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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 7, 2026

 

Laser Photonics Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-41515   84-3628771
(State of other jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

250 Technology Park    
Lake Mary, FL   32746
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (407) 804-1000

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol   Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share   LASE   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

 

On May 7, 2026, the registrant (“Laser Photonics” or the “Company”) appointed Roman Franklin to serve as its Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer under the terms of a Master Services Agreement (the “MSA”) between the Company and The CFO Portal, LLC, a Florida limited liability company specializing in fractional Chief Financial Officer services for microcap public companies and private companies preparing for public markets (the “MSA”). Mr. Franklin is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The CFO Portal, LLC, which he founded in 2025.

 

Under the terms of the MSA, Mr. Franklin is engaged to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the Principal Financial Officer (the “Services”) for an initial six month term that automatically renews on a month-to-month basis unless either party provides a written notice of non-renewal 30 days prior to the end of the then-current term. Either party can terminate the MSA following 30 days prior notice or for cause. The MSA allows for conversion by the Company of Mr. Franklin to a full-time CFO upon terms to be mutually agreed to by both parties. Mr. Franklin will receive a fixed monthly retainer of $22,500 per month for the Services, but services outside the scope of the statement of work, including (without limitation) capital raise documentation, S-1/S-3/Reg A+/PIPE filings, M&A diligence and integration, restatement support and SEC enforcement response, will be quoted and invoiced separately on a fixed-fee basis. The foregoing description of the MSA does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the MSA that is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Mr. Franklin, age 42, has more than 20 years of experience in finance and operations leadership in several public and private companies. Since September 2025, Mr. Franklin has served as Chief Executive Officer of The CFO Portal, LLC, where he leads engagements covering SEC reporting (Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K), material weakness remediation, SEC comment letter response, audit management and capital markets readiness, including S-1 preparation, Regulation A+ offerings, and reverse merger integration. Concurrently, since January 2024, Mr. Franklin has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Central Florida, a religious non-profit corporation, where he leads a team overseeing accounting, financial reporting and employee benefits administration, and where he is responsible for the management of more than $100 million in trust, endowment and real estate assets. From September 2017 to November 2023, Mr. Franklin served as President, Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company (OTCIQ:WINR), an experiential entertainment company with retail gaming center locations in 16 states, where he primarily supported the company’s acquisition program, capital markets activities and franchise growth. From January 2004 to September 2017, Mr. Franklin served as President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer of Franklin Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisory firm he founded and ultimately exited in 2017.

 

Mr. Franklin holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from Stetson University (2011) and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, with concentrations in Management and Finance, from Barry University (2005). He has been quoted in financial publications including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and InvestmentNews on financial planning and investment topics. Other than his service as a director of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, which concluded in 2023, Mr. Franklin does not currently serve, and has not during the past five years served, on the board of directors of any other public company.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosures.

 

Laser Photonics issued a press release on May 12, 2026, regarding the appointment of Mr. Franklin as Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibits

 

10.1   Master Services Agreement dated May 7, 2026, between Laser Photonics Corporation and Roman Franklin
     
99.1   Press Release Issued by Laser Photonics Corporation dated May 12, 2026.
     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  May 12, 2026 Laser Photonics Corporation
       
    By: /s/ Wayne Tupuola
      Wayne Tupuola
      President and CEO

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Laser Photonics Appoints Roman Franklin as Chief Financial Officer

 

ORLANDO, FL / May 12, 2026 / Laser Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ: LASE), a global leader in laser systems for industrial and defense applications, today announced the appointment of respected executive Roman Franklin as its Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

 

Franklin is a seasoned finance executive with more than 20 years of experience in finance and operations leadership across public and private companies. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The CFO Portal, LLC, a Florida-based firm specializing in strategic accounting services for microcap public companies and private companies preparing for public markets. Through The CFO Portal, Franklin leads engagements covering SEC reporting, material weakness remediation, SEC comment letter response, audit management and capital markets readiness, including S-1 preparation, Regulation A+ offerings, and reverse merger integration.

 

Concurrently, Franklin serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Central Florida, a religious non-profit corporation, where he leads a team overseeing accounting, financial reporting and employee benefits administration, and manages more than $100 million in trust, endowment and real estate assets. Previously, he served as President, Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Simplicity Esports and Gaming Company, an experiential entertainment company with retail gaming center locations in 16 states, where he supported the company’s acquisition program, capital markets activities and franchise growth. Prior to that, Franklin served as President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Franklin Financial Planning, a fee-only registered investment advisory firm he founded and ultimately exited in 2017.

 

Franklin holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from Stetson University and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies, with concentrations in Management and Finance, from Barry University. He has been quoted in financial publications including Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and InvestmentNews.

 

Management Commentary

 

“Roman brings a strong combination of public company financial leadership, SEC reporting expertise and capital markets experience that is well-suited to where Laser Photonics is today,” said Wayne Tupuola, Chief Executive Officer of Laser Photonics. “As we continue to scale our operations and execute on our growth strategy, Roman’s hands-on experience managing audit processes, supporting capital raises and strengthening financial controls will be instrumental in positioning the Company for long-term success. On behalf of the entire Laser Photonics team, I am pleased to welcome Roman to the organization.”

 

Franklin added: “Laser Photonics has built a compelling technology portfolio with strong relevance across critical industrial and defense end markets. I see a significant opportunity to strengthen the Company’s financial infrastructure, enhance reporting processes and support management’s strategic priorities as the business continues to grow. I look forward to partnering with Wayne and the leadership team to drive operational efficiency and deliver long-term value for shareholders.”

 

About Laser Photonics Corporation

 

Laser Photonics Corporation (NASDAQ: LASE) is a global leader in laser systems for industrial and defense applications. The Company develops and manufactures advanced laser technologies used in cleaning, surface preparation, and precision material processing across demanding operating environments. Laser Photonics serves a broad range of end markets, including defense and government, aerospace, energy, maritime, automotive, and advanced manufacturing. Through a combination of internal development, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships, the Company continues to expand its product portfolio and address new applications where performance, efficiency, and environmental considerations are critical. For more information, please visit laserphotonics.com.

 

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements are based on current expectations as of the date of this press release and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our preliminary internal financial information, which is unaudited, subject to completion of our financial closing and audit procedures and may differ materially from our actual results. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impacts of federal government funding disruptions and shutdowns on our contracts, operations, capital-raising activities, and strategic initiatives. We encourage readers to review the “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statement and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a comprehensive understanding. Laser Photonics Corp. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws or regulations, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

 

Investor Relations Contact

 

Lucas A. Zimmerman & Ian Scargill

MZ Group - MZ North America

(262) 357-2918

[email protected]

www.mzgroup.us