Peraso Inc S-3, filed Jul 12, 2024
Peraso Inc. (PRSO)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 12, 2024
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Peraso Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 77-0291941 | |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
2309 Bering Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 418-7500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
Ronald Glibbery
Chief Executive Officer
Peraso Inc.
2309 Bering Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 418-7500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Blake Baron, Esq.
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
437 Madison Avenue, 25th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(917) 546-7709
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ | ||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act, the Registrant is registering on this registration statement an aggregate of $50,000,000 of unsold securities (the “Unsold Securities”) previously registered under the Registrant’s prior registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-258386), originally filed on August 2, 2021 and declared effective on August 9, 2021 (the “Prior Registration Statement”). Filing fees of $5,455 were previously paid with respect to the Unsold Securities. Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(5) under the Securities Act, the Registrant intends to continue to offer and sell the Unsold Securities under the Prior Registration Statement until the earlier of (i) the date on which this registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and (ii) February 5, 2025, which is 180 days after the third-year anniversary of the effective date of the Prior Registration Statement (the “Expiration Date”). Until the Expiration Date, the Registrant may continue to use the Prior Registration Statement and related prospectus supplements for its offerings thereunder. The Prior Registration Statement and all offers and sales thereunder will be deemed terminated on the Expiration Date, except to the extent covered by this registration statement.
Pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6), on or before the Expiration Date, the Registrant may file a pre-effective amendment to this registration statement to update the amount of unsold securities previously registered by the Prior Registration Statement being registered hereby, and continue to offer and sell such unsold securities under this registration statement. If applicable, such pre-effective amendment shall identify such unsold securities to be included in this registration statement, and the amount of any new securities to be registered on this registration statement.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. No securities may be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION,
Dated: July 12, 2024
PROSPECTUS
Peraso Inc.
$50,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units
Subscription Rights
We may offer from time to time:
| ● | Shares of our common stock; | |
| ● | Shares of our preferred stock; | |
| ● | Warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock; | |
| ● | Units; and | |
| ● | Subscription rights. |
We may offer from time to time to sell the securities described in this prospectus separately or together in any combination, in one or more classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of any such offering.
The securities we offer will have an aggregate public offering price of up to $50,000,000. We will provide specific terms of any offering in supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “PRSO.” The last reported sales price of our shares of common stock on July 11, 2024 was $1.53 per share.
As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was approximately $4,039,095, which was calculated based on 2,622,789 shares of our common stock outstanding held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024 and at a price of $1.54 per share, the price at which our common stock was last sold on the Nasdaq Capital Market on July 10, 2024. We have sold approximately $24,970 of securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the prior 12-calendar-month period that ends on and includes the date of this prospectus. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on this registration statement in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75 million.
Investing in any of our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the “Risk Factors” section contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC or the Commission, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf process, we may, from time to time, issue and sell to the public any or all of the securities described in the registration statement in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices, and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement also may add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to this offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the information in the accompanying prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Please carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers, or agents or directly to purchasers. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept and to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer securities, will provide the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any applicable fee, commission, or discount arrangements with them.
You should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any person to provide you with information that differs from what is contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If any person does provide you with information that differs from what is contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates, or an offer of solicitation in any jurisdiction where offers or sales are not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, even though this prospectus may be delivered or shares may be sold under this prospectus on a later date.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Peraso,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” in this prospectus mean Peraso Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Note Regarding Reverse Stock Split
We effected a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-40, effective as of January 2, 2024. All share and per-share amounts in this prospectus have been restated to reflect the reverse stock split.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, those incorporated by reference under “Risk Factors” below.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or similar terms.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the risk factors incorporated by reference under the heading “Risk Factors” below and a variety of other factors, including, without limitation, statements about our future business operations and results, the market for our technology, our strategy and competition, expected financial performance and the impacts of COVID-19 on our business, and inflation, which could cause customers to delay or reduce purchases of our products or delay payments to us, which would adversely affect our financial results, including cash flows.
Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may not occur.
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Overview
We are a fabless semiconductor company focused on the development and sale of: i) millimeter wavelength wireless technology, or mmWave, semiconductor devices and antenna modules based on our proprietary semiconductor devices and ii) performance of non-recurring engineering, or NRE, services and licensing of intellectual property, or IP. Our primary focus is the development of mmWave, which is generally described as the frequency band from 24 Gigahertz, or GHz, to 300 GHz. Our mmWave products enable a range of applications including: multi-gigabit point-to-point (“PtP”) wireless links with a range of up to 25 kilometers and operating in the 60 GHz frequency band; multi-gigabit point-to-multi-point (“PtMP”) links in the 60 GHz frequency band used to provide fixed wireless access, or FWA, services; FWA in the 5G operating bands from 24 GHz to 43 GHz to provide multi-gigabit capability and low latency connections; military communications; and consumer applications, such as high performance wireless video streaming and untethered augmented reality and virtual reality. We also have a line of memory-denominated integrated circuits, or ICs, for high-speed cloud networking, communications, security appliance, video, monitor and test, data center and computing markets that deliver time-to-market, performance, power, area and economic benefits for system original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. As discussed below, we initiated an end-of-life of these products in 2023.
Our Products
Our primary focus is the development, marketing and sale of our mmWave products.
mmWave ICs
Currently, there are two industry standards that incorporate mmWave technology for wireless communications: (i) license-free: IEEE 802.11ad/ay and (ii) licensed: 3GPP Release 15-17 (commonly referred to as 5G). We have developed and continue to develop products that conform to these standards. To date, we have not sold any 5G products.
Our first mmWave IC product line operates in the license-free 60 GHz band and conforms to the IEEE 802.11ad standard. This product line includes a baseband IC, several variations of mmWave radio frequency, or RF, ICs, and associated antenna technology.
Our 60 GHz IEEE802.11ad products have two very important advantages over traditional 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz Wi-Fi products: very high data rates (up to 3.0 Gigabits per second (“Gbps”)) and low latency, i.e., less than 5 ms. The first application that had traction was outdoor broadband, including applications such as PtP backhaul links or FWA using PtMP links. As the spectrum is unlicensed (free), WISPs can provide services without having to procure expensive wireless spectrum licenses. We believe that our mmWave technology can be deployed quickly and cost effectively in rural and suburban environments, including in remote and low-income regions where residents often have poor Internet quality. While carriers can provide fiber access, the cost of fiber deployment can be prohibitive and trenching for fiber is time consuming and can limit the rate at which new subscribers are added. Our mmWave products enable WISPs to deploy broadband service using low-cost terminals and infrastructure and avoid the costs of deploying cable or fiber.
We are a leading supplier of semiconductors in the mmWave PtP and PtMP markets. We are currently shipping to leading equipment suppliers in this space, as well as directly to service providers that are building their own equipment. We believe we bring certain advantages to the market. First, our products support the spectrum from 66 GHz to 71 GHz, which is often referred to as channels 5 and 6 in the 802.11ad/ay specifications. The key advantage in supporting these channels is that the signals are able to propagate much further than channels 1 through 4; this is a result of significantly lower oxygen absorption at frequencies above 66 GHz. To date, our FWA customers have achieved links in the range of 25 kilometers, which is substantially longer than any past 60 GHz links.
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In the indoor area, the 802.11ad technology is ideal for high-speed, low-latency video applications. In indoor applications, our products can support 3Gb/s links with under 5 ms of latency. Example applications include:
| ● | AR/VR links between the headset and the video console; | |
| ● | USB video cameras for corporate video conferencing; | |
| ● | wireless security cameras; and | |
| ● | smart factory safety and surveillance. |
Our mmWave ICs have been in volume production since 2018. A core competency of the Company is phased-array technology, or beamforming, in which an array of antenna elements work in unison to create a focused RF beam. Through adjustment of the relative phase of the antenna signals, the beams can be directed to support robust wireless connection. We are a leader in the production of mmWave devices and have pioneered a high-volume mmWave production test methodology using standard low-cost production test equipment. It has taken us several years to refine performance of this production test methodology, and we believe this places us in a leadership position in addressing operational challenges of delivering mmWave products into high-volume markets.
Our second product line addresses the 5G mmWave opportunity. Given our extensive experience in the development of mmWave technology, 5G mmWave is a logical adjacent and larger market. We have commenced sampling a highly integrated 5G mmWave beamformer IC, which operates from the 24 GHz to 43 GHz frequency range. The device supports dual-stream multiple input, multiple output, or MIMO, with two 16-channel beamforming arrays. In June 2023, we announced a collaboration with pSemi, a Murata company, for the development of a 5G customer premise receiver utilizing our beamformer IC and pSemi’s up-down converter IC. The goals of the collaboration are to reduce the number of components and cost of each RF module to promote faster time to market for more rapid deployment by prospective customers.
mmWave Antenna Modules
In the second half of 2021, we augmented our business model to produce and sell complete mmWave antenna modules for license-free 60 GHz applications. The primary advantage provided by our antenna modules is that our proprietary mmWave ICs and the antenna are integrated into a single device. A differentiating characteristic of mmWave technology is that the RF amplifiers must be as close as possible to the antenna to minimize loss. With our module, we can guarantee the performance of the amplifier/antenna interface and simplify customers’ RF engineering, facilitating more opportunities for customer prospects that have not provided RF-type systems, as well as shortening the time to market for new products. It is possible for third parties to provide competitive module products, but, because we utilize our mmWave ICs and incorporate our proprietary mmWave antenna IP, we can provide a highly-competitive solution based on our internally-owned and developed module components.
During 2022, we launched our PERSPECTUS family of mmWave antenna modules to enable WISPs to offer high-capacity FWA networks in the unlicensed 60-GHz spectrum. The PERSPECTUS product family includes a new generation of integrated 60 GHz mmWave antenna modules and enhanced software for PtMP FWA applications. Our PERSPECTUS products allow rapid development of low-cost network equipment utilizing over 14 GHz of spectrum to provide multi-gigabit access services. Leveraging our integrated phased-array antennas and operating in the upper channels of the band, link ranges from 1.5 kilometers up to extended ranges of 30 kilometers can be achieved using a parabolic reflector.
Additionally, we have established an innovative user arbitration protocol called DUNE that is specifically designed to optimize network performance in dense urban environments using our PERSPECTUS antenna modules. DUNE is a result of our decade-long experience in mmWave technology and in-house development of the intellectual property incorporated in media access control, which controls the hardware, the physical layer, which controls the physical connection and software drivers, as well as novel antenna designs and beamforming algorithms. DUNE takes a multi-level approach to reducing contention and interference by incorporating both physical, e.g. antenna and beamforming, and protocol-level innovations.
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Memory
We acquired a memory product line comprising our Bandwidth Engine IC products. These products integrate our proprietary, 1T-SRAM high-density embedded memory and a highly-efficient serial interface protocol resulting in a monolithic memory IC solution optimized for memory bandwidth and transaction access performance. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, or TSMC, is the sole foundry that manufactures the wafers used to produce our memory IC products. TSMC has informed us that it would be discontinuing the foundry process used to produce wafers, in turn, necessary to manufacture our memory ICs. As a result, in May 2023, we initiated an end-of-life, or EOL, of our memory IC products, and we commenced initial EOL shipments during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. We have requested customers to pay a deposit upon purchase order placement to reserve supply and provide funding for our required inventory purchases. In addition, we have requested customers to accelerate payments to improve our cash flows. Under our EOL plan, we expect shipments of our memory products to continue through March 31, 2025. However, the timing of EOL shipments will be dependent on receipt of purchase orders from customers, deliveries from our suppliers, and the delivery schedules requested by our customers.
We have ceased and do not intend to expend any development efforts or funds to develop new memory products. We believe our Bandwidth Engine IC products will provide us with meaningful revenue and gross margin contributions through at least the end of 2024, as we complete the EOL of these products. We intend to continue to devote substantially all of our research and development efforts toward further expanding our mmWave technology portfolio and expanding our product offerings.
Corporate History and Information
We were formerly known as MoSys, Inc., and we were incorporated in California in 1991 and reincorporated in 2000 in Delaware. On September 14, 2021, we and our subsidiaries, 2864552 Ontario Inc. and 2864555 Ontario Inc., entered into an Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Peraso Technologies Inc. (“Peraso Tech”), a corporation existing under the laws of the province of Ontario, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Peraso Tech (the “Peraso Shares”), including those Peraso Shares to be issued in connection with the conversion or exchange of secured convertible debentures and common share purchase warrants of Peraso Tech, as applicable, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). On December 17, 2021, following the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, the Arrangement was completed and we changed our name to “Peraso Inc.” and began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “PRSO.”
Our principal corporate offices are located at 2309 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131. Our telephone number is (408) 418-7500. The address of our website is www.perasoinc.com. The information provided on or accessible through our website (or any other website referred to in the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part) is not part of the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
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An investment in our securities is risky. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks discussed in our other filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, or otherwise incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in the applicable prospectus supplement or our SEC filings or any such additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you might lose part or all of your investment.
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We intend to use the net proceeds for working capital, general corporate purposes (including research and development and sales and marketing, and capital expenditures) and in furtherance of our corporate strategy, which may include investing in, acquiring businesses or technologies, or other strategic transactions to facilitate our long term growth, increase our revenues, and enhance our technology and product offerings. We have not entered into any definitive agreements with respect to any acquisitions or other strategic transactions as of the date of this prospectus. However, the amount and timing of what we actually spend for these purposes may vary and will depend on a number of factors, including our future revenue and cash generated by operations and the other factors described in “Risk Factors.” Accordingly, our management will have discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. Pending use of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in money market funds and investment-grade debt securities.
The amounts we plan to spend on each area of our operations, including capital expenditures, as well as the timing of any expenditures, are determined by internal planning and budgeting processes, and may change over time. Pending such uses, the net proceeds of this offering will be invested according to a cash management policy adopted by our board of directors and focused on preservation of capital.
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities sold by us in a primary offering under this prospectus:
| ● | the net tangible book value per share of our equity securities before and after the offering; | |
| ● | the amount of the increase in such net tangible book value per share attributable to the cash payments made by purchasers in the offering; and | |
| ● | the amount of the immediate dilution from the public offering price which will be absorbed by such purchasers. |
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT MAY BE OFFERED
We may offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:
| ● | shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share; | |
| ● | shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; | |
| ● | warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus; | |
| ● | units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus; | |
| ● | subscription rights to purchase one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus; or |
| ● | any combination of these securities. |
The terms of any securities we offer will be determined at the time of sale. When particular securities are offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed with the SEC, which will describe the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.
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Description of Capital Stock
General
The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws is a summary only and not a complete description.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
As of June 30, 2024, there were 2,705,621 shares of common stock outstanding and 1 share of Series A special voting preferred stock outstanding. In addition, as of June 30, 2024, there were outstanding:
| ● | 87,185 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of exchangeable shares; |
| ● | 33,886 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, which options have a weighted average exercise price of $125.99 per share; |
| ● | 9,879 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units; |
| ● | 41,608 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan; |
| ● | 142,857 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 7,143 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of placement agent warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 91,875 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated November 30, 2022 at $40.00 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series B warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 116,190 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $0.001 per share; and |
| ● | 139,108 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of underwriter warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.625 per share; |
Common Stock
At June 30, 2024, 2,705,621 shares of our common stock were outstanding and held of record by 65 stockholders. The actual number of stockholders is significantly greater than this number of record stockholders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of stockholders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
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Each holder of our common stock is entitled to:
| ● | one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders; | |
| ● | dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to the rights of any preferred stock that may be outstanding; and | |
| ● | his, her or its pro rata share in any distribution of our assets after payment or providing for the payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock in the event of liquidation. |
Holders of common stock have no cumulative voting rights, redemption rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any shares of our common stock or other securities. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the authority, subject to any limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares constituting any series to be established, without any further vote or action by the stockholders. Any shares of our preferred stock so issued may have priority over our common stock with respect to dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of our preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. Although the issuance of our preferred stock could provide us with flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, under some circumstances, it could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control.
Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock and Exchangeable Shares
We were formerly known as MoSys, Inc. (“MoSys”). On September 14, 2021, we and our subsidiaries, 2864552 Ontario Inc. and 2864555 Ontario Inc., entered into the Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Peraso Technologies Inc. (“Peraso Tech”), a privately-held corporation existing under the laws of the province of Ontario, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Peraso Tech (“Peraso Shares”), including those Peraso Shares to be issued in connection with the conversion or exchange of secured convertible debentures and common share purchase warrants of Peraso Tech, as applicable, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”), under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).
Pursuant to the completion of the Arrangement, each Peraso Share that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to December 17, 2021 was converted into the right to receive newly issued shares of common stock of the Company or shares of 2864555 Ontario Inc., which are exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Exchangeable Shares”) at the election of each former Peraso Tech stockholder.
In connection with the Arrangement Agreement, on December 15, 2021, the Company filed the Certificate of Designation of Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock (the “Special Voting Share”) in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement in order to enable the holders of Exchangeable Shares to exercise their voting rights.
Each Exchangeable Share is exchangeable for one share of common stock of the Company and while outstanding, the Special Voting Share enables holders of Exchangeable Shares to cast votes on matters for which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote, and by virtue of the share terms relating to the Exchangeable Shares, to receive dividends that are economically equivalent to any dividends declared with respect to the shares of common stock.
A more detailed description of the Exchangeable Shares and the preferences, rights and limitations of the Special Voting Share is set forth in the Definitive Proxy Statement we filed with the SEC on October 18, 2021. The foregoing description of the Series A Certificate of Designation does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2021.
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Antitakeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and of Delaware Law
Certain provisions of our charter documents and Delaware law could have an anti-takeover effect and could delay, discourage or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might otherwise result in a premium being paid over the market price of our common stock.
Bylaws. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board, our chief executive officer, a majority of the total number of authorized directors or any individual holder of 25% of the outstanding shares of common stock. These provisions could delay consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting. Our bylaws provide for an advance notice procedure for the nomination, other than by or at the direction of our board of directors, of candidates for election as directors, as well as for other stockholder proposals to be considered at annual meetings of stockholders. In addition, under our bylaws newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies in the board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause during a director’s term in office can be filled by the vote of the remaining directors in office, and the board is expressly authorized to amend the bylaws without stockholder consent. Accordingly, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of our company.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, generally prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in an acquisition, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to any person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15.0% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The prohibition continues for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an owner of 15.0% or more of the corporation’s voting stock, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The statute could prohibit, delay, defer or prevent a change in control with respect to our company.
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common stock which is traded on Nasdaq. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, any such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing the preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights on any securities exchange or quotation system. Any such listing with respect to our preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC.
Description of Warrants
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and any related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may differ from the terms we describe below.
General
We may issue, together with other securities or separately, warrants to purchase shares of our common stock or our preferred stock. We may issue the warrants directly to the purchasers of the warrants or under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of the series being offered and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
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The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of warrants that we may offer:
| ● | the title of the warrants; | |
| ● | the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such warrants; | |
| ● | the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; | |
| ● | the aggregate number of warrants; | |
| ● | any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased, including provisions for adjustment of the exercise price of the warrant; | |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable; | |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; | |
| ● | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; | |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence, and the date on which the right shall expire; and | |
| ● | the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price as will in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the purchased securities. If less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
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Enforceability of Rights of Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, that holder’s warrants.
Description of Outstanding Warrants
The following description of the material terms of our outstanding warrants is a summary only and not a complete description.
February 2024 Warrants
On February 6, 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., as the sole underwriter (the “Underwriter”), relating to the issuance and sale in a public offering (the “Offering”) of: (i) 480,000 shares of common stock, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,424,760 shares of common stock (the “pre-funded warrants”), (iii) Series A warrants to purchase up to 3,809,520 shares of common stock (the “Series A warrants”), (iv) Series B warrants to purchase up to 3,809,520 shares of common stock (the “Series B warrants,” and together with the Series A warrants, the “common warrants”), and (v) up to 285,714 additional shares of common stock, Series A warrants to purchase up to 571,428 shares of common stock and Series B warrants to purchase up to 571,428 shares of common stock that could be purchased pursuant to a 45-day option to purchase additional securities granted to the Underwriter by the Company. The Underwriter partially exercised this option on February 7, 2024 for 82,500 shares of common stock, Series A warrants to purchase up to 165,000 shares of common stock and Series B warrants to purchase up to 165,000 shares of common stock. The combined public offering price of each share of common stock, together with the accompanying Series A warrants and Series B warrants, was $2.10, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The combined public offering price of each pre-funded warrant, together with the accompanying Series A warrants and Series B warrants, was $2.099, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Offering, including the additional shares of common stock, Series A warrants and Series B warrants sold pursuant to the partial exercise of the Underwriter’s option, closed on February 8, 2024.
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (“Equiniti”) serves as warrant agent for the Series A warrants, the Series B warrants and the pre-funded warrants pursuant to the terms of a warrant agency agreement, dated February 8, 2024, between us and Equiniti.
On February 8, 2024, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, we issued to the Underwriter Series A warrants to purchase up to 139,108 shares of common stock (the “underwriter warrants”). The material terms of the underwriter warrants are substantially similar to the material terms of the Series A warrants, as described below under “⸺Common Warrants,” except that the exercise price of the underwriter warrants is $2.625, subject to adjustments. The underwriter warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, until one year following the closing date of the Offering, we are prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by us or our subsidiaries of common stock or common stock equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction (as such term is defined in the Underwriting Agreement); provided, however, that, commencing 90 days following the closing date of the Offering, we may enter into or issue shares of our common stock in an “at-the-market” offering with the Underwriter as sales agent.
As of June 30, 2024, all of the Series A warrants, Series B warrants and underwriter warrants were outstanding and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 116,190 shares of common stock were outstanding.
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Common Warrants
Duration and Exercise Price. Each Series A warrant represents the right to purchase two shares of our common stock, has an exercise price of $2.25 per share, was immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance. Each Series B warrant represents the right to purchase two shares of our common stock, has an exercise price of $2.25 per share, was immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires on the six month anniversary of the date of issuance. The exercise price of the common warrants and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the common warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock.
Exercisability. The common warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the common warrant to the extent that the holder would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or 9.99%, at the holder’s election) of our outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase or decrease the limitation of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s common warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the common warrants, provided that any increase in such limitation shall not be effective until 61 days following notice to us.
Cashless Exercise. If, at the time a holder exercises its common warrants, there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the warrant shares to the holder, then the holder may exercise the common warrants through a cashless exercise, in whole or in part, in which the holder will be entitled to receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the common warrants.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event we consummate a merger or consolidation with or into another person or other reorganization event in which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged for securities, cash or other property, or we sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets or we or another person acquire 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, then following such event, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the common warrants the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property which the holders would have received had they exercised the common warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Any successor to us or surviving entity shall assume the obligations under the common warrants. Additionally, as more fully described in the common warrant, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the common warrants on the date of consummation of such transaction.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth in the common warrant, the common warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the common warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Exchange Listing. There is no established trading market for the common warrants. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the common warrants on any national securities exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.
Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the common warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the common warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their common warrants.
Waivers and Adjustments. Subject to certain exceptions, any terms of the common warrants may be amended or waived with our written consent and the written consent of the holder.
Pre-Funded Warrants
Duration and Exercise Price. The pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per share, were immediately exercisable upon issuance and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price of the pre-funded warrants and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock.
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Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder’s pre-funded warrants to the extent that the holder would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or 9.99%, at the holder’s election) of our outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase or decrease the limitation of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants, provided that any increase in such limitation shall not be effective until 61 days following notice to us.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event we consummate a merger or consolidation with or into another person or other reorganization event in which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged for securities, cash or other property, or we sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets or we or another person acquire 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, then following such event, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property which the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Any successor to us or surviving entity shall assume the obligations under the pre-funded warrants.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth in the pre-funded warrant, the pre-funded warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Exchange Listing. There is no established trading market for the pre-funded warrants. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.
Waivers and Adjustments. Subject to certain exceptions, any terms of the pre-funded warrants may be amended or waived with our written consent and the written consent of the holder.
June 2023 Warrants
On May 31, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “June 2023 Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor, pursuant to which we sold in a registered direct offering, 56,250 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $28.00 per share and pre-funded warrants, which pre-funded warrants have been exercised in full, to purchase up to 86,608 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we also issued to the institutional investor warrants (the “June 2023 Purchase Warrants”) to purchase up to 142,857 shares of common stock, all of which June 2023 Purchase Warrants are outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
We also issued to the placement agent for this offering warrants (the “June 2023 PA Warrants”) to purchase up to 7,143 shares of common stock.
June 2023 Purchase Warrants
The June 2023 Purchase Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $28.00 per share and expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock. The June 2023 Purchase Warrants are also subject to certain other adjustments, including with respect to subsequent rights offerings and pro rata distributions.
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The June 2023 Purchase Warrants are exercisable, at the option of the holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the June 2023 Purchase Warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, the holder may exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in whole or in part, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the June 2023 Purchase Warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a June 2023 Purchase Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.
The holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the June 2023 Purchase Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or on election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the June 2023 Purchase Warrants. However, the holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon notice to us, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until 61 days after such notice to us.
In the case of certain fundamental transactions affecting the Company, the holder, upon exercise of June 2023 Purchase Warrants after such fundamental transaction, will have the right to receive, in lieu of shares of the Company’s common stock, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property that the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the fundamental transaction, had the June 2023 Purchase Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In lieu of such consideration, the holder may instead elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their June 2023 Purchase Warrants.
June 2023 PA Warrants
The June 2023 PA Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $28.00 per share and expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.
The remaining material terms of the June 2023 PA Warrants are substantially similar to those of the June 2023 Purchase Warrants, subject to certain exceptions: the June 2023 PA Warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis at any time; in the event of a fundamental transaction, the holder of the June 2023 PA Warrants cannot elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their warrants; and the June 2023 PA Warrants are not subject to adjustment with respect to subsequent rights offerings and pro rata distributions.
November 2022 Warrants
On November 28, 2022, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which we sold in a registered direct offering, 32,500 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $40.00 per share and pre-funded warrants, which pre-funded warrants have been exercised in full, to purchase up to 28,750 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we also issued to the institutional investor warrants (the “November 2022 Warrants”) to purchase up to 91,875 shares of common stock, all of which November 2022 Warrants are outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
The November 2022 Warrants were exercisable beginning six months and one day from the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement at an initial exercise price of $54.40 per share and expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price was adjusted to $40.00 per share pursuant to an amendment entered into on May 31, 2023. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock. The November 2022 Warrants are also subject to certain other adjustments, including with respect to subsequent rights offerings and pro rata distributions.
The November 2022 Warrants are exercisable, at the option of the holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the November 2022 Warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, the holder may exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in whole or in part, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the November 2022 Warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a November 2022 Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.
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The holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the November 2022 Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or on election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the November 2022 Warrants. However, the holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon notice to us, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until 61 days after such notice to us.
In the case of certain fundamental transactions affecting the Company, the holder, upon exercise of November 2022 Warrants after such fundamental transaction, will have the right to receive, in lieu of shares of the Company’s common stock, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property that the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the fundamental transaction, had the November 2022 Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In lieu of such consideration, the holder may instead elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their November 2022 Warrants.
Description of Units
We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the units offered under that prospectus supplement, and any special considerations applicable to investing in those units. You must look at the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable unit agreement for a full understanding of the specific terms of any units. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and incorporated documents. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
General
We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, warrants or any combination thereof in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement and any incorporated documents the terms of the series of units, including the following:
| ● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; | |
| ● | any unit agreement under which the units will be issued; and | |
| ● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock - Common Stock,” “Description of Capital Stock - Preferred Stock” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock or warrant included in each unit, respectively.
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Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, may enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
Title
We, the unit agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purposes and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
Description of Subscription Rights
We may issue subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or warrants. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
| ● | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; | |
| ● | the exercise price payable for each security upon the exercise of the subscription rights; | |
| ● | the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder; | |
| ● | the number and terms of the securities that may be purchased pursuant to each subscription right; | |
| ● | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; | |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; | |
| ● | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and | |
| ● | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC, if we offer subscription rights.
We may sell the securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, through agents, or through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
| ● | the terms of the offering; | |
| ● | the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; | |
| ● | the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; |
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| ● | the purchase price of the securities; | |
| ● | the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; | |
| ● | any delayed delivery arrangements; | |
| ● | any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; | |
| ● | any public offering price; | |
| ● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; | |
| ● | any commissions paid to agents; and | |
| ● | any market or securities exchange on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed. |
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale of any of these securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in any prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell these securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly, and not through underwriters or agents. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
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We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
Issuance Pursuant to Certain Warrant Exercises
We may also offer and sell our common stock or preferred stock upon the exercise of warrants issued by us, pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act, in connection with a settlement of litigation against us. No underwriter would be used in connection with such offer and sale of common stock or preferred stock or the exercise of such warrants. We would issue the shares of our common stock or preferred stock directly to the holders of such warrants, upon the exercise of such warrants, from time to time. We will describe the terms of any such offers, sales and warrants in a prospectus supplement.
General Information
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
The consolidated financial statements of Peraso Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended incorporated in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Weinberg & Company, P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of any securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, New York, New York.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our website is located at www.peraso.com. Through links on the “Investors” portion of our website, we make available free of charge all reports, any amendments to those reports and other information filed with, or furnished to, the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such material is made available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus, except for reports filed with the SEC that are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. Forms of any indenture or other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or will be filed through an amendment to our registration statement on Form S-3 or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K or other filed document and incorporated into this prospectus by reference. Statements in this prospectus about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. The full registration statement, including exhibits thereto, may be obtained from the SEC or us as indicated above.
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The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either incorporated by reference, or contained in, this prospectus and will be considered a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024; |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024; |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, February 9, 2024, April 4, 2024 and June 13, 2024; and |
| ● | the description of our capital stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on June 26, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed on December 22, 2004, Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2010, Amendment No. 3 on Form 8-A/A, filed on July 27, 2011, and Amendment No. 4 on Form 8-A/A, filed on May 24, 2012. |
In addition, all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of filing the registration statement that includes this prospectus and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement containing this prospectus, which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all of such securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents. However, we are not incorporating by reference, in each case, any information or documents that are deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
Peraso Inc.
2309 Bering Dr.
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 418-7500
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
We will not, however, send exhibits to these documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In addition, you may obtain a copy of these filings from the SEC as described above in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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Peraso Inc.
$50,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units
Subscription Rights
PROSPECTUS
PART II
Information Not Required In Prospectus
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following statement sets forth the expenses and costs expected to be incurred by the Company in connection with the distribution of its securities being registered in this registration statement.
| SEC registration fee | $ | – | ** | |
| FINRA filing fee | $ | 8,000 | ||
| Transfer agent’s fees and expenses | $ | * | ||
| Legal fees and expenses | $ | * | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses | $ | * | ||
| Trustee fees and expenses | $ | * | ||
| Miscellaneous fees and expenses | $ | * | ||
| Total | $ | * |
| * | These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances and, accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. |
| ** | Excludes the registration fee previously paid in connection with unsold securities pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6). |
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of any statutes referred to below and to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and the Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of Peraso Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL, authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
Our Certificate of Incorporation states that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it may be amended, none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or to our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The Certificate of Incorporation also states that we shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, indemnify and hold harmless all of our directors. To the extent permitted by applicable law, we are also authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) agents (and any other persons to which Delaware law permits us to provide indemnification) through bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, subject only to limits created by applicable Delaware law (statutory or non-statutory) with respect to actions for breach of duty to us, our stockholders, and others.
As permitted by our Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, our Bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers against actions by third parties, and that we shall indemnify our directors, officers and employees against actions brought by or on behalf of the Company. The Bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity if he or she is serving at our request. We have obtained officer and director liability insurance with respect to liabilities arising out of various matters, including matters arising under the Securities Act.
We have entered into agreements with our directors that, among other things, indemnify them for certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by them in any action or proceeding, including any action by us or in our right, arising out of the person’s services as a director or officer of ours or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.
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Item 16. Exhibits.
| * | To be filed with a Current Report on Form 8-K or a Post-Effective Amendment to the registration statement. |
| ** | Certain schedules, exhibits and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish copies of such omitted materials supplementally upon request by the SEC. |
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Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933.
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post- effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SignatureS
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on a Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on July 12, 2024.
| Peraso Inc. | |||
| By: | /s/ James Sullivan | ||
| Name: | James Sullivan | ||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | ||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Ronald Glibbery and James Sullivan, and each one of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (including post-effective amendments), and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Ronald Glibbery | Chief Executive Officer and Director | July 12, 2024 | ||
| Ronald Glibbery | (principal executive officer) | |||
| /s/ James Sullivan | Chief Financial Officer | |||
| James Sullivan | (principal financial and accounting officer) | July 12, 2024 | ||
| /s/ Daniel Lewis | Director | July 12, 2024 | ||
| Daniel Lewis | ||||
| /s/ Robert Y. Newell | Director | July 12, 2024 | ||
| Robert Y. Newell | ||||
| /s/ Ian McWalter | Director | July 12, 2024 | ||
| Ian McWalter | ||||
| /s/ Andreas Melder | Director | July 12, 2024 | ||
| Andreas Melder |
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Exhibit 5.1
July 12, 2024
Peraso Inc.
2309 Bering Drive
San Jose, California 95131
| Re: | Peraso Inc. – Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Peraso Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), relating to the registration of (i) shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, $0.01 par value (the “Preferred Stock”), (iii) warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the “Warrants”), (iv) subscription rights to purchase securities registered under the Registration Statement (the “Rights”) and (v) units representing an interest in two or more securities registered under the Registration Statement (the “Units”), with an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000 (the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Units and Rights are each referred to herein as a “Security,” and collectively as the “Securities”) for primary offerings.
As counsel to the Company in connection with this opinion letter, we have examined such corporate records, documents, and instruments of the Company and reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of rendering the opinions set forth herein and we have examined the proceedings proposed to be taken by the Company relating to the issuance and sale of the Securities. We have also examined the Registration Statement as filed with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
We have examined such documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinions set forth below. With respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as reproduced or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of those latter documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, to the extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain officers and employees of the Company.
| 437
Madison Ave., 25th Floor, New York, New York 10022-7001 Phone: (212) 509-3900 Fax: (212) 509-7239 Website: www.msk.com |
July 12, 2024
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In expressing our opinions below, we have assumed, with your consent, that:
(a) the Registration Statement (including any and all required post-effective amendments thereto) will have become effective under the Act and will comply with all applicable laws;
(b) the Registration Statement (including any and all required post-effective amendments thereto) will be effective under the Act and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities and the Shares are offered or sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement (including any and all required post-effective amendments thereto), the base prospectus included therein (the “Prospectus”) and the applicable prospectus supplement(s);
(c) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (including any and all required post-effective amendments thereto) will have been issued and remain in effect;
(d) a prospectus supplement describing the Securities offered thereby and the offering thereof and complying with all applicable laws will have been prepared and filed with the Commission;
(e) the Securities will be offered and sold in the form and with the terms set forth in the Registration Statement (including any and all required post-effective amendments thereto), the Prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement(s) and the organizational documents of the Company, as applicable;
(f) the Securities will be offered and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement (including any and all required post-effective amendments thereto), the Prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement(s);
(g) the Company will have obtained any and all legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any and all other regulatory authorities and other third parties necessary to offer and sell the Securities being offered;
(h) a definitive purchase, underwriting, sales or similar agreement (each a “Purchase Agreement”) with respect to any Securities offered and sold will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and
(i) any Securities or other securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered and sold will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise.
Our opinions expressed in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 below are subject to the qualifications that we express no opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with or effect of: (i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally; (ii) general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; or (iii) public policy considerations that may limit the rights of parties to obtain certain remedies.
July 12, 2024
Page 3
We express no opinion as to (i) any provision providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy, (ii) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration, remedies or judicial relief, (iii) the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any state to the offer or sale of the Securities and (iv) the antifraud provisions of the securities or other laws of any jurisdiction.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof:
1. The Company has the authority pursuant to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Charter”), to issue up to an aggregate of 120,000,000 shares of Common Stock. Upon adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the issuance of shares of Common Stock (with such shares, together with all shares of Common Stock previously issued or reserved for issuance and not duly and lawfully retired, not exceeding an aggregate of 120,000,000 shares), and upon issuance and delivery of and payment of legal consideration in excess of the par value thereof in accordance with the applicable Purchase Agreement and all applicable law, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. The Company has the authority pursuant to the Charter to issue up to an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. When a series of Preferred Stock has been duly established in accordance with the terms of the Charter and applicable law, and upon adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock (with such shares, together with all shares of Preferred Stock previously issued, designated or reserved for issuance and not duly and lawfully retired, not exceeding an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares) and upon issuance and delivery of and payment of legal consideration in excess of the par value thereof in accordance with the applicable Purchase Agreement and all applicable law (and assuming the satisfaction of the conditions described in the applicable numbered paragraphs of this opinion letter with respect to our opinion regarding any Securities into or for which such shares of Preferred Stock may be convertible, exchangeable or redeemable), such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. When (a) a warrant agreement, if any, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company (including, without limitation, the adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the execution and delivery of such warrant agreement) and duly executed and delivered by the Company, (b) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Warrants have been duly established in accordance with such warrant agreement, if any, and all applicable law and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company (including, without limitation, the adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the issuance and delivery of the Warrants), and (c) the Warrants have been duly executed, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such warrant agreement, if any, the applicable Purchase Agreement and all applicable law (and assuming the satisfaction of the conditions described in the applicable numbered paragraphs of this opinion letter with respect to our opinion regarding any Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants), such Warrants will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
July 12, 2024
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4. When (a) a unit agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company (including, without limitation, the adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution duly authorizing the execution and delivery of such unit agreement) and duly executed and delivered by the Company, (b) the specific terms of a particular issuance of the related Units have been duly established in accordance with such unit agreement and all applicable law and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company (including, without limitation, the adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the issuance and delivery of the Units), and (c) such Units have been duly executed, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such unit agreement, the applicable Purchase Agreement and all applicable law (and assuming the satisfaction of the conditions described in the applicable numbered paragraphs of this opinion letter with respect to our opinion regarding the Securities underlying the Units), such Units will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
5. When (a) a rights agreement, if any, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company (including, without limitation, the adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the execution and delivery of such rights agreement) and duly executed and delivered by the Company, (b) the specific terms of a particular issuance of Rights have been duly established in accordance with such rights agreement, if any, and all applicable law and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company (including, without limitation, the adoption by the board of directors of the Company of a resolution in form and content as required by applicable law duly authorizing the issuance and delivery of the Rights), and (c) the Rights have been duly executed, issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such rights agreement, if any, the applicable Purchase Agreement and all applicable law (and assuming the satisfaction of the conditions described in the applicable numbered paragraphs of this opinion letter with respect to our opinion regarding any Securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights), such Rights will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
This opinion is opining upon and is limited to the current federal laws of the United States and the Delaware General Corporation Law as such laws presently exist and to the facts as they presently exist. We express no opinion with respect to the effect or applicability of the laws of any other jurisdiction. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion letter should the laws of such jurisdiction be changed after the date hereof by legislative action, judicial decision, or otherwise.
July 12, 2024
Page 5
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name as the Company’s counsel and to all references made to us in the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. This opinion is given as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we are under no duty to update the opinions contained herein.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Peraso Inc.
San Jose, California
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Peraso Inc. of our report, dated March 29, 2024, relating to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended (which report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to substantial doubt about Peraso, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern). We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.
/s/ Weinberg & Company
Los Angeles, California
July 12, 2024