before entering into any settlement which (1) does not grant Indemnitee a complete release of liability, (2) would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee, or (3) would admit any liability or misconduct by Indemnitee.

 

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4. Additional Indemnification Rights.

 

(a) Scope. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, notwithstanding that such indemnification is not specifically authorized by the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, the Company’s Bylaws or by statute. In the event of any change, after the date of this Agreement, in any applicable law, statute, or rule which expands the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes shall be deemed to be within the purview of Indemnitee’s rights and the Company’s obligations under this Agreement. In the event of any change in any applicable law, statute or rule which narrows the right of a Delaware corporation to indemnify a member of its board of directors or an officer, such changes, to the extent not otherwise required by such law, statute or rule to be applied to this Agreement shall have no effect on this Agreement or the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.

 

(b) Nonexclusivity. The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which Indemnitee may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Delaware General Corporation Law, or otherwise, both as to action in Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

 

(c) D&O Policy. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in accordance with the policy’s or policies’ terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain such insurance if the Company determines in good faith that such insurance is not reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, if the coverage provided by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient benefit, or if Indemnitee is covered by similar insurance maintained by a parent or subsidiary of the Company. 

 

(d) Third-Party Indemnification. The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may from time to time obtain certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more third parties (collectively, the “Third-Party Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Third-Party Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by Indemnitee are secondary), and that the Company will not assert that the Indemnitee must seek expense advancement or reimbursement, or indemnification, from any Third-Party Indemnitor before the Company must perform its expense advancement and reimbursement, and indemnification obligations, under this Agreement. No advancement or payment by the Third-Party Indemnitors on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing. The Third-Party Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery which Indemnitee would have had against the Company if the Third-Party Indemnitors had not advanced or paid any amount to or on behalf of Indemnitee. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Third-Party Indemnitors are not entitled to the subrogation rights described in the preceding sentence, the Third-Party Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution by the Company to the Third-Party Indemnitors with respect to any advance or payment by the Third-Party Indemnitors to or on behalf of the Indemnitee.

 

5. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a Proceeding, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

6. Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

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7. Exclusions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:

 

(a) To indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, except with respect to Proceedings brought to establish, enforce, or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law, or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, but such indemnification or advancement of Expenses may be provided by the Company in specific cases if the Board of Directors finds it to be appropriate; provided, however, that the exclusion set forth in the first clause of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any investigation initiated or brought by Indemnitee to the extent reasonably necessary or advisable in support of Indemnitee’s defense of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee was, is or is threatened to be made, a party;

 

(b) To indemnify Indemnitee for any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to establish, enforce or interpret a right to indemnification under this Agreement or any other statute or law, or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such proceeding was not made in good faith or was frivolous;

  

(c) To indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses to the extent such Expenses have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under an insurance policy maintained by the Company; or

 

(d) To indemnify Indemnitee in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any similar successor statute or any similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, or (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) or Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act); provided, however, that to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent Indemnitee is successful on the merits or otherwise with respect to any such Proceeding, the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such Proceeding shall be deemed to be Expenses that are subject to indemnification hereunder.

 

8. No Imputation. The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or the Company itself shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any rights under this Agreement.

 

9. Determination of Good Faith. For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise (defined below), including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any counsel selected by any committee of the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, investment banker, compensation consultant, or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or the Board of Directors of the Enterprise or any committee thereof. The provisions of this Section 9 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

 

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10. Defined Terms and Phrases. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Beneficial Owner” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof. 

 

(b) “Change of Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest of any of the following events:

 

(i) Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors and such acquisition would not constitute a Change of Control under part (iii) of this definition.

 

(ii) Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board constitute the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (“Continuing Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute a least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

(iii) Corporate Transaction. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity (a “Business Combination”), other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of such surviving entity;

 

(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions).

 

(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item or any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

(c) “Enterprise” means the Company and any other enterprise that Indemnitee was or is serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent.

 

(d) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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(e) “Expenses” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payment under this Agreement (including taxes that may be imposed upon the actual or deemed receipt of payments under this Agreement with respect to the imposition of federal, state, local or foreign taxes), fax transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include any of the forgoing expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any costs bond, supersedes bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses also shall include any interest, assessment or other charges imposed thereon and costs incurred in preparing statements in support of payment requests hereunder. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee. 

 

(f) “Independent Counsel” means an attorney or firm of attorneys, selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(c)(iii), who will not have otherwise performed services for the Company or Indemnitee within the last three years (other than with respect to matters concerning the rights of Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnity agreements).

 

(g) “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any direct or indirect majority owned subsidiaries of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company’s stockholders in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company (an “Employee Benefit Plan”); and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an Employee Benefit Plan.

 

(h) “Proceeding” shall include any actual, threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by a third party, a government agency, the Company or its Board of Directors or a committee thereof, whether in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by Indemnitee or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner (general, limited or otherwise), member (managing or otherwise), trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

11. Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any Proceeding is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous. In the event of a Proceeding instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous. 

 

12. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement, and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

 

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(b) Entire Agreement; Binding Effect. Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee described in Section 4(b), this Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions and supersedes any and all previous agreements between them covering the subject matter herein. The indemnification provided under this Agreement applies with respect to events occurring after the effective date of this Agreement, and shall continue to apply even after Indemnitee has ceased to serve the Company in any and all indemnified capacities.

 

(c) Amendments and Waivers. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. No delay or failure to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of that provision as to that or any other instance.

 

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company) and assigns, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

(e) Notices. Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficient when delivered personally or by overnight courier or sent by email, or 48 hours after being deposited in the U.S. mail as certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the party to be notified at such party’s address as set forth on the signature page, as subsequently modified by written notice, or if no address is specified on the signature page, at the most recent address set forth in the Company’s books and records.

 

(f) Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision, then (i) such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement, (ii) the balance of the Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(g) Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.

 

(h) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. 

  

(i) No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to create in Indemnitee any right to continued employment.

 

(j) Company Position. The Company shall be precluded from asserting, in any Proceeding brought for purposes of establishing, enforcing or interpreting any right to indemnification under this Agreement, that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertion to the contrary.

 

(k) Subrogation. Subject to Section 4(e), in the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

9

 

 

The parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

THE COMPANY:  
     
CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.  
   
By:  
Name: Matthew Lipman  
Title Chief Executive Officer  
     
Address:  5141 W. 122nd Street Alsip, IL 60803  

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:  
   
INDEMNITEE:  
   
   
(Print Name)  
   
   
(Signature)  
     
Address:           
     
     
     
Email:    

 

 

10

 

 

Exhibit 10.30

 

MASTER EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

 

THIS MASTER EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is executed as of February 4, 2025 (the “Execution Date”) and is by and among TotalStone, LLC (the “Company”), Capstone Holding Corp. (“Capstone”) and the undersigned Exchanging Members (as hereinafter defined), which constitute all of the Class B Members (as hereinafter defined) and the sole Class C Member (as hereinafter defined) as of the Execution Date.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company was organized as a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Act (as amended, the “Act”) as of October 4, 2006 and the members of the Company entered into a Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of October 30, 2006 to govern the operations and affairs of the Company and its relationship with the members;

 

WHEREAS, the members amended and restated such Limited Liability Company Agreement by the provisions of the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of June 28, 2012, as amended; amended and restated the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement by the provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of September 25, 2015, as amended; amended and restated the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement by the provisions of the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of January 1, 2019, as amended; and amended and restated the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement by the provisions of the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement executed as of March 27, 2020 and effective as of April 1, 2020, as amended and in effect on the Execution Date (the “Existing Operating Agreement”; all capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Existing Operating Agreement);

 

WHEREAS, the Persons that are Class B Members and the Class C Member (collectively, the “Exchanging Members” and each individually, an “Exchanging Member”) desire to restructure the capitalization of the Company (the “Restructuring”) by exchanging all of their Class B Preferred Interests and Class C Preferred Interests (collectively, the “Existing Membership Interests”) for 3,782,641 shares of common stock of Capstone (“Specified Common Stock”), in each case, to take effect on the Public Issuance Date (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to the effectiveness of the consummation of such public offering, which transaction would, among other things, provide the Exchanging Members with an equity ownership interest is a better capitalized company group and a more liquid asset in the form of common stock in a public company;

 

WHEREAS, as part of the Restructuring and a series of other transactions, the Existing Operating Agreement will be amended and restated in the form of a fifth amended and restated limited liability agreement with Capstone as the sole member;

 

WHEREAS, the Exchanging Members that are Class B Members and the Company are parties to that certain Allocation and Distribution Agreement made and entered into on March 27, 2020 and effective as of April 1, 2020 (as amended, the “A&D Agreement”) to address how distributions and tax allocations to the Class B Members pursuant to the Existing Operating Agreement are allocated among them;

 

WHEREAS, the effectiveness of the Restructuring is subject to the consummation of a public offering of the common stock of Capstone of aggregate gross proceeds of at least $3,000,000 (such date of consummation, the “Public Issuance Date”) on or prior to February 13, 2025;

 

WHEREAS, it is the undersigned Parties’ intention and understanding that the transactions described in the third recital and the immediately preceding recital will be characterized for federal and applicable state and local tax purposes as a single and integrated transaction that will qualify for nonrecognition of gain or loss pursuant to Section 351, et seq., of the Internal Revenue Code; and

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, the undersigned Exchanging Members, the Company and Capstone have agreed to enter into this agreement to address how the Specified Common Stock to be issued in exchange for the Existing Membership Interests is to be allocated among the Exchanging Members.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
INTERPRETATION

 

Section 1.1 Recitals. The recitals hereto are incorporated herein by reference and deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.2 Gender. Any reference in this Agreement to any gender shall include all genders and words used herein importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise dictates.

 

Section 1.3 Headings. The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in the construction or the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.4. Extended Meaning. “Includes” and “including”, when used herein, shall mean including without limitation or restriction.

 

Section 1.5. Singular; Plural. Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.

 

ARTICLE II
EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS

 

Section 2.1 Allocation of Specified Common Stock. Each Exchanging Member hereby confirms, acknowledges and agrees that all of his/its Existing Membership Interests shall be exchanged for the numbers of shares of the Specified Company Stock as described on Exhibit A attached hereto in full and final satisfaction of all distributions to be made or deemed made by the Company on account of the Existing Membership Interests.

 

Section 2.2 Surrender of Existing Membership Interests and Issuance of Specified Common Stock. As of the Public Issuance Date immediately prior to the effectiveness of the consummation of the applicable public offering (the “Effective Time”), the following transactions shall be deemed to occur: (a) each Exchanging Member surrenders his or its Existing Membership Interests, (b) the Company accepts the withdrawal of each such Exchanging Member from the membership of the Company, and (c) Capstone issues to such Exchanging Member the aggregate number of shares of its common stock as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

Section 2.3 Further Assurances. The Exchanging Members, the Company and Capstone each hereby agree to execute and deliver such documents, instruments and agreements as may be necessary or desirable to memorialize and/or effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to take all such other actions as may be necessary or desirable to memorialize and/or effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2

 

 

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANT

 

Section 3.1 Representations and Warranties. Each Exchanging Member represents and warrants to Capstone and the Company that (a) he/it has reviewed the Form S-1 filed by Capstone on or about February 4, 2025; (b) he/it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning Capstone, the Company, the Existing Membership Interests and the Specified Common Stock, and all such questions, if any, have been answered to the full satisfaction of such Exchanging Member; (c) he/it has had the opportunity to receive all other information concerning the Capstone, the Company, the Existing Membership Interest and the Specified Common Stock as such Exchanging Member deemed necessary during the course of such Exchanging Member’s investigation of Capstone and the Company; (d) he/it is familiar with the business and financial condition, properties and prospects of Capstone and the Company; (e) he/it understands that Capstone may issue additional shares of stock and that such issuances will dilute such Exchanging Member’s percentage ownership interest in Capstone; (f) he/it has all requisite power and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform, carry out and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (g) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Exchanging Member, enforceable against such Exchanging Member in accordance with its terms; (h) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Exchanging Member does not and will not conflict with, violate or cause a breach of any agreement, contract or instrument to which such Exchanging Member is a party or any judgment, order or decree to which such Exchanging Member is subject; (i) the portion of the Specified Common Stock to be acquired by such Exchanging Member pursuant to this Agreement will be acquired for such Exchanging Member’s own account and not with a view to, or intention of, distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act of 1933 or any applicable state securities laws; (j) no representations or warranties have been made to such Exchanging Member by Capstone or the Company or any agent, employee, representative or affiliate of Capstone or the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (k) such Exchanging Member has retained, at such Exchanging Member’s own expense, and relied upon, appropriate professional advice regarding the investment, and the tax and legal merits and consequences of this Agreement and owning a portion of the Specified Common Stock as such Exchanging Member deemed appropriate; (l) the Existing Membership Interests of such Existing Member are owned by he/it free and clear of any liens, security interests or other encumbrances, other than those created by the Existing Operating Agreement and the A&D Agreement; (k) none of the Existing Membership Interests have been assigned or otherwise transferred to any Person by such Exchanging Members since the date of acquisition or receipt thereof by such Exchanging Member; and (l) such Existing Member either (i) is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (ii) has a preexisting personal or business relationship with Capstone or any of its officers, directors or controlling persons.

 

Section 3.2 Covenant. Each Exchanging Member covenants with Capstone that the portion of the Specified Common Stock acquired by such Exchanging Member pursuant to this Agreement will not be disposed of in contravention of the Securities Act of 1933 or any applicable state securities laws.

 

ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 4.1 Counterparts; Electronic Delivery. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including counterparts by facsimile, pdf or DocuSign (or other equivalent) each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

Section 4.2 Role of Counsel. The parties hereto understand and acknowledge that the law firm of Nixon Peabody LLP (“NP”) is serving as counsel to Capstone and the Company in connection with the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement and the other documents and agreements contemplated hereby. The parties further acknowledge that NP may serve as counsel to Capstone, the Company, an Exchanging Member or any of their respective affiliates in connection with matters pertaining to each such person that may arise in the future. Each Exchanging Member, Capstone and the Company waives any conflict of interest that may exist as a result of any of such NP’s past or future representation of such persons, as the case may be, as a result of such future engagement. Each Exchanging Member understands and acknowledges that he or it has been advised to hire independent counsel in connection with this Agreement and the other documents and agreements contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 4.3 Consent. Without any presumption that consent would be required, each Exchanging Member confirms, acknowledges and agrees that his/its execution of this Agreement shall be deemed to be his/its consent to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other documents and agreements executed in connection herewith.

 

Section 4.4 Severability. Any Article, Section or other subdivision of this Agreement or any other provision of this Agreement which is, or becomes, illegal, invalid or unenforceable shall be severed herefrom and shall be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability and shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions hereof which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 4.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any counterpart hereto or thereto or other agreement, document or instrument to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding any negotiations, prior discussions and prior agreements among any or all of the parties, whether oral or written.

 

Section 4.6 Amendments; Waiver. No amendment or waiver to this Agreement shall be binding unless otherwise expressly provided in an instrument in writing duly executed by the parties.

 

Section 4.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of Delaware without reference to the conflict of law rules. The parties irrevocably recognize the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Delaware to rule on any litigation or dispute related to this Agreement.

 

Section 4.8 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 4.9 Conflict. In the event there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the A&D Agreement or the Existing Operating Agreement, on the other hand, then the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

[signature page follows]

 

4

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto effective as of the date first hereinabove mentioned.

 

  CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Matthew Lipman
  Name:  Matthew Lipman
  Title: CEO
   
  TOTALSTONE, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Grotke
  Name: Kevin Grotke
  Title: CEO

 

  EXCHANGING MEMBERS:
   
  /s/ Rob McKay
  Rob McKay
   
  /s/ Kevin Grotke
  Kevin Grotke
   
  /s/ James Palatine
  James Palatine

 

[Signature Page – Master Exchange Agreement]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto effective as of the date first hereinabove mentioned.

 

  EXCHANGING MEMBERS:
   
  BROOKSTONE PARTNERS ACQUISITION XIV, LLC
     
  By: BP XIV Pebble, LLC, managing member of Brookstone Partners Acquisition XIV, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Michael Toporek
  Name:  Michael Toporek
  Title: President
     
  GORDON ROCKS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Gordon L. Strout, Jr.
  Name: Gordon L. Strout, Jr.
  Title: President
     
  WARREN ROCKS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Warren Weatherstone
  Name: Warren Weatherstone
  Title: President

 

[Signature Page – Master Exchange Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

ALLOCATION

 

Exchanging Member  Number of
Shares of
Specified
Common Stock
 
Brookstone Partners Acquisition XIV, LLC   2,528,662 
Gordon Rocks, Inc.   822,128 
Warren Rocks, Inc.   140,447 
James Palatine   28,184 
Kevin Grotke   234,852 
Rob McKay   28,368 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.31

 

capstone holding corp.

 

Subscription Agreement

 

This Subscription Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of February ___, 2025 by and between Capstone Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Nectarine Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Subscriber”).  

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Subscriber desire to enter into an agreement pursuant to which the Subscriber will subscribe for and purchase, and the Company will issue and sell, nine hundred eighty-five thousand and sixty-three (985,063) shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed as follows:

 

1.Subscription. The Subscriber hereby subscribes for and purchases, and the Company hereby issues and sells to the Subscriber, nine hundred eighty-five thousand and sixty-three (985,063) shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock (the “Subscribed Stock”) for a purchase price of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) (the “Subscription Price”).

 

2.Payment of Subscription Price. The Subscriber will pay the Subscription Price by wire transfer on the date of issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Form S-1 registration statement publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February __, 2025, as amended.

 

3.Investment Purpose; Restrictions on Transfer. In connection with and as an inducement to the Company to permit the subscription for the Subscribed Stock, the Subscriber hereby:

 

A.Represents and warrants to the Company that the Subscribed Stock is being acquired for the account of the Subscriber for investment purposes only and not with a view to or in connection with any public distribution thereof within the meaning of any applicable federal or state securities laws (“Securities Laws”).

 

B.Covenants that the Subscriber shall not effect any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Subscribed Stock in violation of Securities Laws.

 

C.Covenants that the Subscribed Stock shall be held by the Subscriber indefinitely and shall not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred unless it is subsequently registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) or an exemption from such registration is then available and otherwise in accordance with Securities Laws.

 

4.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflicts of laws rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction).

 

5.Counterparts and Delivery. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and same instrument. The delivery of this Agreement may be effected by means of an exchange of facsimile signatures or other electronic delivery.

 

[signatures on following page]

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Subscriber have caused this Subscription Agreement to be duly authorized and executed as of the date first above written.

 

  SUBSCRIBER:
   
  NECTARINE MANAGEMENT LLC
     
  By:
  Name: Michael Toporek
  Title: CEO
     
  Address:  776 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor,
    New York, NY 10001
    Attn: Michael Toporek
     
  COMPANY:
     
  CAPSTONE HOLDING CORP.
     
  By:
  Name: Edward Schultz
  Title: CFO

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.32

 

Capstone Holding Corp

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as the “Effective Date” by and between Capstone Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Matthew Lipman, an individual residing in the State of New York (“Executive”). The Effective date is the date that there is a consummation of a public offering of the common stock of Capstone Holding Corp., of aggregate gross proceeds of at least $3,000,000.

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the services of Executive, and to that end, desires to enter into a contract of employment with Executive, upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company upon such terms and conditions as its Chief Executive Officer; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have agreed that the Executive will be make the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, with the goal of growing the Company’s building products businesses and market capitalization, which will require the Executive to scale back the Executive’s responsibilities and positions with Brookstone Partners and other third parties;

 

WHEREAS, as an incentive for the Executive’s commitment, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) desires to offer the Executive the compensation, benefits, and other rights and entitlements set forth in this Agreement, subject to the Executive complying with the Executive’s obligations under this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue employing the Executive, and the Executive desires to continue to be employed by the Company, in each case, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual promises contained herein, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

 

1.1. Positions and Duties.

 

(a)During the “Employment Term” (as defined below), the Executive will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In this capacity, the Executive will have the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with the duties, authorities and responsibilities of persons in similar capacities in similarly sized companies, and such other duties, authorities and responsibilities not inconsistent with the Executive’s position as may be assigned to the Executive by the Board from time to time. The Executive will report directly to the Board.

 

 

 

(b)The Executive’s principal place of employment with the Company will be in New York City, New York, provided that the Executive understands and agrees that the Executive may be required to travel from time to time for business purposes.

 

(c)During the Employment Term, the Executive will faithfully serve the Company and devote all of the Executive’s business time, energy, business judgment, knowledge and skill, and the Executive’s best efforts, to the performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company, provided that the foregoing will not prevent the Executive from (i) serving on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations, (ii) participating in charitable, civic, educational, professional, community or industry affairs, and (iii) managing the Executive’s passive personal investments, so long as such activities do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere or conflict with the Executive’s duties, obligations and restrictions hereunder or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict. The Parties further agree and acknowledge that, without limiting the foregoing, the Executive will be permitted to provide the “Other Services” described in Section 5.4(iii) hereof, subject to the terms and conditions of such Section.

 

1.2. Term of Employment. The Executive’s employment under this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will continue ending on January 31, 2028 (the “Initial Term”). Effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term and of each “Additional Term” (as defined below), the term of this Agreement will be automatically extended for successive one (1)- year periods (each, an “Additional Term”), provided, however, that either Party may elect not to extend this Agreement by giving written notice to the other Party at least one hundred twenty (120) calendar days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any Additional Term, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s employment hereunder may be earlier terminated in accordance with Section 3 hereof. The effective date of any termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder is hereinafter referred to as the “Termination Date”, and the period of time between the Effective Date and the Termination Date is hereinafter referred to as the “Employment Term”. Effective upon any Termination Date, this Agreement will automatically terminate and will be of no further force or effect, except as otherwise provided in Section 13.1 hereof, and the Executive shall immediately resign, in writing, from all positions then held by the Executive with the Company and its affiliates unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and the Executive.

 

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ARTICLE II
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

 

2.1. Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company will pay to the Executive a base salary at an annualized rate of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, but not less frequently than monthly. The Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to annual review by the Board or its Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), and may be increased, but not decreased, from time to time by the Board or the Committee (typically, during the first calendar quarter of a calendar year, effective retroactively as of the beginning of such year). The base salary, as determined herein and adjusted from time to time, will constitute “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

2.2. Annual Performance Bonus. For each calendar year ending during the Employment Term (prorated for any partial year, other than the year containing the Effective Date), the Executive will be eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus based on attainment of one or more individual or business performance goals proposed by the Executive and approved by the Committee in its sole discretion (the “Annual Performance Bonus”). The target Annual Performance Bonus opportunity for a given calendar year, which will be achieved upon attainment of 100% of the applicable performance goals, will be equal to 50% of the Executive’s Base Salary in effect as of January 1 of such calendar year (such Base Salary to be determined by the Board or the Committee during the first calendar quarter of such year) (the “Target Performance Bonus”). If actual performance for a given calendar year is greater or lower than 100% of the applicable performance goals, the Annual Performance Bonus amount for such year will be increased above, or reduced below, the Target Performance Bonus, respectively, as determined by the Committee or the Board using straight line interpolation, subject to a maximum Annual Performance Bonus amount equal to 100% of the Executive’s Base Salary in effect as of January 1 of such calendar year (such Base Salary to be determined by the Board or the Committee during the first calendar quarter of such year), with no minimum Annual Performance Bonus amount. The Annual Performance Bonus achieved for a calendar year will be paid on or before March 15 of the immediately following calendar year, contingent on the Executive’s continued employment with the Company through the last day of the calendar year to which the Annual Performance Bonus relates.

 

2.3. Employee Benefit Plans. During the Employment Term, the Executive will be eligible to participate in any employee benefit plan maintained by the Company for the benefit of its employees generally, subject to all of the terms and conditions (including eligibility requirements) of such plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may modify or terminate any employee benefit plan at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, if Employee elects to participate in such health, vision and/or dental insurance programs, then Employee will be responsible for payment of all deductibles and any other costs of using such insurance benefits, and Company shall be responsible for payment of all premiums.

 

2.4. Vacations. During the Employment Term, the Executive will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the Company’s vacation policy as in effect from time to time. Vacation may be taken at such times and intervals as the Executive determines, subject to the business needs of the Company.

 

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2.5. Business Expenses. Upon presentation of reasonable substantiation and documentation as the Company may specify from time to time, the Executive will be reimbursed in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred and paid by the Executive during the Employment Term in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder.

 

2.6. Legal Fees. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company will pay the Executive’s reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection with the negotiation and documentation of this Agreement, up to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), which will be paid within sixty (60) days following the Effective Date, provided that the Executive is still employed at the time of such payment.

 

ARTICLE III
TERMINATION

 

3.1. Termination of Employment Term. The Executive’s employment and the Employment Term will terminate on the first of the following to occur:

 

(a)Death. Automatically and immediately upon the date of death of the Executive.

 

(b)Termination Due To Disability. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive of termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the inability of the Executive to perform the Executive’s material duties hereunder due to a physical or mental injury, infirmity or incapacity for one hundred eighty (180) calendar days in any 365 calendar day period, as determined by the Board in its reasonable discretion. The Executive will cooperate in all respects with the Company if a question arises as to whether the Executive has become Disabled (including, without limitation, submitting to reasonable examinations by one or more medical doctors and other health care specialists selected by the Company and authorizing such medical doctors and other health care specialists to discuss the Executive’s condition with the Company).

 

(c)Termination For Cause. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive of a termination for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means any of the following:

 

(i)The Executive’s theft, fraud (which, if arising out of third-party, non-Group Company, related proceedings involving the Executive, has or, in the good faith judgment of the Board, could reasonably be expected to have, a detrimental effect on a Group Company’s reputation or business), embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, or material falsification of any documents or records of the Company, its subsidiaries or other affiliates (each, a “Group Company”);

 

(ii)The Executive’s dishonesty or willful misconduct which is reasonably related to a Group Company and has or, in the good faith judgment of the Board, could be expected to have, a material detrimental effect on a Group Company’s reputation or business;

 

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(iii)The Executive’s failure to abide by a Group Company’s code of conduct or other policies (including policies relating to confidentiality and reasonable workplace conduct) made available to the Executive which has or, in the good faith judgment of the Board, could be expected to have, a material detrimental effect on a Group Company’s reputation or business;

 

(iv)The Executive’s unauthorized use, misappropriation, destruction or diversion of any corporate opportunity or any material tangible or intangible asset of a Group Company (including the Executive’s improper use or disclosure of a Group Company’s confidential or proprietary information);

 

(v)Any misconduct, gross negligence or malfeasance of the Executive which is reasonably related to a Group Company, or that has or, in the good faith judgment of the Board, could reasonably be expected to have, a material detrimental effect on a Group Company’s reputation or business;

 

(vi)The Executive’s repeated willful failure to perform the Executive’s assigned duties after written notice from the Board of such failure;

 

(vii)Any material breach by the Executive of this Agreement; or

 

(viii)The Executive’s conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any felony or any other criminal act involving fraud, dishonesty or misappropriation or that materially and permanently impairs the Executive’s ability to perform his duties with a Group Company.

 

Any determination of Cause will be made by a resolution approved by a majority of the members of the Board, provided that no such determination may be made until the Executive has been given written notice detailing the specific Cause event and a period of thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of such notice to cure such event (if susceptible to cure in the Board’s reasonable determination) to the satisfaction of the Board, or, if such event is not so cured, an opportunity on at least five (5) business days’ advance written notice to appear (with legal counsel) before the Board to discuss the specific circumstances alleged to constitute the Cause event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Executive’s right to cure and appear before the Board with legal counsel as set forth in the preceding sentence will not apply if there are habitual or repeated breaches by the Executive.

 

(d)Termination Without Cause. Immediately upon written notice by the Company to the Executive of an involuntary termination without Cause (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will not include any termination described in Sections 3(a) or 3(b) above or non-extension by the Company described in Section 3(g) below), provided however, that thirty (30) calendar days written notice shall be provided if termination under this paragraph occurs between any Target Achievement Date and the grant date of the resulting Outperformance Award.

 

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(e)Resignation For Good Reason. Upon written notice by the Executive to the Company of a termination for Good Reason (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will not include any non-extension by the Executive described in Section 3(g) below). For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events, without the express written consent of the Executive, unless such events are fully corrected in all material respects by the Company within thirty (30) calendar days following written notification by the Executive to the Company of the occurrence of one of the reasons set forth below:

 

(i)Any diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary;

 

(ii)Material diminution in the Executive’s duties, authorities or responsibilities (other than temporarily while physically or mentally incapacitated or as required by applicable law);

 

(iii)Relocation of the Executive’s primary work location by more than thirty (30) miles from the principal location from which he works as of the Effective Date, which increases the Executive’s one-way commute; or

 

(iv)Any other action or inaction of the Company that constitutes a material breach of the Agreement.

 

The Executive must provide the Company with a written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute Good Reason within ninety (90) calendar days after the first occurrence of such circumstances, and actually terminate employment within thirty (30) calendar days following the expiration of the Company’s thirty (30)-day cure period described above. Otherwise, any claim of such circumstances as “Good Reason” will be deemed irrevocably waived by the Executive.

 

(f)Resignation Without Good Reason. Upon not less than sixty (60) calendar days’ prior written notice by the Executive to the Company of the Executive’s voluntary termination of employment without Good Reason (which the Company may, in its sole discretion, make effective earlier than any notice date).

 

(g)Non-extension of Agreement. Upon the expiration of the Employment Term due to a non-extension of the Agreement by the Company or the Executive pursuant to Section 1 hereof.

 

ARTICLE IV
CONSQUENCES OF TERMINATION

 

4.1. Death; Termination Due to Disability; Termination For Cause; Resignation Without Good Reason; Non-extension of Agreement. In the event that the Executive’s employment and the Employment Term end in accordance with Section 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(f) or 3(g), the Executive (or the Executive’s estate, as applicable) will be entitled to the following (collectively, the “Accrued Benefits”), subject to Section 11 below:

 

(i)Any previously earned but unpaid Base Salary through the Termination Date, paid within sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date, or on such earlier date as may be required by applicable law;

 

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(ii)Any earned but unpaid Annual Performance Bonus for the calendar year preceding the Termination Date, paid at the time set forth in Section 2(b) above, or on such earlier date as may be required by applicable law;

 

(iii)Subject to Section 2(f) above, any accrued but unused vacation time, paid subject to and in accordance with Company policy;

 

(iv)Subject to Section 2(g) above, reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the Termination Date, paid within sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date, or on such earlier date as may be required by applicable law; and

 

(v)All other payments and benefits to which the Executive is then entitled under the terms of any employee benefit plan of the Company, paid or provided subject to and in accordance with the terms of such plan.

 

4.2. Termination Without Cause; Resignation For Good Reason. In the event that the Executive’s employment and the Employment Term end in accordance with Section 3(d) or 3(e), the Executive (or the Executive’s estate, as applicable) shall be entitled to the Accrued Benefits and, conditioned on the Executive’s (x) compliance with the “Release Condition” in Section 4(d) below and (y) continued compliance with Section 5 below, the Executive will earn and receive the following additional payments, subject to Section 10 below:

 

(i)An amount equal to the Executive’s Base Salary for three (3) years, paid in a single lump sum in cash on the first regular Company payroll date next following the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the Termination Date;

 

(ii)An amount equal to the Target Performance Bonus for the calendar year containing the Termination Date, paid in a single lump sum in cash on the first regular Company payroll date next following the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the Termination Date; and

 

(iii)Subject to the Executive’s (x) eligibility for and timely election of continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and (y) continued copayment of coverage premiums at the same level and cost to the Executive as if the Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), continued copayment by the Company for such coverage during the twelve (12)-month period following the Termination Date to the same extent that the Company paid for such coverage immediately prior to the Termination Date, in a manner intended to avoid any excise tax under Section 4980D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and subject to the eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions of such insurance coverage.

 

4.3. Release Condition. The Executive will be eligible to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 4(b) only if the Executive executes and delivers to the Company a general release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “General Release”), and such General Release becomes effective and irrevocable according to its terms, no later than sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date, and only so long as the Executive has not revoked or breached any of the provisions of the General Release and does not subsequently breach any such provisions (the “Release Condition”). To the extent that any amount under Section 4(b) constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of such amount scheduled to occur during the first sixty (60) calendar days following the Termination Date will not be made until the Company’s first regularly scheduled pay period next following the sixtieth (60th) calendar day after the Termination Date and will include payment of all amounts that were otherwise scheduled to be paid prior thereto.

 

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4.4. Exclusive Remedy. The payments and benefits described in this Section 4 will be in full and complete satisfaction of the Executive’s rights and entitlements under this Agreement and any other claims that Executive may have in respect of the Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its affiliates, and the termination thereof, and the Executive acknowledges that such amounts are fair and reasonable, and are the Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy, in lieu of all other remedies at law or in equity, with respect to the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder or any breach of this Agreement. As of the date of the final payment described in this Section 4, the Company and its affiliates shall not have any further obligation to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Notwithstanding any language contained herein, Executive retains and does not waive any rights, claims and causes of actions that Executive may have as a shareholder of the Company.

 

4.5. No Mitigation. In no event will the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, and such amounts will not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.

 

ARTICLE V
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND INVENTIONS ASSIGNMENT

 

5.1. Confidentiality.

 

(i)Executive agrees that during the course of employment with the Company, Executive has and will come into contact with and learn various forms of “Confidential Information” (as defined below), which are the property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means items of information relating to the Company, its products, services, customers, suppliers, vendors, business partners, and employees that are not generally known or available to the general public, but have been developed, compiled or acquired by the Company at its great effort and expense. Confidential Information includes but is not limited to: (i) financial and business information, such as information with respect to costs, fees, profits, sales, margins, capital structure, operating results, borrowing arrangements, business strategy, plans for future business, pending projects and proposals, and potential acquisitions or divestitures; (ii) product and technical information, such as product formulations, new and innovative product ideas, investigations, new business development, know-how, improvements, plans, drawings, prototypes, methods, procedures, devices, machines, equipment, data processing programs, program documentation, algorithms, software, software codes, source codes, object codes, computer models, and research and development projects; (iii) marketing information, such as new marketing ideas, markets, mailing lists, the identity of the Company’s customers, their names and addresses, the names of representatives of the Company’s customers responsible for entering into contracts with the Company, the financial arrangements between the Company and such customers, specific customer needs and requirements, and leads and referrals to prospective customers; (iv)  vendor, supplier and other business partner (collectively, the “Business Partners”) information, such as the identity of the Company’s Business Partners, their names and addresses, the names of representatives of the Company’s Business Partners responsible for entering into contracts with the Company, the financial arrangements between the Company and such Business Partners, their specific needs and requirements, and leads and referrals to prospective Business Partners; (v) personnel information, such as the identity and number of the Company’s other employees, consultants and contractors, their salaries, bonuses, benefits, skills, qualifications, and abilities (information described in this clause (v) is referred to as “Personnel Information”); and (vi) trade secrets, as defined by applicable law. Confidential Information can be in any form: oral, written or machine readable, including electronic files. The absence of any marking or statement that any particular information is Confidential Information shall not affect its status as Confidential Information.

 

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(ii)Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company is engaged in a highly competitive business and that its competitive position depends upon its ability to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information which were developed, compiled and acquired by the Company at its great effort and expense. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that disclosing, divulging, revealing or using any of the Confidential Information, other than in connection with the Company’s business or as specifically authorized by the Company, will be highly detrimental to the Company, and that serious loss of business and pecuniary damage may result therefrom.

 

(iii)Accordingly, Executive agrees, except as specifically required in the performance of Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company, Executive will not, while associated with the Company and for so long thereafter as the pertinent information or documentation remains confidential, directly or indirectly disclose or disseminate to any other person, organization or entity or use any Confidential Information. Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to prohibit Executive from discussing Personnel Information with other Company employees. Additionally, nothing contained in this Agreement prohibits or prevents Executive from filing a charge with or participating, testifying, or assisting in any investigation, hearing, whistleblowing proceeding or other proceeding before any federal, state, or local government agency (e.g., EEOC, NLRB, etc.). Under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made to Executive’s attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against Executive for reporting a suspected violation of law; or (c) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.

 

(iv)Executive agrees to deliver to the Company, immediately upon the Executive’s Termination Date and at any other time the Company so requests: (i) any and all documents, files, notes, memoranda, databases, computer files and/or other computer programs reflecting any Confidential Information whatsoever or otherwise relating to the Company’s business; (ii) lists of the Company’s customers and leads or referrals to prospective customers; and (iii) any computer equipment, home office equipment, automobile or other business equipment belonging to the Company that Executive may then possess or have under Executive’s control. For any equipment or devices owned by Executive on which proprietary information of the Company is stored or accessible, Executive shall, immediately upon or prior to the Executive’s Termination Date, deliver such equipment or devices to the Company so that any proprietary information may be deleted or removed. Executive expressly authorizes the Company’s designated representatives to access such equipment or devices for this limited purpose and shall provide any passwords or access codes necessary to accomplish this task.

 

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5.2. Noncompetition.

 

(i)Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company is engaged in a highly competitive and global business, and that by virtue of Executive’s position and responsibilities with the Company and Executive’s access to the Confidential Information, engaging in a business which is directly competitive with the Company will cause it great and irreparable harm.

 

(ii)Accordingly, Executive covenants and agrees that for so long as Executive is employed by the Company and for a period of eighteen (18) months after employment with the Company ends for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control, be employed by (whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor or otherwise, and whether or not for compensation) or render services to any person, firm, corporation or other entity, in whatever form, engaged in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or in any other material business in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is engaged on the Termination Date or in which they have planned, on or prior to such date, to be engaged in on or after such date. In recognition of the global nature of the Company’s business which includes the sale of its products and services globally, this restriction shall apply throughout the United States of America and such other countries where the Company is conducting business as of the Executive’s Termination Date.

 

(iii)Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein will prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than one percent (1%) of the equity securities of a publicly traded corporation engaged in a business that is in competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, so long as the Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.

 

5.3. Nonsolicitation; Noninterference.

 

(i)Executive acknowledges and agrees that solely by reason of employment by the Company, and in light of the broad responsibilities of such employment: (x) Executive has and will come into contact with some, most or all of the Company’s customers and prospective customers, and will have access to Confidential Information regarding the Company’s customers, prospective customers and related information, including but not limited to information regarding customer contacts and representatives, customer needs and requirements, and financial arrangements with customers, and will have access to and the benefit of goodwill developed by the Company with its customers; (y) Executive has and will come into contact with and acquire Confidential Information regarding other employees, contractors and consultants of the Company, and will develop relationships with those employees, contractors and consultants; and (z) Executive has and will come into contact with and acquire Confidential Information regarding Business Partners, and will develop relationships with those Business Partners.

 

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(ii)Accordingly, Executive covenants and agrees that for so long as Executive is employed by the Company and for a period of two (2) years after employment with the Company ends for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Executive will not, either on Executive’s own account or on behalf of any person, company or entity, except in the furtherance of Executive’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly: (x) service or solicit customers or prospective customers of the Company for the purpose of selling products and services of the type developed, sold and provided by the Company; or (y) solicit, aid or induce any customer or prospective customer of the Company to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company from another person, firm, corporation or other entity, or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer or prospective customer. This restriction shall apply only to those customers or prospective customers of the Company with whom Executive had contact or about whom Executive learned Confidential Information during the last two (2) years of Executive’s employment with the Company. For the purposes of this Section, the Parties agree that the term “contact” means interaction between Executive and the customer which takes place to further the business relationship, or making sales to or performing services for the customer on behalf of the Company, and the term “customer” includes, without limitation, each exchange on which cryptocurrency is traded. For purposes of this Section, the term “contact” with respect to a “prospective” customer means interaction between Executive and a potential customer of the Company which takes place to obtain the business of the potential customer on behalf of the Company.

 

(iii)Accordingly, Executive covenants and agrees that for so long as Executive is employed by the Company and for a period of twenty four (24) months after employment with the Company ends for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Executive will not, either on Executive’s own account or on behalf of any person, company or entity, except in the furtherance of Executive’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, solicit any employee, contractor or consultant of the Company to leave employment with or service to the Company, or diminish their services to the Company. This restriction shall apply only to those employees, contractors and consultants of the Company with whom Executive came into contact or about whom Executive learned Confidential Information during the last two (2) years of Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

(iv)Accordingly, Executive covenants and agrees that for so long as Executive is employed by the Company and for a period of twenty four (24) months after employment with the Company ends for any reason, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, Executive will not, either on Executive’s own account or on behalf of any person, company or entity, except in the furtherance of Executive’s duties hereunder, directly or indirectly, solicit any Business Partner of the Company to terminate or diminish its services to the Company. This restriction shall apply only to those Business Partners of the Company with whom Executive came into contact or about whom Executive learned Confidential Information during the last two (2) years of Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

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5.4 ​Conflict of Interest and Exclusivity.

 

(i)During employment with the Company, Executive may not use his position, influence, knowledge of Confidential Information or the Company’s assets for personal gain. A direct or indirect financial interest, including joint ventures in or with a supplier, vendor, customer or prospective customer, without disclosure and the express written approval of the Board is prohibited during employment with the Company.

 

(ii)In order to protect the Company’s Confidential Information, Executive agrees that, while employed by the Company, Executive shall not become employed by or involved in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, with any company, business or person that competes with the Company in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly.

 

(iii)Subject to the other provisions of this Section 5, it is expressly agreed and understood that Executive also works for and/or provides services to Brookstone Partners, and such of its subsidiaries, affiliates and related companies as Executive has disclosed to the Board in writing and the Board has approved as set forth in Exhibit D herein (the “Other Services”). Executive will continue to provide the Other Services on a limited basis, provided that the Other Services do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with Executive’s duties, obligations and restrictions under this Agreement or create a potential business or fiduciary conflict, in each case as determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, provided however, that the Board shall give Executive thirty (30) calendar days’ notice to cure any determination made by the Board that the Other Services create a potential business or fiduciary conflict where, in the Board’s reasonable determination, such potential business or fiduciary conflict is susceptible to cure. Provided further that Executive will immediately notify the Board in writing in the event that the Other Services create, or may reasonably be expected to create, any material interference with his duties, obligations and restrictions under this Agreement or any potential business or fiduciary conflict. Any change in the Other Services (other than a complete cessation of any of the Other Services) after the Effective Date requires disclosure by Executive and approval by the Board as set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph.

 

5.5 ​Non-Disparagement.

 

(i)Executive agrees not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Company or its officers, directors, employees, shareholders, agents or products other than in the good faith performance of the Executive’s duties to the Company while the Executive is employed by the Company. The foregoing will not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings.

 

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(ii)The Company will instruct the Board and its senior management not to make negative comments or otherwise disparage the Executive to any third parties, other than in the good faith performance of their duties to the Company. The foregoing will not be violated by truthful statements in response to legal process, required governmental testimony or filings, or administrative or arbitral proceedings.

 

5.6 Inventions Assignment.

 

(i)Executive acknowledges and agrees that all ideas, methods, inventions, discoveries, improvements, products, designs, specifications, developments, software, know-how, negative know-how, processes, techniques, methods, works of authorship and other work product, whether patentable or unpatentable, (A) that are reduced to practice, created, invented, designed, developed, contributed to, or improved with the use of any Company resources and/or within the scope of Executive’s work with the Company or that relate to the business, operations or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, and that are made or conceived by Executive, solely or jointly with others, during the Employment Term, or (B) suggested by any work that Executive performs in connection with the Company, will belong exclusively to the Company (or its designee), whether or not patent or other applications for intellectual property protection are filed thereon (the “Inventions”).

 

(ii)Executive will keep full and complete written records (the “Records”), in the manner prescribed by the Company, of all Inventions, and will promptly disclose all Inventions completely and in writing to the Company. The Records will be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and Executive will surrender them upon the termination of the Employment Term, or upon the Company’s request. Executive irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company the Inventions and all patents or other intellectual property rights that may issue thereon in any and all countries, whether during or subsequent to the Employment Term, together with the right to file, in Executive’s name or in the name of the Company (or its designee), applications for patents and equivalent rights (the “Applications”). Executive will, at any time during and subsequent to the Employment Term, make such applications, sign such papers, take all rightful oaths, and perform all other acts as may be requested from time to time by the Company to perfect, record, enforce, protect, patent or register the Company’s rights in the Inventions, all without additional compensation to Executive from the Company. Executive will also execute assignments to the Company (or its designee) of the Applications, and give the Company and its attorneys all reasonable assistance (including the giving of testimony) to obtain the Inventions for the Company’s benefit, all without additional compensation to Executive from the Company.

 

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(iii)In addition, the Inventions will be deemed Work for Hire, as such term is defined under the copyright laws of the United States, on behalf of the Company, and Executive agrees that the Company will be the sole owner of the Inventions, and all underlying rights therein, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity without any further obligations to Executive. If the Inventions, or any portion thereof, are deemed not to be Work for Hire, or the rights in such Inventions do not otherwise automatically vest in the Company, Executive hereby irrevocably conveys, transfers and assigns to the Company, all rights, in all media now known or hereinafter devised, throughout the universe and in perpetuity, in and to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all of Executive’s right, title and interest in the copyrights (and all renewals, revivals and extensions thereof) to the Inventions, including, without limitation, all rights of any kind or any nature now or hereafter recognized, including, without limitation, the unrestricted right to make modifications, adaptations and revisions to the Inventions, to exploit and allow others to exploit the Inventions and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement, or other unauthorized use or conduct in derogation of the Inventions, known or unknown, prior to the date hereof, including, without limitation, the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom. In addition, Executive hereby waives any so-called “moral rights” with respect to the Inventions. Executive hereby waives any and all currently existing and future monetary rights in and to the Inventions and all patents and other registrations for intellectual property that may issue thereon, including, without limitation, any rights that would otherwise accrue to Executive’s benefit by virtue of Executive being an employee of or other service provider to the Company.

 

(iv)Executive further covenants and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to shop rights with respect to any Inventions conceived or made by Executive during employment with the Company, which were conceived or made on the Company’s time or with the use of the Company’s facilities or materials.

 

(v)Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will obtain the written consent of the Board in advance of any presentation or publication, or submission for presentation or publication, of any speech, paper or article authored by Executive, either alone or jointly with others. Executive further covenants and agrees that it shall be conclusively presumed as against Executive that any Inventions described by Executive in a patent, service mark, trademark, or copyright application, disclosed by Executive in any manner to a third person, or created by Executive or any person with whom Executive has any business, financial or confidential relationship, within twelve (12) months after the Executive’s Termination Date, were conceived or made by Executive during the Employment Term and that such Inventions are the sole property of the Company.

 

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(vi)Exhibit C to this Agreement fully describes all inventions developed by Executive alone or jointly with others before being employed by the Company (“Prior Inventions”), and which are, therefore, not part of this Agreement. If no separate sheet is attached, the parties acknowledge that there exist no such Prior Inventions. If in the course of employment with the Company, Executive incorporates into a Company product, process or service a Prior Invention owned by Executive or in which Executive has an interest, Executive hereby grants to the Company a nonexclusive, royalty- free, fully paid-up, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in connection with such product, process or service, and to practice any method related thereto.

 

(vii)Notwithstanding anything above, these invention assignment provisions do not apply to an invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used and which was developed entirely on the Executive’s own time, unless (a) the invention relates (i) to the business of the Company, or (ii) to the Company's actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (b) the invention results from, or is derivative of, any work performed by the Executive for the Company.

 

5.7 ​Cooperation.

 

(i)Upon the receipt of reasonable notice from the Company (including its outside counsel), Executive agrees that, while employed by the Company and thereafter, Executive will respond and provide information with regard to matters in which Executive has knowledge as a result of Executive’s employment with the Company, and will provide reasonable assistance to the Company, its affiliates and their respective representatives in defense of any claims that may be made against the Company or its affiliates, and will assist the Company and its affiliates in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company or its affiliates, to the extent that such claims may relate to the period of Executive’s employment with the Company (collectively, the “Claims”). Executive agrees to promptly inform the Company if Executive becomes aware of any lawsuits involving Claims that may be filed or threatened against the Company or its affiliates. Executive also agrees to promptly inform the Company (to the extent that Executive is legally permitted to do so) if Executive is asked to assist in any investigation of the Company or its affiliates (or their actions) or another party attempts to obtain information or documents from Executive (other than in connection with any litigation or other proceeding in which the Executive is a party-in-opposition) with respect to matters the Executive believes in good faith to relate to any investigation of the Company or its affiliates, in each case, regardless of whether a lawsuit or other proceeding has then been filed against the Company or its affiliates with respect to such investigation, and will not do so unless legally required. During the pendency of any litigation or other proceeding involving Claims, Executive will not communicate with anyone (other than Executive’s attorneys and tax and/or financial advisors, except to the extent that Executive determines in good faith is necessary in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, and as required by law) with respect to the facts or subject matter of any pending or potential litigation or regulatory or administrative proceeding involving the Company or any of its affiliates without giving prior written notice to the Company or the Company’s counsel. Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Company will pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel, duplicating or telephonic expenses incurred by the Executive in complying with this Section 5.7.

 

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5.8 ​Enforcement.

 

(i)Executive acknowledges and agrees that compliance with the covenants set forth in this Agreement is necessary to protect the Confidential Information, business and goodwill of the Company, and that any breach of this Agreement will result in irreparable and continuing harm to the Company, for which money damages cannot provide adequate relief. Accordingly, in the event of any breach or anticipatory breach of this Agreement by Executive, the Parties agree that the Company shall be entitled to injunctions, both preliminary and permanent, enjoining or restraining such breach or anticipatory breach, and Executive hereby consents to the issuance thereof forthwith and without bond by any court of competent jurisdiction. Executive covenants that Executive will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants in this Agreement. In addition, in the event of any proceeding or similar action pertaining to an alleged breach or anticipatory breach by the Executive of this Agreement, including any grant of temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunctive relief, or Executive’s claim in a declaratory judgment action that all or part of this Agreement is unenforceable, the Parties agree that the prevailing Party, as determined by a final non-appealable decision of the arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction presiding over such proceeding or action, shall be entitled to recovery of all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in defending or seeking to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, in addition to any remedies otherwise available to it at law or equity.

 

(ii)In the event the Board reasonably determines that Executive has violated Section 5, any severance being paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (other than the Accrued Benefits) will immediately cease, and, in the event of a final nonappealable decision by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator (as applicable) that Executive has violated Section 6, any severance (other than the Accrued Benefits) previously paid to the Executive will be immediately repaid to the Company.

 

5.9 ​Reformation.

 

If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state or an arbitral tribunal that any restriction in this Section 5 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the Parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court or tribunal to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.

 

5.10 ​Tolling.

 

In the event of any violation of the provisions of this Section 5, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 5 will be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the Parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period will be tolled during any period of such violation.

 

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5.11 ​Disclosure of Agreement; Disclosure of New Employment.

 

Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will promptly disclose the existence of this Agreement and the post-employment restrictions contained herein to all subsequent employers until all such covenants have expired. Executive further covenants and agrees that Executive will promptly inform the Company in writing of all employment or business ventures in which Executive becomes engaged (other than employment by the Company or performance of Other Services, subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 5.4(iii)) until all post-employment restrictions contained herein expire.

 

5.12 ​Confidential Information Belonging to Others.

 

Executive affirms Executive is not presently subject to a restrictive covenant or other contract or agreement of any kind which would prohibit, restrict or limit Executive’s employment with the Company. If Executive learns or becomes aware or is advised that Executive is subject to an actual or alleged restrictive covenant or other prior agreement which may prohibit or restrict Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive shall immediately notify the Company of the same. Executive agrees that Executive shall not disclose to the Company, use for the Company’s benefit, or induce the Company to use, any trade secret or confidential information Executive may possess or any intellectual property belonging to any former employer or other third party.

 

5.13 ​Affiliate, Subsidiaries And Related Companies.

 

All references to the “Company” in this Section 5 shall also include the Company’s affiliates, subsidiaries and related companies.

 

ARTICLE VI
ARBITRATION

 

Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment with the Company, other than injunctive relief, will be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a single arbitrator in the County where the Company’s principal business offices are located in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The decision of the arbitrator will be final and binding upon the parties hereto. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. The Parties acknowledge and agree that in connection with any such arbitration and regardless of outcome, (i) each Party will pay all of its own costs and expenses, including, without limitation, its own legal fees and expenses, and (ii) the arbitration costs will be shared equally by the Parties, but the arbitrator in its sole discretion may award the prevailing party all or a portion of its share of the arbitration costs. The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law of the State of New York, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

17

 

ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION; D&O COVERAGE

 

(i)The Company will indemnify the Executive to the full extent required under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, and under applicable law.

 

(ii)The Company will maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (or policies) providing coverage for the Executive that is no less favorable to him in any respect (including as to the length of any post-employment tail coverage) than the coverage then being provided to any other officer or director of the Company.

 

ARTICLE VIII
NO ASSIGNMENTS

 

This Agreement is personal to each of the parties hereto. Except as provided in this paragraph, no party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. The Company may assign this Agreement to any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company. As used in this Agreement, “Company” will mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes and agrees to perform the duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE IX
NOTICE

 

All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered personally, the third Business Day after having been mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or the first Business Day after the date sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier. “Business Day” is any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks in New York are required or authorized to be closed. Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to the address indicated below:

 

If to the Executive:

 

At the Executive’s address (or to the facsimile number) shown in the books and records of the Company.

 

If to the Company:

 

Capstone Holding Corp.

Attention: Board of Directors

5141 W 122nd St, Alsip, IL 60803

With a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

 

Nixon Peabody

Attention: Robert Drobnak

70 W Madison St Suite 5200, Chicago, IL 60602

 

or to such other address as either Party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address will be effective only upon receipt.

 

18

 

ARTICLE X
TAX MATTERS

 

10.1. Witholding. The Company may withhold from any compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement all applicable federal, state, local, or other taxes, and any other applicable withholdings.

 

10.2 Section 409A.

 

(i)The Parties intend for payments and benefits hereunder to either comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively “Section 409A”) and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement will be interpreted and construed consistent with such intent. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Section 409A, such modification will be made in good faith and will, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Executive and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not guarantee any particular tax result, and in no event whatsoever will the Company, its affiliates, or their respective officers, directors, employees, counsel or other service providers be liable for any tax, interest or penalty that may be imposed on the Executive by Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

 

(ii)To the extent that reimbursements or other in-kind benefits hereunder constitute “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A, (x) all expenses or other reimbursements hereunder will be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by the Executive, (y) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (z) no such reimbursement, expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided in any taxable year will in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year.

 

(iii)For purposes of Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment hereunder specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company.

 

(iv)Any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event will any payment or benefit hereunder that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section b409A be subject to offset by any other amount unless otherwise permitted by Section 409A.

 

19

 

(v)A termination of employment will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, and, for purposes of any such provision, all references in this Agreement to the Executive’s “termination”, “termination of employment” and like terms will mean the Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company.

 

(vi)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if, at the time of the Executive’s separation from service, the Executive is a “Specified Employee”, then the Company will defer the payment or commencement of any nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A payable upon separation from service (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided to the Executive) until the date that is six (6) months following separation from service or, if earlier, the earliest other date as is permitted under Section 409A (and any amounts that otherwise would have been paid during this deferral period will be paid in a lump sum on the day after the expiration of the six (6) month period or such shorter period, if applicable). The Executive will be a “Specified Employee” for purposes of this Agreement if, on the date of the Executive’s separation from service, the Executive is an individual who is, under the method of determination adopted by the Company, designated as, or within the category of employees deemed to be, a “Specified Employee” within the meaning and in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i). The Board will determine in its sole discretion all matters relating to who is a “Specified Employee” and the application of and effects of the change in such determination.

 

10.3 Section 280G.

 

In the event that any payments and other benefits provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to the Executive constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and, but for this paragraph, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then any post-termination severance payments and benefits payable under this Agreement or otherwise will be either (1) delivered in full or (2) delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such payments and benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, results in the receipt by the Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of payments and benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. If a reduction in the Executive’s payments and benefits is necessitated by the preceding sentence, such reduction will occur in the following order: (i) any cash severance based on a multiple of base salary or annual bonus, (ii) any other cash amounts payable to the Executive, (iii) benefits valued as parachute payments, and (iv) acceleration of vesting of any equity awards. Unless the Company and the Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this paragraph will be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants (the “Firm”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon the Executive and the Company. For purposes of making the calculations required by this paragraph, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this paragraph. The Company will bear all costs the Firm may incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this paragraph.

 

20

 

ARTICLE XI
CLAWBACK

 

All amounts paid or provided to the Executive hereunder shall be subject to any clawback or recoupment policy that may be maintained by the Company from time to time pursuant to any legal or listing requirement, or that is otherwise generally applicable to the Company’s officers or executives, and/or the requirements of any law or regulation applicable to the Company governing the clawback or recoupment of executive compensation. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Company determines that it is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to a material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the applicable securities laws, the Company may require the Executive to, and the Executive agrees to, return or repay to the Company any Outperformance Award previously paid or provided to the Executive that would not have been paid or provided based on the accounting restatement, as determined by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

ARTICLE XII
GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. The Parties agree that any claims or disputes not subject to arbitration under Section 6 will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts residing in the County of Albany, State of New York, and the Parties waive any objection to the venue or jurisdiction of any such courts, as well as their respective rights to have any such claims or disputes heard before a jury or an advisory jury.

 

ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

13.1. Survival. Sections 1, 4 and 5 through 13 hereof will survive and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms notwithstanding any expiration or termination of the Employment Term and/or this Agreement.

 

13.2 Modification; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and such officer or director of the Company as may be designated by the Board. No waiver by either Party hereto at any time of any breach by the other Party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party will be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement, together with all exhibits hereto, sets forth the entire agreement of the Parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes any and all prior agreements or understandings between the Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either Party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

13.3 Executive’s Representation. The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the Executive has the legal right to enter into this Agreement and to perform all of the obligations on the Executive’s part to be performed hereunder in accordance with its terms.

 

13.4 Section Headings. The section headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and will not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

13.5 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction will not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder will be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

13.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimile, PDF, and electronic counterpart signatures to and versions of this Agreement will be acceptable and binding on the Parties.

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

21

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Executive Employment Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMPANY:
   
  By: /s/ Edward Schultz
  Name:  Edward Schultz
  Title: CFO
     
  EXECUTIVE:
     
  By: /s/ Matthew Lipman
    MATTHEW LIPMAN

 

22

 

EXHIBIT A

Intentionally Blank

 

A-1

 

EXHIBIT B
GENERAL RELEASE

 

I, Matthew Lipman, in consideration of and subject to the performance by Capstone Holding Corp. (together with its affiliates, the “Company”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of [DATE], (the “Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and its respective affiliates and all present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and its affiliates and direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below (this “General Release”). The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined will have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

 

1. I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section 4.2 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive the payments and benefits specified in Section 4.2 of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter. Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.

 

2. Except as provided in paragraphs 4 and 5 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement which expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date that this General Release becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”).

 

B-1

 

3. I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

 

4. I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company in compliance with the terms of the Agreement will not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

5. I agree that I hereby waive all rights to sue or obtain equitable, remedial or punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever in respect of any Claim, including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and any form of injunctive relief. Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided, however, that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding. Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to the Accrued Benefits or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents or otherwise, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its affiliates.

 

6. In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it will be effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release will be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release will serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in paragraph 2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

 

7. I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, will be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

8. I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

9. I agree that this General Release and the Agreement are confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release or the Agreement, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

 

10. Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any governmental entity.

 

B-2

 

11. I hereby acknowledge that Sections 1, 4 and 5 through 13 of the Agreement will survive my execution of this General Release.

 

12. I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release. I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in paragraph 2 above and which, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it.

 

13. Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release will not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof.

 

14. Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release will be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

 

(a)I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

(b)I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

(c)I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

(d)I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

(e)I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 [45] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON                   ,          TO CONSIDER IT AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE , VERSION OF THIS RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21 [45]-DAY PERIOD;

 

(f)I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

(h)I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

(i)I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

SIGNED:  
   

 

 

B-3

 

EXHIBIT C

 

PRIOR INVENTIONS

 

None

 

C-1

 

EXHIBIT D

 

DISCLOSURE OF OTHER SERVICES

 

***

 

D-1

Exhibit 23.1 

 

 

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement No. 333-284105 on Form S-1/A of our report dated December 30, 2024, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Capstone Holdings Corp. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended, which report appears in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

 

We further consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in such Prospectus.

 

/s/ GBQ Partners LLC

 

Columbus, Ohio

February 6, 2025