Core AI Holdings, Inc 20-F for FY2023
Core AI Holdings, Inc. (CHAI)
About this 20-F
Core AI Holdings, Inc filed this 20-F on April 8, 2024, covering the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (FY2023).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $8.23M
- up 27.0% from $6.48M a year earlier
- Net loss
- $12.93M
- compared with a net loss of $15.3M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$56.57
- compared with -$506.00 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM
OR
For
the fiscal year ended
OR
OR
Date of event requiring this shell company report: ____________________________________
For the transition period from _________________ to __________________
Commission
File No.:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Translation of registrant’s name into English: Not applicable
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
514-500-1181
(Address of principal executive offices)
(
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
common share | ||||
par value per common share |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
☐
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer, “accelerated filer,” and emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | ☒ | |
| Emerging growth company |
If
an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.
U.S. GAAP ☐
as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☒
Other ☐
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company.
Yes
☐ No
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes ☐ No ☐
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ii
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Siyata,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms refer to Siyata Mobile Inc. and its subsidiaries.
NOTE ON PRESENTATION
Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F, or the Annual Report, are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, and none of the financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
On September 24, 2020, we effected a reverse share split of our issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of one (1) Common Share for one hundred and forty-five (145) Common Shares, or the Reverse Split. Unless otherwise indicated, the share and per share information in this Annual Report, reflects the Reverse Split.
On August 9, 2023, we effected a reverse share split of our issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of one (1) Common Share for one hundred (100) Common Shares, or the Reverse Split. Unless otherwise indicated, the share and per share information in this Annual Report, reflects the Reverse Split.
On December 4, 2023, we effected a reverse share split of our issued and outstanding Common Shares on the basis of one (1) Common Share for seven (7) Common Shares, or the Reverse Split. Unless otherwise indicated, the share and per share information in this Annual Report, reflects the Reverse Split.
References to “U.S. dollars” and “US$” are to currency of the United States of America, references to “CAD$” are to the currency of Canada, also known as the Canadian dollar and references to “NIS” are to the New Israeli Shekel, the currency of Israel. All financial information presented in this Annual Report is in U.S. dollars unless otherwise expressly stated.
Certain monetary amounts, percentages, and other figures included in this Annual Report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them, and figures expressed as percentages in the text may not total 100% or, as applicable, when aggregated may not be the arithmetic aggregation of the percentages that precede them. In addition, the section of this annual report on Form 20-F entitled “Item 4. Information on the Company” contains information obtained from independent industry sources and other sources that we have not independently verified.
iii
EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY STATUS
We qualify as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the U.S. Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions, including exemptions from various reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public traded entities that do not qualify as emerging growth companies. These exemptions include:
| ● | not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; and |
| ● | not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (i.e., an auditor discussion and analysis). |
Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This means that an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. Given that we currently report and expect to continue to report our financial results under IFRS as issued by the IASB, we will not be able to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required by the IASB.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of: (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of our initial public offering; (iii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the aggregate worldwide market value of our common shares, including common shares represented by warrants, held by non-affiliates is at least $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during any three-year period.
TRADEMARKS
All trademarks or trade names referred to in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their rights thereto. We do not intend the use or display of other companies’ trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements,” which includes information relating to future events, future financial performance, financial projections, strategies, expectations, competitive environment and regulation. Words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information we have when those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to:
| ● | the size and growth potential of the markets for our products, and our ability to serve those markets; |
| ● | the rate and degree of market acceptance of our products; |
| ● | our ability to expand our sales organization to address effectively existing and new markets that we intend to target; |
| ● | impact from future regulatory, judicial, and legislative changes or developments in the U.S. and foreign countries; |
| ● | our ability to compete effectively in a competitive industry; |
| ● | our ability to obtain funding for our operations and effectively utilize the capital raised therefrom; |
| ● | our ability to attract collaborators and strategic partnerships; |
| ● | our ability to meet the continued listing requirements and standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq; |
| ● | our ability to meet our financial operating objectives; |
| ● | the availability of, and our ability to attract, qualified employees for our business operations; |
| ● | general business and economic conditions; |
| ● | our ability to meet our financial obligations as they become due; |
v
| ● | positive cash flows and financial viability of our operations and any new business opportunities; |
| ● | our ability to secure intellectual property rights over our proprietary products or enter into license agreements to secure the legal use of certain patents and intellectual property; |
| ● | our ability to be successful in new markets; |
| ● | our ability to avoid infringement of intellectual property rights; |
| ● | security, political and economic instability in the Middle East that could harm our business, including due to the current war between Israel and Hamas; and |
| ● | the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. |
The foregoing does not represent an exhaustive list of matters that may be covered by the forward-looking statements contained herein or risk factors that we are faced with that may cause our actual results to differ from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Please see “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company,” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” for additional factors that could adversely impact our business and financial performance.
Moreover, new risks regularly emerge and it is not possible for our management to predict or articulate all the risks we face, nor can we assess the impact of all risks on our business or the extent to which any risk, or combination of risks, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report are based on information available to us on the date of this Annual Report. Except to the extent required by applicable laws or rules, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained above and throughout this Annual Report.
Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout this Annual Report which are designed to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA
Market data and certain industry data and forecasts used throughout this Annual Report on Form 20-F were obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, including market research databases, publicly available information, reports of governmental agencies, and industry publications and surveys. We have relied on certain data from third party sources, including industry forecasts and market research, which we believe to be reliable based on our management’s knowledge of the industry. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data presented in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
Statements made in this Annual Report on Form 20-F concerning the contents of any agreement, contract or other document are summaries of such agreements, contracts or documents and are not a complete description of all of their terms. If we filed any of these agreements, contracts or documents as exhibits to this Report or to any previous filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, you may read the document itself for a complete understanding of its terms.
vi
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
| A. | [Reserved] |
| B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
Not applicable.
| C. | Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not applicable.
| D. | Risk Factors |
You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information in this Annual Report. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business and financial condition could suffer and the price of our Common Shares and warrants to purchase Common Shares, or the Warrants, could decline.
Summary of Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Capital Requirements
| ● | We have a history of operating losses and we may never achieve or maintain profitability. |
| ● | Our consolidated audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 includes a “going concern” explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as an ongoing business for the next twelve months. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we cannot secure the financing needed to continue as a viable business, our shareholders may lose some or all of their investment in us. |
| ● | In 2023, 2022 and 2021 our independent registered public accountants identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting which have been partially remediated. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports as a public company in a timely manner. |
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
| ● | We rely on our channel partners to generate a substantial majority of our revenues. If these channel partners fail to perform or if we cannot enter into agreements with channel partners on favorable terms, our operating results could be significantly harmed. |
| ● | We are materially dependent on the adoption of our solutions by both the industrial enterprise and public sector markets, and if end customers in those markets do not purchase our solutions, our revenues will be adversely impacted, and we may not be able to expand into other markets. |
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| ● | We participate in a competitive industry, which may become more competitive. Competitors with greater resources and significant experience in high-volume product manufacturing may be able to respond more quickly and cost-effectively than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. |
| ● | Defects in our products could reduce demand for our products and result in a loss of sales, delay in market acceptance and injury to our reputation, which would adversely impact our business. |
| ● | If our business does not grow as we expect, or if we fail to manage our growth effectively, our operating results and business would suffer. |
| ● | We may not be able to continue to develop solutions to address user needs effectively in an industry characterized by ongoing change and rapid technological advances. |
| ● | The markets for our devices and related accessories may not develop as quickly as we expect, or may not develop at all. Our dependence on our cellular carrier channel partners and their success in promoting Push to Talk over Cellular to their client base is key for the success of the business. |
| ● | Our future success is dependent on our ability to create independent brand awareness for our company and products with end customers, and our inability to achieve such brand awareness could limit our prospects. |
| ● | We are dependent on the continued services and performance of a concentrated group of senior management and other key personnel, the loss of any of whom could adversely impact our business. |
| ● | We compete in a rapidly evolving market, and the failure to respond quickly and effectively to changing market requirements could cause our business and operating results to decline. |
| ● | If we are unable to sell our solutions into new markets, our revenues may not grow. |
| ● | If we are unable to attract, integrate and retain additional qualified personnel, including top technical talent, our business could be adversely impacted. |
| ● | A security breach or other significant disruption of our information technology (“IT”) systems or those of our partners, suppliers or manufacturers, caused by cyberattacks or other means, could have a negative impact on our operations, sales, and operating results. |
| ● | We experience lengthy sales cycles for our products and the delay of an expected large order could result in a significant unexpected revenue shortfall. |
| ● | We have a limited history of contracting with third party manufacturers in Asia for the high-volume commercial production of our devices, and we may face manufacturing capacity constraints. |
| ● | Our financial condition and results of operations as well as those of potential customers could be adversely affected by the Middle East War, which has caused a material adverse effect on the level of economic activity around the world, including in the markets we serve. |
| ● | We rely on industry data and projections which may prove to be inaccurate. |
2
Risks Related to our Reliance on Third Parties
| ● | As we work with multiple vendors for our components, if we fail to adequately forecast demand for our inventory and supply needs, we could incur additional costs or experience manufacturing delays, which could reduce our gross margin or cause us to delay or even lose sales. |
| ● | Our dependence on third-party suppliers for key components of our products could delay shipment of our products and reduce our sales. |
| ● | Because we rely on a small number of channel partners/customers for a large portion of our revenue, the loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows. | |
| ● | The application development ecosystem supporting our devices and related accessories is new and evolving. |
| ● | Failure of our suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, and representatives to use acceptable legal or ethical business practices, or to fail for any other reason, could negatively impact our business. |
| ● | Our products are subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing. |
| ● | The nature of our business may result in undesirable press coverage or other negative publicity, which would adversely impact our brand identity, future sales and results of operations. |
| ● | Changes in the availability of federal funding to support local public safety or other public sector efforts could impact our opportunities with public sector end customers. |
| ● | Economic uncertainties or downturns, or political changes, could limit the availability of funds available to our customers and potential customers, which could significantly adversely impact our business. |
| ● | Natural or man-made disasters and other similar events may significantly disrupt our business, and negatively impact our operating results and financial condition. |
| ● | We are exposed to risks associated with strategic acquisitions and investments. |
| ● | We could be adversely impacted by changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters. |
Risks Related to Government Regulation
| ● | We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, export control, and similar laws. Non- compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal or civil liability and harm our business, revenues, financial condition and results of operations. |
| ● | We are subject to a wide range of product regulatory and safety, consumer, worker safety and environmental laws and regulations. |
| ● | Changes in laws and regulations concerning the use of telecommunication bandwidth could increase our costs and adversely impact our business. |
| ● | We are subject to a wide range of privacy and data security laws, regulations and other legal obligations. |
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Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
| ● | If we are unable to successfully protect our intellectual property, our competitive position may be harmed. |
| ● | Others may claim that we infringe on their intellectual property rights, which may result in costly and time-consuming litigation and could delay or otherwise impair the development and commercialization of our products. |
| ● | Our use of open-source software could subject us to possible litigation or otherwise impair the development of our products. |
| ● | Our inability to obtain and maintain any third-party license required to develop new products and product enhancements could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
Risks Related to our Locations in Israel and Canada and Our International Operations
| ● | We also conduct our operations in Israel. Conditions in Israel, including the recent attack by Hamas and other terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip and Israel’s war against them, may affect our operations. |
| ● | It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors named herein in Israel or the United States, or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on our officers and directors. |
| ● | Because we are a corporation incorporated in British Columbia and some of our directors and officers are resident in Canada, it may be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce civil liabilities against us based solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States. Similarly, it may be difficult for Canadian investors to enforce civil liabilities against our directors and officers residing outside of Canada. |
| ● | We have operations in China, which exposes us to risks inherent in doing business there. |
| ● | The impact of potential changes in customs, tariffs, and trade policies in the United States and the potential corresponding actions by other countries, in which we do business could adversely impact our financial performance. |
| ● | Operating outside of the United States presents specific risks to our business, and we have substantial operations outside of the United States. |
| ● | Foreign currency fluctuations may reduce our competitiveness and sales in foreign markets. |
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Securities
| ● | We may require additional capital to fund our business and support our growth, and our inability to generate and obtain such capital on acceptable terms, or at all, could harm our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects. In addition, such funding may dilute our existing shareholders. |
| ● | We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the public offering price you paid for your shares. |
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| ● | If our Common Shares become subject to the penny stock rules, it may be more difficult to sell our Common Shares. |
| ● | If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired. |
| ● | We will continue to incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company in the United States, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives. |
| ● | Because we are a foreign private issuer and are exempt from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, you will have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer. |
| ● | We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses. |
| ● | We will continue to incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company in the United States, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives. |
| ● | Our executive officers and directors, and their affiliated entities, along with our two other largest stockholders, own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval. |
| ● | The exercise of the outstanding warrants may further dilute the Common Shares and adversely impact the price of our Common Shares. |
| ● | The market for our Common Shares may not provide investors with adequate liquidity. |
| ● | Since we do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, investors in our common shares may be forced to sell their stock in order to obtain a return on their investment. |
| ● | If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline. |
| ● | A possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand of our Common Shares that largely exceeds supply may lead to price volatility in our Common Shares. |
5
Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Capital Requirements
We have a history of operating losses and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.
We have a limited operating history and a history of losses from operations. As of December 31, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $90,750,457. Our existing cash and cash equivalents will be insufficient to fully fund our business plan. Our ability to achieve profitability will depend on whether we can obtain additional capital when we need it, complete the development of our technology, obtain required regulatory approvals and continue to develop arrangements with channel partners. There can be no assurance that we will ever achieve profitability.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, in its report on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, concurs with management representation that raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We may require additional capital to fund our business and support our growth, and our inability to generate and obtain such capital on acceptable terms, or at all, could harm our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
We intend to continue to make substantial investments to fund our business and support our growth. In addition, we may require additional funds to respond to business challenges, including the need to develop new features or enhance our solutions, improve our operating infrastructure or acquire or develop complementary businesses and technologies. As a result, in addition to the revenues we generate from our business, we may need to engage in additional equity or debt financings to provide the funds required for these and other business endeavors. If we raise additional funds through future issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of our Common Shares. Any debt financing that we may secure in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. We may not be able to obtain such additional financing on terms favorable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to support our business growth and to respond to business challenges could be significantly impaired, and our business may be adversely impacted. In addition, our inability to generate or obtain the financial resources needed may require us to delay, scale back, or eliminate some or all of our operations, which may have a significant adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our independent registered public accountants have noted that we may not survive as a going concern.
Our independent registered public accountants have included a “going concern” explanatory paragraph in its report on our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, concurring with management representation of expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as an ongoing business for the next twelve months. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we cannot secure the financing needed to continue as a viable business, our shareholders may lose some or all of their investment in us.
Our independent registered public accountants have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting in 2023, 2022 and 2021. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports as a public company in a timely manner.
In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our independent registered public accountants identified several material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
6
In 2023, our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The first material weakness related to our revenue recognition practices where we do not sufficiently determine for specific transactions the correct timing in which the revenue should be recorded after title transfer terms were met. The second material weakness related to insufficient documentation of inventory controls relating to our inventory balances, transfer between sites and off-site inventory tracking is limited. The third material weakness related to internal control weaknesses in the capitalization and coordination of development costs to prevent excess payments and erroneously recorded invoices.
For the material weaknesses identified in our 2023 audit, we have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, and to further strengthen our accounting staff and internal controls, as detailed below:
| ● | With respect to the revenue recognition weakness, management has implemented a process that will scrutinize the delivery date for each sale that occurs to ensure that the revenue recognition for each period is calculated properly. This will ensure proper matching of revenues in the period incurred. |
| ● | With respect to the inventory transfers, management has implemented manual processes as a back up to ensure all inventory transfers are recorded properly so that the inventory valuation is correct. |
With respect to the research and development process, our research and development team will be required to approve all invoices from the research and development subcontractor and ensure they fall within the budget and to ensure that new contracts and agreements are made to extend and expand the previous contract once total payments reached the sum in the agreement to ensure the amounts capitalized are not in excess of the original budget with its discounted cash flows. Once the research and development team has approved the invoice based on the above criteria, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will review the documentation and, once approved, will forward the documentation to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in Canada for wire initiation.
In 2022, our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The first material weakness related to our revenue recognition practices where we do not sufficiently review (i) product returns in relation to product sales and (ii) for title transfer terms to determine when revenue should be recorded. The second material weakness related to insufficient documentation of inventory controls relating to our inventory balances, advances to suppliers, and off-site inventory tracking is limited. The third material weakness related to internal control weaknesses in the capitalization and coordination of development costs to prevent excess payments and erroneously recorded invoices.
For the material weaknesses identified in our 2022 audit, we have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, and to further strengthen our accounting staff and internal controls, as detailed below:
| ● | With respect to the revenue recognition practices, management will consistently apply of IFRS15 with respect to the five criterion for revenue recognition, In addition, management will institute peer review of North American sales by the Israeli subsidiary’s chief financial officer and peer review by Company’s Chief Financial Officer of Israeli sales recognition policy on a quarterly basis and engage in dialogue on new customers to ensure the revenue recognition policy and the customer contracts are consistently applied. |
| ● | With respect to the inventory control weaknesses, management will institute the following remediation procedures: |
| ● | Monthly comparison of inventory first and last cost in USD$ between periods to note any changes and to investigate the reason for these discrepancies to provide a more accurate quantum of write downs and consistent costing. |
| ● | The implementation of an IT system to track the inventory movements in North America; |
| ● | Monthly comparison of inventory units between periods to note any changes and to investigate the reason for any inconsistencies. |
| ● | Obtain confirmation of goods in transit with external vendors and consignment customers on a more timely basis. |
| ● | With respect to the development cost weaknesses, the research and development team will be required to approve all invoices from the R&D sub-contractor and ensure they fall within the budget to ensure the amounts capitalized are not in excess of the original budget with its discounted cash flows. Once the R&D team has approved the invoice based on the above criteria, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will review the documentation and once approved, will forward said documentation to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in Canada for wire initiation. |
In 2021, our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The first material weakness related to the insufficient review of inventory balances for products which are slow-moving. The second material weakness related to the insufficient review of advances to suppliers on products that are no longer selling, the third material weakness relates to insufficient controls surrounding off-site inventory tracking. The fourth material weakness related to insufficient review whether product returns relate to sales recorded in the fiscal year. The fifth material weakness relates to insufficient review of title transfer terms to determine the period in which revenue should be recorded.
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For the material weaknesses identified in our 2021 audit, we have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, and to further strengthen our accounting staff and internal controls, as detailed below:
| ● | On a quarterly basis, the Company now reviews inventory on hand for slow moving merchandise and reviews inventory on hand regularly. For the year ended 2021, it was determined that $4,659,648 (2020- $1,571,649) of the inventory was impaired due to slow movement. The accessories and spare parts related to these products amounted to $839,693 (2020 - $316,000), which was also impaired. |
| ● | The Company now reviews quantities on hand before approving purchase orders. |
| ● | As of April 1, 2022, the Company signed a lease for their own exclusive warehouse space so that outside contract warehouses will not be required. |
| ● | The Company now reviews product returns to compare and ensure that they occur in the same fiscal year. |
| ● | The Company’s controller scrutinizes all revenues earned in the period to ensure compliance with IFRS15. |
| ● | The Company’s controller and CFO in Canada coordinates full scheduling of the year end process to ensure timely close off of accounting periods. |
To date, we have only partially remediated the material weaknesses identified in 2022 and 2021 above. We cannot be certain that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not be discovered in the future. If our efforts are not successful or other material weaknesses or control deficiencies occur in the future, we may be unable to report our financial results accurately on a timely basis or help prevent fraud, which could cause our reported financial results to be materially misstated and result in the loss of investor confidence or delisting and cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline.
We began to take steps to remediate these material weaknesses and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, including the following:
| (i) | documenting and formally assessing our accounting and financial reporting policies and procedures; and |
| (ii) | increasing the use of third-party consultants in assessing significant accounting transactions and other technical accounting and financial reporting issues, preparing accounting memoranda addressing these issues and maintaining these memoranda in our corporate records. |
While we believe that these efforts will improve our internal control over financial reporting, the implementation of these measures is ongoing and will require validation and testing of the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over a sustained period of financial reporting cycles. We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, and are continuing to implement, will be sufficient to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, there could continue to be a reasonable possibility that a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of our financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
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Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
We rely on our channel partners to generate a substantial majority of our revenues. If these channel partners fail to perform or if we cannot enter into agreements with channel partners on favorable terms, our operating results could be significantly harmed.
More than 60% and 50% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, were generated through sales by our channel partners, which are primarily wireless carriers who sell our devices through their sales channels. To the extent our channel partners are unsuccessful in selling or do not promote our products, or we are unable to obtain and retain a sufficient number of high-quality channel partners, our business and operating results could be significantly harmed. Our channel partners are wireless carriers who have direct and indirect sales channels which we are leveraging to get to their customers. Our wireless carrier channel partners currently include:
| ● | AT&T, in the United States; |
| ● | FirstNet, in the United States; |
| ● | Verizon, in the United States; |
| ● | T-Mobile, in the United States; |
| ● | Bell Mobility, in Canada; |
| ● | Rogers, in Canada; and |
| ● | a leading global land mobile radio, or LMR, vendor and distributor in North America and international markets. |
While these arrangements are typically long term, they generally do not contain any firm purchase volume commitments. As a result, our channel partners are not contractually obligated to purchase from us any minimum number of products. We are generally required to satisfy any and all purchase orders delivered to us within specified delivery windows, with limited exceptions (such as orders significantly in excess of forecasts). If we are unable to efficiently manage our supply and satisfy purchase orders on a timely basis to our channel partners, we may be in breach of our sales arrangements and lose potential sales. If a technical issue with any of our covered products exceeds certain present failure thresholds for the relevant performance standard or standards, the channel partner typically has the right to cease selling the product, cancel open purchase orders and levy certain monetary penalties. If our products suffer technical issues or failures following sales to our channel partners, we may be subject to significant monetary penalties and our channel partners may cease making purchase orders, which would significantly harm our business and results of operations. In addition, our channel partners retain sole discretion in which of their stocked products to offer their customers. While we may offer limited customer incentives, we generally have limited to no control over which products our channel partners decide to offer or promote, which directly impacts the number of products that our partners will purchase from us.
In addition, our channel partners may be unsuccessful in marketing, selling and supporting our solutions. They may also market, sell and support solutions that are somewhat competitive with ours, and may devote more resources to the marketing, sales and support of such products. They may have incentives to promote our competitors’ products in lieu of our products, particularly for our bigger competitors with larger volumes of orders, more diverse product offerings and a longer relationship with our generally large-scale channel partners. As a result, our channel partners may stop selling our products completely. While we employ a small direct sales force, our channel partners have significantly larger sales teams who are not contractually obligated to promote any of our devices and often have multiple competing devices in stock to offer their customers. In addition, downstream sales by our channel partners often succeed due to attractive device prices and monthly rate plans, which we do not control. In certain cases, we may promote our own devices through customer incentives, however, there can be no assurance that any such incentives would contribute to increased purchases of our products. Further, given the impact of attractive pricing on ultimate sales, we generally must offer increased promotional funding or price reductions for our more expensive products. This promotional funding or price reductions operate to reduce our margins and significantly impact our profitability.
New sales channel partners may take several months or more to achieve significant sales. Our channel partner sales structure could subject us to lawsuits, potential liability and reputational harm if, for example, any of our channel partners misrepresents the functionality of our products or services to their customers, or violate laws or our corporate policies.
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If we fail to effectively manage our existing or future sales channel partners, our channel partners fail to promote our products effectively, we are unable to meet our obligations under our sales arrangements or future agreements that we may enter into with wireless carrier customers have terms that are more favorable to the customer, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
We are materially dependent on the adoption of our solutions by both the industrial enterprise and public sector markets, and if end customers in those markets do not purchase our solutions, our revenues will be adversely impacted, and we may not be able to expand into other markets.
Our revenues have been primarily in the industrial enterprise market, and we are materially dependent on the adoption of our solutions by both the industrial enterprise and public sector markets. End customers in the public sector market may remain, for reasons outside our control, tied to LMR solutions or other competitive alternatives to our devices. Sales of our products to these buyers may also be delayed or limited by these competitive conditions. If our products are not widely accepted by buyers in those markets, we may not be able to expand sales of our products into new markets, and our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely impacted.
We participate in a competitive industry, which may become more competitive. Competitors with greater resources and significant experience in high-volume product manufacturing may be able to respond more quickly and cost-effectively than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements.
We face significant competition in developing and selling our solutions. Our primary competitors in the non-rugged mobile device market include LG Corporation, Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Our primary competitors in the rugged mobile device market include Sonim Technologies Inc., Bullitt Mobile Ltd., and Kyocera Corporation. We also face competition from large system integrators and manufacturers of private and public wireless network equipment and devices. Competitors in this space include Harris Corporation, JVC KENWOOD Corporation, Motorola, and Tait International Limited. Within the Cellular Booster category, we have several direct competitors, including Wilson Electronics, LLC, or Wilson Electronics, Nextivity, Inc. and SureCall Company.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Increased competition in mobile computing platforms, data capture products, or related accessories and software developments may result in price reductions, lower gross profit margins, and loss of market share, and could require increased spending on research and development, sales and marketing, and customer support. Some competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships with suppliers or companies that produce complementary products, which may create additional pressures on our competitive position in the marketplace.
Most of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources and experience than we do. In addition, because of the higher volume of components that many of our competitors purchase from their suppliers, they are able to keep their supply costs relatively low and, as a result, may be able to recognize higher margins on their product sales than we do. Many of our competitors may also have existing relationships with the channel partners who we use to sell our products, or with our potential customers. This competition may result in reduced prices, reduced margins and longer sales cycles for our products. Our competitors may also be able to more quickly and cost-effectively respond to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. The combination of brand strength, extensive distribution channels and financial resources of the larger vendors could cause us to lose market share and could reduce our margins on our products. If any of our larger competitors were to commit greater technical, sales, marketing and other resources to our markets, our ability to compete would be adversely impacted. If we are unable to successfully compete with our competitors, our sales would suffer and as a result our financial condition will be adversely impacted.
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Defects in our products could reduce demand for our products and result in a loss of sales, delay in market acceptance and injury to our reputation, which would adversely impact our business.
Complex software, as well as multiple components, displays, plastics and assemblies used in our products may contain undetected defects that are subsequently discovered at any point in the life of the product. Defects in our products may result in a loss of sales, product malfunction, delay in market acceptance and potential injuries to our customers which can bring to injury in our reputation and increased warranty costs.
Additionally, our software may contain undetected errors, defects or bugs. Although we have not suffered significant harm from any errors, defects or bugs to date, we may discover significant errors, defects, or bugs in the future that we may not be able to correct or correct in a timely manner. It is possible that errors, defects or bugs will be found in our existing or future software and/or hardware products and related services with the potential for delays in, or loss of market acceptance of, our products and services, diversion of our resources, injury to our reputation, increased service and warranty expenses, and payment of damages.
Further, errors, defects or bugs in our solutions could be exploited by hackers or could otherwise result in an actual or perceived breach of our information systems. Alleviating any of these problems could require significant expense and could cause interruptions, delays or cessation of our product licensing, which would reduce demand for our products and result in a loss of sales, delay in market acceptance and injure our reputation and could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If our business does not grow as we expect, or if we fail to manage our growth effectively, our operating results and business would suffer.
Our ability to successfully grow our business depends on a number of factors including our ability to:
| ● | accelerate the adoption of our solutions by new end customers; |
| ● | expand into new vertical markets; |
| ● | develop and deliver new products and services; |
| ● | increase awareness of the benefits that our solutions offer; and |
| ● | expand our domestic and international footprint. |
As usage of our solutions grows, we will need to continue to make investments to develop and implement new or updated solutions, software, technologies, security features and cloud-based infrastructure operations. In addition, we will need to appropriately scale our internal business systems and our services organization, including the suppliers of our products and customer support services, to serve our growing customer base. Any failure of, or delay in, these efforts could impair the performance of our solutions and reduce customer satisfaction.
Further, our growth could increase quickly and place a strain on our managerial, operational, financial and other resources, and our future operating results depend to a large extent on our ability to successfully manage our anticipated expansion and growth. To manage our growth successfully, we will need to continue to invest in sales and marketing, research and development, and general and administrative functions and other areas. We are likely to recognize the costs associated with these investments earlier than receiving some of the anticipated benefits, and the return on these investments may be lower, or may develop more slowly, than we expect, which could adversely impact our operating results.
If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities or develop new solutions or upgrades to our existing solutions, satisfy customer requirements, maintain the quality and security of our solutions or execute on our business plan, any of which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
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We may not be able to continue to develop solutions to address user needs effectively in an industry characterized by ongoing change and rapid technological advances.
To be successful, we must adapt to rapidly changing technological and application needs by continually improving our products, as well as introducing new products and services, to address user demands.
Our industry is characterized by:
| ● | evolving industry standards; |
| ● | frequent new product and service introductions; |
| ● | increasing demand for customized product and software solutions; |
| ● | rapid competitive developments; |
| ● | changing customer demands; and |
| ● | evolving distribution channels. |
Future success will depend on our ability to effectively and economically adapt in this evolving environment. We could incur substantial costs if we must modify our business to adapt to these changes, and may even be unable to adapt to these changes.
The markets for our devices and related accessories may not develop as quickly as we expect, or may not develop at all. Our dependence on our cellular carrier channel partners and their success in promoting Push to Talk over Cellular to their client base is key for the success of the business.
Our future success is substantially dependent upon continued adoption of devices and related accessories in the industrial enterprise and public sector markets, including the transition from LMR to Push to Talk over Cellular and LTE networks. These market developments and transitions may take longer than we expect or may not occur at all, and may not be as widespread as we expect. If the market does not develop as we expect, our business, operating results and financial condition would be significantly harmed.
Our future success is dependent on our ability to create independent brand awareness for our company and products with end customers, and our inability to achieve such brand awareness could limit our prospects.
We depend on wireless carriers to promote and distribute our products. While we intend to ramp up direct marketing and end-customer brand awareness initiatives in the future, our sales and marketing efforts have historically been predominantly focused on channel partners. To increase end-customer brand awareness, we intend to develop sales tools for key verticals within our target markets, increase usage of social media and expand product training efforts, among other things. As a result, we expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase in the future, primarily from increased sales personnel expenses, which will require us to cost-efficiently ramp up our sales and marketing capabilities and effectively target end customers. However, there can be no assurance that we will successfully increase our brand awareness or do so in a cost-efficient manner while maintaining market share within our existing sales channels. Our failure to establish stand-alone brand awareness with end customers of our products will leave us vulnerable to the marketing and selling success of others, including our channel partners, and these developments could have an adverse impact on our prospects. If we are unable to significantly increase the awareness of our brand and solutions with end customers in a cost-efficient manner, we will remain significantly dependent on our channel partners for sales of our products, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
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We are dependent on the continued services and performance of a concentrated group of senior management and other key personnel, the loss of any of whom could adversely impact our business.
Our future success depends in large part on the continued contributions of a concentrated group of senior management and other key personnel. In particular, the leadership of key management personnel is critical to the successful management of our company, the development of our solutions and our strategic direction. We also depend on the contributions of key technical personnel. Our senior management and key personnel are all employed on an at-will basis, which means that they could terminate their employment with us at any time, for any reason and without notice. The loss of any of our key personnel could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our development and strategic objectives and harm our business.
We compete in a rapidly evolving market, and the failure to respond quickly and effectively to changing market requirements could cause our business and operating results to decline.
The mobile device market is characterized by rapidly changing technology, changing customer needs, evolving industry standards and frequent introductions of new products and services. In order to deliver a competitive mobile device, our solutions must be capable of operating in an increasingly complex network environment. As new wireless phones are introduced and standards in the mobile device market evolve, we may be required to modify our phones and services to make them compatible with these new products and standards. Likewise, if our competitors introduce new devices and services that compete with ours, we may be required to reposition our solutions or introduce new phones and solutions in response to such competitive pressure. We may not be successful in modifying our current devices or introducing new ones in a timely or appropriately responsive manner, or at all. If we fail to address these changes successfully, our business and operating results could be significantly harmed.
If we are unable to sell our solutions into new markets, our revenues may not grow.
Any new market into which we attempt to sell our solutions may not be receptive. Our ability to penetrate new markets depends on the quality of our solutions, the continued adoption of our public safety solution by first responders, the perceived value of our solutions as a risk management tool and our ability to design our solutions to meet the demands of our customers. If the markets for our solutions do not develop as we expect, our revenues may not grow.
Our ability to successfully face these challenges depends on several factors, including increasing the awareness of our solutions and their benefits, the effectiveness of our marketing programs, the costs of our solutions, our ability to attract, retain and effectively train sales and marketing personnel, and our ability to develop relationships with wireless carriers and other partners. If we are unsuccessful in developing and marketing our solutions into new markets, new markets for our solutions might not develop or might develop more slowly than we expect, either of which would harm our revenues and growth prospects.
If we are unable to attract, integrate and retain additional qualified personnel, including top technical talent, our business could be adversely impacted.
Our future success depends in part on our ability to identify, attract, integrate and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, sales and other personnel. We face intense competition for qualified individuals from numerous other companies, including other software and technology companies, many of whom have greater financial and other resources than we do. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than those we have to offer. In addition, new hires often require significant training and, in many cases, take significant time before they achieve full productivity. We may incur significant costs to attract and retain qualified personnel, including significant expenditures related to salaries and benefits and compensation expenses related to equity awards, and we may lose new employees to our competitors or other companies before we realize the benefit of our investment in recruiting and training them. Moreover, new employees may not be or become as productive as we expect, as we may face challenges in adequately or appropriately integrating them into our workforce and culture. If we are unable to attract, integrate and retain suitably qualified individuals who are capable of meeting our growing technical, operational and managerial requirements on a timely basis or at all, our business will be adversely impacted.
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Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price may also affect our ability to attract and retain our key employees. Many of our senior management personnel and other key employees have become, or will soon become, vested in a substantial amount of stock or stock options. Employees may be more likely to leave us if the shares they own or the shares underlying their vested options have significantly appreciated in value relative to the original purchase prices of the shares or the exercise prices of the options, or, conversely, if the exercise prices of the options that they hold are significantly above the market price of our Common Shares. If we are unable to appropriately incentivize and retain our employees through equity compensation, or if we need to increase our compensation expenses in order to appropriately incentivize and retain our employees, our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely impacted.
A security breach or other significant disruption of our IT systems or those of our partners, suppliers or manufacturers, caused by cyberattacks or other means, could have a negative impact on our operations, sales, and operating results.
All IT systems are potentially vulnerable to damage, unauthorized access or interruption from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, cyberattacks, cyber intrusions, computer viruses, security breaches, energy blackouts, natural disasters, terrorism, sabotage, war, insider trading and telecommunication failures. A cyberattack or other significant disruption involving our IT systems or those of our outsource partners, suppliers or manufacturers could result in the unauthorized release of proprietary, confidential or sensitive information of ours or result in virus and malware installation on our devices. Such unauthorized access to, or release of, this information or other security breaches could: (i) allow others to unfairly compete with us, (ii) compromise safety or security, (iii) subject us to claims for breach of contract, tort, and other civil claims, and (iv) damage our reputation. Any or all of the foregoing could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We experience lengthy sales cycles for our products and the delay of an expected large order could result in a significant unexpected revenue shortfall.
The purchase of our products is often an enterprise-wide decision for prospective customers, which requires us to engage in sales efforts over an extended period of time and provide a significant level of education to prospective customers regarding the uses and benefits of such devices. Prospective customers, especially the wireless carriers that sell our products, often undertake a prolonged evaluation process that may take from several months to several years in certain cases. Consequently, if our forecasted sales from a specific customer are not realized, we may not be able to generate revenues from alternative sources in time to compensate for the shortfall. The loss or delay of an expected large order could also result in a significant unexpected revenue shortfall. Moreover, to the extent we enter into and deliver our products pursuant to significant contracts earlier than we expected, our operating results for subsequent periods may fall below expectations. We may spend substantial time, effort and money on our sales and marketing efforts without any assurance that our efforts will produce any sales. If we are unable to succeed in closing sales with new and existing customers, our business, operating results and financial condition will be harmed.
We have a limited history of contracting with third party manufacturers in Asia for the high-volume commercial production of our devices, and we may face manufacturing capacity constraints.
We have limited history and experience in contracting with third party manufacturers in Asia for the high-volume commercial production of our devices. Because of this limited production history, we face challenges in predicting our business and evaluating its prospects, which may result in breakdowns of our ability to timely supply our devices to our customers. Moreover, we face manufacturing capacity constraints that present further risks to our business. If overall demand of our devices increases in the future, we will need to expand our third party manufacturing capacity in a cost-efficient manner. Failing to meet customer demand due to our failure to successfully address these risks and challenges could adversely impact our reputation and future sales, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Our financial condition and results of operations as well as those of potential customers could be adversely affected by the Middle East War, which may cause a material adverse effect on the level of economic activity around the world, including in the markets we serve.
In October 2023, war broke out in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas and possibly with other regional powers. As a result of this war, various nations, including the United States, have been monitoring the situation closely. While we currently have customers, assets, liabilities, employees and suppliers in the region we have not experienced any supply disruptions directly related to this war. As this war continues or possibly escalates, this may lead to further disruption, instability and volatility in global markets and industries that could negatively impact our customers, operations and our supply chain. The impact of the conflict and related sanctions on the world economy are subject to rapid change and are difficult to predict. The war could create disruptions in the supply chain for certain of our products which, to date, has not had a substantive impact on our operations. None of our critical raw materials are sourced from, and none of our finished products are manufactured in, the Middle East region. We have no operations or other projects in that region.
We are monitoring any broader economic impact from the Middle East war, including heightened risk of cyberattacks, property damage, employee inaccessibility to the workplace, increased prices of fuel and other commodities, and potential impacts to our partners’ supply chains. Our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be materially adversely affected, but the specific impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is currently difficult to determine.
Our financial condition and results of operations as well as those of potential customers could be adversely affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has caused a material adverse effect on the level of economic activity around the world, including in the markets we serve.
In February 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. As a result of the invasion, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus and certain of their citizens. While we currently have no customers or suppliers located in Belarus, the Russian Federation or Ukraine, nor have we experienced any supply disruptions directly related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as we do not knowingly source any materials originating from Belarus, the Russian Federation or Ukraine, as the war in Ukraine continues or possibly escalates, this may lead to further disruption, instability and volatility in global markets and industries that could negatively impact our customers, operations and our supply chain. The impact of the conflict and related sanctions on the world economy are subject to rapid change and are difficult to predict. The war has created disruptions in the supply chain for certain of our products which, to date, has not had a substantive impact on our operations. None of our critical raw materials are sourced from, and none of our finished products are manufactured in, the sanctioned regions. We have no operations or other projects in that region.
We are monitoring any broader economic impact from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war between the two nations, including heightened risk of cyberattacks, increased prices of fuel and other commodities, and potential impacts to our partners’ supply chains. Our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be materially adversely affected, but the specific impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is currently difficult to determine.
We rely on industry data and projections which may prove to be inaccurate.
We obtained statistical data, market data and other industry data and forecasts used in this prospectus from market research, publicly available information and industry publications. These industry data, including the vehicle communications industry, include projections that are based on a number of assumptions which have been derived from industry and government sources which we believe to be reasonable. The vehicle communications industry may not grow at the rate projected by industry data, or at all. The failure of the industry to grow as anticipated is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our Common Shares. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the vehicle communications industry subjects any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our industries to significant uncertainties. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the industry data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may, and are likely to, differ from the projections based on these assumptions. While we believe that the statistical data, industry data and forecasts and market research are reliable, we have not independently verified the data.
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Risks Related to our Reliance on Third Parties
As we work with multiple vendors for our components, if we fail to adequately forecast demand for our inventory and supply needs, we could incur additional costs or experience manufacturing delays, which could reduce our gross margin or cause us to delay or even lose sales.
Because our production volumes are based on a forecast of channel partner demand rather than purchase commitments from our major customers, there is a risk that our forecasts could be inaccurate and that we will be unable to sell our products at the volumes and prices we expect, which may result in excess inventory. We provide, and will continue to provide, forecasts of our demand to our third-party suppliers prior to the scheduled delivery of products to our channel partners. If we overestimate our requirements, our contract manufacturers may have excess component inventory, which could increase our costs. If we underestimate our requirements, our contract manufacturers may have inadequate component inventory, which could interrupt the manufacturing of our products and result in delays in shipments and revenues or even lost sales, or could incur unplanned overtime costs to meet our requirements, resulting in significant cost increases. For example, certain materials and components used to manufacture our products may reach end of life during any of our product’s life cycles, following which suppliers no longer provide such expired materials and components. This would require us to either source and qualify an alternative component, which could require a re-certification of the device by the wireless carriers and/or regulatory agencies, or forecast product demand for a final purchase of such materials and components that may reach end of life to ensure that we have sufficient product inventory through a product’s life cycle. If we overestimate forecasted demand, we would hold excess end-of-life materials and components resulting in increased costs. If we underestimate forecasted demand, we could experience delays in shipments and loss of revenues.
In addition, if we underestimate our requirements and the applicable supplier becomes insolvent or is no longer able to timely supply our needs in a cost-efficient manner or at all, we may be required to acquire components, which may need to be customized for our products, from alternative suppliers, including at significantly higher costs. If we cannot source alternative suppliers and/or alternative components, we may suffer delays in shipments or lost sales. Similarly, credit constraints at our suppliers could require us to accelerate payment of our accounts payable, impacting our cash flow. Further, lead times for materials and components that we order vary significantly and depend on factors such as the specific supplier, contract terms, customization needed for any particular component and demand for each component at a given time. Any such failure to accurately forecast demand and manufacturing and supply requirements, and any need to obtain alternative supply sources, could materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our dependence on third-party suppliers for key components of our products could delay shipment of our products and reduce our sales.
We depend on certain suppliers for the delivery of components used in the assembly of our products. Our reliance on third-party suppliers creates risks related to our potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of components and reduced control over pricing and timing of delivery of components. In particular, we have little to no control over the prices at which our suppliers sell materials and components to us. Certain supplies of our components are available only from a single source or limited sources and we may not be able to diversify sources in a timely manner. We have experienced shortages in the past that have negatively impacted our results of operations and may experience such shortages in the future.
We also do not have long-term supply agreements with any of our suppliers. Our current contracts with certain suppliers may be cancelled or not extended by such suppliers and, therefore, do not afford us with sufficient protection against a reduction or interruption in supplies. Moreover, in the event any of these suppliers breach their contracts with us, our legal remedies associated with such a breach may be insufficient to compensate us for any damages we may suffer.
Any interruption of supply for any material components of our products, or inability to obtain required components from our third-party suppliers, could significantly delay the production and shipment of our products and harm our revenues, profitability and financial condition.
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Because we rely on a small number of channel partners/customers for a large portion of our revenue, the loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows.
For our fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we derived 52% and 49% of our revenue, respectively, from five customers/channel partners. Any termination of a business relationship with, or a significant sustained reduction in business from, one or more of these channel partners/customers could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows.
If dedicated public safety LTE networks are not deployed at the rate we anticipate or at all, demand for our solutions may not grow as expected.
A key part of our strategy is to further expand the use of our solutions over dedicated LTE networks in the public safety market. If the deployment of dedicated LTE networks is delayed or such networks are not adopted at the rate we anticipate, demand for our solutions may not develop as we anticipate, which would have a negative effect on our revenues.
The application development ecosystem supporting our devices and related accessories is new and evolving.
The application development ecosystem supporting our devices and related accessories is new and evolving. Specifically, the number of application developers in the ecosystem supporting our devices and accessories is small. If the market or the application development ecosystem does not develop, timely or at all, demand for our products may be limited, and our business and results of operations will be significantly harmed.
Failure of our suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, and representatives to use acceptable legal or ethical business practices, or to fail for any other reason, could negatively impact our business.
We do not control the labor and other business practices of our suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers and third-party sales representatives, or TPSRs, and cannot provide assurance that they will operate in compliance with applicable rules, and regulations regarding working conditions, employment practices, environmental compliance, anti-corruption, and trademark a copyright and patent licensing. If one of our suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, or TPSRs violates labor or other laws or implements labor or other business practices that are regarded as unethical, the shipment of finished products to us could be interrupted, orders could be cancelled, relationships could be terminated, and our reputation could be damaged. If one of our suppliers or subcontractors fails to procure the necessary license rights to trademarks, copyrights or patents, legal action could be taken against us that could impact the saleability of our products and expose us to financial obligations to a third party. Any of these events could have a negative impact on our sales and results of operations.
Moreover, any failure of our suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers and TPSRs, for any reason, including bankruptcy or other business disruption, could disrupt our supply or distribution efforts and could have a negative impact on our sales and results of operations.
Our products are subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing.
We do not own or operate any of the manufacturing facilities for our products and rely on a concentrated number of independent suppliers to manufacture all of the products we sell. For our business to be successful, our suppliers must provide us with quality products in substantial quantities, in compliance with regulatory requirements, at acceptable costs and on a timely basis. Our ability to obtain a sufficient selection or volume of merchandise on a timely basis at competitive prices could suffer as a result of any deterioration or change in our supplier relationships or events that adversely affect our suppliers.
There can be no assurance we will be able to detect, prevent or fix all defects that may affect our products manufactured by our suppliers. Failure to detect, prevent or fix defects, or the occurrence of real or perceived quality or safety problems or material defects in our current and future products, could result in a variety of consequences, including a greater number of product returns than expected from customers and our wholesale partners, litigation, product recalls and credit, warranty or other claims, among others, which could harm our brand, results of operations and financial condition. Such problems could hurt our brand image, which is critical to maintaining and expanding our business. Any negative publicity or lawsuits filed against us related to the perceived quality and safety of our products could harm our brand and decrease demand for our products.
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If one or more of our significant suppliers were to sever their relationship with us or significantly alter the terms of our relationship, including due to changes in applicable trade policies, we may not be able to obtain replacement products in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, if any of our primary suppliers fail to make timely shipments, do not meet our quality standards or otherwise fail to deliver us product in accordance with our plans, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our contractors and suppliers buy raw materials and are subject to wage rates that are oftentimes regulated by the governments of the countries in which our products are manufactured. The raw materials used to manufacture our products are subject to availability constraints and price volatility. There could be a significant disruption in the supply of raw materials from current sources or, in the event of a disruption, our suppliers might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price or at all. Our business is dependent upon the ability of our unaffiliated suppliers to locate, train, employ and retain adequate personnel. Our unaffiliated suppliers have experienced, and may continue to experience in the future, unexpected increases in work wages, whether government-mandated or otherwise. Our suppliers may increase their pricing if their raw materials became more expensive. Our suppliers may pass the increase in sourcing costs to us through price increases, thereby impacting our margins. Material changes in the pricing practices of our suppliers could negatively impact our profitability.
In addition, we cannot be certain that our unaffiliated suppliers will be able to fill our orders in a timely manner. If we experience significant increases in demand, or reductions in the availability of materials, or need to replace an existing supplier, there can be no assurance additional supplies of raw materials or additional manufacturing capacity will be available when required on terms acceptable to us, or at all, or that any supplier would allocate sufficient capacity to us in order to meet our requirements. In addition, even if we are able to expand existing or find new manufacturing or sources of materials, we may encounter delays in production and added costs as a result of the time it takes to train suppliers in our methods, products, quality control standards and labor, health and safety standards. Any delays, interruption or increased costs in labor or wages, or the supply of materials or manufacture of our products, could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet wholesale partner and customer and consumer demand for our products and result in lower revenue and net income both in the short and long term.
Events that adversely impact our suppliers could impair our ability to obtain adequate and timely supplies. Such events include, among others, difficulties or problems associated with our suppliers’ business, the financial instability and labor problems of suppliers, merchandise quality and safety issues, natural or man-made disasters, inclement weather conditions, war, acts of terrorism and other political instability, economic conditions, transportation delays and shipment issues. Our suppliers may be forced to reduce their production, shut down their operations or file for bankruptcy. Our suppliers may consolidate, increasing their market power. The occurrence of one or more of these events could impact our ability to get products to our customers and/or wholesale partners, result in disruptions to our operations, increase our costs and decrease our profitability.
Global sourcing and foreign trade involve numerous factors and uncertainties beyond our control, including:
| ● | increased shipping costs; |
| ● | the imposition of additional import or trade restrictions; |
| ● | legal or economic restrictions on overseas suppliers’ ability to produce and deliver products; |
| ● | increased custom duties and tariffs; |
| ● | unforeseen delays in customs clearance of goods; |
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| ● | more restrictive quotas; |
| ● | loss of a most favored nation trading status; |
| ● | currency exchange rates; |
| ● | transportation delays; |
| ● | port of entry issues; and |
| ● | foreign government regulations, political instability and economic uncertainties in the countries from which we or our suppliers source our products. |
Our sourcing operations may also be hurt by health concerns regarding the outbreak of viruses, widespread illness, infectious diseases, contagions and the occurrence of unforeseen epidemics (including the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) and its potential impact on our financial results) in countries in which our merchandise is produced. Moreover, negative press or reports about internationally manufactured products may sway public opinion, and thus customer confidence, away from our products. Furthermore, changes in U.S. trade policies, including new restrictions, tariffs or other changes could lead to additional costs, delays in shipments, embargos and other uncertainties that could negatively impact our relationships with our international suppliers and materially adversely affect our business. These and other issues affecting our international suppliers or internationally manufactured merchandise could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, some of our suppliers may not have the capacity to supply us with sufficient merchandise to keep pace with our growth plans, especially if we need significantly greater amounts of inventory. In such cases, our ability to pursue our growth strategy will depend in part upon our ability to develop new supplier relationships.
The nature of our business may result in undesirable press coverage or other negative publicity, which would adversely impact our brand identity, future sales and results of operations.
Our solutions are used to assist law enforcement and other public safety personnel in situations involving public safety. The incidents in which our solutions are deployed may involve injury, loss of life and other negative outcomes, and such events are likely to receive negative publicity. Such negative publicity could have an adverse impact on new sales or renewals or expansions of coverage areas by existing customers, which would adversely impact our financial results and business.
Changes in the availability of federal funding to support local public safety or other public sector efforts could impact our opportunities with public sector end customers.
Many of our public sector end customers rely to some extent on funds from the U.S. federal government in order to purchase and pay for our solutions. Any reduction in federal funding for local public safety or other public sector efforts could result in our end customers having less access to funds required to continue, renew, expand or pay for our solutions. For example, changes in policies with respect to “sanctuary cities” may result in a reduction in federal funds available to our current or potential end customers. Additionally, any future U.S. government shutdowns could result in delayed public safety spending or re-allocation of funding into other areas of public safety. If federal funding is reduced or eliminated and our end customers cannot find alternative sources of funding to purchase our solutions, our business will be harmed.
Economic uncertainties or downturns, or political changes, could limit the availability of funds available to our customers and potential customers, which could significantly adversely impact our business.
Current or future economic uncertainties or downturns could adversely impact our business and operating results. Negative conditions in the general economy both in the United States and abroad, including conditions resulting from changes in gross domestic product growth, inflation, changes in general interest rates, decisions of central banks, financial and credit market fluctuations, political deadlock, natural catastrophes, warfare and terrorist attacks in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region or elsewhere, could cause a decrease in funds available to our customers and potential customers and negatively affect the growth rate of our business.
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These economic conditions may make it extremely difficult for our customers and us to forecast and plan future budgetary decisions or business activities accurately, and they could cause our customers to re-evaluate their decisions to purchase our solutions, which could delay and lengthen our sales cycles or result in cancellations of planned purchases. Furthermore, during challenging economic times or as a result of political changes, our customers may tighten their budgets and face constraints in gaining timely access to sufficient funding or other credit, which could result in an impairment of their ability to make timely payments to us. In turn, we may be required to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, which would adversely impact our financial results.
We cannot predict the timing, strength or duration of any economic slowdown, instability or recovery, generally or within any particular industry, or the impact of political changes. If the economic conditions of the general economy or industries in which we operate worsen from present levels, or if recent political changes result in less funding being available to purchase our solutions, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
Natural or man-made disasters and other similar events may significantly disrupt our business, and negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.
Any of our facilities may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, nuclear disasters, acts of terrorism or other criminal activities, infectious disease outbreaks, and power outages, which may render it difficult or impossible for us to operate our business for some period of time. Our facilities would likely be costly to repair or replace, and any such efforts would likely require substantial time. Any disruptions in our operations could negatively impact our business and operating results, and harm our reputation. In addition, we may not carry business insurance or may not carry sufficient business insurance to compensate for losses that may occur. Any such losses or damages could have a significant adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the facilities of significant vendors may be harmed or rendered inoperable by such natural or man-made disasters, which may cause disruptions, difficulties or significant adverse impact on our business.
We are exposed to risks associated with strategic acquisitions and investments.
We may consider strategic acquisitions of companies with complementary technologies or intellectual property in the future. Acquisitions hold special challenges in terms of successful integration of technologies, products, services and employees. We may not realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions or the benefits of any other acquisitions we have completed or may complete in the future, and we may not be able to incorporate any acquired services, products or technologies with our existing operations, or integrate personnel from the acquired businesses, in which case our business could be harmed.
Acquisitions and other strategic decisions involve numerous risks, including:
| ● | problems integrating and divesting the operations, technologies, personnel, services or products over geographically disparate locations; |
| ● | unanticipated costs, taxes, litigation and other contingent liabilities; |
| ● | continued liability for discontinued businesses and pre-closing activities of divested businesses or certain post-closing liabilities which we may agree to assume as part of the transaction in which a particular business is divested; |
| ● | adverse impacts on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers; |
| ● | cannibalization of revenues as customers may seek multi-product discounts; |
| ● | risks associated with entering into markets in which we have no, or limited, prior experience; |
| ● | incurrence of significant restructuring charges if acquired products or technologies are unsuccessful; |
| ● | significant diversion of management’s attention from our core business and diversion of key employees’ time and resources; |
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| ● | licensing, indemnity or other conflicts between existing businesses and acquired businesses; |
| ● | inability to retain key customers, distributors, suppliers, vendors and other business relations of the acquired business; and |
| ● | potential loss of our key employees or the key employees of an acquired organization or as a result of discontinued businesses. |
Financing for future acquisitions may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. If we identify an appropriate acquisition candidate for any of our businesses, we may not be able to negotiate the terms of the acquisition successfully, finance the acquisition or integrate the acquired business, products, service offerings, technologies or employees into our existing business and operations. Future acquisitions and divestitures may not be well-received by the investment community, which may cause the value of our stock to fall. We cannot ensure that we will be able to identify or complete any acquisition, divestiture or discontinued business in the future. Further, the terms of our indebtedness constrain our ability to make and finance additional acquisitions or divestitures.
If we acquire businesses, new products, service offerings or technologies in the future, we may incur significant acquisition-related costs. In addition, we may be required to amortize significant amounts of finite-lived intangible assets and we may record significant amounts of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets that would be subject to testing for impairment. We have in the past and may in the future be required to write off all or part of the intangible assets or goodwill associated with these investments that could harm our operating results. If we consummate one or more significant future acquisitions in which the consideration consists of stock or other securities, our existing stockholders’ ownership could be significantly diluted. If we were to proceed with one or more significant future acquisitions in which the consideration included cash, we could be required to use a substantial portion of our cash and investments. Acquisitions could also cause operating margins to fall depending on the businesses acquired.
Our strategic investments may involve joint development, joint marketing, or entry into new business ventures, or new technology licensing. Any joint development efforts may not result in the successful introduction of any new products or services by us or a third party, and any joint marketing efforts may not result in increased demand for our products or services. Further, any current or future strategic acquisitions and investments by us may not allow us to enter and compete effectively in new markets or enhance our business in our existing markets and we may have to impair the carrying amount of our investments.
We could be adversely impacted by changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters.
International Financial Reporting Standards and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines, and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our businesses, including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, asset impairment, inventories, customer rebates and other customer consideration, tax matters, and litigation and other contingent liabilities are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance or financial condition. New accounting guidance may also require systems and other changes that could increase our operating costs and/or change our financial statements. For example, implementing future accounting guidance related to revenue, accounting for leases and other areas could require us to make significant changes to our accounting systems, impact existing debt agreements and result in adverse changes to our financial statements.
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Risks Related to Government Regulation
The impact of potential changes in customs, tariffs, and trade policies in the United States and the potential corresponding actions by other countries, including recent trade initiatives announced by the U.S. presidential administration against China, in which we do business could adversely impact our financial performance.
The U.S. government has made proposals that are intended to address trade imbalances, which include encouraging increased production in the United States. These proposals could result in increased customs duties and tariffs, and the renegotiation of some U.S. trade agreements. We import a significant percentage of our products into the United States, and an increase in customs duties and tariffs with respect to these imports could negatively impact our financial performance. If such customs duties and tariffs are implemented, it also may cause U.S. trading partners to take actions with respect to U.S. imports or U.S. investment activities in their respective countries. Any potential changes in trade policies in the United States and the potential corresponding actions by other countries in which we do business could adversely impact our financial performance. Given the level of uncertainty over which provisions will be enacted, we cannot predict with certainty the impact of the proposals.
For example, in 2018, the U.S. presidential administration and Chinese government imposed significant tariffs on exports between the two countries. This evolving policy dispute between China and the United States is likely to have significant impact on the industries in which we participate, directly and indirectly, and no assurance can be given that any individual customer or significant groups of companies or a particular industry, will not be adversely impacted by any governmental actions taken by either China or the United States. In addition, we manufacture our mobile phones at our facility in Shenzhen, China, which could result in significant additional costs to us when shipping our products to various customers in the United States. It is not possible to predict with any certainty the outcome of the trade dispute between the United States and China, and prolonged or increased tariffs on imports from China to the United States would adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In 2020, a Phase One trade agreement was signed imposing specific targets for Chinese purchases of various exports from the United States. These ambitious commitments specified numerical targets in U.S. goods and services exports to China for increases of $77 billion in 2020 and $123 billion in 2021 from the 2017 baseline. The Phase One agreement also imposed numerous tariffs on a variety of goods including but not limited to imports from China along with steel and aluminum imports from across the world, creating an upward pressure on prices in the United States. These tariffs currently impact over $350 billion of imports and exports and increase consumer costs by roughly $51 billion annually based on 2021 import levels. The uncertainty of the Phase One deal, unilaterally imposed in 2020 and substantially still in effect today, lie in their conditions. For instance, Section 301 enables the president to impose tariffs or quotas wherever the United States Trade Representative (USTR) finds that other nations are engaging in unfair trade practices and Section 232 allows the president to impose trade barriers if the Department of Commerce finds that imports threaten U.S. national security. The Company will be unable to pre-empt decisions of this nature, and as such, the risks and consequences which accompany them.
In 2021, the U.S. presidential administration signed Executive Order 14017 into order, assessing vulnerabilities in four priority product areas: semiconductors, large capacity batteries, critical minerals and materials, and pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Executive Order 14017 established an interagency Supply Chain Trade Task Force led by USTR. This task force was directed to identify foreign trade practices that the U.S. deemed unfair or otherwise determined to cause erosion to U.S. critical supply chains. The impact and decisions of this task force may cause consequential action from other trading partners, potentially impacting the Company’s financial performance.
Later in 2021 and into 2022, the U.S. Administration replaced the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU with a tariff rate quota system (TRQ), replaced the Section 232 tariffs on steel imports from Japan with a TRQ (the Section 232 aluminum imports from Japan are still in effect) and, as of March 2022, replaced the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the UK with a TRQ. To date, the US Administration has kept in place all of the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, which might influence importers to shift away from China and reorganize supply chains or otherwise cause decreased trade altogether – both imports and exports – raising prices and reducing options for consumers and businesses in the U.S. While a number of exclusions and extensions to these tariffs exist and evolve within the current administration, retaliatory actions by other nations remain a possibility.
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In 2022, five nations had levied retaliatory tariffs up to 70 percent on approximately $73.2 billion of U.S. exports. These tariffs do not include retaliation by Canada and Mexico; following the reversal of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, both Canada and Mexico withdrew their retaliatory tariffs of 7 percent to 25 percent on approximately $20 billion of U.S. exports. These tariffs also no longer include retaliation by the EU, as it cancelled its retaliatory tariffs in exchange for the United States replacing the aluminum and steel tariffs with a TRQ for EU imports.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted increased sanctions on trade with Russia which could reverberate to other countries, other economies and other markets. On February 24, 2023, the United States, in coordination with allies and G7 partners, announced a new set of sanctions, export controls and tariffs targeting key, revenue-generating sectors of the Russian economy and restricting trade with over 200 persons, including both Russian and third-country actors across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. These new measures, taken by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, or BIS, Office of the US Trade Representative, or USTR and U.S. Department of State, mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. These measures include the following:
| ● | OFAC: (i) announced a new determination targeting the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy under Executive Order 14024; (ii) added 83 entities and 22 individuals to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, including over 30 third-country individuals and entities, resulting in the freezing of their assets within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibitions on transactions by U,S, persons or within the U.S. that involve such persons and their 50 percent or more owned entities; and (iii) made additions and revisions to several existing general licenses. |
| ● | BIS: (i) announced four new rules targeting Russia’s defense-industrial base and military and third countries supporting Russia; (ii) expanded export controls under the Export Administration Regulations, including licensing requirements on several commercial and industrial items; and (iii) added 86 entities to the Entity List determined to have engaged in sanctions evasion and backfill activities in support of Russia’s defense-industrial sector, prohibiting the targeted companies from purchasing items, such as semiconductors, whether made in the US or with certain US technology or software abroad. |
| ● | USTR announced additional tariff increases, primarily targeting metals, minerals and chemical products. |
These sanctions, export controls and tariffs are part of the U.S.’s ongoing to impose economic costs on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.
We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, export control, and similar laws. Non-compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal or civil liability and harm our business, revenues, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. Section 201, the U.S. Travel Act, and other anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years and are interpreted broadly to generally prohibit companies and their employees and third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to recipients in the public or private sector. As we increase our international presence, we may engage with distributors and third-party intermediaries to market our solutions and to obtain necessary permits, licenses, and other regulatory approvals. In addition, we or our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of these third-party intermediaries, our employees, representatives, contractors, partners and agents, even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities.
The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. In particular, the United States prohibits U.S. persons from engaging with individuals and entities identified as “Specially Designated Nationals,” such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers. These prohibitions are administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. OFAC rules prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in, or facilitating a foreign person’s engagement in, transactions with or relating to the prohibited individual, entity or country, and require the blocking of assets in which the individual, entity or country has an interest. Blocked assets (e.g., property or bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Other countries in which we operate, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also maintain economic and financial sanctions regimes.
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Some of our solutions, including software updates and third-party accessories, may be subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations; however, the vast majority of our products are non-U.S.-origin items, developed and manufactured outside of the United States, and therefore not subject to these laws. For third-party accessories, we rely on manufactures to supply the appropriate export control classification numbers that determine our obligations under these laws.
We cannot assure you that our employees and agents will not take actions in violation of our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. As we increase our international presence, our risks under these laws, rules, and regulations may increase. Further, any change in the applicability or enforcement of these laws, rules, and regulations could adversely impact our business operations and financial results.
Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations can require a significant diversion of time, resources, and attention from senior management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, or economic sanctions laws, rules, and regulations could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, other enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, significant fines, damages, other civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension and/or debarment from contracting with certain persons, the loss of export privileges, reputational harm, adverse media coverage, and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, revenues, financial condition, and results of operations would be significantly harmed. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could further harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a wide range of product regulatory and safety, consumer, worker safety and environmental laws and regulations.
Our operations and the products we manufacture and/or sell are subject to a wide range of product regulatory and safety, consumer, worker safety and environmental laws and regulations. Compliance with such existing or future laws and regulations could subject us to future costs or liabilities, impact our production capabilities, constrict our ability to sell, expand or acquire facilities, restrict what solutions we can offer and generally impact our financial performance. Our products are designed for use in potentially explosive or hazardous environments. If our product design fails for any reason in such environments, we may be subject to product liabilities and future costs. In addition, some of these laws are environmental and relate to the use, disposal, remediation, emission and discharge of, and exposure to hazardous substances. These laws often impose liability and can require parties to fund remedial studies or actions regardless of fault. Environmental laws have tended to become more stringent over time and any new obligations under these laws could have a negative impact on our operations or financial performance.
Laws focused on the energy efficiency of electronic products and accessories, recycling of both electronic products and packaging, reducing or eliminating certain hazardous substances in electronic products, and the transportation of batteries continue to expand significantly. Laws pertaining to accessibility features of electronic products, standardization of connectors and power supplies, the transportation of lithium-ion batteries, and other aspects are also proliferating. There are also demanding and rapidly changing laws around the globe related to issues such as product safety, radio interference, radio frequency radiation exposure, medical related functionality, and consumer and social mandates pertaining to use of wireless or electronic equipment. These laws, and changes to these laws, could have a substantial impact on whether we can offer certain products, solutions, and services, and on what capabilities and characteristics our products or services can or must include.
These laws and regulations impact our products and could negatively impact our ability to manufacture and sell products competitively. In addition, we anticipate that we will see increased demand to meet voluntary criteria related to reduction or elimination of certain constituents from products, increasing energy efficiency and providing additional accessibility.
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Changes in laws and regulations concerning the use of telecommunication bandwidth could increase our costs and adversely impact our business.
Our business depends on our ability to sell devices that use telecommunication bandwidth allocated to licensed and unlicensed wireless services, and that use of that bandwidth is subject to laws and regulations that are subject to change over time. Changes in the permitted uses of telecommunication bandwidth, reallocation of such bandwidth to different uses, and new or increased regulation of the capabilities, manufacture, importation, and use of devices that depend on such bandwidth could increase our costs, require costly modifications to our products before they are sold, or limit our ability to sell those products into our target markets. In addition, we are subject to regulatory requirements for certification and testing of our products before they can be marketed or sold. Those requirements may be onerous and expensive. Changes to those requirements could result in significant additional costs and could adversely impact our ability to bring new products to market in a timely fashion.
We are subject to a wide range of privacy and data security laws, regulations and other legal obligations.
Personal privacy and information security are significant issues in the United States and the other jurisdictions in which we operate or make our products and applications available. The legislative and regulatory framework for privacy and security issues worldwide is rapidly evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Our handling of data is subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including regulation by various government agencies, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and various state, local and foreign agencies. We may collect personally identifiable information, or PII, and other data from our customers. We use this information to provide services to our customers and to support, expand and improve our business. We may also share customers’ PII with third parties as allowed by applicable law and agreements and authorized by the customer or as described in our privacy policy.
The U.S. federal and various state and foreign governments have adopted or proposed limitations on the collection, distribution, transfer, use and storage of PII. In the United States, the FTC and many state attorneys general are applying federal and state consumer protection laws as imposing standards for the online collection, use and dissemination of data. Many foreign countries and governmental bodies, including Canada, the European Union and other relevant jurisdictions, have laws and regulations concerning the collection and use of PII obtained from their residents or by businesses operating within their jurisdiction. These laws and regulations often are more restrictive than those in the United States. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of data that identifies or may be used to identify or locate an individual, such as names, email addresses and, in some jurisdictions, Internet Protocol, or IP, addresses. Within the European Union, legislators have adopted the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, effective May 2018 which may impose additional obligations and risk upon our business, and which may increase substantially the penalties to which we could be subject in the event of any non-compliance. We may incur substantial expense in complying with the obligations imposed by the governments of the foreign jurisdictions in which we do business or seek to do business and we may be required to make significant changes in our business operations, all of which may adversely impact our revenues and our business overall.
Although we are working to comply with those federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations and other legal obligations that apply to us, those laws, regulations, standards and obligations are evolving and may be modified, interpreted and applied in an inconsistent manner from one jurisdiction to another, and may conflict with one another, other requirements or legal obligations, our practices or the features of our products or applications. At state level, lawmakers continue to pass new laws concerning privacy and data security. Particularly notable in this regard is the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, which became effective on January 1, 2020. The CCPA will introduce significant new disclosure obligations and provide California consumers with significant new privacy rights. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with federal, state or foreign laws or regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations or other legal obligations, or any actual or suspected security incident, whether or not resulting in unauthorized access to, or acquisition, release or transfer of PII or other data, may result in governmental enforcement actions and prosecutions, private litigation, fines and penalties or adverse publicity and could cause our customers to lose trust in us, which could have an adverse impact on our reputation and business. Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, industry standards, contractual obligations, or other legal obligations could result in additional cost and liability to us, damage our reputation, inhibit sales and adversely impact our business.
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We also expect that there will continue to be new proposed laws, regulations and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection and information security in the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and we cannot yet determine the impact such future laws, regulations and standards may have on our business. New laws, amendments to or re-interpretations of existing laws and regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations and other obligations may require us to incur additional costs and restrict our business operations. Such laws and regulations may require companies to implement privacy and security policies, permit users to access, correct and delete personal information stored or maintained by such companies, inform individuals of security breaches that affect their personal information, and, in some cases, obtain individuals’ consent to use PII for certain purposes. In addition, a foreign government could require that any PII collected in a country not be disseminated outside of that country, and we are not currently equipped to comply with such a requirement.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
If we are unable to successfully protect our intellectual property, our competitive position may be harmed.
Our ability to compete is heavily affected by our ability to protect our intellectual property. We rely on a combination of patent licenses, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights. We also enter, and plan to continue to enter, into confidentiality, invention assignment or license agreements with our employees, consultants and other parties with whom we contract, and control access to and distribution of our software, documentation and other proprietary information. The steps we take to protect our intellectual property may be inadequate, and it is possible that some or all of our confidentiality agreements will not be honored and certain contractual provisions may not be enforceable. Existing trade secret, trademark and copyright laws offer only limited protection. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or obtain and use information which we regard as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use of our products is difficult, time consuming and costly, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. We cannot assure you that our means of protecting our proprietary rights will be adequate or that our competitors will not independently develop similar technology, the effect of either of which would harm our competitive position in the market. Furthermore, disputes can arise with our strategic partners, customers or others concerning the ownership of intellectual property.
Others may claim that we infringe on their intellectual property rights, which may result in costly and time-consuming litigation and could delay or otherwise impair the development and commercialization of our products.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in litigation in the United States involving patents and other intellectual property rights, and because our products are comprised of complex technology, we are often involved in or impacted by assertions, including both requests to take licenses and litigation, regarding infringement of patent and other intellectual property rights of third parties. Third parties have asserted, and in the future may assert, intellectual property infringement claims against us and against our channel partners, end customers and suppliers. For example, we had been approached by Wilson Electronics about potential infringement of several of their patents involving cellphone boosters. As a result, the Company entered into a product technology licensing agreement with Wilson Electronics that resolved their claim whereby Wilson is entitled to a 4.5% licensing fee on the revenues earned by the Company for every booster product sold Many of these assertions are brought by non-practicing entities whose principal business model is to secure patent licensing revenues from product manufacturing companies. Claims for alleged infringement and any resulting lawsuit, if successful, could subject us to significant liability for damages and invalidation of our intellectual property rights. Defending any such claims, with or without merit, including pursuant to indemnity obligations, could be time consuming, expensive, cause product shipment delays or require us to enter into a royalty or licensing agreement, any of which could delay the development and commercialization of our products or reduce our margins. If we are unable to obtain a required license, our ability to sell or use certain products may be impaired. In addition, if we fail to obtain a license, or if the terms of the license are burdensome to us, our operations could be significantly harmed.
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Our use of open source software could subject us to possible litigation or otherwise impair the development of our products.
A portion of our technologies incorporates open source software, including open source operating systems such as Android, and we expect to continue to incorporate open source software into our platform in the future. Few of the licenses applicable to open source software have been interpreted by courts, and their application to the open source software integrated into our proprietary technology platform may be uncertain. If we fail to comply with these licenses, then pursuant to the terms of these licenses, we may be subject to certain requirements, including requirements that we make available the source code for our software that incorporates the open source software. We cannot assure you that we have not incorporated open source software in our software in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the applicable licenses or our current policies and procedures. If an author or other third party that distributes such open source software were to allege that we had not complied with the conditions of one or more of these licenses, we could incur significant legal expenses defending against such allegations. Litigation could be costly for us to defend, have a negative effect on our operating results and financial condition or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our technology platform.
With respect to open source operating systems, if third parties cease continued development of such operating systems or restrict our access to such operating system, our business and financial results could be adversely impacted. We are dependent on third parties’ continued development of operating systems, software application ecosystem infrastructures, and such third parties’ approval of our implementations of their operating and system and associated applications. If such parties cease to continue development or support of such operating systems or restrict our access to such operating systems, we would be required to change our strategy for our devices. As a result, our financial results could be negatively impacted because a resulting shift away from the operating systems we currently use, and the associated applications ecosystem could be costly and difficult.
Our inability to obtain and maintain any third-party license required to develop new products and product enhancements could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
From time to time, we are required to license technology from third parties to develop new products or product enhancements. Third-party licenses may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we fail to renew any intellectual property license agreements on commercially reasonable terms, or any such license agreements otherwise expire or terminate, we may not be able to use the patents and technologies of these third parties in our products, which are critical to our success. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively control the level of licensing and royalty fees paid to third parties, and significant increase in such fees could have a significant and adverse impact on our future profitability. Seeking alternative patents and technologies may be difficult and time-consuming, and we may not be successful in finding alternative technologies or incorporating them into our products. Our inability to obtain any third-party license necessary to develop new products or product enhancements could require us to obtain substitute technology of lower quality or performance standards, or at greater cost, which could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks relating to our locations in Israel and Canada and our international operations
We also conduct our operations in Israel. Conditions in Israel, including the recent attack by Hamas and other terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip and Israel’s war against them, may affect our operations.
Since 2015, we operate a cellular technology company in Israel and a number of our officers, directors and employees are residents of Israel, and because of this our business and operations are directly affected by economic, political, geopolitical and military conditions in Israel.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its neighboring countries and terrorist organizations active in the region. These conflicts have involved missile strikes, hostile infiltrations and terrorism against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, which have negatively affected business conditions in Israel.
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During the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. In December 2008 and January 2009 there was an escalation in violence among Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and other groups, as well as extensive hostilities along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel. During November 2012 and from July through August 2014, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with a militia group and political party who controls the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel, as well as at areas more centrally located near Tel Aviv and at areas surrounding Jerusalem. In October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel’s southern border from the Gaza Strip and conducted a series of attacks on civilian and military targets. Hamas also launched extensive rocket attacks on Israeli population and industrial centers located along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and in other areas within the State of Israel. Following the attack, Israel’s security cabinet declared war against Hamas and a military campaign against these terrorist organizations commenced in parallel to their continued rocket and terror attacks. Moreover, the clash between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, may escalate in the future into a grater regional conflict.
Any hostilities involving Israel, or the interruption or curtailment of trade within Israel or between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Parties and our employees/contractors with whom we may do business have sometimes declined to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary. The conflict situation in Israel could cause situations where our operational/functional or auditing bodies could not be able to function adequately, thus possibly leading to temporary suspensions or even cancellations of our product deliveries, our work-flow clearance or other certifications.
The conflict situation in Israel could cause disruptions in our supply chain and international trade, including the import of inputs and the export of our products, The conflict situation in Israel could also result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.
There have been travel advisories imposed as related to travel to Israel, and restriction on travel, or delays and disruptions as related to imports and exports may be imposed in the future. Additionally, members of our management and employees are located and reside in Israel. Shelter-in-place and work-from-home measures, government-imposed restrictions on movement and travel and other precautions taken to address the ongoing conflict may temporarily disrupt our management and employees’ ability to effectively perform their daily tasks.
The Israel Defense Force (the “IDF”), the national military of Israel, is a conscripted military service, subject to certain exceptions. Several of our employees are or now may be subject to military service in the IDF and have been and may be called to serve. It is possible that there will be further military reserve duty call-ups in the future, which may affect our business due to a shortage of skilled labor and loss of institutional knowledge, and necessary mitigation measures we may take to respond to a decrease in labor availability, such as overtime and third-party outsourcing, for example, which may have unintended negative effects and adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity or cash flows.
It is currently not possible to predict the duration or severity of the ongoing conflict or its effects on our business, operations and financial conditions. The ongoing conflict is rapidly evolving and developing, and could disrupt our business and operations, interrupt our sources and availability of supply and hamper our ability to raise additional funds or sell our securities, among others.
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Conditions in Israel could materially and adversely affect our business.
A number of our officers and directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly affect our business and operations. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its neighboring countries, as well as terrorist acts committed within Israel by hostile elements. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations. During the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. In December 2008 and January 2009 there was an escalation in violence among Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and other groups, as well as extensive hostilities along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel. During November 2012 and from July through August 2014, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with a militia group and political party who controls the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel, as well as at areas more centrally located near Tel Aviv and at areas surrounding Jerusalem. These conflicts involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, including areas in which our employees and some of our consultants are located, and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. This pattern of activity erupts from time to time with varying degrees of intensity and for varying periods of time and typically ends with a cease fire until hostilities flare up again.
Since February 2011, Egypt has experienced political turbulence and an increase in terrorist activity in the Sinai Peninsula. Such political turbulence and violence may damage peaceful and diplomatic relations between Israel and Egypt, and could affect the region as a whole. Similar civil unrest and political turbulence has occurred in other countries in the region, including Syria, which shares a common border with Israel, and is affecting the political stability of those countries. Since April 2011, internal conflict in Syria has escalated and chemical weapons have been used in the region. Foreign actors have intervened and may continue to intervene in Syria. This instability and any intervention may lead to deterioration of the political and economic relationships that exist between the State of Israel and some of these countries and may lead to additional conflicts in the region. In addition, Iran has threatened to attack Israel and may be developing nuclear weapons. Iran also has a strong influence among extremist groups in the region, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and various rebel militia groups in Syria. These situations have escalated at various points in recent years and may escalate in the future to more violent events, which may affect Israel and us. Any armed conflicts, terrorist activities or political instability in the region could adversely affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Parties with whom we do business have sometimes declined to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary in order to meet our business partners face to face. In addition, the political and security situation in Israel may result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.
Further, in the past, the State of Israel and Israeli companies have been subjected to economic boycotts. Several countries still restrict business with the State of Israel and with Israeli companies. These restrictive laws and policies may have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition or the expansion of our business. A campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions has been undertaken against Israel, which could also adversely impact our business.
In addition, many Israeli citizens are obligated to perform several days, and in some cases more, of annual military reserve duty each year until they reach the age of 40 (or older, for reservists who are military officers or who have certain occupations) and, in the event of a military conflict, may be called to active duty. In response to increases in terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant call-ups of military reservists. It is possible that there will be military reserve duty call-ups in the future. Our operations could be disrupted by such call-ups, which may include the call-up of members of our management. Such disruption could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
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It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors named in this annual report on Form 20-F in Israel or the United States, or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on our officers and directors.
Not all of our directors or officers are residents of the United States and most of their and our assets are located outside the United States. Service of process upon us or our non-U.S. resident directors and officers may be difficult to obtain within the United States. We have been informed by our legal counsel in Israel that it may be difficult to assert claims under U.S. securities laws in original actions instituted in Israel or obtain a judgment based on the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities laws. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws against us or our non-U.S. officers and directors because Israel may not be the most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above. Additionally, Israeli courts might not enforce judgments obtained in the United States against us or our non-U.S. our directors and executive officers, which may make it difficult to collect on judgments rendered against us or our non-U.S. officers and directors.
Moreover, an Israeli court will not enforce a non-Israeli judgment if it was given in a state whose laws do not provide for the enforcement of judgments of Israeli courts (subject to exceptional cases), if its enforcement is likely to prejudice the sovereignty or security of the State of Israel, if it was obtained by fraud or in the absence of due process, if it is at variance with another valid judgment that was given in the same matter between the same parties, or if a suit in the same matter between the same parties was pending before a court or tribunal in Israel at the time the foreign action was brought. For more information, see “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”
Because we are a corporation incorporated in British Columbia and some of our directors and officers are resident in Canada, it may be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce civil liabilities against us based solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States. Similarly, it may be difficult for Canadian investors to enforce civil liabilities against our directors and officers residing outside of Canada.
We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of British Columbia with our principal place of business in Montreal, Canada. Some of our directors and officers and the auditors or other experts named herein are residents of Canada and all or a substantial portion of our assets and those of such persons are located outside the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult for U.S. investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or our directors or officers or such auditors who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon civil liabilities under the Securities Act. Investors should not assume that Canadian courts: (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or the securities or blue-sky laws of any state within the United States or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or such persons predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws or any such state securities or blue-sky laws.
Similarly, some of our directors and officers are residents of countries other than Canada and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside Canada. As a result, it may be difficult for Canadian investors to initiate a lawsuit within Canada against these non-Canadian residents. In addition, it may not be possible for Canadian investors to collect from these non-Canadian residents’ judgments obtained in courts in Canada predicated on the civil liability provisions of securities legislation of certain of the provinces and territories of Canada. It may also be difficult for Canadian investors to succeed in a lawsuit in the United States, based solely on violations of Canadian securities laws.
We have operations in China, which exposes us to risks inherent in doing business there.
We use multiple third-party suppliers and manufacturers based primarily in China. With the rapid development of the Chinese economy, the cost of labor has increased and may continue to increase in the future. Furthermore, pursuant to Chinese labor laws, employers in China are subject to various requirements when signing labor contracts, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation and unilaterally terminating labor contracts. Our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected if the labor costs of our third-party suppliers and manufacturers increase significantly. In addition, we and our manufacturers and suppliers may not be able to find a sufficient number of qualified workers due to the intensely competitive and fluid market for skilled labor in China.
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Operating in China exposes us to political, legal and economic risks. In particular, the political, legal and economic climate in China, both nationally and regionally, is fluid and unpredictable. Our ability to utilize parties that operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in U.S. and Chinese laws and regulations such as those related to, among other things, taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, intellectual property, currency controls, network security, employee benefits, hygiene supervision and other matters. In addition, we may not obtain or retain the requisite legal permits to continue utilizing third-parties that operate in China, and costs or operational limitations may be imposed in connection with obtaining and complying with such permits. In addition, Chinese trade regulations are in a state of flux, and we may potentially become subject to other forms of taxation, tariffs and duties in China. Furthermore, the third parties we rely on in China may disclose our confidential information or intellectual property to competitors or third parties, which could result in the illegal distribution and sale of counterfeit versions of our products. If any of these events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Operating outside of the United States presents specific risks to our business, and we have substantial operations outside of the United States.
Most of our employee base and operations are located outside the United States, primarily in Canada and Israel. Most of our software development, third-party contract manufacturing, and product assembly operations are conducted outside the United States.
Risks associated with operations outside the United States include:
| ● | effectively managing and overseeing operations that are distant and remote from corporate headquarters may be difficult and may impose increased operating costs; |
| ● | fluctuating foreign currency rates could restrict sales, increase costs of purchasing, and impact collection of receivables outside of the United States; |
| ● | volatility in foreign credit markets may affect the financial well-being of our customers and suppliers; |
| ● | violations of anti-corruption laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act could result in large fines and penalties; |
| ● | violations of privacy and data security laws could result in large fines and penalties; and |
| ● | tax disputes with foreign taxing authorities, and any resultant taxation in foreign jurisdictions associated with operations in such jurisdictions, including with respect to transfer pricing practices associated with such operations. |
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Foreign currency fluctuations may reduce our competitiveness and sales in foreign markets.
The relative change in currency values creates fluctuations in product pricing for international customers. These changes in foreign end-customer costs may result in lost orders and reduce the competitiveness of our products in certain foreign markets. These changes may also negatively impact the financial condition of some foreign customers and reduce or eliminate their future orders of our products. We also face adverse changes in, or uncertainty of, local business laws or practices, including the following:
| ● | foreign governments may impose burdensome tariffs, quotas, taxes, trade barriers, or capital flow restrictions; |
| ● | restrictions on the export or import of technology may reduce or eliminate the ability to sell in or purchase from certain markets; |
| ● | political and economic instability, including deterioration of political relations between the United States and other countries, may reduce demand for our solutions or put our non-U.S. assets at risk; |
| ● | potentially limited intellectual property protection in certain countries may limit recourse against infringing on our solutions or cause us to refrain from selling in certain geographic territories; |
| ● | staffing may be difficult along with higher turnover at international operations; |
| ● | a government-controlled exchange rate and limitations on the convertibility of currencies, including the Chinese yuan; |
| ● | transportation delays and customs related delays that may affect production and distribution of our products; and |
| ● | integration and enforcement of laws vary significantly among jurisdictions and may change significantly over time. |
Our failure to manage any of these risks successfully could harm our international operations and adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Securities
We do not know whether an active, liquid and orderly trading market will develop for our Common Shares or Warrants or what the market price of our Common Shares or Warrants will be and as a result it may be difficult for you to sell your Common Shares.
You may not be able to sell your shares or Warrants quickly or at the market price if trading in our Common Shares or Warrants is not active. The initial public offering price for our Common Shares and Warrants was determined through negotiations with the underwriters, and the negotiated price may not have been indicative of the market price of the Common Shares and Warrants after the offering. As a result of these and other factors, an investor may be unable to resell its Common Shares or Warrants at or above the initial public offering price. Further, an inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling our securities and may impair our ability to enter into strategic partnerships or acquire companies or products by using our Common Shares as consideration.
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We expect that our stock price will fluctuate significantly, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price at which you purchased our Common Shares.
The trading price of our Common Shares is likely to be volatile and subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including:
| ● | market conditions in the broader stock market in general, or in our industry in particular; |
| ● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results; |
| ● | introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors; |
| ● | sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of our stock; |
| ● | issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations; |
| ● | failure of industry or securities analysts to maintain coverage of our company, changes in financial estimates by any industry or securities analysts that follow our company, or our failure to meet such estimates; |
| ● | additions or departures of key personnel; |
| ● | regulatory or political developments; |
| ● | changes in accounting principles or methodologies; |
| ● | acquisitions by us or by our competitors; |
| ● | litigation and governmental investigations; and |
| ● | economic, political and geopolitical conditions or events. |
These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for our Common Shares to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their Common Shares and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of our Common Shares. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have often instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of our stockholders brought a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business.
The market for our Common Shares may not provide investors with adequate liquidity.
Liquidity of the market for our Common Shares depends on a number of factors, including our financial condition and operating results, the number of holders of our Common Shares, the market for similar securities and the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the securities. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the Company will maintain a trading market in our Common Shares, or how liquid that market will be. If an active market is not maintained, investors may have difficulty selling Common Shares that they hold.
Since we do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, investors may be forced to sell their stock in order to obtain a return on their investment.
We do not anticipate declaring or paying in the foreseeable future any cash dividends on our capital stock. Instead, we plan to retain any earnings to finance our operations and growth plans discussed elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their Common Shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any return on their investment. As a result, investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Shares.
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Outstanding warrants and future sales of our Common Shares may further dilute the Common Shares and adversely impact the price of our Common Shares.
As of December 31, 2023, we had 570,462 Common Shares issued and outstanding. As of October 27, 2023, up to an additional 530,000 (75,714 after the 1-7 reverse stock split) Common Shares underlying outstanding warrants that have been registered with the SEC for resale are unrestricted and freely tradeable. As of December 31, 2023 after prefunded warrant exercises, 259,161 (37,023 after the 1-7 reverse stock split) pre-funded remain to be exercised at $0.07 We also have other outstanding unexercised agents’ options to purchase 18,474 Common Shares as of December 31, 2023 that expire between June 30, 2024 and October 31, 2028. We also have 4,390 restricted share units outstanding at December 31, 2023 If the holder of our free trading shares wanted to sell these shares, there might not be enough purchasers to maintain the market price of our Common Shares on the date of such sales. Any such sales, or the fear of such sales, could substantially decrease the market price of our Common Shares and the value of your investment.
If a substantial number of shares become available for sale and are sold in a short period of time, the market price of our Common Shares could decline.
We cannot predict whether future issuances of our Common Shares or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the market price per Common Share. We are not restricted from issuing additional Common Shares of, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive Common Shares. Sales of a substantial number of our Common Shares in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur could materially adversely affect the market price of our Common Shares. Because our decision to issue securities 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, our shareholders bear the risk of any future stock issuances reducing the market price of our Common Shares and diluting their stock holdings in us.
If our Common Shares become subject to the penny stock rules, it may be more difficult to sell our Common Shares.
The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or authorized for quotation on certain automated quotation systems, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). The OTC Bulletin Board does not meet such requirements and if the price of our Common Shares is less than $5.00 and our Common Shares are no longer listed on a national securities exchange such as Nasdaq, our stock may be deemed a penny stock. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, at least two business days prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver to the customer a standardized risk disclosure document containing specified information and to obtain from the customer a signed and dated acknowledgment of receipt of that document. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, a broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive: (i) the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement; (ii) a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks; and (iii) a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our Common Shares, and therefore shareholders may have difficulty selling their shares.
Warrants are speculative in nature.
The Warrants do not confer any rights of Common Share ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire Common Shares at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the Warrants may exercise their right to acquire the Common Shares and pay the Warrant exercise price per share, prior to five years from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised Warrants will expire and have no further value.
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Because we are a foreign private issuer and are exempt from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, you will have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer.
Nasdaq Listing Rules require listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of its board members be independent. As a foreign private issuer, however, we are permitted to, and we may follow home country practice in lieu of the above requirements, or we may choose to comply with the above requirement within one year of listing. The corporate governance practice in our home country does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors. Thus, although a director must act in the best interests of the Company, it is possible that fewer board members will be exercising independent judgment and the level of board oversight on the management of our company may decrease as a result. In addition, Nasdaq Listing Rules also require foreign private issuers to have a compensation committee, a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, and an audit committee with a minimum of three members. We, as a foreign private issuer, are not subject to these requirements. Nasdaq Listing Rules may require shareholder approval for certain corporate matters, such as requiring that shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions to those plans, and certain Common Share issuances. We intend to comply with the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rules in determining whether shareholder approval is required on such matters and to appoint a nominating and corporate governance committee. We may, however, consider following home country practice in lieu of the requirements under Nasdaq Listing Rules with respect to certain corporate governance standards which may afford less protection to investors.
Our executive officers and directors, and their affiliated entities, along with our two other largest stockholders, own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Based on shares outstanding as of April 2, 2024, our executive officers and directors, together with entities affiliated with such individuals, along with our largest shareholder, will beneficially own approximately 0.08% of our Common Shares based on 570,462 Common Shares issued and outstanding on such date of December 31, 2023, the Company had 570,462 Common Shares issued and outstanding.
General Risk Factors
The unfavorable outcome of any future litigation, arbitration or administrative action could have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
From time to time, we are a party to litigation, arbitration, or administrative actions. Our financial results and reputation could be negatively impacted by unfavorable outcomes to any future litigation or administrative actions, including those related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, or other anti-corruption laws. There can be no assurances as to the favorable outcome of any litigation or administrative proceedings. In addition, it can be very costly to defend litigation or administrative proceedings and these costs could negatively impact our financial results.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our securities will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on our company. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our securities would likely be negatively impacted. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price may decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our securities could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
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We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.
As discussed above, we are a foreign private issuer, and therefore, we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. In the future, we would lose our foreign private issuer status if (i) more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are owned by U.S. residents and (ii) a majority of our directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents, or we fail to meet additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. If we lose our foreign private issuer status, we will be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. We will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will lose our ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements under the listing rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market. As a U.S. listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, we will incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses that we will not incur as a foreign private issuer.
We incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company in the United States, and our management is required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As a public company in the United States, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur previously. We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which requires, among other things, that we file with the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently adopted by the SEC and Nasdaq to implement provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, impose significant requirements on public companies, including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. Further, in July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, was enacted. There are significant corporate governance and executive-compensation-related provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act that require the SEC to adopt additional rules and regulations in these areas. Recent legislation permits emerging growth companies to implement many of these requirements over a longer period and up to five years from the pricing of their initial public offering. We intend to take advantage of this new legislation, but cannot assure you that we will not be required to implement these requirements sooner than planned and thereby incur unexpected expenses. Stockholder activism, the current political environment and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which we operate our business in ways we cannot currently anticipate.
We expect the rules and regulations applicable to public companies to substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. If these requirements divert the attention of our management and personnel from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The increased costs will decrease our net income or increase our consolidated net loss, and may require us to reduce costs in other areas of our business or increase the prices of our products or services. For example, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. We cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs we may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.
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Although as a Foreign Private Issuer we are exempt from certain corporate governance standards applicable to US issuers, if we cannot satisfy, or continue to satisfy, the initial listing requirements and other rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, our securities may not be listed or may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of our securities and your ability to sell them.
In order to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be required to comply with certain rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, including those regarding minimum shareholders’ equity, minimum share price, minimum market value of publicly held shares, and various additional requirements. Even if we initially meet the listing requirements and other applicable rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may not be able to continue to satisfy these requirements and applicable rules. If we are unable to satisfy the Nasdaq Capital Market criteria for maintaining our listing, our securities could be subject to delisting. In that regard, on May 18, 2021, we received a notice from Nasdaq indicating that, as a result of not having timely filed our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), which requires timely filing of all required periodic financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Nasdaq required that we submit a plan no later than July 16, 2021 to regain compliance and we have in fact regained compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements since then.
If we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. 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 International Financial Reporting Standards.
In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our independent registered public accountants identified three, three and six material weaknesses, respectively, in our internal control over financial reporting.
We have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, and to further strengthen our accounting staff and internal controls, as described above. These measures have only partially remediated the material weaknesses identified in 2023, 2022 and 2021 as discussed above. We cannot be certain that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not be discovered in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations. If our efforts are not successful or other material weaknesses or control deficiencies occur in the future, we may be unable to report our financial results accurately on a timely basis or help prevent fraud, which could cause our reported financial results to be materially misstated and result in the loss of investor confidence or delisting, cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by Nasdaq, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
| A. | History and Development of the Company |
We were incorporated on October 15, 1986 as Big Rock Gold Ltd. as a corporation under the Company Act of British Columbia incorporation number BC 0316008. On April 5, 1988, we changed our name to International Cruiseshipcenters Corp. On June 24, 1991, we changed our name to Riley Resources Ltd. Effective January 23, 1998, we changed our name to International Riley Resources Ltd. Effective November 22, 2001, we changed our name to Wind River Resources Ltd. On January 3, 2008, we changed our name to Teslin River Resources Corp. In 1998, in connection with the name change to International Riley Resources Ltd., we consolidated our share capital on an eight to one basis and in 2001, in connection with the name change to Wind River Resources Ltd., we further consolidated our share capital on a five to one basis.
On July 24, 2015, Teslin River Resources Corp. completed a reverse acquisition by way of a three-cornered amalgamation, pursuant to which we acquired certain telecom operations of an Israel-based cellular technology company and changed our name to Siyata Mobile Inc.
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On June 7, 2016, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Signifi Mobile Inc., or Signifi. In consideration for such acquisition, we paid cash in the amount of CAD$200,000 and issued 1,000,000 (6,897 shares after the 145/1 stock split) Common Shares at a value of CAD$360,000.
The Company’s common shares were previously listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) under the symbol “SIM” and the Company voluntarily delisted from the TSXV at the end of trading on October 19, 2020. Our shares traded on the OTCQX under the symbol “SYATF” from May 11, 2017 until September 25, 2020, at which time our shares were listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
Our auditor has agreed with management’s decision to include a “going concern” explanatory paragraph in its report on our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, expressing substantial doubt about our ability to continue as an ongoing business for the next twelve months. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If we cannot secure the financing needed to continue as a viable business, our shareholders may lose some or all of their investment in us. The Canadian registered office of the Company is located at 7404 King George Boulevard, Suite 200, Surrey, British Columbia, V3W-1N6 and our warehouse and Canadian sales headquarters is located at 1751 Richardson Street, Suite #2207, Montreal, Quebec H3K-1G6, Canada. Our agent for U.S. federal securities law purposes is c/o Cogency Global Inc., 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this Annual Report:
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Our website address is https://www.siyatamobile.com/. The information contained on our website or available through our website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered a part of this Annual Report, and the reference to our website in this Annual Report is an inactive textual reference only. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
| B. | Business Overview |
Siyata Mobile Inc. is a B2B global developer and vendor of next-generation Push-To-Talk over Cellular handsets and accessories. Its portfolio of rugged PTT handsets and accessories enables first responders and enterprise workers to instantly communicate over a nationwide cellular network of choice, to increase situational awareness and save lives. Police, fire, and ambulance organizations as well as schools, utilities, security companies, hospitals, waste management companies, resorts and many other organizations use Siyata PTT handsets and accessories today.
In support of our Push-to-Talk handsets and accessories, Siyata also offers enterprise-grade In-Vehicle solutions and Cellular Booster systems enabling our customers to communicate effectively when they are in their vehicles, and even in areas where the cellular signal is weak.
Siyata sells its portfolio through leading U.S. cellular carriers, and through international cellular carriers and distributors in Canada, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Products
The Company develops, markets and sells a portfolio of rugged handheld Push-to-Talk over Cellular (“PoC”) smartphone devices. These rugged business-to-business (“B2B”) environments are focused on enterprise customers, first responders, construction workers, security guards, government agencies, utilities, transportation and waste management, amusement parks, and mobile workers in multiple industries.
In 2022, Siyata unveiled its next generation rugged device, the SD7. The SD7 is Siyata’s first mission critical push-to-talk device (“MCPTT”) and is also the first rugged handset that Siyata announced in North America in the fourth quarter of 2021, and is now shipping in North America, Europe, Middle East and Australia. The wireless carriers who have certified and are selling SD7 Handset include AT&T, FirstNet, Verizon, T-Mobile, USCellular, Bell Mobility, Telstra, and KPN. The SD7 Rugged PTT Handset is targeting first responders and enterprise customers who have previously used traditional legacy two-way Land Mobile Radios (“LMR”) but who would prefer a solution that provides wide-area coverage like a cellular device, and also one that provides the same core functionality of Push-to-Talk that they used with their previous older technology.
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SD7+ Handset
Siyata has also announced the SD7+ with Body Camera, which is similar to the SD7 Handset, but it incorporates body camera functionality. The SD7+ can replace both an LMR two-way radio and a dedicated body camera device for police, security, or any customer who requires PTT and body camera functionality. The SD7+ is expected to begin shipping in the coming months.
Siyata also offers purpose built in-vehicle communication devices. In 2022, Siyata launched the VK7, a first-of-its-kind, patent-pending vehicle kit with an integrated 10-watt speaker, a simple slide-in connection sleeve for the SD7 Handset, and an external antenna connection for connecting an antenna to allow for an in-vehicle experience for the user that is similar to that from a traditional land mobile radio (“LMR”) device. The VK7 has been uniquely designed to be used with the SD7 Handset, while connecting directly into the vehicle’s power and can also connect to our cellular amplifier for better cellular connectivity. The pending patent for the VK7 Vehicle Kit provides temperature control by heating the VK7 in cold environments, and cooling the VK7 in hot environments. The VK7 can also be equipped with an external remote speaker microphone (“RSM”) to ensure compliance with hands-free communication legislation.
VK7 Vehicle Kit
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Prior to the third quarter of 2023, we launched commercially a new In-Vehicle solution called Siyata Real Time View, which is a mobile DVR (Digital Video Recording) solution for monitoring first responder vehicles. As the name suggests, video streaming from forward-facing, rear-facing, side-facing, and in-cab cameras are all possible with Siyata Real Team View. We announced our first sale in June 2023 and in the third quarter of 2023 we began installing the solution into ambulances and first responder vehicles of a large first responder organization. This solution has proven to be a key tool for this organization to monitor its fleet of vehicles.
The aforementioned portfolio of solutions offers the benefits of PoC without any of the difficulties managing the current generation of rugged smart/feature phones and is ideally suited as a perfect upgrade from Land Mobile Radios (“LMR”). Used for generations, LMR has a significant number of limitations, including network incompatibility, limited coverage areas, and restricted functionality that leave a huge need for a unified network and platform. Siyata’s innovative PoC product lines are helping to service the generational shift from LMR to PoC. According to VDC Research, the LMR market is growing at a 5.9% compound annual growth rate, while the PoC market is growing at 13.6% CAGR to a projected $7 Billion by the year 2027.
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UV350 In-Vehicle Device
Siyata’s customer base includes cellular network operators and their dealers, as well as commercial vehicle technology distributors for fleets of all sizes in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Middle East and other international markets.
Cellular boosters are also offered by Siyata with approximately 30 million of these devices sold globally every year. Siyata manufactures and sells Uniden® Cellular boosters and accessories for enterprise, first responder and consumer customers with a focus on the North America markets. Cellular communication provides a robust, secure environment not just for remote workers, in-home and in-vehicles; but also for restaurant patrons who wish to download menus; for patients at pharmacies who need to verify identity and download scripts; for remote workers who require strong clear cellular signals; and for first responders where connectivity literally means the difference between life and death - just to name a few examples. The vehicle vertical in this portfolio complements Siyata’s rugged handsets and in-vehicle devices as these sales can be bundled through the Company’s existing sales channels.
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| Uniden U70P In-Building Booster | Uniden UM50 In-Vehicle Booster | Uniden UM2M In-Vehicle Booster |
We offer a full line of cellular boosters, to boost cellular reception, under the brand name Uniden®. We have entered into a partnership whereby Uniden America Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Japan-based Uniden Corporation, has granted the exclusive license to us to market cellular signal boosters under the Uniden® brand name within the U.S. and Canada, on a rolling three year contract term, with the current extension expiring December 31, 2031 unless sooner terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. As a world-wide leader in wireless communications, Uniden America Corporation manufactures and markets wireless consumer electronic products. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Uniden sells its products through dealers and distributors throughout North, Central and South America. Uniden Cellular booster kits solve issues of poor reception, dropped calls, lost data and transmission quality issues that users routinely experience on every cellular network. These easy-to-install cellular booster kits are designed for homes, cabins, offices, and buildings to improve the cellular signal reception indoors, allowing people to use their cellular phones indoors where they previously could not do so. We also offer models designed for vehicles, both wired and wireless boosters, to improve the cellular reception inside a vehicle that is driving in a weak cellular signal area. Uniden cellular signal boosters offer kits designed to offer cellphone coverage for difference distances, including kits for a small area of 1 or 2 rooms, and more expansive solutions that will cover over 100,000 sq. ft. Our cellular signal boosters are carrier agnostic to ensure the best signal integrity, supporting 2G, 3G, 4G and soon 5G (in development) technologies on all carriers operating in North America.
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Customers and Channels
In 2022, Siyata secured North American wireless carrier approvals of the SD7 Handset for use on their networks from AT&T, FirstNet, Verizon, and Bell Mobility. During 2023, Siyata added T-Mobile and USCellular to its list of North American wireless carriers who approved SD7 for use on their networks. Internationally, Telstra from Australia and KPN from the Netherlands also approved SD7 for use on their network during 2023. These wireless carriers also sell the innovative VK7 Vehicle Kit that works with the SD7 Handset. These are major milestones for the Company following Siyata’s years of experience perfecting in-vehicle cellular based technology, vehicle installations, software integration with various Push-to-Talk (“PTT”) solutions and intensive carrier certifications.
Siyata’s customer base includes cellular network operators and their dealers, as well as commercial vehicle technology distributors for fleets of all sizes in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and other international markets.
Our rugged handsets are targeted to approximately 47 million enterprise task and public sector workers across North America including construction, transport& logistics, manufacturing, energy & utility, public safety and federal government. The North American Tier 1 cellular carriers that Siyata is working with have large scale distribution and sales channels. With an estimated 25 million commercial vehicles including 7.0 million first responder vehicles, the Company sees the North American market as its largest opportunity with a total addressable market over $19 billion. These Tier 1 cellular carriers have a keen interest in selling the VK7 Vehicle Kit with the SD7 Handset and the UV350 In-Vehicle Device as they allow for new SIM card activations and increased ARPU from existing customers with corporate and first responder fleets while targeting new customers with a unique, dedicated PTT solution.
Our Pricing
Siyata sells its products to wireless carriers and distributors who then resell the products to their customers. For wireless carriers, they are free to price the Siyata device how they choose. In most cases for significant sales opportunities the carriers are willing to subsidize the cost of the device, or bundle the device price with the SIM card and PTT service in order to secure the new activations with the associated monthly Average Revenue Per User, or ARPU.
Even our unsubsidized full Manufacturers Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP’s) are competitive compared to other LMR hardware solutions, but when our device price is subsidized or bundled, the capital and operational expense benefits to customers compared to other solutions are even greater.
Competition
Rugged Handsets Category
Our direct competitors include Sonim Technologies, Kyocera, and one ruggedized model from Samsung. These competitors also target sales of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) solutions through wireless carriers in North America and internationally. None of these competitors offer a unique solution like our SD7 Handset which focuses on a simple upgrade from two-way radios, nor do they offer an equivalent to our VK7 Vehicle Kit. These direct competitors focus on more expensive ruggedized Smartphones.
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Indirectly, we compete with low-cost Push-to-Talk over Cellular devices designed and developed by various Chinese companies including Telo, Inrico, and others. These products are not approved for sale by North America wireless carriers due to lower overall device specifications which do not meet requirements of North American wireless carriers. These devices are mostly sold in international markets to highly price sensitive customers.
Indirectly, we also compete with traditional two-way LMR radios, also known as “portables” that are carried or worn on a belt and used for PTT communications. These are sold by a small number of large LMR vendors who sell directly to large first responder organizations and to large enterprise customers. They also sell through dealers and distributors to small and medium-sized commercial customers. These products are generally not sold through wireless carriers in North America or internationally. The government and enterprise customers that they target are now often considering the alternative of Push-to-Talk over Cellular since customers do not need to purchase repeaters and towers nor any government licensing for the frequencies that they use. Also, Push-to-Talk over Cellular provides much wider-area coverage, and these PoC solutions tend to be less expensive than traditional LMR radios both to purchase the PoC hardware such as the Siyata SD7 Handset, as well as to subscribe to monthly PoC service from a wireless carrier.
In-Vehicle Category
None of our competitors offer a vehicle kit like the Siyata VK7 Vehicle Kit which transforms the SD7 Handset into a robust In-Vehicle solution with loud audio, and simple PTT communication while in their vehicle. Also, we do not believe that we have any direct competitors within the in-vehicle market category in North America that provide a dedicated cellular based device for commercial and first responder vehicles, and we believe that no other company offers an In-Vehicle IoT device that is approved for sale in North America by wireless carriers.
We have several indirect competitors. Firstly, customers could choose a handheld phone along with a professionally installed third party car kit. There are car kit providers who attempt to make their car kits compatible with popular handheld phone models. By comparison, our In-Vehicle solutions offer enhanced audio quality, safety, and reception. Our In-Vehicle solutions are always active and can be used in temperature extremes. Furthermore, our In-Vehicle solutions are a complete solution from one supplier, as opposed to buying separately from two different companies and assembling a phone and a car kit that offers no proven compatibility.
Our second group of indirect competitors are rugged tablets that can be placed in a mount. Our In-Vehicle solutions offer better audio quality, better safety, better cellular reception, which are always on and ready to be used. Also, compared to a tablet, the UV350 can also make cellular calls including emergency 911 calls whereas the tablet cannot as it is a data only device.
Our third group of indirect competitors are In-Vehicle Two-way LMR Radios also knows as “mobiles”. Not only can the UV350 make phone calls which the LMR radio cannot, but our In-Vehicle solutions offer much better coverage due to using the cellular network as opposed to a limited two-way radio network. And the UV350 can support downloadable Android apps and can serve as a modem for IoT devices and as a Wi-Fi hotspot for further connectivity options and more.
Our fourth group of indirect competition is a leading global LMR vendor who offers an In-Vehicle device which is a Push to Talk over Cellular device, compatible only with its own OEM’s PTT application, and as it is not a smartphone based device so it does not offer any downloadable apps (fleet management, GPS tracking, live video feed, etc.) nor the ability to make a phone call over the wireless network. This LMR vendor sells the In-Vehicle device directly to customers and through its dealer channel, but not through wireless carriers.
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Cellular Boosters Category
Within the Cellular Booster category, we have several direct competitors, including Wilson Electronics, LLC, Nextivity Inc., and SureCall Company.
Intellectual Property
We own two patents that we acquired from ClearRF, as discussed below, and we have entered into several licensing agreements for the use of a trademark and certain patents.
Uniden America Corporation
In December 2012, Signifi Mobile, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a license agreement with Uniden America Corporation, as amended (the “Uniden Agreement”). The Uniden Agreement provides for the Company to use the trademark “Uniden®”, along with associated designs and trade dress to distribute, market and sell its In-Vehicle device, cellular signal booster and accessories during its term in North America. The agreement includes renewal options up to December 31, 2031 and is subject to certain minimum royalties.
Wilson Electronics LLC
Effective January 1, 2018, Signifi Mobile Inc., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with Wilson Electronics, LLC to permit the Company to utilize several of Wilson Electronics’ patents related to cellphone boosters (the “Wilson Agreement”). The Wilson Agreement grants the Company an indefinite right to utilize its cellphone booster-related patents in exchange for paying Wilson Electronics, LLC a royalty fee for boosters sold by the Company. The Wilson Agreement remains in force until the Wilson patents on the Booster products expire.
Via Licensing Corporation
Effective June 8, 2018, the Company entered into two separate licensing agreements with Via Licensing Corporation to utilize worldwide patents related to the coding and decoding of “android” software as well as access and download within the “LTE/ 4G” network. This patent is for an initial period of 5 years and can be extended for a further 5-year term. The Company has the right at any time during the term on any extension hereof, to terminate these agreements upon providing 60 days advanced notice of termination. The quarterly royalty fees are based solely on product sales and is a percentage formula based upon the number of units sold, the country manufactured and the country location of the end customer. There are no minimum royalty fees payable according to the agreement.
eWave Mobile Ltd.
Effective October 1, 2017, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with eWave Mobile Ltd., or eWave, for the purchase of certain distribution rights and contracts in connection with the right to sell and distribute in Israel certain cellular devices for the push to talk market, or the eWave Supplies, in exchange for $700,000 in cash and issued shares of common stock of the Company equal to $700,000. Additionally, we shall pay eWave 50% of up to $1,500,000 in net profit that we earn from sales related to the eWave Suppliers, and 25% thereafter of the net profit exceeding $1,500,000.
Clear RF, LLC
On March 31, 2021, the Company’s indirectly and wholly-owned subsidiary ClearRF Nevada Inc. acquired all of the issued and outstanding interests of Clear RF, LLC, or ClearRF, a Washington State limited liability company, for a total purchase price of US$700,000 in a combination of cash and Common Shares. ClearRF produces M2M (machine-to-machine) cellular amplifiers for commercial and industrial M2M applications and offers patented direct connect cellular amplifiers and patented auto gain & oscillation control designed for M2M and “internet-of-things.” Or IoT, applications. Two patents (described below) held by ClearRF were subsequently transferred and assigned to ClearRF Nevada following the closing of this acquisition.
| i. | RF Passive Bypass technology enables tethered devices to communicate through the amplifier network, even if the amplifier loses power, or when the signal is not required, a key differentiator amongst competitors, in particular for mission-critical applications and first responder vehicles that require constant clear cellular coverage and connectivity. |
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| ii. | Auto Gain & Oscillation Control detects the level of incoming signal strength and self-adjusts output power to ensure maximum signal strength. This feature is vital for telematics (mobile) M2M applications because the amplifier will be in constant motion and will require periodic self-adjustment based on changing incoming signal environment. |
Seasonality
We do not experience any effects of seasonality it our business. Our products are designed to function at full capacity under all weather conditions and therefore, we do not experience any shifts in our sales patterns.
| C. | Organizational Structure |
Our subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| Name of Subsidiary | Principal Activities | Place of Incorporation | Ownership | ||||
| Queensgate Resources Corp | Inactive | British Columbia, Canada | 100 | % | |||
| Queensgate Resources US Corp | Inactive | Nevada, USA | 100 | % | |||
| Siyata Mobile (Canada) Inc. | Inactive | British Columbia, Canada | 100 | % | |||
| Siyata Mobile Israel Ltd. | R&D and wholesale distribution | Israel | 100 | % | |||
| Signifi Mobile Inc. | Wholesale distribution | Quebec, Canada | 100 | % | |||
| ClearRf Nevada Ltd. | Inactive | Nevada, USA | 100 | % | |||
| ClearRF LLC | Inactive | Washington, USA | 100 | % | |||
| Siyata PTT | Inactive | Cayman Islands | 100 | % |
| D. | Property, Plant and Equipment |
Our warehouse and Canadian sales headquarters are located at 1751 Richardson Street, Suite #2207, Montreal, Quebec H3K-1G6, Canada, with approximately 5,616 square feet of space. We entered into a lease agreement for its property for a 20-month term, beginning on October 1, 2022, and expiring on May 31, 2024. Under this Lease, we pay net rent of $2.00 per square foot per annum, approximately $11,232 annum, payable in monthly equal installments. Additional warehouse space was leased at 250 Ford Boulevard, town of Chateauguay, Quebec, J6J-4Z2 with approximately 2,837 square feet of space. We entered into a lease agreement for its property for a 26 month term, beginning on April 1, 2022 and expiring on May 31, 2024. Under this Lease, we pay net rent of $11.50 per square foot per annum, approximately $32,625 annum, payable in monthly equal installments.
We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet current requirements and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate any further physical expansion of operations and for any additional offices.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
| A. | Operating Results |
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that are based upon our current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to inaccurate assumptions and known or unknown risks and uncertainties, including those identified in “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and under “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this Annual Report.
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Overview
Siyata Mobile Inc. is a leading global developer of innovative cellular-based communications solutions over advanced mobile networks under the Uniden® Cellular and Siyata brands to global first responders and enterprise customers. Siyata’s three complementary product categories include in-vehicle communications solutions and rugged handheld mobile devices for first responders, enterprise customers, commercial fleet vehicles and industrial workers, and cellular amplifiers to boost the cellular signal inside homes, buildings and vehicles.
On September 25, 2020 the Company listed on the Nasdaq Capital Markets (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol SYTA for its Common Shares, and the Company’s warrants issued on September 29, 2020 at $6.85 ($4,795 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) are traded under the symbol SYTAW, and expire in five (5) years from the date of issue.
The registered and records office is located at 7404 King George Blvd, Suite- 200, Surrey, BC, V3W1N6, Canada.
Significant Highlights
The following highlights and developments for the year ended December 31, 2023:
On January 19, 2023, Siyata entered into warrant exercise agreements with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) of the Company’s common shares. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the outstanding warrants for cash, the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price from $161.00 ($0.23 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) to $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share and issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) common shares with an exercise price of $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the exercise totaled approximately $3,608,571, prior to deducting warrant inducement agent fees and offering expenses. The new warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at an exercise price of $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share and have a term of exercise equal to five years. In connection with the exercise, the Company will be required pursuant to the terms of 4,270 (2,989,130 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) of its remaining unexercised common share purchase warrants, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $161.00 ($0.23 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits). to $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits).
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On March 27, 2023, our previous independent certified public accounting firm notified us of its decision to resign as the Company’s accounting firm effective as of March 21, 2023. Marcum’s resignation as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was accepted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company as of March 21, 2023. Further to this, commencing from March 21, 2023, the Company engaged Barzily & Co. (“Barzily”) as its new independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, later expanded to and continued to December 31, 2023.
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the Company to the effect that all of the 30,045 (21,031,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) outstanding warrants exercisable at $140.00 per share ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) become exercisable immediately on a cashless-basis with their underlying shares becoming immediately tradeable. Pursuant to this, in the first week of April 2023, 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) warrants were exercised cashless in exchange for 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) common shares of the Company with 5,593 (3,915,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) cashless warrants exercised for 5,593 common shares in June 2023 for proceeds of $NIL.
On May 17, 2023, Siyata announced that KPN Royal Dutch Telecom (“KPN”) in the Netherlands are now selling the Siyata SD7 Handset.
On May 22, 2023, Siyata announced its participation in Critical Communications World tradeshow, held in Helsinki, Finland on May 23 to 25, 2023.
On June 1, 2023, Siyata announced it had received an order from an Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”) organization for $1.2 million for In-Vehicle devices and for a new product called Siyata Real Time View, an in-fleet video monitoring solution.
On June 5, 2023, Siyata announced aggregate orders of $400,000 for its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit from the verticals of healthcare, education, and construction.
On June 12, 2023, Siyata announced that Minnesota Coaches, Inc, a privately held motor coach and school bus transportation company, has taken delivery of its first order of SD7 Handsets and VK7 Vehicle Kits.
On June 14, 2023, Siyata announced a new product called the Siyata Mobile Command Center for in-field communications for EMS organizations.
On June 15, 2023, Siyata announced its participation to showcase its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit in the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association’s Annual Summer Conference in Alexandria, Minnesota on June 19 to 21, 2023.
On June 20, 2023, Siyata announced that Mobile Tornado Group Plc will offer its robust PTT application on the Siyata SD7 Handset.
On June 21, 2023, Siyata announced its participation with CrisisGo to show its Mission Critical PTT and Emergency Response Management capabilities at NASRO 2023, a National School Safety Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 28 to 29, 2023.
On June 22, 2023, Siyata announced new aggregate orders of approximately $600,000 for its Siyata SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit in the vertical markets of education, construction, and logistics.
On June 28, 2023 the Company issued 71,428 common shares (50,000,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) at $31.50 ($0.045 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share for gross proceeds of $2,250,000 before offering expenses and other expenses included in share issuance costs.
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On July 6, 2023, Siyata announced the receipt of its single largest order for SD7 Handsets of $1.4 million, to be delivered in the second half of 2023.
On July 13, 2023, the Company issued 73,500 (51,450,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) shares at $31.50 ($0.045 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share for gross proceeds of $2,315,250 before offering expenses and other expenses included in share issuance costs.
On July 18, 2023, Siyata announced it had received orders from two large North American waste management companies for its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit, and for its UV350 In-Vehicle Device.
On July 20, 2023, Siyata announced its participation in APCO 2023, which is APCO’s International Annual Conference and Expo for public safety communications officials to be held on August 6 to 9, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.
On July 25, 2023, Siyata names public safety advocate and Business Development executive Doug Clark, formerly from AT&T FirstNet, as its new Assistant Vice President, Sales and Marketing.
On August 3, 2023, the Company authorized the creation of an unlimited number of class “A” preferred shares and Class “B” preferred shares.
On August 9, 2023, we effectuated a 1 for 100 share consolidation of our authorized share capital, such that every 100 common shares, no par value, in the authorized share capital of the Company was consolidated into 1 common share, no par value (the “August Reverse Split”).
On August 10, 2023, the Company announced the appointment of Gary Herman to its Board of Directors.
On August 14, 2023, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2023.
On August 24, 2023, the Company announced that it regained compliance with Nasdaq minimum bid price requirements.
On August 30, 2023, the Company announced it would present at H. C. Wainwright’s 25th Annual Global Investment Conference.
On September 6, 2023, the Company announced it had received an order from a global provider of healthcare and emergency services for its SD7 PTT Handset and its VK7 Vehicle Kit.
On September 18, 2023, the Company announced it had received a follow-on order for its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kits from a large North American waste management provider.
On October 2, 2023, the Company announced that Consort Digital from India, a leading provider of mission critical communications, will sell SD7 Handsets with its MCX ONE Push-to-Talk application.
On October 4, 2023, the Company announced it had received an order for its Hero Series Cellular Boosters from the U.S. Federal Government.
On October 9, 2023, the Company announced its participation in the Virtual Tech Conference Series: Exploring All Corners of the Tech Sector, presented by Maxim Group LLC on Tuesday, October 10th & Wednesday, October 11th.
On October 11, 2023 the Company entered into an agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts in the amount of $1,152,000. The Company received $760,000 which represents a payment of $800,000 net of a transaction fee of $40,000. This sale was payable in equal weekly payments of $41,142.86 for 28 weeks accruing interest at 3.1% per week. The weekly payment amount is intended to represent 15% of the Company’s future sales. The company made 8 payments of $41,142.86 each for a total of $329,142 between October 17, 2023 and December 5, 2023 inclusive. On December 6, the Company reached an agreement with the purchaser, converting the remaining balance of $822,858 into a new agreement. The Company recorded $392,000 of interest and transaction fees in respect of this agreement.
On October 24, 2023, the Company announced it is partnering with Synch Communication to provide essential communication solutions for first responders in Israel. Siyata’s handsets are being equipped with Synch’s application for Push-to-Talk communication, and for command and control capabilities.
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On October 31, 2023, the Company closed an equity offering at a price of $4.55 per share ($0.65 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) of 267,143 common shares (1,870,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $1,215,500 and for a purchase price of $4.48 per warrant ($0.64 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) to purchase 75,714 pre-funded warrants to purchase 75,714 common shares (530,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $339,200. Total offering gross proceeds received of $1,554,700 prior to share issuance costs. The Company allocated the gross proceeds firstly to the warrant liabilities, with the remainder to the common shares. Direct costs have been allocated based on the percentage allocation of the proceeds.
On November 1, 2023, 25,714 of the prefunded warrants (180,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) were exercised. In lieu of the warrant holders paying the $0.07 ($0.01 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) to exercise the option of these warrants, the warrant holder chose the cashless exercise option and received 177,313 common shares (25,330 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split).
On November 1, 2023, the Company announced it had received an order for $750,000 for the Company’s Push-to-Talk handsets combined with Synch Communication command and control solutions, for first responders in Israel.
On November 13, 2023, the Company announced that it would host a call to discuss its third quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday November 16, 2023.
On November 15, 2023, the Company announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2023.
On November 20, 2023, the Company announced a Thanksgiving message from its CEO, Marc Seelenfreund.
On November 27, 2023, the Company announced it had received a purchase order for its SD7 Handsets and VK7 Vehicle Kits from a new vertical market, specifically a reseller to mining companies using private LTE systems at their mining site.
On December 4, 2023, we effectuated a 1 for 7 share consolidation of our authorized share capital, such that every 100 common shares, no par value, in the authorized share capital of the Company was consolidated into 1 common share, no par value (the “December Reverse Split”). This was primarily intended to bring the Company into compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement to maintain its listing on Nasdaq.
On December 6, 2023, the Company entered into a new agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts with the same purchaser in the amount of $2,268,000. The Company received $677,142 which represents a payment of $752,142 net of $75,000 of transaction fees. The remaining $822,858 balance of the original agreement and the $752,142 payment from the new agreement total a principal amount of $1,575,000. The new balance of $1,575,000 is repayable in weekly repayments of $81,000 per week for 28 weeks, accruing interest at the rate of 3.1% per week, for a total repayment of $2,268,000. The weekly payment amount is intended to represent 15% of the Company’s future sales.
On December 7, 2023, the Company announced new purchase orders of $900,000 from existing international defense and EMS customers for the UV350 In-Vehicle Device, and its PTT Handsets
On December 12, 2023, 12,977 prefunded warrants (90,839 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) of the 50,000 prefunded warrants (350,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split)) owned by Lind Partners were exercised by paying $0.07 per warrant (($0.01 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split).
On December 20, 2023, the Company announced it had received an order for its SD7 Handsets and accessories from a top-ranked university in the Midwest U.S., its first order from a higher education institution
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The following highlights and developments for the year ended December 31, 2022:
On January 6, 2022, we priced our underwritten public offering of 8,695,652 Common Shares (or pre-funded warrants to purchase Common Shares in lieu thereof) and accompanying warrants to purchase up to 8,695,652 Common Shares. Each Common Share (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) was sold together with one Common Share purchase warrant at a combined effective offering price of $2.30. The Company also granted the underwriter an option to purchase up to an additional 1,304,347 Common Shares and an additional 1,304,347 warrants.
On January 18, 2022, we announced that we entered into a new distribution agreement with U.S.-based TESSCO Technologies Incorporated, a leading value-added distributor of wireless communications products for network infrastructure, site support, and fixed and mobile broadband networks. Sales through this distribution agreement are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022.
On February 2, 2022, we announced that Goosetown Communications a division of Goosetown Enterprises, Inc., will introduce the Siyata SD7 device with its Push-to-Talk over Cellular service TeamConnect®.
On February 7, 2022, we announced that we had received $750,000 in purchase orders from an emergency medical service provider and an international defense contractor both located in the European, Middle Eastern and African region with its handheld rugged Push-to-Talk devices.
On February 15, 2022, we announced that at our Annual General Meeting, our shareholders fixed the number of directors at five, approved the nominees of the Board of Directors, approved the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year, approved the Company’s amended and restated Equity Incentive Plan and approved the Lind financing.
On May 3, 2022, we announced that our SD7 push to talk over cellular device was certified and approved for use on FirstNet®, the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety.
On June 7, 2022, we announced that Verizon Communications Inc., the largest mobile cellular telephone operator in the U.S. by total retail connections, agreed to fully integrate our rugged SD7 device into their network.
On June 27, 2022, we announced that our SD7 rugged device first became commercially available on and will be sold through the FirstNet® network and to AT&T Inc.’s enterprise channels.
On July 13, 2022, we announced that Logic Wireless Europe Ltd. a leading distributor of business-critical communication solutions across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, agreed to introduce the Siyata SD7 rugged PoC device integrated with ChatterPTT.
On July 14, 2022, we announced that we launched a new product, a Siyata High Power User Equipment antenna, in conjunction with Assured Wireless Corporation.
On July 18, 2022, we announced that we signed an agreement with Spain’s Wireless Zeta Telecomunicaciones, S.L., or Azetti, to offer the Company’s SD7 rugged mission-critical push-to-talk device through Azetti’s existing enterprise sales channels.
On July 26, 2022, we announced our SD7 rugged mission-critical push-to-talk device became available for customers who need the integrated industry-leading PTT solutions from TASSTA, a global MCPTT software provider and end-to-end solution for critical communications.
On July 28, 2022, we announced that our SD7 rugged push-to-talk over cellular devices were used to provide critical emergency communications services for the World Athletics Championships “Oregon22” summer games.
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On September 1, 2022, we announced that we had received a notification letter dated August 26, 2022 from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq, notifying us that we were currently not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), resulting from the fact that the closing bid price of the Company’s Common Shares were below $1.00 per share for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company was given a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until February 22, 2023 (the “Compliance Period”), to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. The Company did not regain compliance with the minimum $1.00 bid price per share requirement during the first 180-calendar-day Compliance Period and submitted a written request to the Nasdaq to afford it an additional 180-day compliance period to cure the deficiency.
On September 8, 2022, we announced that our SD7 rugged mission-critical push-to-talk device became able to be integrated with CrisisGo Inc.’s Panic App, giving teachers instant access to first responders with a single push of a button.
On September 22, 2022, we announced that we received a purchase order from a federal government contractor who will provide Uniden® cellular booster kits and accessories to the U.S. Navy.
On October 26, 2022, we announced that its SD7+ ruggedized handset would soon be powered with Visual Labs Inc.’s innovative body camera software, eliminating the need for users to carry two separate devices (a communication device and a body camera), creating an ideal upgrade solution from legacy land mobile radio technologies or proprietary stand-alone body cameras.
On October 31, 2022, we announced that we hired telecom industry veteran Dan Leech to join the Company’s sales team.
On November 16, 2022, we announced that Bell Mobility Inc., a leading wireless operator in Canada with more than 10 million subscribers and a division of Bell Canada, agreed to launch Siyata’s rugged SD7 device onto their network in the fourth quarter 2022.
On December 6, 2022, we announced that we added DCS 2 Way Radio Ltd. doing business as RadioTrader, the UK’s and Ireland’s premier two-way radio supplier, as a distributor of our SD7 ruggedized, mission critical PoC device and VK7 vehicle kit accessary in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Outlook
Siyata has laid the foundation for greater distribution with expanded partnerships, key new sale hires, and expanded product offerings into North America. Siyata is hopeful that this momentum will continue throughout 2024, in particular, as it leverages its key sales channels, and with its expanded and refreshed product offerings.
Subsequent Events
On January 22, 2024, we issued a press release announcing that CTS Mobility, LTD, a recognized leader in the mobile communications space, is now a distributor of Siyata’s mission-critical PoC (MCPTT) SD7 solution and its broad range of accessories.
On January 22, 2024, the Company entered into a new agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts in the amount of $339,813, that is repayable in equal consecutive 28 weekly instalments of $17,476.11 each including principal and interest.
On January 29, 2024, we issued a press release announcing that we are providing our SD7 handsets for use at the 2024 Special Olympics. The Company partnered with ESChat, a provider of broadband Push-to-Talk (PTT) services, to provide secure PTT communications for event personnel and volunteers.
On January 29, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor (“Investor”), pursuant to which we issued to the Investor an unsecured promissory note in the principal amount of $230,750 (the “Note”). The net proceeds received by the Company were $195,000, after deducting an original issue discount in the amount of $30,750 and $5,000 for the Investor’s legal and diligence expenses. This loan is repayable in equal consecutive 10 monthly instalments of $27,690 each including interest.
On February 6, 2024, we issued a press release announcing that we have expanded our alliance with Hyperion Partners (“Hyperion”), an industry-leading mobility primary agent and T-Mobile business partner, to include distribution of the Company’s mission critical PoC (MCPTT) SD7 handsets and accessories.
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On February 22, 2024, we issued a press release announcing that we had received a purchase order for 1,000 units of our UV350 all-in-one in vehicle fleet communication devices from an international EMS provider.
On March 5, 2024, the Company republished a press release from USCellular that they have teamed with the Company to create a Push-to-Talk bundle for public safety, hospitality, transportation, education, utilities, and logistics, using the Company’s SD7 Handset and accessories.
On March 11, 2024, the Company announced it will showcase its product portfolio at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) 2024 in partnership with Verizon at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL on March 27-28, 2024.
On March 21, 2024, the Company entered into a new agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts with the same purchaser in the amount of $2,000,000. The Company received $$401,142 which represents a payment of $521,143 net of $120,000 of transaction fees. The remaining $1,478,857 balance of the original agreement and the $521,143 payment from the new agreement total a principal amount of $2,000,000. The new balance of $2,000,000 is repayable in weekly repayments of $100,000 per week for 29 weeks, accruing interest at the rate of 3.1% per week, for a total repayment of $2,900,000. The weekly payment amount is intended to represent 15% of the Company’s future sales.
See also Item 4. A. “Information on the Company – History and Development of the Company.”
Summary Of Quarterly Results
The following unaudited table sets out selected financial information for the Company on a consolidated basis for the last eight most recently completed quarters.
| Quarter Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss for the period | $ | (3,867,005 | ) | $ | (1,855,173 | ) | $ | (2,331,617 | ) | $ | (4,877,999 | ) | $ | (6,588,309 | ) | $ | (527,948 | ) | $ | (4,304,088 | ) | $ | (3,881,906 | ) | ||||||||
| Comprehensive loss for the period | (3,867,005 | ) | (1,855,173 | ) | (2,331,617 | ) | (4,877,999 | ) | (6,592,329 | ) | (390,838 | ) | (4,278,102 | ) | (3,900,483 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss per share | $ | (8.34 | ) | $ | (7.25 | ) | $ | (21.11 | ) | $ | (57.76 | ) | $ | (116.08 | ) | $ | (16.54 | ) | $ | (204.62 | ) | $ | (210.40 | ) | ||||||||
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
The following is an analysis of the Company’s operating results for the year ended December 31, 2023, and includes a comparison against the year ended December 31, 2022.
Operations:
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023, were $8,233,301 compared to $6,481,910 for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase year over year of $1,751,391 (27.0% of revenues) is mainly due to a 53.5% increase in the sale of rugged devices (maturation of the SD7 product line) by $2,085,934 offset by a $334,543 (13.1% decrease) in the sale of boosters.
Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $5,575,372 compared to $5,092,011 in 2022. The gross margin dollars for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $2,657,929 (32.3% of sales) and $1,389,899 (21.4% of sales) respectively, a positive variance in gross margin by $1,268,030 (10.8% increase in gross margin percentage). This relates to the sale of sale of rugged and in-vehicle cellular devices at stronger margins and the booster sales increase in consumer sales at higher margins compared to booster retail and industrial sales at lower margins.
Amortization and depreciation costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $1,754.957 and $1,142,165, respectively, a negative variance of $612,792. This negative variance is due to the intangible asset amortization that began for the SD7 (that began being amortized as of Q2 2022) and the VK7 (that was only amortized in 2023) in 2023 negative variance of $733,295 offset by additional amortization of equipment in the year of $14,533 offset by the additional amortization in 2022 over 2023 of $93,528 related to the Clear RF supplier relationship and the decrease in amortization of the right of use assets in 2023 over 2022 of $12,442.
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Development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $578,356 and $339,828, respectively. This negative variance is due to the discontinued capitalization of costs related to the SD7+ that did not meet the criteria for capitalization in 2023 whereas in 2022 most of the product development costs related to SD7 costs not capitalized.
Selling and marketing costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, were $4,784,994 and $4,723,309, respectively. This negative variance of $61,685 is due mainly to the increase in U.S. sales team headcount of $742,000 offset by a decrease in promotional costs mostly related to the booster business of $710,000 and the decrease in travel expense of $12,241.
General and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $6,080,014 and $7,435,016, respectively. This positive variance of $1,355,002 (18.2%) relates mainly to the decrease in professional services costs of $469,000 related to the decrease in fees for U.S. securities attorneys in the amount of $14,659, the decrease in total audit fees by $433,000, the decrease in annual PCAOB audit preparation costs of $484,299, offset by the increase in professional consulting fees in the year due to the fess for the factoring facility of $250,000 and the increase in other administrative professional fees of $168,000, a decrease in office and general expenses of $712,000 due to a decrease in Director and officers liability insurance of $558,125 and a drop in general insurance of $35,673 and a decrease in other office in general expenses of $118,202 related to the prior year moving and renting temporary space for warehouses space in Israel, increase of $42,000 in salaries expense related to additional employees, decrease in investor relations costs of $319.000 in 2023 due to streamlining U.S. investor relation firms for 2023, the decrease of $72,000 in travel costs, the decrease in consulting and director’s fees of $40,000 all of which is offset by an increase in regulatory and filing fees of $202,000 related to increased fees for filing various legal requirements.
Loss (gain) on valuation of inventory for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was negative $161,450 and positive $813,205 in 2022, relates to the amount of legacy products in inventory has diminished substantially so that the prior year end inventory consists of new products at the beginning of their life cycles in 2023. Additional inventory Income of $834,713 versus loss of $519,764 related to the gross proceeds from insurance of $454,636 plus the reversal of prior years inventory written off that was deemed to be saleable by a detailed investigation by the insurer in the amount of $380,077 as compared to the water damaged inventory in the year ended December 31, 2022 of $519,464 plus an additional $25,203 of losses in the flood due to leasehold improvement and equipment damaged was also recorded.
Bad debts for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $47,526 versus $86,103 in 2022, a positive variance of $38,577.
Share-based compensation costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $930,564 versus $2,888,704 in 2022, a positive variance of $1,58,140. The decrease in share-based compensation relates to the valuation of stock options vested during the period due to the issuance in 2022 of 3,195,000 Restricted share units and 1,145,000 stock options to employees, management and directors in 2022 which did not occur in 2023.
Finance expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $841,815 compared to an expense of $181,413 in 2022, a negative variance of $660,402. This variance consists of the increase in finance fees and related interest expenses on the factoring facility and the Sale of future receipts as more fully described in Notes 8 and 9.
Foreign exchange loss (gain) for the year ended December 31, 2023 was a gain of $49,258 versus an expense of $586,794, a positive variance of $636,052. This variance resulted from foreign currency fluctuations in the period.
Transaction costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $99,529 versus $1,398,598 in 2022, a positive variance of $1,299,069, as in 2022 transaction cost related to share issuance incurred on the two equity raises undertaken in the year, which were allocated to the warrant liability and expensed when incurred whereas in 2023, the transaction costs relate solely to a small raise in October 2023 that resulted in only a $99,529 transaction fee allocation.
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Change in fair value of the convertible promissory note for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $Nil compared to a loss of $4,794,710 in 2022. In 2022, this resulted from both the repricing of the convertible feature of the promissory note when other capital raises reduced the convertible price and due to the full repayment of the promissory note via the issuance of share capital whose formula in the agreement between the parties required between 80%-90% of the lowest 5-day VWAP in a thirty day period which resulted in a significant fair value loss in the year.
Change in fair value of the warrant liability for the year ended December 31, 2023 in the amount of a loss of $1,517,389 versus a gain of $8,245,662 in 2022 relates to the change in fair value that is recorded as profit in loss on the financial liability derivatives as outlined in Note 11 During the year ended December 31, 2022 additional warrants were issued which met the definition of a liability.
Net loss for the year
The Company experienced a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $12,931,794 as compared to a net loss of $15,299,251 in the prior year, a positive variance of $2,367,457. This positive variance was mainly due to gain on valuation of inventory of $974,655 which was increased by an increased gain on inventory/fixed assets due to water damage of $1,379,680, decrease in G&A expenses of $1,355,002, decrease in foreign exchange of $636,052, decrease in bad debt expense by $38,577, decrease in share-based payments of $1,958,140, offset by increase in selling expenses of $61,685, increase in amortization of $612,792, a decrease in transaction costs of $1,299,069, an increase in the fair value loss on financial derivatives of $4,968,341, increase in development expense of $238,528, and an increase in finance expenses of $660,402,
Loss and comprehensive loss for the period
As a result of the activities discussed above, the Company experienced a comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $12,931,794 versus $15,161,642 in the prior year, representing a positive variance of $2,229,848.
Adjusted EBITDA
For the year ended December 31, 2023 the adjusted EBITDA is negative $7,836,798 versus negative $12,552,529 in the prior year, a positive variance of $4,715,741. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as the net operating loss excluding depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expense. It is a non-IFRS calculation that should be compared to our audited financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
| B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
The Company’s objective in managing liquidity risk is to maintain sufficient liquidity in order to meet operational and investing requirements at any point in time. The Company has historically financed its operations primarily through a combination of demand loans and the sale of share capital by way of private placements.
As at December 31, 2023 the Company had a cash balance $898,771 (December 31, 2022 - $1,913,742). The Company had an accumulated deficit of $90,750,457 (December 31, 2022 - $77,818,663) and working capital of $1,283,021 (December 31, 2022 - $1,643,434).
Net cash flows related to operating activities used in the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were negative ($8,343,668) and negative ($13,852,980), respectively. The decrease in cash used of $5,509,312 was primarily due to decrease in change in working capital items of $2,919,836 as well as a change in net loss for the year of $ 2,367,457.
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The non-cash working capital variances consisting of decrease in trade and other receivables of $462,149, decrease in prepaids of $163,069, increase in inventory of $4,192,188, an increase in advances to suppliers of $1,206,690, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $393,705 and a decrease in deferred revenue of $297,175.
Net cash flows used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were negative ($2,274,797) and negative ($3,562,005), respectively, with a positive variance of $1,287,208. This variance relates primarily to increases in intangible asset additions of $1,134,802, offset by the repayment of the long-term receivable of $17,982, and the decrease in fixed asset additions of $10,483 and the increase of $159,905 due to the payment of final balance owing on the acquisition of ClearRF.
Net cash flows from financing activities in the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $9,602,586 and $17,566,006. This negative variance of $7,963,420 relates to decrease in net proceeds of share capital raises after share issuance costs of $17,046,737, and the increase in loans of $1,584,356, lease payments increase of $47,660, and long-term debt repayment in the prior year of $4,000,000 and the increase in the exercise of warrants of $3,546,621.
The future success of the Company is dependent on the continued success of its vehicle mounted communications products, its mobile rugged phones and its booster products together with the ability to finance the necessary working capital, at agreeable terms, to support the growth of the business.
The Company’s consolidated audited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS under the assumption that the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business rather than a process of forced liquidation. The consolidated audited financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in existence.
SHARE CAPITAL
| (a) | Authorized | Unlimited number of Common Shares, without par value |
Unlimited number of Class “A” Preferred shares, without par value
Unlimited number of Class “B” Preferred shares, without par value
Issued and Outstanding:
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 570,462 common shares issued and outstanding (2022-44,868,560 (64,098 after the 1-00 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits).
As of the date of these financial statements, the total outstanding common shares of the Company are 570,462 common shares.
On December 4, 2023, the Company consolidated (each a “Share”) its common shares on the basis of 7 pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation share. Share amounts have been retrospectively restated to reflect the post-consolidation number of shares.
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On August 9, 2023, the Company consolidated (each a “Share”) its common shares on the basis of 100 pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation share. Share amounts have been retrospectively restated to reflect the post-consolidation number of shares.
On September 24, 2020, the Company consolidated (each a “Share”) its common shares on the basis of 145 pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation share. Share amounts have been retrospectively restated to reflect the post-consolidation number of shares.
| (b) | Common share transactions |
| ● | On January 19, 2023, we entered into warrant exercise agreements with existing accredited investors to, exercise certain outstanding warrants (the “Exercise”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 18,042,857 (25,775 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) of the Company’s common shares (the “Existing Warrants”). In consideration for the immediate exercise of the Existing Warrants for cash, the exercising holders received new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 18,042,857 (25,775 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) common shares (equal to 100% of the common shares issued in connection with the Exercise) (the “New Warrants”) in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection with the Exercise, the Company also agreed to reduce the exercise price of the Existing Warrants from $0.23 ($161.00 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) to $0.20 ($140.00 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) per share. In connection with the Exercise, the Company was also required pursuant to the terms of 2,989,130 (4,270 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) of its remaining unexercised common share purchase warrants, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $$0.23 ($161.00 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) per common share to $0.20 ($140.00 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) per common share. |
| ● | On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the Company to the effect that all of the 30,045 (21,031,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) outstanding warrants exercisable at $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share became available immediately on a cashless exercise and their underlying shares become immediately tradeable. Pursuant to this, in the first week of April 2023, 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) warrants were exercised cashless in exchange for 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) common shares of the Company with 5,593 (3,915,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) cashless warrants were exercised cashless in June 2023. |
| ● | On June 27, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) dated as of June 26, 2023 with a certain institutional investor (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell to the Purchaser and to certain additional institutional investors an aggregate 71,428 shares of our common shares (50,000,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) at $31.50 ($0.045 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share for the gross proceeds of $2,250,000, before offering expenses and other expenses included in share issuance costs. The closing of the offering occurred on June 28, 2023. |
| ● | On July 11, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors named therein (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell, in a registered direct offering (the “Offering”) 73,500 (51,450,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) of the Company’s common shares, no par value per share (the “Common Shares”), at a purchase price of $$31.50 ($0.045 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per Common Share for gross proceeds of $2,315,250 before offering expenses and other expenses included in share issuance costs. The closing of the offering occurred on July 13, 2023. |
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| ● | On October 27, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors named therein (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell, on a best-efforts basis (the “Offering”): (i) 267,143 common shares (1,870,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) of the Company’s common shares, no par value per share (the “Common Shares”) at a purchase price of $4.55 ($0.65 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) per Common Share, (ii) 75,714 pre-funded warrants (530,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) (“Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase Common Shares, at a purchase price of $4.48 per warrant ($0.64 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) per Pre-Funded Warrant, if purchasing the Pre-Funded Warrants. Total offering gross proceeds received of $1,554,700 prior to share issuance costs. The Company allocated the gross proceeds firstly to the warrant liabilities, with the remainder to the common shares. Direct costs have been allocated based on the percentage allocation of the proceeds. |
| ● | On November 1, 2023, 25,714 of the prefunded warrants (180,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) were exercised. In lieu of the warrant holders paying the $0.07 ($0.01 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) to exercise the option of these warrants, the warrant holder chose the cashless exercise option and received 177,313 common shares (25,330 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split). |
| ● | On December 12, 2023, 12,977 prefunded warrants (90,839 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) of the 50,000 (350,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split)) owned by Lind Partners were exercised by paying $0.07 per warrant (($0.01 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split). |
Stock Options:
The Company has a shareholder-approved “rolling” stock option plan (the “Plan”) in compliance with Nasdaq policies. Under the Plan the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance may not exceed 15% of the total number of issued and outstanding Common Shares on a fully diluted basis at the time of granting. The exercise price of each stock option shall not be less than the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant, less a discount of up to 25%. Options can have a maximum term of ten years and typically terminate 90 days following the termination of the optionee’s employment or engagement, except in the case of retirement or death. Vesting of options is at the discretion of the Board of Directors at the time the options are granted.
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity at December 31, 2023 is as follows:
| Number of Stock Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||||
| Outstanding options, December 31, 2021 | 592 | $ | 9,716.00 | |||||
| Granted | 1,636 | 805.00 | ||||||
| Expired/Cancelled | (76 | ) | (21,630.00 | ) | ||||
| Outstanding options, December 31, 2022 | 2,152 | $ | 2,520.90 | |||||
| Granted | - | - | ||||||
| Expired/Cancelled | (22 | ) | 39,038.00 | |||||
| Outstanding options, December 31, 2023 | 2,130 | $ | 2,161.29 | |||||
Transactions from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 are as follows:
During the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company recorded share-based payments expense of $930,564 in relation to options vesting.
As of December 31, 2023 and the date of filing, stock options outstanding are as follows:
| Grant Date | Number of options outstanding | Number of options exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Expiry date | Remaining contra life (years) | |||||||||||||
| 15-Jan-19 | 1 | 1 | 37,800 | 15-Jan-24 | 0.04 | |||||||||||||
| 21-Mar-19 | 18 | 18 | 41,300 | 21-Mar-24 | 0.22 | |||||||||||||
| 1-Jan-20 | 3 | 3 | 39,038 | 1-Jan-24 | 0.00 | |||||||||||||
| 15-Nov-20 | 136 | 136 | 4,200 | 15-Nov-30 | 6.88 | |||||||||||||
| 15-Nov-20 | 231 | 231 | 4,200 | 15-Nov-25 | 1.88 | |||||||||||||
| 2-Jan-21 | 81 | 81 | 8,050 | 2-Jan-26 | 2.01 | |||||||||||||
| 2-Jan-21 | 7 | 7 | 8,050 | 2-Jan-31 | 7.01 | |||||||||||||
| 18-Jan-21 | 17 | 17 | 8,050 | 18-Jan-26 | 2.05 | |||||||||||||
| 1-Jan-22 | 29 | 29 | 2,800 | 29-Oct-26 | 2.83 | |||||||||||||
| 13-Apr-22 | 1,136 | 663 | 770 | 13-Apr-27 | 3.28 | |||||||||||||
| 12-Jul-22 | 471 | 236 | 770 | 12-Jul-25 | 1.53 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 2,130 | 1,422 | $ | 2,161 | ||||||||||||||
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Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”)
The Company approved on February 14, 2022, an amended and restated equity incentive plan which permits the issuance of restricted share units in addition to stock options.
A summary of the Company’s restricted share unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows:
| Number of RSU’s | Weighted Average Issue Price | |||||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2021 | - | $ | - | |||||
| Granted | 4,564 | 735.56 | ||||||
| Exercised | (43 | ) | (721.00 | ) | ||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2022 | 4,521 | $ | 735.14 | |||||
| Granted | - | - | ||||||
| Exercised/cancelled | (131 | ) | (770.00 | ) | ||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2023 | 4,390 | $ | 734.15 | |||||
As at December 31, 2023 restricted share units outstanding are as follows:
| Grant Date | Number of RSU’s outstanding | Number of RSU’s exercisable | Weighted Average Issue Price | |||||||||
| 9-Mar-22 | 3,212 | 2,356 | 721.00 | |||||||||
| 13-Apr-22 | 1,178 | 830 | 770.00 | |||||||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2023 | 4,390 | 3,186 | $ | 734.15 | ||||||||
Agent’s options
A summary of the Company’s agents’ options activity for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the date if filing of this Annual report is as follows:
| Weighted | ||||||||
| average | ||||||||
| Number of | exercise | |||||||
| options | price | |||||||
| Outstanding agent options, December 31, 2021 | 637 | $ | 5,257.00 | |||||
| Granted | 696 | 1,757.00 | ||||||
| Expired | (2 | ) | 14,343.00 | |||||
| Outstanding agent options, December 31, 2022 | 1,331 | $ | 3,413.14 | |||||
| Granted | 17,143 | $ | 5.01 | |||||
| Outstanding agent options, December 31, 2023 | 18,474 | $ | 250.03 | |||||
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As at December 31, 2023 and of the date of the filing of this Annual Report, agent’s options outstanding and exercisable are as follows:
| Grant Date | Number of options outstanding | Number of options exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Expiry date | Remaining contractual life (years) | |||||||||||||
| 29-Sep-20 | 162 | 162 | $ | 4,620.00 | 28-Sep-25 | 1.75 | ||||||||||||
| 29-Sep-20 | 380 | 380 | $ | 4,795.00 | 28-Sep-25 | 1.75 | ||||||||||||
| 31-Dec-20 | 92 | 92 | $ | 8,050.00 | 30-Jun-24 | 0.50 | ||||||||||||
| 11-Jan-22 | 621 | 621 | $ | 1,771.00 | 11-Jan-27 | 3.03 | ||||||||||||
| 1-Apr-22 | 76 | 76 | $ | 1,610.00 | 8-Mar-27 | 3.19 | ||||||||||||
| 31-Oct-23 | 17,143 | 0 | $ | 5.01 | 31-Oct-28 | 4.84 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 18,474 | 1,331 | 250.03 | 4.66 | ||||||||||||||
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:
On October 31, 2023, 17,143 warrants (120,000 prior to 1-for-7 reverse split), were issued to the placement agents with a strike price at 110% of the issue price of the common stock -$0.715 pre-split ($5.005 post reverse-split) on October 31, 2023. These warrants also had a cashless exercise provision. The warrants are contingently redeemable at the option of the holder upon the occurrence of any fundamental transactions as defined in the Placement Agent Common Shares Purchase Warrant Certificate. The warrants expire on October 31, 2028, with the initial exercise period commencing on April 28, 2024.
The fair value of the placement warrants are included in the transaction costs associated with the issuance. The placement warrants were fair valued using a Black-Scholes Options method.
The fair value of the placement agents warrants as at December 31, 2023 was $66,237 and was determined using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model with the following assumptions: share price $4.55 ($0.65 before 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) strike rate $5.005 ($0715 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock splits); expected volatility: 125%; dividend yield 0%; risk free rate: 4.76%.
Share Purchase Warrants:
A summary of the Company’s warrant activity is as follows:
Transactions from January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| Number of Warrants | average exercise price | |||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2021 | 7,316 | $ | 6,923.00 | |||||
| Granted | 41,627 | $ | 658.00 | |||||
| Expired | (183 | ) | $ | 23,429.00 | ||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2022 | 48,760 | $ | 1,512.55 | |||||
| Granted | 101,490 | $ | 38.90 | |||||
| Exercised | (94,513 | ) | $ | 290.40 | ||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 | 55,737 | $ | 901.62 | |||||
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As of December 31, 2023 and the date of the filing of this Annual Report, share purchase warrants outstanding and exercisable are as follows:
| Grant Date | Number of Warrants outstanding and exercisable | Exercise Price | Expiry date | |||||||
| 29-Sep-20 | 2,579 | 4,795.00 | 28-Sep-25 | |||||||
| 31-Dec-20 | 1,849 | 8,050.00 | 30-Jun-24 | |||||||
| 11-Jan-22 | 14,286 | 1,610.00 | 10-Jan-27 | |||||||
| 31-Oct-23 | 37,023 | 0.07 | 31-Oct-28 | |||||||
| Total | 55,737 | $ | 901.62 | |||||||
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
On January 19, 2023, Siyata entered into warrant exercise agreements with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) of the Company’s common shares. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the outstanding warrants for cash, the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price from $161.00 per share ($0.23 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) to $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share and issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) common shares with an exercise price of $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the exercise totaled approximately $3,608,571, prior to deducting warrant inducement agent fees and offering expenses. The new warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at an exercise price of $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) per share and have a term of five years from the date of the issuance. In connection with the exercise, the Company will be required pursuant to the terms of 4,270 (2,989,130 (before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) of its remaining unexercised common share purchase warrants, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from $161.00 ($0.23 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) to $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits).
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the Company to the effect that all of the 30,045 warrants (21,031,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) outstanding, exercisable at $1,400 per share ($0.20 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) became immediately exercisable on a cashless-basis, with their underlying shares becoming immediately tradeable. Pursuant to this, in the first week of April 2023, 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) warrants were exercised cashless in exchange for 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) common shares of the Company with 5,593 (3,915,000 before the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse splits) warrants exercised cashless in June 2023.
The Company closed an equity offering on October 31, 2023. at a price of $4.55 ($0.65 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) for the purchase of 267,143 common shares (1,870,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $1,215,500 and for a purchase price of $4.48 per pre-funded warrant ($0.64 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) on 75,714 pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares (530,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $339,200. Total offering gross proceeds received was to a total of $1,554,700, prior to share issuance costs. The Company allocated the gross proceeds firstly to the warrant liabilities, with the remainder to the common shares. Direct costs have been allocated based on the percentage allocation of the proceeds.
On November 1, 2023, 25,714 of the prefunded warrants (180,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) were exercised. In lieu of the warrant holders paying the $0.07 ($0.01 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) to exercise the option of these warrants, the warrant holder chose the cashless exercise option and received 177,313 common shares (25,330 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split).
On December 12, 2023, 12,977 prefunded warrants (90,839 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) of the 50,000 (350,000 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split) owned by Lind Partners were exercised by paying $0.07 per warrant ($0.01 before the 1-for-7 reverse stock split).
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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair Value.
The convertible promissory note is estimated at fair value using a binomial lattice model using the following inputs: stock price (Level 1 input); risk-free rates (Level 1 input); credit spread (Level 3 input); volatility (Level 3 input).
Sensitivity Analysis:
| Type | Valuation Technique | Key Inputs | Inter-relationship between significant inputs and fair value measurement | |||
| Warrant Liability | The fair value of the warrant liability has been calculated using a Black Scholes Option methodology. | Key observable inputs
● Share price December 31, 2023: $4.21 (December 31, 2022: $105.00)
● Risk-free interest rate 3.97% (December 31, 2023: 3.1%)
● Dividend yield December 31, 2023 and 2022-0%
● Volatility Yield 135.9% (December 31, 202:100.0%) |
The estimated fair value would increase (decrease) if:
● The share price was higher (lower)
● The risk-free interest rate was higher (lower)
● The dividend yield was lower (higher)
● The volatility spread was lower (higher) |
The fair values of the Company’s cash, trade and other receivables, bank loan, loan payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and long-term debt, approximate carrying value, which is the amount recorded on the consolidated statement of financial position.
The Company is exposed to varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks:
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company places its cash with institutions of high credit worthiness. Management has assessed there to be a low level of credit risk associated with its cash balances.
The Company’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. However, management also considers the demographics of the Company’s customer base, including the default risk of the industry and country in which customers operate, as these factors may have an influence on credit risk. Approximately 30% of the Company’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 (2021 -24%) is attributable to sales transactions with a single customer.
The Company has established a credit policy under which each new customer is analyzed individually for creditworthiness before the Company’s standard payment and delivery terms and conditions are offered. The Company’s review includes external ratings, when available, and in some cases bank references. Purchase limits are established for each customer, which represents the maximum open amount without requiring approval from the Risk Management Committee; these limits are reviewed quarterly. Certain key customers were offered extended payment terms on their purchases due to slow down from Covid-19 and budget approvals for government tenders. As a result, the Company had customers with overdue receivables on their books which resulted in the Company taking a bad debt provision on these overdue receivables which amounted to $0 (2022-$1,056,393).
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More than 50% of the Company’s customers have been active with the Company for over four years, and the allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 (2022-$1,056,393) in impairment loss has been recognized against these customers. In monitoring customer credit risk, customers are grouped according to their credit characteristics, including whether they are an individual or legal entity, whether they are a wholesale, retail or end-user customer, geographic location, industry, aging profile, maturity, and the existence of previous financial difficulties. Trade and other receivables relate mainly to the Company’s wholesale customers. Customers that are graded as “high risk” are placed on a restricted customer list and monitored by the Company.
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure, notwithstanding the carrying amount of security or any other credit enhancements.
The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was as follows:
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| EMEA | $ | 134 | $ | 637 | ||||
| North America | 1,047 | 938 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 1,181 | $ | 1,575 | ||||
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Company’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation.
The Company examines current forecasts of its liquidity requirements so as to make certain that there is sufficient cash for its operating needs, and it is careful at all times to have enough unused credit facilities so that the Company does not exceed its credit limits and is in compliance with its financial covenants (if any). These forecasts take into consideration matters such as the Company’s plan to use debt for financing its activity, compliance with required financial covenants, compliance with certain liquidity ratios, and compliance with external requirements such as laws or regulation.
The Company uses activity-based costing to cost its products and services, which assists it in monitoring cash flow requirements and optimizing its cash return on investments. Typically, the Company ensures that it has sufficient cash on demand to meet expected operational expenses for a period of 90 days, including the servicing of financial obligations; this excludes the potential impact of extreme circumstances that cannot reasonably be predicted, such as natural disasters.
The Company has a factoring agreement with external funding (Note 6) and a loan payable (Note 7).that requires payments of principal and interest and may have material consequences in the event of default.
With the exception of employee benefits, the Company’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities have contractual terms of 90 days. The employment benefits included in accrued liabilities have variable maturities within the coming year.
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Market risk
| a) | Currency Risk |
Currency risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The functional currency of the Company is the USD as of October 1, 2020 as discussed in Note 2. As at December 31, 2022 the Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk with respect to financial instruments is as follows:
| (in USD thousand $) | USD | NIS | CAD | Total | ||||||||||||
| Financial assets and financial liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash | 462 | 325 | 112 | 899 | ||||||||||||
| Trade receivables | 627 | 120 | 434 | 1,181 | ||||||||||||
| Advances to suppliers | 1,048 | - | - | 1,048 | ||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Bank Loan | (89 | ) | - | - | (89 | ) | ||||||||||
| Loans payable | (1,468 | ) | - | - | (1,468 | ) | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (1,701 | ) | (1,601 | ) | (147 | ) | (3,449 | ) | ||||||||
| Warrant liability | (156 | ) | - | - | (156 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | (1,277 | ) | $ | (1,156 | ) | $ | 399 | $ | (2,034 | ) | |||||
| 10% fluctuation in exchange rate | $ | (128 | ) | $ | (116 | ) | $ | 40 | $ | (203 | ) | |||||
| a) | Interest Rate Risk |
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in interest rates. The Company’s sensitively to interest rates is currently immaterial as the Company’s debt bears interest at fixed rates.
| b) | Price Risk |
The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to equity prices. Equity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Company’s earnings due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market. The Company closely monitors individual equity movements, and the stock market to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company.
| C. | Research and development, patents and licenses, etc. |
Research and development
The Company undertakes research activities that present the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, and the Company’s development activities involve a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products and processes. The Company conducts its own research and development with its internal engineering teams in Israel and complements that effort with subcontractors for both its hardware and software development. The Company analyzes market trends, evaluates emerging wireless technologies, and innovates to address anticipated customer needs.
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Patents
The Company owns two patents that it acquired from Clear RF and the Corporation has entered into several licensing agreements for the use of a trademark and certain patents.
In March 2021, the Corporation, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Signifi Mobile Inc., the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, also acquired all of the outstanding units of Clear RF LLC (“ClearRF”), a Washington State limited liability company, for a total purchase price of $700,000. The purchase price which was satisfied by the issuance of approximately $389,970 in Common Shares and a payment of $310,030 in cash. ClearRF produces M2M (machine-to-machine) cellular amplifiers for commercial and industrial M2M applications, and offers patented direct connect cellular amplifiers and patented auto gain & oscillation control designed for M2M and “internet-of-things” (“IoT”) applications. ClearRF’s flagship product is a 4G LTE direct connect cellular amplifier designed specifically for fixed and mobile M2M and IoT applications, used to connect directly to any cellular router, modem, embedded module, or alarm panel.
Licensing Agreements
Licensing Agreement with Uniden® America Corp
In December 2012, Signifi Mobile Inc., the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a license agreement (as amended, the “Uniden Agreement”) with Uniden America Corporation (“Uniden”). The Uniden Agreement includes renewal options up to December 31,2022, and has been successively renewed to date.
The Uniden Agreement, as in effect currently, provides the Corporation with the exclusive right to use the trademark “Uniden®” (along with associated designs and trade dress) and distribute, market, and sell its in-vehicle device, cellular signal booster and accessories under the Uniden® brand in the categories of cellular amplifiers, connected vehicle cellular devices, and rugged cellular products, during its term in North America. The Uniden® brand brings strong brand recognition for the Corporation’s devices and introduces a more unified brand to the current dealers, operators, and future customers in North America.
The current Uniden Agreement which commenced on January 1, 2020, and expires on December 31, 2031. Minimum annual payments under the Uniden Agreement are $200,000 in 2023-2025 and $250,000 in each of 2026-2028 and $300,000 from 2029-2031 (collectively, the “Minimum Royalty Payments”). At the end of each fiscal year, Siyata has agreed to pay Uniden 3% of any sales from the licensed products under the Uniden Agreement that exceeds the Minimum Royalty Payments for such fiscal year.
Licensing Agreement with Via Licensing Corporation
Effective June 8, 2018, the Corporation entered into two separate patent licensing agreements (together, the “Via Licensing Agreements”) with Via Licensing Corporation to utilize worldwide patents related to the coding and decoding of Android software as well as access and download within the LTE/ 4G network. This patent license is for an initial period of five years and can be extended for a further five-year term. Management is completing the extension prior to the expiry date. Under the Via Licensing Agreements, the Corporation has the right, at any time during the term or any extension thereof, to terminate the agreements upon providing 60 days advanced notice of termination. The Via Licensing Agreements provide for the payment, to Via Licensing Corporation, of quarterly royalty fees that are based solely on product sales and is expressed as a percentage formula based upon the number of units sold, the country in which the units were manufactured, and the country location of the end customer. There are no minimum royalty fees payable under the Via Licensing Agreements.
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Licensing Agreement with Wilson Electronics, LLC
Siyata, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Signifi Mobile Inc., entered into a royalty agreement (the “Wilson Agreement”) with Wilson Electronics, LLC on November 30, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2018. The Wilson Agreement permits the Corporation to utilize several of Wilson Electronics’ LLC’s patents related to cellphone boosters. Specifically, under the Wilson Agreement, the Corporation has licensed a patent for its cellular booster portfolio of products, for the rights to the stand-alone cell phone radio signal booster on a worldwide basis. The Wilson Agreement is expected to remain in force until the expiration of all of the patents licensed under the Wilson Agreement expire, which is estimated to occur in December 2027. The Wilson Agreement requires Siyata to pay a royalty to Wilson Electronics, LLC of 4.5% of the sales of booster products, payable quarterly.
| D. | Trend Information |
See Item 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS, Subsection A. “Outlook” for trend information.
| E. | Critical Accounting Estimates |
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates:
| i) | Critical accounting estimates |
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Information about critical estimates in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are, but not limited to the following:
| ☐ | Income taxes - Tax provisions are based on enacted or substantively enacted laws. Changes in those laws could affect amounts recognized in profit or loss both in the period of change, which would include any impact on cumulative provisions, and future periods. Deferred tax assets, if any, are recognized to the extent it is considered probable that those assets will be recoverable. This involves an assessment of when those deferred tax assets are likely to reverse. |
| ☐ | Fair value of stock options and warrants - Determining the fair value of warrants and stock options requires judgments related to the choice of a pricing model, the estimation of stock price volatility, the expected forfeiture rate and the expected term of the underlying instruments. Any changes in the estimates or inputs utilized to determine fair value could have a significant impact on the Company’s future operating results or on other components of shareholders’ equity. |
| ☐ | Capitalization of development costs and their amortization rate – Development costs are capitalized in accordance with the accounting policy. To determine the amounts earmarked for capitalization, management estimates the cash flows which are expected to be derived from the asset for which the development is carried out and the expected benefit period. |
| ☐ | Inventory - Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost of inventory includes cost of purchase (purchase price, import duties, transport, handling, and other costs directly attributable to the acquisition of inventories), cost of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realizable value for inventories is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Provisions are made in profit or loss of the current period on any difference between book value and net realizable value. |
| ☐ | Estimated product returns - Revenue from product sales is recognized net of estimated sales discounts, credits, returns, rebates and allowances. The return allowance is determined based on an analysis of the historical rate of returns, industry return data, and current market conditions, which is applied directly against sales. |
| ☐ | Impairment of non-financial assets - The Company assesses impairment at each reporting date by evaluating conditions specific to the Company that may lead to asset impairment. The recoverable amount of an asset or a cash-generating unit (“CGU”) is determined using the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value in use which requires the use of various judgments, estimates, and assumptions. |
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| ☐ | Useful life of intangible assets – The Company estimates the useful life used to amortize intangible assets which relates to the expected future performance of the assets acquired based on management estimate of the sales forecast. |
| ☐ | Future purchase consideration - In a business combination, the Company recognizes a contingent consideration at fair value at the acquisition date. Contingent consideration classified as an asset or liability that is a financial instrument and within the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, is measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized either in profit or loss, or as a change to other comprehensive income (“OCI”). If the contingent consideration is not within the scope of IAS 39, it is measured at fair value in accordance with the appropriate IFRS. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not re-measured and subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. |
| ☐ | Contingent consideration from an asset acquisition is recognized when: the conditions associated with the contingency are met; the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably; and it is probably that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. |
| ii) | Critical accounting judgments |
Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are, but are not limited to, the following:
| ☐ | Deferred income taxes – judgments are made by management to determine the likelihood of whether deferred income tax assets at the end of the reporting period will be realized from future taxable earnings. To the extent that assumptions regarding future profitability change, there can be an increase or decrease in the amounts recognized in respect of deferred tax assets as well as the amounts recognized in profit or loss in the period in which the change occurs. |
| ☐ | Functional currency - The functional currency for the Company and each of the Company’s subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the respective entity operates. The Company has determined the functional currency of each entity to be the Canadian dollar with the exception of Siyata Israel which has the functional currency of the US dollar. Such determination involves certain judgments to identify the primary economic environment. The Company reconsiders the functional currency of its subsidiaries if there is a change in events and/or conditions that determine the primary economic environment. |
| ☐ | Going concern – As disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. |
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
None than specifically apply to the Company as evaluated by management.
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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Key Personnel Compensation
Key Personnel Compensation
Key management personnel includes those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of the Company as a whole. The Company has determined that key management personnel consists of executive and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors and corporate officers. The remuneration of directors and key management personnel for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Payments to key management personnel: | ||||||||||||
| Salaries, consulting and directors’ fees | $ | 1,443,601 | $ | 1,387,221 | $ | 1,271,532 | ||||||
| Share-based payments | 713,514 | 2,126,970 | 235,737 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,157,115 | $ | 3,514,191 | $ | 1,507,269 | ||||||
Salaries, consulting and directors’ fees shown above are classified within profit and loss as shown below:
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Type of Service | Nature of Relationship | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | VP Technology/VP Sales International | $ | 313 | $ | 202 | $ | 402 | |||||||
| General and administrative expense | Companies controlled by the CEO, CFO and Directors | $ | 1,131 | $ | 1,185 | $ | 869 | |||||||
| C. | Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
The Company currently has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Additional Information
Additional information relating to the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
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ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
| A. | Directors and Senior Management |
Set forth below is information concerning our directors, executive officers, and other key employees.
| Name | Age | Position(s) | ||
| Marc Seelenfreund | 57 | Director; Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Gerald Bernstein | 61 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
| Glenn Kennedy | 57 | Vice President of Sales | ||
| Gidi Bracha | 47 | Vice President of Technology and Product Development | ||
| Peter Goldstein | 60 | Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||
| Gary Herman | 60 | Director | ||
| Steven Ospalak | 56 | Director | ||
| Lourdes Felix | 55 | Director |
Marc Seelenfreund
Marc Seelenfreund is the Founder and CEO of Siyata Mobile Inc. since July 2015, when the reverse takeover of Teslin Resources created Siyata Mobile Inc. Marc Seelenfreund has over 20 years’ experience in the telecom and cellular arena as founder of a leading telecom distribution company representing multiple global telecom vendors. From August 2004 to July 2015, he was the CEO of Accel Telecom Inc. a key importer and integrator of advanced telecom equipment into the Israeli telecom market. Accel Telecom Inc’s products and services included importing and distribution of mobile devices, including smartphones and feature phones, integration of cloud software, and distribution and integration of networking equipment including routers and mobile broadband solutions. Marc Seelenfreund received a law degree from Bar Ilan University and is the Chairman of Ono Academic College.
Gerald Bernstein
Gerald Bernstein has been CFO of the Company since July 2016. Mr. Bernstein was previously the VP Finance from July 2015 until June 2016 of Pazazz Printing Inc. a printing and fulfillment service to ensure a seamless flow throughout projects including printing, graphic design, direct marketing, fulfillment and logistics. Previously, Mr. Bernstein served as the VP Finance from July 2013 until February 2015 of Amcor Holdings Inc., an international real estate development and management company. From September 2003 until July 2015, Mr. Bernstein was a self-employed certified public accountant consultant, working on various mandates in mortgage financing, tax planning, turnaround, process re-engineering and private equity due diligence. Mr. Bernstein holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University. Mr. Bernstein has been a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants since 1987.
Glenn Kennedy
Glenn Kennedy has over 25 years of sales experience in the telecommunications industry where he has managed sales nationally for Motorola Canada, HTC Communications Canada and Sonim Technologies; Glenn Kennedy is the VP Sales of Siyata Mobile Inc. since January 2017 including product certification, sales training and education to the marketplace. Previously Mr. Kennedy severed as the Director of Carrier Sales for Sonim Technologies working exclusively on the Rogers Wireless account from October 2015 until December 2016. Mr. Kennedy was the National Account Manager for HTC Communications Canada, working exclusively on the Bell Mobility account from August 2011 until August 2015. From April 2003 until May 2011, Mr. Kennedy was the National Account Manager for Motorola Mobility, working specifically on the Telus account. Mr. Kennedy has earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
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Gidi Bracha
Gidi Bracha served as a VP of Technology since 2011 and has spearheaded the development of Siyata’s various cellular products. Mr. Bracha has over 15 years of technological experience in the telecommunications industry. Mr. Bracha has served in various key positions at Cellcom, Israel’s leading cellular provider, including Head of Car Mobility Products and as a Director of Type Approvals. Mr. Bracha has served as an engineer in the Anti-Aircraft division of the air force in the IDF. Mr. Bracha holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Business Management from the University of Derby.
Peter Goldstein
Mr. Goldstein has over 30 years of diverse and global entrepreneurial, client advisory and capital market experience and a successful track record in leading and building companies in the capital markets. Mr. Goldstein is experienced with mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and transaction structuring. In 2006, Mr. Goldstein founded Grandview Capital Partners, Inc. where he continues to serve as chairman and chief executive officer to this date. He is the and chief executive officer of Exchange Listing, LLC, which he founded in 2019. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Cosmos Holdings, Inc. From 2013 to 2015 he served in various roles, including as a director, interim president and chief financial officer of American Patriot Brands, Inc. In 2012 he co-founded Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., where he served in various roles, including chairman of the board of directors and principal financial officer until 2014. He received his master’s degree in international business from the University of Miami.
Gary Herman
Mr. Herman, has been a member of the Board since August 10, 2023. Mr. Herman is a seasoned investor with many years of investment and advisory experience. Since 2005, Mr. Herman has managed Strategic Turnaround Equity Partners, LP (Cayman) and its affiliates. From January 2011 to August 2013, he was a managing member of Abacoa Capital Management, LLC, which managed, Abacoa Capital Master Fund, Ltd. focused on a Global-Macro investment strategy. From 2005 to 2020, Mr. Herman was affiliated with Arcadia Securities LLC, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. From 1997 to 2002, he was an investment banker with Burnham Securities, Inc. From 1993 to 1997, he was a managing partner of Kingshill Group, Inc., a merchant banking and financial firm with offices in New York and Tokyo. Mr. Herman has a B.S. from the University at Albany with a major in Political Science and minors in Business and Music. Mr. Herman has many years of experience serving on the boards of private and public companies. He presently sits on the board of SusGlobal Energy Corp. (OTC: SNRG) as well as the Board and Audit Chairperson of: XS Financial Inc. (CSE: XS).
Stephen Ospalak
Stephen Ospalak combines over twenty-one years of experience in the communications industry. Mr. Ospalak has been the director of the Company since July 27, 2015. Mr. Ospalak has been a Managing Director of Breen Management Group, Inc. (BMG) since January 2009. Previously, Mr. Ospalak was the Vice President of Products and Service Marketing at TELUS Communications Inc. from September 1999 until November 2008. Mr. Ospalak received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and an Honors Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor.
Lourdes Felix
Lourdes Felix is a corporate finance executive offering over fifteen years of combined experience in public accounting and in the private sector in building, leading, and advising corporations through complex restructurings. Ms. Felix has been instrumental in assisting in capital procurement and implementing an audit committee. She is thoroughly experienced in guiding troubled companies to greater efficiency and profitability. Ms. Felix has acquired expertise in securities laws and knowledge of SOX requirements. She has worked with private and public SEC reporting companies. Ms. Felix was previously the controller for a mid-size public accounting firm for over seven years and was responsible for the operations and financial management of regional offices. Her experience includes a wide variety of industries including advertising, marketing, non-profit organizations, medical practices, mortgage banking, manufacturing and SEC reporting companies. She has assisted companies with documented contributions leading to improved financial performance, heightened productivity, and enhanced internal controls. Ms. Felix has been a Director of BioCorRx Inc. since March 7, 2013. Ms. Felix was appointed Chief Executive Officer of BioCorRx on November 9, 2020 and became Chief Financial Officer of BioCorRx on October 1, 2012. Ms. Felix was President of BioCorRx from February 26, 2020 until she resigned upon her appointment as CEO on November 9, 2020. Ms. Felix is very active in the Hispanic community and speaks fluent Spanish. Ms. Felix holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Accounting from University of Phoenix.
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Board Diversity Matrix
| Board Diversity (As of April 8, 2024) | ||||
| Country of Principal Executive Offices: | Canada | |||
| Foreign Private Issuer: | Yes | |||
| Disclosure Prohibited Under Home Country Law: | No | |||
| Total Number of Directors: | 5 | |||
| Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose Gender | |
| Part I: Gender Identity | ||||
| Directors | 1 | 4 | ||
| Part II: Demographic Background | ||||
| Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction | 1 | 4 | ||
| LGBTQ+ | 5 | |||
| Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | 1 | 4 | ||
Family Relationships
None of our directors or executive officers has a family relationship.
| B. | Compensation |
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation, for the year ended December 31, 2023, earned by or paid to our chief executive officer and principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our executive officers.
| Salary | Bonus | Option Award (1) | Total | |||||||||||||
| Gerald Bernstein | $ | 211,592 | $ | - | $ | 97,698 | $ | 309,290 | ||||||||
| Marc Seelenfreund (2) | $ | 350,345 | 120,000 | $ | 510,426 | $ | 980,771 | |||||||||
| Gidi Bracha | $ | 220,671 | $ | 75,431 | $ | 296,102 | ||||||||||
| Glenn Kennedy | $ | 147,080 | $ | 29,959 | $ | 177,039 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 929,688 | $ | 120,000 | $ | 713,514 | $ | 1,763,202 | ||||||||
| (1) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-based payments. The price for each amount is based on the closing price of the trading price of our shares on the NASDAQ on the date of grant. |
| (2) | Includes 1,800,000 (2,571 post 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) restricted share units that vest over three years that were issued on March 9, 2022 |
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2022 Outstanding Option Awards at Fiscal Year Ended
| Name | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) | Option exercise price $USD | Option expiration date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Market value of shares of units of stock that have not vested ($) | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: Market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marc Seelenfreund | 136 | 0 | $ | 4,200.00 | 15-Nov-25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 0 | $ | 41,216 | 21-Mar-24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 0 | $ | 8,050 | 2-Jan-26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,571 | 2,357 | N/A | N/A | 214 | 642 | 2,357 | 642 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,726 | 2,357 | 214 | 642 | 2,357 | 642 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gerald Bernstein | 429 | 214 | N/A | N/A | 215 | 645 | 215 | 645 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | 0 | $ | 4,200 | 15-Nov-25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 0 | $ | 37,471 | 24-Dec-23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | $ | 8,050.00 | 2-Jan-26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 475 | 214 | 215 | 645 | 215 | 645 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glenn Kennedy | 129 | 65 | $ | 770 | 12-Jul-27 | 64 | 192 | 64 | 192 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 129 | 65 | $ | 770 | 13-Apr-27 | 64 | 192 | 64 | 192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57 | 0 | $ | 4,200.00 | 15-Nov-25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 0 | $ | 8,050 | 18-Jan-26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 324 | 130 | 128 | 384 | 128 | 384 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stephen Ospalak | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | 0 | $ | 4,200.00 | 15-Nov-25 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 129 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 158 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gidi Bracha | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 214 | 107 | N/A | N/A | 107 | 321 | 107 | 321 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 214 | 107 | $ | 770 | 13-Apr-27 | 107 | 321 | 107 | 321 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | 0 | $ | 4,200 | 15-Nov-25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 457 | 214 | 214 | 642 | 214 | 642 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael Kron | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | 0 | $ | 4,200.00 | 15-Nov-25 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peter Goldstein | 29 | 0 | $ | 4,200.00 | 15-Nov-25 | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 257 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 286 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lourdes Felix | 29 | 0 | $ | 2,800.00 | 15-Nov-25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 129 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 158 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Agreements with Named Executive Officers
Marc Seelenfreund, Chief Executive Officer
Effective July 1, 2018, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with BSD Ltd. and Marc Seelenfreund, or the Seelenfreund Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Marc Seelenfreund, as Chief Executive Officer, will be paid an initial base salary approximately $300,000. The Seelenfreund Consulting Agreement also contains change of control provisions such that if the Seelenfreund Consulting Agreement is terminated by us without good cause or Marc Seelenfreund is constructively dismissed within six months of a change of control, Marc Seelenfreund will receive a lump-sum payment equal to 36 months’ worth of salary in addition to the continuing payment of a quarterly bonus equal to 5% of the Company’s EBITDA for three years following the termination or constructive dismissal, as applicable. In the event of a hostile change of control, Marc Seelenfreund will be entitled to elect to terminate the Seelenfreund Consulting Agreement and will thereafter be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to 36 months’ worth of salary in addition to the continuing payment of a quarterly bonus equal to 5% of the Company’s EBITDA for three years following the election. In July 2019, the Seelenfreund Consulting Agreement was assigned to BASAD Partners Ltd.
Effective November 1, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Seelenfreund, or the Seelenfreund Director Service Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Seelenfreund, as a member of the Board of Directors, will be paid an initial base salary of approximately $40,000 and granted 100,00 (143 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) common stock options that vest quarterly over a two year period. The Seelenfreund Director Service Agreement also contains change of control provisions such that if there is a change of control, Mr. Seelenfreund’s stock option vesting will be accelerated.
Effective March 9, 2022, granted 1,800,000 (2,571 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) RSU’s to Marc Seelenfreund that vest quarterly over three years with the first vesting as at the date of the grant.
Effective November 1, 2022, Siyata amended the consulting agreement with Marc Seelenfreund pursuant to which Marc Seelenfreund, as an officer of the Company will be paid an annual fee of $360,000. The term of the amended agreement is effective November 1, 2022 and expires on January 1, 2025. The consulting agreement has been re-assigned to BSD Capital Partners Ltd.
Gerald Bernstein, Chief Financial Officer
Effective July 1, 2018, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Gerald Bernstein, or the Bernstein Employment Agreement, pursuant to which Gerald Bernstein, as CFO, will be paid an initial base salary of $102,790 ($140,000 CAD) per year. The Bernstein Employment Agreement also contains change of control provisions such that if the Bernstein Employment Agreement is terminated without good cause by us or Gerald Bernstein is constructively dismissed within six months of a change of control, Gerald Bernstein will receive a lump-sum payment equal to two years’ worth of salary.
Effective November 1, 2020, we entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Bernstein, or the Bernstein Employment Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Bernstein, as Chief Financial Officer, will be paid an initial base salary of $225,000 per year on a three- year term. The Bernstein Employment Agreement also contains change of control provisions such that if the Bernstein Employment Agreement is terminated without good cause by us or Mr. Bernstein is constructively dismissed within six months of a change of control, Mr. Bernstein will receive a lump-sum payment equal to two years’ worth of salary. Effective November 1, 2020, Siyata entered into a two year employment with Gerald Bernstein, pursuant to which Gerald will continue to be the Chief Financial Officer and will be paid an annual base salary of $CAD300,000. Additionally, Gerald Bernstein was granted 29,000 (41 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) stock options, to vest over 24 month period in 8 equal tranches beginning on the date of the grant, at $6.00 ($4,200.00 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) per share with an expiry date of 5 years from the date of granting. In addition, on January 2, 2021, Gerald Bernstein was granted 1,000 (1 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) stock options, to vest over 24 month period in 8 equal tranches beginning on the date of the grant, at $11.50 ($8,050 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) per share with an expiry date of 5 years from the date of granting.
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Effective April 13, 2022, Gerald was granted 300,000 (429 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) RSU’s that vest quarterly over three years with the first vesting as at the date of the grant. Gerald’s contract is automatically renewed on the same terms and conditions.
Glenn Kennedy, Vice President of Sales (North America)
Effective November 26, 2018, we entered into a consulting agreement with Glenn Kennedy, or the Kennedy Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Glenn Kennedy, as Vice President of Sales, North America, will be paid an annual fee of CAD$150,000. According to the terms of the Kennedy Consulting Agreement, Mr. Kennedy received commission of 1.5% on all North American sales of our products exceeding CAD$5,000,000 but less than CAD$18,500,00, and commission of 0.75% on sales exceeding CAD$18,500,000. Effective January 1, 2021, the Kennedy Consulting Agreement was amended to update the commission rates to be paid to Mr. Kennedy in connection with the sales of our products. Pursuant to the amendment, Mr. Kennedy will receive commission of 1.5% of the gross sales of the UV350 and CP250 devices in Canada, in international markets other than the U.S. and Israel, and to MSI, other than in Israel. Mr. Kennedy will also receive commission of 1.5% of the gross sales of boosters to Canadian carriers, International Carriers and Motorola worldwide, and 0.25% of gross sales of boosters, UV350 and CP250 devices to U.S. carriers. The Kennedy Consulting Agreement can be terminated without good cause by either us or Mr. Kennedy upon 90 days’ notice.
Effective January 1, 2021, we entered into an addendum # 1 to the consulting agreement of Glenn Kennedy dated November 18, 2018, whereby the agreement is renewed for a further term of two years commencing on January 1, 2021 and expiring on December 31, 2022. The base fee will remain at $150,000 CAD per annum. The commission will be all of (i) 1.5% of gross sales of the UV350 and the CP250 in any of Canada, international markets, outside of the USA and Israel, and to Motorola worldwide (other than Motorola Israel). (ii) 1.5% of the gross sales of Boosters sold to Canadian Carriers, International carriers and Motorola worldwide, (iii) 0.25% of gross sales of boosters to the US carrier and UV350 and CP250 devices to U.S. carriers.
Effective April 13, 2022, Glenn Kennedy was granted 90,000 stock options with a $1.10 exercise price that vest quarterly over three years with the first vesting as at the date of the grant.
Effective July 12, 2022, 2022, Glenn Kennedy was granted 90,000 (129 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) stock options with a $1.10 ($770 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) exercise price that vest quarterly over three years with the first vesting as at the date of the grant.
Effective January 1, 2023, we entered into an addendum # 2 to the consulting agreement of Glenn Kennedy dated November 18, 2018, whereby the agreement is renewed for a further term of three years commencing on January 1, 2023 and expiring on December 31, 2025. The base fee will remain at $165,000 CAD per annum. The commission will be all of (i) 1.5% of gross sales of the UV350, CP250, SD7, SD7+, SD8 and VK7 Devices (in any of Canada, international markets, outside of the USA and Israel, and to Motorola worldwide (other than Motorola Israel). (ii) 1.5% of the gross sales of Boosters sold to Canadian Carriers, International carriers and Motorola worldwide, (iii) 0.25% of gross sales of boosters to the US carrier and UV350, CP250, SD7, SD7+, SD8 and VK7 devices to U.S. carriers.
Gidi Bracha, Vice President of Technology and Product Development
Effective January 1, 2020, we entered into a consulting agreement with Gidi Bracha, or the Bracha Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Gidi Bracha, as Vice President of Technology and Product Development, will be paid an annual fee of $194,000. Additionally, Mr. Bracha will receive a car allowance of $20,000. The Bracha Consulting Agreement can be terminated without good cause by either us or Mr. Bracha upon 90 days’ notice.
Effective July 12, 2022, 2022, Gidi Bracha was granted 150,000 (214 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split ) stock options with a $1.10 ($770 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) exercise price that vest quarterly over three years with the first vesting as at the date of the grant.
Effective July 12, 2022, 2022, Gidi Bracha was granted 150,000 (214 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) RSU’s that vest quarterly over three years with the first vesting as at the date of the grant.
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Non-Employee Director Compensation
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned, in USD$, during the year ended December 31, 2023 by our non-employee directors who served as directors during such year.
| Name | Salary | Bonus | Option Awards | Total | ||||||||||||
| Steve Ospalak | $ | 101,496 | $ | - | $ | 101,496 | ||||||||||
| Gary Herman | 41,250 | - | 41,250 | |||||||||||||
| Peter Goldstein | 97,008 | - | 97,008 | |||||||||||||
| Lourdes Felix | 98,083 | - | 98,083 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 337,837 | $ | - | $ | 337,837 | ||||||||||
Effective November 1, 2020, Siyata entered into a two year consulting agreement with Stephen Ospalak, or, the Ospalak Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Stephen Ospalak, as a member of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $37,000. Additionally, Stephen Ospalak was granted 20,000 (29 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) stock options, to vest over 24 month period in 8 equal tranches beginning on the date of the grant, at $6.00(4,200 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) per share with an expiry date of 5 years from the date of granting.
Effective March 9, 2022, Siyata amended the consulting agreement with Stephen Ospalak, or, the Amended Ospalak Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Stephen Ospalak, as a member of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $97,000. Additionally, Stephen Ospalak was granted 90,000 (129 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) restricted stock units, RSU’s, to vest immediately. The term of the amended agreement is effective March 9, 2022 and expires on March 8, 2024.
Effective August 3, 2023 Steve Ospalak compensation was amended to $99,000 on an annual basis.
Effective October 29, 2021, Siyata entered into a two year consulting agreement with Lourdes Felix, pursuant to which Lourdes Felix, as a member of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $43,200. Additionally, Lourdes Felix was granted 20,000 (29 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) ) stock options, to vest over a 24 month period in 8 equal tranches beginning on the date of the grant, at $4.00 ($2,800 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) per share with an expiry date of 5 years from the date of granting.
Effective August 3, 2023 Lourdes Felix compensation was amended to $99,000 on an annual basis.
Effective March 9, 2022, Siyata amended the consulting agreement with Lourdes Felix, pursuant to which Lourdes Felix, as a member of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $98,000. Additionally, Lourdes Felix was granted 90,000 (129 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) restricted stock units, RSU’s, to vest immediately. The term of the amended agreement is effective March 9, 2022 and expires on March 8, 2024.
Effective August 10, 2023, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Gary Herman, pursuant to which as a member of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $99,000.
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| C. | Board Practices |
Board of Directors Structure
Our board of directors currently consists of five directors of which three of our directors have been determined to be “independent” within the meaning of Section 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules and meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our articles provide that, so long as we are a public company, the board of directors must be composed of the greater of three members and the number set by ordinary resolution of our shareholders, which was set at five members. Our directors serve until a successor has been duly elected and qualified unless the director was appointed by the board of directors, in which case such director holds office until the next following annual meeting of shareholders at which time such director is eligible for re-election. For more information on the date of expiration of each director’s term and the length of time each director has served, see “Item 6.A. Directors and Senior Management.” Our directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution of the shareholders’ meeting.
Terms of Directors and Executive Officers
Each of our directors holds office until a successor has been duly elected and qualified unless the director was appointed by the board of directors, in which case such director holds office until the next following annual meeting of shareholders at which time such director is eligible for re-election. All of our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors.
Qualification
There is currently no shareholding qualification for directors, although a shareholding qualification for directors may be fixed by our shareholders by ordinary resolution.
Insider Participation Concerning Executive Compensation
No executive officer of the Company is involved in determinations regarding executive officer compensation.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have established three committees under the board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each of which acts pursuant to a charter governing the authority and responsibility of each committee. We have determined that Stephen Ospalak, Gary Herman and Lourdes Felix will satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee consists of Gary Herman, Stephen Ospalak, and Lourdes Felix. Lourdes Felix is the chairperson of our audit committee. Our board also has determined that Gary Herman qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the SEC rules or possesses financial sophistication within the meaning of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
| ● | appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors; |
| ● | reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response; |
| ● | discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors; |
| ● | reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures; |
| ● | reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions; |
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| ● | meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and |
| ● | monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance. |
Compensation Committee. We follow home country rules with respect to the composition and responsibilities of our compensation committee. Our compensation committee consists of Lourdes Felix, Stephen Ospalak and Gary Herman. Steve Ospalak is the chairperson of our compensation committee. The compensation committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:
| ● | reviewing and approving the total compensation package for our most senior executive officers; |
| ● | approving and overseeing the total compensation package for our executives other than the most senior executive officers; |
| ● | reviewing and recommending to the board with respect to the compensation of our directors; |
| ● | reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans; |
| ● | selecting compensation consultants, legal counsel or other advisors after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management; and |
| ● | reviewing programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare benefit plans. |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. We follow home country rules with respect to the composition and responsibilities of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Stephen Ospalak, Gary Herman, and Lourdes Felix. Gary Herman is the chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee are responsible for, among other things:
| ● | identifying and recommending nominees for election or re-election to our board of directors or for appointment to fill any vacancy; |
| ● | reviewing annually with our board of directors its current composition in light of the characteristics of independence, age, skills, experience and availability of service to us; |
| ● | identifying and recommending to our board the directors to serve as members of committees; |
| ● | advising the board periodically with respect to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to our board of directors on all matters of corporate governance and on any corrective action to be taken; and |
| ● |
monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance. |
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Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a “Code of Ethical Conduct”. See Item 12B. The Siyata Code of Ethical Conduct establishes standards of desired behaviours that apply to directors, senior management, all employees and contract workers, including the responsibility to be truthful, respect others, comply with laws, regulations and our policies, and engage in sales practices that are fair and not misleading.
The board annually reviews the Code of Ethical Conduct and closely collaborates with management to set the tone from above and promote a strong governance culture that influences Siyata at every level and across our business. Our Code of Ethical Conduct sets out fundamental principles that guide the board in its deliberations. It creates a frame of reference for properly addressing sensitive and complex issues, requiring directors, senior management, and all employees and contract workers to report misconduct. Siyata encourages an open and transparent environment where team members can speak up and raise concerns without any form of retaliation.
Equity Incentive Plans
On January 6, 2022, our board of directors approved an amended and restated equity incentive plan (the “Plan”), which has replaced our previous stock option plan in its entirety. The shareholders of the Company subsequently approved a further amended Plan on February 14, 2022. The Plan permits the Corporation to issue stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) to eligible directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company. The maximum number of Common shares issued under the Plan, together with any other securities-based compensation, may not exceed 15% of the number of the issued and outstanding Common shares on a fully-diluted basis.
Stock options are exercisable for Common shares. The exercise price of each stock option shall not be less than the market price of the Common shares at the date of grant. Options can have a maximum term of ten years and typically terminate 30 days following the termination of the optionee’s employment or engagement, except in the case of retirement or death. Vesting of options is at the discretion of our board of directors at the time the options are granted.
RSUs are redeemable for Common shares, a cash amount in lieu thereof, or a combination of Common shares and cash., less a discount of up to 25%. RSUs typically terminate on the termination of the RSU holder’s employment or engagement, except in the case of retirement or death. Vesting of options is at the discretion of the Corporation’s board of directors at the time the options are granted. In the event of a change of control, RSUs will immediately vest and be settled for Common shares, a cash amount in lieu thereof, or a combination of Common shares and cash.
As of April1, 2024, the number of Common Shares reserved for the exercise of awards granted under the Plan was 74,684 In addition, as of April 1, 2024, options to purchase2,130 Common Shares were issued and outstanding, out of which options to purchase 1,422 Common Shares were vested as of that date, with an average exercise price of $2,161.29. Exercise prices in CAD$ are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of CAD$1.35 = U.S. $1.00, based on the closing rate of exchange between the CAD$ and the U.S. dollar as reported by Bank of Canada on March 29, 2024 addition, restricted share units to purchase 4,390 Common Shares were issued and outstanding at April 1, 2024 out of which restricted share units to purchase 1,422 common Shares were vested as of that date
Under the Plan, the maximum number of Common Shares reserved for issuance may not exceed 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding Common Shares at the time of granting.
Our Plan was adopted by our board of directors on January 6, 2022 and was approved by our shareholders at our annual general and special meeting on February 14, 2022.
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| D. | Employees |
Employees
As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation had 23 full-time employees and NIL part-time employees. 10 of the Corporation’s employees are located in Israel, with 2 performing sales functions, 2 performing research and development functions, and 6 performing operations. The other 13 employees are located in North America, with 5 sales members in the USA and 8 employees in Canada, of which 9 are performing sales functions and 4 are performing operations functions.
None of our employees are represented by labor unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that we maintain good relations with all of our employees. However, in Israel, we are subject to certain Israeli labor laws, regulations and national labor court precedent rulings, as well as certain provisions of collective bargaining agreements applicable to us by virtue of extension orders issued in accordance with relevant labor laws by the Israeli Ministry of Economy and which apply such agreement provisions to our employees even though they are not part of a union that has signed a collective bargaining agreement.
| E. | Share Ownership |
See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions-A. Major shareholders.”
| F. | Disclosure of a Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation |
Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 10D-1 and Nasdaq Rule 5608, the Company adopted on November 29, 2023 a Clawback Policy (the “Clawback Policy”) providing that the Company will recover reasonably promptly the amount of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period.
A true and correct copy of the Clawback Policy is filed as Exhibit 97.1 hereto.
At no time, as of December 31, 2023 or since, has the Company awarded any incentive-based compensation that could be subject to recovery under the Clawback Policy.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
| A. | Major Shareholders |
Except as specifically noted, the following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Shares as of April 2, 2024 by:
| ● | each of our directors and executive officers; and |
| ● | each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Common Shares on an as-converted basis. |
Except as indicated in footnotes to this table, we believe that the shareholder named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown to be beneficially owned by it, based on information provided to us by such shareholder. The shareholders listed below do not have any different voting rights from any of our other shareholders.
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Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Siyata Mobile Inc., 7404 King George Blvd., Suite 200, King’s Cross, Surrey, British Columbia V3W 1N6, Canada, 514-500-1181.
| Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Note | Percentage of Share Beneficially Owned | ||||||||
| Directors and Executive Officers | ||||||||||
| Marc Seelenfreund | 2,759 | 3 | *% | |||||||
| Gerald Bernstein | 475 | 4 | *% | |||||||
| Glenn Kennedy | 271 | 5 | *% | |||||||
| Gidi Bracha | 461 | 6 | *% | |||||||
| Peter Goldstein ** | 343 | 7 | *% | |||||||
| Stephen Ospalak | 158 | 8 | *% | |||||||
| Lourdes Felix | 158 | 10 | *% | |||||||
| All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (7 people) | 4,625 | 0.800 | % | |||||||
| 5% or Greater Shareholders | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| * | Less than 1% |
| ** | Peter Goldstein became a Director effective November 1, 2020 and became Chairman of the Board of directors effective February 23, 2021. |
| *** | Lourdes Felix became a Director effective October 29, 2021. |
| (1) | Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person, even if not the record owner, has or shares the underlying benefits of ownership. These benefits include the power to direct the voting or the disposition of the securities or to receive the economic benefit of ownership of the securities. A person also is considered to be the “beneficial owner” of securities that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days by option or other agreement. Beneficial owners include persons who hold their securities through one or more trustees, brokers, agents, legal representatives or other intermediaries, or through companies in which they have a “controlling interest,” which means the direct or indirect power to direct the management and policies of the entity. |
| (2) | The percentages shown are based on 570,462 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023. |
Changes in Percentage Ownership by Major Shareholders
Record Holders
Based upon a review of the information provided to us by Computershare Limited, there were 60 holders of record of the Common Shares as of April 8, 2024.
These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our Common Shares nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders reside, since many of these shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees.
The Company is not controlled by another corporation, by any foreign government or by any natural or legal persons except as set forth herein, and there are no arrangements known to the Company which would result in a change in control of the Company at a subsequent date.
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| B. | Related Party Transactions |
Other than as disclosed below, and except for the regular salary and bonus payments, including any equity-based issuances, made to our directors and officers in the ordinary course of business as described under “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees–B. Compensation,” there have been no transactions since January 1, 2019, or any currently proposed transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or are to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any of our current or former director or officer of the, any 5% or greater shareholder of ours’ or any member of the immediate family of any such persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Purchase of Units by Marc Seelenfreund
Marc Seelenfreund, CEO and director of the Company, purchased an aggregate of 2,483 in August 2020 Units in connection with the Company’s August 2020 Financing.
Effective November 1, 2020, Siyata entered into a two year consulting agreement with Peter Goldstein, or, the Goldstein Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Peter Goldstein, as Chair of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $42,000. Additionally, Peter Goldstein was granted 20,000 (29 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) stock options, to vest over 24 month period in 8 equal tranches beginning on the date of the grant, at $6.00 ($4,200 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock split) per share with an expiry date of 5 years from the date of granting.
Effective March 9, 2022, Siyata amended the consulting agreement with Peter Goldstein, or, the Amended Goldstein Consulting Agreement, pursuant to which Peter Goldstein, as Chair of the Board of Directors, will be paid an annual fee of $97,000. Additionally, Peter Goldstein was granted 180,000 (257 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) restricted stock units, RSU’s, to vest immediately. The term of the amended agreement is effective March 9, 2022 and expires on March 8, 2024.
| C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| A. | Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information |
See “Item 14. Financial Statements.”
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of our business. We do not believe that the outcomes of these legal proceedings have had in the recent past, or will have (with respect to any pending proceedings), significant effects on our financial position or profitability.
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Dividends
Subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and any rights attaching to any class or classes of shares under and in accordance with the Company’s Articles, the directors may declare dividends or distributions out of our funds which are lawfully available for that purpose.
Unless provided by the rights attached to a share, no dividend shall bear interest.
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our Common Shares. We do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to fund business development and growth, and we do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Payment of dividends may be subject to Canadian withholding taxes.
| B. | Significant Changes |
No significant change, other than as otherwise described in this Annual Report, has occurred in our operations since the date of our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
ITEM 9. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
| A. | Offer with Listing Details |
On September 25, 2020, our Common Shares and Warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SYTA” and “SYTAW,” respectively.
| B. | Plan of Distribution |
Not applicable.
| C. | Markets |
Our Common Shares and Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
| D. | Selling Shareholders |
Not applicable.
| E. | Dilution |
Not applicable.
| F. | Expenses of the Issue |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| A. | Share Capital |
See ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS – “SHARE CAPITAL” above.
| B. | Articles |
Included with the annual 20-F filings,
| C. | Material Contracts |
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in Item 4. “Information on Our Company,” Item 7B “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions” or elsewhere in this Annual Report.
| D. | Exchange Controls |
There are no laws, decrees or regulations in Canada relating to restrictions on the export or import of capital, or affecting the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-resident holders of our Common Shares
| E. | Taxation |
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary describes, as of the date hereof, the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) and the regulations thereunder (the “Regulations”) generally applicable to an investor who holds Common Shares and Warrants. For purposes of this summary, references to Common Share include a Common Share acquired on the exercise of a Warrant (“Warrant Share”) unless otherwise indicated. This summary applies only to an investor who is a beneficial owner of Common Shares and Warrants and who, for the purposes of the Tax Act, and at all relevant times: (i) deals at arm’s length with the Company, (ii) is not affiliated with the Company; and (iii) acquires and holds the Common Shares, Warrants and any Warrant Shares acquired on the exercise of the Warrants as capital property (a “Holder”).
Common Shares and Warrants will generally be considered to be capital property to a Holder unless they are held in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities or were acquired in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.
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This summary is not applicable to a Holder: (i) that is a “financial institution” for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules contained in the Tax Act, (ii) that is a “specified financial institution” (as defined in the Tax Act); (iii) an interest in which is a “tax shelter investment” for purposes of the Tax Act; (iv) that has made a functional currency reporting election under section 261 of the Tax Act to report its “Canadian tax results” as defined in the Tax Act in a currency other than Canadian currency; (v) that has entered into, or will enter into, a “derivative forward agreement” or “synthetic disposition arrangement” (each as defined in the Tax Act) with respect to the Common Shares or Warrants; or (vi) that receives dividends on Common Shares under or as part of a “dividend rental arrangement” (as defined in the Tax Act). This summary does not address the deductibility of interest by a Holder who has borrowed money to acquire the Common Shares or Warrants. Such Holders should consult their own tax advisors.
Additional considerations, not discussed herein, may apply to a Holder that is a corporation resident in Canada, and is or becomes (or does not deal at arm’s length for purposes of the Tax Act with a corporation resident in Canada that is or becomes), as part of a transaction or event or series of transactions or events that includes the acquisition of the Common Shares or Warrants, controlled by a non-resident person or a group of non-resident persons that do not deal with each other at arm’s length for purposes of the “foreign affiliate dumping” rules in section 212.3 of the Tax Act. Such Holders should consult their own tax advisors.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act and the Regulations in force on the date hereof, all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act or the Regulations publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”) and counsel’s understanding of the current administrative practices and assessing policies of the Canada Revenue Agency (the “CRA”) publicly available prior to the date hereof. This summary assumes that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted as proposed or at all. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and, except for the Proposed Amendments, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in the law or in the administrative practices or assessing policies of CRA, whether by legislative, governmental, administrative or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account or consider other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ significantly from the Canadian federal income tax considerations discussed in this summary.
This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Common Share or Warrants. The following description of income tax matters is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or income tax advice to any particular Holder. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences applicable to them based on their own particular circumstances.
Exercise of Warrants
A Holder will not realize a gain or loss upon the exercise of a Warrant to acquire a Warrant Share. When a Warrant is exercised, the Holder’s cost of the Warrant Share acquired thereby will be equal to the aggregate of the Holder’s adjusted cost base of such Warrant and the exercise price paid for the Warrant Share. The Holder’s adjusted cost base of the Warrant Share so acquired will be determined by averaging the cost of the Warrant Share with the adjusted cost base to the Holder of all Common Shares of the Company (if any) held as capital property by the Holder immediately before the exercise of the Warrant.
Taxation of Resident Holders
The following portion of this summary applies to a Holder who, for the purposes of the Tax Act, is or is deemed to be resident in Canada at all relevant times (a “Resident Holder”). A Resident Holder whose Common Shares might not otherwise qualify as capital property may be entitled to make an irrevocable election permitted by subsection 39(4) of the Tax Act to deem the Common Shares, and every other “Canadian security” (as defined in the Tax Act), held by such person, in the taxation year of the election and each subsequent taxation year to be capital property. This election does not apply to Warrants. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding this election.
Expiry of Warrants
The expiry of an unexercised Warrant generally will result in a capital loss to the Resident Holder equal to the adjusted cost base of the Warrant to the Resident Holder immediately before its expiry. The tax treatment of capital gains and capital losses is discussed in greater detail below under the heading “Capital Gains and Capital Losses”.
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Dividends
Dividends received or deemed to be received on the Common Shares will be included in computing a Resident Holder’s income. In the case of an individual (other than certain trusts), such dividends will be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules normally applicable in respect of “taxable dividends” received from “taxable Canadian corporations” (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act). An enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit will be available to individuals in respect of “eligible dividends” designated by the Company to the Resident Holder in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Act. There may be limitations on the ability of the Company to designate dividends as eligible dividends.
Dividends received or deemed to be received on the Common Shares by a Resident Holder that is a corporation will be included in computing its income for the taxation year in which such dividends are received, but such dividends will generally be deductible in computing the corporation’s taxable income. In certain circumstances, subsection 55(2) of the Tax Act will treat a taxable dividend received or deemed to be received by a Resident Holder that is a corporation as proceeds of disposition or a capital gain. Resident Holders that are corporations should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own circumstances.
A Resident Holder that is a “private corporation” as defined in the Tax Act or a “subject corporation” as defined in subsection 186(3) of the Tax Act may be liable under Part IV of the Tax Act to pay a refundable tax on dividends received or deemed to be received on the Common Shares to the extent that such dividends are deductible in computing the Resident Holder’s taxable income for the taxation year. Such Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Disposition of Common Shares and Warrants
A Resident Holder who disposes, or is deemed to dispose, of a Common Share (other than on a disposition to the Company that is not a sale in the open market in the manner in which shares would normally be purchased by any member of the public in an open market), or a Warrant (other than on the exercise thereof) generally will realize a capital gain (or capital loss) in the taxation year of the disposition equal to the amount, if any, by which the proceeds of disposition, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, are greater (or are less) than the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of such Common Share or Warrant, as the case may be, immediately before the disposition or deemed disposition. The taxation of capital gains and capital losses is generally described below under the heading “Capital Gains and Capital Losses”.
Capital Gains and Capital Losses
Generally, a Resident Holder is required to include in computing income for a taxation year one-half of the amount of any capital gain (a “taxable capital gain”) realized by the Resident Holder in such taxation year. Subject to and in accordance with the rules contained in the Tax Act, a Resident Holder is required to deduct one-half of the amount of any capital loss (an “allowable capital loss”) realized in a particular taxation year against taxable capital gains realized by the Resident Holder in the year. Allowable capital losses in excess of taxable capital gains realized in a taxation year may be carried back and deducted in any of the three preceding taxation years or carried forward and deducted in any subsequent taxation year against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act.
The amount of any capital loss realized by a Resident Holder that is a corporation on the disposition or deemed disposition of a Common Share may be reduced by the amount of any dividends received or deemed to have been received by such Resident Holder on such shares, to the extent and under the circumstances described in the Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where a Resident Holder that is a corporation is a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns Common Shares, directly or indirectly, through a partnership or trust. Resident Holders to whom these rules may be relevant should consult their own tax advisors.
Additional Refundable Tax
A Resident Holder that is throughout the relevant taxation year a “Canadian-controlled private corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay an additional tax (refundable in certain circumstances) on certain investment income, including any dividends or deemed dividends that are not deductible in computing the Resident Holder’s taxable income and taxable capital gains. Proposed Amendments announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) on April 7, 2022 are intended to extend this additional tax and refund mechanism in respect of such investment income to “substantive CCPCs” as defined in such Proposed Amendments and draft legislation implementing such Proposed Amendments that was released on August 9, 2022. Such Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors.
Alternative Minimum Tax
Generally, a Resident Holder that is an individual (other than certain trusts) that receives or is deemed to have received taxable dividends on the Common Shares or realizes a capital gain on the disposition or deemed disposition of the Common Shares or Warrants may be liable for alternative minimum tax under the Tax Act. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of alternative minimum tax.
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Taxation of Non-Resident Holders
The following portion of this summary is generally applicable to Holders who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times: (i) are not resident or deemed to be resident in Canada, and (ii) do not use or hold Common Shares or Warrants in the course of a business carried on or deemed to be carried on in Canada (“Non-Resident Holders”). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Resident Holder that is an insurer carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere or that is an “authorized foreign bank” (as defined in the Tax Act). Such Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited to a Non-Resident Holder on the Common Shares will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% on the gross amount of the dividend, unless such rate is reduced by the terms of an applicable income tax treaty or convention. Under the Canada-United States Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Treaty”), the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid or credited to a Non-Resident Holder who is resident in the U.S. for purposes of the Treaty, is the beneficial owner of the dividends, and is fully entitled to benefits under the Treaty (a “Treaty Holder”) is generally reduced to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend. The rate of withholding tax is further reduced to 5% if the beneficial owner of such dividend is a Treaty. Holder that is a company that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company. Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the Treaty or any other tax treaty.
Disposition of Common Shares and Warrants
A Non-Resident Holder will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of any capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of a Common Shares or Warrant, nor will capital losses arising therefrom be recognized under the Tax Act, unless such securities, as the case may be, constitute “taxable Canadian property” (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Non-Resident Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-Resident Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax treaty or convention between Canada and the country in which the Non-Resident Holder is resident.
Provided that the Common Shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange” for the purposes of the Tax Act (which currently includes the Nasdaq), at the time of disposition, the Common Shares and Warrants generally will not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Resident Holder at that time, unless at any time during the 60 month period immediately preceding the disposition, (i) 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the capital stock of the Company were owned by, or belonged to, any combination of (a) the Non-Resident Holder, (b) persons with whom the Non-Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length (for purposes of the Tax Act), and (c) partnerships in which the Non-Resident Holder or a person described in (b) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships; and (ii) at such time, more than 50% of the fair market value of such shares was derived, directly or indirectly, from any combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, “Canadian resource property” (as defined in the Tax Act), “timber resource property” (as defined in the Tax Act), or options in respect of, interests in, or for civil law rights in such properties, whether or not such property exists. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Common Shares and Warrants may also be deemed to be taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Holder for purposes of the Tax Act in certain other circumstances. Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether their Common Shares or Warrants constitute “taxable Canadian property” in their own particular circumstances.
In the event that a Common Share or Warrant constitutes taxable Canadian property of a Non-Resident Holder and any capital gain that would be realized on the disposition thereof is not exempt from tax under the Tax Act pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty or convention, the income tax consequences discussed above for Resident Holders under “Taxation of Resident Holders – Disposition of Common Shares and Warrants ” and “Capital Gains and Capital Losses” will generally apply to the Non-Resident Holder. Non-Resident Holders whose Common Shares or Warrants are taxable Canadian property should consult their own tax advisors.
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO PARTICULAR HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARE OR WARRANTS AND IS NOT TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE. HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARE OR WARRANTS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF THE COMMON SHARE OR WARRANTS.
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ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT
In the opinion of our Canadian counsel, based on the current provisions of Tax Act and the Regulations thereunder, in force as of the date hereof, the Common Shares and Warrants, if issued on the date hereof, would be qualified investments for trusts governed by a registered retirement savings plan, registered retirement income fund, registered education savings plan, registered disability savings plan, tax-free savings account, first home savings account, (collectively referred to as “Registered Plans”) or deferred profit sharing plan (“DPSP”) at the time of the acquisition of such Common Shares and Warrant, provided that at such time:
| (i) | in the case of the Common Shares, the Common Shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange” as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the Nasdaq) or the Company qualifies as a “public corporation” (as defined in the Tax Act); and |
| (ii) | in the case of the Warrants, |
| a. | the Warrants are listed on a “designated stock exchange” as defined in the Tax Act; or |
| b. | the Warrant Shares are qualified investments as described in (i) above and neither the Company, nor any person with whom the Company does not deals at arm’s length, is an annuitant, a beneficiary, an employer or a subscriber under or a holder of such Registered Plan or DPSP. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of, or annuitant or subscriber under, a Registered Plan (the “Controlling Individual”) will be subject to a penalty tax in respect of the Common Shares or Warrants held in the Registered Plan if such securities are a prohibited investment for the particular Registered Plan. A Common Share or Warrant generally will be a “prohibited investment” for a Registered Plan if the Controlling Individual does not deal at arm’s length with the Company for the purposes of the Tax Act or the Controlling Individual has a “significant interest” (as defined in subsection 207.01(4) of the Tax Act) in the Company. In addition, the Common Shares will generally not be a “prohibited investment” if such shares are “excluded property” (as defined in subsection 207.01(1) of the Tax Act) for the Registered Plan.
Prospective purchasers who intend to hold Common Shares or Warrant in a Registered Plan or DPSP should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular circumstances.
U.S. Tax Considerations
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS INCLUDED HEREIN FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. EACH U.S. HOLDER SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF COMMON SHARES, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF APPLICABLE STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS.
Subject to the limitations described in the next paragraph, the following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to a “U.S. Holder” arising from the purchase, ownership and sale of the Common Shares. For this purpose, a “U.S. Holder” is a holder of Common Shares that is: (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or meets the substantial presence residency test under U.S. federal income tax laws; (2) a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or a partnership (other than a partnership that is not treated as a U.S. person under any applicable U.S. Treasury regulations) created or organized under the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia or any political subdivision thereof; (3) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of source; (4) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (5) a trust that has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person to the extent provided in U.S. Treasury regulations.
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This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase our Common Shares. This summary generally considers only U.S. Holders that will own our Common Shares as capital assets. Except to the limited extent discussed below, this summary does not consider the U.S. federal tax consequences to a person that is not a U.S. Holder, nor does it describe the rules applicable to determine a taxpayer’s status as a U.S. Holder. This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative and judicial interpretations thereof (including with respect to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), and the U.S./Canada Income Tax Treaty, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, and all of which are open to differing interpretations. We will not seek a ruling from the IRS with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our Common Shares by U.S. Holders and, therefore, can provide no assurances that the IRS will agree with the conclusions set forth below.
This discussion does not address all of the aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular U.S. holder based on such holder’s particular circumstances and in particular does not discuss any estate, gift, generation-skipping, transfer, state, local, excise or foreign tax considerations. In addition, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a U.S. Holder who is: (1) a bank, life insurance company, regulated investment company, or other financial institution or “financial services entity:” (2) a broker or dealer in securities or foreign currency; (3) a person who acquired our Common Shares in connection with employment or other performance of services; (4) a U.S. Holder that is subject to the U.S. alternative minimum tax; (5) a U.S. Holder that holds our Common Shares as a hedge or as part of a hedging, straddle, conversion or constructive sale transaction or other risk-reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (6) a tax-exempt entity; (7) real estate investment trusts or grantor trusts; (8) a U.S. Holder that expatriates out of the United States or a former long-term resident of the United States; or (9) a person having a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a U.S. Holder that owns, directly or constructively, at any time, Common Shares representing 10% or more of our voting power. Additionally, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of partnerships (or other pass-through entities) or persons who hold Common Shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity are not addressed.
Each prospective investor is advised to consult his or her own tax adviser for the specific tax consequences to that investor of purchasing, holding or disposing of our Common Shares, including the effects of applicable state, local, foreign or other tax laws and possible changes in the tax laws.
Taxation of Dividends Paid on Common Shares
We do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. In the event that we do pay dividends, and subject to the discussion under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Companies” below and the discussion of “qualified dividend income” below, a U.S. Holder will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any distribution paid on Common Shares (including the amount of any Canadian tax withheld on the date of the distribution), to the extent that such distribution does not exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of a distribution which exceeds our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the U.S. Holder’s tax basis for the Common Shares to the extent thereof, and then capital gain. We do not expect to maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles and, therefore, U.S. Holders should expect that the entire amount of any distribution generally will be reported as dividend income.
In general, preferential tax rates for “qualified dividend income” and long-term capital gains are applicable for U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” means, inter alia, dividends received from a “qualified foreign corporation.” A “qualified foreign corporation” is a corporation that is entitled to the benefits of a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States which includes an exchange of information program. The IRS has stated that the Canada/U.S. Tax Treaty satisfies this requirement and we believe we are eligible for the benefits of that treaty.
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In addition, our dividends will be qualified dividend income if our Common Shares are readily tradable on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another established securities market in the United States. Dividends will not qualify for the preferential rate if we are treated, in the year the dividend is paid or in the prior year, as a PFIC, as described below under “Passive Foreign Investment Companies.” A U.S. Holder will not be entitled to the preferential rate: (1) if the U.S. Holder has not held our Common Shares for at least 61 days of the 121 day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the ex-dividend date, or (2) to the extent the U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make related payments on substantially similar property. Any days during which the U.S. Holder has diminished its risk of loss on our Common Shares are not counted towards meeting the 61-day holding period. Finally, U.S. Holders who elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Code section 163(d)(4) will not be eligible for the preferential rate of taxation.
The amount of a distribution with respect to our Common Shares will be measured by the amount of the fair market value of any property distributed, and for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of any Canadian taxes withheld therefrom. Cash distributions paid by us in NIS will be included in the income of U.S. Holders at a U.S. dollar amount based upon the spot rate of exchange in effect on the date the dividend is includible in the income of the U.S. Holder, and U.S. Holders will have a tax basis in such NIS for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to such U.S. dollar value. If the U.S. Holder subsequently converts the NIS into U.S. dollars or otherwise disposes of it, any subsequent gain or loss in respect of such NIS arising from exchange rate fluctuations will be U.S. source ordinary exchange gain or loss.
Taxation of the Disposition of Common Shares
Except as provided under the PFIC rules described below under “Passive Foreign Investment Companies,” upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our Common Shares, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between such U.S. Holder’s tax basis for the Common Shares in U.S. dollars and the amount realized on the disposition in U.S. dollar (or its U.S. dollar equivalent determined by reference to the spot rate of exchange on the date of disposition, if the amount realized is denominated in a foreign currency). The gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has a holding period of more than one year at the time of the disposition. Individuals who recognize long-term capital gains may be taxed on such gains at reduced rates of tax. The deduction of capital losses is subject to various limitations.
Gain realized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares will generally be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. A loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares is generally allocated to U.S. source income. The deductibility of a loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Shares is subject to limitations. An additional 3.8% net investment income tax (described below) may apply to gains recognized upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares by certain U.S. Holders who meet certain income thresholds.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
Special U.S. federal income tax laws apply to U.S. taxpayers who own shares of a corporation that is a PFIC. We will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year that either:
| ● | 75% or more of our gross income (including our pro rata share of gross income for any company, in which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value), in a taxable year is passive; or |
| ● | At least 50% of our assets, averaged over the year and generally determined based upon fair market value (including our pro rata share of the assets of any company in which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value) are held for the production of, or produce, passive income. |
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For this purpose, passive income generally consists of dividends, interest, rents, royalties, annuities and income from certain commodities transactions and from notional principal contracts. Cash is treated as generating passive income.
We do not expect that we will be treated as a PFIC for the current taxable year. The tests for determining PFIC status are applied annually, and it is difficult to make accurate projections of future income and assets which are relevant to this determination. In addition, our PFIC status may depend in part on the market value of our Common Shares. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we currently are not or will not become a PFIC.
If we currently are or become a PFIC, each U.S. Holder who has not elected to mark the shares to market (as discussed below), would, upon receipt of certain distributions by us and upon disposition of our Common Shares at a gain: (1) have such distribution or gain allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Shares, as the case may be; (2) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any period prior to the first day of the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and (3) the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. In addition, when shares of a PFIC are acquired by reason of death from a decedent that was a U.S. Holder, the tax basis of such shares would not receive a step-up to fair market value as of the date of the decedent’s death, but instead would be equal to the decedent’s basis if lower, unless all gain were recognized by the decedent. Indirect investments in a PFIC may also be subject to these special U.S. federal income tax rules.
The PFIC rules described above would not apply to a U.S. Holder who makes a QEF election for all taxable years that such U.S. Holder has held the Common Shares while we are a PFIC, provided that we comply with specified reporting requirements. Instead, each U.S. Holder who has made such a QEF election is required for each taxable year that we are a PFIC to include in income such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of our ordinary earnings as ordinary income and such U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of our net capital gains as long-term capital gain, regardless of whether we make any distributions of such earnings or gain. In general, a QEF election is effective only if we make available certain required information. The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and generally may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. We do not intend to furnish U.S. Holders annually with information needed in order to complete IRS Form 8621 and to make and maintain a valid QEF election for any year in which we or any of our subsidiaries are a PFIC. Therefore, the QEF election will not be available with respect to our Common Shares.
In addition, the PFIC rules described above would not apply if we were a PFIC and a U.S. Holder made a mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder of our Common Shares which are regularly traded on a qualifying exchange, including the Nasdaq Capital Market, can elect to mark the Common Shares to market annually, recognizing as ordinary income or loss each year an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of the Common Shares and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares. Losses are allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included income by the U.S. Holder under the election for prior taxable years.
U.S. Holders who hold our Common Shares during a period when we are a PFIC will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if we cease to be a PFIC. U.S. Holders are strongly urged to consult their tax advisors about the PFIC rules.
Tax on Net Investment Income
Subject to certain adjustments under the PFIC rules, U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts will generally be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax on their net investment income (including dividends on and gains from the sale or other disposition of our Common Shares), or in the case of estates and trusts on their net investment income that is not distributed. In each case, the 3.8% Medicare tax applies only to the extent the U.S. Holder’s total adjusted income exceeds applicable thresholds.
Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Common Shares
Except as provided below, an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder referred to below as a non-U.S. Holder, generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the payment of dividends on, and the proceeds from the disposition of, our Common Shares.
A non-U.S. Holder may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a dividend paid on our Common Shares or gain from the disposition of our Common Shares if: (1) such item is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in the United States; or (2) in the case of a disposition of our Common Shares, the individual non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and other specified conditions are met. Any dividend income or gain described in clause (1) above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income tax basis in the same manner as a U.S. Holder and, with respect to corporate holders, a branch profits tax imposed at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) may also apply to its effectively connected earnings and profits (subject to adjustments). Any dividend income or gain described in clause (2) above that is not effectively connected with the conduct by a Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the U.S. generally will be subject to 30% withholding tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) net of certain U.S. source capital losses.
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In general, non-U.S. Holders will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to the payment of dividends on our Common Shares if payment is made through a paying agent, or office of a foreign broker outside the United States. However, if payment is made in the United States or by a U.S. related person, non-U.S. Holders may be subject to backup withholding, unless the non-U.S. Holder provides an applicable IRS Form W-8 (or a substantially similar form) certifying its foreign status, or otherwise establishes an exemption.
The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Information Reporting and Withholding
A U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% with respect to cash dividends and proceeds from a disposition of Common Shares. In general, backup withholding will apply only if a U.S. Holder fails to comply with specified identification procedures. Backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to designated exempt recipients, such as corporations and tax-exempt organizations. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. federal income tax liability of a U.S. Holder, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
| F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not applicable.
| G. | Statement by Experts |
Not applicable.
| H. | Documents on Display |
We are subject to certain information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, applicable to foreign private issuers and under those requirements will file reports with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC will also be available to the public through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file annual, quarterly and current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we will file with the SEC, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, or such applicable time as required by the SEC, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, and may furnish to the SEC, on a Form 6-K, unaudited quarterly financial information.
We maintain a corporate website https://www.siyatamobile.com/. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website and the other websites referenced above do not constitute a part of Annual Report. We have included these website addresses in this Annual Report solely as inactive textual references.
| I. | Subsidiary Information |
On March 31, 2021, the Corporation’s indirectly and wholly-owned subsidiary ClearRF Nevada Inc. acquired all of the issued and outstanding interests of Clear RF, LLC (“ClearRF”), a Washington State limited liability company, for a total purchase price of US$700,000 in a combination of cash and Common Shares. ClearRF produces M2M (machine-to-machine) cellular amplifiers for commercial and industrial M2M applications, and offers patented direct connect cellular amplifiers and patented auto gain & oscillation control designed for M2M and “internet-of-things” (IoT) applications.
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| J. | Annual Report to Security Holders |
Included in the 20-F Exhibits
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the ordinary course of our operations, we are exposed to certain market risks, primarily changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our current investment policy is to invest available cash in bank deposits with banks that have a credit rating of at least A-minus. Accordingly, a substantial majority of our cash and cash equivalents is held in deposits that bear interest. Given the current low rates of interest we receive, we will not be adversely affected if such rates are reduced. Our market risk exposure is primarily a result of CAD$/US$ exchange rates as well as NIS/US$ exchange rates, which are discussed in detail in the following paragraph.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We operate primarily in Canada, U.S. and Israel, and approximately 10% and 14% of our expenses are denominated in CAD$ and NIS, respectively. We are therefore exposed to market risk, which represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. We are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency rates in connection with these arrangements. Changes of 5% and 10% in the CAD$/US$ exchange rate would have increased/decreased operating expenses by approximately 0.5% and 1%, respectively, in 2023, while such changes to the NIS/US$ exchange rate would have increased/decreased operating expenses by approximately 0.7% and 1.4%, respectively, in 2023.
By purchasing in US$ from Asian suppliers and with the majority of our sales in US$, we partially hedge our foreign currency exchange rate risk to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rates of our principal operating currencies. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from the material adverse effects of such fluctuations.
By purchasing in US$ from Asian suppliers and with the majority of our sales in US$, we partially hedge our foreign currency exchange rate risk to decrease the risk of financial exposure from fluctuations in the exchange rates of our principal operating currencies. These measures, however, may not adequately protect us from the material adverse effects of such fluctuations.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
| A. | Debt Securities |
Not applicable.
| B. | Warrants and Rights |
WARRANT LIABILITY
| (1) | On October 27, 2023, the Company issued 530,000 (75,714 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits) pre-funded warrants to certain existing accredited investors. These pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 ($0.07 after the 1-for-100 and 1-for-7 reverse stock splits per Common Share, and have an expiry of 5 years from the issue date. |
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| C. | Other Securities |
Not applicable.
| D. | American Depositary Shares |
Not applicable.
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There are no material modifications to the rights of security holders.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
| (a) | Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
Disclosure controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2023, solely as a result of the material weakness in internal controls related to the restatement described below.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial and accounting officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and Interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”). Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2023: (i) related to the Company’s revenue recognition practices where the Company does not sufficiently determine for specific transactions the correct timing in which the revenue should be recorded after title transfer terms were met ; (ii) insufficient documentation of inventory controls relating to the Company’s inventory balances, transfers between sites and off-site inventory tracking is limited; and (iii) internal control weaknesses in the capitalization and coordination of development costs to prevent excess payments and erroneously recorded invoices.
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The Company has since instituted remediation efforts as set forth above in the section of this Form 20-F titled “Risk Factors - Our independent registered public accountants have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting in both 2023 and 2022.” If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports as a public company in a timely manner” and believes that the aforementioned weaknesses have been remediated as if the date of this Annual Report.
| (b) | Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting of Siyata (as defined by Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). 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 for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Siyata’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company’s management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework presented in the Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023 except for the items noted as material weaknesses by our auditors.
| (c) | Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm |
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting due to an exemption for emerging growth companies provided in the JOBS Act.
| (d) | Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
As described in Item 3.D. “Risk Factors,” as of December 31, 2023, we have material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16 [RESERVED].
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our board of directors has determined that Gary Herman and Lourdes Felix are audit committee financial experts, as defined under the rules under the Exchange Act, and are independent in accordance with applicable Exchange Act rules and Nasdaq Stock Market rules.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees as well as other persons performing functions on our behalf, such as consultants. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our website at is https://www.siyatamobile.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute a part of this Annual Report and is not incorporated by reference herein. If we make any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or grant any waivers, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC including the instructions to Item 12B of Form 20-F. We have not granted any waivers under our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
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ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Barzily & Co. has served as our principal independent registered public accounting firm for each of the two years ended December 31, 2023 and,2022. and for 2021, Davidson and Co. LLP.
On May 24, 2022, we received a letter from Davidson & Company LLP, or Davidson, that stated that Davidson did not wish to be reappointed as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Davidson ceased to serve as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm as of May 24, 2022. The Company requested that Davidson respond fully to the inquiries of Friedman, LLP, the Company’s successor independent registered public accounting firm, and Davidson agreed to cooperate with the Company and Friedman with respect to the transition. During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the subsequent interim period through the filing of the Company’s Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K on May 31, 2022, there were no “disagreements” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) with Davidson on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Davidson, would have caused Davidson to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in connection with its report. Davidson’s report on the consolidated financial statements for the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that Davidson’s report for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 contained an explanatory paragraph indicating that there was substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. In a separate correspondence, Davidson identified five material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting. During the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the subsequent interim period through May 31, 2022, there had been no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K), except for certain material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
On May 24, 2022, management of the Company notified Friedman LLP, or Friedman, that Friedman had been approved by the Company’s audit committee of the board of directors and the board of directors as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Friedman LLP combined with Marcum LLP, or Marcum, effective September 1, 2022. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the subsequent interim period through May 31, 2022, the Company did not consult with Friedman or Marcum with respect to: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered with respect to the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company by Friedman or Marcum that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that was subject to any disagreement, as defined in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation SK, Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and the related instructions thereto, or a reportable event within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The following table provides information regarding fees paid and/or payable by us to Davidson & Company, LLP, Marcum LLP and to Barzily & Co. CPA for all services, including audit services, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 as of the date of this Annual Report:
| Year Ended | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Audit fees(1) | $ | 200,000 | $ | 431,600 | ||||
| Audit-related fees | $ | 44,000 | $ | 85,000 | ||||
| Tax fees(2) | $ | 10,000 | $ | 16,000 | ||||
| Total | $ | 254,000 | $ | 532,600 | ||||
| (1) | Includes professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements, review of our interim financial statements, and fees relating to fundraising. |
| (2) | Tax fees are the aggregate fees billed (in the year) for professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax advice other than in connection with the audit. |
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All audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our independent auditor must be approved by our Audit Committee in advance to ensure that such engagements do not impair the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee generally pre-approves particular services or categories of services on a case-by-case basis. All services provided to us by our independent auditor in 2023 and 2022 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Under Nasdaq rules, we may elect to follow certain corporate governance practices permitted under the laws of Canada, and more specifically, British Columbia, in lieu of compliance with corresponding corporate governance requirements otherwise imposed by the Nasdaq Stock Market rules for U.S. domestic issuers.
In accordance with applicable Canadian law and practice and subject to the exemption set forth in Rule 5615 of the Nasdaq Stock Market rules, we have elected to follow the provisions under our home country rules, rather than the Nasdaq Stock Market rules, with respect to the following requirements:
| ● | Distribution of periodic reports to shareholders; proxy solicitation. As opposed to the Nasdaq Stock Market rules, which require listed issuers to make such reports available to shareholders in one of a number of specific manners, our home country rules do not require us to distribute periodic reports directly to shareholders, and the generally accepted business practice is not to distribute such reports to shareholders but to make such reports available through a public website. In addition to making such reports available on a public website, we currently make our audited financial statements available to our shareholders at our offices and will only mail such reports to shareholders upon request. As a foreign private issuer, we are generally exempt from the SEC’s proxy solicitation rules. |
| ● | Quorum. While the Nasdaq Stock Market rules require that the quorum for purposes of any meeting of the holders of a listed company’s common voting stock, as specified in a company’s constating documents, be no less than 33 1/3% of the company’s outstanding common voting stock, under our home country rules, a company is entitled to determine in its articles the number of shareholders and percentage of holdings required for a quorum at a shareholders meeting. Our articles provide that a quorum of two or more shareholders who are, or represent by proxy, shareholders holding, in the aggregate, at least 33.33% of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting. However, the quorum set forth in our articles with respect to an adjourned meeting consists of one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting if the standard required quorum is not present within half an hour from the time set for the holding of such adjourned meeting. |
| ● | Majority Independent Directors. The corporate governance practice in our home country does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors. Thus, although a director must act in the best interests of the Company, it is possible that fewer board members will be exercising independent judgment and the level of board oversight on the management of our company may decrease as a result. Currently, however, our board of consists of a majority of independent directors. |
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ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
Item 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICY.
Not applicable.
Item 16K. CYBERSECURITY.
Cybersecurity Risk management and strategy
Our cybersecurity risk management program aims to fully identify threats, to present and evaluate them transparently, to mitigate, and manage them proactively. We have developed and implemented a cybersecurity risk management process intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our critical systems and information.
Our cybersecurity risk management process guides us in making cybersecurity risk-informed decisions and provides the basis for evaluating and monitoring the cybersecurity risk profile of the Company. This process provides a shared understanding and promotes a consistent approach to cybersecurity risk management within the Company in line with our information security policy and includes a cybersecurity incident response plan.
As part of our cybersecurity risk management program, we review industry best practices, including the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Cybersecurity Framework and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 27001 to manage information security. We periodically conduct ongoing internal and external vulnerability analyses, including simulated attack as well as external testing via a third-party to evaluate the effectiveness of our cybersecurity process and controls.
In an effort to minimize third-party risk, we have established a process to assess the security practices of third-party vendors and service providers and related risks. Our process includes a security assessment informed by vendor questionnaires and contractual security requirements related to data privacy for certain vendors.
The SOC is responsible for investigating all security incidents and alerts including determining the threat type, incident scope and incident severity. Where appropriate, major incidents are escalated according to cybersecurity incident process.
Employee awareness and training are essential to our ability as a company to thwart cyber-attacks. We continuously raise employees’ risk awareness with mandatory, regular online training for all employees and complimentary awareness campaigns.
In 2023, we did not identify any risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. Despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurance that we have not experienced an undetected cybersecurity incident. For more information about these risks, please see Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors.
Cybersecurity Governance
Our board of directors has overall oversight responsibility for our risk management strategy, and delegates information security and related risk management oversight to the Audit Committee. Members of the audit committee receive regular updates from management, regarding cybersecurity related matters. This includes existing and new cybersecurity risks, how management is addressing, managing and/or mitigating those risks, cybersecurity and data privacy incidents (if relevant), and the status of key information security initiatives.
Our management and our cybersecurity and risks council overseas regular review of cybersecurity risk management activities, is responsible for the management of our cyber risk exposure and monitoring the effectiveness of the cybersecurity program, including but not limited to, our cybersecurity tools and controls, and is responsible for establishing and reviewing our risk tolerance for our cyber risk framework.
The cybersecurity and risks council includes the CEO, and the CTO, and cybersecurity specialists. Those employees have decades of experience in cybersecurity and operations, cybersecurity education, and certifications from various organizations.
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PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to provide financial statements and related information pursuant to Item 18.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related notes required by this Item are included in this annual report on Form 20-F beginning on page F-1.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
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| * | filed herewith. |
| ** | furnished herewith. |
| # | Management contracts or compensatory plans, contracts or arrangements. |
99
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on Form 20-F filed on its behalf.
| SIYATA MOBILE INC. | ||
| Date: April 8, 2024 | By: | /s/ Marc Seelenfreund |
| Marc Seelenfreund | ||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||
100
SIYATA MOBILE INC.
Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
To the Shareholders and Directors of
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Siyata Mobile Inc. and its subsidiaries (together “the Company”), as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the 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, changes in shareholders’ equity and its cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the entity will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, high accumulated losses, outstanding bank loan and an outstanding balance in respect of the sale of future receipts, that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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 consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our 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 misstatements of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Other Matter
The financial statements as at December 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2021, which are presented for comparative purposes, were audited by another auditor who expressed an unmodified opinion on those financial statements on March 31, 2022.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023
By: /s/
BARZILY AND CO., CPA’s
April 3, 2024
F-2
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in US dollars)
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Trade and other receivables (Note 4) | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Inventory (Note 5) | ||||||||
| Advance to suppliers | ||||||||
| Long term receivable | ||||||||
| Right of use assets, net (Note 6) | ||||||||
| Equipment, net | ||||||||
| Intangible assets, net (Note 7) | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current | ||||||||
| Bank loan (Note 8) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Sale of future receipts (Note 9) | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue | ||||||||
| Lease obligations (Note 10) | ||||||||
| Warrant liability (Note 11) | ||||||||
| Lease obligations (Note 10) | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Share capital (Note 12) | ||||||||
| Reserves (Note 12) | ||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ||||||||
| Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
Nature of operations and going concern (Note 1)
Subsequent events (Note 25)
Approved on April 3, 2024 on behalf of the Board:
| “Lourdes Felix” | “Marc Seelenfreund” | |
| Lourdes Felix - Director | Marc Seelenfreund - Director |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(Expressed in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Cost of sales (Note 13) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||||||
| EXPENSES | ||||||||||||
| Amortization and depreciation (Note 6,7) | ||||||||||||
| Development expenses (Note 7) | ||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing (Note 14) | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative (Note 15) | ||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on valuation of inventory (Note 5) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Loss (income) from water damage (Note 5) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Bad debts (recovered) (Note 4) | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of intangibles (Note 7) | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | ||||||||||||
| Share-based payments (Note 12) | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Net operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| OTHER EXPENSES | ||||||||||||
| Finance expense (Note 16) | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Change in fair value of convertible promissory note | ||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liability (Note 11) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Transaction costs (Note 17) | ||||||||||||
| Total other expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Recovery of income taxes | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||
| Translation adjustment | ||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss for the year | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Weighted average shares | ||||||||||||
| $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated audited financial statements.
F-4
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Expressed in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
| Share capital | Share Capital | Reserves | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Deficit | Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| # | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued on acquisition of ClearRF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued on warrant exercises | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share based payments | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Translation adjustment | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued on acquisition of ClearRF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issued on capital raise | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issuance costs on capital raise | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-funded warrants exercised | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue of common shares for restricted share units | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants issued | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share based payments | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Translation adjustment | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants transferred from liability | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants exercised | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issued on capital raise | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share issuance costs on capital raise | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-funded warrants exercised | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share based payments | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated unaudited interim financial statements.
F-5
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||||||
| Net loss for the year | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Items not affecting cash: | ||||||||||||
| Amortization and depreciation | ||||||||||||
| Bad debt expense | ||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on valuation of inventory | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Loss (income) due to water damage | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Impairment of intangibles | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | ||||||||||||
| Fair value changes on derivatives | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net of repayments | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Transaction costs | ||||||||||||
| Share based payments | ||||||||||||
| Change in non-cash working capital (Note 24) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||||||
| Repayment of long-term receivable | - | |||||||||||
| Intangible asset additions | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Equipment additions | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Acquisition of ClearRF | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Bank loan | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Sale of future receipts | ||||||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Convertible debt issued, net of repayments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Proceeds on share issuance | ||||||||||||
| Share issuance costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Exercise of warrants | ||||||||||||
| Net cash from financing activities | ||||||||||||
| Effect of foreign exchange on cash | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Change in cash and restricted cash for the year | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year | ||||||||||||
| Cash and restricted cash, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated audited financial statements.
F-6
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 1. | NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND GOING CONCERN |
Siyata Mobile Inc. (“Siyata” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act, British Columbia on October 15, 1986. The Company’s shares are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol SYTA and warrants issued on September 29, 2020, are traded under the symbol SYTAW. The Company’s principal activity is the sale of vehicle-mounted, cellular-based communications platforms over advanced mobile networks and cellular booster systems. The registered and records office is located at 7404 King George Blvd, Suite- 200, Surrey, BC, V3W1N6.
Consolidated Financial Statements
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) with the assumption that the Company will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business rather than a process of forced liquidation. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The Company incurred a net loss of
$
War in Israel
On October 7, 2023 a war broke out in Israel and many reservists were called up to the Israeli army.
Several of our employees are or may be subject to military service in the IDF and have been and may be called to serve. It is possible that there will be further military reserve duty call-ups in the future, which may affect our business due to a shortage of skilled labor and loss of institutional knowledge, and necessary mitigation measures we may take to respond to a decrease in labor availability, such as overtime and third-party outsourcing, for example, which may have unintended negative effects and adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity or cash flows.
There have been travel advisories imposed as related to travel to Israel, and restriction on travel, or delays and disruptions as related to imports and exports may be imposed in the future. Additionally, members of our management and employees are located and reside in Israel. Shelter-in-place and work-from-home measures, government-imposed restrictions on movement and travel and other precautions taken to address the ongoing conflict may temporarily disrupt our management and employees’ ability to effectively perform their daily tasks.
The conflict situation in Israel could cause disruptions in our supply chain and international trade, including the import of inputs and the export of our products, The conflict situation in Israel could also result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.
It is currently not possible to predict the duration or severity of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East or its effects on our business, operations and financial conditions. The ongoing conflict is rapidly evolving and developing, and could disrupt our business and operations, interrupt our sources and availability of supply and hamper our ability to raise additional funds or sell our securities, among others.
| 2. | BASIS OF PREPARATION |
Statement of compliance
These consolidated financial statements, including comparatives, have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and Interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”).
Change of functional currency
Effective October 1, 2020, management determined that the Company’s functional currency changed from Canadian dollars to United States dollars (“USD”). The change in the functional currency has been accounted for on a prospective basis and is primarily based on the fact that the Company’s securities are listed on the Nasdaq exchange and as a result the future financing of the Company and cash flows of the entities will be in USD.
In accordance with Company’s existing policy, the Company did not reassess the classification of financial instruments as liabilities or equity as a result of the change in functional currency. As a result, warrants remain classified as equity and are not revalued at fair value. For the same reason, the change in functional currency did not give rise to an embedded derivative related to the Company’s previously outstanding convertible debt with a conversion price denominated in Canadian dollars.
F-7
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 2. | BASIS OF PREPARATION (cont’d) |
Change of presentation currency
As a result of the USD financing and the majority of cash flows denominated in US dollars, the Company changed its presentation currency from Canadian dollars to “USD” effective October 1, 2020. The change in the financial statement presentation currency is an accounting policy change and has been accounted for retrospectively. The balance sheets for each period presented have been translated from the related subsidiary’s functional currency to the new “USD” presentation currency at the rate of exchange prevailing at the respective balance sheet date except for equity items, which have been translated at accumulated historical rates from the related subsidiary’s date of incorporation. The statements of loss and comprehensive loss were translated at the average exchange rates for the reporting period, or at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of transactions.
With the retrospective application of the change in presentation currency from the Canadian dollar to the US dollar, the Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) related to the translation of “USD” functional currency subsidiaries was eliminated except for the wholly-owned subsidiary, Signifi Mobile Inc. whose functional currency was in Canadian dollars until December 31, 2022. As a result of the USD financing and the majority of cash flows denominated in US dollars, Signifi Mobile Inc. also changed its presentation currency from Canadian dollars to “USD” effective January 1, 2023. However, with the retrospective application of the change in presentation currency to the “USD”, the Company’s corporate office, which had a Canadian dollar functional currency, resulted in an AOCI balance. The AOCI balance generated by the Canadian dollar entities has been adjusted since it now reflects the translation into the new “USD” presentation currency.
Basis of consolidation and presentation
These consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments classified as financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss, which are stated at their fair value. In addition, the consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, except for the statement of cash flows.
These consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and its wholly controlled subsidiaries. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its direct wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
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F-8
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 2. | BASIS OF PREPARATION (cont’d) |
Foreign currency translation
Items included in the financial statements of each entity in the Company are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”) and has been determined for each entity within the Company. The functional currency of Siyata Mobile Inc. is the USD which is also the functional currency of all its subsidiaries except Signifi Mobile Inc. whose functional currency is Canadian dollars. The functional currency determinations were conducted through an analysis of the consideration factors identified in International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 21, The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates.
Assets and liabilities of entities with a functional currency other than the USD are translated into USD at period-end exchange rates. Income and expenses, and cash flows are translated into USD using the average exchange rate.
Transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional currency are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange in effect as at the statement of financial position date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the time of the acquisition of the assets or assumption of the liabilities. Foreign currency differences arising on translation are recognized in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss.
Use of estimates and judgements
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
| i) | Critical accounting estimates |
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
Information about critical estimates in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are, but not limited to the following:
| ● | Income taxes - Tax provisions are based on enacted or substantively enacted laws. Changes in those laws could affect amounts recognized in profit or loss both in the period of change, which would include any impact on cumulative provisions, and future periods. Deferred tax assets, if any, are recognized to the extent it is considered probable that those assets will be recoverable. This involves an assessment of when those deferred tax assets are likely to reverse. |
F-9
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 2. | BASIS OF PREPARATION (cont’d) |
Use of estimates and judgements (cont’d)
| i) | Critical accounting estimates (cont’d) |
| ● | Fair value measurements - Certain of the Company’s (financial) assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. In estimating fair value, the Company uses market-observable data to the extent it is available. In certain cases where Level 1 inputs are not available the Company will engage third-party qualified valuators to perform the valuation. Information about the valuation techniques and inputs used in determining the fair value of financial instruments is in Note 11 and 12. |
| ● | Fair value of stock options and warrants - Determining the fair value of warrants and stock options requires judgments related to the choice of a pricing model, the estimation of stock price volatility, the expected forfeiture rate and the expected term of the underlying instruments. Any changes in the estimates or inputs utilized to determine fair value could have a significant impact on the Company’s future operating results or on other components of shareholders’ equity. |
| ● | Capitalization of development costs and their amortization rate - Development costs are capitalized in accordance with the accounting policy. To determine the amounts earmarked for capitalization, management estimates the cash flows which are expected to be derived from the asset for which the development is carried out and the expected benefit period. |
| ● | Inventory - Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost of inventory includes cost of purchase (purchase price, import duties, transport, handling, and other costs directly attributable to the acquisition of inventories), cost of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Net realizable value for inventories is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Provisions are made in profit or loss of the current period on any difference between book value and net realizable value. |
| ● | Estimated product returns - Revenue from product sales is recognized net of estimated sales discounts, credits, returns, rebates and allowances. The return allowance is determined based on an analysis of the historical rate of returns, industry return data, and current market conditions, which is applied directly against sales. |
| ● | Impairment of non-financial assets - The Company assesses impairment at each reporting date by evaluating conditions specific to the Company that may lead to asset impairment. The recoverable amount of an asset or a cash-generating unit (“CGU”) is determined using the greater of fair value less costs to sell and replacement costs which requires the use of various judgments, estimates, and assumptions. The Company identifies CGUs as identifiable groups of assets that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. Value in use calculations require estimations of discount rates and future cash flows derived from revenue growth, gross margin and operating costs. Fair value less costs to sell calculations require the Company to estimate fair value of an asset or a CGU using market values of similar assets as well as estimations of the related costs to sell. |
F-10
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 2. | BASIS OF PREPARATION (cont’d) |
Use of estimates and judgements (cont’d)
| i) | Critical accounting estimates (cont’d) |
| ● | Useful life of intangible assets - The Company estimates the useful life used to amortize intangible assets which relates to the expected future performance of the assets acquired based on management estimate of the sales forecast. |
| ● | Collectability of trade receivables - In order for management to determine expected credit losses in accordance with IFRS 9, we are required to make estimates based on historical information related to collections, in addition to taking the current condition of our customers credit quality into account. |
| ii) | Critical accounting judgments |
Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements are, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | Deferred income taxes - judgments are made by management to determine the likelihood of whether deferred income tax assets at the end of the reporting period will be realized from future taxable earnings. To the extent that assumptions regarding future profitability change, there can be an increase or decrease in the amounts recognized in respect of deferred tax assets as well as the amounts recognized in profit or loss in the period in which the change occurs. |
| ● | Functional currency - The functional currency for the Company and each of its subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the respective entity operates. The Company has determined the functional currency of each entity to be the USD as of October 1, 2020, except for Signifi Mobile Inc. whose functional currency is Canadian dollars until December 31, 2022 and is the USD since the Company considers the functional currency of its subsidiaries revenues and increase in U employees which said events determine the primary economic environment should be the USD. |
| ● | Going concern – As disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. |
F-11
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| (a) | Impairment of long-lived assets |
The carrying amounts of the Company’s non-financial assets, other than deferred tax assets if any, are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.
For the purpose of impairment testing, assets that cannot be tested individually are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the “cash-generating unit” or “CGU”). The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.
If there is an indication that a corporate asset may be impaired, then the recoverable amount is determined for the CGU to which the corporate asset belongs. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or its CGU exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.
Impairment losses recognized in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists.
An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization if no impairment loss had been recognized. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
| (b) | Intangible assets |
| i) | Research and development |
Expenditure on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, is recognized in profit or loss when incurred.
Development activities involve a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products and processes. Development expenditure is capitalized only if development costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and Siyata has the intention and sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. The expenditure capitalized in respect of development activities includes the cost of materials, direct labor and overhead costs that are directly attributable to preparing the asset for its intended use, and capitalized borrowing costs. Other development expenditure is recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
F-12
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (b) | Intangible assets (cont’d) |
In subsequent periods, capitalized development expenditure is measured at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.
| ii) | Subsequent expenditure |
Subsequent expenditure is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure, including expenditure on internally generated goodwill and brands, is recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
| iii) | Amortization |
Amortization is a systematic allocation of the amortizable amount of an intangible asset over its useful life. The amortizable amount is the cost of the asset less its estimated residual value. Amortization is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets from the date they are available for use. See Note 7 for amortization rates and methods applied to each class of intangible assets. An annual review of the useful life of intangible assets is made by management and any changes in useful life are reflected prospectively.
Internally generated intangible assets are not systematically amortized as long as they are not available for use (i.e. they have not completed certifications and/or are in working condition for their intended use). Accordingly, these intangible assets, such as development costs, are tested for impairment at least once a year, until such date as they are available for use.
| (c) | Business Combinations |
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the fair values at the date of acquisition, of assets transferred, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued by the Company. The acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities assumed are recognized at their fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the consideration over the fair value of the net identifiable assets and liabilities acquired is recorded as goodwill. Any gain on a bargain purchase is recorded in profit or loss immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment.
| (d) | Goodwill |
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Company’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the entity recognized at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognized as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested for impairment annually.
F-13
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (e) | Inventory |
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of inventories is based on the first-in first-out (FIFO) principle, and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and the costs incurred in bringing them to their existing location and condition. In the case of manufactured inventories and work in progress, cost includes an appropriate share of production overheads based on normal operating capacity. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completing and selling expenses.
| (f) | Sales of Future Receipts |
The Company accounts for Sales of future receipts in accordance with IFRS 9. Under IFRS 9 the seller should evaluate whether the proceeds received should be accounted for as debt or deferred income, depending on the circumstances of the agreement. Sales of future receipts that are accounted for as debt are subject to the interest method.
| (g) | Revenues |
Revenue from the sale of goods, in the ordinary course of business, is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, trade discounts and volume rebates. When the credit period is short and constitutes the accepted credit in the industry, the future consideration is not discounted.
Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence exists (usually in the form of an executed sales agreement), that the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, recovery of the consideration is probable, the associated costs and possible return of goods can be estimated reliably, there is no continuing management involvement with the goods, and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. If it is probable that discounts will be granted and the amount can be measured reliably, then the discount is recognized as a reduction of revenue as the sales are recognized.
Transfers of risks and rewards vary depending on the individual terms of the contract of sale. For sales on products in Israel, transfer usually occurs when the product is received at the customer’s warehouse, but for some international shipments transfer occurs upon loading the goods onto the relevant carrier.
| (h) | Financial Instruments |
Financial assets
On initial recognition, financial assets are recognized at fair value and are subsequently classified and measured at: (i) amortized cost; (ii) fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”); or (iii) fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). The classification of financial assets is generally based on the business model in which a financial asset is managed and its contractual cash flow characteristics. A financial asset is measured at fair value net of transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition except for financial assets at FVTPL where transaction costs are expensed. All financial assets not classified and measured at amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVTPL. On initial recognition of an equity instrument that is not held for trading, the Company may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in the investment’s fair value in other comprehensive.
The classification determines the method by which the financial assets are carried on the balance sheet subsequent to inception and how changes in value are recorded. The Company has classified its cash, restricted cash, loan to director and trade, and other receivables at amortized cost.
F-14
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (h) | Financial Instruments (cont’d) |
Changes to financial assets measured at fair value are recognized in profit and loss as they arise (“FVPL”). Changes in financial assets recorded at amortized cost are recognized in profit and loss when the asset is derecognized or reclassified.
Impairment
An ‘expected credit loss’ impairment model applies which requires a loss allowance to be recognized based on expected credit losses. The estimated present value of future cash flows associated with the asset is determined and an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between this amount and the carrying amount as follows: the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to estimated present value of the future cash flows associated with the asset, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate, either directly or through the use of an allowance account and the resulting loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period.
In a subsequent period, if the amount of the impairment loss related to financial assets measured at amortized cost decreases, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized.
Financial liabilities
All financial liabilities (including liabilities designated at FVTPL) are recognized initially on the date at which the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. The Company derecognizes a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled or expire. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at FVTPL are recognized immediately in profit or loss.
The subsequent measurement of financial liabilities is determined based on their classification as follows:
(i) FVTPL – Derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company are classified as FVTPL.
(ii) Amortized cost – All other financial liabilities are classified as amortized cost using the effective interest method.
The Company has classified its bank loan, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and long-term debt as other financial liabilities and carried on the balance sheet at amortized cost. Future purchase consideration, convertible promissory note, and warrant liability are all classified as FVTPL.
F-15
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (i) | Loss per share |
The Company presents basic and diluted loss per share data for its common shares. Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for own shares held. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming that the proceeds to be received on the exercise of dilutive share options and warrants are used to repurchase common shares at the average market price during the period. In the Company’s case, diluted loss per share is the same as basic loss per share, as the effect of outstanding share options and warrants on loss per share would be anti-dilutive. The weighted average number of shares was retroactively changed to reflect the 1-to-145 reverse stock split that occurred on September 25, 2020 as well as the 1-to-100 reverse stock split that occurred on August 3, 2023 and 1-to-7 reverse stock split that occurred on December 4, 2023.
| (j) | Share-based payments |
The stock option plan allows Company employees and consultants to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value of options granted is recognized as a share-based payment expense with a corresponding increase in equity. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes (direct employee) or provides services similar to those performed by a direct employee. Consideration paid on the exercise of stock options is credited to share capital and the fair value of the option is reclassified from share-based payment reserve to share capital.
In situations where equity instruments are issued to non-employees and some or all of the services received by the entity as consideration cannot be specifically identified, they are all measured at the fair value of the share-based payment, otherwise, share-based payments are measured at the fair value of the services received.
The fair value is measured at the grant date at each tranche is recognized over the period during which the options vest. The fair value of the options granted is measured using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. At each reporting date, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of stock options that are expected to vest.
| (k) | Provisions |
Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive), as a result of past events, and it is probable that an outflow of resources that can be reliably estimated will be required to settle the obligation. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect is material, the provision is discounted to net present value using an appropriate current market-based pre-tax discount rate and the unwinding of the discount is included in profit or loss as interest expense from discounting obligations.
F-16
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (l) | Income taxes |
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.
Deferred tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable operations, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. In addition, deferred tax is not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realized simultaneously. A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits, and deductible temporary differences, to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.
| (m) | Leases |
The Company accounts for lease contracts in accordance with IFRS 16, Leases. At the inception of a contract, the Company assesses whether a contract is, or contains a lease. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the commencement date of the lease. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset, less any lease incentives received. The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight- line method from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease tern. In addition, the right-of-use assets are adjusted for impairment losses, if any. The estimated useful lives and recoverable amounts of right-of-use assets are determined on the same basis as those of property and equipment.
F-17
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (m) | Leases (cont’d) |
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases and leases for which the underlying asset is of low value.
The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense: on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
| (n) | Equipment |
Property, plant and equipment that qualifies for recognition as an asset shall be measured at its cost. The depreciable amount of an asset is determined after deducting its residual value. Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment is based on the straight-line method over the useful life of the asset. The depreciation charge for each period shall be recognized in profit or loss.
| (o) | Future accounting pronouncements |
Listed below are the standards, amendments and interpretations that the Company reasonably expected to be applicable at a future date, and intends to adopt when they become effective. The Company is currently considering the impact of adopting these standards, amendments and interpretations on its consolidated financial statements and cannot reasonably estimate the effect at this time.
In January 2020, the IASB issued Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to IAS 1) that aims to promote consistency by helping companies determine whether debt and other liabilities with an uncertain settlement date should be classified as current or non-current in the statement of financial position. The amendments also clarify the classification requirements for debt a company might settle by converting it into equity. In October 2022, the IASB issued Non-current Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1) that provides guidance on how covenants may affect an entity’s right to defer settlement of a liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period, which may determine whether a liability should be presented as current or non-current. Both of these amendments to IAS 1 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, with earlier application permitted.
F-18
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 3. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont’d) |
| (o) | Future accounting pronouncements (cont’d) |
| ● | In January 2020, the IASB issued Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendments to IAS 1). The amendments aim to promote consistency in applying the requirements by helping companies determine whether, in the consolidated statements of financial position, debt and other liabilities with an uncertain settlement date should be classified as current (due or potentially due to be settled within one year) or non-current. The amendments include clarifying the classification requirements for debt a company might settle by converting it into equity. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, with earlier application permitted. The impact of adopting these amendments on the Company’s financial statements is not expected to be material. |
| ● | In September 2022, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 16, Leases, which add to requirements explaining how a company accounts for a sale and leaseback after the date of the transaction. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024. Earlier application is permitted. |
F-19
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 4. | TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES |
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Trade receivables | $ | $ | ||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Taxes receivable | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
Provisions on Trade Receivables
In accordance with policy to use the
expected credit loss model, the Company utilizes the expedited method where trade receivables are provided for based on their aging, as
well as providing for specified balances deemed non-collectible. In the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company concluded that a bad
debt provision of $ (2022-$
Factoring Arrangements and Liens
Signifi Mobile Inc. (“Signifi”) had a factoring
agreement on its trade receivables effective April 2023, whereby invoices are fully assigned to a funding entity in return for
The
Siyata Mobile Israel (“SMI”)
had a factoring agreement on its trade receivables, whereby invoices are fully assigned to a funding entity in return for
The
F-20
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 5. | INVENTORY |
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Finished products | $ | $ | ||||||
| Impairment of finished products | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accessories and spare parts | ||||||||
| Impairment of accessories and spare parts | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
Refer to Note 13 for total inventories expensed as cost of sales during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
During the year ended December 31,
2022, the Company had a flood in one of its premises resulting in damage to some of the inventory. The Company wrote off $
Provision on inventory
Management is presently reviewing the
inventory for impairment on a quarterly basis. During the year, the Company also wrote off $ (2022 - $
Liens
As a result of the factoring agreement
in Note 4 above, the Company has provided the North American inventory as collateral for the outstanding balance. As at December 31, 2023
the inventory owed by the North American entities amounts to $
| 6. | RIGHT OF USE ASSESTS, NET |
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Opening balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| Additions in the year | ||||||||
| Translation adjustment | ||||||||
| Other | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Amortization in the year | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Closing balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Office lease | $ | $ | ||||||
| Car leases | ||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||
F-21
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 7. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET |
| Development Costs | Uniden License | E-Wave License | Clear RF Patent + Supplier relationship | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Additions | - | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Accumulated Amortization: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Additions | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Net Book Value: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | ||||||||||||
Development Costs
Development costs are internally generated and are capitalized in accordance with the IAS 38, Intangible Assets. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses capitalized development costs for indicators of impairment or when facts or circumstances suggest the carrying amount may exceed its recoverable amount.
The Company engaged a third-party evaluator
to determine the recoverable amount of the intangible assets at December 31, 2023 based on the replacement cost method for costs related
to devices under development and the royalty relief method for the devices for sales. The royalty relief method used an estimated royalty
rate of
During the twelve months ended December
31, 2023 the Company incurred $
F-22
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 7. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (cont’d) |
Uniden License
During 2016, the Company acquired a license agreement from Uniden America Corporation (“Uniden”). The agreement provides for the Company to use the trademark “Uniden”, along with associated designs and trade dress to distribute, market and sell its cellular signal booster and accessories during its term. The agreement is until December 31, 2031 and is subject to certain minimum royalties. The license agreement is amortized on a straight-line basis over its five-year term and was fully amortized on December 31, 2021.
Clear RF Patent and Supplier Relationship:
As part of the acquisition of ClearRF
on March 30, 2021, the Company purchased two patents valued at $
On December 31, 2021, the Company had
an independent impairment in value report prepared for the intangibles. Management, based on this report, impaired the full amount of
the supplier relationship of $
| 8. | BANK LOAN |
Signifi Mobile Inc. (“Signifi”) had a factoring
agreement on its trade receivables effective April 2023, whereby invoices are fully assigned to a funding entity in return for
The
| 9. | SALES OF FUTURE RECEIPTS |
On October 11, 2023 the Company entered
into an agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts in the amount of $
On December 6, 2023, the Company entered
into a new agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts with the same purchaser in the amount of $
This advance is collateralized by 15% of all future revenues of the Company until the advances are repaid in full.
The Company agrees to a grant a security
interest in all of its present and future accounts receivable in an amount not to exceed
F-23
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 10. | LEASE OBLIGATIONS |
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Opening balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| Additions in the year | ||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||
| Translation adjustment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Due within one year | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Year 1 | $ | $ | ||||||
| Year 2 | ||||||||
| Year 3 | ||||||||
| Year 4 | - | |||||||
| Year 5 and thereafter | - | |||||||
| Total lease obligation | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less finance expenses | - | ( | ) | |||||
| Lease Obligations | $ | $ | ||||||
The Company has a long-term restricted
term deposit of $
F-24
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 11. | WARRANT LIABILITY |
| Issued | Issued | Issued | Issued | Issued | ||||||||||||||||||||
| November 3, 2021 | January 11, 2022 | October 12, 2022 | January 19, 2023 | October 31, 2023 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31,2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants issued | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise Of pre-funded warrants | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | * | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction Costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise of warrants | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfer to equity | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * |
January 19, 2023
On January 19, 2023, the Company entered into warrant exercise agreements
with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of
These new
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the
Company to the effect that all of the
F-25
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 11. | WARRANT LIABILITY (cont’d) |
The fair value of the
The fair value of the warrants on March
30, 2023 was $
November 3, 2021 warrants
The warrants allow for the purchase
of
At December 31, 2021 the fair value
of the
At December 31, 2022 the fair value
of the
At January 19, 2023 prior to exercise,
the fair value of the
January 11, 2022 warrants
The Company assessed that the
The fair value of the warrants as at
the issuance date was $
F-26
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 11. | WARRANT LIABILITY (cont’d) |
At December 31, 2022 the fair value of the warrants was $
At December 31, 2023 the fair value
of the
October 12, 2022 warrants
The Company assessed that the
The fair value of the warrants as at
the issuance date was $
The fair value of the
On January 19, 2023, the warrant holders
entered into the agreement noted above to exercise
The remaining
The fair value of the
F-27
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 11. | WARRANT LIABILITY (cont’d) |
The fair value of the pre-funded warrants
was $
In connection with the October 2022 equity offering, the Company issued
The value of the waiver warrants was
included as part of the direct costs related to the issuance of the common shares and warrants therefore did not receive any allocation
of gross proceeds.
| Fair value - Warrants and pre-funded warrants | $ | |||
| Fair value - Waiver warrants | ||||
| Total | $ |
The fair value of the waiver warrants
as at the issuance date was $
The fair value of the waiver warrants as at December 31, 2022 was $
The fair value of the waiver warrants
as at March 30, 2023 prior to transfer to equity was $
F-28
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 11. | WARRANT LIABILITY (cont’d) |
October 31, 2023 Warrants and Pre-funded Warrants
The Company closed an equity offering
on October 31, 2023. at a price of $
The
On November 1, 2023,
Management has revalued the
On December 12, 2023,
At year end there are
F-29
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL |
| (a) | Authorized | Unlimited number of common shares without par value |
As at December 31, 2023, the Company
had
On December 4, 2023 the Company consolidated (each a “Share”) its common shares on the basis of 7 pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation share. Share amounts have been retrospectively restated to reflect the post-consolidation number of shares.
On August 3, 2023 the Company consolidated (each a “Share”) its common shares on the basis of 100 pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation share. Share amounts have been retrospectively restated to reflect the post-consolidation number of shares.
On September 24, 2020, the Company consolidated (each a “Share”) its common shares on the basis of 145 pre-consolidation Shares for one (1) post-consolidation share. Share amounts have been retrospectively restated to reflect the post-consolidation number of shares.
| (b) | Common share transactions |
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
On January 19, 2023, Siyata entered
into warrant exercise agreements with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to
an aggregate of
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the
Company to the effect that all of the
F-30
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (b) | Common share transactions (cont'd) |
On June 28, 2023 the Company issued
On July 13, 2023, the Company issued
The Company closed an equity offering
on October 31, 2023. at a price of $
On November 1, 2023,
On December 12, 2023,
F-31
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (b) | Common share transactions (cont'd) |
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:
| ● | On January 11, 2022, the Company completed an underwritten public offering in the United States, raising a total of $ |
The underwritten public offering resulted
in the sale to the public of
The warrants are exercisable immediately
and have a term of
The Company determined that the pre-funded
warrants within the Pre-funded Units are common shares in substance as they require only a minimal exercise price of $
Therefore, the proceeds from the sale of the Units and Pre-funded Units are combined and allocated among the common shares, pre-funded warrants, and the common share warrants using the residual method, with the warrant liability being initially recognized at fair value as of the registration date and the residual amount being allocated to the common shares (i.e., equity).
F-32
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (b) | Common share transactions (cont'd) |
The Company concurrently sold an additional
The fair value of the common shares
and pre-funded units was determined by reference to the market price on the day of the offering, which was $
The Company also issued warrants to
the placement agents to purchase
The Company assessed that the warrants issued under the public offering, excluding the Placement Agent Warrants did not meet the “fixed for fixed” test and are therefore reported as liabilities at fair value through profit and loss, and revalued at the end of each period. The Placement Agent Warrants were assessed under IFRS 2 Share Based Payments, as equity-settled share-based payments and have been recorded in equity.
| ● | The Company issued 221 (155,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) common shares, with a fair value of $170,500 ($770- $1.10 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits per share) to consultants as part of their compensation for services rendered. |
| ● | The Company issued 1,220 (854,219 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) common shares with a fair value of $1,002,461 as combined payments of the monthly principal repayment of $400,000 for the months of May and June 2022 payable in shares per the terms of the promissory note. |
F-33
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (b) | Common share transactions (cont'd) |
| ● | The Company issued 43 (30,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) shares with a fair value of $22,200 ($518-$0.74 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits per share) resulting from a supplier converting RSU’s into common shares. |
| ● | The Company issued 86 (60,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) shares, with a fair value of $61,800 ($721.00 -$1.03 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits per share), to a supplier as partial compensation according to their contractual agreements. |
| ● | The Company issued 578 (404,859 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) shares, with a fair value of $441,296 ($763.00-$1.09 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits per share) as payment for the monthly principal repayment of $400,000 on the promissory note. |
| ● | The Company issued 978 (684,932 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) shares, with a fair value of $520,548 ($532.00-$0.76 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits per share), as payment for the monthly principal repayment of $400,000 on the promissory note. |
| ● | On October 12, 2022, the Company completed an underwritten public offering in the United States, raising a total of $3,986,100 in gross proceeds. The Company allocated the gross proceeds and direct costs between the units, pre-funded units and related warrants using the residual method. |
The underwritten public offering resulted in the sale to
the public of
F-34
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (b) | Common share transactions (cont'd) |
The Company determined that the pre-funded
warrants within the Pre-funded Units are common shares in substance, as they require only a minimal exercise price of $
Therefore, the proceeds from the sale of the Units and Pre-funded Units are combined and allocated among the common shares, pre-funded warrants, and the common share warrants, with the warrant liability being initially recognized at fair value as of the registration date and the residual amount being allocated to the common shares (i.e., equity).
The common share warrants were fair
valued using a Black-Scholes model using the following assumptions: initial stock price $
As the warrants are treated as a liability, the residual value method under IAS 32 was utilized to allocate the total proceeds of the issuance.
| Gross proceeds | $ | |||
| Less: total fair value of warrant liability | ( | ) | ||
| Residual value to common shares | $ |
Refer to Note 11 for additional information about the warrant liability and the residual value method under IAS 32.
The Company paid a
F-35
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (b) | Common share transactions (cont’d) |
Previous warrants and a convertible
note issued by the Company have an anti-dilutive provision (“ratchet provision”) which changes the strike price/conversion
price of the previously issued warrants/convertible note, respectively, to the price of the common units newly issued by the Company.
The value of the previously issued warrants and convertible note were $
| (c) | Stock options |
The Company has a shareholder-approved
“rolling” stock option plan (the “Plan”) in compliance with Nasdaq policies. Under the Plan the maximum number
of shares reserved for issuance may not exceed
| Number of | Weighted Average | |||||||
| Stock Options | Exercise Price | |||||||
| Outstanding options, December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Expired/Cancelled | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Outstanding options, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Expired/Cancelled | ( | ) | ||||||
| Outstanding options, December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
F-36
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (c) | Stock options (cont’d) |
| Grant Date | Number of options outstanding | Number of options exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Expiry date | Remaining contractual life (years) | |||||||||||||
| 15-Jan-19 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 21-Mar-19 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1-Jan-20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15-Nov-20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 15-Nov-20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2-Jan-21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2-Jan-21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 18-Jan-21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1-Jan-22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 13-Apr-22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 12-Jul-22 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:
| ● | On January 1, 2022, the Company granted |
| ● | On April 13, 2022, the Company granted |
| ● | On July 12, 2022, |
F-37
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (d) | Restricted share units |
The Company approved on February 14, 2022, the addition of the issuance of restricted share units to the existing executive stock option plan.
A summary of the Company’s restricted share unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2023 is as follows:
| Weighted Average | ||||||||
| Number of RSU's | Issue Price | |||||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Exercised/cancelled | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Outstanding RSU, December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2022, are as follows:
| ● | On March 9, 2022, the Company granted |
| ● | On March 9, 2022, the Company granted |
| ● | On April 13, 2022, the Company granted |
| ● | On April 13, 2022, the Company granted |
F-38
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (d) | Restricted share units (cont’d) |
| ● | On July 12, 2022, the Company granted |
| (e) | Agents’ options |
A summary of the Company’s agent options activity is as follows:
| Weighted average | ||||||||
| Number of options | exercise price | |||||||
| Outstanding agent options, December 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||
| Expired | ( | ) | $ | |||||
| Outstanding agent options, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||
| Outstanding agent options, December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||
As at December 31, 2023 agent options outstanding are as follows:
| Grant Date | Number of options outstanding | Number of options exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Expiry date | Remaining contractual life (years) | |||||||||||||
| 29-Sep-20 | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 29-Sep-20 | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 31-Dec-20 | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 11-Jan-22 | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 1-Apr-22 | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 31-Oct-23 | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||
F-39
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (e) | Agents’ options (cont’d) |
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:
On October 31, 2023,
The placement agent did not provide valuation of the services provided to the Company. As a result, management is unable to determine reliable value, and per IFRS 2.10, the fair value of the equity instruments would then be used. As a result, the fair value of the instruments was determined through reference to the fair value of the equity instruments, as the fair value of the services was determined that it could not be measured reliably.
Management has concluded the issuance of the placement warrants was an incremental cost directly attributable to the issuance of common shares and pre-funded warrants, as the Company would not have issued the placement warrants if the Company had not issued the common shares and the pre-funded warrants. Therefore, the fair value of the placement warrants are included in the transaction costs associated with the issuance. The placement warrants were fair valued using a Black-Scholes method.
The fair value of the placement agents warrants
as at December 31, 2023 was $
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2022, are as follows:
| ● | The Company also issued warrants to the placement agents to purchase |
F-40
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (f) | Share purchase warrants and Pre-funded warrants |
A summary of the Company’s share purchase warrant activity is as follows:
| Number of Warrants | Weighted average exercise price | |||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ||||||
| Outstanding, December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
At December 31, 2023 the share purchase warrants outstanding are as follows:
| Grant Date | Number of Warrants outstanding and exercisable | Exercise Price | Expiry date | |||||||
| 29-Sep-20 | ||||||||||
| 31-Dec-20 | ||||||||||
| 11-Jan-22 | ||||||||||
| 31-Oct-23 | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||
F-41
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (f) | Share purchase warrants and Pre-funded warrants (cont’d) |
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:
On January 19, 2023, Siyata entered
into warrant exercise agreements with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to
an aggregate of
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted
the registration statement of the Company to the effect that all of the
The Company closed an equity offering
on October 31, 2023. at a price of $
On November 1, 2023,
On December 12, 2023,
F-42
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 12. | SHARE CAPITAL (cont’d) |
| (f) | Share purchase warrants and Pre-funded warrants (cont’d) |
Transactions for the year ended December 31, 2022 are as follows:
| ● |
| ● | On January 11, 2022 as part of an underwritten public offering, the Company issued a total of |
| ● | On October 12, 2022 as part of the underwritten public offering, the Company issued at total of |
| 13. | COST OF SALES |
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Inventory expensed | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Royalties | ||||||||||||
| Other expenses | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 14. | SELLING AND MARKETING |
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Salaries and related expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Advertising and marketing | ||||||||||||
| Travel and conferences | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
F-43
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 15. | GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE |
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Salaries and related expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Professional services | ||||||||||||
| Consulting and director fees | ||||||||||||
| Travel | ||||||||||||
| Office and general | ||||||||||||
| Regulatory and filing fees | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Shareholder relations | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 16. | FINANCE EXPENSES |
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| Interest paid and accretive interest on debentures | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest expense on long-term debt | ||||||||||||
| Interest on bank loans | ||||||||||||
| Other interest and bank charges | ||||||||||||
| Interest earned on director’s loan | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Interest expense on lease obligations | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 17. | TRANSACTION COSTS |
Transaction costs incurred in 2023
are $
Transaction costs incurred in 2022
are $
Transaction costs incurred in 2021
are $
F-44
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 18. | INCOME TAXES |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Loss for the year | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Expected income tax (recovery) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Change in statutory, foreign tax, foreign exchange rates and other | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Permanent differences | ||||||||||||
| Share issuance cost | - | |||||||||||
| Impact of warrants +convertible debenture | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Prior year adjustment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Expiry of non-capital losses | - | |||||||||||
| Change in unrecognized deductible | ||||||||||||
| Total income tax expense (recovery) | $ | $ | $ | - | ||||||||
| Current income tax | $ | $ | $ | - | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax | - | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | - | ||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets (liabilities) | ||||||||||||
| ROU assets and lease liabilities | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Intangible assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Convertible debenture | - | ( | ) | |||||||||
| Warrant liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | |||||||
| Non-capital losses | ||||||||||||
| Net deferred tax liability | $ | $ | $ | - | ||||||||
F-45
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 18. | INCOME TAXES (cont’d) |
| 2023 | Expiry date | 2022 | Expiry date | 2021 | Expiry date | |||||||||||||
| Receivables | $ | $ | - | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment and intangibles | ||||||||||||||||||
| Financing cost | | 2040 to 2044 | ||||||||||||||||
| Inventory | | |||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for doubtful accounts | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrant liability | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowable capital losses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-capital losses available for future periods | - | |||||||||||||||||
| - Canada | 2026 to 2041 | |||||||||||||||||
| - Israel | ||||||||||||||||||
| - United States | - | |||||||||||||||||
| Total non-capital losses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| 19. | CAPITAL MANAGEMENT |
The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company’s risk management framework.
The Company defines capital as consisting of shareholder’s equity. The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to support the creation of shareholder value, as well as to ensure that the Company is able to meet its financial obligations as they become due.
The Company manages its capital structure to maximize its financial flexibility making adjustments in response to changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets and business opportunities. The Company does not presently utilize any quantitative measures to monitor its capital but rather relies on the expertise of the Company’s management to sustain the future development of the business. Management reviews its capital management approach on an ongoing basis and believes that this approach, given the relative size of the Company, is reasonable.
As at December 31, 2023, the Company is subject to externally imposed capital requirements related to the factoring agreement as discussed in Note 4 and the loan payable. Previously, the Company had external capital requirements arising prior to the repayment of monthly principal payments on the convertible promissory note outstanding.
F-46
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 20. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
Fair Value
The warrant liability estimates the fair value using a Black Scholes option pricing model calculation using the following inputs: stock price (Level 1 input); risk-free rates (Level 1 input); volatility (Level 3 input). The warrant liability outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2022.
| Type | Valuation Technique | Key Inputs | Inter-relationship between significant inputs and fair value measurement | |||
| Warrant Liability | Key observable inputs
● Share price $4.21 (December 31, 2022: US $105.00) ● Risk-free interest rate 3.97% (December 31, 2022: 3.10%) ● Volatility 135.9% (December 31, 2022: 100.0%) ● Dividend yield 0% (December 31, 2022: 0%)
|
The estimated fair value would increase (decrease) if: ● The share price was higher (lower) ● The risk-free interest rate was higher (lower) ● The dividend yield was lower (higher) ● The volatility spread was lower (higher) |
F-47
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 20. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (cont’d) |
The fair values of the Company’s cash, trade and other receivables, bank loan, loan payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and long-term debt, approximate carrying value, which is the amount recorded on the consolidated statement of financial position.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company places its cash with institutions of high creditworthiness. Management has assessed there to be a low level of credit risk associated with its cash balances.
The Company’s exposure to credit
risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. However, management also considers the demographics of the
Company’s customer base, including the default risk of the industry and country in which customers operate, as these factors may
have an influence on credit risk. Approximately
The Company has established a credit
policy under which each new customer is analyzed individually for creditworthiness before the Company’s standard payment and delivery
terms and conditions are offered. The Company’s review includes external ratings, when available, and in some cases bank references.
Purchase limits are established for each customer, which represents the maximum open amount without requiring approval from the Risk Management
Committee; these limits are reviewed quarterly. In prior years, certain key customers were offered extended payment terms on their purchases
due to slow down from Covid-19 and budget approvals for government tenders. As a result, the Company had customers with overdue receivables
on their books which resulted in the Company taking a bad debt provision on these overdue receivables which amounted to $
The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure, notwithstanding the carrying amount of security or any other credit enhancements.
F-48
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 20. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (cont’d) |
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| EMEA | $ | | $ | | ||||
| North America | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Company’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation.
The Company examines current forecasts of its liquidity requirements so as to make certain that there is sufficient cash for its operating needs, and it is careful at all times to have enough unused credit facilities so that the Company does not exceed its credit limits and is in compliance with its financial covenants (if any). These forecasts take into consideration matters such as the Company’s plan to use debt for financing its activity, compliance with required financial covenants, compliance with certain liquidity ratios, and compliance with external requirements such as laws or regulation.
The Company uses activity-based costing to cost its products and services, which assists it in monitoring cash flow requirements and optimizing its cash return on investments. Typically, the Company ensures that it has sufficient cash on demand to meet expected operational expenses for a period of 90 days, including the servicing of financial obligations; this excludes the potential impact of extreme circumstances that cannot reasonably be predicted, such as natural disasters.
The Company had a factoring agreement with external funding (Note 5).
With the exception of employee benefits, the Company’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities have contractual terms of 90 days. The employment benefits included in accrued liabilities have variable maturities within the coming year.
F-49
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 20. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (cont’d) |
Market risk
| a) | Currency Risk |
Currency risk is the risk that the
fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates. The functional
currency of the Company is the USD as of October 1, 2020, as discussed in Note 2.
| (In USD thousands) | USD | NIS | CAD | Total | ||||||||||||
| Financial assets and financial liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Trade receivables | ||||||||||||||||
| Advance to suppliers | ||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
| Bank loan | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Sale of future receipts | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Warrant liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| 10% fluctuation in exchange rate | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
| b) | Interest Rate Risk |
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate as a result of changes in interest rates. The Company’s sensitivity to interest rates is inherently involved in the fair value of both the convertible promissory note and the warranty liability which are revalued based on changes parameters which include the prevailing interest rate.
| c) | Price Risk |
The Company is exposed to price risk with respect to equity prices. Equity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Company’s earnings due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market. The Company closely monitors individual equity movements, and the stock market to determine the appropriate course of action to be taken by the Company.
F-50
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 21. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Key Personnel Compensation
Key management personnel includes those
persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing, and controlling the activities of the Company as a whole. The Company
has determined that key management personnel consists of executive and non-executive members of the Company’s Board of Directors
and corporate officers.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Payments to key management personnel: | ||||||||||||
| Salaries, consulting and directors’ fees | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Share-based payments | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Type of Service | Nature of Relationship | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | VP Technology/VP Sales International | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| General and administrative expense | Companies controlled by the CEO, CFO and Directors | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
F-51
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 22. | SEGMENTED INFORMATION |
The Company is domiciled in Canada, and it operates and produces its income primarily in Israel, Europe and North America. The Company operates as a single segment being the sale of cellular-based communications products.
The Company’s entity-wide disclosures include disaggregated information about product sales, geographical areas, and major customers.
| External revenues by Geography | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| USA | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Canada | ||||||||||||
| EMEA | ||||||||||||
| Australia | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Long-term receivable total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Canada | ||||||||
| EMEA | ||||||||
| Right of use asset total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Canada | ||||||||
| EMEA | ||||||||
| Equipment total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Canada | - | |||||||
| EMEA | ||||||||
| Intangibles total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Canada | - | |||||||
| EMEA | ||||||||
F-52
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 22. | SEGMENTED INFORMATION (cont’d) |
| Revenue by product line | ||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Cellular boosters and related accessories | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Rugged devices and related accessories | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 23. | MAJOR CUSTOMERS |
Revenues from the
| 24. | SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| Change in non-cash working capital: | ||||||||||||
| Trade and other receivables | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Prepaids | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Inventory | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Advances to suppliers | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Due to/from related party | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||||
During the year ended December 31,
2023, the Company paid $
F-53
Siyata Mobile Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in US dollars)
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
| 24. | SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS (cont’d) |
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred the following non-cash investing or financing activities:
| (a) | Recognized $ |
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred the following non-cash investing or financing activities:
| (a) | Recognized $ |
| (b) | Issued $ |
| (c) | Issued $ |
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred the following non-cash investing or financing activities:
| (d) | Recognized $ |
| (e) | Issued $ |
| (f) | Issued $ |
| 25. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On January 22, 2024, the Company entered
into a new agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts in the amount of $
January 29, 2024 the Company received
a loan from a financial institution of $
On March 21, 2024, the Company entered
into a new agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts with the same purchaser in the amount of $
F-54
Exhibit 8.1
List of Subsidiaries of Siyata Mobile Inc.
| Name of Subsidiary | Place of Incorporation | |
| Queensgate Resources Corp | British Columbia, Canada | |
| Queensgate Resources US Corp | Nevada, USA | |
| Siyata Mobile (Canada) Inc. | British Columbia, Canada | |
| Siyata Mobile Israel Ltd. | Israel | |
| Signifi Mobile Inc. | Quebec, Canada | |
| ClearRF Nevada Ltd. | Nevada, USA | |
| ClearRF LLC | Washington, USA | |
| Siyata PTT | Cayman Islands |
Exhibit 10.10
SIYATA MOBILE INC.
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
For the Financial Year Ended December 31, 2023
Dated April 3, 2024
NASDAQ: SYTA / SYTAW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 1 |
| PRELIMINARY NOTES | 2 |
| CORPORATE STRUCTURE | 3 |
| GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS | 4 |
| DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS | 14 |
| RISK FACTORS | 24 |
| DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 55 |
| DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE | 56 |
| MARKET FOR SECURITIES | 58 |
| ESCROWED SECURITIES AND SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER | 59 |
| DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION | 60 |
| LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS | 63 |
| INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS | 63 |
| TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR | 64 |
| MATERIAL CONTRACTS | 64 |
| INTERESTS OF EXPERTS | 64 |
| BOARD COMMITTEES | 64 |
| INFORMATION CONCERNING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND EXTERNAL AUDITOR | 65 |
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 66 |
| Schedule A – Audit Committee Charter | A-1 |
- i -
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for statements of historical fact, information contained, or incorporated by reference, herein constitutes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “planned”, “expect”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intends”, “believe”, and similar expressions, or describes a “goal”, or variation of such words and phrases or states that certain actions, events or results “may”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are not guarantees of future performance and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made, including (i) the price of other commodities, such as fuel and electricity; (ii) currency exchange rates and interest rates; (iii) favourable operating conditions; (iv) political stability; (v) timely receipt of governmental approvals, licences and permits (and renewals or extensions thereof); (vi) access to necessary financing; (vii) stability of labour in the Corporation’s markets and in market conditions in general; (viii) availability of equipment; (ix) there being no significant disruptions affecting the development and operation of the Corporation, including due to pandemics (such as the coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 (“COVID-19”) pandemic); (x) exchange rate assumptions being approximately consistent with the assumptions in this AIF or in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as applicable; and (xi) the availability of certain consumables and services and the prices for power and other key supplies being approximately consistent with assumptions in this AIF or in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as applicable. Many of these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors that are not within the control of the Corporation and could thus cause actual performance, achievements, actions, events, results or conditions to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements herein includes, but is not limited to, statements or information concerning: (i) the future financial or operating performance of the Corporation and its business, operations, and condition; (ii) requirements for additional capital; (iii) environmental risks; and (iv) general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied.
Such risks and factors include, among others: (i) general business, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties, disruptions or changes in the credit or securities markets and/or market fluctuations in the prices for the Corporation’s securities that may occur which are outside of management’s control; (ii) reputational risks; (iii) potential dilution of Common Shares (as defined below) and as a result, of the voting power or earnings per Common Share, as a result of, among other things, the exercise, conversion, or settlement of warrants, stock options and other convertible securities of the Corporation, or future financings or acquisitions financed by the issuance of equity; (iv) the Corporation’s inability to satisfy contractual obligations and/or meet additional capital needs generally; (v) natural disasters or unfavourable operating conditions and losses; (vi) environmental risks and hazards; (vii) risks associated with the Corporation’s indemnified liabilities; (viii) the ability of the Corporation to retain its key management employees and the impact of shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; (ix) potential acquisitions and impacts and consequences relating to their integration with the Corporation’s business; (x) future sales of Common Shares by existing shareholders; (xi) influence of third party stakeholders of the Corporation; (xii) the Corporation’s inability to successfully defend against litigation or other proceedings against the Corporation; (xiii) conflicts of interest; (xiv) risks associated with, and factors affecting the adequacy of, the Corporation’s system of internal controls; (xv) credit and/or liquidity risks; (xvi) cyber security risks; (xvii) changes to the Corporation’s dividend policy; (xviii) judgement of management when exercising discretion in their use of proceeds from offerings of securities of the Corporation; (xix) pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of governmental regulations enacted in response thereto, and the reaction of capital and financial markets thereto; (xx) the Corporation’s history of net losses and negative operating cash flow; (xxi) security, political and economic instability in the Middle East that could harm our business, including due to the current war between Israel and Hamas; (xxii) the Corporation’s major shareholder(s), as may exist from time to time, having the ability to influence matters submitted to the Corporation’s shareholders for approval; and (xxiii) risks involved in the business of the Corporation in general.
- 1 -
Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual performance, achievements, actions, events, results, or conditions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause performance, achievements, actions, events, results, or conditions to differ from those anticipated, estimated, or intended. Further details relating to many of these factors is discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this AIF.
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this AIF and the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. All forward-looking statements and forward-looking information attributable to the Corporation is expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
PRELIMINARY NOTES
Throughout this annual information form (“AIF”), Siyata Mobile Inc. is referred to as “Siyata” or the “Corporation”. All information contained in this AIF is given as of December 31, 2023, unless otherwise stated.
Currency
All dollar amounts referenced, unless otherwise indicated, are expressed in United States dollars.
Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis
This AIF should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Audited Financial Statements”), and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for that year.
Unless otherwise indicated, financial information contained in this AIF is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), and U.S. investors should be aware that IFRS are materially different than financial statements and financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Audited Financial Statements and MD&A are available at siyatamobile.com, on EDGAR (maintained by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) at www.sec.gov/edgar, and under the Corporation’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
- 2 -
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Name, Incorporation, and Registered Office
The Corporation was incorporated on October 15, 1986, under the name “Big Rock Gold Ltd.” under the Company Act (British Columbia). Since incorporation, the Corporation has changed its name a number of times: to “International Cruiseshipcenters Corp.”, on April 5, 1988; to “Riley Resources Ltd.”, on June 24, 1991; to “International Riley Resources Ltd.”, on January 23, 1998; to “Wind River Resources Ltd.”, on November 22, 2001; and to “Teslin River Resources Corp.”, on January 3, 2008. On July 24, 2015, the Corporation (at such time, Teslin River Resources Corp.) completed a reverse acquisition by way of a three-cornered amalgamation, pursuant to which the Corporation acquired certain telecom operations of an Israel-based cellular technology company, and changed its name to “Siyata Mobile Inc.”, which now exists under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
On November 22, 2001, the Corporation completed a consolidation of its then outstanding Common Shares (defined below), on the basis of a consolidation ratio of five pre-consolidation Common Shares for one post-consolidation Common Share. On September 24, 2020, the Corporation completed a consolidation of its Common Shares, on the basis of a consolidation ratio of 145 pre-consolidation Common Shares for one post-consolidation Common Share. On August 9, 2023, the Corporation completed a 1-for-100 reverse share split of the Corporation’ authorized Common Shares, including the issued and outstanding Common Shares, with no change to the par value of the Common Share The reverse split resulted in certain adjustments being made to the existing terms of the previously issued warrants. On December 4, 2023, the Corporation completed a consolidation of the Common Shares on the basis of 7 pre-consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-consolidation Common Share. Unless otherwise indicated, all other share and per share data in this AIF have been adjusted on a retroactive basis, where applicable, to reflect the consolidation as if it had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.
The principal place of business of the Corporation is located at 1751 Richardson, Suite 2207, Montreal, QC, H3K-1G6. The registered office of the Corporation is located at 7404 King George Blvd., Suite 200, Surrey, BC, V3W 1N6.
The Corporation is a reporting issuer in Canada, in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The common shares in the capital of the Corporation (each, a “Common Share”) are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”), under the trading symbol “SYTA”. The Corporation’s warrants issued on September 29, 2020 are also traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “SYTAW”, and expire five (5) years from the date of issue.
- 3 -
Corporate Structure and Intercorporate Relationships
The following diagram sets out the corporate structure and intercorporate relationships among the Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries as of the date of this AIF. References to “100%” indicate ownership of all of the voting securities of the applicable corporation or company.
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Three Year History
The following is a description of the general development of the business of the Corporation during the last three financial years of the Corporation ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023.
Financial Year ended December 31, 2021
In January 2021, Siyata closed a private placement led by Phoenix Fund, comprised of the issuance of 129,450 units of the Corporation at a price of $100 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $12,945,000. Each unit consisted of ten Common Shares and ten share purchase warrants (“January 2021 Warrants”). Each January 2021 Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $11.50 per share for a period of 42 months from the date of issuance.
- 4 -
In March 2021, the Corporation, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Signifi Mobile Inc., the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, also acquired all of the outstanding units of Clear RF LLC (“ClearRF”), a Washington State limited liability company, for a total purchase price of $700,000. The purchase price which was satisfied by the issuance of approximately $389,970 in Common Shares and a payment of $310,030 in cash. ClearRF produces M2M (machine-to-machine) cellular amplifiers for commercial and industrial M2M applications, and offers patented direct connect cellular amplifiers and patented auto gain & oscillation control designed for M2M and “internet-of-things” (“IoT”) applications. ClearRF’s flagship product is a 4G LTE direct connect cellular amplifier designed specifically for fixed and mobile M2M and IoT applications, used to connect directly to any cellular router, modem, embedded module, or alarm panel.
In August 2021, Siyata unveiled its new Mission Critical Push-To-Talk device, the SD7, at an international conference held by Association of Public Safety Communications Officials. The SD7 is an easy-to-use, Push-To-Talk-only, ruggedized device that is LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth-enabled and uses the Android operating system. Its IP67 rating, resistance to water and dust, drop protection, and robust battery makes it well-suited for use in harsh environments.
In August 2021, Siyata also entered into a reseller agreement with Silk Worldwide Inc. (“Silk”), parent company to SignalBoosters.com, to distribute its line of Uniden® cellular signal boosters. Silk, a leading online distributor and turn-key integrator of cellular boosters in North America, has proposed to resell the Corporation’s booster products on its SignalBoosters.com site and on the Amazon and Walmart marketplaces, although the results of such proposal is undetermined at this time.
In September 2021, Siyata entered into a partnership with Esper, a leader in providing infrastructure, management, and automation tools for enterprises and other large scale dedicated device deployments. The partnership’s goal was to combine Siyata’s rugged Mission Critical Push-to-Talk SD7 handsets with Esper’s full-stack solution of Android Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) software. Siyata embeds Esper’s software into SD7 handsets running a custom version of the Android operating system. The combined offering unlocked new functionality that was not previously possible, including streamlined device onboarding and provisioning, as well as device customization while in the field.
In October 2021, Siyata received approval from Telstra, Australia’s leading cellular carrier, for the Corporation’s UV350 device.
In November 2021, Siyata entered into a funding agreement with Lind Global Partners II, LP, an investment fund managed by the Lind Partners, and secured gross proceeds of $6,000,000 (the “Lind Financing”), which were used to repay and terminate certain convertible notes of the Corporation.
In November 2021, Siyata also launched the VK7 (Vehicle Kit 7), a new and unique vehicle kit accessory that provides an in-vehicle solution designed specifically for use with the Corporation’s SD7 device, a ruggedized, Mission Critical Push-To-Talk handset. This product has only been available as of Q1 2023.
In December 2021, Siyata announced it received initial orders for its SD7 ruggedized device from customers in the U.S. and in EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) with a total value of $550,000. The SD7 has been the largest contributor to Siyata’s revenues since it launched in June 2022.
Financial Year ended December 31, 2022
On January 6, 2022, Siyata announced the closing of a $20,000,000 underwritten public offering, comprised of the issuance of 8,695,652 Common Shares (or pre-funded warrants to purchase Common Shares in lieu thereof), and accompanying share purchase warrants to purchase up to 8,695,652 Common Shares. Each Common Share (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) was sold together with one share purchase warrant at a combined effective offering price of $2.30. Each share purchase warrant became immediately exercisable by the holder thereof at a price of $2.30 per Common Share and will expire five years from the date of issuance.
On June 7, 2022, Siyata announced that Verizon Communications Inc. had fully integrated Siyata’s rugged SD7 device into their network.
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On June 27, 2022, Siyata announced that the SD7 rugged device became commercially available for sale through the FirstNet network and to AT&T Inc.’s enterprise channels.
On July 6, 2022, Siyata announced that United States Cellular Corporation (“US Cellular”) will launch Siyata’s rugged SD7 devise onto their network. US Cellular ordered and received inventory of SD7s and intends to sell this inventory to their customers.
On July 13, 2022, Siyata announced that Logic Wireless Europe Ltd., a leading distributor of business-critical communication solutions across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, will introduce Siyata’s rugged SD7 device integrated with ChatterPTT, a mobile application and gateway solution. This integration was subsequently completed.
On July 14, 2022, Siyata announced that it was launching a new product, a High Power User Equipment (HPUE) antenna, in conjunction with Assured Wireless Corporation. This new HPUE antenna will be launched for use with Assured Wireless’ AW12- Mega-Mobile High Power User Equipment (HPUE) modem which is designed to transmit at 1.25 Watts, which is up to six times higher than traditional LTE equipment and is the highest power device available on FirstNet®. No sales of this product have been made to date.
On July 18, 2022, Siyata announced that it had entered into an agreement with Spain’s Wireless Zeta Telecomunicaciones, S.L. (“Azetti”) to offer Siyata’s SD7 rugged mission-critical push-to-talk device through Azetti’s existing enterprise sales channels. Integration of Azetti’s push-to-talk application for use on the SD7 device has been completed.
On July 26, 2022, Siyata announced that its F7 rugged Mission Critical Push-to-Talk device was available for customers who need Push-To-Talk solutions from TASSTA, a global Mission Critical Push-to-Talk software provider and end-to-end solution for critical communications.
On September 1, 2022, Siyata announced that it had received a notification letter dated August 26, 2022 from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying the Corporation that it was not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), as a result of the closing bid price of the Common Shares being below $1.00 per Common Share for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Corporation had a period of 180 calendar days, or until February 22, 2023 (the “Compliance Period”), to regain compliance with the Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. We did not regain compliance by such date and submitted a written request to the Nasdaq to afford us an additional 180-day compliance period to cure the deficiency. On February 23, 2023, we received written notification from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq approving our request for a 180-day extension to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement until August 21, 2023. If at any time prior to August 21, 2023, the bid price of the Common Shares closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, we will regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. If we do not regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule during the additional 180-day extension, Nasdaq will notify us that our Common Shares will be delisted. At that time, we may appeal the delisting determination to a hearings panel pursuant to the procedures set forth in the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules. However, there can be no assurance that, if we do appeal the delisting determination by Nasdaq to the hearings panel, that such appeal would be successful. We intend to actively monitor the closing bid price of our Common Shares and may, if appropriate, consider implementing available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule under the Nasdaq Listing Rules.
On September 8, 2022, Siyata announced that its SD7 rugged Mission Critical Push-to-Talk device was integrated with CrisisGo Inc.’s Panic App, giving teachers instant access to first responders with a single push of a button.
On September 22, 2022, Siyata announced that it had received a purchase order from a federal government contractor who will provide Uniden cellular booster kits and accessories to the U.S. Navy.
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On October 10, 2022, Siyata announced that it had entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors to purchase approximately $4.0 million of its Common Shares (and pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) in a registered direct offering and share purchase warrants to purchase Common Shares in a concurrent private placement. The combined effective purchase price for one Common Share (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and one warrant was fixed at $0.23. On October 13, 2022, Siyata announced the closing of the transactions contemplated by the securities purchase agreement, under which Siyata issued an aggregate of 15,810,000 Common Shares and 1,590,000 pre-funded warrants. On the same date, Siyata also announced the closing of the previously-announced concurrent a private placement, under which Siyata issued share purchase warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 17,400,000 Common Shares, which warrants became immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $0.23 per Common Share, and expire 5 years from the date of issuance.
On October 26, 2022, Siyata announced that the SD7+ rugged Mission Critical Push-to-Talk device will soon be powered with Visual Labs Inc.’s body camera software. As of the date of this AIF, the firmware is still being optimized between Siyata and Visual Labs.
On November 16, 2022, Siyata announced that Bell Mobility Inc. will launch the Corporation’s rugged SD7 device on their network in the fourth calendar quarter of 2022. This launch was completed and SD7s have been sold through this channel.
On December 6, 2022, Siyata announced it had added RadioTrader, a premier two-way radio supplier in the United Kingdom and Ireland, to distribute its SD7 ruggedized, Mission Critical Push-to-Talk device and VK7 (Vehicle Kit 7) vehicle kit accessary.
Financial Year ended December 31, 2023
On March 27, 2023, our previous independent certified public accounting firm notified us of its decision to resign as the Company’s accounting firm effective as of March 21, 2023. Marcum’s resignation as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was accepted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company as of March 21, 2023. Further to this, commencing from March 21, 2023, the Company engaged Barzily & Co. as its new independent registered public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, later expanded to and continued to December 31, 2023.
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the Company to the effect that all of the 30,045 (21,031,987 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) outstanding $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) warrants become immediately a cashless exercise and their underlying shares become immediately tradeable. Therefore in the first week of April 2023, 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) warrants were exercised cashless in exchange for 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) common shares of the Company with 5,593 (3,915,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) cashless warrants were exercised cashless in June 2023 with $NIL proceeds.
On May 17, 2023, Siyata announced that KPN Royal Dutch Telecom in the Netherlands are now selling the Siyata SD7 Handset.
On June 1, 2023, Siyata announced it had received an order from an Emergency Medical Services organization for $1.2 million for In-Vehicle devices and for a new product called Siyata Real Time View, an in-fleet video monitoring solution.
On June 5, 2023, Siyata announced aggregate orders of $400,000 for its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit from the verticals of healthcare, education, and construction.
On June 12, 2023, Siyata announced that Minnesota Coaches, Inc, a privately held motor coach and school bus transportation company, has taken delivery of its first order of SD7 Handsets and VK7 Vehicle Kits.
On June 14, 2023, Siyata announced a new product called the Siyata Mobile Command Center for in-field communications for EMS organizations.
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On June 20, 2023, Siyata announced that Mobile Tornado Group Plc will offer its robust PTT application on the Siyata SD7 Handset.
On June 22, 2023, Siyata announced new aggregate orders of approximately $600,000 for its Siyata SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit in the vertical markets of education, construction, and logistics.
On June 28, 2023 the Company issued 71,428 (50,000,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) at $31.50 ($0.045 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) per share for gross proceeds of $2,250,000 before offering expenses and other expenses included in share issuance costs.
On July 6, 2023, Siyata announced the receipt of its single largest order for SD7 Handsets of $1.4 million, to be delivered in the second half of 2023.
On July 13, 2023, the Company issued 73,500 (51,450,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) shares at $31.50 ($0.045 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) per share for gross proceeds of $2,315,250 before offering expenses and other expenses included in share issuance costs.
On July 18, 2023, Siyata announced it had received orders from two large North American waste management companies for its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kit, and for its UV350 In-Vehicle Device.
On July 25, 2023, Siyata named public safety advocate and Business Development executive Doug Clark, formerly from AT&T FirstNet, as its new Assistant Vice President, Sales and Marketing.
On August 3, 2023, the Company authorized the creation of an unlimited number of class “A” preferred shares and Class “B” preferred shares.
On August 9, 2023, we effectuated a 1 for 100 share consolidation of our authorized share capital, such that every 100 common shares, no par value, in the authorized share capital of the Company was consolidated into 1 common share, no par value (the “August Reverse Split”).
On August 10, 2023, the Company announced the appointment of Gary Herman to its Board of Directors.
On August 24, 2023, the Company announced that it regained compliance with Nasdaq minimum bid price requirements.
On September 6, 2023, the Company announced it had received an order from a global provider of healthcare and emergency services for its SD7 PTT Handset and its VK7 Vehicle Kit.
On September 18, 2023, the Company announced it had received a follow-on order for its SD7 Handset and VK7 Vehicle Kits from a large North American waste management provider.
On October 2, 2023, the Company announced that Consort Digital from India, a leading provider of mission critical communications, will sell SD7 Handsets with its MCX ONE Push-to-Talk application.
On October 4, 2023, the Company announced it had received an order for its Hero Series Cellular Boosters from the U.S. Federal Government.
On October 11, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement for the Sale of Future Receipts in the amount of $1,152,000. The Company received $760,000 which represents a payment of $800,000 net of a transaction fee of $40,000. This sale was payable in equal weekly payments of $41,142.86 for 28 weeks accruing interest at 3.1% per week. The weekly payment amount is intended to represent 15% of the Company’s future sales. The company made eight payments of $41,142.86 each for a total of $329,142 between October 17, 2023 and December 5, 2023 inclusive. On December 6, 2023, the Company reached an agreement with the purchaser to convert the remaining balance of $822,858 into a new agreement. The Company recorded $392,000 of interest and transaction fees in respect of this agreement.
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On October 24, 2023, the Corporation announced it is partnering with Synch Communication to provide essential communication solutions for first responders in Israel. Siyata’s handsets are being equipped with Synch’s application for Push-to-Talk communication, and for command and control capabilities.
The Corporation closed an equity offering on October 31, 2023 at a price of $4.55 ($0.65 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) on 267,143 common shares (1,870,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $1,215,500 and for a purchase price of $4.48 per warrant ($0.64 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) on 75,714 pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares (530,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $339,200. Total offering gross proceeds received of $1,554,700 prior to share issuance costs.
On November 1, 2023, 25,714 of the prefunded warrants (180,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) were exercised. In lieu of the warrant holders paying the $0.07 ($0.01 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) to exercise the option of these warrants, the warrant holder chose the cashless exercise option and received 177,313 common shares (25,330 before the 1-7 reverse stock split).
On November 1, 2023, the Corporation announced it had received an order for $750,000 for the Company’s Push-to-Talk handsets combined with Synch Communication command and control solutions, for first responders in Israel.
On November 27, 2023, the Corporation announced it had received a purchase order for its SD7 Handsets and VK7 Vehicle Kits from a new vertical market, specifically a reseller to mining companies using private LTE systems at their mining site.
On December 4, 2023, we effectuated a 1 for 7 share consolidation of our authorized share capital, such that every 100 common shares, no par value, in the authorized share capital of the Company was consolidated into 1 common share, no par value. This was primarily intended to bring the Company into compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement to maintain its listing on Nasdaq.
On December 6, 2023, the Company entered into a new agreement for the sale of future receipts with the same purchaser as on October 11, 2023 in the amount of $2,268,000. The Company received $677,142 which represents a payment of $752,142 net of $75,000 of transaction fees. The remaining $822,858 balance of the original agreement and the $752,142 payment from the new agreement total a principal amount of $1,575,000. The new balance of $1,575,000 is repayable in weekly repayments of $81,000 per week for 28 weeks, accruing interest at the rate of 3.1% per week, for a total repayment of $2,268,000. The weekly payment amount is intended to represent 15% of the Company’s future sales. The Company made payments totaling $203,143 in respect of this agreement for the year ended December 31, 2023 comprising principal payments of $64,001 and interest of $139,142. The balances under this agreement as of December 31, 2023 were outstanding principal of $1,435,999 and accrued interest of $31,900.
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On December 7, 2023, the Corporation announced new purchase orders of $900,000 from existing international defense and EMS customers for the UV350 In-Vehicle Device, and its PTT Handsets.
On December 12, 2023, 12,977 prefunded warrants (90,839 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) of the 50,000 (350,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split)) owned by Lind Partners were exercised by paying $0.07 per warrant (($0.01 before the 1-7 reverse stock split).
Developments Subsequent to December 31, 2023
On January 22, 2024, the Company announced that CTS Mobility, Ltd., a recognized leader in the mobile communications space, is now a distributor of Siyata’s mission-critical PoC (MCPTT) SD7 solution and its range of accessories.
On January 22, 2024, the Company entered into a new agreement for the sale of future receipts in the amount of $339,813 that is repayable in equal consecutive 28 weekly instalments of $17,476.11 each, including principal and interest.
On January 29, 2024, the Company announced that we are providing our SD7 handsets for use at the 2024 Special Olympics. The Company partnered with ESChat, a provider of broadband Push-to-Talk (PTT) services, to provide secure PTT communications for event personnel and volunteers.
On January 29, 2024, the Company received a loan from a financial institution of $200,000 that is repayable in equal consecutive 10 monthly instalments of $27,690 each, including interest,
On February 6, 2024, the Company announced that we have expanded our alliance with Hyperion Partners, an industry-leading mobility primary agent and T-Mobile business partner, to include distribution of the Company’s mission critical PoC (MCPTT) SD7 handsets and accessories.
On February 22, 2024, the Company announced that we had received a purchase order for 1,000 units of our UV350 all-in-one in vehicle fleet communication devices from an international EMS provider.
On March 5, 2024, the Company republished a press release from USCellular announcing that they have teamed with the Company to create a Push-to-Talk bundle for public safety, hospitality, transportation, education, utilities, and logistics, using the Company’s SD7 Handset and accessories.
On March 21, 2024 the Company repaid the principal balance of the sales of future receipts agreement entered into on December 6, 2023 in the combined principal and interest balance of $1,478,857 and entered into a new agreement for the sale of future receipts totaling $2,000,000 which is repayable in 29 consecutive weekly instalments of principal and interest, each in the amount of $100,000, beginning on April 2, 2024.
Licensing Agreements
Licensing Agreement with Uniden® America Corp
In December 2012, Signifi Mobile Inc., the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a license agreement (as amended, the “Uniden Agreement”) with Uniden America Corporation (“Uniden”). The Uniden Agreement includes renewal options up to December 31,2022, and has been successively renewed to date.
The Uniden Agreement, as in effect currently, provides the Corporation with the exclusive right to use the trademark “Uniden®” (along with associated designs and trade dress) and distribute, market, and sell its in-vehicle device, cellular signal booster and accessories under the Uniden® brand in the categories of cellular amplifiers, connected vehicle cellular devices, and rugged cellular products, during its term in North America. The Uniden® brand brings strong brand recognition for the Corporation’s devices and introduces a more unified brand to the current dealers, operators, and future customers in North America.
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The current Uniden Agreement which commenced on January 1, 2020, and expires on December 31, 2031. Minimum annual payments under the Uniden Agreement are $200,000 in 2023-2025 and $250,000 in each of 2026-2028 and $300,000 from 2029-2031 (collectively, the “Minimum Royalty Payments”). At the end of each fiscal year, Siyata has agreed to pay Uniden 3% of any sales from the licensed products under the Uniden Agreement that exceeds the Minimum Royalty Payments for such fiscal year.
Licensing Agreement with Via Licensing Corporation
Effective June 8, 2018, the Corporation entered into two separate patent licensing agreements (together, the “Via Licensing Agreements”) with Via Licensing Corporation to utilize worldwide patents related to the coding and decoding of Android software as well as access and download within the LTE/ 4G network. This patent licence is for an initial period of five years and can be extended for a further five-year term. The Company is working to renew the Via Licensing Agreements for the extended term. Under the Via Licensing Agreements, the Corporation has the right, at any time during the term or any extension thereof, to terminate the agreements upon providing 60 days advanced notice of termination. The Via Licensing Agreements provide for the payment, to Via Licensing Corporation, of quarterly royalty fees that are based solely on product sales and is expressed as a percentage formula based upon the number of units sold, the country in which the units were manufactured, and the country location of the end customer. There are no minimum royalty fees payable under the Via Licensing Agreements.
Licensing Agreement with Wilson Electronics, LLC
Siyata, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Signifi Mobile Inc., entered into a royalty agreement (the “Wilson Agreement”) with Wilson Electronics, LLC on November 30, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2018. The Wilson Agreement permits the Corporation to utilize several of Wilson Electronics’ LLC’s patents related to cellphone boosters. Specifically, under the Wilson Agreement, the Corporation has licensed a patent for its cellular booster portfolio of products, for the rights to the stand-alone cell phone radio signal booster on a worldwide basis. The Wilson Agreement is expected to remain in force until the expiration of all of the patents licensed under the Wilson Agreement expire, which is estimated to occur in May 2027. The Wilson Agreement requires Siyata to pay a royalty to Wilson Electronics, LLC of 4.5% of the sales of booster products, payable quarterly.
Financing Initiatives
On November 3, 2021, the Corporation issued a $7,200,000 convertible promissory note (the “Promissory Note”) and 2,142,857 share purchase warrants (the “November 2021 Warrants”) to Lind Global Partners II, LP (“Lind”), for gross proceeds of $6,000,000, in connection with the Lind Financing.
The Promissory Note was fully repaid by November 2022 by the issuance of Common Shares to Lind, at a redemption price equal to 80% of the average five lowest daily volume-weighted prices during the twenty trading days prior to the issuance of the Common Shares.
Each November 2021 Warrant entitled the holders thereof to purchase one Common Share, at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. The November 2021 Warrants expire 5 years from the issue date. The exercise price of the November 2021 Warrants will be adjusted if the Corporation closes an offering where the Common Shares are offered at a price less than the exercise price, resulting in a revision of the exercise price equal to the Common Share offering. Because the exercise price of the November 2021 Warrants will vary if the Corporation issues Common Shares at a price lower than the exercise price of the November 2021 Warrants, the November 2021 Warrants are classified as liabilities. On December 7, 2021, Lind exercised 250,000 of its November 2021 Warrants to acquire 250,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of $4.00 per Common Share. As a result of the exercise of the warrants, the Corporation received gross proceeds of $1,000,000.
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On January 11, 2022, the Corporation completed an underwritten public offering in the United States, raising a total of $20,013,043 in gross proceeds (the “Maxim Financing”). The Maxim Financing consisted of the sale to the public of 7,215,652 units of the Corporation at a price of $2.30 per unit (the “January 2022 Units”), with each January 2022 Unit being comprised of one Common Share and one share purchase warrant (the “January 2022 Unit Warrants”). Each January 2022 Unit Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $2.30 per share. Maxim Group LLC was the sole underwriter.
In addition, the Corporation issued 1,480,000 pre-funded units of the Corporation (“January 2022 Pre-Funded Units”) at $2.29 per January 2022 Pre-Funded Unit. Each January 2022 Pre-Funded Unit was comprised of a one-pre-funded warrant (a “January 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant”) to purchase one Common Share, and one warrant to purchase one Common Share (“January 2022 Warrants”). The January 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant allows the holder to acquire one Common Share of the Corporation at an exercise price of $0.01 per Common Share, and a warrant to purchase a Common Share at an exercise price of $2.30 per Common Share. The January 2022 Warrants were exercisable immediately and have a term of five years. Each January 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable immediately and is exercisable until all January 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised.
The Corporation concurrently sold an additional 1,304,347 share purchase warrants to purchase up to 1,304,347 Common Shares at an exercise price of $2.30 per share (the “January 2022 Option Warrants”) pursuant to an over-allotment option exercised by the underwriter. Each January 2022 Option Warrant is exercisable immediately and has a term of five years from the issue date.
The Corporation also issued share purchase warrants to the placement agents to purchase 434,783 Common Shares at an exercise price of $2.53 per share (the “Placement Agent Warrants”), which are exercisable 180 days from January 11, 2022, with a term of five years.
In aggregate, the Corporation issued 7,215,652 Common Shares, 1,480,000 January 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants, 9,999,999 January 2022 Unit Warrants, January 2022 Option Warrants, and January 2022 Warrants, and 434,783 Placement Agent Warrants.
The direct costs related to the issuance of the Common Shares and warrants issued in connection with the Maxim Financing were $1,709,706 excluding the cost of the Placement Agent Warrants that were allocated to both transaction costs and the share issuance costs in equity based on their relative values.
The 1,480,000 January 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants were exercised as of the day of closing, for gross proceeds of $14,800, converting into 1,480,000 Common Shares that were fully issued.
On October 12, 2022, the Corporation completed an underwritten public offering in the United States, raising a total of $3,986,100 in gross proceeds from the sale of units (each, a “October 2022 Unit”). The Corporation allocated the gross proceeds and direct costs between the units, pre-funded units and related warrants using the residual method. The underwritten public offering resulted in the sale to the public of 15,810,000 October 2022 Units at $0.23 per October 2022 Unit, with each October 2022 Unit being comprised of one common share and one warrant (the “October 2022 Unit Warrants”) exercisable at $0.14 per Common Share. The October 2022 Unit Warrants are exercisable immediately and have a term of five years. In addition, the Corporation issued 1,590,000 pre-funded units (“October 2022 Pre-Funded Units”) at $0.22 per October 2022 Pre-Funded Unit. Each October 2022 Pre-Funded Unit is comprised of one pre-funded warrant (an “October 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant”) to purchase one Common Share, and one warrant to purchase one Common Share. The October 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant allows the holder to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.01 per Common Share, and a warrant to purchase a Common Share at an exercise price of $0.14 per Share. The warrants are exercisable immediately and have a term of five years. Each October 2022 Pre-Funded Warrant is exercisable immediately and is exercisable until all October 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised. The Corporation determined that the October 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants are Common Shares in substance, as they require only a minimal exercise price of $0.01. In addition, the underwriting agreement includes both the October 2022 Units and October 2022 Pre-Funded Units and were negotiated together in the equity raise. Given that the purpose of the October 2022 Pre-Funded Units is in substance the same as that of the October 2022 Unit (i.e., resulting in the ownership of both Common Shares and Common Share warrants) and that the terms of the warrants in both the October 2022 Units and October 2022 Pre-Funded Units are the same (i.e., the obligations of the Corporation for the units are the same), the Corporation determined that the October 2022 Units and October 2022 Pre-Funded Units are closely related and should be combined into one unit of account for the purposes of allocating proceeds. Therefore, the proceeds from the sale of the October 2022 Units and October 2022 Pre-Funded Units are combined and allocated among the Common Shares, October 2022 Pre-Funded Warrants, and the common share warrants, with the warrant liability being initially recognized at fair value as of the registration date and the residual amount being allocated to the Common Shares (i.e., equity). The Common Share warrants were fair valued using a Black-Scholes model using the following assumptions: initial stock price $0.14, strike rate $0.23, dividend yield 0%, term 5 years, volatility 135.0% and risk-free rate 4.08%.
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As the warrants are treated as a liability, the residual value method under IAS 32 was utilized to allocate the total proceeds of the issuance. The residual value to be allocated to Common Shares is:
| Gross proceeds | $ | 3,986,100 | ||
| Less: total fair value of warrant liability | (2,288,327 | ) | ||
| Residual value to common shares | $ | 1,697,773 |
The Corporation paid a 7% Placement Agent Fee of $279,027 and other offering expenses (e.g., legal expenses, accounting fees) of $185,871 for total net proceeds of $3,521,202. Direct costs of $433,353 were allocated to the warrant liability and expensed immediately in profit and loss.
In addition, the Corporation issued 1,739,130 Common Share purchase warrants with an exercise price of $0.23 to the holders of a previously issued convertible note to entice the holder to waive their right to block the October 12, 2022 equity offering (“Waiver Warrants”). The Waiver Warrants were fair valued using a Black-Scholes model using the following assumptions: initial stock price $0.14, strike rate $0.23, dividend yield 0%, term 5 years, volatility 135.0% and risk-free rate 4.08%. The fair value of the Waiver Warrants of $206,485 was treated as a share issuance cost.
The figures presented for each of the financing initiatives described above do not account for the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse share splits subsequently completed by the Company.
On January 19, 2023, Siyata entered into warrant exercise agreements with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) of the Company’s common shares. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the outstanding warrants for cash, the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price from $161.00 ($0.23 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) to $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits). Per share and issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) common shares with an exercise price of $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) per share. The gross proceeds to the Company from the exercise totaled approximately $3,608,571, prior to deducting warrant inducement agent fees and offering expenses. The new warrants are exercisable immediately upon issuance at an exercise price of $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) per share and have a term of exercise equal to five years. In connection with the exercise, the Company will be required pursuant to the terms of 4,270 (2,989,130 (before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) of its remaining unexercised common share purchase warrants, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from ($0.23 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits). to $140.00 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits).
Previous warrants and a convertible note issued by the Corporation have an anti-dilutive provision (“ratchet provision”) which changes the strike price/conversion price of the previously issued warrants/convertible note, respectively, to the price of the units newly issued by the Corporation. The value of the previously issued warrants and convertible note were $96,800 and $597,966, respectively, immediately prior to the effect of the ratchet provision. The impact of the ratchet provision was accounted for as a component of the fair value of the related instruments.
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The Company closed an equity offering on October 31, 2023 at a price of $4.55 ($0.65 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) on 267,143 common shares (1,870,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $1,215,500 and for a purchase price of $4.48 per warrant ($0.64 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) on 75,714 pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares (530,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) for gross proceeds of $339,200. Total offering gross proceeds received of $1,554,700 prior to share issuance costs. On November 1, 2023, 25,714 of the refunded warrants (180,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) were exercised. In lieu of the warrant holders paying the $0.07 ($0.01 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) to exercise the option of these warrants, the warrant holder chose the cashless exercise option and received 177,313 common shares (25,330 before the 1-7 reverse stock split). On December 21, 2023, 12,977 (90,839 before the 1-7 reverse split) prefunded warrants were exercised for proceeds of $908.39, with the remaining 37,023 (259,161 before the 1-7 reverse split) outstanding at year ended December 31, 2023.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Summary
Siyata Mobile Inc. is a B2B global developer and vendor of next-generation Push-To-Talk over Cellular handsets and accessories. Its portfolio of rugged PTT handsets and accessories enables first responders and enterprise workers to instantly communicate over a nationwide cellular network of choice, to increase situational awareness and save lives. Police, fire, and ambulance organizations as well as schools, utilities, security companies, hospitals, waste management companies, resorts and many other organizations use Siyata PTT handsets and accessories today.
In support of our Push-to-Talk handsets and accessories, Siyata also offers enterprise-grade In-Vehicle solutions and Cellular Booster systems enabling our customers to communicate effectively when they are in their vehicles, and even in areas where the cellular signal is weak.
Siyata sells its portfolio through leading U.S. cellular carriers, and through international cellular carriers and distributors in Canada, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Siyata’s primary markets include cellular operators and their dealers, commercial vehicle technology distributors and fleets of all sizes in North America, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, and to multiple retailers, distributors, and cellular dealers.
For the two most recently completed financial years, the revenues for each category of the Corporation’s products that accounted for 15% or more of total consolidated revenue for the applicable financial year are as follows.
| Revenues by Category | 2023 (USD$) | 2022 (USD$) | ||||||
| Cellphone booster systems and related accessories | $ | 2,223,457 | $ | 2,558,000 | ||||
| Ruggedized Smartphones | $ | 6,009,844 | $ | 3,923,910 | ||||
| Total Annual Consolidated Revenues USD$ | $ | 8,233,301 | $ | 6,481,910 | ||||
The Corporation undertakes research activities that present the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, and the Corporation’s development activities involve a plan or design for the production of new or substantially improved products and processes. The Corporation conducts its own research and development with its internal engineering teams and complements that effort with subcontractors for both its hardware and software development. The Corporation analyzes market trends, evaluates emerging wireless technologies, and innovates to address anticipated customer needs.
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Products
The Company develops, markets and sells a portfolio of rugged handheld Push-to-Talk over Cellular (“PoC”) smartphone devices. These rugged business-to-business (“B2B”) environments are focused on enterprise customers, first responders, construction workers, security guards, government agencies, utilities, transportation and waste management, amusement parks, and mobile workers in multiple industries.
In 2022, Siyata unveiled its next generation rugged device, the SD7. The SD7 is Siyata’s first mission critical push-to-talk device (“MCPTT”) and is also the first rugged handset that Siyata announced in North America in the fourth quarter of 2021, and is now shipping in North America, Europe, The Middle East and Australia. The wireless carriers who have certified and are selling SD7 Handset include AT&T, FirstNet, Verizon, T-Mobile, UScellular, Bell Mobility, Telstra, and KPN. The SD7 Rugged PTT Handset is targeting first responders and enterprise customers who have previously used traditional legacy two-way Land Mobile Radios (“LMR”) but who would prefer a solution that provides wide-area coverage like a cellular device, and also one that provides the same core functionality of Push-to-Talk that they used with their previous older technology.
SD7+ Handset
Siyata has also announced the SD7+ with Body Camera, which is similar to the SD7 Handset, but it incorporates body camera functionality. The SD7+ can replace both an LMR two-way radio and a dedicated body camera device for police, security, or any customer who requires PTT and body camera functionality. The SD7+ is expected to begin shipping in the coming months.
VK7 Vehicle Kit
Siyata also offers purpose built In-Vehicle communication devices. In 2022, Siyata launched the VK7, a first-of-its-kind, patent-pending vehicle kit with an integrated 10-watt speaker, a simple slide-in connection sleeve for the SD7 Handset, and an external antenna connection for connecting an antenna to allow for an in-vehicle experience for the user that is similar to that from a traditional LMR device. The VK7 has been uniquely designed to be used with the SD7 Handset, while connecting directly into the vehicle’s power and can also connect to our cellular amplifier for better cellular connectivity. The pending patent for the VK7 Vehicle Kit provides temperature control by heating the VK7 in cold environments, and cooling the VK7 in hot environments. The VK7 can also be equipped with an external remote speaker microphone (“RSM”) to ensure compliance with hands-free communication legislation.
UV350 In-Vehicle Device
Prior to the third quarter of 2023, we launched commercially a new In-Vehicle solution called Siyata Real Time View, which is a mobile DVR (Digital Video Recording) solution for monitoring first responder vehicles. As the name suggests, video streaming from forward-facing, rear-facing, side-facing, and in-cab cameras are all possible with Siyata Real Team View. We announced our first sale in June 2023 and in the third quarter of 2023 we began installing the solution into ambulances and first responder vehicles of a large first responder organization. This solution has proven to be a key tool for this organization to monitor its fleet of vehicles.
Production and Services
Oversight, control, production, and development of products are managed from the Corporation’s head office. The Corporation provides forecasts of demand to multiple third-party suppliers and manufacturers based primarily in China, prior to the scheduled delivery of Siyata’s products to channel partners. The manufacturing process involves the coordination of hundreds of components, subsystems, and software code. The manufacture of the Corporation’s connected vehicle devices, handheld Push-To-Talk smartphone devices, and cellular boosters includes multiple stages of design, manufacture and assembly, testing, shipping, and installation.
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The Corporation’s warehouse and Canadian sales headquarters is located at 1751 Richardson Street Suite 2207, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with approximately 5,616 square feet of space. The Corporation entered into a lease agreement for this property as of October 1, 2022, and ending on May 31, 2024. The landlord is the same for both the former location on Lenoir Street which had 4,472 square feet and agreed to terminate the lease as of October 2022 so that Siyata could re-locate to the 5,616 square foot location on Richardson Street for a four year term, beginning on July 1, 2020 (the “Lease”). The Lease is set to expire on May 31, 2024. Under the Lease, the Corporation pays net rent of CAD$2.00 per square foot per annum, approximately CAD$11,232 per annum, payable in monthly equal installments.
The Corporation also leased additional Canadian warehouse space from a different landlord located in Chateauguay, Quebec, totaling 2,837 square feet for $11.50 per square foot for the period April 1, 2022 to May 31, 2024, inclusive. The annual net rent is CAD$32,625.
The Corporation believes that its existing facilities are adequate to meet current requirements and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate any further physical expansion of operations and for any additional offices.
Specialized Skill and Knowledge
All aspects of the Business require specialized skills and knowledge. The Corporation’s management team is comprised of individuals (including consultants and advisors), who bring together strong complementary skills, expertise and experience in various aspects of the Corporation’s business, as well as strong capital markets experience. Siyata employs hardware and radio frequency (RF) engineering graduates as well as experts in industrial design and carrier relations. The experienced management team, along with its other employees, subcontractors and consultants, have the required expertise and specialized knowledge and are well-positioned to implement the Corporation’s business strategy.
Competitive Conditions
Rugged Handsets Category
Our direct competitors include Sonim Technologies, Kyocera, and one ruggedized model from Samsung. These competitors also target sales of Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) solutions through wireless carriers in North America and internationally. None of these competitors offer a unique solution like our SD7 Handset which focuses on a simple upgrade from two-way radios, nor do they offer an equivalent to our VK7 Vehicle Kit. These direct competitors focus on more expensive ruggedized Smartphones.
Indirectly, we compete with low-cost Push-to-Talk over Cellular devices designed and developed by various Chinese companies including Telo, Inrico, and others. These products are not approved for sale by North America wireless carriers due to lower overall device specifications which do not meet requirements of North American wireless carriers. These devices are mostly sold in international markets to highly price sensitive customers.
Indirectly, we also compete with traditional two-way LMR radios, also known as “portables” that are carried or worn on a belt and used for PTT communications. These are sold by a small number of large LMR vendors who sell directly to large first responder organizations and to large enterprise customers. They also sell through dealers and distributors to small and medium-sized commercial customers. These products are generally not sold through wireless carriers in North America or internationally. The government and enterprise customers that they target are now often considering the alternative of Push-to-Talk over Cellular since customers do not need to purchase repeaters and towers nor any government licensing for the frequencies that they use. Also, Push-to-Talk over Cellular provides much wider-area coverage, and these PoC solutions tend to be less expensive than traditional LMR radios both to purchase the PoC hardware such as the Siyata SD7 Handset, as well as to subscribe to monthly PoC service from a wireless carrier.
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In-Vehicle Category
None of our competitors offers a Vehicle Kit like the Siyata VK7 Vehicle Kit which transforms the SD7 Handset into a robust In-Vehicle solution with loud audio, and simple PTT communication while in their vehicle. Also, we do not believe that we have any direct competitors within the in-vehicle market category in North America that provide a dedicated cellular based device for commercial and first responder vehicles, and we believe that no other company offers an In-Vehicle IoT device that is approved for sale in North America by wireless carriers.
We have several indirect competitors. Firstly, customers could choose a handheld phone along with a professionally installed third party car kit. There are car kit providers who attempt to make their car kits compatible with popular handheld phone models. By comparison, our In-Vehicle solutions offer enhanced audio quality, safety, and reception. Our In-Vehicle solutions are always active and can be used in temperature extremes. Furthermore, our In-Vehicle solutions are a complete solution from one supplier, as opposed to buying separately from two different companies and assembling a phone and a car kit that offers no proven compatibility.
Our second group of indirect competitors are rugged tablets that can be placed in a mount. Our In-Vehicle solutions offer better audio quality, better safety, better cellular reception, which are always on and ready to be used. Also, compared to a tablet, the UV350 can also make cellular calls including emergency 911 calls whereas the tablet cannot as it is a data only device.
Our third group of indirect competitors are In-Vehicle Two-way LMR Radios also known as “mobiles”. Not only can the UV350 make phone calls which the LMR radio cannot, but our In-Vehicle solutions offer much better coverage due to using the cellular network as opposed to a limited two-way radio network. And the UV350 can support downloadable Android apps and can serve as a modem for IoT devices and as a Wi-Fi hotspot for further connectivity options and more.
Our fourth group of indirect competition is a leading global LMR vendor who offers an In-Vehicle device which is a Push to Talk over Cellular device, compatible only with its own OEM’s PTT application, and as it is not a smartphone based device so it does not offer any downloadable apps (fleet management, GPS tracking, live video feed, etc.) nor the ability to make a phone call over the wireless network. This LMR vendor sells the In-Vehicle device directly to customers and through its dealer channel, but not through wireless carriers.
Cellular Boosters Category
Within the Cellular Booster category, we have several direct competitors, including Wilson Electronics, LLC, Nextivity Inc., and SureCall Company.
New Products
The Company develops, markets and sells a portfolio of rugged handheld Push-to-Talkover Cellular (“PoC”) smartphone devices. These rugged business-to-business (“B2B”) environments are focused on enterprise customers, first responders, construction workers, security guards, government agencies, utilities, transportation and waste management, amusement parks, and mobile workers in multiple industries.
In 2022, Siyata unveiled its next generation rugged device, the SD7. The SD7 is Siyata’s first mission critical push-to-talk device (“MCPTT”) and is also the first rugged handset that Siyata announced in North America in the fourth quarter of 2021, and is now shipping in North America, Europe, The Middle East and Australia. The wireless carriers who have certified and are selling SD7 Handset include AT&T, FirstNet, Verizon, T-Mobile, UScellular, Bell Mobility, Telstra, and KPN. The SD7 Rugged PTT Handset is targeting first responders and enterprise customers who have previously used traditional legacy two-way Land Mobile Radios (“LMR”) but who would prefer a solution that provides wide-area coverage like a cellular device, and also one that provides the same core functionality of Push-to-Talk that they used with their previous older technology.
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SD7+ Handset
Siyata has also announced the SD7+ with Body Camera, which is similar to the SD7 Handset, but it incorporates body camera functionality. The SD7+ can replace both an LMR two-way radio and a dedicated body camera device for police, security, or any customer who requires PTT and body camera functionality. The SD7+ is expected to begin shipping in the coming months.
SD7+ Body Cam
Siyata also offers purpose built In-Vehicle communication devices. In 2022, Siyata launched the VK7, a first-of-its-kind, patent-pending vehicle kit with an integrated 10-watt speaker, a simple slide-in connection sleeve for the SD7 Handset, and an external antenna connection for connecting an antenna to allow for an in-vehicle experience for the user that is similar to that from a traditional land mobile radio (“LMR”) device. The VK7 has been uniquely designed to be used with the SD7 Handset, while connecting directly into the vehicle’s power and can also connect to our cellular amplifier for better cellular connectivity. The pending patent for the VK7 Vehicle Kit provides temperature control by heating the VK7 in cold environments, and cooling the VK7 in hot environments. The VK7 can also be equipped with an external remote speaker microphone (“RSM”) to ensure compliance with hands-free communication legislation.
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VK7 Vehicle Kit
The Uniden® UV350 4G/LTE, is a purpose built In-Vehicle communication device designed specifically for professional vehicles such as trucks, vans, buses, emergency service vehicles and other enterprise vehicles. This platform is designed to facilitate replacement of the current in-vehicle, multi-device status-quo with a single device that incorporates voice, PoC, data, fleet management solutions and other Android based professional applications. The UV350 aims to replace aging two-way radio systems currently in use.
UV350 In-Vehicle Device
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Prior to the third quarter of 2023, we launched commercially a new In-Vehicle solution called Siyata Real Time View, which is a mobile DVR (Digital Video Recording) solution for monitoring first responder vehicles. As the name suggests, video streaming from forward-facing, rear-facing, side-facing, and in-cab cameras are all possible with Siyata Real Team View. We announced our first sale in June 2023 and in the third quarter of 2023 we began installing the solution into ambulances and first responder vehicles of a large first responder organization, which is intended to be a key tool for this organization to monitor its fleet of vehicles.
The aforementioned portfolio of solutions have been designed to offer the benefits of PoC without any of the difficulties managing the current generation of rugged smart/feature phones and is ideally suited as a perfect upgrade from Land Mobile Radios (“LMR”). Used for generations, LMR has a significant number of limitations, including network incompatibility, limited coverage areas, and restricted functionality that leave a huge need for a unified network and platform. Management believes that Siyata’s innovative PoC product lines are helping to service the generational shift from LMR to PoC.
Siyata’s customer base includes cellular network operators and their dealers, as well as commercial vehicle technology distributors for fleets of all sizes in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, The Middle East and other international markets.
Cellular boosters are also offered by Siyata with approximately 30 million of these devices sold globally every year. Siyata manufactures and sells Uniden® Cellular boosters and accessories for enterprise, first responder and consumer customers with a focus on the North America markets. Cellular communication provides a robust, secure environment not just for remote workers, in-home and in-vehicles; but also for restaurant patrons who wish to download menus; for patients at pharmacies who need to verify identity and download scripts; for remote workers who require strong clear cellular signals; and for first responders where connectivity is critical. The vehicle vertical in this portfolio complements Siyata’s rugged handsets and in-vehicle devices as these sales can be bundled through the Company’s existing sales channels.
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| Uniden U70P In-Building Booster | Uniden UM50 In-Vehicle Booster | Uniden UM2M In-Vehicle Booster |
We offer a full line of cellular boosters, to boost cellular reception, under the brand name Uniden®. We have entered into a partnership whereby Uniden America Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Japan-based Uniden Corporation, has granted the exclusive license to us to market cellular signal boosters under the Uniden® brand name within the U.S. and Canada, on a rolling three year contract term, with the current extension expiring December 31, 2031 unless sooner terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. As a world-wide leader in wireless communications, Uniden America Corporation manufactures and markets wireless consumer electronic products. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Uniden sells its products through dealers and distributors throughout North, Central and South America. Uniden Cellular booster kits solve issues of poor reception, dropped calls, lost data and transmission quality issues that users routinely experience on every cellular network. These easy-to-install cellular booster kits are designed for homes, cabins, offices, and buildings to improve the cellular signal reception indoors, allowing people to use their cellular phones indoors where they previously could not do so.
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We also offer models designed for vehicles, both wired and wireless boosters, to improve the cellular reception inside a vehicle that is driving in a weak cellular signal area. Uniden cellular signal boosters offer kits designed to offer cellphone coverage for difference distances, including kits for a small area of 1 or 2 rooms, and more expansive solutions that will cover over 100,000 sq. ft. Our cellular signal boosters are carrier agnostic to ensure the best signal integrity, supporting 2G, 3G, 4G and soon 5G (in development) technologies on all carriers operating in North America.
Components
The primary raw materials and components used in the Corporation’s products include metal, plastic, antennas, microprocessors, printed circuit boards, cables, RF connectors, and LCD screens. These raw materials and components are sourced by third party contract manufacturers. The Corporation works closely with its contract manufacturers to reduce lead times, manage inventory, and ensure competitive pricing. The Corporation also conducts periodic quality control audits of its suppliers.
Target Markets
In 2022, Siyata secured North American wireless carrier approvals of the SD7 Handset for use on their networks from AT&T, FirstNet, Verizon, and Bell Mobility. During 2023, Siyata added T-Mobile and UScellular to its list of North American wireless carriers who approved SD7 for use on their networks. Internationally, Telstra from Australia and KPN from the Netherlands also approved SD7 for use on their network during 2023. These wireless carriers also sell the innovative VK7 Vehicle Kit that works with the SD7 Handset. These are major milestones for the Company following Siyata’s years of experience in working towards perfecting in-vehicle cellular based technology, vehicle installations, software integration with various Push-to-Talk (“PTT”) solutions and intensive carrier certifications.
Siyata’s customer base includes cellular network operators and their dealers, as well as commercial vehicle technology distributors for fleets of all sizes in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and other international markets.
Intangible Properties
The Corporation owns two patents that it acquired from Clear RF, as discussed below, and the Corporation has entered into several licensing agreements for the use of a trademark and certain patents.
Licensing Agreement with Uniden America Corporation
In December 2012, Signifi Mobile Inc., the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into the Uniden Agreement. The Uniden Agreement provides the Corporation with the exclusive right to use the trademark “Uniden®” (along with associated designs and trade dress) and distribute, market, and sell its in-vehicle device, cellular signal booster and accessories under the Uniden® brand in the categories of cellular amplifiers, connected vehicle cellular devices, and rugged cellular products, during its term in North America. The Uniden Agreement had an initial three-year term, and has subsequently been renewed to expire on December 31, 2031.
For further details of the Uniden Agreement, please see the section in this AIF entitled “General Development of the Business – Three Year History – Licensing Agreements”.
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Licensing Agreement with Wilson Electronics, LLC
Siyata, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Signifi Mobile Inc., entered into the Wilson Agreement on November 30, 2017, with an effective date of January 1, 2018. Under the Wilson Agreement, the Corporation has licensed a patent for its cellular booster portfolio of products, for the rights to the stand-alone cell phone radio signal booster on a worldwide basis. The Wilson Agreement is expected to remain in force until the expiration of all of the patents licensed under the Wilson Agreement expire, which is estimated to occur in May 2027.
For further details of the Wilson Agreement, please see the section in this AIF entitled “General Development of the Business – Three Year History – Licensing Agreements”.
Licensing Agreement with Via Licensing Corporation
Effective June 8, 2018, the Corporation entered into the Via Licensing Agreements, which allow the Corporation to utilize worldwide patents related to the coding and decoding of Android software as well as access and download within the “LTE/ 4G” network. This patent licence is for an initial period of five years and can be extended for a further five-year term.
For further details of the Via Licensing Agreements, please see the section in this AIF entitled “General Development of the Business – Three Year History – Licensing Agreements”.
Asset Purchase Agreement with eWave Mobile Ltd.
Effective October 1, 2017, the Corporation entered into an asset purchase agreement with eWave Mobile Ltd. (“eWave”), for the purchase of certain distribution rights and contracts in connection with the right to sell and distribute, in Israel, certain cellular devices for the push to talk market, or the eWave Supplies, in exchange for $700,000 in cash and Common Shares having a value equal to $700,000. Additionally, the asset purchase agreement requires the Corporation to pay eWave 50% of up to $1,500,000 in net profit that it earns from sales related to the eWave Suppliers, and 25% thereafter of the net profit exceeding $1,500,000.
Clear RF, LLC
In March 2021, the Corporation, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of Signifi Mobile Inc., the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired all of the outstanding units of ClearRF, a Washington State limited liability company that produces M2M (machine-to-machine) cellular amplifiers for commercial and industrial M2M applications, and offers patented direct connect cellular amplifiers and patented auto gain & oscillation control designed for M2M and IoT applications. Two patents held by ClearRF were subsequently transferred and assigned to ClearRF Nevada Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation, following the closing of this acquisition.
For further details of the acquisition of ClearRF, please see the section in this AIF entitled “General Development of the Business – Three Year History – Financial Year ended December 31, 2021”.
Cycles
The purchase of the Corporation’s products is often an enterprise-wide decision for prospective customers, which requires the Corporation to engage in sales efforts over an extended period of time and provide a significant level of education to prospective customers regarding the uses and benefits of such devices. Prospective customers, especially the wireless carriers that sell products, often undertake a prolonged evaluation process that may take from several months to several years in certain cases. Consequently, if forecasted sales from a specific customer are not realized, the Corporation may not be able to generate revenues from alternative sources in time to compensate for the shortfall.
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The Corporation does not experience any effects of seasonality on its business. Its products are designed to function at full capacity under all weather conditions and therefore, it does not experience any shifts in sales patterns.
Economic Dependence
The Corporation relies on various service providers, vendors, and suppliers to deliver its products and services. The Corporation relies on the key services of its wireless carrier channel partners and third party distributors and resellers to promote and distribute its products; a license agreement with Uniden America Corporation to use the trademark “Uniden®”, along with associated designs and trade dress to distribute, market, and sell its In-Vehicle device, cellular signal booster, and accessories in North America; and multiple vendors for its components and contract manufacturers to build its products. Siyata has one Asian company that is involved in both R&D and contract manufacturing of the UV350, the SD7, VK7 and SD7+.
Changes to Contracts
The Corporation does not have long-term supply agreements with any of its suppliers. Its current contracts with certain suppliers may be canceled or not extended by such suppliers and, therefore, do not afford the Corporation with sufficient protection against a reduction or interruption in supplies.
Environmental Protection
The Corporation’s products are subject to a wide range of product regulatory and safety, consumer, worker safety, and environmental laws and regulations.
The Corporation’s operations do not have a significant impact on the environment. Siyata has not made, and is not required to make, any significant capital expenditures to comply with environmental regulations, and does not believe that its competitive position will be affected by environmental protection requirements. The Corporation believes that its contract manufacturing partners and component suppliers currently meet all other environmental standards or guidelines and are compliant with local and federal regulations. Investments made with regards to environmental protection have had no operational or financial impact on the expenses in capital property, profit, or loss or on the competitive position of the Corporation during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and are not expected to have an effect in future years.
Employees
As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation had 23 full-time employees and no part-time employees. 10 of the Corporation’s employees are located in Israel, with 2 performing sales functions, 2 performing research and development functions, and 6 performing operations. The other 13 employees are located in North America, with 5 sales members in the USA and 8 employees in Canada, of which 9 are performing sales functions and 4 are performing operations functions.
Foreign Operations
A number of the Corporation’s officers and directors are residents of Israel and the United States. Accordingly, political, economic, and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly affect business and operations. In addition, political, economic and regulatory conditions in the United States may affect business and operations.
The Corporation also uses multiple third-party suppliers and manufacturers based primarily in China. Pursuant to Chinese labour laws, employers in China are subject to various requirements when signing labor contracts, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation, and unilaterally terminating labor contracts.
Bankruptcy and Similar Procedures
There have been no bankruptcy, receivership, or similar proceedings against the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries within the three most recently completed financial years or during or proposed for the current financial year.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in securities of the Corporation involves a significant degree of risk and must be considered highly speculative due to the nature of the Corporation’s business. There are a number of risks that may have a material and adverse impact on the future operating and financial performance of the Corporation and could cause the Corporation’s operating and financial performance to differ materially from the estimates described in forward-looking statements related to the Corporation.
The risks set out below are not the only risks facing the Corporation. There are widespread risks associated with any form of business and specific risks associated with the Corporation’s business.
In addition to the other information set forth elsewhere in this AIF, the following risk factors should be carefully reviewed by prospective investors. These risks may not be the only risks faced by the Corporation. Risks and uncertainties not presently known by the Corporation or which are presently considered immaterial may also adversely affect the Corporation’s business, properties, results of operations and/or condition (financial or otherwise). If any of the following risks actually occur, the Corporation’s business, financial condition, results, and prospects could be adversely affected.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Corporation or those that are currently deemed immaterial may also impair the Corporation’s business operations. If any such risks actually occur, the business, financial condition, and operating results of the Corporation could be materially harmed. All references to “Siyata” or the “Corporation” in this section entitled “Risk Factors” include the Corporation and its subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires. Before making an investment decision, prospective investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties herein, as well as the other information contained in the Corporation’s public filings.
Risks Related to the Corporation’s Financial Position and Capital Requirements
The Corporation has a history of operating losses and may never achieve or maintain profitability.
The Corporation has a limited operating history and a history of losses from operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Corporation had an accumulated deficit of $90,479,787. Without additional capital, the Corporation’s existing cash and cash equivalents will be insufficient to fully fund the Corporation’s business plan. The Corporation’s ability to achieve profitability will depend on whether it can obtain additional capital when needed, complete the development of the Corporation’s technology, obtain required regulatory approvals, and continue to develop arrangements with channel partners. There can be no assurance that the Corporation will ever achieve profitability.
The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, in its report on the Corporation’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, has raised substantial doubt about the Corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The Corporation may require additional capital to fund its business and support its growth, and its inability to generate and obtain such capital on acceptable terms, or at all, could harm its business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects.
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The Corporation intends to continue to make substantial investments to fund its business and support its growth. In addition, the Corporation may require additional funds to respond to business challenges, including the need to develop new features or enhance its solutions, improve its operating infrastructure or acquire or develop complementary businesses and technologies. As a result, in addition to the revenues the Corporation generates from its business, the Corporation may need to engage in additional equity or debt financings to provide the funds required for these and other business endeavors. If the Corporation raise additional funds through future issuances of equity or convertible debt securities, existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities the Corporation issues could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of holders of the Corporation’s securities. Any debt financing that the Corporation may secure in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for the Corporation to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. The Corporation may not be able to obtain such additional financing on terms favorable to it, if at all. If the Corporation is unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to it when required, its ability to continue to support its business growth and to respond to business challenges could be significantly impaired, and its business may be adversely impacted. In addition, the Corporation’s inability to generate or obtain the financial resources needed may require it to delay, scale back, or eliminate some or all of its operations, which may have a significant adverse impact on its business, operating results, and financial condition.
Our independent registered public accountants have identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting in both 2023 and 2022. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports as a public company in a timely manner.
In connection with the audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023, the Corporation’s independent registered public accountants identified several material weaknesses in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Corporation’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
In 2023, our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The first material weakness related to our revenue recognition practices where we do not sufficiently determine for specific transactions the correct timing in which the revenue should be recorded after title transfer terms were met. The second material weakness related to insufficient documentation of inventory controls relating to our inventory balances, transfer between sites and off-site inventory tracking is limited. The third material weakness related to internal control weaknesses in the capitalization and coordination of development costs to prevent excess payments and erroneously recorded invoices.
For the material weaknesses identified in our 2023 audit, we have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, and to further strengthen our accounting staff and internal controls, as detailed below:
| ● | With respect to the revenue recognition weakness, management has implemented a process that will scrutinize the delivery date for each sale that occurs to ensure that the revenue recognition for each period is calculated properly. This will ensure proper matching of revenues in the period incurred. |
| ● | With respect to the inventory transfers, management has implemented manual processes as a back up to ensure all inventory transfers are recorded properly so that the inventory valuation is correct. |
| ● | With respect to the research and development process, our research and development team will be required to approve all invoices from the research and development subcontractor and ensure they fall within the budget and to ensure that new contracts and agreements are made to extend and expand the previous contract once total payments reached the sum in the agreement to ensure the amounts capitalized are not in excess of the original budget with its discounted cash flows. Once the research and development team has approved the invoice based on the above criteria, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will review the documentation and, once approved, will forward the documentation to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in Canada for wire initiation. |
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In 2022, our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. The first material weakness related to our revenue recognition practices where we do not sufficiently review (i) product returns in relation to product sales and (ii) for title transfer terms to determine when revenue should be recorded. The second material weakness related to insufficient documentation of inventory controls relating to our inventory balances, advances to suppliers, and off-site inventory tracking is limited. The third material weakness related to internal control weaknesses in the capitalization and coordination of development costs to prevent excess payments and erroneously recorded invoices.
For the material weaknesses identified in our 2022 audit, we have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, and to further strengthen our accounting staff and internal controls, as detailed below:
| ● | With respect to the revenue recognition practices, management will consistently apply of IFRS15 with respect to the five criterion for revenue recognition, In addition, management will institute peer review of North American sales by the Israeli subsidiary’s chief financial officer and peer review by Company’s Chief Financial Officer of Israeli sales recognition policy on a quarterly basis and engage in dialogue on new customers to ensure the revenue recognition policy and the customer contracts are consistently applied. | |
| ● | With respect to the inventory control weaknesses, management will institute the following remediation procedures: |
| ● | Monthly comparison of inventory first and last cost in USD$ between periods to note any changes and to investigate the reason for these discrepancies to provide a more accurate quantum of write downs and consistent costing. |
| ● | The implementation of an IT system to track the inventory movements in North America; |
| ● | Monthly comparison of inventory units between periods to note any changes and to investigate the reason for any inconsistencies. |
| ● | Obtain confirmation of goods in transit with external vendors and consignment customers on a more timely basis. |
| ● | With respect to the development cost weaknesses, the research and development team will be required to approve all invoices from the research and development sub-contractor and ensure they fall within the budget to ensure the amounts capitalized are not in excess of the original budget with its discounted cash flows. Once the research and development team has approved the invoice based on the above criteria, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will review the documentation and once approved, will forward the documentation to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in Canada for wire initiation. |
The material weaknesses identified in 2021 have been remedied. To date, we have only partially remediated the material weaknesses identified in 2022 above. We cannot be certain that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not be discovered in the future. If our efforts are not successful or other material weaknesses or control deficiencies occur in the future, we may be unable to report our financial results accurately on a timely basis or help prevent fraud, which could cause our reported financial results to be materially misstated and result in the loss of investor confidence or delisting and cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline.
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We began to take steps to remediate these material weaknesses and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting, including the following:
| (i) | documenting and formally assessing our accounting and financial reporting policies and procedures; and |
| (ii) | increasing the use of third-party consultants in assessing significant accounting transactions and other technical accounting and financial reporting issues, preparing accounting memoranda addressing these issues and maintaining these memoranda in our corporate records. |
While we believe that these efforts will improve our internal control over financial reporting, the implementation of these measures is ongoing and will require validation and testing of the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over a sustained period of financial reporting cycles. We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, and are continuing to implement, will be sufficient to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, there could continue to be a reasonable possibility that a misstatement of our accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of our financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Risks Related to the Corporation’s Business and Industry
The Corporation relies on its channel partners to generate a substantial majority of its revenues. If these channel partners fail to perform or if the Corporation cannot enter into agreements with channel partners on favorable terms, the Corporation’s operating results could be significantly harmed.
More than 60% and 50% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were generated through sales by our channel partners, which are primarily wireless carriers who sell our devices through their sales channels. To the extent our channel partners are unsuccessful in selling or do not promote our products, or we are unable to obtain and retain a sufficient number of high-quality channel partners, our business and operating results could be significantly harmed. Our channel partners are wireless carriers who have direct and indirect sales channels which we are leveraging to get to their customers. Our wireless carrier channel partners currently include:
| ● | AT&T, in the United States; |
| ● | FirstNet, in the United States; |
| ● | Verizon, in the United States; |
| ● | T-Mobile, in the United States; |
| ● | Bell Mobility, in Canada; |
| ● | Rogers, in Canada; and |
| ● | a leading global land mobile radio, or LMR, vendor and distributor in North America and international markets. |
While these arrangements are typically long term, they generally do not contain any firm purchase volume commitments. As a result, our channel partners are not contractually obligated to purchase from us any minimum number of products. We are generally required to satisfy any and all purchase orders delivered to us within specified delivery windows, with limited exceptions (such as orders significantly in excess of forecasts). If we are unable to efficiently manage our supply and satisfy purchase orders on a timely basis to our channel partners, we may be in breach of our sales arrangements and lose potential sales. If a technical issue with any of our covered products exceeds certain present failure thresholds for the relevant performance standard or standards, the channel partner typically has the right to cease selling the product, cancel open purchase orders and levy certain monetary penalties. If our products suffer technical issues or failures following sales to our channel partners, we may be subject to significant monetary penalties and our channel partners may cease making purchase orders, which would significantly harm our business and results of operations. In addition, our channel partners retain sole discretion in which of their stocked products to offer their customers. While we may offer limited customer incentives, we generally have limited to no control over which products our channel partners decide to offer or promote, which directly impacts the number of products that our partners will purchase from us.
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In addition, our channel partners may be unsuccessful in marketing, selling and supporting our solutions. They may also market, sell and support solutions that are somewhat competitive with ours, and may devote more resources to the marketing, sales and support of such products. They may have incentives to promote our competitors’ products in lieu of our products, particularly for our bigger competitors with larger volumes of orders, more diverse product offerings and a longer relationship with our generally large-scale channel partners. As a result, our channel partners may stop selling our products completely. While we employ a small direct sales force, our channel partners have significantly larger sales teams who are not contractually obligated to promote any of our devices and often have multiple competing devices in stock to offer their customers. In addition, downstream sales by our channel partners often succeed due to attractive device prices and monthly rate plans, which we do not control. In certain cases, we may promote our own devices through customer incentives, however, there can be no assurance that any such incentives would contribute to increased purchases of our products. Further, given the impact of attractive pricing on ultimate sales, we generally must offer increased promotional funding or price reductions for our more expensive products. This promotional funding or price reductions operate to reduce our margins and significantly impact our profitability.
New sales channel partners may take several months or more to achieve significant sales. Our channel partner sales structure could subject us to lawsuits, potential liability and reputational harm if, for example, any of our channel partners misrepresents the functionality of our products or services to their customers, or violate laws or our corporate policies.
If we fail to effectively manage our existing or future sales channel partners, our channel partners fail to promote our products effectively, we are unable to meet our obligations under our sales arrangements or future agreements that we may enter into with wireless carrier customers have terms that are more favorable to the customer, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
The Corporation is materially dependent on the adoption of its solutions by both the industrial enterprise and public sector markets, and if end customers in those markets do not purchase the Corporation’s solutions, its revenues will be adversely impacted, and it may not be able to expand into other markets.
The Corporation’s revenues have been primarily in the industrial enterprise market, and the Corporation is materially dependent on the adoption of its solutions by both the industrial enterprise and public sector markets. End customers in the public sector market may remain, for reasons outside the Corporation’s control, tied to Land Mobile Radio (LMR) solutions or other competitive alternatives to the Corporation’s devices. Sales of products to these buyers may also be delayed or limited by these competitive conditions. If products are not widely accepted by buyers in those markets, the Corporation may not be able to expand sales of its products into new markets, and the Corporation’s business, results of operations, and financial condition may be adversely impacted.
The Corporation participates in a competitive industry, which may become more competitive. Competitors with greater resources and significant experience in high-volume product manufacturing may be able to respond more quickly and cost-effectively than the Corporation can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements.
We face significant competition in developing and selling our solutions. Our primary competitors in the non-rugged mobile device market include LG Corporation, Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Our primary competitors in the rugged mobile device market include Sonim Technologies Inc., Bullitt Mobile Ltd., and Kyocera Corporation. We also face competition from large system integrators and manufacturers of private and public wireless network equipment and devices. Competitors in this space include Harris Corporation, JVC KENWOOD Corporation, Motorola, and Tait International Limited. Within the Cellular Booster category, we have several direct competitors, including Wilson Electronics, LLC, or Wilson Electronics, Nextivity, Inc. and SureCall Company.
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We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Increased competition in mobile computing platforms, data capture products, or related accessories and software developments may result in price reductions, lower gross profit margins, and loss of market share, and could require increased spending on research and development, sales and marketing, and customer support. Some competitors may make strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships with suppliers or companies that produce complementary products, which may create additional pressures on our competitive position in the marketplace.
Most of our competitors have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources and experience than we do. In addition, because of the higher volume of components that many of our competitors purchase from their suppliers, they are able to keep their supply costs relatively low and, as a result, may be able to recognize higher margins on their product sales than we do. Many of our competitors may also have existing relationships with the channel partners who we use to sell our products, or with our potential customers. This competition may result in reduced prices, reduced margins and longer sales cycles for our products. Our competitors may also be able to more quickly and cost-effectively respond to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. The combination of brand strength, extensive distribution channels and financial resources of the larger vendors could cause us to lose market share and could reduce our margins on our products. If any of our larger competitors were to commit greater technical, sales, marketing and other resources to our markets, our ability to compete would be adversely impacted. If we are unable to successfully compete with our competitors, our sales would suffer and as a result our financial condition will be adversely impacted.
Defects in the Corporation’s products could reduce demand for its products and result in a loss of sales, delay in market acceptance, and injury to reputation, which would adversely impact the Corporation’s business.
Complex software, as well as multiple components, displays, plastics, and assemblies used in the Corporation’s products may contain undetected defects that are subsequently discovered at any point in the life of the product. Defects in products may result in a loss of sales, product malfunction, delay in market acceptance, and potential injuries to customers which can bring to injury in the Corporation’s reputation and increased warranty costs.
Additionally, the Corporation’s software may contain undetected errors, defects, or bugs. Although the Corporation has not suffered significant harm from any errors, defects, or bugs to date, management may discover significant errors, defects, or bugs in the future that the Corporation may not be able to correct or correct in a timely manner. It is possible that errors, defects, or bugs will be found in the Corporation’s existing or future software and/or hardware products and related services with the potential for delays in, or loss of market acceptance of, products and services, diversion of resources, injury to reputation, increased service and warranty expenses, and payment of damages.
Further, errors, defects, or bugs in the Corporation’s solutions could be exploited by hackers or could otherwise result in an actual or perceived breach of the Corporation’s information systems. Alleviating any of these problems could require significant expense and could cause interruptions, delays or cessation of the Corporation’s product licensing, which would reduce demand for the Corporation’s products and result in a loss of sales, delay in market acceptance and injure the Corporation’s reputation and could adversely impact the Corporation’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
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If the Corporation’s business does not grow as it expects, or if the Corporation fails to manage its growth effectively, its operating results and business would suffer.
The Corporation’s ability to successfully grow its business depends on a number of factors including its ability to:
| ● | accelerate the adoption of solutions by new end customers; |
| ● | expand into new vertical markets; |
| ● | develop and deliver new products and services; |
| ● | increase awareness of the benefits that the Corporation’s solutions offer; and |
| ● | expand the Corporation’s domestic and international footprint. |
As usage of the Corporation’s solutions grows, it will need to continue to make investments to develop and implement new or updated solutions, software, technologies, security features, and cloud-based infrastructure operations. In addition, the Corporation will need to appropriately scale its internal business systems and services organization, including the suppliers of products and customer support services, to serve its growing customer base. Any failure of, or delay in, these efforts could impair the performance of solutions and reduce customer satisfaction.
Further, growth could increase quickly and place a strain on the Corporation’s managerial, operational, financial, and other resources, and its future operating results depend to a large extent on its ability to successfully manage its anticipated expansion and growth. To manage the Corporation’s growth successfully, it will need to continue to invest in sales and marketing, research and development, and general and administrative functions and other areas. The Corporation is likely to recognize the costs associated with these investments earlier than receiving some of the anticipated benefits, and the return on these investments may be lower, or may develop more slowly, than it expects, which could adversely impact its operating results.
If the Corporation is unable to manage its growth effectively, it may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities or develop new solutions or upgrades to the Corporation’s existing solutions, satisfy customer requirements, maintain the quality and security of its solutions or execute on its business plan, any of which could harm its business, operating results and financial condition.
The Corporation may not be able to continue to develop solutions to address user needs effectively in an industry characterized by ongoing change and rapid technological advances.
To be successful, the Corporation must adapt to rapidly changing technological and application needs by continually improving its products, as well as introducing new products and services, to address user demands.
The Corporation’s industry is characterized by:
| ● | evolving industry standards; |
| ● | frequent new product and service introductions; |
| ● | increasing demand for customized product and software solutions; |
| ● | rapid competitive developments; |
| ● | changing customer demands; and |
| ● | evolving distribution channels. |
Future success will depend on the Corporation’s ability to effectively and economically adapt in this evolving environment. The Corporation could incur substantial costs if it must modify its business to adapt to these changes, and may even be unable to adapt to these changes.
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The markets for the Corporation’s devices and related accessories may not develop as quickly as the Corporation expects, or may not develop at all. The Corporation’s dependence on its cellular carrier channel partners and their success in promoting Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) to their client base is key for the success of the business.
The Corporation’s future success is substantially dependent upon continued adoption of devices and related accessories in the industrial enterprise and public sector markets, including the transition from LMR to Push to Talk over Cellular networks. These market developments and transitions may take longer than the Corporation expects or may not occur at all, and may not be as widespread as the Corporation expects. If the market does not develop as the Corporation expects, its business, operating results, and financial condition would be significantly harmed.
The Corporation’s future success is dependent on its ability to create independent brand awareness for its business and products with end customers, and its inability to achieve such brand awareness could limit its prospects.
The Corporation depends on wireless carriers to promote and distribute its products. While the Corporation intends to ramp up direct marketing and end-customer brand awareness initiatives in the future, its sales and marketing efforts have historically been predominantly focused on channel partners. To increase end-customer brand awareness, the Corporation intends to develop sales tools for key verticals within target markets, increase usage of social media and expand product training efforts, among other things. As a result, the Corporation expects its sales and marketing expenses to increase in the future, primarily from increased sales personnel expenses, which will require the Corporation to cost-efficiently ramp up its sales and marketing capabilities and effectively target end customers. However, there can be no assurance that the Corporation will successfully increase its brand awareness or do so in a cost-efficient manner while maintaining market share within its existing sales channels. The Corporation’s failure to establish stand-alone brand awareness with end customers of its products will leave it vulnerable to the marketing and selling success of others, including its channel partners, and these developments could have an adverse impact on its prospects. If the Corporation is unable to significantly increase the awareness of its brand and solutions with end customers in a cost-efficient manner, the Corporation will remain significantly dependent on its channel partners for sales of its products, and its business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
The Corporation is dependent on the continued services and performance of a concentrated group of senior management and other key personnel, the loss of any of whom could adversely impact its business.
The Corporation’s future success depends in large part on the continued contributions of a concentrated group of senior management and other key personnel. In particular, the leadership of key management personnel is critical to the successful management of the company, the development of its solutions, and its strategic direction. The Corporation also depends on the contributions of key technical personnel. The Corporation’s senior management and key personnel are all employed on an at-will basis, which means that they could terminate their employment with the Corporation at any time, for any reason and without notice. The loss of any of its key personnel could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of the Corporation’s development and strategic objectives and harm its business.
The Corporation competes in a rapidly evolving market, and the failure to respond quickly and effectively to changing market requirements could cause its business and operating results to decline.
The mobile device market is characterized by rapidly changing technology, changing customer needs, evolving industry standards and frequent introductions of new products and services. In order to deliver a competitive mobile device, the Corporation’s solutions must be capable of operating in an increasingly complex network environment. As new wireless phones are introduced and standards in the mobile device market evolve, the Corporation may be required to modify its phones and services to make them compatible with these new products and standards. Likewise, if its competitors introduce new devices and services that compete with the Corporation’s products, it may be required to reposition its solutions or introduce new phones and solutions in response to such competitive pressure. The Corporation may not be successful in modifying its current devices or introducing new ones in a timely or appropriately responsive manner, or at all. If the Corporation fails to address these changes successfully, its business and operating results could be significantly harmed.
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If the Corporation is unable to sell its solutions into new markets, its revenues may not grow.
Any new market into which the Corporation attempts to sell its solutions may not be receptive. The Corporation’s ability to penetrate new markets depends on the quality of its solutions, the continued adoption of its public safety solution by first responders, the perceived value of its solutions as a risk management tool and its ability to design its solutions to meet the demands of its customers. If the markets for its solutions do not develop as the Corporation expects, its revenues may not grow.
The Corporation’s ability to successfully face these challenges depends on several factors, including increasing the awareness of its solutions and their benefits, the effectiveness of its marketing programs, the costs of its solutions, its ability to attract, retain and effectively train sales and marketing personnel, and its ability to develop relationships with wireless carriers and other partners. If the Corporation is unsuccessful in developing and marketing the Corporation’s solutions into new markets, new markets for its solutions might not develop or might develop more slowly than the Corporation expect, either of which would harm its revenues and growth prospects.
If the Corporation is unable to attract, integrate and retain additional qualified personnel, including top technical talent, its business could be adversely impacted.
The Corporation’s future success depends in part on its ability to identify, attract, integrate, and retain highly skilled technical, managerial, sales, and other personnel. The Corporation faces intense competition for qualified individuals from numerous other companies, including other software and technology companies, many of whom have greater financial and other resources than the Corporation does. Some of these characteristics may be more appealing to high-quality candidates than those the Corporation has to offer. In addition, new hires often require significant training and, in many cases, take significant time before they achieve full productivity. The Corporation may incur significant costs to attract and retain qualified personnel, including significant expenditures related to salaries and benefits and compensation expenses related to equity awards, and may lose new employees to its competitors or other companies before it can realize the benefit of its investment in recruiting and training them. Moreover, new employees may not be or become as productive as the Corporation expects, as it may face challenges in adequately or appropriately integrating them into its workforce and culture. If the Corporation is unable to attract, integrate, and retain suitably qualified individuals who are capable of meeting its growing technical, operational and managerial requirements on a timely basis or at all, its business will be adversely impacted.
Volatility or lack of positive performance in the Corporation’s stock price may also affect its ability to attract and retain its key employees. Employees may be more likely to leave if the shares they own or the shares underlying their vested options have significantly appreciated in value relative to the original purchase prices of the shares or the exercise prices of the options, or, conversely, if the exercise prices of the options that they hold are significantly above the market price of the Common Shares. If the Corporation is unable to appropriately incentivize and retain its employees through equity compensation, or if the Corporation needs to increase its compensation expenses in order to appropriately incentivize and retain its employees, its business, operating results, and financial condition would be adversely impacted.
A security breach or other significant disruption of information technology systems or those of the Corporation’s partners, suppliers, or manufacturers, caused by cyberattacks or other means, could have a negative impact on operations, sales, and operating results.
All information technology systems are potentially vulnerable to damage, unauthorized access, or interruption from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, cyberattacks, cyber intrusions, computer viruses, security breaches, energy blackouts, natural disasters, terrorism, sabotage, war, insider trading and telecommunication failures. A cyberattack or other significant disruption involving the Corporation’s information technology systems or those of the Corporation’s outsource partners, suppliers or manufacturers could result in the unauthorized release of proprietary, confidential or sensitive information or result in a virus and malware installation on the Corporation’s devices. Such unauthorized access to, or release of, this information or other security breaches could: (i) allow others to unfairly compete with the Corporation, (ii) compromise safety or security, (iii) subject the Corporation to claims for breach of contract, tort, and other civil claims, and (iv) damage the Corporation’s reputation. Any or all of the foregoing could have a negative impact on the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The Corporation experiences lengthy sales cycles for the Corporation’s products and the delay of an expected large order could result in a significant unexpected revenue shortfall.
The purchase of the Corporation’s products is often an enterprise-wide decision for prospective customers, which requires the Corporation to engage in sales efforts over an extended period of time and provide a significant level of education to prospective customers regarding the uses and benefits of such devices. Prospective customers, especially the wireless carriers that sell products, often undertake a prolonged evaluation process that may take from several months to several years in certain cases. Consequently, if forecasted sales from a specific customer are not realized, the Corporation may not be able to generate revenues from alternative sources in time to compensate for the shortfall. The loss or delay of an expected large order could also result in a significant unexpected revenue shortfall. Moreover, to the extent the Corporation enters into and delivers products pursuant to significant contracts earlier than expected, operating results for subsequent periods may fall below expectations. The Corporation may spend substantial time, effort, and money on the Corporation’s sales and marketing efforts without any assurance that efforts will produce any sales. If the Corporation is unable to succeed in closing sales with new and existing customers, its business, operating results, and financial condition will be harmed.
We have a limited history of contracting with third party manufacturers in Asia for the high-volume commercial production of our devices, and we may face manufacturing capacity constraints.
We have limited history and experience in contracting with third party manufacturers in Asia for the high-volume commercial production of our devices. Because of this limited production history, we face challenges in predicting our business and evaluating its prospects, which may result in breakdowns of our ability to timely supply our devices to our customers. Moreover, we face manufacturing capacity constraints that present further risks to our business. If overall demand of our devices increases in the future, we will need to expand our third party manufacturing capacity in a cost-efficient manner. Failing to meet customer demand due to our failure to successfully address these risks and challenges could adversely impact our reputation and future sales, which would significantly harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our financial condition and results of operations as well as those of potential customers could be adversely affected by the Middle East War, which may cause a material adverse effect on the level of economic activity around the world, including in the markets we serve.
In October 2023, war broke out in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas and possibly with other regional powers. As a result of this war, various nations, including the United States, have been monitoring the situation closely. While we currently have customers, assets, liabilities, employees and suppliers in the region we have not experienced any supply disruptions directly related to this war. As this war continues or possibly escalates, this may lead to further disruption, instability and volatility in global markets and industries that could negatively impact our customers, operations and our supply chain. The impact of the conflict and related sanctions on the world economy are subject to rapid change and are difficult to predict. The war could create disruptions in the supply chain for certain of our products which, to date, has not had a substantive impact on our operations. None of our critical raw materials are sourced from, and none of our finished products are manufactured in, the Middle East region. We have no operations or other projects in that region.
We are monitoring any broader economic impact from the Middle East war, including heightened risk of cyberattacks, property damage, employee inaccessibility to the workplace, increased prices of fuel and other commodities, and potential impacts to our partners’ supply chains. Our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be materially adversely affected, but the specific impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is currently difficult to determine.
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Our financial condition and results of operations as well as those of potential customers could be adversely affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has caused a material adverse effect on the level of economic activity around the world, including in the markets we serve.
In February 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. As a result of the invasion, various nations, including the United States, have instituted economic sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus and certain of their citizens. While we currently have no customers or suppliers located in Belarus, the Russian Federation or Ukraine, nor have we experienced any supply disruptions directly related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as we do not knowingly source any materials originating from Belarus, the Russian Federation or Ukraine, as the war in Ukraine continues or possibly escalates, this may lead to further disruption, instability and volatility in global markets and industries that could negatively impact our customers, operations and our supply chain. The impact of the conflict and related sanctions on the world economy are subject to rapid change and are difficult to predict. The war has created disruptions in the supply chain for certain of our products which, to date, has not had a substantive impact on our operations. None of our critical raw materials are sourced from, and none of our finished products are manufactured in, the sanctioned regions. We have no operations or other projects in that region.
We are monitoring any broader economic impact from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war between the two nations, including heightened risk of cyberattacks, increased prices of fuel and other commodities, and potential impacts to our partners’ supply chains. Our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be materially adversely affected, but the specific impact on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is currently difficult to determine.
We rely on industry data and projections which may prove to be inaccurate.
We obtained statistical data, market data and other industry data and forecasts used in this prospectus from market research, publicly available information and industry publications. These industry data, including the vehicle communications industry, include projections that are based on a number of assumptions which have been derived from industry and government sources which we believe to be reasonable. The vehicle communications industry may not grow at the rate projected by industry data, or at all. The failure of the industry to grow as anticipated is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our Common Shares. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the vehicle communications industry subjects any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our industries to significant uncertainties. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the industry data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may, and are likely to, differ from the projections based on these assumptions. While we believe that the statistical data, industry data and forecasts and market research are reliable, we have not independently verified the data.
Risks Related to Reliance on Third Parties
As the Corporation works with multiple vendors for its components, if it fails to adequately forecast demand for its inventory and supply needs, the Corporation could incur additional costs or experience manufacturing delays, which could reduce its gross margin or cause a delay or even a loss on sales.
Because its production volumes are based on a forecast of channel partner demand rather than purchase commitments from its major customers, there is a risk that its forecasts could be inaccurate and that the Corporation will be unable to sell its products at the volumes and prices the Corporation expect, which may result in excess inventory. The Corporation provides, and will continue to provide, forecasts of its demand to its third-party suppliers prior to the scheduled delivery of products to its channel partners. If the Corporation overestimates its requirements, its contract manufacturers may have excess component inventory, which could increase costs. If the Corporation underestimates its requirements, its contract manufacturers may have inadequate component inventory, which could interrupt the manufacturing of its products and result in delays in shipments and revenues or even lost sales, or could incur unplanned overtime costs to meet its requirements, resulting in significant cost increases. For example, certain materials and components used to manufacture the Corporation’s products may reach end of life during any of the Corporation’s product’s life cycles, following which suppliers no longer provide such expired materials and components. This would require the Corporation to either source and qualify an alternative component, which could require a re-certification of the device by the wireless carriers and/or regulatory agencies, or forecast product demand for a final purchase of such materials and components that may reach end of life to ensure that the Corporation has sufficient product inventory through a product’s life cycle. If the Corporation overestimates forecasted demand, it would hold excess end-of-life materials and components resulting in increased costs. If the Corporation underestimates forecasted demand, it could experience delays in shipments and loss of revenues.
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The Corporation’s dependence on third-party suppliers for key components of its products could delay shipment of its products and reduce its sales.
The Corporation depends on certain suppliers for the delivery of components used in the assembly of its products. The Corporation’s reliance on third-party suppliers creates risks related to its potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of components and reduced control over pricing and timing of delivery of components. In particular, the Corporation has little to no control over the prices at which its suppliers sell materials and components. Certain supplies of its components are available only from a single source or limited sources and the Corporation may not be able to diversify sources in a timely manner. The Corporation has experienced shortages in the past that have negatively impacted its results of operations and may experience such shortages in the future.
The Corporation also does not have long-term supply agreements with any of its suppliers. The Corporation’s current contracts with certain suppliers may be canceled or not extended by such suppliers and, therefore, do not afford it with sufficient protection against a reduction or interruption in supplies. Moreover, in the event any of these suppliers breach their contracts with the Corporation, legal remedies associated with such a breach may be insufficient to compensate the Corporation for any damages it may suffer.
Any interruption of supply for any material components of the Corporation’s products, or inability to obtain required components from its third-party suppliers, could significantly delay the production and shipment of its products and harm its revenues, profitability, and financial condition.
Because the Corporation relies on a small number of channel partners/customers for a large portion of its revenue, the loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on its operating results and cash flows.
For our fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we derived 34% and 49% of our revenue, respectively, from five customers/channel partners. Any termination of a business relationship with, or a significant sustained reduction in business from, one or more of these channel partners/customers could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and cash flows.
If dedicated public safety 4G/LTE networks are not deployed at the rate the Corporation anticipates or at all, demand for the Corporation’s solutions may not grow as expected. 5G networks are gaining more traction and Siyata is considering the development of 5G products to add to their suite of products.
A key part of the Corporation’s strategy is to further expand the use of its solutions over dedicated 4G/LTE networks in the public safety market. If the deployment of dedicated 4G/LTE networks is delayed or such networks are not adopted at the rate the Corporation anticipates, demand for its solutions may not develop as the Corporation anticipates, which would have a negative effect on its revenues.
The application development ecosystem supporting the Corporation’s devices and related accessories is new and evolving.
The application development ecosystem supporting the Corporation’s devices and related accessories is new and evolving. Specifically, the number of application developers in the ecosystem supporting the Corporation’s devices and accessories is small. If the market or the application development ecosystem does not develop, timely or at all, demand for the Corporation’s products may be limited, and the Corporation’s business and results of operations will be significantly harmed.
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Failure of the Corporation’s suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, and representatives to use acceptable legal or ethical business practices, or to fail for any other reason, could negatively impact the Corporation’s business.
The Corporation does not control the labour and other business practices of suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, and third-party sales representatives, or TPSRs, and cannot provide assurance that they will operate in compliance with applicable rules, and regulations regarding working conditions, employment practices, environmental compliance, anti-corruption, and trademark a copyright and patent licensing. If one of the Corporation’s suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, or TPSRs violates labour or other laws or implements labour or other business practices that are regarded as unethical, the shipment of finished products to the Corporation could be interrupted, orders could be canceled, relationships could be terminated, and the Corporation’s reputation could be damaged. If one of the suppliers or subcontractors fails to procure the necessary license rights to trademarks, copyrights, or patents, legal action could be taken against the Corporation that could impact the saleability of products and expose it to financial obligations to a third party. Any of these events could have a negative impact on sales and results of operations.
Moreover, any failure of the Corporation’s suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, resellers, and TPSRs, for any reason, including bankruptcy or other business disruption, could disrupt the Corporation’s supply or distribution efforts and could have a negative impact on sales and results of operations.
The Corporation’s products are subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing.
The Corporation does not own or operate any of the manufacturing facilities for its products and rely on a concentrated number of independent suppliers to manufacture all of the products the Corporation sell. For its business to be successful, the Corporation’s suppliers must provide it with quality products in substantial quantities, in compliance with regulatory requirements, at acceptable costs and on a timely basis. The Corporation’s ability to obtain a sufficient selection or volume of merchandise on a timely basis at competitive prices could suffer as a result of any deterioration or change in its supplier relationships or events that adversely affect its suppliers.
There can be no assurance the Corporation will be able to detect, prevent or fix all defects that may affect its products manufactured by its suppliers. Failure to detect, prevent, or fix defects, or the occurrence of real or perceived quality or safety problems or material defects in the Corporation’s current and future products, could result in a variety of consequences, including a greater number of product returns than expected from customers and the Corporation’s wholesale partners, litigation, product recalls, and credit, warranty, or other claims, among others, which could harm the Corporation’s brand, results of operations, and financial condition. Such problems could hurt the Corporation’s brand image, which is critical to maintaining and expanding its business. Any negative publicity or lawsuits filed against the Corporation related to the perceived quality and safety of its products could harm the Corporation’s brand and decrease demand for its products.
If one or more of the Corporation’s significant suppliers were to sever their relationship or significantly alter the terms of its relationship, including due to changes in applicable trade policies, the Corporation may not be able to obtain replacement products in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In addition, if any of the Corporation’s primary suppliers fail to make timely shipments, do not meet its quality standards, or otherwise fail to deliver a product in accordance with the Corporation’s plans, there could be a material adverse effect on its results of operations.
The Corporation’s contractors and suppliers buy raw materials and are subject to wage rates that are often regulated by the governments of the countries in which the Corporation’s products are manufactured. The raw materials used to manufacture the Corporation’s products are subject to availability constraints and price volatility. There could be a significant disruption in the supply of raw materials from current sources or, in the event of a disruption, the Corporation’s suppliers might not be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price or at all. The Corporation’s business is dependent upon the ability of its unaffiliated suppliers to locate, train, employ, and retain adequate personnel. The Corporation’s unaffiliated suppliers have experienced, and may continue to experience in the future, unexpected increases in work wages, whether government-mandated or otherwise. The Corporation’s suppliers may increase their pricing if their raw materials became more expensive. The Corporation’s suppliers may pass the increase in sourcing costs through price increases, thereby impacting its margins. Material changes in the pricing practices of suppliers could negatively impact profitability.
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In addition, the Corporation cannot be certain that its unaffiliated suppliers will be able to fill orders in a timely manner. If the Corporation experiences significant increases in demand or reductions in the availability of materials, or needs to replace an existing supplier, there can be no assurance additional supplies of raw materials or additional manufacturing capacity will be available when required on terms acceptable, or at all, or that any supplier would allocate sufficient capacity in order to meet requirements. In addition, even if the Corporation is able to expand existing or find new manufacturing or sources of materials, it may encounter delays in production and added costs as a result of the time it takes to train suppliers in its methods, products, quality control standards, and labour, health, and safety standards. Any delays, interruption or increased costs in labour or wages, or the supply of materials or manufacture of products, could have an adverse effect on the ability to meet wholesale partner and customer and consumer demand for products and result in lower revenue and net income both in the short and long term.
Events that adversely impact the Corporation’s suppliers could impair its ability to obtain adequate and timely supplies. Such events include, among others, difficulties or problems associated with suppliers’ business, the financial instability and labour problems of suppliers, raw material shortages, instability of raw material prices, merchandise quality and safety issues, natural or man-made disasters, inclement weather conditions, war, acts of terrorism, and other political instability, economic conditions, transportation delays and shipment issues. The Corporation’s suppliers may be forced to reduce their production, shut down their operations or file for bankruptcy. The Corporation’s suppliers may also consolidate, increasing their market power. The occurrence of one or more of these events could impact the Corporation’s ability to get products to the Corporation’s customers and/or wholesale partners, result in disruptions to the Corporation’s operations, increase the Corporation’s costs and decrease the Corporation’s profitability.
Global sourcing and foreign trade involve numerous factors and uncertainties beyond the Corporation’s control, including:
| ● | increased shipping costs; |
| ● | the imposition of additional import or trade restrictions; |
| ● | legal or economic restrictions on overseas suppliers’ ability to produce and deliver products; |
| ● | increased custom duties and tariffs; |
| ● | unforeseen delays in customs clearance of goods; |
| ● | more restrictive quotas; |
| ● | loss of a most favored nation trading status; |
| ● | currency exchange rates; |
| ● | transportation delays; |
| ● | port of entry issues; and |
| ● | foreign government regulations, political instability, and economic uncertainties in the countries from which the Corporation or suppliers source products. |
The Corporation’s sourcing operations may also be hurt by health concerns regarding the outbreak of viruses, widespread illness, infectious diseases, contagions and the occurrence of unforeseen epidemics (including the outbreak of COVID-19 (as defined herein) and its potential impact on financial results) in countries in which merchandise is produced. Moreover, negative press or reports about internationally manufactured products may sway public opinion, and thus customer confidence, away from the Corporation’s products. Furthermore, changes in U.S. trade policies, including new restrictions, tariffs or other changes could lead to additional costs, delays in shipments, embargos and other uncertainties that could negatively impact the Corporation’s relationships with international suppliers and materially adversely affect business. These and other issues affecting international suppliers or internationally manufactured merchandise could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
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In addition, some suppliers may not have the capacity to supply the Corporation with sufficient merchandise to keep pace with growth plans, especially if the Corporation needs significantly greater amounts of inventory. In such cases, the ability to pursue the Corporation’s growth strategy will depend in part upon management’s ability to develop new supplier relationships.
The nature of the Corporation’s business may result in undesirable press coverage or other negative publicity, which would adversely impact its brand identity, future sales, and results of operations.
The Corporation’s solutions are used to assist law enforcement and other public safety personnel in situations involving public safety. The incidents in which its solutions are deployed may involve injury, loss of life, and other negative outcomes, and such events are likely to receive negative publicity. Such negative publicity could have an adverse impact on new sales or renewals or expansions of coverage areas by existing customers, which would adversely impact financial results and business.
Changes in the availability of federal funding to support local public safety or other public sector efforts could impact the Corporation’s opportunities with public sector end customers.
Many of the Corporation’s public sector end customers rely to some extent on funds from federal governments in order to purchase and pay for the Corporation’s solutions. Any reduction in federal funding for local public safety or other public sector efforts could result in the Corporation’s end customers having less access to funds required to continue, renew, expand or pay for its solutions. For example, changes in policies with respect to “sanctuary cities” may result in a reduction in federal funds available to the Corporation’s current or potential end customers. Additionally, any future government shutdowns (such as the U.S. government’s partial shutdown in 2018 and 2019) could result in delayed public safety spending or re-allocation of funding into other areas of public safety. If federal funding is reduced or eliminated and the Corporation’s end customers cannot find alternative sources of funding to purchase its solutions, its business will be harmed.
Economic uncertainties or downturns, or political changes, could limit the availability of funds available to customers and potential customers, which could significantly adversely impact the business.
Current or future economic uncertainties or downturns could adversely impact the Corporation’s business and operating results. Negative conditions in the general economy both in the United States and abroad, including conditions resulting from changes in gross domestic product growth, financial and credit market fluctuations, political deadlock, natural catastrophes, warfare and terrorist attacks in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region or elsewhere, could cause a decrease in funds available to customers and potential customers and negatively affect the growth rate of the Corporation’s business.
These economic conditions may make it extremely difficult for customers and the Corporation to forecast and plan future budgetary decisions or business activities accurately, and they could cause the customers to re-evaluate their decisions to purchase the Corporation’s solutions, which could delay and lengthen sales cycles or result in cancellations of planned purchases. Furthermore, during challenging economic times or as a result of political changes, customers may tighten their budgets and face constraints in gaining timely access to sufficient funding or other credit, which could result in an impairment of their ability to make timely payments. In turn, the Corporation may be required to increase its allowance for doubtful accounts, which would adversely impact its financial results.
Management cannot predict the timing, strength or duration of any economic slowdown, instability or recovery, generally or within any particular industry, or the impact of political changes. If the economic conditions of the general economy or industries in which the Corporation operate worsen from present levels, or if recent political changes result in less funding being available to purchase the Corporation’s solutions, the Corporation’s business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely impacted.
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Natural or man-made disasters and other similar events may significantly disrupt the Corporation’s business, and negatively impact the Corporation’s operating results and financial condition.
Any of the Corporation’s facilities may be harmed or rendered inoperable by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, nuclear disasters, acts of terrorism or other criminal activities, infectious disease outbreaks, and power outages, which may render it difficult or impossible for the Corporation to operate its business for some period of time. The Corporation’s facilities would likely be costly to repair or replace, and any such efforts would likely require substantial time. Any disruptions in the Corporation’s operations could negatively impact its business and operating results and harm its reputation. In addition, the Corporation may not carry business insurance or may not carry sufficient business insurance to compensate for losses that may occur. Any such losses or damages could have a significant adverse impact on the Corporation’s business, operating results, and financial condition. In addition, the facilities of significant vendors may be harmed or rendered inoperable by such natural or man-made disasters, which may cause disruptions, difficulties or significant adverse impact on the business.
The Corporation is exposed to risks associated with strategic acquisitions and investments.
The Corporation may consider strategic acquisitions of companies with complementary technologies or intellectual property in the future. Acquisitions hold special challenges in terms of successful integration of technologies, products, services, and employees. The Corporation may not realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions or the benefits of any other acquisitions the Corporation completed or may complete in the future, and the Corporation may not be able to incorporate any acquired services, products, or technologies with its existing operations, or integrate personnel from the acquired businesses, in which case its business could be harmed.
Acquisitions and other strategic decisions involve numerous risks, including:
| ● | problems integrating and divesting the operations, technologies, personnel, services, or products over geographically disparate locations; |
| ● | unanticipated costs, taxes, litigation, and other contingent liabilities; |
| ● | continued liability for discontinued businesses and pre-closing activities of divested businesses or certain post-closing liabilities which the Corporation may agree to assume as part of the transaction in which a particular business is divested; |
| ● | adverse impacts on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers; |
| ● | cannibalization of revenues as customers may seek multi-product discounts; |
| ● | risks associated with entering into markets in which the Corporation has no, or limited, prior experience; |
| ● | incurrence of significant restructuring charges if acquired products or technologies are unsuccessful; |
| ● | significant diversion of management’s attention from the Corporation’s core business and diversion of key employees’ time and resources; |
| ● | licensing, indemnity or other conflicts between existing businesses and acquired businesses; |
| ● | inability to retain key customers, distributors, suppliers, vendors, and other business relations of the acquired business; and |
| ● | potential loss of key employees or the key employees of an acquired organization or as a result of discontinued businesses. |
Financing for future acquisitions may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. If the Corporation identifies an appropriate acquisition candidate for any of its businesses, the Corporation may not be able to negotiate the terms of the acquisition successfully, finance the acquisition, or integrate the acquired business, products, service offerings, technologies, or employees into existing business and operations. Future acquisitions and divestitures may not be well-received by the investment community, which may cause the value of the Corporation’s stock to fall. The Corporation cannot ensure that it will be able to identify or complete any acquisition, divestiture, or discontinued business in the future. Further, the terms of the Corporation’s indebtedness constrain its ability to make and finance additional acquisitions or divestitures.
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If the Corporation acquires businesses, new products, service offerings, or technologies in the future, the Corporation may incur significant acquisition-related costs. In addition, the Corporation may be required to amortize significant amounts of finite-lived intangible assets and may record significant amounts of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets that would be subject to testing for impairment. The Corporation has in the past and may in the future be required to write off all or part of the intangible assets or goodwill associated with these investments that could harm operating results. If the Corporation consummates one or more significant future acquisitions in which the consideration consists of stock or other securities, existing stockholders’ ownership could be significantly diluted. If the Corporation were to proceed with one or more significant future acquisitions in which the consideration included cash, the Corporation could be required to use a substantial portion of its cash and investments. Acquisitions could also cause operating margins to fall depending on the businesses acquired.
The Corporation’s strategic investments may involve joint development, joint marketing, or entry into new business ventures, or new technology licensing. Any joint development efforts may not result in the successful introduction of any new products or services by the Corporation or a third party, and any joint marketing efforts may not result in increased demand for its products or services. Further, any current or future strategic acquisitions and investments by management may not allow the Corporation to enter and compete effectively in new markets or enhance its business in its existing markets and the Corporation may have to impair the carrying amount of its investments.
The Corporation could be adversely impacted by changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates, and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters.
International Financial Reporting Standards and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines, and interpretations with regard to a wide range of matters that are relevant to our businesses, including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, asset impairment, inventories, customer rebates and other customer consideration, tax matters, and litigation and other contingent liabilities are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments. Changes in these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance or financial condition. New accounting guidance may also require systems and other changes that could increase our operating costs and/or change our financial statements. For example, implementing future accounting guidance related to revenue, accounting for leases and other areas could require us to make significant changes to our accounting systems, impact existing debt agreements and result in adverse changes to our financial statements.
The Corporation faces risks related to pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) which could significantly disrupt research and development, operations, sales, and financial results.
The Corporation’s business has in the past been adversely impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and could be adversely impacted by the effects of future pandemics. In addition to global macroeconomic effects, a pandemic outbreak and any other related adverse public health developments will cause, and have caused, disruptions to operations, research, and development, and sales activities. The Corporation’s third-party manufacturers, third-party distributors, and customers have been, and could in the future be, disrupted by worker absenteeism, quarantines, and restrictions on employees’ ability to work, office and factory closures, disruptions to ports and other shipping infrastructure, border closures, or other travel or health-related restrictions. Depending on the magnitude of such effects on the Corporation’s activities or the operations of its third-party manufacturers and third-party distributors, the supply of its products could be delayed, which could adversely affect business, operations, and customer relationships. In addition, the COVID-19 or other similar pandemics or disease outbreak could in the short-run, and may over the longer term, adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that will affect demand for the Corporation’s products and impact its operating results. There can be no assurance that any decrease in sales resulting from any pandemic or other outbreak will be offset by increased sales in subsequent periods. Although the magnitude of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still ongoing, on the Corporation’s business and operations remains uncertain, the continued spread of COVID-19 pandemic (or its variants) or the occurrence of other epidemics and/or the imposition of related public health measures or travel and business restrictions could adversely impact the business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows of the Corporation. In addition, the Corporation has experienced and could likely experience disruptions to business operations resulting from quarantines, self-isolations, or other movement and restrictions on the ability of employees to perform their jobs that may impact the ability to develop and design products in a timely manner or meet required milestones or customer commitments.
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Risks Related to Government Regulation
The impact of potential changes in customs, tariffs, and trade policies in the United States and the potential corresponding actions by other countries, including recent trade initiatives announced by the U.S. presidential administration against China, in which we do business could adversely impact our financial performance.
The U.S. government has made proposals that are intended to address trade imbalances, which include encouraging increased production in the United States. These proposals could result in increased customs duties and tariffs, and the renegotiation of some U.S. trade agreements. We import a significant percentage of our products into the United States, and an increase in customs duties and tariffs with respect to these imports could negatively impact our financial performance. If such customs duties and tariffs are implemented, it also may cause U.S. trading partners to take actions with respect to U.S. imports or U.S. investment activities in their respective countries. Any potential changes in trade policies in the United States and the potential corresponding actions by other countries in which we do business could adversely impact our financial performance. Given the level of uncertainty over which provisions will be enacted, we cannot predict with certainty the impact of the proposals.
For example, in 2018, the U.S. presidential administration and the Chinese government imposed significant tariffs on exports between the two countries. This evolving policy dispute between China and the United States is likely to have significant impact on the industries in which we participate, directly and indirectly, and no assurance can be given that any individual customer or significant groups of companies or a particular industry, will not be adversely impacted by any governmental actions taken by either China or the United States. In addition, we manufacture our mobile phones at a facility in Shenzhen, China, which could result in significant additional costs to us when shipping our products to various customers in the United States. It is not possible to predict with any certainty the outcome of the trade dispute between the United States and China, and prolonged or increased tariffs on imports from China to the United States would adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In 2020, a Phase One trade agreement was signed imposing specific targets for Chinese purchases of various exports from the United States. These ambitious commitments specified numerical targets in U.S. goods and services exports to China for increases of $77 billion in 2020 and $123 billion in 2021 from the 2017 baseline. The Phase One agreement also imposed numerous tariffs on a variety of goods including but not limited to imports from China along with steel and aluminum imports from across the world, creating an upward pressure on prices in the United States. These tariffs currently impact over $350 billion of imports and exports and increase consumer costs by roughly $51 billion annually based on 2021 import levels. The uncertainty of the Phase One deal, unilaterally imposed in 2020 and substantially still in effect today, lie in their conditions. For instance, Section 301 enables the president to impose tariffs or quotas wherever the United States Trade Representative (USTR) finds that other nations are engaging in unfair trade practices and Section 232 allows the president to impose trade barriers if the Department of Commerce finds that imports threaten U.S. national security. The Company will be unable to pre-empt decisions of this nature, and as such, the risks and consequences which accompany them.
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In 2021, the U.S. presidential administration signed Executive Order 14017 into order, assessing vulnerabilities in four priority product areas: semiconductors, large capacity batteries, critical minerals and materials, and pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Executive Order 14017 established an interagency Supply Chain Trade Task Force led by USTR. This task force was directed to identify foreign trade practices that the U.S. deemed unfair or otherwise determined to cause erosion to U.S. critical supply chains. The impact and decisions of this task force may cause consequential action from other trading partners, potentially impacting the Company’s financial performance.
Later in 2021 and into 2022, the U.S. Administration replaced the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the EU with a tariff rate quota system (TRQ), replaced the Section 232 tariffs on steel imports from Japan with a TRQ (the Section 232 aluminum imports from Japan are still in effect) and, as of March 2022, replaced the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the UK with a TRQ. To date, the US Administration has kept in place all of the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, which might influence importers to shift away from China and reorganize supply chains or otherwise cause decreased trade altogether – both imports and exports – raising prices and reducing options for consumers and businesses in the U.S. While a number of exclusions and extensions to these tariffs exist and evolve within the current administration, retaliatory actions by other nations remain a possibility.
In 2022, five nations had levied retaliatory tariffs up to 70 percent on approximately $73.2 billion of U.S. exports. These tariffs do not include retaliation by Canada and Mexico; following the reversal of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, both Canada and Mexico withdrew their retaliatory tariffs of 7 percent to 25 percent on approximately $20 billion of U.S. exports. These tariffs also no longer include retaliation by the EU, as it cancelled its retaliatory tariffs in exchange for the United States replacing the aluminum and steel tariffs with a TRQ for EU imports.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted increased sanctions on trade with Russia which could reverberate to other countries, other economies and other markets. On February 24, 2023, the United States, in coordination with allies and G7 partners, announced a new set of sanctions, export controls and tariffs targeting key, revenue-generating sectors of the Russian economy and restricting trade with over 200 persons, including both Russian and third-country actors across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. These new measures, taken by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, or BIS, Office of the US Trade Representative, or USTR and U.S. Department of State, mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. These measures include the following:
| ● | OFAC: (i) announced a new determination targeting the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy under Executive Order 14024; (ii) added 83 entities and 22 individuals to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, including over 30 third-country individuals and entities, resulting in the freezing of their assets within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibitions on transactions by U,S, persons or within the U.S. that involve such persons and their 50 percent or more owned entities; and (iii) made additions and revisions to several existing general licenses. |
| ● | BIS: (i) announced four new rules targeting Russia’s defense-industrial base and military and third countries supporting Russia; (ii) expanded export controls under the Export Administration Regulations, including licensing requirements on several commercial and industrial items; and (iii) added 86 entities to the Entity List determined to have engaged in sanctions evasion and backfill activities in support of Russia’s defense-industrial sector, prohibiting the targeted companies from purchasing items, such as semiconductors, whether made in the US or with certain US technology or software abroad. |
| ● | USTR announced additional tariff increases, primarily targeting metals, minerals and chemical products. |
These sanctions, export controls and tariffs are part of the U.S.’s ongoing to impose economic costs on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.
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The Corporation is subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, export control, and similar laws. Non-compliance with such laws can subject the Corporation to criminal or civil liability and harm its business, revenues, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. Section 201, the U.S. Travel Act, and other anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws in the countries in which we conduct activities. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years and are interpreted broadly to generally prohibit companies and their employees and third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to recipients in the public or private sector. As we increase our international presence, we may engage with distributors and third-party intermediaries to market our solutions and to obtain necessary permits, licenses, and other regulatory approvals. In addition, we or our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of these third-party intermediaries, our employees, representatives, contractors, partners and agents, even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities.
The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. In particular, the United States prohibits U.S. persons from engaging with individuals and entities identified as “Specially Designated Nationals,” such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers. These prohibitions are administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. OFAC rules prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in, or facilitating a foreign person’s engagement in, transactions with or relating to the prohibited individual, entity or country, and require the blocking of assets in which the individual, entity or country has an interest. Blocked assets (e.g., property or bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Other countries in which we operate, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also maintain economic and financial sanctions regimes.
Some of our solutions, including software updates and third-party accessories, may be subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations; however, the vast majority of our products are non-U.S.-origin items, developed and manufactured outside of the United States, and therefore not subject to these laws. For third-party accessories, we rely on manufacturers to supply the appropriate export control classification numbers that determine our obligations under these laws.
We cannot assure you that our employees and agents will not take actions in violation of our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. As we increase our international presence, our risks under these laws, rules, and regulations may increase. Further, any change in the applicability or enforcement of these laws, rules, and regulations could adversely impact our business operations and financial results.
Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations can require a significant diversion of time, resources, and attention from senior management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, or economic sanctions laws, rules, and regulations could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, other enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, significant fines, damages, other civil and criminal penalties or injunctions, suspension and/or debarment from contracting with certain persons, the loss of export privileges, reputational harm, adverse media coverage, and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, revenues, financial condition, and results of operations would be significantly harmed. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources and significant defense costs and other professional fees. Enforcement actions and sanctions could further harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The Corporation is subject to a wide range of product regulatory and safety, consumer, workers safety and environmental laws and regulations.
The Corporation’s operations and the products are subject to a wide range of product regulatory and safety, consumer, worker safety, and environmental laws and regulations. Compliance with such existing or future laws and regulations could subject the Corporation to future costs or liabilities, impact the Corporation’s production capabilities, constrict its ability to sell, expand or acquire facilities, restrict what solutions the Corporation can offer and generally impact its financial performance. The Corporation’s products are designed for use in potentially explosive or hazardous environments. If its product design fails for any reason in such environments, the Corporation may be subject to product liabilities and future costs. In addition, some of these laws are environmental and relate to the use, disposal, remediation, emission and discharge of, and exposure to hazardous substances. These laws often impose liability and can require parties to fund remedial studies or actions regardless of fault. Environmental laws have tended to become more stringent over time and any new obligations under these laws could have a negative impact on operations or financial performance.
Laws focused on the energy efficiency of electronic products and accessories, recycling of both electronic products and packaging, reducing or eliminating certain hazardous substances in electronic products, and the transportation of batteries continue to expand significantly. Laws pertaining to accessibility features of electronic products, standardization of connectors and power supplies, the transportation of lithium-ion batteries, and other aspects are also proliferating. There are also demanding and rapidly changing laws around the globe related to issues such as product safety, radio interference, radio frequency radiation exposure, medical related functionality, and consumer and social mandates pertaining to use of wireless or electronic equipment. These laws, and changes to these laws, could have a substantial impact on whether the Corporation can offer certain products, solutions, and services, and on what capabilities and characteristics the Corporation’s products or services can or must include.
These laws and regulations impact the Corporation’s products and could negatively impact its ability to manufacture and sell products competitively. In addition, the Corporation anticipates that it will see increased demand to meet voluntary criteria related to reduction or elimination of certain constituents from products, increasing energy efficiency and providing additional accessibility.
Changes in laws and regulations concerning the use of telecommunication bandwidth could increase costs and adversely impact the Corporation’s business.
The Corporation’s business depends on its ability to sell devices that use telecommunication bandwidth allocated to licensed and unlicensed wireless services, and that use of that bandwidth is subject to laws and regulations that are subject to change over time. Changes in the permitted uses of telecommunication bandwidth, reallocation of such bandwidth to different uses, and new or increased regulation of the capabilities, manufacture, importation, and use of devices that depend on such bandwidth could increase costs, require costly modifications to products before they are sold, or limit the ability to sell those products into target markets. In addition, the Corporation is subject to regulatory requirements for certification and testing of products before they can be marketed or sold. Those requirements may be onerous and expensive. Changes to those requirements could result in significant additional costs and could adversely impact the ability to bring new products to market in a timely fashion.
The Corporation is subject to a wide range of privacy and data security laws, regulations, and other legal obligations.
Personal privacy and information security are significant issues in the United States and the other jurisdictions in which the Corporation operates or makes its products and applications available. The legislative and regulatory framework for privacy and security issues worldwide is rapidly evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. The handling of data is subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including regulation by various government agencies, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), and various state, local and foreign agencies. The Corporation may collect personally identifiable information (“PII”), and other data from its customers. The Corporation uses this information to provide services to its customers and to support, expand, and improve its business. The Corporation may also share customers’ PII with third parties as allowed by applicable law and agreements and authorized by the customer or as described in the Corporation’s privacy policy.
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The U.S. federal and various state and foreign governments have adopted or proposed limitations on the collection, distribution, transfer, use and storage of PII. In the United States, the FTC and many state attorneys general are applying federal and state consumer protection laws as imposing standards for the online collection, use and dissemination of data. Many foreign countries and governmental bodies, including Canada, the European Union, and other relevant jurisdictions, have laws and regulations concerning the collection and use of PII obtained from their residents or by businesses operating within their jurisdiction. These laws and regulations often are more restrictive than those in the United States. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of data that identifies or may be used to identify or locate an individual, such as names, email addresses, and, in some jurisdictions, Internet Protocol addresses. Within the European Union, legislators have adopted the General Data Protection Regulation, effective May 2018 which may impose additional obligations and risk upon the Corporation’s business and which may increase substantially the penalties to which it could be subject in the event of any non-compliance. The Corporation may incur substantial expenses in complying with the obligations imposed by the governments of the foreign jurisdictions in which it does business or seek to do business and it may be required to make significant changes in its business operations, all of which may adversely impact revenues and business overall.
Although the Corporation is working to comply with those federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations, and other legal obligations that apply to it, those laws, regulations, standards, and obligations are evolving and may be modified, interpreted, and applied in an inconsistent manner from one jurisdiction to another, and may conflict with one another, other requirements or legal obligations, practices or the features of the Corporation’s products or applications. At state level, lawmakers continue to pass new laws concerning privacy and data security. Particularly notable in this regard is the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), which became effective on January 1, 2020. The CCPA introduced significant new disclosure obligations and provide California consumers with significant new privacy rights. Any failure or perceived failure by the Corporation to comply with federal, state or foreign laws or regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations or other legal obligations, or any actual or suspected security incident, whether or not resulting in unauthorized access to, or acquisition, release or transfer of PII or other data, may result in governmental enforcement actions and prosecutions, private litigation, fines and penalties or adverse publicity and could cause customers to lose trust in the Corporation, which could have an adverse impact on its reputation and business. Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns, even if unfounded, or comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, industry standards, contractual obligations, or other legal obligations could result in additional costs and liability, damage the Corporation’s reputation, inhibit sales and adversely impact its business.
Management also expects that there will continue to be new proposed laws, regulations, and industry standards concerning privacy, data protection. and information security in the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the Corporation cannot yet determine the impact such future laws, regulation, and standards may have on the Corporation’s business. New laws, amendments to or re-interpretations of existing laws and regulations, industry standards, contractual obligations, and other obligations may require the Corporation to incur additional costs and restrict its business operations. Such laws and regulations may require companies to implement privacy and security policies, permit users to access, correct, and delete personal information stored or maintained by such companies, inform individuals of security breaches that affect their personal information, and, in some cases, obtain individuals’ consent to use PII for certain purposes. In addition, a foreign government could require that any PII collected in a country not be disseminated outside of that country, and the Corporation are not currently equipped to comply with such a requirement.
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Risks Related to the Corporation’s Intellectual Property
If the Corporation is unable to successfully protect its intellectual property, its competitive position may be harmed.
The Corporation’s ability to compete is heavily affected by its ability to protect its intellectual property. The Corporation relies on a combination of patent licenses, confidentiality procedures, and contractual provisions to protect its proprietary rights. The Corporation also enters, and plans to continue to enter into confidentiality, invention assignment or license agreements with the Corporation’s employees, consultants, and other parties with whom the Corporation contracts, and control access to and distribution of the Corporation’s software, documentation, and other proprietary information. The steps the Corporation takes to protect its intellectual property may be inadequate, and it is possible that some or all of its confidentiality agreements will not be honored and certain contractual provisions may not be enforceable. Existing trade secret, trademark, and copyright laws offer only limited protection. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the Corporation’s products or obtain and use information which it regards as proprietary. Policing unauthorized use of products is difficult, time consuming, and costly, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. The Corporation has no assurance that its means of protecting its proprietary rights will be adequate or that competitors will not independently develop similar technology, the effect of either of which would harm the Corporation’s competitive position in the market. Furthermore, disputes can arise with the Corporation’s strategic partners, customers, or others concerning the ownership of intellectual property.
Others may claim that the Corporation infringes on their intellectual property rights, which may result in costly and time-consuming litigation and could delay or otherwise impair the development and commercialization of products.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in litigation in the United States involving patents and other intellectual property rights, and because products are comprised of complex technology, the Corporation is often involved in or impacted by assertions, including both requests to take licenses and litigation, regarding infringement of patent and other intellectual property rights of third parties. Third parties have asserted, and in the future may assert, intellectual property infringement claims against the Corporation and against its channel partners, end customers, and suppliers. For example, the Corporation was approached by Wilson Electronics, LLC about potential infringement of several of their patents involving cellphone boosters, which resulted in Siyata entering into the Wilson Agreement. Many of these assertions are brought by non-practicing entities whose principal business model is to secure patent licensing revenues from product manufacturing companies. Claims for alleged infringement and any resulting lawsuit, if successful, could subject the Corporation to significant liability for damages and invalidation of intellectual property rights. Defending any such claims, with or without merit, including pursuant to indemnity obligations, could be time consuming, expensive, cause product shipment delays, or require the Corporation to enter into a royalty or licensing agreement, any of which could delay the development and commercialization of its products or reduce its margins. If the Corporation are unable to obtain a required license, its ability to sell or use certain products may be impaired. In addition, if the Corporation fail to obtain a license, or if the terms of the license are burdensome, its operations could be significantly harmed.
The Corporation’s use of open source software could subject it to possible litigation or otherwise impair the development of its products.
A portion of the Corporation’s technologies incorporates open source software, including open source operating systems such as Android, and the Corporation expects to continue to incorporate open source software into its platform in the future. Few of the licenses applicable to open source software have been interpreted by courts, and their application to the open source software integrated into the Corporation’s proprietary technology platform may be uncertain. If the Corporation fails to comply with these licenses, then pursuant to the terms of these licenses, it may be subject to certain requirements, including requirements that the Corporation make available the source code for its software that incorporates the open source software. The Corporation cannot be assured that the Corporation has not incorporated open source software in its software in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of the applicable licenses or its current policies and procedures. If an author or other third party that distributes such open source software were to allege that the Corporation had not complied with the conditions of one or more of these licenses, the Corporation could incur significant legal expenses defending against such allegations. Litigation could be costly to defend, have a negative effect on operating results and financial condition or require the Corporation to devote additional research and development resources to change its technology platform.
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With respect to open source operating systems, if third parties cease continued development of such operating systems or restrict the Corporation’s access to such operating system, its business and financial results could be adversely impacted. The Corporation is dependent on third parties’ continued development of operating systems, software application ecosystem infrastructures, and such third parties’ approval of implementations of their operating and system and associated applications. If such parties cease to continue development or support of such operating systems or restrict access to such operating systems, the Corporation would be required to change its strategy for its devices. As a result, the Corporation’s financial results could be negatively impacted because a resulting shift away from the operating systems the Corporation currently uses and the associated applications ecosystem could be costly and difficult.
The inability to obtain and maintain any third-party license required to develop new products and product enhancements could seriously harm the business, financial condition, and results of operations.
From time to time, the Corporation is required to license technology from third parties to develop new products or product enhancements. Third-party licenses may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If the Corporation fails to renew any intellectual property license agreements on commercially reasonable terms, or any such license agreements otherwise expire or terminate, the Corporation may not be able to use the patents and technologies of these third parties in its products, which are critical to its success. The Corporation may not be able to effectively control the level of licensing and royalty fees paid to third parties, and a significant increase in such fees could have a significant and adverse impact on its future profitability. Seeking alternative patents and technologies may be difficult and time-consuming, and the Corporation may not be successful in finding alternative technologies or incorporating them into its products. The inability to obtain any third-party license necessary to develop new products or product enhancements could require the Corporation to obtain substitute technology of lower quality or performance standards, or at greater cost, which could seriously harm the Corporation’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks Relating to the Corporation’s Presence in Israel and International Operations
We also conduct our operations in Israel. Conditions in Israel, including the recent attack by Hamas and other terrorist organizations from the Gaza Strip and Israel’s war against them, may affect our operations.
Since 2015, we operate a cellular technology company in Israel and a number of our officers, directors and employees are residents of Israel, and because of this our business and operations are directly affected by economic, political, geopolitical and military conditions in Israel.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between Israel and its neighboring countries and terrorist organizations active in the region. These conflicts have involved missile strikes, hostile infiltrations and terrorism against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, which have negatively affected business conditions in Israel.
During the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. In December 2008 and January 2009 there was an escalation in violence among Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and other groups, as well as extensive hostilities along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel. During November 2012 and from July through August 2014, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with a militia group and political party who controls the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel, as well as at areas more centrally located near Tel Aviv and at areas surrounding Jerusalem. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel’s southern border from the Gaza Strip and conducted a series of attacks on civilian and military targets. Hamas also launched extensive rocket attacks on Israeli population and industrial centers located along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip and in other areas within the State of Israel. Following the attack, Israel’s security cabinet declared war against Hamas and a military campaign against these terrorist organizations commenced in parallel to their continued rocket and terror attacks. Moreover, the clash between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, may escalate in the future into a grater regional conflict.
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Any hostilities involving Israel, or the interruption or curtailment of trade within Israel or between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Parties and our employees/contractors with whom we may do business have sometimes declined to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary. The conflict situation in Israel could cause situations where our operational/functional or auditing bodies could not be able to function adequately, thus possibly leading to temporary suspensions or even cancellations of our product deliveries, our work-flow clearance or other certifications.
The conflict situation in Israel could cause disruptions in our supply chain and international trade, including the import of inputs and the export of our products, The conflict situation in Israel could also result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.
There have been travel advisories imposed as related to travel to Israel, and restriction on travel, or delays and disruptions as related to imports and exports may be imposed in the future. Additionally, members of our management and employees are located and reside in Israel. Shelter-in-place and work-from-home measures, government-imposed restrictions on movement and travel and other precautions taken to address the ongoing conflict may temporarily disrupt our management and employees’ ability to effectively perform their daily tasks.
The Israel Defense Force (the “IDF”), the national military of Israel, is a conscripted military service, subject to certain exceptions. Several of our employees are or now may be subject to military service in the IDF and have been and may be called to serve. It is possible that there will be further military reserve duty call-ups in the future, which may affect our business due to a shortage of skilled labor and loss of institutional knowledge, and necessary mitigation measures we may take to respond to a decrease in labor availability, such as overtime and third-party outsourcing, for example, which may have unintended negative effects and adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity or cash flows.
It is currently not possible to predict the duration or severity of the ongoing conflict or its effects on our business, operations and financial conditions. The ongoing conflict is rapidly evolving and developing, and could disrupt our business and operations, interrupt our sources and availability of supply and hamper our ability to raise additional funds or sell our securities, among others.
Conditions in Israel could materially and adversely affect our business.
A number of our officers and directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel and the surrounding region may directly affect our business and operations. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its neighboring countries, as well as terrorist acts committed within Israel by hostile elements. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations. During the summer of 2006, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist Shiite militia group and political party. In December 2008 and January 2009 there was an escalation in violence among Israel, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and other groups, as well as extensive hostilities along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel. During November 2012 and from July through August 2014, Israel was engaged in an armed conflict with a militia group and political party who controls the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being fired from the Gaza Strip into Southern Israel, as well as at areas more centrally located near Tel Aviv and at areas surrounding Jerusalem. These conflicts involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, including areas in which our employees and some of our consultants are located, and negatively affected business conditions in Israel. This pattern of activity erupts from time to time with varying degrees of intensity and for varying periods of time and typically ends with a cease fire until hostilities flare up again.
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Since February 2011, Egypt has experienced political turbulence and an increase in terrorist activity in the Sinai Peninsula. Such political turbulence and violence may damage peaceful and diplomatic relations between Israel and Egypt, and could affect the region as a whole. Similar civil unrest and political turbulence has occurred in other countries in the region, including Syria, which shares a common border with Israel, and is affecting the political stability of those countries. Since April 2011, internal conflict in Syria has escalated and chemical weapons have been used in the region. Foreign actors have intervened and may continue to intervene in Syria. This instability and any intervention may lead to deterioration of the political and economic relationships that exist between the State of Israel and some of these countries and may lead to additional conflicts in the region. In addition, Iran has threatened to attack Israel and may be developing nuclear weapons. Iran also has a strong influence among extremist groups in the region, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and various rebel militia groups in Syria. These situations have escalated at various points in recent years and may escalate in the future to more violent events, which may affect Israel and us. Any armed conflicts, terrorist activities or political instability in the region could adversely affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Parties with whom we do business have sometimes declined to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary in order to meet our business partners face to face. In addition, the political and security situation in Israel may result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements.
Further, in the past, the State of Israel and Israeli companies have been subjected to economic boycotts. Several countries still restrict business with the State of Israel and with Israeli companies. These restrictive laws and policies may have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition or the expansion of our business. A campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions has been undertaken against Israel, which could also adversely impact our business.
In addition, many Israeli citizens are obligated to perform several days, and in some cases more, of annual military reserve duty each year until they reach the age of 40 (or older, for reservists who are military officers or who have certain occupations) and, in the event of a military conflict, may be called to active duty. In response to increases in terrorist activity, there have been periods of significant call-ups of military reservists. It is possible that there will be military reserve duty call-ups in the future. Our operations could be disrupted by such call-ups, which may include the call-up of members of our management. Such disruption could materially adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
It may be difficult to enforce a judgment against the Corporation or its officers and directors in Israel or the United States, or to assert Canadian securities laws claims in Israel or serve process on officers and directors.
Not all of the Corporation’s directors or officers are residents of Canada and some of the Corporation’s assets are located outside North America. Service of process upon the Corporation or its non-Canadian resident directors and officers may be difficult to obtain within Canada. The Corporation has been informed by its legal counsel in Israel that it may be difficult to assert claims under Canadian securities laws in original actions instituted in Israel or obtain a judgment based on the civil liability provisions of Canadian securities laws. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of Canadian securities laws against the Corporation or its non-Canadian. officers and directors because Israel may not be the most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not Canadian law is applicable to the claim. If Canadian law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable Canadian law must be proved as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing the matters described above. Additionally, Israeli courts might not enforce judgments obtained in Canada against the Corporation or its non-Canadian directors and executive officers, which may make it difficult to collect on judgments rendered against the Corporation or its non-Canadian officers and directors.
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Moreover, an Israeli court will not enforce a non-Israeli judgment if it was given in a state whose laws do not provide for the enforcement of judgments of Israeli courts (subject to exceptional cases), if its enforcement is likely to prejudice the sovereignty or security of the State of Israel, if it was obtained by fraud or in the absence of due process, if it is at variance with another valid judgment that was given in the same matter between the same parties, or if a suit in the same matter between the same parties was pending before a court or tribunal in Israel at the time the foreign action was brought.
It may be difficult for Canadian investors to enforce civil liabilities against the Corporation’s directors and officers residing outside of Canada.
Some of the Corporation’s directors and officers are residents of countries other than Canada and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside Canada. As a result, it may be difficult for Canadian investors to initiate a lawsuit within Canada against these non-Canadian residents. In addition, it may not be possible for Canadian investors to collect from these non-Canadian residents judgments obtained in courts in Canada predicated on the civil liability provisions of securities legislation of certain of the provinces and territories of Canada. It may also be difficult for Canadian investors to succeed in a lawsuit in the United States, based solely on violations of Canadian securities laws.
The Corporation utilizes certain third-parties in China, which exposes it to risks inherent in doing business there.
The Corporation uses multiple third-party suppliers and manufacturers based primarily in China. With the rapid development of the Chinese economy, the cost of labour has increased and may continue to increase in the future. Furthermore, pursuant to Chinese labour laws, employers in China are subject to various requirements when signing labour contracts, paying remuneration, determining the term of employees’ probation, and unilaterally terminating labour contracts. The Corporation’s results of operations will be materially and adversely affected if the labour costs of the Corporation’s third-party suppliers and manufacturers increase significantly. In addition, the Corporation and the Corporation’s manufacturers and suppliers may not be able to find a sufficient number of qualified workers due to the intensely competitive and fluid market for skilled labour in China.
The Corporation’s use of third-party suppliers and manufacturers operating in China exposes the Corporation to political, legal and economic risks. In particular, the political, legal and economic climate in China, both nationally and regionally, is fluid and unpredictable. The Corporation’s ability to utilize parties that operate in China may be adversely affected by changes in U.S. and Chinese laws and regulations such as those related to, among other things, taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, intellectual property, currency controls, network security, employee benefits, hygiene supervision, and other matters. In addition, the Corporation may not obtain or retain the requisite legal permits to continue utilizing third-parties that operate in China, and costs or operational limitations may be imposed in connection with obtaining and complying with such permits. In addition, Chinese trade regulations are in a state of flux, and the Corporation may potentially become subject to other forms of taxation, tariffs and duties in China. Furthermore, the third parties the Corporation relies on in China may disclose its confidential information or intellectual property to competitors or third parties, which could result in the illegal distribution and sale of counterfeit versions of its products. If any of these events occur, the business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Foreign currency fluctuations may reduce the Corporation’s competitiveness and sales in foreign markets.
The relative change in currency values creates fluctuations in product pricing for international customers. These changes in foreign end-customer costs may result in lost orders and reduce the competitiveness of products in certain foreign markets. These changes may also negatively impact the financial condition of some foreign customers and reduce or eliminate their future orders of products.
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Adverse changes in, or uncertainty of, local business laws or practices, including the following:
| ● | foreign governments may impose burdensome tariffs, quotas, taxes, trade barriers, or capital flow restrictions; |
| ● | restrictions on the export or import of technology may reduce or eliminate the ability to sell in or purchase from certain markets; |
| ● | political and economic instability, including deterioration of political relations between the United States and other countries, may reduce demand for solutions or put non-U.S. assets at risk; |
| ● | potentially limited intellectual property protection in certain countries may limit recourse against infringing on solutions or cause the Corporation to refrain from selling in certain geographic territories; |
| ● | staffing may be difficult along with higher turnover at international operations; |
| ● | a government-controlled exchange rate and limitations on the convertibility of currencies, including the Chinese yuan; |
| ● | transportation delays and customs related delays that may affect production and distribution of products; and |
| ● | integration and enforcement of laws vary significantly among jurisdictions and may change significantly over time. |
The failure to manage any of these risks successfully could harm the Corporation’s international operations and adversely impact the Corporation’s business, operating results, and financial condition.
Risks Related to Ownership of the Corporation’s Securities
The Corporation does not know whether an active, liquid, and orderly trading market will develop for its Common Shares or what the market price of the Common Shares will be and as a result it may be difficult to sell Common Shares that you own.
Common Shares may not be able to be sold quickly or at the market price if trading in Common Shares is not active. Further, an inactive market may also impair the Corporation’s ability to raise capital by selling Common Shares and may impair its ability to enter into strategic partnerships or acquire companies or products by using Common Shares as consideration.
The Corporation expects that the price of its securities will fluctuate significantly.
The trading price of the Corporation’s securities is likely to be volatile and subject to wide price fluctuations in response to various factors, including, but not limited to:
| ● | market conditions in the broader stock market in general, or in the Corporation’s industry in particular; |
| ● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in quarterly financial and operating results; |
| ● | introduction of new products and services by the Corporation or its competitors; |
| ● | sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of the Corporation’s stock; |
| ● | issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations; |
| ● | additions or departures of key personnel; |
| ● | regulatory or political developments; |
| ● | changes in accounting principles or methodologies; |
| ● | acquisitions by the Corporation or by its competitors; |
| ● | litigation and governmental investigations; and |
| ● | economic, political and geopolitical conditions or events. |
These and other factors may cause the market price and demand for the Corporation’s securities to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from readily selling their Common Shares and may otherwise negatively affect the liquidity of the securities. In addition, in the past, when the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have often instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. If any of the Corporation’s shareholders brought a lawsuit against the Corporation, it could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of the Corporation’s management from its business.
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The market for our Common Shares may not provide investors with adequate liquidity.
Liquidity of the market for our Common Shares depends on a number of factors, including our financial condition and operating results, the number of holders of our Common Shares, the market for similar securities and the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the securities. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the Company will maintain a trading market in our Common Shares, or how liquid that market will be. If an active market is not maintained, investors may have difficulty selling Common Shares that they hold.
Since we do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, investors may be forced to sell their shares in order to obtain a return on their investment.
We do not anticipate declaring or paying in the foreseeable future any cash dividends on our capital stock. Instead, we plan to retain any earnings to finance our operations and growth plans discussed elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Accordingly, investors must rely on sales of their Common Shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any return on their investment. As a result, investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our Common Shares.
The Corporation’s executive officers and directors, and their affiliated entities, along with its largest shareholder, collectively own a significant percentage of the Corporation’s stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Based on the shares outstanding as of the date of this AIF, the Corporation’s executive officers and directors, together with entities affiliated with such individuals, along with the Corporation’s largest shareholder, collectively, beneficially own approximately1% of the issued and outstanding Common shares. Accordingly, these stockholders may, as a practical matter, continue to be able to control the election of a majority of the Corporation’s directors and the determination of all corporate actions. This concentration of ownership could delay or prevent a change in control of the Corporation.
General Risk Factors
The unfavorable outcome of any future litigation, arbitration, or administrative action could have a significant adverse impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.
From time to time the Corporation is a party to litigation, arbitration, or administrative actions, including cease trade orders such as those described under the heading “Directors and Officers of the Corporation - Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties, or Sanctions”. The Corporation’s financial results and reputation could be negatively impacted by unfavorable outcomes to any future litigation or administrative actions, including those related to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act, or other anti-corruption laws. There can be no assurances as to the favorable outcome of any litigation or administrative proceedings. In addition, it can be very costly to defend litigation or administrative proceedings and these costs could negatively impact the Corporation’s financial results.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about the Corporation’s business, its stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for the Corporation’s securities will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about the Corporation or its business. Securities and industry analysts do not currently, and may never, publish research on the Corporation. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of the Corporation, the trading price for its securities would likely be negatively impacted. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers the Corporation downgrades its stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavourable research about its business, its stock price may decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of the Corporation or fails to publish reports on it regularly, demand for its securities could decrease, which might cause its stock price and trading volume to decline.
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If a substantial number of shares become available for sale and are sold in a short period of time, the market price of the Common Shares could decline.
The Corporation cannot predict whether future issuances of Common Shares or the availability of shares for resale in the open market will decrease the market price per Common Share. The Corporation is not restricted from issuing additional Common Shares of, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive Common Shares. Sales of a substantial number of Common Shares in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur could materially adversely affect the market price of Common Shares. Because the Corporation’s decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond its control, it cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of future offerings. Thus, the Corporation’s shareholders bear the risk of any future stock issuances reducing the market price of Common Shares and diluting their stock holdings in the Corporation.
The Corporation will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company in the United States, and its management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As a public company in the United States, the Corporation incurs significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that it did not incur previously. It is subject to the reporting requirements of the United Stated Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which requires, among other things, that the Corporation file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) annual, quarterly, and current reports with respect to its business and financial condition. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently adopted by the SEC and Nasdaq to implement provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, impose significant requirements on public companies, including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. Further, in July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, was enacted. There are significant corporate governance and executive-compensation-related provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act that require the SEC to adopt additional rules and regulations in these areas. Recent legislation permits emerging growth companies to implement many of these requirements over a longer period and up to five years from the pricing of their initial public offering. The Corporation intends to take advantage of this new legislation, but cannot give assurances that it will not be required to implement these requirements sooner than planned and thereby incur unexpected expenses. Stockholder activism, the current political environment, and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which the Corporation operates its business in ways it cannot currently anticipate.
The Corporation expects the rules and regulations applicable to public companies to substantially increase its legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costlier. If these requirements divert the attention of management and personnel from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. The increased costs will decrease net income or increase consolidated net loss, and may require the Corporation to reduce costs in other areas of business or increase the prices of products or services. For example, the Corporation expects these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for the Corporation to obtain director and officer liability insurance and the Corporation may be required to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. The Corporation cannot predict or estimate the amount or timing of additional costs it may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the Corporation’s board of directors or board committees or as executive officers.
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Although as a foreign private issuer the Corporation is exempt from certain corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, if it cannot satisfy, or continue to satisfy, the initial listing requirements and other rules of the Nasdaq, its securities may not be listed or may be delisted, which could negatively impact the price of the Corporation’s securities and securityholders’ ability to sell them.
In order to maintain its listing on the Nasdaq, the Corporation will be required to comply with certain rules of the Nasdaq, including those regarding minimum shareholders’ equity, minimum share price, minimum market value of publicly held shares, and various additional requirements. Even if the Corporation initially meets the listing requirements and other applicable rules of the Nasdaq, it may not be able to continue to satisfy these requirements and applicable rules. If the Corporation is unable to satisfy the Nasdaq criteria for maintaining its listing, its securities could be subject to delisting.
In that regard, on April 30, 2021, the Corporation filed a notice of late filing of their Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. On May 18, 2021, the Corporation received a notice from Nasdaq indicating that, as a result of not having timely filed our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we were not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), which requires timely filing of all required periodic financial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Corporation filed the Form 20-F on June 30, 2021. This was considered a late filing under the SEC rules and Nasdaq has taken no action to delist the Corporation subsequent to its filing.
In addition, Siyata received a notification letter dated August 26, 2022 from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq notifying the Corporation that it was not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), as a result of the closing bid price of the Common Shares being below $1.00 per Common Share for a period of 30 consecutive business days. Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Corporation had a period of 180 calendar days, or until February 22, 2023 (the “Compliance Period”), to regain compliance with the Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. We did not regain compliance by such date and submitted a written request to the Nasdaq to afford us an additional 180-day compliance period to cure the deficiency. On February 23, 2023, we received written notification from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq approving our request for a 180-day extension to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement until August 21, 2023. If at any time prior to August 21, 2023, the bid price of the Common Shares closes at $1.00 per share or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, we will regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule. If we do not regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule during the additional 180-day extension, Nasdaq will notify us that our Common Shares will be delisted. At that time, we may appeal the delisting determination to a hearings panel pursuant to the procedures set forth in the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules. However, there can be no assurance that, if we do appeal the delisting determination by Nasdaq to the hearings panel, that such appeal would be successful. We intend to actively monitor the closing bid price of our Common Shares and may, if appropriate, consider implementing available options to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Company cured this default on August 3, 2023 when the Company affected a 100-1 reverse stock split.
If the Nasdaq does not list the Corporation’s securities, or subsequently delists them from trading, the Corporation could face significant consequences, including:
| ● | a limited availability for market quotations for its securities; |
| ● | reduced liquidity with respect to its securities; |
| ● | a determination that Common Shares are a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in Common Shares to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for Common Shares; |
| ● | limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
| ● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
Upon delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market, our Common Shares would be traded over-the-counter inter-dealer quotation system, more commonly known as the OTC. OTC transactions involve risks in addition to those associated with transactions in securities traded on the securities exchanges, such as the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Exchange-listed Stocks. Many OTC stocks trade less frequently and in smaller volumes than Exchange-listed Stocks. Accordingly, our stock would be less liquid than it would be otherwise. Also, the values of OTC stocks are often more volatile than Exchange-listed Stocks. Additionally, institutional investors are usually prohibited from investing in OTC stocks, and it might be more challenging to raise capital when needed. In addition, if our Common Shares are delisted, your ability to transfer or sell your Common Shares may be limited and the value of those securities will be materially adversely affected. If the Corporation fails to maintain proper and effective internal controls, its ability to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis could be impaired.
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The Corporation is subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that the Corporation maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.
In connection with the audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Corporation’s independent registered public accountants identified a number of material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. The Corporation has taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses, as described above (See Risk Factors – Risks Related to the Corporation’s Financial Position and Capital Requirements).
The Corporation cannot be certain that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not be discovered in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit the Corporation’s ability to accurately report its financial condition or results of operations. If the Corporation’s efforts are not successful or other material weaknesses or control deficiencies occur in the future, the Corporation may be unable to report our financial results accurately on a timely basis or help prevent fraud, which could cause its reported financial results to be materially misstated and result in the loss of investor confidence or delisting, cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline, and the Corporation could be subject to sanctions or investigations by Nasdaq, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict the Corporation’s future access to the capital markets.
The Corporation may lose its foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses.
The Corporation is a foreign private issuer, and therefore, is not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In the future, the Corporation would lose foreign private issuer status if (1) more than 50% of its outstanding voting securities are owned by U.S. residents and (2) a majority of its directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents, or it fails to meet additional requirements necessary to avoid loss of foreign private issuer status. If the Corporation loses foreign private issuer status, it will be required to file with the SEC periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms, which are more detailed and extensive than the forms available to a foreign private issuer. The Corporation will also have to mandatorily comply with U.S. federal proxy requirements, and officers, directors, and principal shareholders will become subject to the short-swing profit disclosure and recovery provisions of Section 16 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, the Corporation will lose the ability to rely upon exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements under the listing rules of the Nasdaq. As a U.S. listed public company that is not a foreign private issuer, the Corporation will incur significant additional legal, accounting, and other expenses that it will not incur as a foreign private issuer.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
There are no restrictions that prevent the Corporation from paying dividends or distributions. However, the Corporation has not paid any dividends or distributions on its Common Shares since incorporation and there are no plans to pay dividends at this time. At present, all available funds are invested to finance the growth of the Corporation. Any decision to pay dividends on its Common Shares in the future will be made by the Corporation’s board of directors from time to time, in its discretion, on the basis of many factors, including the Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, general business conditions, and other factors that the Corporation’s board of directors may deem relevant.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Shares
The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares. As of December 31, 2023, there were 570,629 Common Shares issued and outstanding. As of the date of this AIF, there are 570,462 Common Shares issued and outstanding.
Holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of any meetings of shareholders of the Corporation, and to attend and to cast one vote per Common Share at all such meetings. Holders of Common Shares are entitled to receive on a pro rata basis such dividends on such Common Shares, if any, as and when declared by the Corporation’s board of directors at its discretion, from funds legally available therefor, and, upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, are entitled to receive on a pro rata basis the net assets of the Corporation after payment of debts and other liabilities, in each case subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions, and conditions attaching to any other series or class of shares ranking senior in priority to or on a pro rata basis with the holders of Common Shares with respect to dividends or liquidation. The Common Shares do not carry any pre-emptive, subscription, redemption, retraction, surrender, conversion, or exchange rights, nor do they contain any sinking or purchase fund provisions.
Warrants
As of the date of this AIF, the Corporation has an aggregate of 55,737 unexercised share purchase warrants of the Corporation issued and outstanding. The following table describes the material terms of such issued and outstanding share purchase warrants.
| Date Issued | Number of Underlying Common Shares | Exercise Price | Expiry Date | |||||||
| September 29, 2000 | 2,579 | $ | 4,795 | September 28, 2025 | ||||||
| December 31, 2000 | 1,849 | $ | 8050 | June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| January 11, 2022 | 14,286 | $ | 1610 | January 10, 2027 | ||||||
| October 31, 2023 | 37,023 | $ | 0.07 | October 31, 2028 | ||||||
Stock Options
On January 6, 2022, the Corporation’s board of directors approved an amended and restated equity incentive plan (the “Amended Plan”), which replaced the Corporation’s previous “rolling” stock option plan in its entirety. The Amended Plan was approved by the Corporation’s shareholders on February 14, 2022. In addition to stock options, the Amended Plan also permits the Corporation to issue restricted share units of the Corporation to eligible directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Corporation, which can be exercised for, or automatically convert or are redeemable into, Common Shares.
The Amended Plan is a “rolling” plan, pursuant to which the aggregate number of Common Shares to be issued thereunder, together with any other securities-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation, is fixes at 15% of the number of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a fully-diluted basis
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As of the date of this AIF, the Corporation has an aggregate of 2,108 unexercised stock options of the Corporation issued and outstanding. The following table describes the material terms of such issued and outstanding stock options.
| Date Issued | Number of Underlying Common Shares | Exercise Price | Expiry Date | |||||||
| November 15, 2020 | 136 | $ | 4,200 | November 15, 2030 | ||||||
| November 15, 2020 | 231 | $ | 4,200 | November 15, 2025 | ||||||
| January 2, 2021 | 81 | $ | 8,050 | January 2, 2026 | ||||||
| January 2, 2021 | 7 | $ | 8,050 | January 2, 2031 | ||||||
| January 18, 2021 | 17 | $ | 8,050 | January 18, 2026 | ||||||
| January 1, 2022 | 29 | $ | 2,800 | October 29, 2026 | ||||||
| April 13, 2022 | 1,136 | $ | 770 | April 13, 2027 | ||||||
| July 12, 2022 | 471 | $ | 770 | July 12, 2025 | ||||||
Restricted Share Units
As of the date of this AIF, the Corporation has an aggregate of 4,390 restricted share units of the Corporation issued and outstanding under the Amended Plan.
Agent’s Options
As of the date of this AIF, the Corporation has an aggregate of 18,474 unexercised agent’s options issued and outstanding. The following table describes the material terms of such issued and outstanding agent’s options.
| Date Issued | Number of Underlying Common Shares | Exercise Price | Expiry Date | |||||||
| September 29, 2020 | 162 | $ | 4,620 | September 28, 2025 | ||||||
| September 29, 2020 | 380 | $ | 4,795 | September 28, 2025 | ||||||
| December 31, 2020 | 92 | $ | 8,050 | June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| January 11, 2022 | 621 | $ | 1,771 | January 11, 2027 | ||||||
| April 1, 2022 | 76 | 1,610 | March 8, 2027 | |||||||
| October 31, 2023 | 17,143 | $ | 5.01 | October 31, 2028 | ||||||
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MARKET FOR SECURITIES
Trading Activity and Volume
Common Shares
The Common Shares were listed during the financial year ended December 31, 2023, and are currently listed, on the Nasdaq under the symbol “SYTA”.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low daily trading prices (in United States dollars) and the aggregate volume of trading of the Common Shares on the Nasdaq during the year ended December 31, 2023.
| Month | Monthly High Price (USD$) | Monthly Low Price (USD$) | Monthly Volume | |||||||||
| January 2023 | 204.4000 | 91.0000 | 206,572 | |||||||||
| February 2023 | 146.3000 | 100.8000 | 82,634 | |||||||||
| March 2023 | 186.9000 | 100.1000 | 151,956 | |||||||||
| April 2023 | 114.8000 | 70.7000 | 83,798 | |||||||||
| May 2023 | 105.0000 | 56.0000 | 131,285 | |||||||||
| June 2023 | 82.6000 | 34.3000 | 227,518 | |||||||||
| July 2023 | 55.3000 | 28.0000 | 644,883 | |||||||||
| August 2023 | 43.4000 | 17.5700 | 1,897,697 | |||||||||
| September 2023 | 24.0100 | 13.8600 | 190,671 | |||||||||
| October 2023 | 24.2900 | 4.0250 | 551,755 | |||||||||
| November 2023 | 5.3060 | 2.3240 | 1,270,389 | |||||||||
| December 2023 | 4.9300 | 2.7300 | 2,128,200 | |||||||||
Warrants
The September 2020 Warrants are listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol “SYTAW”. There is no public market for trading the Corporation’s other share purchase warrants.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low daily trading prices (in United States dollars) and the aggregate volume of trading of the September 2020 Warrants on the Nasdaq during the year ended December 31, 2023.
| Month | Monthly High Price (USD$) | Monthly Low Price (USD$) | Monthly Volume | |||||||||
| January 2023 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.05 | 110,719 | |||||||
| February 2023 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.06 | 68,370 | |||||||
| March 2023 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.06 | 83,198 | |||||||
| April 2023 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.07 | 47,361 | |||||||
| May 2023 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.07 | 74,074 | |||||||
| June 2023 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.02 | 149,795 | |||||||
| July 2023 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.02 | 444,177 | |||||||
| August 2023 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.05 | 527,285 | |||||||
| September 2023 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.05 | 51,860 | |||||||
| October 2023 | $ | 0.20 | $ | 0.05 | 763,464 | |||||||
| November 2023 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.05 | 33,678 | |||||||
| December 2023 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.05 | 180,809 | |||||||
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Prior Sales
During the financial year ended December 31, 2023, and up to the date of this AIF, the Corporation issued the following securities, which are convertible into Common Shares but are not listed or quoted on a marketplace.
On January 19, 2023, Siyata entered into warrant exercise agreements with fourteen existing accredited investors to exercise certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) of the Company’s common shares. In consideration for the immediate exercise of the outstanding warrants for cash, the Company agreed to reduce the exercise price from $1,610 ($0.23 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) to $1,400 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) per share and issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 25,775 (18,042,857 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) common shares with an exercise price of $1,400 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) per share. Each new warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $1,400 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) for a period of five years. In connection with the exercise, the Company will be required pursuant to the terms of 4,270 (2,989,130 (before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) of its remaining unexercised common share purchase warrants, to reduce the exercise price of such warrants from ($0.23 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) to $1,400 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits).
On March 30, 2023, the SEC accepted the registration statement of the Company to the effect that all of the 30,045 (21,031,987 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) outstanding $1,400 ($0.20 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) warrants became immediately subject to a cashless exercise and their underlying shares became immediately tradeable. In the first week of April 2023, 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) warrants were exercised on a cashless basis in exchange for 24,453 (17,116,987 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) common shares of the Company with 5,593 (3,915,000 before the 1-100 and 1-7 reverse splits) warrants exercised on a cashless basis in June 2023.
The Company closed an equity offering on October 31, 2023 pursuant to which it issued 267,143 common shares (1,870,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) at a price of $4.55 ($0.65 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) and 75,714 pre-funded warrants exercisable to purchase common shares (530,000 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) at a purchase price of $4.48 per warrant ($0.64 before the 1-7 reverse stock split) on for gross proceeds of $339,200. In connection with this offering, the Company also issued 120,000 warrants (17,143 post 7-1 reverse split) to the placement agents, with each warrant being exercisable for one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.715 pre-split ($5.005 post-split) for a period of five years (with the initial exercise period commencing on April 28, 2024). These warrants also had a cashless exercise provision.
ESCROWED SECURITIES AND SECURITIES SUBJECT TO CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER
There are no securities of the Corporation currently held in escrow or subject to a pooling agreement or subject to any other contractual restriction on transfer.
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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION
As of the date of this AIF, the name, province or state and country of residence, position or office held with the Corporation, and principal occupation for the immediately preceding five years of each of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation are as follows, with all companies listed still carrying on business as of the date hereof unless otherwise noted.
| Name, Position, Residence | Principal Occupation for Five Preceding Years | Director or Officer Since |
| Marc Seelenfreund Israel Director and CEO |
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation | July 24, 2015 |
| Peter Goldstein British Columbia, Canada Director, Chairman |
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exchange Listing LLC., a financial advisory service provider (2019 to Present); Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Grandview Capital, Inc. a financial advisory service provider (2006 to Present). | October 22, 2020 |
Stephen Ospalak(1(2))(3) Ontario, Canada |
Managing Director of Breen Management Group Inc., a consulting firm in the telecoms a technology industry (2009 to Present). | July 27, 2015 |
| Gary Herman(1)(2)(3) New York, USA Director |
GH Ventures, LLC Managing Member
Current Board of Director memberships: Jupiter Wellness, Inc. (Nasdaq: JUPW), XS Financial, Inc. (CSE: XS), SusGlobal Energy Corp. (OTCQB: SNRG), GBS BioPharma, Inc.
|
June 28, 2023 |
| Lourdes Felix1)(2)(3) California, USA Director |
Director of BioCorRx Inc (2013 to Present); Chief Financial Officer of BioCorRx Inc. (2012 to Present); President of BioCorRx Inc. (February 2020 to November 2020); Chief Executive Officer of BioCorRx Inc. (November 2020 to Present). | October 29, 2021 |
| Gerald Bernstein Quebec, Canada Chief Financial Officer |
Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation | July 8, 2016 |
| Glenn Kennedy Ontario, Canada VP Sales |
VP Sales of the Corporation; Director of Carrier Sales for Sonim Technologies (2015-2016) | January 1, 2017 |
Notes:
| (1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
| (2) | Member of the Compensation Committee. |
| (3) | Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. |
The term of office of each of the Corporation’s directors expires at the Corporation’s next annual general meeting at which directors are elected for the upcoming year or when his successor is duly elected, or earlier in accordance with the articles of the Corporation.
As of the date of this AIF, based on the Corporation’s review of insider reports filed on the System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders, and from information furnished by each director and officer of the Corporation, the directors and officers of the Corporation, as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, and exercise control or direction over approximately 4,613 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of the date of this AIF.
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Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties, or Sanctions
Except as disclosed below no director or executive officer of the Corporation is, as at the date of this AIF, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this AIF, a director, chief financial officer, or chief executive officer of any company (including the Corporation) that:
| (a) | was subject to a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, in each case that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days (any such order, an “Order”) that was issued while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or |
| (b) | was subject to an Order that was issued after that person ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which Order resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in that capacity. |
No director or executive officer of the Corporation, or shareholder holding a sufficient number of Common Shares to materially affect the control of the Corporation:
| (a) | is, at the date of this AIF, or has been within 10 years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Corporation) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or |
| (b) | has, within the 10 years before the date of this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold his or her assets. |
No director or executive officer of the Corporation holding a sufficient number of securities of the Corporation to affect, materially, the control of the Corporation has been subject to:
| (a) | any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or |
| (b) | any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision. |
The information contained in this AIF as to ownership of securities of the Corporation, corporate cease trade orders, bankruptcies, penalties, or sanctions, and existing or potential conflicts of interest, not being within the knowledge of the Corporation, has been provided by each director and executive officer of the Corporation individually.
On April 8, 2021, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order in respect of the securities of the Corporation, as the Corporation had not yet filed its annual audited financial statements, MD&A, and related certification for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as its annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020 (collectively, the “2020 Annual Materials”). However, the cease trade order did not apply to beneficial securityholders of the Corporation who are not, and were not on April 8, 2021, insiders or control persons of the Corporation, and who acquired securities of the Corporation prior to such date if the sale is made through a “foreign organized regulated market” (as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, which includes the Nasdaq) and the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The cease trade order did not impact the trading of the Common Shares or September 2020 Warrants on the Nasdaq. Following the Corporation’s filings of the 2020 Annual Materials, the cease trade order was revoked on July 8, 2021.
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On August 20, 2021, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order in respect of the securities of the Corporation, as the Corporation had not yet filed its interim financial report, interim MD&A, and related certification for the interim period ended June 30, 2021 (collectively, the “Q2 2021 Materials”). However, the cease trade order did not apply to beneficial securityholders of the Corporation who are not, and were not on August 20, 2021, insiders or control persons of the Corporation, and who acquired securities of the Corporation prior to such date if the sale is made through a “foreign organized regulated market” (as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, which includes the Nasdaq) and the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The cease trade order did not impact the trading of the Common Shares or September 2020 Warrants on the Nasdaq. Following the Corporation’s filings of the Q2 2021 Materials, the cease trade order was revoked on October 15, 2021.
On April 6, 2023, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order in respect of the securities of the Corporation, as the Corporation had not yet filed its annual audited financial statements, MD&A, and related certification for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as its annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Annual Materials”). However, the cease trade order did not apply to beneficial securityholders of the Corporation who are not, and were not on August 20, 2021, insiders or control persons of the Corporation, and who acquired securities of the Corporation prior to such date if the sale is made through a “foreign organized regulated market” (as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, which includes the Nasdaq) and the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The Corporation also received a letter dated May 17, 2023 from the British Columbia Securities Commission, noting the Corporation’s failure to file its interim financial statements, interim MD&A and related certification for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023 (the “Q1 2023 Materials”), and requesting the Corporation correct these deficiencies. Following the Corporation’s filings of the 2022 Annual Materials and the Q1 2023 Materials, the cease trade order was revoked on May 24, 2023.
Conflicts of Interest
The Corporation’s directors and officers may serve as directors or officers, or may be associated with, other reporting companies, or have significant shareholdings in other public companies. To the extent that such other companies may participate in business or asset acquisitions, dispositions, or ventures in which the Corporation may participate, the directors and officers of the Corporation may have a conflict of interest in negotiating and concluding terms respecting the transaction. The Corporation’s directors and officers may, from time to time, also be engaged in certain outside business interests that do not materially or adversely interfere with their duties to the Corporation. In some cases, the Corporation’s directors and officers may have fiduciary obligations associated with such outside business interests, that could interfere with their ability to devote time to the business and affairs of the Corporation and that could adversely affect the Corporation’s operations. Further, such outside business interests could require significant time and attention of the Corporation’s directors and officers.
In addition, the Corporation may also become involved in other transactions which conflict with the interests of the Corporation’s directors and officers who, may from time to time deal with persons, firms, institutions or companies with which the Corporation may be dealing, or which may be seeking investments similar to those desired by it. The interests of these persons could conflict with those of the Corporation. In addition, from time to time, these persons may be competing with the Corporation for available investment opportunities.
Conflicts of interest, if any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies provided under applicable laws. In particular, in the event that such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the Corporation’s directors, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms. In accordance with applicable laws, the directors of the Corporation are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Corporation.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
Legal Proceedings
There are no legal proceedings where the amount involved, exclusive of interest and costs, exceeded ten per cent of the current assets of the Corporation nor are there any material regulatory actions to which the Corporation is or was a party to, or to which any of its respective property is or was the subject of, during the financial year ended December 31, 2023, and to the knowledge of the Corporation, no such proceedings are contemplated. From time to time, however, the Corporation may become subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business.
Regulatory Proceedings
Except as disclosed below, there were no penalties or sanctions imposed against the Corporation by a court relating to securities legislation, or by a securities regulatory authority, during the financial year ended December 31, 2023, and to the knowledge of the Corporation, no such penalties or sanctions are contemplated. Further, there are no penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body against the Corporation that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision.
The Corporation did not enter into any settlement agreement before a court relating to securities legislation, or with a securities regulatory authority, during the financial year ended December 31, 2023.
On April 8, 2021, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order in respect of the securities of the Corporation, as the Corporation had not yet filed its 2020 Annual Materials. On April 19, 2021, the Corporation issued a news release setting out a clarification statement in respect of the cease trade order. Following the Corporation’s filings of the 2020 Annual Materials, the cease trade order was revoked on July 8, 2021.
On August 20, 2021, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order in respect of the securities of the Corporation, as the Corporation had not yet filed its Q2 2021 Materials. Following the Corporation’s filings of the Q2 2021 Materials, the cease trade order was revoked on October 15, 2021.
On April 6, 2023, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a cease trade order in respect of the securities of the Corporation, as the Corporation had not yet filed its 2022 Annual Materials. The Corporation also received a letter dated May 17, 2023 from the British Columbia Securities Commission, noting the Corporation’s failure to file its Q1 2023 Materials. Following the Corporation’s filings of the 2022 Annual Materials and the Q1 2023 Materials, the cease trade order was revoked on May 24, 2023.
For further details with respect to the foregoing cease trade orders, please see the section in this AIF entitled “Directors and Officers of the Corporation - Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties, or Sanctions”.
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this AIF, no director, executive officer, or shareholder beneficially owning or exercising control or direction over, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the Common Shares, and no associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction during the current fiscal year or within the three most recently completed financial years or in any proposed transaction which, in either such case, has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect the Corporation.
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TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
As of the date of this AIF, the registrar and transfer agent for the Corporation’s Common Shares is Computershare Investor Services Inc., located at 510 Burrard St, 3rd Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 3B9.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
The only material contracts entered into by the Corporation between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, or before January 1, 2023, but which are still in effect, are as follows:
| 1. | the Uniden Agreement (see General Description of the Business – Three Year History – Licensing Agreement with Uniden® America Corp above); |
| 2. | the Wilson Agreement (see General Description of the Business – Three Year History – Licensing Agreement with Wilson Electronics, LLC above); and |
| 3. | the Placement Agency agreement dated October 27, 2023, between the Corporation and Maxim Group LLC, in respect of the Maxim Financing (see General Description of the Business – Financing Initiatives above). |
Copies of each of the material contracts described above have been filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and are available on EDGAR (maintained by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) at www.sec.gov/edgar or under the Corporation’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
The following are the persons or companies who were named as having prepared or certified a statement, report or valuation in this AIF, either directly, or in a document incorporated by reference and whose profession or business gives authority to the statement, report or valuation made by the person.
Auditors
The Corporation’s auditors are Barzily & Co. (the “Auditors”), Chartered Professional Accountants, who have prepared an independent auditor’s report dated April 3, 2024 in respect of the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2023. The Auditors have advised that they are independent with respect to the Corporation within the meaning of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s Code of Professional Conduct.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board has three standing committees: (i) Audit Committee; (ii) Compensation Committee; and (iii) Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Details as to the composition and mandate of the audit committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”), are described in this AIF under the heading “Information Concerning the Audit Committee and External Auditor”; details related to the mandates and composition of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are described in the Corporation’s Information Circular dated June 28, 2023, available at siyatamobile.com and under the Corporation’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND EXTERNAL AUDITOR
Audit Committee Charter
The Corporation’s Audit Committee has a written charter to follow in carrying out its audit and financial review functions (the “Audit Committee Charter”), a copy of which is attached to this AIF as Schedule A. The Audit Committee reviews all financial statements of the Corporation prior to their publication, reviews audits, considers the adequacy of audit procedures, recommends the appointment of independent auditors, reviews and approves the professional services to be rendered by them, and reviews fees for audit services. The Audit Committee meets separately (without management present) with the Corporation’s auditors to discuss the various aspects of the Corporation’s financial statements and the independent audit.
Composition of the Audit Committee
As of the date of this AIF, the members of the Audit Committee are Stephen Ospalak, Gary Herman, and Lourdes Felix, each of whom is “independent” and “financially literate” for the purposes of National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”). Lourdes Felix is the chair of the Audit Committee
Relevant Education and Experience
The following is a description of the education and experience of each Audit Committee member that is relevant to the performance of his or her responsibilities as an Audit Committee member:
Stephen Ospalak
Mr. Ospalak is the former Vice President of Products and Services at TELUS Communications from September 1999 to November 2008. Mr. Ospalak was responsible for managing spends over $US 1 billion in wireless and wire line equipment. He was selected by TELUS to integrate the wireless and wire line operation of TELUS Mobility and their acquisition of Clearnet. Mr. Ospalak led the planning and execution of Clearnet’s market debut and nationwide launch of PCS and iDEN services. Mr. Ospalak has been a Managing Director of Breen Management Group Corporation from January 2009 to present. At BMG Inc., Mr. Ospalak has held various interim assignments including: CEO of Ai Telecom; GIO for Virgin Management Ltd.; and SVP Operations for Grupo Salinas. Mr. Ospalak has a strong ability to analyze and assess financial and operational information, develop and deploy market and product plans as a result of his experience with both private and public companies.
Gary Herman
Mr. Herman has been a member of the Board since August 10, 2023. Mr. Herman is a seasoned investor with many years of investment and advisory experience. Since 2005, Mr. Herman has managed Strategic Turnaround Equity Partners, LP (Cayman) and its affiliates. From January 2011 to August 2013, he was a managing member of Abacoa Capital Management, LLC, which managed Abacoa Capital Master Fund, Ltd. focused on a Global-Macro investment strategy. From 2005 to 2020, Mr. Herman was affiliated with Arcadia Securities LLC, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. From 1997 to 2002, he was an investment banker with Burnham Securities, Inc. From 1993 to 1997, he was a managing partner of Kingshill Group, Inc., a merchant banking and financial firm with offices in New York and Tokyo. Mr. Herman has a B.S. from the University at Albany with a major in Political Science and minors in Business and Music. Mr. Herman has many years of experience serving on the boards of private and public companies. He presently sits on the board of SusGlobal Energy Corp. (OTC: SNRG) as well as the Board and Audit Chairperson of: XS Financial Inc. (CSE: XS).
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Lourdes Felix
Ms. Felix is a female Hispanic entrepreneur and corporate finance executive with 30 years of combined experience in capital markets, public accounting and in the private sector. She presently serves as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX), a leader in addiction treatment solutions and related disorders. She has been with BioCorRx since October 2012. MR. Felix is one of the founders and the President of BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of BioCorRx Inc. She has been instrumental in capital procurement, completing multi-million-dollar equity financing, and structuring and negotiating transactions and favorable terms with investment banks. Prior to joining BioCorRx, Ms. Felix has expertise in finance, accounting, budgeting and internal control principles including GAAP, SEC, and SOX Compliance, and has thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations. Ms. Felix has led corporate relationships with various major accounting firms and attorneys in preparing SEC filings and audited financial statements. She is very active in the Hispanic community and speaks fluent Spanish. Ms. Felix holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from University of Phoenix.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
As of the date of this AIF, the Audit Committee has not adopted specific policies or procedures for the engagement of non-audit services.
External Auditor Service Fees
The following table shows the fees paid by the Corporation to the Auditors for services in the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
| By Category | Year Ended December 31, 2023 (USD$) | Year Ended December 31, 2022 (USD$) | ||||||
| Audit Fees(1) | $ | 210,000 | $ | 200,000 | ||||
| Audit-Related Fees(2) | $ | 44,243 | $ | 147,576 | ||||
| Tax Fees(3) | $ | 17,214 | $ | 16,549 | ||||
| All Other Fees(4) | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
| Total | $ | 271,457 | $ | 364,125 | ||||
Notes:
| (1) | “Audit fees” include aggregate fees billed by the Corporation’s external auditor in each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees. |
| (2) | “Audited related fees” include the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the Corporation’s external auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Corporation’s financial statements and are not reported under “Audit fees” above. The services provided include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation. |
| (3) | “Tax fees” include the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the Corporation’s external auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The services provided include tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities. |
| (4) | “All other fees” include the aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the Corporation’s external auditor, other than “Audit fees”, “Audit related fees”, and “Tax fees” above. |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information, including particulars of directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the Corporation’s securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, where applicable, and additional financial information in the Corporation’s financial statements and MD&A for its most recently completed financial year, is available on EDGAR (maintained by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) at www.sec.gov and under the Corporation’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Copies of relevant information may also be obtained upon request from the secretary of the Corporation. The Corporation may require payment of a reasonable charge if the request is made by a person who is not a holder of securities of the Corporation. Information on the Corporation’s website is not part of this AIF or incorporated by reference.
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Schedule A – Audit Committee Charter
The Audit Committee (the “Committee”) is a committee of the board of directors (the “Board”) of the Corporation. The role of the Committee is to provide oversight of the Corporation’s financial management and of the design and implementation of an effective system of internal financial controls as well as to review and report to the Board on the integrity of the financial statements of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and associated companies. This includes helping directors meet their responsibilities, facilitating better communication between directors and the external auditor, enhancing the independence of the external auditor, increasing the credibility and objectivity of financial reports and strengthening the role of the directors by facilitating in-depth discussions among directors, management and the external auditor. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining those controls, procedures and processes and the Committee is appointed by the Board to review and monitor them. The Corporation’s external auditor is ultimately accountable to the Board and the Committee as representatives of the Corporation’s shareholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
External Auditor
| (a) | To recommend to the Board, for shareholder approval, an external auditor to examine the Corporation’s accounts, controls and financial statements on the basis that the external auditor is accountable to the Board and the Committee as representatives of the shareholders of the Corporation. |
| (b) | To oversee the work of the external auditor engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an auditor’s report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation, including the resolution of disagreements between management and the external auditor regarding financial reporting. |
| (c) | To evaluate the audit services provided by the external auditor, pre-approve all audit fees and recommend to the Board, if necessary, the replacement of the external auditor. |
| (d) | To pre-approve any non-audit services to be provided to the Corporation by the external auditor and the fees for those services. |
| (e) | To obtain and review, at least annually, a written report by the external auditor setting out the auditor’s internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the auditor’s internal quality-control reviews and the steps taken to resolve those issues. |
| (f) | To review and approve the Corporation’s hiring policies regarding partners, employees and former partners and employees of the present and former external auditor of the Corporation. The Committee has adopted the following guidelines regarding the hiring of any partner, employee, reviewing tax professional or other person providing audit assurance to the external auditor of the Corporation on any aspect of its certification of the Corporation’s financial statements: |
| (i) | No member of the audit team that is auditing a business of the Corporation can be hired into that business or into a position to which that business reports for a period of three years after the audit; |
| (ii) | No former partner or employee of the external auditor may be made an officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for three years following the end of the individual’s association with the external auditor; |
| (iii) | The Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) must approve all office hires from the external auditor; and |
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| (iv) | The CFO must report annually to the Committee on any hires within these guidelines during the preceding year. |
| (g) | To review, at least annually, the relationships between the Corporation and the external auditor in order to establish the independence of the external auditor. |
Financial Information and Reporting
| (a) | To review the Corporation’s annual audited financial statements with the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and CFO and then the full Board. The Committee will review the interim financial statements with the CEO and CFO. |
| (b) | To review and discuss with management and the external auditor, as appropriate: |
| (i) | The annual audited financial statements and the interim financial statements, including the accompanying management discussion and analysis; and |
| (ii) | Earnings guidance and other releases containing information taken from the Corporation’s financial statements prior to their release. |
| (c) | To review the quality and not just the acceptability of the Corporation’s financial reporting and accounting standards and principles and any proposed material changes to them or their application. |
| (d) | To review with the CFO any earnings guidance to be issued by the Corporation and any news release containing financial information taken from the Corporation’s financial statements prior to the release of the financial statements to the public. In addition, the CFO must review with the Committee the substance of any presentations to analysts or rating agencies that contain a change in strategy or outlook. |
Oversight
| (a) | To review the internal audit staff functions, including: |
| (i) | The purpose, authority and organizational reporting lines; |
| (ii) | The annual audit plan, budget and staffing; and |
| (iii) | The appointment and compensation of the controller, if any. |
| (b) | To review, with the CFO and others, as appropriate, the Corporation’s internal system of audit controls and the results of internal audits. |
| (c) | To review and monitor the Corporation’s major financial risks and risk management policies and the steps taken by management to mitigate those risks. |
| (d) | To meet at least annually with management (including the CFO), the internal audit staff, and the external auditor in separate executive sessions and review issues and matters of concern respecting audits and financial reporting. |
| (e) | In connection with its review of the annual audited financial statements and interim financial statements, the Committee will also review the process for the CEO and CFO certifications (if required by law or regulation) with respect to the financial statements and the Corporation’s disclosure and internal controls, including any material deficiencies or changes in those controls. |
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Membership
| (a) | The Committee shall consist solely of three or more members of the Board, the majority of which the Board has determined has no material relationship with the Corporation and is otherwise “unrelated” or “independent” as required under applicable securities rules or applicable stock exchange rules. |
| (b) | Any member may be removed from office or replaced at any time by the Board and shall cease to be a member upon ceasing to be a director. Each member of the Committee shall hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation or until the member ceases to be a director, resigns or is replaced, whichever first occurs. |
| (c) | The members of the Committee shall be entitled to receive such remuneration for acting as members of the Committee as the Board may from time to time determine. |
| (d) | All members of the Committee must be “financially literate” (i.e., have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements such as a balance sheet, an income statement and a cash flow statement). |
Procedures
| (a) | The Board shall appoint one of the directors elected to the Committee as the Chair of the Committee (the “Chair”). In the absence of the appointed Chair from any meeting of the Committee, the members shall elect a Chair from those in attendance to act as Chair of the meeting. |
| (b) | The Chair will appoint a secretary (the “Secretary”) who will keep minutes of all meetings. The Secretary does not have to be a member of the Committee or a director and can be changed by simple notice from the Chair. |
| (c) | No business may be transacted by the Committee except at a meeting of its members at which a quorum of the Committee is present or by resolution in writing signed by all the members of the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, provided that if the number of members of the Committee is an even number, one-half of the number of members plus one shall constitute a quorum and provided that a majority of the members must be “independent” or “unrelated”. |
| (d) | The Committee will meet as many times as is necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Any member of the Committee or the external auditor may call meetings. |
| (e) | The time and place of the meetings of the Committee, the calling of meetings and the procedure in all respects of such meetings shall be determined by the Committee, unless otherwise provided for in the articles of the Corporation or otherwise determined by resolution of the Board. |
| (f) | The Committee shall have the resources and authority necessary to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain, terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms (including termination) of special counsel, advisors or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate. |
| (g) | The Committee shall have access to any and all books and records of the Corporation necessary for the execution of the Committee’s obligations and shall discuss with the CEO or the CFO such records and other matters considered appropriate. |
| (h) | The Committee has the authority to communicate directly with the internal and external auditors. |
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Reports
The Committee shall produce the following reports and provide them to the Board:
| (a) | An annual performance evaluation of the Committee, which evaluation must compare the performance of the Committee with the requirements of this Charter. The performance evaluation should also recommend to the Board any improvements to this Charter deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee. The performance evaluation by the Committee shall be conducted in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate. The report to the Board may take the form of an oral report by the Chair or any other member of the Committee designated by the Committee to make this report. |
| (b) | A summary of the actions taken at each Committee meeting, which shall be presented to the Board at the next Board meeting. |
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Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
I, Marc Seelenfreund, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Siyata Mobile Inc.; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have: |
| (a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| (b) | [omitted]; |
| (c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| (d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| (a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| (b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Date: April 8, 2024 | By: | /s/ Marc Seelenfreund |
| Name: | Marc Seelenfreund | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a)
I, Gerald Bernstein, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Siyata Mobile Inc.; |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the company and have: |
| (a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| (b) | [omitted]; |
| (c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| (d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and |
| 5. | The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| (a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| (b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Date: April 8, 2024 | By: | /s/ Gerald Bernstein |
| Name: | Gerald Bernstein | |
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL
FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Siyata Mobile Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ending December 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to their knowledge that:
| (1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
| (2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Date: April 8, 2024 | By: | /s/ Marc Seelenfreund |
| Name: | Marc Seelenfreund | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
| By: | /s/ Gerald Bernstein | |
| Name: | Gerald Bernstein | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |