USBC, Inc PRE 14A, filed Sep 26, 2024
USBC, Inc. (USBC)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
| KNOW LABS, INC. |
| (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
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| N/A (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☒ | No fee required. | ||
| ☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||
| ☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | ||
PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
KNOW LABS, INC.
619 Western Avenue, Suite 610
Seattle, WA 98104
206-903-1351
[●], 2024
Dear Stockholders:
On behalf of the entire Board, thank you for your continued support and investment in Know Labs, Inc. (the “Company”). You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), which will be held virtually at 1:30 p.m., Pacific Time, on Friday, October 25, 2024, unless postponed or adjourned to a later date. To be admitted to the Special Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM, you must enter the control number found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice you previously received. You may vote during the Special Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting.
At the Special Meeting, you and the other stockholders will be asked to vote upon the following:
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| 1. | To approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 200 million to 300 million; |
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| 2. | To approve an amendment to the Know Labs, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan to 40,000,000; |
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| 3. | To consider and vote upon adjournment of the Special Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of any of the foregoing proposals at the time of the Special Meeting. |
After careful consideration, the Board has unanimously approved Proposal1 and Proposal 2, and has determined that they are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposals set forth in the accompanying proxy statement.
Stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 12, 2024 are entitled to receive notice of, to attend, and to vote at, the Special Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the virtual Special Meeting, we request that you submit your vote via the Internet, telephone or mail. To ensure that your vote is recorded promptly, please vote as soon as possible, even if you plan to attend the meeting, by submitting your proxy by telephone, via the Internet at the address listed on the proxy card, voting instruction card, or in the instructions that you received via email, or, by signing, dating and returning the proxy card, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. We encourage stockholders to submit their proxy via the Internet or telephone.
This notice and the attached Proxy Statement and related materials will be first transmitted to stockholders on or about October 7, 2024.
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| By order of the Board of Directors, |
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| /s/ Ronald P. Erickson |
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| Ronald P. Erickson |
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| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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Seattle, Washington
September [●], 2024
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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
KNOW LABS, INC.
619 Western Avenue, Suite 610
Seattle, WA 98104
206-903-1351
Notice of the 2024 Special Meeting of Stockholders
| Date: | Friday, October 25, 2024 |
| Time: | 1:30 p.m. Pacific |
| Location: | www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM |
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| Proposals: | 1. Approve an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 200 million to 300 million;
2. Approve an amendment to the Know Labs, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan to 40,000,000;
3. Approve adjournment of the Special Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of any of the foregoing proposals at the time of the Special Meeting. |
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| Who Can Vote: | Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 12, 2024. |
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| How You Can Vote: | IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
The attached Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available on the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM. The Annual Report includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. |
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| It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. You can vote your shares via the Internet or telephone or by mail by completing and returning the accompanying proxy card in the accompanying self-addressed envelope. Voting instructions are printed on the proxy card. You may revoke a proxy at any time before its exercise at the meeting by following the instructions in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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| By order of the Board of Directors, |
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| /s/ Ronald P. Erickson |
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| Ronald P. Erickson |
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| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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Seattle, WA
September [●], 2024
| Your Vote Is Important. Whether You Own One Share or Many, Your Prompt Cooperation in Voting Your Proxy is Greatly Appreciated. |
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KNOW LABS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
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| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS |
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| SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT |
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| SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR OUR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING |
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| OTHER INFORMATION |
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FOR THE
Special Meeting of Stockholders
OF
KNOW LABS, INC.
Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) has made this Proxy Statement and related materials available to you in connection with the Board’s solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held October 25, 2024 (the “Special Meeting”), and any adjournment of the Special Meeting. You are invited to attend the Special Meeting virtually to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the virtual meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, or follow the instructions below to submit your proxy over the telephone or on the internet.
We intend to distribute these proxy materials on or about October 7, 2024 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction card are also available atwww.proxyvote.com and on our website at www.knowlabs.co/investors.
In this Proxy Statement, the terms the “Company,” “Know Labs,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Know Labs, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiary. The mailing address of our principal executive offices is 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, WA 98104.
What is a proxy?
A proxy is your legal designation of another person or persons (the “proxy”) to vote on your behalf. By completing and returning the enclosed proxy card, you are giving Ronald P. Erickson, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the authority to vote your shares in the manner you indicate on your proxy card.
Why did I receive more than one proxy card?
You will receive multiple proxy cards if you hold your shares in different ways (e.g., joint tenancy, trusts, and custodial accounts) or in multiple accounts. If your shares are held by a broker (i.e., in “street name”), you will receive your proxy card or other voting information from your broker, and you will return your proxy card or cards to your broker. You should vote on and sign each proxy card you receive.
How to Attend the Virtual Special Meeting
You may attend the Special Meeting online only if you are a Know Labs’ stockholder who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, or if you hold a valid proxy for the Special Meeting. The Special Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting and is scheduled to be held on October 25, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, via live webcast through the following link: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM. You will need the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card, voting instruction form, or in the instructions that you received via email . You may virtually attend the Special Meeting, vote, and submit a question during the Special Meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM and using your 16-digit control number. If you are not a stockholder of record but hold shares as a beneficial owner in “street name”, you should contact your bank or broker to obtain your 16-digit control number or otherwise vote through the bank or broker. If you lose your 16-digit control number, you may join the Special Meeting as a “Guest” but you will not be able to vote, ask questions or access the list of stockholders as of the Record Date. The meeting webcast will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m., Pacific time. Online check-in will begin at 1:15 p.m. Pacific time, and you should allow ample time for check-in procedures.
Reasons for Virtual Special Meeting
We believe that hosting a virtual meeting is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. A virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation because stockholders can participate from any location around the world. There will not be a physical meeting location and you will not be able to attend the meeting in person.
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Technical Difficulties
We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting website. If you encounter any technical difficulties with the virtual meeting platform on the meeting date, please call the technical support number to be provided on the website portal used to access the virtual meeting.
Question and Answer Session
You will be able to participate in the Special Meeting online and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM. If you want to submit a question during the Special Meeting, log into www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM, type your question into the “Ask a Question” field, and click “Submit.” Questions pertinent to meeting matters will be read and answered during the meeting, subject to time constraints.
Voting Information
Who is qualified to vote?
You are qualified to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting if you own shares of common stock of the Company as of the close of business on our record date of September 12, 2024 (the “Record Date”).
How many shares of Common Stock may vote at the Special Meeting?
As of the close of business on September 12, 2024, the Record Date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, there were outstanding 108,001,782 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which are entitled to vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the Special Meeting. Each stockholder of record is entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held by such stockholder. As of the Record Date there were 8,108,356 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series C and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock which are entitled to vote approximately 8,108,356 shares at the Special Meeting. Such shares issuable upon the conversion of Series C and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock which are entitled to vote are subject to the applicable blocker in effect on the record date (either 4.99% or 9.99%, which ever has been timely elected by the preferred stockholder). See “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for additional information on such blockers.
What is the difference between a “stockholder of record” and a “street name” holder?
These terms describe how your shares are held. If your shares are registered directly in your name with Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the Company’s transfer agent, you are a “stockholder of record.” If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage, bank, trust or other nominee as a custodian, you are a “street name” holder.
How do I vote my shares?
If you are a “stockholder of record,” you can vote your proxy by mailing in the enclosed proxy card or by voting by phone or Internet by following the instructions on your proxy card as set forth below. Please refer to the specific instructions set forth in the proxy card made available with this Proxy Statement. If you hold your shares in “street name,” your broker/bank/trustee/nominee will provide you with materials and instructions for voting your shares.
Electronically at the Meeting
This Special Meeting will be held entirely online to allow greater participation. Stockholders may participate in the Special Meeting by visiting the following website at the time of the Special Meeting: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/KNW2024SM. To participate in the Special Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in the Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Shares held in your name as the stockholder of record may be voted electronically during the Special Meeting. Shares for which you are the beneficial owner but not the stockholder of record also may be voted electronically during the Special Meeting. However, even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting online, the Company recommends that you vote your shares as promptly as possible and in advance over the Internet (www.proxyvote.com) or telephone (1-800-690-6903) so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Special Meeting.
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By Proxy
If you do not wish to vote at the Special Meeting or will not be participating in the online meeting, you may vote by proxy. You can vote by proxy over the Internet (www.proxyvote.com) or telephone (1-800-690-6903) and by following the instructions provided in the Notice, or, if you requested printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you can vote by mailing your proxy as described in the proxy materials. Internet and telephone voting facilities for stockholders of record will close at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on October 24, 2024. If you complete and submit your proxy before the meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote the shares represented by your proxy in accordance with your instructions. If you submit a proxy without giving voting instructions, your shares will be voted in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement, and as the persons named as proxies may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters properly presented at the Special Meeting.
If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Special Meeting, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting to another time or place (including, without limitation, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies), the persons named in the enclosed proxy card and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment. We do not currently anticipate that any other matters will be raised at the Special Meeting.
Revocability of Proxy
You may revoke your proxy by (1) following the instructions in the proxy materials and entering a new vote by mail, over the Internet or via telephone before the Special Meeting or (2) electronically attending the Special Meeting and voting (although attendance at the Special Meeting will not in and of itself revoke a proxy). Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card must be received by our Secretary prior to the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting. Such written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card should be sent to our Corporate Secretary at Know Labs, Inc., 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, WA 98104, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
If a broker, bank, or other nominee holds your shares, you must contact them for instructions regarding how to change your vote, or you may vote at the Special Meeting by following the procedures described above.
What are the Board’s recommendations on how I should vote my shares?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares as follows:
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| Proposal 1 — | FOR approving an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. |
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| Proposal 2 — | FOR approving an amendment to the Know Labs, Inc. 2021 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan. |
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| Proposal 3 — | FOR approving of an adjournment of the Special Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of any of the foregoing proposals at the time of the Special Meeting. |
Quorum
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one-third (33.33%) of the voting power of the shares of capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the record date will constitute a quorum permitting the meeting to conduct its business.
Votes of stockholders of record who are present at the Special Meeting or by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
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What is a Broker Non-Vote?
If your shares are held in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in “street name”), you must instruct the organization that holds your shares how to vote your shares. If you sign your proxy card but do not provide instructions on how your broker should vote on “routine” proposals, your broker will vote your shares as recommended by the Board. If you do not provide voting instructions, your Shares will not be voted on any “non-routine” proposals. This vote is called a “broker non-vote.”
Proposal Two is considered to be “non-routine” such that your broker, bank or other agent may not vote your shares on those proposals in the absence of your voting instructions. Conversely, Proposal One and Proposal Three are considered to be “routine” and thus if you do not return voting instructions to your broker, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion on Proposal One and Proposal Three.
How many votes are required to approve each proposal?
The table below summarizes the proposals that will be voted on, the vote required to approve each item and how votes are counted:
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| Impact of “Withhold” or “Abstain” Votes |
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| Proposal No. 1: Approval of an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock. |
| The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock. |
| “FOR” “AGAINST” “ABSTAIN” |
| Against(3) |
| Yes (2) / N/A (as a routine matter there are no broker non-votes) |
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| Proposal No. 2: Approval of Equity Incentive Plan Amendment increasing the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan | The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal. | “FOR” “AGAINST” “ABSTAIN” |
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| Proposal No. 3: Adjournment |
| The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal. |
| “FOR” “AGAINST” “ABSTAIN” |
| None(4) |
| Yes (2) / N/A (as a routine matter there are no broker non-votes) |
| (1) | As this proposal is considered a non-routine matter, brokers lack authority to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and, accordingly, will not have an effect on this proposal. |
| (2) | As this proposal is considered a routine matter, brokers are permitted to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal, as such we do not expect to receive any “broker-non-votes”; however, if any “broker non-votes” are received they would have the same effect as votes against the proposal. |
| (3) | An “ABSTAIN” vote will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” this proposal. |
| (4) | Although abstentions are considered present and entitled to vote on a matter, abstentions are not considered to be votes cast under Nevada law, and thus will have no impact on the outcome. |
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What if I do not specify how my shares are to be voted?
If you submit a proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth above, as well as with the description of each proposal in this Proxy Statement.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, then your vote would be a broker non-vote and governed under the provisions described above under “What is a Broker Non-Vote?”.
Can I change my vote after I have mailed in my proxy card?
You may revoke your proxy by doing one of the following:
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| ● | By sending a written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company that is received prior to the Special Meeting, stating that you revoke your proxy; |
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| ● | By signing a later-dated proxy card and submitting it so that it is received prior to the Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions included in the proxy card(s); or |
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| ● | By attending the Special Meeting and voting your shares in person. |
Who will count the votes?
Representatives from the Company will count the votes and serve as our Inspector of Election. The Inspector of Election will be present at the Special Meeting.
Who pays the cost of this proxy solicitation?
Proxies will be solicited by mail, and we will pay all expenses of preparing and soliciting such proxies. We have also arranged for reimbursement, at the rates suggested by brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries, for the forwarding of proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record.
Is this Proxy Statement the only way that proxies are being solicited?
No. We have also arranged for brokerage houses, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record. Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies but such persons will not be specifically compensated for such services.
If you have any further questions about voting your shares or attending the Special Meeting, please call the Company’s Investor Relations department at (206) 903-1351.
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AMENDMENT TO OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Purposes of the Proposed Increase in Authorized Stock
On September 11, 2024, our Board approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 200 million to 300 million shares (the “Amendment”). Under the terms of our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Nevada law, the Amendment must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock. A copy of the Amendment, which is in the form of a Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. The Amendment makes no other changes to our Articles of Incorporation.
The Amendment is intended to give the Company flexibility to issue common stock or securities convertible into common stock for general corporate purposes if an attractive opportunity to do so arises. The Company will be required to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which will require us to issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock, including under our existing at-the-market offering program, in public or private offerings, under convertible notes or other equity-linked securities. Without an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock, the Company may be constrained in its ability to raise capital in order to support its business objectives, and may lose important business opportunities, including to competitors, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial performance and growth.
If the Company issues additional shares, the ownership interests of holders of our common stock will be diluted. Also, if the Company issues shares of preferred stock, the shares may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of its common stock.
Description of the Amendment
As of September 12, 2024, the record date, our current authorized capital stock of 205,000,000 consisted of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 108,001,782 shares were outstanding, and 5,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock of which 30,000 shares have been designated as our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and 20,000 shares have been designated as our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, of which there were 17,858 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and 10,161 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. As of September 12, 2024, the following additional securities are outstanding: (i) 29,072,106 shares of our common stock shares are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding as of September 12, 2024 under our 2021 Plan (including unearned stock option grants totaling 4,179,825 shares related to performance milestones), (ii) 6,118,825 additional shares of our common stock that are reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan, (iii) 13,112,264 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible debentures, and (iv) 48,953,399 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding.
Under the terms of the Amendment, the total number of authorized shares of capital stock will be increased to 305,000,000. The number of shares of common stock authorized will be increased to 300,000,000. The number of shares of preferred stock will remain unchanged at 5,000,000. The newly authorized shares of common stock will be identical to previously authorized shares of common stock, and will entitle the holders thereto to the same rights and privileges as holders of the previously authorized shares.
Terms of the common stock
The terms of the common stock are as follows:
Dividends. The holders of our common stock will be entitled to dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board from funds available therefor.
Voting Rights. Each share of common stock entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by the stockholders. Our Articles of Incorporation do not provide for cumulative voting.
Preemptive Rights. Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights with respect to the issuance and sale by the Company of additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of the Company.
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Liquidation Rights. Upon dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, the holders of shares of common stock will be entitled to receive our assets available for distribution proportionate to their pro rata ownership of the outstanding shares of common stock.
Anti-takeover effects of the Increase in Authorized Shares
An increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock may also, under certain circumstances, be construed as having an anti-takeover effect. Although not designed or intended for such purposes, the effect of the proposed increase might be to render more difficult or to discourage a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or change in control of us and the removal of management, which stockholders might otherwise deem favorable. For example, the authority of our Board to issue common stock might be used to create voting impediments or to frustrate an attempt by another person or entity to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control of us because the issuance of additional shares of common stock would dilute the voting power of the common stock then outstanding. Our common stock could also be issued to purchasers who would support our Board in opposing a takeover bid which our Board determines not to be in our best interests and those of our stockholders.
The Board is not presently aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company and the proposed Certificate of Amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock is not part of any plan by our Board to recommend or implement a series of anti-takeover measures.
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to Be Acted Upon
None of the Company’s officers or directors has an interest in the Amendment, except to the extent they are stockholders or holders of convertible debt, warrants, and options issued by the Company and the Amendment may result in increased liquidity of our common stock and the exercisability of such securities.
Dissenter’s Rights of Appraisal
The stockholders who dissent from the Amendment have no right to appraisal under the Nevada Revised Statutes, our Articles of Incorporation, or our bylaws.
Procedure for Implementing the Increase in Authorized Shares
The Amendment will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of amendment to our Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada.
Vote Required to Approve the Increase in Authorized Shares of Common Stock
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock is required to amend our Articles of Incorporation to effect the increase in authorized common stock. Abstentions will have the same effect as votes against the Amendment. Because the Amendment is expected to be considered a “routine” matter for which brokers may vote in their discretion if beneficial owners of our stock do not provide voting instructions, we do not expect to receive any “broker-non-votes”; however, if any “broker non-votes” are received they would have the same effect as votes against the Amendment.
Board Recommendation
| Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
Approval of an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 300 million |
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APPROVAL OF THE STOCK AMENDMENT PLAN PROPOSAL
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROPOSAL
The Company is asking the shareholders to approve an amendment to the Know Labs, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), the material terms of which are more fully described below. The Board approved the Amendment to the 2021 Plan on August 1, 2024, subject to the shareholder approval solicited by this Proxy Statement with such approval required by Section 312.03(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
On August 12, 2021, the Board approved and adopted the 2021 Plan and on October 15, 2021 the 2021 Plan was approved by our stockholders. Under the 2021 Plan, 22,000,000 shares of common stock were reserved and authorized to be issued plus shares for annual automatic increases and awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2011 Plan”). The Board is now asking the shareholders to approve an increase the total number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan to 40,000,000 shares plus (i) the number of Shares added to the Plan pursuant to an automatic share increase provided for in Section 4.2 of the 2021 Plan and (ii) the sum of (A) any Shares that, as of the date of stockholder approval of this Plan, have been reserved but not issued pursuant to any awards granted under the Company’s 2011 Plan, and (B) any Shares subject to stock options or similar awards granted under the 2011 Plan that, after the date of stockholder approval of this Plan, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full and Shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan that are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, with the maximum number of Shares to be added to the Plan pursuant to clause (ii) equal to 7,592,825.
The Board believes this increase will assist the Company and its affiliates in attracting, retaining and providing incentives to employees, directors, consultants and independent contractors who serve the Company and its affiliates by offering them the opportunity to acquire or increase their proprietary interest in the Company and to promote the identification of their interests with those of the shareholders of the Company. The 2021 Plan will continue to be subject to an automatic share increase as described in the 2021 Plan.
All other terms of the 2021 Plan shall remain the same with the exception of the amount of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan which shall be increased by 18,000,000 shares and the company has applied a reduction resulting from the shares granted under the 2011 Plan. If this proposal is approved, the total number of shares that will be available for issuance under the 2021 Plan will be 40,000,000 shares, plus (i) the number of Shares added to the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2 and (ii) the sum of (A) any Shares that, as of the date of stockholder approval of this Plan, have been reserved but not issued pursuant to any awards granted under the Company’s 2011 Plan, and (B) any Shares subject to stock options or similar awards granted under the 2011 Plan that, after the date of stockholder approval of this Plan, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full and Shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan that are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, with the maximum number of Shares to be added to the Plan pursuant to clause (ii) equal to 7,592,825.
PLAN SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the principal features of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. The summary, however, is not a complete description of all the provisions of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. The full text of the proposed 2021 Equity Incentive Plan amendment is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. Any stockholder who wishes to obtain a copy of the actual plan document may do so upon written request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary, c/o Know Labs, Inc., 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, Washington 98104.
Awards that may be granted include: (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) stock appreciation rights, (d) restricted awards, (e) performance share awards, and (f) performance compensation awards. These awards offer our officers, employees, consultants and directors the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price appreciation of our common stock and the award holder’s continuing service with our company. All of the permissible types of awards under the 2021 Plan are described in more detail below. Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used in this summary have the meanings assigned to them in the 2021 Plan.
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Purpose
The purposes of the 2021 Plan are to attract and retain officers, employees and directors for our company and our subsidiaries; motivate them by means of appropriate incentives to achieve long-range goals; provide incentive compensation opportunities; and further align their interests with those of our stockholders through compensation that is based on our common stock.
Eligibility
All Employees, Officers, Non-Employee Directors, agents, advisors, consultants and independent contractors of the Company and its related companies (“Eligible Persons”) are eligible to receive grants of Awards under the 2021 Plan. As of September 12, 2024 the number of employees eligible to participate in the 2021 Plan was 12 the number of consultants and independent contractors eligible to participate was 14, and the number of non-employee directors eligible to participate was 6.
Administration
The 2021 Plan is administered by our compensation committee (which we refer to as the plan administrator). Among other things, the plan administrator has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of awards. The plan administrator has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the 2021 Plan.
Shares Available Under the 2021 Plan
20,000,000 shares of our common stock were originally authorized as the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be delivered to participants under the 2021 Plan, subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as stock splits. This number was increased to 22,000,000 shares of common stock as of January 1, 2022 as a result of the automatic share reserve increase discussed below. Shares subject to an award under the 2021 Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the 2021 Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash will not again be made available for grants under the 2021 Plan. As of the date of this report, all shares remain available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan also authorizes for issuance the sum of (A) any shares of our common stock that, as of the date of stockholder approval of the 2021 Plan, have been reserved but not issued pursuant to any awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan and (B) any shares of our common stock subject to stock options or similar awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan that, after the date of stockholder approval of the 2021 Plan, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full and shares of our common stock issued pursuant to awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan that are forfeited to or repurchased by us, with the maximum number of shares of our common stock to be added to the 2021 Plan pursuant to clause (B) equal to 7,592,825.
Automatic Share Reserve Increase
Subject to the provisions of Section 14 of the 2021 Plan, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan will be increased on the first day of each calendar year beginning January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2030 in an amount equal to the least of (i) 2,000,000 shares of our common stock, (ii) four percent (4%) of the outstanding shares of our common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (iii) such number of shares of our common stock determined by our Board; provided, that such determination under clause (iii) will be made no later than the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Stock Options
Stock options give the option holder the right to acquire from us a designated number of shares of common stock at a purchase price that is fixed upon the grant of the option. The exercise price will not be less than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted may be either tax-qualified stock options (so-called “incentive stock options”) or non-qualified stock options.
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General. Subject to the provisions of the 2021 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to determine all grants of stock options. That determination will include: (i) the number of shares subject to any option; (ii) the exercise price per share; (iii) the expiration date of the option; (iv) the manner, time and date of permitted exercise; (v) other restrictions, if any, on the option or the shares underlying the option; and (vi) any other terms and conditions as the plan administrator may determine.
Option Price. The exercise price for stock options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price will not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive stock option awarded may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive stock option grants to any person owning more than 10% of our voting stock must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.
Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established by the plan administrator at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to us, accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Payments may be made in cash or, at the option of the plan administrator, by actual or constructive delivery of shares of common stock to the holder of the option based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
Expiration or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the plan administrator at the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders of more than 10% of our voting stock, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if the holder’s service with our company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability or retirement, with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the plan administrator and reflected in the grant evidencing the award.
Incentive and Non-Qualified Options. As described elsewhere in this summary, an incentive stock option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified stock options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option will be a non-qualified stock option. Under the Code, certain restrictions apply to incentive stock options. For example, the exercise price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive stock option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive stock options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single year if that option, together with all incentive stock options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in that year, relate to shares having an aggregate market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights, or SARs, which may be granted alone or in tandem with options, have an economic value similar to that of options. When a SAR for a particular number of shares is exercised, the holder receives a payment equal to the difference between the market price of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the shares under the SAR. The exercise price for SARs normally is the market price of the shares on the date the SAR is granted. Under the 2021 Plan, holders of SARs may receive this payment — the appreciation value — either in cash or shares of common stock valued at the fair market value on the date of exercise. The form of payment will be determined by us.
Stock Awards
Restricted shares are shares of common stock awarded to participants at no cost. Restricted shares can take the form of awards of restricted stock, which represent issued and outstanding shares of our common stock subject to vesting criteria, or restricted stock units, which represent the right to receive shares of our common stock, subject to satisfaction of the vesting criteria. Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals. Restricted shares are forfeitable and non-transferable until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded.
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Cash Awards
A cash award is an award that may be in the form of cash or shares of common stock or a combination, based on the attainment of pre-established performance goals and other conditions, restrictions and contingencies identified by the plan administrator.
Performance Criteria
Under the 2021 Plan, one or more performance criteria will be used by the plan administrator in establishing performance goals. Any one or more of the performance criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of our company, as the plan administrator may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies or published or special index that the plan administrator deems appropriate. In determining the actual size of an individual performance compensation award, the plan administrator may reduce or eliminate the amount of the award through the use of negative discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The plan administrator shall not have the discretion to (i) grant or provide payment in respect of performance compensation awards if the performance goals have not been attained or (ii) increase a performance compensation award above the maximum amount payable under the 2021 Plan.
Other Material Provisions
Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the plan administrator. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the plan administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The plan administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by the plan administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our board also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board also has the authority to alter or amend the 2021 Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the 2021 Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of our stockholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number of shares available under the 2021 Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the 2021 Plan, extend the time within which awards may be made, or amend the provisions of the 2021 Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made under the 2021 Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
The terms of an Award may, at the 2021 Plan Administrator’s discretion, or provide a Participant with the right to receive dividend payments or dividend equivalent payments with respect to shares of common stock covered by the Award. Such payments may either be made currently or credited to any account established for the Participant, and may be settled in cash or shares of common stock. Unless otherwise provided by the 2021 Plan Administrator or in the instrument evidencing the Award or in a written employment, services or other agreement, no Award, other than a Stock Award, shall entitle the Participant to any cash dividend, voting or other right of a stockholder unless and until the date of issuance under the 2021 Plan of the shares that are the subject of such Award.
Capital Adjustments
If the outstanding common stock of the Company changes as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, distribution to stockholders other than a normal cash dividend, or other change in the Company’s corporate or capital structure, the 2021 Plan Administrator shall make proportional adjustments in (i) the maximum number and kind of securities available for issuance under the 2021 Plan; (ii) the maximum number and kind of securities issuable as Incentive Stock Options as set forth in Section 4.3(d); and (iii) the number and kind of securities that are subject to any outstanding Award and the per share price of such securities, without any change in the aggregate price to be paid therefor.
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Withholding
The Company is generally required to withhold tax on the amount of income recognized by a Participant with respect to the granting, vesting, or exercise of an Award. Withholding requirements may be satisfied, as provided in the agreement evidencing the Award, by (a) tender of a cash payment to the Company, (b) having the Company withhold an amount from any cash amounts otherwise due or to become due from the Company to the Participant (c) withholding of shares of common stock otherwise issuable having a Fair Market Value equal to the tax withholding obligation, or (d) delivery to the Company by the Participant of unencumbered shares of common stock. The value of the shares so withheld or tendered may not exceed the employer’s minimum required tax withholding rate. Notwithstanding any other provision of the 2021 Plan to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue any shares of common stock or otherwise settle an Award under the 2021 Plan until such tax withholding obligations and other obligations are satisfied.
Termination and Amendment
The Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2021 Plan at any time. However, after the 2021 Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, the Board may not amend or terminate the 2021 Plan without the approval of (a) the Company’s stockholders if stockholder approval of the amendment is required by applicable law, rules or regulations, and (b) each affected Participant if such amendment or termination would adversely affect such Participant’s rights or obligations under any Awards granted prior to the date of the amendment or termination.
Term of the 2021 Plan
Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the 2021 Plan will terminate on August 12, 2031. Once the 2021 Plan is terminated, no further Awards may be granted or awarded under the 2021 Plan. Termination of the 2021 Plan will not affect the validity of any Awards outstanding on the date of termination.
Summary of Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion briefly summarizes certain United States federal income tax aspects of Awards granted pursuant to the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. State, local and foreign tax consequences may differ.
Incentive Stock Options. The grant of an Option will not be a taxable event for the grantee or for the Company. A grantee will not recognize taxable income upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply), and any gain realized upon a disposition of our common stock received pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option will be taxed as long-term capital gain if the grantee holds the shares of common stock for at least two (2) years after the date of grant and for one (1) year after the date of exercise (the “holding period requirement”). The Company will not be entitled to any business expense deduction with respect to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, except as discussed below. For the exercise of an Option to qualify for the foregoing tax treatment, the grantee generally must be an Employee of the Company or a subsidiary from the date the Option is granted through a date within three (3) months before the date of exercise of the Option. If all of the foregoing requirements are met except the holding period requirement mentioned above, the grantee will recognize ordinary income upon the disposition of the common stock in an amount generally equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock at the time the Option was exercised over the Option exercise price (but not in excess of the gain realized on the sale). The balance of the realized gain, if any, will be capital gain. We will be allowed a business expense deduction to the extent the grantee recognizes ordinary income, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. The grant of an Option will not be a taxable event for the grantee or the Company. Upon exercising a Non-Qualified Stock Option, a grantee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise. Upon a subsequent sale or exchange of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the grantee will have taxable capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the tax basis of the shares of common stock (generally, the amount paid for the shares plus the amount treated as ordinary income at the time the Option was exercised). The Company will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.
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Stock Appreciation Rights. There are no immediate tax consequences of receiving an Award of Stock Appreciation Rights. Upon exercising a Stock Appreciation Right, a grantee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the common stock on the date of exercise. The Company will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The grant of Restricted Stock will not be a taxable event in the year of the Award, provided that the shares of common stock are subject to restrictions (that is, the shares of common stock are nontransferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture). The fair market value of the common stock on the date the restrictions lapse (less the purchase price, if any) will be treated as compensation income to the grantee and will be taxable in the year the restrictions lapse and dividends paid while the common stock is subject to restrictions will be subject to withholding taxes. The Company will be entitled to a business expense deduction in the same amount and generally at the same time as the grantee recognizes ordinary income, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.
A grantee will not recognize taxable income at the time a Restricted Stock Unit is granted and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon settlement of Restricted Stock Units, the grantee will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding in respect of an employee) in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares delivered and the amount of any cash paid by the Company, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) of the Code apply.
Other Stock-Based Awards, and Cash-Based Awards. The tax treatment with respect to other stock-based awards and cash-based awards will depend on the structure of such awards.
Withholding. The Company may deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the 2021 Plan, or require before the issuance or delivery of shares of common stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of, any federal, state, or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company. Any minimum statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the 2021 Plan Administrator, by reducing the number of shares of common stock deliverable or by delivering shares of common stock already owned. Furthermore, at the discretion of the 2021 Plan Administrator, any additional tax obligations of a Participant with respect to an Award may be satisfied by further reducing the number of shares of common stock, deliverable with respect to such Award, to the extent that such reductions do not result in any adverse accounting implications to the Company, as determined by the 2021 Plan Administrator. Any fraction of a share of common stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant.
Parachute Payments. Where payments to certain persons that are contingent on a change in control exceed limits specified in the Code, the person generally is liable for a 20 percent excise tax on, and the corporation or other entity making the payment generally is not entitled to any deduction for, a specified portion of such payments. Under the 2021 Plan, the 2021 Plan Administrator has plenary authority and discretion to determine the vesting schedule of Awards. Any Award under which vesting is accelerated by a change in control of the Company, would be relevant in determining whether the excise tax and deduction disallowance rules would be triggered.
Performance-Based Compensation. Subject to certain exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Code disallows federal income tax deductions for compensation paid by a publicly-held corporation to certain executives to the extent the amount paid to an executive exceeds $1 million for the taxable year. The 2021 Plan has been designed to allow the grant of Awards that qualify under an exception to the deduction limit of Section 162(m) for “performance-based compensation.”
Tax Rules Affecting Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans. Section 409A of the Code imposes tax rules that apply to “nonqualified deferred compensation plans.” Failure to comply with, or to qualify for an exemption from, the new rules with respect to an Award could result in significant adverse tax results to the Award recipient including immediate taxation upon vesting, an additional income tax of 20 percent of the amount of income so recognized, plus a special interest payment. The 2021 Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable, and the 2021 Plan Administrator will administer and interpret the 2021 Plan and Awards accordingly.
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New Plan Benefits
Except with respect to equity awards that may be granted to our non-employee directors pursuant to our non-employee director compensation program, the number of awards that our Named Executive Officers, directors, other executive officers and other employees may receive under the 2021 Plan, as amended, in the future will be determined in the discretion of the Board or Compensation Committee. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the future benefits that will be received by these participants under the 2021 Plan, as amended, or the benefits that would have been received by such participants if the 2021 Plan had been amended as of September 30, 2023.
Accounting Treatment
The Company accounts for Options using guidance from FASB ASC Topic 718, which requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values.
Vote Required
The vote required to approve Proposal 2 is a majority of the voting power of the shares of capital stock present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on this proposal. Stockholders may vote “for” or “against” the proposal, or they may abstain from voting on the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “against” Proposal 2. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Board Recommendation
| Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
Approval of the amendment to the 2021 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan to 40,000,000 |
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APPROVAL OF THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING IN ORDER TO
SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES IF THERE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT SHARES VOTED IN FAVOR
OF ANY OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS AT THE TIME OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
Background of and Rationale for the Adjournment Proposal
Our Board of Directors believes that, if the number of affirmative votes received from the holders of our common stock are insufficient to approve any of the other Proposals being considered at the Special Meeting, it is in the best interests of the stockholders to enable the Board to continue to seek to obtain a sufficient number of additional affirmative votes to approve that Proposal.
In this Proposal 3, we are asking stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board to vote in favor of adjourning the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof. If our stockholders approve this proposal, we could adjourn the Special Meeting, and any adjourned session of the Special Meeting, to use the additional time to solicit additional proxies in favor of the other applicable Proposals.
If there is not a quorum present, the Chair of the Special Meeting, or a majority in voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, have the power to adjourn the Special Meeting from time to time until a quorum is present. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented if there is a quorum and there are not enough votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve all of the other proposals described herein.
Additionally, approval of the Adjournment Proposal could mean that, in the event we receive proxies indicating that majority of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote thereon have voted against any of Proposal 1 and/or Proposal 2 or abstained from voting on such proposals, we could adjourn the Special Meeting without a vote on such Items and use the additional time to solicit the holders of those shares to change their vote in favor of such Items.
Vote Required
If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter will be required to approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of Proposal 1 and/or Proposal 2. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this proposal.
Board Recommendation
| Your Board Recommends That Stockholders Vote
FOR
the approval of the adjournment of the Special Meeting in order to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient shares to be voted in favor of the other proposals. |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 12, 2024 for (i) each of our named executive officers and directors; (ii) all of our named executive officers and directors as a group; and (iii) each other stockholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o our company, 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, WA 98104.
|
|
| Shares Beneficially Owned (1) (2) |
| |||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner |
| Amount |
|
| Percentage |
| ||
| Directors and Officers- |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
| Ronald P. Erickson (3) |
|
| 13,455,698 |
|
|
| 11.2 | % |
| Peter J. Conley (4) |
|
| 1,072,688 |
|
|
| 1.0 | % |
| William A. Owens (5) |
|
| 1,567,231 |
|
|
| 1.4 | % |
| Jon Pepper (6) |
|
| 1,211,028 |
|
|
| 1.1 | % |
| Ichiro Takesako (7) |
|
| 852,028 |
|
|
| 0.8 | % |
| John Cronin (8) |
|
| 506,575 |
|
|
| 0.5 | % |
| Larry K. Ellingson (9) |
|
| 336,575 |
|
|
| 0.3 | % |
| All executive officers and directors (9 persons) |
|
| 19,001,823 |
|
|
| 15.3 | % |
* Less than 1%
| (1) | Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares that such person or any member of such group has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock held by each person or group of persons named above, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days of June 30, 2024 are deemed to be outstanding for such person, but not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by any person. |
|
|
|
| (2) | Based on 108,001,782 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of September 12, 2024. |
|
|
|
| (3) | Consists of (i) 1,488,085 shares of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Ronald P. Erickson or entities controlled by Mr. Erickson, (ii) 3,336,683 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, (iii) 3,894,666 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants that are exercisable within 60 days, and (iv) 4,736,264 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible notes that are convertible within 60 days. |
|
|
|
| (4) | Consists of (i) 10,000 shares of our common stock held directly by Peter Conley and (ii) 1,062,688 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
|
| (5) | Consists of (i) 947,703 shares of our common stock held directly by William A Owens, (ii) 579,528 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days, and (iii) 40,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants that are exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
|
| (6) | Consists of (i) 514,000 shares of our common stock held directly by Jon Pepper, (ii) 657,028 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and (iii) 40,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
|
| (7) | Consists of (i) 155,000 shares of our common stock held directly by Ichiro Takesako, (ii) 657,028 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and (iii) 40,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
|
| (8) | Consists of (i) 16,164 shares of our common stock held directly by John Cronin and (ii) 490,411 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. |
|
|
|
| (9) | Consists of (i) 16,164 shares of our common stock held directly by Larry K. Ellingson and (ii) 320,411 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days. |
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|
|
| Shares Beneficially Owned |
| |||||
|
|
| Amount |
|
| Percentage |
| ||
| Greater Than 5% Ownership |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
| Clayton A. Struve (1) |
|
| 30,255,913 |
|
|
| 21.5 | % |
|
|
| Blocker at 4.99% | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Todd Baszucki (2) |
|
| 18,200,000 |
|
|
| 16.7 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ronald P. Erickson (3) |
|
| 13,455,698 |
|
|
| 11.2 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lind Global Fund II LP (4) |
|
| 11,346,697 |
|
|
| 9.6 | % |
|
|
| Blocker at 4.99%-9.99% | ||||||
| (1) | Consists of (i) 7,747,688 shares of our common stock, (ii) 10,115,869 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants, (iii) 5,000,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, (iv) 3,108,356 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and (v) 4,284,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible notes; and excludes additional shares of preferred stock issuable as accreted preferred dividends pursuant to terms of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. All of the warrants, Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and convertible notes held by Mr. Struve are subject to a 4.99% blocker pursuant to which shares of our common stock may not be issued to the extent that such issuance would cause Mr. Struve to beneficially own more than 4.99% of our common stock. The address of Mr. Struve is 175 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 440, Chicago, IL 60604. |
|
|
|
| (2) | Consists of (i) 17,200,000 shares of our common stock held directly by Todd Baszucki and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants. The address for Mr. Baszucki is 395 Del Monte Center, Unit 306, Monterey, CA 93940. |
|
|
|
| (3) | See above for Ronald P. Erickson or entities controlled by Mr. Erickson. The address for Mr. Erickson is 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, WA 98104. |
|
|
|
| (4) | Consists of (i) 546,697 shares of our common stock, (ii) 4,092,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of convertible notes and (iii) 6,000,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants. The address for Lind Global Fund II LP is 444 Madison Street, Floor 41, New York, NY 10022, care of the Lind Partners LLC. |
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| Table of Contents |
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth certain information about the securities authorized for issuance under our incentive plans as of June 30, 2024.
|
|
| (a) |
|
| (b) |
|
| (c) |
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Number of securities |
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| remaining available |
| |||
|
|
| Number of securities |
|
| Weighted-average |
|
| for future issuance |
| |||
|
|
| to be issued upon |
|
| exercise price of |
|
| under equity compensation |
| |||
|
|
| exercise of outstanding |
|
| outstanding options, |
|
| plan (excluding securities |
| |||
| Plan Category |
| options, warrants and rights |
|
| warrants and rights |
|
| reflected in column (a)) |
| |||
| Equity compensation plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
| approved by shareholders |
|
| 29,072,106 |
|
| $ | 0.839 |
|
|
| 7,386,706 |
|
| Equity compensation plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| not approved by shareholders |
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
|
| - |
|
| Total |
|
| 29,072,106 |
|
| $ | 0.839 |
|
|
| 7,386,706 |
|
On August 12, 2021, our Board approved and adopted the 2021 Plan, which was approved by our stockholders on October 15, 2021. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2021 Plan is 22,000,000 shares and all of these shares remained available for issuance as of December 31, 2023. See Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, Item 11 “Executive Compensation—2021 Equity Incentive Plan” for a complete description of the 2021 Plan.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
On August 12, 2021, we established the Know Labs, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which was adopted by our stockholders on October 15, 2021. The following summary briefly describes the principal features of the 2021 Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2021 Plan, which is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Form S‑8 Filed December 10, 2021.
Awards that may be granted include: (a) incentive stock options, (b) non-qualified stock options, (c) stock appreciation rights, (d) restricted awards, (e) performance share awards, and (f) performance compensation awards. These awards offer our officers, employees, consultants and directors the possibility of future value, depending on the long-term price appreciation of our common stock and the award holder’s continuing service with our company. All of the permissible types of awards under the 2021 Plan are described in more detail below.
Purposes of 2021 Plan: The purposes of the 2021 Plan are to attract and retain officers, employees and directors for our company and our subsidiaries; motivate them by means of appropriate incentives to achieve long-range goals; provide incentive compensation opportunities; and further align their interests with those of our stockholders through compensation that is based on our common stock.
Administration of the 2021 Plan: The 2021 Plan is administered by our compensation committee (which we refer to as the plan administrator). Among other things, the plan administrator has the authority to select persons who will receive awards, determine the types of awards and the number of shares to be covered by awards, and to establish the terms, conditions, performance criteria, restrictions and other provisions of awards. The plan administrator has authority to establish, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the 2021 Plan.
Eligible Recipients: Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan will be those officers, employees, consultants, and directors of our company and our subsidiaries who are selected by the plan administrator.
Shares Available Under the 2021 Plan: 20,000,000 shares of our common stock were originally authorized as the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be delivered to participants under the 2021 Plan, subject to adjustment for certain corporate changes affecting the shares, such as stock splits. This number was increased to 22,000,000 shares of common stock as of January 1, 2022 as a result of the automatic share reserve increase discussed below. Shares subject to an award under the 2021 Plan for which the award is canceled, forfeited or expires again become available for grants under the 2021 Plan. Shares subject to an award that is settled in cash will not again be made available for grants under the 2021 Plan. As of the date of this report, all shares remain available for issuance under the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan also authorizes for issuance the sum of (A) any shares of our common stock that, as of the date of stockholder approval of the 2021 Plan, have been reserved but not issued pursuant to any awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan and (B) any shares of our common stock subject to stock options or similar awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan that, after the date of stockholder approval of the 2021 Plan, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full and shares of our common stock issued pursuant to awards granted under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan that are forfeited to or repurchased by us, with the maximum number of shares of our common stock to be added to the 2021 Plan pursuant to clause (B) equal to 7,592,825.
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Automatic Share Reserve Increase: Subject to the provisions of Section 14 of the 2021 Plan, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan will be increased on the first day of each calendar year beginning January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2030 in an amount equal to the least of (i) 2,000,000 shares of our common stock, (ii) four percent (4%) of the outstanding shares of our common stock on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (iii) such number of shares of our common stock determined by our board of directors; provided, that such determination under clause (iii) will be made no later than the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Stock Options: Stock options give the option holder the right to acquire from us a designated number of shares of common stock at a purchase price that is fixed upon the grant of the option. The exercise price will not be less than the market price of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted may be either tax-qualified stock options (so-called “incentive stock options”) or non-qualified stock options.
General. Subject to the provisions of the 2021 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to determine all grants of stock options. That determination will include: (i) the number of shares subject to any option; (ii) the exercise price per share; (iii) the expiration date of the option; (iv) the manner, time and date of permitted exercise; (v) other restrictions, if any, on the option or the shares underlying the option; and (vi) any other terms and conditions as the plan administrator may determine.
Option Price. The exercise price for stock options will be determined at the time of grant. Normally, the exercise price will not be less than the fair market value on the date of grant. As a matter of tax law, the exercise price for any incentive stock option awarded may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. However, incentive stock option grants to any person owning more than 10% of our voting stock must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value on the grant date.
Exercise of Options. An option may be exercised only in accordance with the terms and conditions for the option agreement as established by the plan administrator at the time of the grant. The option must be exercised by notice to us, accompanied by payment of the exercise price. Payments may be made in cash or, at the option of the plan administrator, by actual or constructive delivery of shares of common stock to the holder of the option based upon the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise.
Expiration or Termination. Options, if not previously exercised, will expire on the expiration date established by the plan administrator at the time of grant. In the case of incentive stock options, such term cannot exceed ten years provided that in the case of holders of more than 10% of our voting stock, such term cannot exceed five years. Options will terminate before their expiration date if the holder’s service with our company or a subsidiary terminates before the expiration date. The option may remain exercisable for specified periods after certain terminations of employment, including terminations as a result of death, disability or retirement, with the precise period during which the option may be exercised to be established by the plan administrator and reflected in the grant evidencing the award.
Incentive and Non-Qualified Options. As described elsewhere in this summary, an incentive stock option is an option that is intended to qualify under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for more favorable tax treatment than applies to non-qualified stock options. Any option that does not qualify as an incentive stock option will be a non-qualified stock option. Under the Code, certain restrictions apply to incentive stock options. For example, the exercise price for incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the grant date and the term of the option may not exceed ten years. In addition, an incentive stock option may not be transferred, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the holder’s lifetime only by the holder. In addition, no incentive stock options may be granted to a holder that is first exercisable in a single year if that option, together with all incentive stock options previously granted to the holder that also first become exercisable in that year, relate to shares having an aggregate market value in excess of $100,000, measured at the grant date.
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Stock Appreciation Rights: Stock appreciation rights, or SARs, which may be granted alone or in tandem with options, have an economic value similar to that of options. When a SAR for a particular number of shares is exercised, the holder receives a payment equal to the difference between the market price of the shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price of the shares under the SAR. The exercise price for SARs normally is the market price of the shares on the date the SAR is granted. Under the 2021 Plan, holders of SARs may receive this payment — the appreciation value — either in cash or shares of common stock valued at the fair market value on the date of exercise. The form of payment will be determined by us.
Stock Awards: Restricted shares are shares of common stock awarded to participants at no cost. Restricted shares can take the form of awards of restricted stock, which represent issued and outstanding shares of our common stock subject to vesting criteria, or restricted stock units, which represent the right to receive shares of our common stock, subject to satisfaction of the vesting criteria. Those may include requirements for continuous service and/or the achievement of specified performance goals. Restricted shares are forfeitable and non-transferable until the shares vest. The vesting date or dates and other conditions for vesting are established when the shares are awarded.
Cash Awards: A cash award is an award that may be in the form of cash or shares of common stock or a combination, based on the attainment of pre-established performance goals and other conditions, restrictions and contingencies identified by the plan administrator.
Performance Criteria: Under the 2021 Plan, one or more performance criteria will be used by the plan administrator in establishing performance goals. Any one or more of the performance criteria may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of our company, as the plan administrator may deem appropriate, or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies or published or special index that the plan administrator deems appropriate. In determining the actual size of an individual performance compensation award, the plan administrator may reduce or eliminate the amount of the award through the use of negative discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The plan administrator shall not have the discretion to (i) grant or provide payment in respect of performance compensation awards if the performance goals have not been attained or (ii) increase a performance compensation award above the maximum amount payable under the 2021 Plan.
Other Material Provisions: Awards will be evidenced by a written agreement, in such form as may be approved by the plan administrator. In the event of various changes to the capitalization of our company, such as stock splits, stock dividends and similar re-capitalizations, an appropriate adjustment will be made by the plan administrator to the number of shares covered by outstanding awards or to the exercise price of such awards. The plan administrator is also permitted to include in the written agreement provisions that provide for certain changes in the award in the event of a change of control of our company, including acceleration of vesting. Except as otherwise determined by the plan administrator at the date of grant, awards will not be transferable, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Prior to any award distribution, we are permitted to deduct or withhold amounts sufficient to satisfy any employee withholding tax requirements. Our board also has the authority, at any time, to discontinue the granting of awards. The board also has the authority to alter or amend the 2021 Plan or any outstanding award or may terminate the 2021 Plan as to further grants, provided that no amendment will, without the approval of our stockholders, to the extent that such approval is required by law or the rules of an applicable exchange, increase the number of shares available under the 2021 Plan, change the persons eligible for awards under the 2021 Plan, extend the time within which awards may be made, or amend the provisions of the 2021 Plan related to amendments. No amendment that would adversely affect any outstanding award made under the 2021 Plan can be made without the consent of the holder of such award.
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| Table of Contents |
SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR OUR NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders may submit proposals on matters appropriate for stockholder action at our next annual meeting consistent with Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act. For such proposals or nominations to be considered timely, they must be received in writing by our Secretary no later than 120 days before the anniversary date on which the Company first sent its proxy materials for the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders. For such proposals or nominations to be considered in the proxy statement and proxy relating to the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, they must have been received by us no later than April 15, 2025. Such proposals should be directed to Know Labs, Inc., 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, Washington 98104, Attn: Secretary. Any proposal may be included in next year’s proxy materials only if such proposal complies with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require us to include in our proxy statement or our proxy relating to any meeting any stockholder proposal or nomination that does not meet all of the requirements for inclusion established by the SEC.
In addition, stockholders intending to present a proposal at our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must comply with the requirements and provide the information set forth in our second amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”). Under our Bylaws, in order for a stockholder to bring business before an annual meeting of our stockholders (other than the nomination of directors), the stockholder’s notice must be timely received, which means that a proposal must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day and not later than the close of business on the 60th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Because our 2024 Annual Meeting is scheduled for September 26, 2024, this means that such notice for the 2025 Annual Meeting must be received between June 28, 2025 and July 28, 2025. In the event that the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if notice of the meeting is mailed or the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is made less than 75 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 15th day following the date on which such notice is mailed or such public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Company, whichever occurs first.
In addition to satisfying the requirements noted above, if a stockholder intends to comply with the SEC’s universal proxy rules and to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees, the stockholder must provide notice that provides the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act, which notice must be postmarked or transmitted electronically to the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices no later than 60 calendar days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the prior annual meeting of stockholders (for the 2025 annual meeting, no later than July 28, 2025). If the date of the 2025 annual meeting is changed by more than 30 calendar days from such anniversary date, however, then the stockholder must provide notice by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2025 annual meeting and the 10th calendar day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the 2025 annual meeting is first made.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board knows of no matter other than those described herein that will be presented for consideration at the Special Meeting. However, should any other matters properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof, it is the intention of the person(s) named in the accompanying proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of the Company.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company will bear all costs incurred in the solicitation of proxies. In addition to solicitation by mail, our officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone, the Internet or personally, without additional compensation. We may also make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares of our capital stock held of record by such persons, and we may reimburse such brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith. We have not engaged a proxy solicitor.
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| Table of Contents |
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. The Company and some brokers household proxy materials may deliver a single proxy statement and/or notice to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or the Company that they or the Company will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement or notice, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or the Company if you hold registered shares of capital stock. We will also deliver a separate copy of this Proxy Statement to any stockholder upon written request. Similarly, stockholders who have previously received multiple copies of disclosure documents may write to the address or call the phone number listed below to request delivery of a single copy of these materials in the future. You can notify the Company by sending a written request to Know Labs, Inc., Secretary, 619 Western Avenue, Suite 610, Seattle, Washington 98104, by registered, certified or express mail or by calling the Company at (206) 903-1351.
AVAILABILITY OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Ronald P. Erickson
Chairman
Seattle, WA
September [●], 2024
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| Table of Contents |
PROXY CARD
| 24 |
| Table of Contents |
| 25 |
| Table of Contents |
| 26 |
| Table of Contents |
| 27 |
| Table of Contents |
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AMENDMENT TO THE
KNOW LABS, INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
WHEREAS, Know Labs, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) currently maintains and sponsors the Know Labs, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and
WHEREAS, Section 17.1 of the Plan provides that the Board of the Directors of the Company (“Board”) may amend the Plan from time to time; and
WHEREAS, the Board has determined it to be in its best interests to amend the Plan as set forth herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, effective upon the Company’s Stockholders’ approval, the following amendment to the Plan is hereby adopted:
Section 4.1 of the Plan shall be amended and restated to read as follows: “Subject to the provisions of Section 14.1, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is forty million (40,000,000), plus (i) the number of Shares added to the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2 and (ii) the sum of (A) any Shares that, as of the date of stockholder approval of this Plan, have been reserved but not issued pursuant to any awards granted under the Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2011 Plan”), and (B) any Shares subject to stock options or similar awards granted under the 2011 Plan that, after the date of stockholder approval of this Plan, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full and Shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan that are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, with the maximum number of Shares to be added to the Plan pursuant to clause (ii) equal to 7,592,825. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.”
Except as modified by this Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Plan shall remain valid and in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, a duly authorized officer of the Company, has executed this instrument as of the ____ day of __________ 2024, on behalf of the Company.
KNOW LABS, INC.
By: _________________________ Name: _______________________ Title: ________________________
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