As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2022.

 

Registration No. 333-264275

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM S-1

(Amendment No. 2)

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

3690

 

82-5299263

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Classification Code Number)

 

Identification Number)

 

13651 Danielson Street, Suite A

Poway, CA 92064

(800) 364-5464

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Brent Willson

Chief Executive Officer

NeoVolta, Inc.

13651 Danielson Street, Suite A

Poway, CA 92064

(800) 364-5464

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

With copies to:

 

Cavas Pavri, Esq.

ArentFox Schiff LLP

1717 K Street, NW

Washington, DC 20006

Telephone: (202) 724-6847

Fax: (202) 778-6460

Barry Grossman, Esq.

Sarah Williams, Esq.

Matthew Bernstein, Esq.

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

Telephone: (212) 370-1300

 

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

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box:

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.


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If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 20, 2022

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

img2.png 

 

1,666,666 Units

Each Unit Consisting of

One Share of Common Stock and

One Warrant to Purchase One Share of Common Stock

 

This is an initial public offering of units of our securities. We anticipate a public offering price between $5.00 and $7.00 per share.

 

Each “Unit” consists of one share of our common stock and one warrant (each, a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”) to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $_____ per share, constituting not less than 100% of the price of each Unit sold in this offering. The Units have no stand-alone rights and will not be certificated or issued as stand-alone securities. The shares of common stock and the Warrants comprising the Units are immediately separable and will be issued separately in this offering. Each Warrant offered hereby is immediately exercisable on the date of issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance.

 

Prior to this offering, our common stock was quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace (the “OTCQB”) under the symbol “NEOV.” There is no established trading market for the Warrants. We have applied for listing of our common stock and Warrants on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “NEOV” and “NEOVW,” respectively. We believe that upon the completion of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing our common stock or our Warrants on Nasdaq; however, we will not complete this offering unless we are so listed.

 

There is no assurance that our common stock will be approved for listing on Nasdaq. If our common stock is not approved for listing the offering will not proceed.

 

The last reported sale price for our common stock as reported on the OTCQB on April 29, 2022 was $6.74. The offering price of the Units will be determined by negotiations between the underwriters and us at the time of pricing, considering our historical performance and capital structure, prevailing market conditions, and overall assessment of our business, and may be at a discount to the current market price. The prices at which our common stock was quoted on the OTCQB may not be indicative of the actual public offering price for our Units or of the prices at which our common stock may trade on Nasdaq in the future.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that you should consider before investing in our securities.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

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


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Per Unit

 

Total

Price to the public

 

$

 

 

$

 

Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)

 

$

 

 

$

 

Proceeds to us (before expenses) (2)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

(1)We have also agreed to issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to the underwriter and to reimburse the underwriter for certain expenses. The underwriter’s warrants are exercisable for a number of shares of common stock equal to 6.0% of the number of Units sold in this offering, at an exercise price equal to 110% of the public offering price per Unit. See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding total underwriter compensation. 

 

(2)The amount of offering proceeds to us presented in this table does not give effect to any exercise of the: (i) over-allotment option (if any) we have granted to the underwriter as described below and (ii) warrants being issued to the underwriter in this offering. 

 

We have granted a 45-day option to the underwriter to purchase up to an additional 249,999 shares of common stock and/or 249,999 additional Warrants solely to cover overallotments, if any, at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. If the representative of the underwriters exercises the option in full, the total underwriting discounts and commissions payable will be $_____ and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $_____.

 

The underwriter expects to deliver the securities against payment to the investors in this offering made on or about _________ , 2022.

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

Maxim Group LLC

 

The date of this prospectus is _______________ , 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

1

THE OFFERING

7

SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

9

RISK FACTORS

12

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

23

USE OF PROCEEDS

24

DIVIDEND POLICY

24

CAPITALIZATION

25

DILUTION

27

MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

29

OUR BUSINESS

34

MANAGEMENT

47

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

51

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

56

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

57

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

58

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK

62

UNDERWRITING

66

LEGAL MATTERS

69

EXPERTS

69

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

70

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

71

 

We and the underwriters have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may provide you. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, Units only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the Units.

 

Neither we nor the underwriter have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than the United States. You are required to inform yourself about, and to observe any restrictions relating to, this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.

 

MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

 

This prospectus includes industry and market data that we obtained from periodic industry publications, third-party studies and surveys, filings of public companies in our industry and internal company surveys. These sources may include government and industry sources. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Although we believe the industry and market data to be reliable as of the date of this prospectus, this information could prove to be inaccurate. Industry and market data could be wrong because of the method by which sources obtained their data and because information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. In addition, we do not know all of the assumptions regarding general economic conditions or growth that were used in preparing the forecasts from the sources relied upon or cited herein.

 


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. Before you decide to invest in our common stock, you should read and carefully consider the following summary together with the entire prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the matters discussed in the sections in this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” and other sections of this prospectus.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company” in this prospectus mean NeoVolta, Inc.

 

Our Company

 

We are a designer, manufacturer, and seller of high-end Energy Storage Systems (or ESS), primarily our NeoVolta NV14 and NV 24, which can store and use energy via batteries and an inverter at residential or commercial sites. We were founded to identify new ways to leverage emerging technologies with the dynamic changes that are taking place in the energy delivery space. We primarily market and sell our products directly to our certified solar installers and solar equipment distributors. In the future, we also intend to pursue residential developers, commercial developers, and other commercial opportunities.  Because we are purely dedicated to energy solar systems, virtually all of our current resources and efforts go into further developing our flagship NV14 and NV 24 products, while focusing on specific industry needs for our next generation of products. We believe we are unique in the marketplace due to our low cost, our innovative battery chemistry, our product versatility and our commitment to installer service. Because of these factors, we believe NeoVolta is uniquely equipped to establish ourselves as a major player in the energy storage market.

 

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Our Products - NeoVolta NV14 and NV24

 

The NV14 is a complete ESS with 7,680-Watt 120V / 240V hybrid inverter (one of the largest in the industry) which is also capable of 208V commercial power with a 14.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFe (PO4)) battery system.  This is all incorporated in one National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) Type 3R rated indoor/outdoor cabinet system with all United laboratories (UL) compliant electrical certifications, and fire code requirements. The NV14 is capable of storing and using inverted (AC) photovoltaic, non-inverted (DC) photovoltaic, or both AC and DC photovoltaic solar sources.  It can also accept utility grid AC power as a charging source for the integrated 14.4 kWh battery system. The NV14 system will charge the batteries with excess solar photovoltaic (AC, DC or both AC and DC) power during daylight conditions - a unique functionality in the ESS industry. The inverter will invert DC battery power into AC power during periods of darkness or higher use periods. Once discharged, the batteries will be idle until excess solar photovoltaic is available and will subsequently begin to recharge. The NV14 is designed to primarily charge from solar but can be programmed to charge from other sources of power (solar, wind turbine, generator, and grid). It can be easily programmed by our certified installers to customer-specific use profiles, including for “rate arbitrage,” which allows charging from the grid during the lowest rate periods (A) if the utility company allows this activity. Once recharged, the batteries will discharge once solar photovoltaic begins to wane or when the customer needs more power than available from solar photovoltaic (B). By doing this, customers will be consuming their own solar photovoltaic production instead of sending excess photovoltaic power to the grid and then buying this power back later in the evening from the utility at an often significantly higher retail rate, thereby potentially lowering their monthly electric bill depending on their local


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utility’s rate plan. Our NV14 is also capable of multi-tasking by recharging via solar photovoltaic power while also supplying power.

 

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We believe our NV14 is unique among its competitors in that the cabinet is rated for indoor/outdoor installation (NEMA Type 3R) allowing for more installation configurations and the ability to fit more residential customer use cases. With measurements of 50.5” H x 38” W x 10” D it can be installed either inside the garage or outside (preferable near existing utility connections) of the residence or facility.

 

Our NV24 has additional battery capability that raises NV14 energy storage from 14.4 KW to 24.0 KW. As the NV24 has add-on battery capacity, additional inverters are not required. This enables customers to achieve a 67% increase in storage for a fraction of the cost. Most competitive systems require an additional inverter for any additional storage.

 

Background

 

The changing energy landscape has put significant strain on the traditional utility ‘grid’. Pressures in economics, system resiliency and consumer confidence are driving the energy industry to dramatic change. The combination of a decreasing supply of reliable electricity and an increasing demand is not sustainable. The majority of the nation’s grid is aging, with some components over a century old - far past their 50-year life expectancy - and others, including 70% of transmission and distribution systems lines, are well into the second half of their lifespans.

 

Gas and coal power plants generate continuous power by burning fuel, and how much they burn can be modulated based on the demand for electricity when grid stability exists. But the generation of solar and wind energy fluctuates. The sun doesn’t shine at night, and turbines don’t turn without wind. This can create a mismatch between demand and supply. According to California Independent System Operator (CAISO), this puts tremendous stress on the grid, which must exist in constant balance.

 

Utilities have sophisticated systems for predicting when demand will go up and down, but the introduction of renewables into the equation has made compensating for the fluctuations more difficult.

 

Three areas where current utilities’ grids are not fully equipped according to CAISO are:

 

·Short, steep ramps - when the ISO must bring on or shut down generation resources to meet an increasing or decreasing electricity demand quickly, over a short period of time; 

 

·Oversupply risk - when more electricity is supplied than is needed to satisfy real-time electricity requirements; and 

 

·Decreased frequency response - when less resources are operating and available to automatically adjust electricity production to maintain grid reliability 

 

Without any form of energy storage, after times of high solar generation, generating companies must rapidly increase other forms of power generation around the time of sunset to compensate for the loss of solar


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generation, a major concern for grid operators where there is rapid growth of solar. Storage can fix these issues if it can be implemented, or they can strike that balance by burning more fossil fuels. But if there’s an unexpected spike in demand and a utility doesn’t have the requisite power, it must restore balance by cutting demand with blackouts.

 

Market Characteristics - Solar Installers and the ESS Market

 

Solar Installer Market. Although we have active non-residential customers and prospects, the bulk of NeoVolta’s revenue and recurring customer base has been residential solar installers. According to IBIS Worldwide, there are nearly 20,000 solar installers in the US employing almost 90,000 employees. With SunRun and Tesla Energy representing approximately 20% of the market combined, and the top 10 companies representing about 38%. Most solar installers in the US are very small, independently owned operators and are generally not serviced by the larger companies. These installers have been NeoVolta’s target market. Based on IBIS’ figures, we estimate this to be at least 15,000 installers with less than 25 employees. Our average recurring installer customer purchases 1-2 systems a month. They generally sell their systems and install and pay for them within the same month, and typically do not stock inventory, so we believe NeoVolta’s “just in time” product availability makes us an ideal fit. Once these customers become certified NeoVolta installers, they become recurring customers. We built our company based on servicing small installers and will continue to do so by focusing on product availability, installer service, and, most importantly, the characteristics of our product.

 

Although Tesla and LG Chem have dominated the market in the past few years, new market entries continue to gain ground and new opportunities in the space continue to present themselves to those who can adapt to fill the need. Additionally, our larger ESS competitors focus on energy storage as a component of their new solar installation, whereas NeoVolta focuses entirely on ESSs, revealing what we believe to be a compelling market in existing solar system retrofits. According to Berkeley Lab’s Tracking the Sun dataset, there are over 3 million solar systems installed in the US and only 6.8% of those have energy solar installed. This marketplace scenario presents small installer customers almost 3 million households to revisit for a storage retrofit.

 

ESS Market. This is a relatively new market as residential solar storage systems have only become viable in the last decade. It is a subset of what the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) refers to as the $17 billion U.S. residential solar PV market. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that there will be 3 million installations in 2021 growing to 4 million in 2023. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global residential energy storage systems market is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 19% during the forecast period of 2021 - 2026, reaching a market value of more than $8.5 billion by 2026 from $2.2 billion in 2019. With the United States being the fastest growing market. The growth of the ESS market comes from a combination of retrofits to existing solar installations and more widespread adoption of storage as part of new solar installations.

 

Market Drivers

 

Regulatory. The regulatory drivers regarding ESS come in the form of an increasing number of mandates and incentives from government and utilities. For example, on the mandate side California now requires solar and battery storage on many new buildings. On the incentive side, the federal Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most impactful providing a 26% if you pair the battery with an on-site renewable resource.

 

Resiliency. Energy dependence has been a growing concern in the last few years as weather patterns have become more erratic. New findings from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Clean Energy Group (CEG) found that when the value of resilience is considered - preventing power outages - several more integrated solar-plus-storage projects are economically viable.

 

Consumer Perception. Although both economics and resiliency have been impactful on ESS demand, researchers at Berkeley Labs concluded that a third category of consumer perception may be adding to the trend. The feedback they received included the concept that consumers saw ESS as a “green” investment and felt like it was a way to “stick it to the utilities”.


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Growth Strategy

 

Our growth strategy is focused on expanding our core business of small recurring installer acquisitions and broadening the application of our product through more non-residential (commercial) partnerships. We plan to do this through an increase in targeted direct sales and marketing to installers in ripe regional markets, concentrating efforts on adding to our national distributor partners, and marketing in ESS industry circles to identify new potential applications of our systems. Our growth thus far has been through word of mouth and networking mainly in Southern California. We have been successful in consistently growing both our installer base and our number of installs through these means, but recognize that to succeed in the national marketplace, we will need to bring on a team of sales and marketing professionals to reach our goals. We have plans to start to build out this team utilizing funds from this offering.

 

Installer Acquisition: Our goal is to increase our installer network by mirroring our success in the San Diego market. We will do this through increased investment into sales and marketing in targeted geographic areas that meet ideal conditions for solar storage needs.

 

Non-Residential / Commercial Growth: NeoVolta’s all-in-one system was engineered with the intent to be easily configurable to the needs of the client and easily serviced and updated for our installers. Flexibility due to the close contact with the manufacturing process and the adaptability of the product, along with our ability to handle commercial 208V power, have opened up a number of new opportunities for us. These customers sought us out to create an energy storage system for their unique needs specifically because others would not or could not accept the challenge. NeoVolta was and continues to be open to customizing our products for energy storage contracts should they meet our volume, profitability, and system requirements.

 

NeoVolta Competitive Advantages:

 

Availability. We believe recent back order times for competitive products have been as long as 9-months in 2021. Smaller installers rely on quick sales to install to payment to keep their business going, and the lack of availability of competitive products is often the reason they are introduced to NeoVolta. As of December 2021, NeoVolta is delivering on orders in under two weeks, very often the same day. We achieve this by maintaining a high level of inventory relative to projected sales, component consolidation prior to shipment, and a small lot, recurring freight strategy, which we believe allows for more flexibility in getting through the supply chain. Our strategy of maintaining higher levels of inventory based on projected sales means that to the extent our sales expectations in any periods are incorrect we may suffer cash flow constraints for such periods.

 

Installer Service. NeoVolta considers its installer relationships to be the key to our growth. The relative newness of the industry requires a great deal of education and support to ensure quality and efficient installations.  With all energy storage, there is significant necessary electrical work, which may be new to smaller solar installers. NeoVolta requires that every installer go through our Certified Installer Program and we often walk them through early installations one-on-one to get them comfortable with the product either in-person or via smart phone video.

 

Superior Product. We have been able to develop distinct competitive advantages to appeal to smaller and regional independent installers. We designed the NeoVolta NV14 to be cost effective, easy to install and service, and adaptable to customer needs. We are one of very few in the ESS industry to focus virtually all our resources on energy storage systems.

 

Cost:

 

·Product cost is well below the industry median of about $1,000 per kWh 

 

·Labor costs to install are reduced due to the ease of install. A typical NV14 installation takes between 6-8 hours. Some of our competitors can take up to three days to install. 

 

Ease of Install and Service:

 

·Our NeoVolta NV14 is an all-in-one system. Most competitive products require multiple components and additional installation materials. This generally allows for a smaller total system footprint, providing a cleaner and more appealing look - both indoors and outdoors. 


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·Our NV14 is modular. Meaning that all its internal components can be replaced on site. Most components can be replaced in less than 30 minutes. Most competitive products require disconnection and removal of the system that needs replacement. The system is then sent back to the manufacturer for repair many times leaving the homeowner without working solar. 

 

·System firmware updates for the NV14 and NV24 can be ‘pushed’ remotely to the units. 

 

System Adaptability:

 

·Our NV14 is compatible with AC, DC and AC/DC solar systems. This is unique to NeoVolta and allows for flexibility and more widespread installation scenarios. 

 

·No solar is required to charge the NV14 battery. Most competitive systems require solar. 

 

·Our NV14’s storage can be increased by 9.6 KW without the need for an additional inverter, most of our competitors, require an additional inverter for increases in system storage sizing. 

 

Our NV14 inverter can also accept 208 Volt commercial power by simply making a settings change. This feature allows small businesses to back up vital systems such as servers, alarm systems, entry and exit security features, vaults, emergency lighting, etc. Some States are beginning to require these capabilities as an emergency capability due to frequent grid outages.

 

Risks We Face

 

Our business and ability to execute our business strategy are subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware before you decide to buy our securities. In particular, you should consider the following risks, which are discussed more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors”:

 

·We have concluded that substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern exists and our auditors have made reference to this in their audit report on our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021. 

 

·Our prospects depend entirely on our ability to market and sell our energy storage system, which is our sole product. 

 

·The regulatory approval pathway we must navigate in each state in which we sell our products may be expensive, time-consuming and uncertain, and may prevent or delay us from expanding our geographic footprint. 

 

·We rely on third parties to manufacture critical components for our products. 

 

·If others claim we are infringing on their intellectual property rights, we may be subject to costly and time-consuming litigation. 

 

·We face competition from companies that have greater resources than we do, and we may not be able to effectively compete against these companies. 

 

·We may need to raise additional capital, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. 

 

Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 13651 Danielson Street, Suite A, Poway, CA 92064. Our telephone number is 800-364-5464. Our website address is http://www.neovolta.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.


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Implications of being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”). An “emerging growth company” may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. We intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to:

 

·not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”; 

 

·reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and 

 

·exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. 

 

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption and, therefore, we are not subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.

 

As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.

 

We expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of  (1) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (3) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which is the end of the fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the end of our most recent second fiscal quarter, and (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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THE OFFERING

 

Securities offered by us:

1,666,666 Units, each Unit consisting of one share of our common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of our common stock. Each warrant will have an exercise price of $_____ per share (not less than 100% of the public offering price of one Unit), is exercisable immediately and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The Units will not be certificated or issued in stand-alone form. The shares of our common stock and the warrants comprising the Units are immediately separable upon issuance and will be issued separately in this offering.

 

 

Common stock outstanding immediately prior to this offering:

21,977,251 shares.

 

 

Common stock outstanding immediately after this offering:

33,315,784 shares of common stock, or 33,565,783 shares of common stock if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, in each case assuming: (i) none of the Warrants issued in this offering are exercised; and (ii) the conversion or exchange of our outstanding convertible notes occurs upon the closing of this offering.

 

 

Over-allotment option:

We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an additional 249,999 shares of common stock and/or Warrants to purchase up to an additional 249,999 shares of common stock in any combination at the public offering price per share of common stock and per Warrant, respectively, less the underwriting discounts payable by us, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

 

Description of Warrants:

Each Warrant will have an exercise price per share of not less than 100% of the public offering price per Unit, will be exercisable immediately and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the original issuance date. Each whole Warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock, subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock as described herein. Each holder of purchase Warrants will be prohibited from exercising its Warrant for shares of our common stock if, as a result of such exercise, the holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 4.99% of the total number of shares of our common stock then issued and outstanding. However, any holder may increase such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%. The terms of the Warrants will be governed by a Warrant Agent Agreement, dated as of the effective date of this offering, between us and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust, as the warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”). This offering also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants. For more information regarding the Warrants, you should carefully read the section titled “Description of Securities-Warrants” in this prospectus.

 

 


7


 

 

Use of proceeds:

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $9.0 million, or approximately $10.4 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, at an assumed offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for new product development, research and development, property and equipment, sales and marketing, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” for a more complete description of the intended use of proceeds from this offering.

 

 

Underwriters’ warrants:

Upon the closing of this offering, we will issue to Maxim, or its designee, as the representative of the underwriters in this offering, warrants entitling it to purchase a number of Units equal to 6.0% of the Units sold in this offering at an exercise price equal to 110% of the public offering price of the units in this offering. The warrants shall be exercisable commencing six months after the closing of this offering and will expire five years after the commencement date of sales in this offering.

 

 

Proposed Trading symbols:

Our common stock is presently quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “NEOV.” We have applied to list our common stock and Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols “NEOV” and “NEOVW,” respectively. No assurance can be given that an active trading market will develop for the common stock or Warrants. We believe that upon the completion of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing our common stock or our Warrants on Nasdaq; however, we will not complete this offering unless we are so listed

 

 

Risk factors:

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk and purchasers of our securities may lose their entire investment. You should read the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in shares of our securities.

 

 

Lock-up Agreements:

We and our directors, officers and certain shareholders have agreed with the underwriter not to offer for sale, issue, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions. Holders of a total of 13,907,867 of our issued and outstanding common stock are subject to such lockup. See “Underwriting-Lock-Up Agreements.”

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding following this offering, or 33,315,784  shares, is based upon the shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May __, 2022, plus (i) 9,404,867 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of our 2018 convertible notes and accrued interest through March 31, 2022 (which have a conversion price of $0.0063 per share) into shares of common stock and (ii) 267,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes, at a conversion price of $4.00 per share, each of which shall occur upon the closing of this offering, and excludes:

 

·450,000 shares of common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units issued; 

·2,050,000 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the NeoVolta, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan; 

·1,666,666 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of Warrants to be issued to investors in this offering; and 

·100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriter Warrants to be issued to the underwriters. 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the information in this prospectus assumes no exercise of outstanding options or warrants.


8


 

SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

You should read the following summary financial data together with our financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus, “Capitalization,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We have derived the financial data for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 from our unaudited condensed financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the financial data for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 from our audited financial statements included in this prospectus.

 

 

For the

Fiscal Year

Ended

June 30,

2020

 

For the

Fiscal Year

Ended

June 30,

2021

 

For the

Nine Months

Ended

March 31,

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from contracts with customers

$

2,011,644

 

$

4,823,510

 

$

3,567,634

Cost of goods sold

 

1,773,049

 

 

4,175,795

 

 

3,033,263

Gross profit

 

238,595

 

 

647,715

 

 

534,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

1,507,211

 

 

8,255,865

 

 

5,114,267

Research and development

 

162,697

 

 

42,801

 

 

66,503

Total operating expenses

 

1,669,908

 

 

8,298,666

 

 

5,180,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(1,431,313)

 

 

(7,650,951)

 

 

(4,646,399)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(25,297)

 

 

(24,521)

 

 

(31,365)

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

-

 

 

29,600

 

 

-

Total other income (expense)

 

(25,297)

 

 

5,079

 

 

(31,365)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(1,456,610)

 

$

(7,645,872)

 

$

(4,677,764)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

$

(0.12)

 

$

(0.43)

 

$

(0.23)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 - basic and diluted

 

12,404,725

 

 

17,889,327

 

 

20,082,627

 

 

As of

June 30,

2020

 

As of

June 30,

2021

 

As of

March 31,

2022

 

Pro Forma as

adjusted as

of March

31, 2022(1)

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

1,309,304

 

$

425,681

 

$

785,989

 

$

9,785,989

Working capital

$

3,378,443

 

$

3,167,942

 

$

2,851,571

 

$

12,919,571

Total assets

$

3,403,727

 

$

3,262,191

 

$

3,989,987

 

$

12,989,987

Total liabilities

$

69,321

 

$

113,557

 

$

1,192,132

 

$

70,416

Total stockholders’ equity

$

3,334,406

 

$

3,148,634

 

$

2,797,855

 

$

12,919,571

 

(1)Reflects the following adjustments: 

 

(a)the sale and issuance of all the Units offered hereby, at an assumed public offering price of $6.00 per unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, generating net proceeds of $9.0 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us; and 

 

(b)the (i) conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes into 267,000 shares of common stock, and our 2018 convertible notes into 9,404,867 shares of common stock; and (ii) the related elimination of $1,121,716 of debt.  


9


 

 

Certain Non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA Financial Measurements and Reconciliation to GAAP

 

The following non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (defined below) financial measures are intended to supplement the GAAP financial information by providing additional insight regarding our results of operations. The non-GAAP EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA financial measures used by our company are intended to provide an enhanced understanding of our underlying operational measures to manage our company’s business, to evaluate performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace, and to establish operational goals. Certain items are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures to provide additional comparability measures from period to period. Specifically, the table below presents the non-GAAP financial measure “EBITDA” (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and “Adjusted EBITDA” (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for stock-based compensation), respectively. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are intended as supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and operating results.

 

We believe that the use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide additional tools for investors to use in evaluating ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our financial measures with other businesses which may present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures because they normalize operating results by excluding non-recurring gains, losses and other items and help to demonstrate how much cash we are able to generate annually. In addition, you should be aware when evaluating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA that in the future we may incur expenses similar to those excluded when calculating these measures. Our presentation of these measures should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Our computation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in the same fashion.

 

Our management does not consider EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are that they exclude significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recorded in our financial statements. Some of these limitations are:

 

a.EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; 

b.EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; 

c.EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts; 

d.although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; 

e.EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of certain cash charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations; and 

f.other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. 

 

Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only as supplements. You should review the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA below and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

 


10


 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 

2022

 

2021

Net loss from operations

$

(4,677,764)

 

$

(7,195,452)

Depreciation and amortization

 

-

 

 

16,335

Interest expense

 

31,365

 

 

17,870

EBITDA from operations

 

(4,646,399)

 

 

(7,161,247)

Stock-based compensation

 

4,361,370

 

 

7,114,351

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

-

 

 

(29,600)

Adjusted EBITDA from operations

$

(285,029)

 

$

(76,496)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


11


 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our Units involves a high degree of risk. Prospective investors should carefully consider the risks described below and other information contained in this prospectus, including our financial statements and related notes before purchasing Units. There are numerous and varied risks, known and unknown, that may prevent us from achieving our goals. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock and Warrants could decline and investors in our Units could lose all or part of their investment.

 

Risks Related to the Company’s Business and Industry

 

We are a relatively new company, with our sales having only commenced in July 2019, and we continue to have some of the risks associated with start-up ventures.

 

We formed our corporation in 2018. Since formation, we have focused on research, development and certification of our first energy storage system. We began marketing, sales, and installations via our certified installers in May 2019 (although no sales were completed in the year ended June 30, 2019). We may never achieve commercial success with our energy storage systems. We have limited historical financial data upon which we may base our projected revenue and operating expenses. Our relatively short operating history makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our technology or prospective operations and business prospects. Accordingly, we continue to be subject to many of the risks inherent in business development, financing, unexpected expenditures, and complications and delays that often occur in a new business. Investors should evaluate an investment in us in light of the uncertainties encountered by developing companies in a competitive environment. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to attain profitability.

 

We have a history of net losses and we are uncertain about our future profitability.

 

We have incurred significant net losses since our inception. For the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we have incurred net losses of $7.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $14.7 million. If our revenue grows more slowly than currently anticipated, or if operating expenses are higher than expected, we may be unable to consistently achieve profitability, our financial condition will suffer, and the value of our common stock could decline. Even if we are successful increasing our sales, we may incur losses in the foreseeable future as we continue to develop and market our products. If sales revenue from any of our current products or any additional products that we develop in the future is insufficient, or if our product development is delayed, we may be unable to achieve profitability and, in the event we are unable to secure financing for prolonged periods of time, we may need to temporarily cease operations and, possibly, shut them down altogether. Furthermore, even if we are able to achieve profitability, we may be unable to sustain or increase such profitability on a quarterly or annual basis, which would adversely impact our financial condition and significantly reduce the value of our common stock.

 

Our losses from operations could continue to raise substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern requires that we obtain sufficient funding to finance our operations.

 

We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.8 million at March 31, 2022. Our financial statements included with this prospectus have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. We have concluded that substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern exists and our auditors have made reference to this in their audit report on our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021. After the completion of this offering, future financial statements may continue to disclose substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we seek additional financing to fund our business activities in the future and there remains substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all.


12


 

We may experience in the future, delays or other complications in the design, manufacture, launch and production ramp of our energy storage products which could harm our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

 

We may encounter unanticipated challenges, such as supply chain or logistics constraints, that lead to delays in producing and ramping our energy storage products. Any significant delay or other complication in the production of our products or the development, manufacture, and production ramp of our future products, including complications associated with expanding our production capacity and supply chain or obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, and/or coronavirus impacts, could materially damage our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

 

We may be unable to meet our growing energy storage production plans and delivery plans, any of which could harm our business and prospects.

 

Our plans call for achieving and sustaining significant increases in energy storage systems production and deliveries. Our ability to achieve these plans will depend upon a number of factors, including our ability to utilize installed manufacturing capacity, achieve the planned production yield and further increase capacity as planned while maintaining our desired quality levels and optimize design and production changes, and our suppliers’ ability to support our needs. If we are unable to realize our plans, our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results could be materially damaged.

 

We are dependent on our suppliers, the majority of which are single-source suppliers, and the inability of these suppliers to deliver necessary components of our products according to our schedule and at prices, quality levels and volumes acceptable to us, or our inability to efficiently manage these components, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

 

Our products contain numerous purchased parts which we source globally from direct suppliers, the majority of whom are currently single-source suppliers. Any significant unanticipated demand would require us to procure additional components in a short amount of time. While we believe that we will be able to secure additional or alternate sources of supply for most of our components in a relatively short time frame, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so or develop our own replacements for certain highly customized components of our products. In addition, if we are required to use alternative suppliers for certain critical components, we may need to have our products go through a re-certification process with various regulatory bodies, which process may be lengthy. In such event, we would not be able to sell our products using these new components until we received all required certifications.

 

If we encounter unexpected difficulties with key suppliers such as our inverter or lithium-iron phosphate cell supplier, and if we are unable to fill these needs from other suppliers, we could experience production delays and potential loss of access to important technology and parts for producing, servicing and supporting our products. This limited, and in many cases single source, supply chain exposes us to multiple potential sources of delivery failure or component shortages for the production of our products. The loss of any single or limited source supplier or the disruption in the supply of components from these suppliers could lead to significant product design changes and delays in product deliveries to our customers, which could hurt our relationships with our customers and result in negative publicity, damage to our brand and a material and adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

 

Changes in our supply chain may result in increased cost. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to control and reduce supplier costs, our operating results will suffer.

 

There is no assurance that our suppliers will ultimately be able to meet our cost, quality and volume needs, or do so at the times needed. Furthermore, as the scale of our energy storage systems increase, we will need to accurately forecast, purchase, warehouse and transport to our manufacturing facilities components at much higher volumes than we have experience with. If we are unable to accurately match the timing and quantities of component purchases to our actual needs, or successfully implement automation, inventory management and other systems to accommodate the increased complexity in our supply chain, we may incur unexpected production disruption, storage, transportation and write-off costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.


13


The duration and scope of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain and may continue to adversely affect our operations, supply chain, distribution, and demand for our products.

 

The impact of COVID-19 on the global economy and our customers has thus far not affected us materially. To date, we have not experienced any issues with our supply chain, but delays through international ports have been experienced in the industry. If we were to encounter a significant disruption due to COVID-19 at one or more of our locations or suppliers, we may not be able to satisfy customer demand for a period of time.

 

Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, demand for our products and impacts to our operations, including the measures taken by governmental authorities to address it, may precipitate or exacerbate other risks and/or uncertainties, including specifically many of the risk factors set forth herein, which may have a significant impact on our operating results and financial condition, although we are unable to predict the extent or nature of these impacts at this time.

 

We are currently selling two products and if these products that we sell or install fail to perform as expected, our reputation could be harmed and our ability to develop, market and sell our products and services could be harmed.

 

If our energy products were to contain defects in design and manufacture that cause them not to perform as expected or that require repair or take longer than expected to become enabled or are legally restricted, our ability to develop, market and sell our products and services could be harmed. While we intend to perform internal testing on the products we manufacture, as a start-up company we currently have no frame of reference by which to evaluate detailed long-term quality, reliability, durability and performance characteristics of our battery packs, inverters, and energy storage products. There can be no assurance that we will be able to detect and fix any defects in our products prior to their sale to or installation for consumers. Any product defects, delays or legal restrictions on product features, or other failure of our products to perform as expected could harm our reputation and result in delivery delays, product recalls, product liability claims, significant warranty and other expenses, and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.

 

We depend on a small number of wholesale dealers for a significant portion of our revenues to date.

 

Due to our limited operating history, we depend on a relatively small number of wholesale dealers and installers, primarily in California, for our revenue. For the year ended June 30, 2021, four such dealers represented approximately 18%, 15%, 13% and 10% of our revenues whereas in the year ended June 30, 2020, two such dealers represented approximately 41% and 25% of our revenues. As of June 30, 2021, three such dealers represented an aggregate of 54% of our accounts receivable. As of June 30, 2020, two such dealers represented an aggregate of 97% of our accounts receivable. Our limited customer base and concentration could expose us to the risk of substantial losses if a single dominant customer stops purchasing, or significantly reduces orders for, our products. Our ability to maintain close relationships with these top customers is essential to the growth and profitability of our business. If we fail to sell our products to one or more of these top customers in any particular period, or if a large customer purchases fewer of our products, defers orders or fails to place additional orders with us, or if we fail to develop additional major customers, our revenue could decline, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

If we fail to scale our business operations and otherwise manage future growth and adapt to new conditions effectively as we grow our company, we may not be able to produce, market, sell and service our products successfully.

 

Any failure to manage our growth effectively could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. Our future operating results depend to a large extent on our ability to manage our expansion and growth successfully. We may not be successful in undertaking this expansion if we are unable to control expenses and avoid cost overruns and other unexpected operating costs; adapt our products and conduct our operations to meet local requirements; implement the required infrastructure, systems and processes; and find and hire the right skills to make our growth successful.


14


 

 

If we are unable to achieve our targeted manufacturing costs for our energy storage products our financial condition and operating results will suffer.

 

As a relatively new company, we have limited historical data that ensures our targeted manufacturing costs will be achievable. While we expect in the future to better understand our manufacturing costs, there is no guarantee we will be able to achieve sufficient cost savings to reach our gross margin and profitability goals. We may also incur substantial costs or cost overruns in utilizing and increasing the production capability of our energy storage system facilities.

 

If we are unable to achieve production cost targets on our products pursuant to our plans, we may not be able to meet our gross margin and other financial targets. Many of the factors that impact our manufacturing costs are beyond our control, such as potential increases in the costs of our materials and components, such as lithium iron phosphate, nickel and other components of our battery cells. If we are unable to continue to control and reduce our manufacturing costs, our operating results, business and prospects will be harmed.

 

Increases in costs, disruption of supply or shortage of materials, in particular for inverters and lithium iron phosphate cells, could harm our business.

 

We may experience increases in the cost or a sustained interruption in the supply or shortage of materials. Any such increase, supply interruption or shortage could materially and negatively impact our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. We use various materials in our business, including inverters and lithium iron phosphate cells, from suppliers.

 

The prices for these materials fluctuate, and their available supply may be unstable, depending on market conditions and global demand for these materials, including as a result of increased production of energy storage products by our competitors, and could adversely affect our business and operating results. For instance, we are exposed to multiple risks relating to inverters and lithium iron phosphate cells.

 

These risks include:

 

·an increase in the cost, or decrease in the available supply, of materials used;  

·disruption in the supply of cells due to quality issues or recalls by manufacturers;  

·tariffs on the materials we source in China, which make up a significant amount of the materials we require;  

·fluctuations in the value of the Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. dollar as our purchases for energy storage products will be denominated in Chinese Renminbi. Already in 2021, we have experienced five percent inflation in our cost of goods sold because of currency valuations; and 

·increases in global shipping costs have gone up 70 percent in 2021 due to shipping container shortages and delays at both shipping and receiving ports due to COVID and lack of appropriate workforce.  

 

Our business is dependent on the continued supply of inverters and battery cells for the battery packs used in our energy storage products. Any disruption in the supply of inverters or battery cells could disrupt production of our battery packs we require for our energy storage product. Substantial increases in the prices for our materials or prices charged to us would increase our operating costs, and could reduce our margins if we cannot recoup the increased costs through increased prices. Any attempts to increase prices in response to increased material costs could result in cancellations of energy storage orders and therefore materially and adversely affect our brand, image, business, prospects and operating results.

 

We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical instability due to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions.

 

U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the start of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops was reported. Although the length and impact of the ongoing


15


military conflict is highly unpredictable, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Ukraine and globally and assessing its potential impact on our business.  In addition, Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets, potentially making it more difficult for us to obtain additional funds.

 

Any of the above mentioned factors could affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this registration statement.

 

We may become subject to product liability claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.

 

Although we believe we have designed our products for safety, product liability claims, even those without merit, could harm our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. Our risks in this area are particularly pronounced given that we have only recently begun to deliver energy storage products. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about our products and business and could have material adverse effect on our brand, business, prospects and operating results.

 

The markets in which we operate are in their infancy and highly competitive, and we may not be successful in competing in these industries as the industry further develops. We currently face competition from new and established domestic and international competitors and expect to face competition from others in the future, including competition from companies with new technology.

 

The worldwide energy storage market is in its infancy, and we expect it will become more competitive in the future. We also expect more regulatory burden as customers adopt this new technology. There is no assurance that our energy storage systems will be successful in the respective markets in which they compete. A significant and growing number of established and new companies, as well as other companies, have entered or are reported to have plans to enter the energy storage market. Most of our current and potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales networks and other resources than we do and may be able to devote greater resources to the design, development, manufacturing, distribution, promotion, sale and support of their products. Increased competition could result in lower unit sales, price reductions, revenue shortfalls, loss of customers and loss of market share, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. The energy storage industry is highly competitive.

 

We face competition from other manufacturers, developers and installers of energy storage systems, as well as from large utilities. Decreases in the retail prices of electricity from utilities or other renewable energy sources could make our products less attractive to customers. Reduction in various federal and state rebate and incentive programs could also adversely affect product adoption.

 

Our products and services are subject to substantial regulations, which are evolving, and unfavorable changes or failure by us to comply with these regulations could substantially harm our business and operating results.

 

As a manufacturer of energy storage systems, we are impacted by federal, state and local regulations and policies concerning electricity pricing, the interconnection of electricity generation and storage equipment with the electric grid, and the sale of electricity generated by third-party owned systems. For example, existing or proposed regulations and policies would permit utilities to limit the amount of electricity generated by our customers with their solar energy systems, adjust electricity rate designs such that the price of our products may not be competitive with that of electricity from the grid, restrict us and our customers qualifying for government incentives and benefits that apply to renewable energy, and limit or eliminate net energy metering. If such regulations and policies remain in effect or are adopted in other jurisdictions, or if other regulations and policies that adversely impact the interconnection or use of our energy storage systems are introduced, they could deter potential customers from purchasing our energy storage products, which could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.


16


 

 

We may need to defend ourselves against intellectual property infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and could cause us to incur substantial costs.

 

Others, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, copyrights, trademarks or other proprietary rights that could prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell or market our products and services, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, the holders of such intellectual property rights may assert their rights and urge us to take licenses, and/or may bring suits alleging infringement or misappropriation of such rights. We may consider the entering into licensing agreements with respect to such rights, although no assurance can be given that such licenses can be obtained on acceptable terms or that litigation will not occur, and such licenses could significantly increase our operating expenses. In addition, if we are determined to have infringed upon a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to cease making, selling or incorporating certain components or intellectual property into the goods and services we offer, to pay substantial damages and/or license royalties, to redesign our products and services, and/or to establish and maintain alternative branding for our products and services. In the event that we were required to take one or more such actions, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

Our business could be negatively impacted if we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights.

 

We consider our intellectual property rights to be important assets, and seek to protect them through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as licensing and confidentiality agreements. These protections may not be adequate to prevent third parties from using our intellectual property without our authorization, breaching any confidentiality agreements with us, copying or reverse engineering our products, or developing and marketing products that are substantially equivalent to or superior to our own. The unauthorized use of our intellectual property by others could reduce our competitive advantage and harm our business. Not only are intellectual property-related proceedings burdensome and costly, but they could span years to resolve and we might not ultimately prevail. We cannot guarantee that any patents, issued or pending, will provide us with any competitive advantage or will not be challenged by third parties. Moreover, the expiration of our patents may lead to increased competition with respect to certain products.

 

Potential tariffs or a global trade war have increased our costs and could further increase the cost of our products, which could adversely impact the competitiveness of our products and our financial results.

 

In 2019, the Trump Administration announced tariffs on goods imported from China in connection with China’s intellectual property practices. Our products depend on materials from China, namely inverters and batteries, which are the main components of our products. Traditionally, the tariff rate for our imports has been 3.4%. Presently, our tariff rate is 10.9% on these imports. To date, the Biden Administration has made no significant changes to these Chinese tariffs.

 

We cannot predict what actions may ultimately be taken with respect to tariffs or trade relations between the United States and China, what products may be subject to such actions, or what actions may be taken by the China in retaliation. The tariffs described above, the adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs, trade agreements or related policies have the potential to adversely impact our supply chain and access to equipment, our costs and our product margins. Any such cost increases or decreases in availability could slow our growth and cause our financial results and operational metrics to suffer.

 

Our industry is subject to technological change, and our failure to continue developing new and improved products and to bring these products rapidly to market could have an adverse impact on our business.

 

New products, or refinements and improvements to our existing products, may have technical failures, delayed introductions, higher than expected production costs or may not be well accepted by our customers. If we are not able to anticipate, identify, develop and market high quality products in line with technological advancements that respond to changes in customer preferences, demand for our products could decline and our operating results could be adversely affected.


17


 

 

Public company compliance may make it more difficult to attract and retain officers and directors.

 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC have required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. As a public company, we expect these rules and regulations to increase our compliance costs in 2021 and beyond and to make certain activities more time consuming and costly. As a public company, we also expect that these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance in the future and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board of Directors or as executive officers.

 

Confidentiality agreements with employees and third parties may not prevent unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information, and our inability to maintain the confidentiality of that information, due to unauthorized disclosure or use, or other event, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

In addition to the protection afforded by patents, we seek to rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect proprietary know-how that is not patentable or that we elect not to patent, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce, and any other elements of our product discovery and development processes that involve proprietary know-how, information, or technology that is not covered by patents. Trade secrets, however, may be difficult to protect. We seek to protect our proprietary processes, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, advisors, contractors and collaborators. Although we use reasonable efforts to protect our trade secrets, our employees, consultants, advisors, contractors, and collaborators might intentionally or inadvertently disclose our trade secret information to competitors. In addition, competitors may otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Furthermore, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent or in the same manner as the laws of the United States. As a result, we may encounter significant problems in protecting and defending our intellectual property both in the United States and abroad. If we are unable to prevent unauthorized material disclosure of our intellectual property to third parties, or misappropriation of our intellectual property by third parties, we will not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage in our market, which could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

We are heavily reliant on Brent Willson, our Chief Executive Officer and President, and the departure or loss of Brent Willson could disrupt our business.

 

We depend heavily on the continued efforts of Brent Willson, our Chief Executive Officer and President and a director. Mr. Willson, who is also a director, is the founder of NeoVolta and is essential to our strategic vision and day-to-day operations and would be difficult to replace. The departure or loss of Mr. Willson, or the inability to timely hire and retain a qualified replacement, could negatively impact our ability to manage our business.

 

If we are unable to recruit and retain key management, technical and sales personnel, our business would be negatively affected.

 

For our business to be successful, we need to attract and retain highly qualified technical, management and sales personnel. The failure to recruit additional key personnel when needed with specific qualifications and on acceptable terms or to retain good relationships with our partners might impede our ability to continue to develop, commercialize and sell our products. To the extent the demand for skilled personnel exceeds supply, we could experience higher labor, recruiting and training costs in order to attract and retain such employees. We face competition for qualified personnel from other companies with significantly more resources available to them and thus may not be able to attract the level of personnel needed for our business to succeed.

 


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Risks Related to This Offering and Our Securities

 

Our executive officers and directors will continue to exercise significant control over us for the foreseeable future, which will limit our shareholders ability to influence corporate matters and could delay or prevent a change in corporate control.

 

Our executive officers and directors currently hold or have the right to acquire, in the aggregate, up to approximately 25.5% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders will be able to influence our management and affairs and heavily influence the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of directors and any sale, merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

 

These stockholders may have interests, with respect to their common stock, that are different from our other stockholders and the concentration of voting power among one or more of these stockholders may have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

 

In addition, this concentration of ownership might adversely affect the market price of our common stock by: (1) delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company; (2) impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving our company; or (3) discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our company.

 

Our common stock trades on the over-the-counter market, and trading our common stock has been volatile and sporadic.

 

Our common stock recently began trading and is currently quoted on the over-the-counter market and not on a national securities exchange. As such, the trading in our common stock is volatile, sporadic and illiquid, and is subject to wide fluctuations. Our stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. These market fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Shareholders and potential investors in our common stock should exercise caution before making an investment in us, and should not rely solely on the publicly quoted or traded stock prices in determining our common stock value, but should instead determine the value of our common stock based on the information contained in our public disclosures, industry information, and those business valuation methods commonly used to value private companies.

 

 

As an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, we are permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements.

 

As an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, we are permitted to, and intend to, rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. We are an emerging growth company until the earliest of:

 

·the last day of the fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more;  

·the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering;  

·the date on which we have, during the previous 3-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt; or  

·the date on which we are deemed a “large accelerated issuer” as defined under the federal securities laws.  

 

For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will not be required to:

 

·have an auditor report on our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;  

·comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements (auditor discussion and analysis);  


19


·submit certain executive compensation matters to shareholders advisory votes pursuant to the “say on frequency” and “say on pay” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve compensation of certain executive officers) and the “say on golden parachute” provisions (requiring a non-binding shareholder vote to approve golden parachute arrangements for certain executive officers in connection with mergers and certain other business combinations) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; and 

·include detailed compensation discussion and analysis in our filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and instead may provide a reduced level of disclosure concerning executive compensation. 

 

For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we:

 

·may present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A; and 

·are eligible to claim longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under §107 of the JOBS Act.  

 

We intend to take advantage of all of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions.

 

Certain of these reduced reporting requirements and exemptions were already available to us due to the fact that we also qualify as a “smaller reporting company” under SEC rules. For instance, smaller reporting companies are not required to obtain an auditor attestation and report regarding management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting; are not required to provide a compensation discussion and analysis; are not required to provide a pay-for-performance graph or CEO pay ratio disclosure; and may present only two years of audited financial statements and related MD&A disclosure.

 

We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive due to our reliance on these exemptions. If investors were to find our common stock less attractive as a result of our election, we may have difficulty raising additional capital.

 

Investors in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value.

 

The public offering price will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, investors in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $5.61 per share based on the assumed public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Investors in this offering will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our assets after subtracting our liabilities. See “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment will be diluted upon the completion of this offering.

 

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering and may not use the proceeds effectively.

 

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our operating results or enhance the value of our securities. Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including amount of cash used in our operations, which can be highly uncertain, subject to substantial risks and can often change. Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.


20


You may experience dilution of your ownership interests because of the future issuance of additional shares of our common or preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common or preferred stock.

 

We are authorized to issue an aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. In the future, we may issue our authorized but previously unissued equity securities, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of our present stockholders.

 

We intend to seek to raise additional funds, finance acquisitions or develop strategic relationships by issuing equity or convertible debt securities, which would reduce the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders. Our board of directors has the authority, without action or vote of the stockholders, to issue all or any part of our authorized but unissued shares of common or preferred stock. Our articles of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Future issuances of common or preferred stock would reduce our stockholders influence over matters on which stockholders vote and would be dilutive to earnings per share. In addition, any newly issued preferred stock could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of the common stock. Those rights, preferences and privileges could include, among other things, the establishment of dividends that must be paid prior to declaring or paying dividends or other distributions to holders of our common stock or providing for preferential liquidation rights. These rights, preferences and privileges could negatively affect the rights of holders of our common stock, and the right to convert such preferred stock into shares of our common stock at a rate or price that would have a dilutive effect on the outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

We do not anticipate paying dividends on our common stock, and investors may lose the entire amount of their investment.

 

Cash dividends have never been declared or paid on our common stock, and we do not anticipate such a declaration or payment for the foreseeable future. We expect to use future earnings, if any, to fund business growth. Therefore, stockholders will not receive any funds absent a sale of their shares of common stock. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates. We cannot assure stockholders of a positive return on their investment when they sell their shares, nor can we assure that stockholders will not lose the entire amount of their investment.

 

The Warrants are speculative in nature.

 

The Warrants offered in this offering do not confer any rights of common stock ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the right to acquire shares of our common stock at a fixed price for a limited period of time. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the Warrants may exercise their right to acquire the common stock and pay an exercise price of $_____ per share (not less than 100% of the assumed public offering price of a Unit), prior to _____ years from the date of issuance, after which date any unexercised Warrants will expire and have no further value. In addition, there is no established trading market for the Warrants.

 

Holders of the Warrants will have no rights as a common stockholder until they acquire our common stock.

 

Until holders of the Warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the Warrants, the holders will have no rights with respect to shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. Upon exercise of the Warrants, the holder will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder as to the security exercised only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise.

 

If we obtain approval to list our securities on Nasdaq, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, a failure of which could result in a de-listing of our common stock.

 

The Nasdaq Capital Market requires that the trading price of its listed stocks remain above one dollar in order for the stock to remain listed. If a listed stock trades below one dollar for more than 30 consecutive trading days, then it is subject to delisting from Nasdaq. In addition, to maintain a listing on Nasdaq, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, and certain corporate governance requirements. If we are able to obtain approval to list our securities on Nasdaq, we may be unable to


21


satisfy these requirements or standards, we could subject our securities to delisting, which would have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would expect to take actions to restore our compliance with the listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below the minimum bid price requirement, or prevent future non-compliance with the listing requirements.

 

Our stock price may be volatile.

 

The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including the following:

 

·changes in our industry; 

·competitive pricing pressures; 

·our ability to obtain working capital financing; 

·additions or departures of key personnel; 

·conversions from preferred stock to common stock; 

·sales of our common and preferred stock; 

·our ability to execute our business plan; 

·operating results that fall below expectations; 

·loss of any strategic relationship; 

·regulatory developments; and 

·economic and other external factors. 

 

In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 


22


 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Forward-looking statements include:

 

·our ability to obtain additional funding to develop and market our products; 

·the need to obtain regulatory approval of our products in the states in which we operate or expect to operate in the future; 

·our ability to market our products; 

·market acceptance of our product; 

·competition from existing products or new products that may emerge; 

·potential product liability claims; 

·our dependency on third-party manufacturers to supply or manufacture our products; 

·our ability to establish or maintain collaborations, licensing or other arrangements; 

·our ability and third parties’ abilities to protect intellectual property rights; 

·our ability to adequately support future growth; and 

·our ability to attract and retain key personnel to manage our business effectively. 

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors.” Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations.

 

 

 

 


23


 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $9.0 million, or approximately $10.4 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, assuming a public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering as follows:

 

·approximately $5.0 million to increase production; 

·approximately $1.5 million for research and development; 

·approximately $1.0 million for product marketing and to add sales and marketing professionals; 

·approximately $1.0 million for property and equipment; and 

·the remainder for working capital and general corporate purposes. 

 

Our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds to us from this offering and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds from this offering. We reserve the right to change the use of these proceeds as a result of certain contingencies such as competitive developments, the results of our marketing efforts, acquisition and investment opportunities and other factors. An investor will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial or other information on which we base our decisions on how to use the proceeds.

 

We believe that the net proceeds from this offering will allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months. We may need additional funding for developing new products and for additional sales, marketing and promotional activities. Should this occur, we may need to seek additional capital earlier than anticipated. In the event we require additional capital, there can be no assurances that we will be able to raise such capital on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never declared dividends on our equity securities, and currently do not plan to declare dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. We expect to retain our future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Subject to the foregoing, the payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, our overall financial condition and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


24


 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2022:

 

·on an actual basis; and 

·on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to (i) the sale of 1,666,666 Units of our securities in this offering at an assumed public price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us; and (ii) the issuance of 9,404,867 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of our 2018 convertible notes and accrued interest (which have a conversion price of $0.0063 per share) into shares of common stock and 267,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes, at a conversion price of $4.00 per share, each of which shall occur upon the closing of this offering. 

 

The information in this table is illustrative only and our capitalization following the closing of the offering will be adjusted based upon the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

 

 

Actual

 

Pro forma

as adjusted(1)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

785,989

 

$

9,785,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

4,167

 

$

4,167

Accrued expenses

 

 

66,249

 

 

66,249

Short term debt

 

 

1,068,000

 

 

-

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,138,416

 

 

70,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long term debt

 

 

53,716

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,192,132

 

 

70,416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 21,977,251 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022, 33,315,784 shares on a pro forma as adjusted basis

 

 

21,978

 

 

33,316

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

17,448,202

 

 

27,558,580

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(14,672,325)

 

 

(14,672,325)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

2,797,855

 

 

12,919,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization

 

$

3,989,987

 

$

12,989,987

 

(1)Reflects the following adjustments: 

 

(a)the sale and issuance of all the Units offered hereby, at an assumed public offering price of $6.00 per unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, generating net proceeds of $9.0 million after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us; and 

 

(b)the (i) conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes into 267,000 shares of common stock, and our 2018 convertible notes into 9,404,867 shares of common stock; and (ii) the related elimination of $1,121,716 of debt.  

 

 


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The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding following this offering, or 33,315,784 shares, is based upon the shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022, and excludes:

 

·450,000 shares of common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units issued; 

·2,050,000 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the NeoVolta, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan; 

·1,666,667 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of Warrants to be issued to investors in this offering; and 

·100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriter Warrants to be issued to the underwriters. 

 

An increase or decrease in the number of Units offered by us of 333,333 Units, based on the assumed public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease our cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $1,800,000, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


26


 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our Units in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the assumed public offering price per share of our common stock that is part of the Unit and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after the closing of this offering. Our net tangible book value is the amount of our total tangible assets less our total liabilities. Net tangible book value per share is our net tangible book value divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022. Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2022 was $2,797,855 or $0.13 per share.

 

After giving effect to the sale and issuance by us of the Units in this offering at the assumed public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and the receipt and application of the net proceeds, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, as well as the conversion or exchange of all our existing convertible notes into common stock, our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2022 would have been approximately $12,919,571 or $0.39 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $0.26 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $5.61 per share to investors purchasing common stock as part of the Units in this offering.

 

The following table illustrates the dilution to the new investors on a per-share basis:

 

Assumed public offering price per share

 

 

 

 

$

6.00

Pro forma net tangible book value per share before offering

 

$

0.13

 

$

 

Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to shares offered hereby

 

$

0.26

 

$

 

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after offering

 

 

 

 

$

0.39

Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to investors in offering

 

 

 

 

$

5.61

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new investors by $0.04, and would increase (decrease) dilution per share to new investors in this offering by $0.04, assuming that the number of Units offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 333,333 in the number of shares of common stock as part of the Units offered by us would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by approximately $0.05 per share and increase (decrease) the dilution to new investors by $0.05 per share, assuming the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only and will change based on the actual initial public offering price, number of shares and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

The following table sets forth, on the pro forma as adjusted basis described above as of March 31, 2022, the differences between our existing stockholders and the purchasers of shares of common stock in this offering with respect to the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the weighted average price paid per share paid to us, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, but assuming no exercise of the Warrants included in the Units offered hereby.

 

 

 

Shares Purchased

 

Total Consideration

 

Weighted

Average

 

 

Number

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Price

per Share

Existing stockholders

 

21,977,251

(1)

66.0%

 

$

17,470,180

 

 

61.1%

 

$

0.79

Existing note holders(2)

 

9,671,867

 

29.0%

 

$

1,121,716

 

 

3.9%

 

$

0.12

New investors

 

1,666,666

 

5.0%

 

$

9,999,996

 

 

35.0%

 

$

6.00

Total

 

33,315,784

 

100.0%

 

$

28,591,892

 

 

100.0%

 

$

0.86


27


(1)Reflects shares outstanding as of March 31, 2022.  

(2)Represents the issuance of (i) 9,404,867 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of our 2018 convertible notes and accrued interest (which have a conversion price of $0.0063 per share) into shares of common stock and (ii) 267,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes, at a conversion price of $4.00 per share, each of which shall occur upon the closing of this offering. 

 

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock in this offering, the number of shares held by existing stockholders will be reduced to 94.3% of the total number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding upon completion of this offering, and the number of shares of common stock held by new investors participating in this offering will be further increased to 5.7 % of the total number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding upon completion of the offering, before any sales by any Selling Stockholders of any of the shares of common stock registered concurrently with this offering.

 

To the extent that any outstanding options or warrants, including the Warrants, are exercised, new options are issued or we issue additional shares of common stock in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. If all outstanding options and warrants as of March 31, 2022, other than the option held by the underwriters, and the Warrants included in the Units offered hereby, were exercised, then our existing stockholders, including holders of such options and warrants, would own 93.0% and our new investors would own 7.0% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding upon the completion of this offering. In such event, the total consideration paid by our existing stockholders, including the holders of such options and warrants, would be approximately $17.5 million, or 63.6%, the total consideration paid by our new investors would be $10.0 million, or 36.4% of the total consideration for our common stock outstanding upon the completion of this offering, and the weighted average price per share paid by our existing stockholders would be $0.79 and the average price per share paid by our new investors would be $6.00.

 

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as appropriate, the total consideration paid by new investors by $1,500,000 assuming the number of Units we are offering, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 333,333 Units in the number of Units offered by us would increase or decrease, as appropriate, the total consideration paid by new investors by $1,800,000, assuming that the assumed initial price to the public remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We may choose to raise additional capital through the sale of equity or equity-linked securities due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that any options are issued under our equity incentive plan or we issue additional shares of common stock or equity-linked securities in the future, there will be further dilution to investors purchasing in this offering.

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding following this offering, or 33,315,784 shares, is based upon (i) the shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022, plus and (ii) the issuance of 9,404,867 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of our 2018 convertible notes into shares of common stock and 267,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes, at a conversion price of $4.00 per share, each of which shall occur upon the closing of this offering, and excludes:

 

·450,000 shares of common stock underlying outstanding restricted stock units issued; 

·2,050,000 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the NeoVolta, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan; 

·1,666,666 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of Warrants to be issued to investors in this offering; and 

·100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Underwriter Warrants to be issued to the underwriters. 

 


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

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. Certain statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” are forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations and involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. We encourage you to review the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections in this prospectus.

 

Overview

 

We are a designer, manufacturer, and seller of high-end Energy Storage Systems (or ESS), primarily our NeoVolta NV14 and NV 24, which can store and use energy via batteries and an inverter at residential or commercial sites. We were founded to identify new ways to leverage emerging technologies with the dynamic changes that are taking place in the energy delivery space. We primarily market and sell our products directly to our certified solar installers and solar equipment distributors. We also are also pursuing agreements with residential developers, commercial developers, and other commercial opportunities.  Because we are purely dedicated to energy solar systems, virtually of our current resources and efforts go into further developing our flagship NV14 and NV 24 products, while focusing on specific industry needs for our next generation of products. We believe we are unique in the marketplace due to our low cost, our innovative battery chemistry, our product versatility and our commitment to installer service. Because of these factors, we believe NeoVolta is uniquely equipped to establish itself as a major player in the energy storage market.

 

In May 2019, we completed a public offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to Regulation A of the Securities Act (the “IPO”). The IPO was for a total of 3,500,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $1.00 per share. We used the proceeds of the IPO to ramp up production, marketing, and sales of our NV14 product line. In that regard, we have used the proceeds from the offering to fund the marketing, production and distribution of our products, which commenced in July 2019 through a group of wholesale customers in California, as well as to provide additional working capital for other corporate purposes. We have expanded to include one wholesale distribution customer in Nevada.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the Years Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

Revenues - Revenues from contracts with customers for the year ended June 30, 2021 were $4,823,510 compared to $2,011,644 for the year ended June 30, 2020. Such revenues in the fiscal 2021 period reflected accelerated growth both in sales volumes as well as the addition of our NV24 ESS since the initial sales and installations of the Company’s assembled energy storage systems in residential properties began in July 2019, primarily through a group of wholesale dealers and installers located in California.

 

Cost of Goods Sold - Cost of goods sold for the year ended June 30, 2021 were $4,175,795 compared to $1,773,049 for the year ended June 30, 2020. The cost of goods sold in both periods reflected the cost of procuring and assembling the component parts of the energy storage systems that were sold in each fiscal year and resulted in gross profits on such sales of approximately 13% and 12%, respectively.

 

General and Administrative Expense - General and administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2021 were $8,255,865 compared to $1,507,211 for the year ended June 30, 2020. This fluctuation was largely due to the increase in non-cash stock compensation expense to $7,437,389 in the year ended June 30, 2021 compared to $616,667 for the year ended June 30, 2020. Such increase was primarily due to the recognition of the expense for the fair value of a total of 1,600,000 incentive shares of common stock earned by the Company’s two executive officers, under their Board approved employment contracts, as of December 31, 2020 (see Note 4).

 

Research and Development Expense - Research and development expenses for year ended June 30, 2021 were $42,801 compared to $162,697 for year ended June 30, 2020. Such decrease was due to the completion of the Company’s initial product development efforts in conjunction with the commencement of product sales beginning in July 2019. We expect research and development expense to increase in the future as we improve and expand upon our product portfolio.


29


 

Interest Expense - Interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2021 was $24,521 compared to $25,297 for the year ended June 30, 2020, reflecting a largely equivalent level of outstanding borrowings between the two periods.

 

Gain on Forgiveness of Debt - Gain on forgiveness of debt for the year ended June 30, 2021 was $29,600 compared to zero for the year ended June 30, 2020, reflecting the forgiveness of a U.S. government sponsored loan that was received in May 2020 and was subsequently forgiven in full in February 2021 (see Note 3).

 

Net Loss - Net loss for the year ended June 30, 2021 was $7,645,872 compared to $1,456,610 for the year ended June 30, 2020, representing the aggregate of the various revenue and expense categories indicated above. The Company has not recognized any income tax benefit for these net losses due to the uncertainty of its ultimate realization.

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

 

Revenues - Revenues from contracts with customers for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $932,903 compared to $1,317,701 for the three months ended March 31, 2021.  Such decrease resulted principally from differences in timing of receiving installation orders from our major wholesale dealers and installers operating in California and other states.

 

Cost of Goods Sold - Cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $810,563 compared to $1,138,779 for the three months ended March 31, 2021.  The cost of goods sold reflected the cost of procuring and assembling the component parts of the energy storage systems that were sold in each period and resulted in a gross profit on such sales of approximately 13% and 14%, respectively, in each period.

 

General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $620,214 compared to $220,653 for the three months ended March 31, 2021.  Such increase was primarily due to the higher corporate overhead expenses related to our proposed public offering and associated uplisting of our common stock, as well as non-cash stock compensation expense.

 

Research and Development Expense - Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were zero compared to $25,652 for the three months ended March 31, 2021.  Such fluctuation was largely due to a change in the relative timing between these periods in the level of the Company’s product development efforts.

 

Interest Expense - Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $21,829 compared to $5,445 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, reflecting an increase resulting from the interest expense accrued on new convertible notes issued in October 2021, partially offset by discontinuing the amortization of a previously recorded debt discount to interest expense, which was associated with convertible notes issued in May 2018, due to the adoption of a new accounting principle on July 1, 2021.

 

Gain on Forgiveness of Debt - Gain on forgiveness of debt was zero for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $29,600 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, reflecting the forgiveness of a U.S. government sponsored loan that was received in May 2020 and was subsequently forgiven in full in February 2021.

 

Net Loss - Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $519,703 compared to $43,228 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing the net amounts of the various revenue and expense categories indicated above. The Company has not recognized any income tax benefits for these net losses due to the uncertainty of their ultimate realization.

 

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

 

Revenues - Revenues from contracts with customers for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 were $3,567,634 compared to $3,863,623 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021.  Such decrease resulted principally from timing differences in receiving installation orders from our major wholesale dealers and installers operating in California and other states in the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as noted above.


30


Cost of Goods Sold - Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 were $3,033,263 compared to $3,348,753 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021.  The cost of goods sold reflected the cost of procuring and assembling the component parts of the energy storage systems that were sold in each period and resulted in a gross profit on such sales of approximately 15% and 13%, respectively, with the comparative increase largely due to timing differences with regard to the impact of temporary tariffs on materials we source from China.

 

General and Administrative Expenses - General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 were $5,114,267 compared to $7,679,251 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021.  Such decrease was primarily due to the reduction in the expense recorded for the fair value of incentive shares of common stock earned by the Company’s executive officers under their Board approved contracts.  In the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized compensation expense on the fair value of a total of 1,033,568 incentive shares (including 450,000 recently granted RSU awards), which was a lesser number of shares than in the nine months ended March 31, 2021, when the Company recognized compensation expense on the fair value of a total of 1,614,530 incentive shares, although at a lower relative value.

 

Research and Development Expense - Research and development expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 were $66,503 compared to $42,801 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021.  Such fluctuation was due to a modest increase in the level of the Company’s product development efforts. We expect research and development expense to increase in the future as we improve and expand upon our product portfolio.

 

Interest Expense - Interest expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 was $31,365 compared to $17,870 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, reflecting an increase resulting from the interest expense accrued on new convertible notes issued in October 2021, partially offset by discontinuing the amortization of a previously recorded debt discount to interest expense, which was associated with convertible notes issued in May 2018, due to the adoption of a new accounting principle on July 1, 2021.

 

Gain on Forgiveness of Debt - Gain on forgiveness of debt was zero for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $29,600 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, reflecting the forgiveness of a U.S. government sponsored loan that was received in May 2020 and was subsequently forgiven in full in February 2021.

 

Net Loss - Net loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 was $4,677,764 compared to $7,195,452 for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, representing the net amounts of the various revenue and expense categories indicated above. The Company has not recognized any income tax benefits for these net losses due to the uncertainty of their ultimate realization.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Operating activities.  Net cash used in operating activities in the nine months ended March 31, 2022 was $707,692, compared to $469,320 in the nine months ended March 31, 2021, largely due to a slightly higher net cash operating loss in the current fiscal year period.

 

Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities in the nine months ended March 31, 2022 was $1,068,000, compared to zero in the nine months ended March 31, 2021.  This fluctuation was entirely attributable to the issuance of short-term convertible notes to a group of accredited investors in October 2021 in the amount of $1,068,000.

 

Since completing two private equity offerings and one public equity offering in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the Company has completed only two additional financings as follows: (i) In May 2020, we received a small loan under the U.S. government sponsored Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), in the amount of $29,600, which was subsequently forgiven in full in February 2021; and (ii) In October 2021, we completed a new debt offering with a group of accredited investors via the issuance of convertible notes in the total amount of $1,068,000.  The unsecured notes bear interest at the rate of 6% per annum and are due one year from the date of issuance.  In the event, though, of a qualified public offering of the Company’s common stock pursuant to which the Company’s common stock becomes listed for trading on a national securities exchange, the principal amount of the notes and any accrued interest will be automatically converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $4.00 of principal per share.

 

As of March 31, 2022, we had a cash balance of $0.8 million and net working capital of $2.9 million.  Currently, we are generating a roughly break-even level of net operating cash flow, excluding the higher corporate


31


overhead expenses related to our proposed public offering, from our net sales.  However, we have not sustained such performance on a consistent basis for an extended period of time.  We anticipate that demand for our products will continue to increase and that we will have sufficient cash to operate for the next 12 months, after taking into consideration the additional debt offering completed in October 2021, as noted above.

 

Until such time that we are able to generate sufficient operating cash flow from operations, if ever, we expect to finance our operating activities through a combination of equity offerings and debt financings and we may seek to raise additional capital through strategic collaborations.  However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such arrangements when needed on favorable terms, or at all, which would have a negative impact on our financial condition and could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our operations. Failure to receive additional funding could cause us to cease operations, in part or in full. Furthermore, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations, which may cause dilution to our existing and future stockholders.

 

Recent Developments

 

As a result of the continued spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus since early 2020, economic uncertainties have arisen which could impact business operations, supply chains, energy demand, and commodity prices that are beyond our control. As referenced above, we have recently experienced the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sales of our assembled energy storage systems, primarily through a group of wholesale dealers and installers located in California. We continue to monitor COVID-19, but do not believe it will have a material unfavorable impact to our future financial performance at this time.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no obligations, assets or liabilities which would be considered off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Our estimates are based on our limited historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe that certain accounting policies, particularly those related to the recognition of revenues arising from the sales of our ESS products to customers of our business, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.  See “Note 1. Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the notes to our financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, set forth below under, “Index to Financial Statements”, for a further description of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company Status

 

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. We are using the extended transition period for any other new or revised accounting standards during the period in which we remain an emerging growth company.

 

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of our first fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenues


32


of at least $1.07 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior June 30th and (ii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

 

We are also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates plus the proposed aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of this offering is less than $700.0 million and our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company after this offering if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million or (ii) our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


33


 

 

OUR BUSINESS

 

Our Company

 

We are a designer, manufacturer, and seller of high-end Energy Storage Systems (or ESS), primarily our NeoVolta NV14 and NV 24, which can store and use energy via batteries and an inverter at residential or commercial sites. We were founded to identify new ways to leverage emerging technologies with the dynamic changes that are taking place in the energy delivery space. We primarily market and sell our products directly to our certified solar installers and solar equipment distributors. In the future, we intend to pursue residential developers, commercial developers, and other commercial opportunities. Because we are purely dedicated to energy solar systems, virtually all of our current resources and efforts go into further developing our flagship NV14 and NV 24 products, while focusing on specific industry needs for our next generation of products. We believe we are unique in the marketplace due to our low cost, our innovative battery chemistry, our product versatility and our commitment to installer service. Because of these factors, we believe NeoVolta is uniquely equipped to establish ourselves as a major player in the energy storage market.

 

img3.png 

 

Our NV14 ESS contains a 7,680 W hybrid 120V / 240V and 208V inverter and a 14.4 kWh battery system power.  The NV14 is energy efficient, has a variety of operating options, and uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe (PO4)) batteries. The batteries we utilize are capable of 6,000 cycles at a Depth of Discharge (DoD) of 90% and have a high thermal range (heat and cold tolerances).  Our NV14 ESS integrates all components and is NEMA Type 3R rated (indoor/outdoor). Our NV24 provides additional energy storage capacity raising the NV14 from 14.4 KW to 24.0 KW. Our newest update of the NV14 ESS allows for commercial 208V installations adding significantly to our potential customer base.

 

img4.png 

 

Background

 

The changing energy landscape has put significant strain on the traditional utility ‘grid’. Pressures in economics, system resiliency and consumer confidence are driving the energy industry to dramatic change. On the supply side, the appetite for fossil fuels and nuclear power generation have decreased in recent years. S&P Global Platts Analytics’ 2021 North American Electricity Five-year Forecast indicates that US lower 48 coal-fired generation is forecast to average 103 GW in 2021, declining steadily each year in the forecast period, supplying approximately 23% of generation in 2021 to between 15% to 16% by 2026 and further decreasing significantly thereafter. The desire for cleaner power sources continues to increase, straining legacy supply infrastructure due to the variability in usage and supply caused by renewables.  As such, some utilities struggle to provide for their customers using the traditional business model based largely on fossil fuel and nuclear generation. The result is more frequent grid outages which put lives at risk when life sustaining equipment is without power, sources of water supply are hindered, businesses are impacted, and schooling is interrupted. In February 2021, an extreme winter storm event caused a massive electricity generation failure in the state of Texas, which resulted in a loss of power for more than 4.5 million homes. This failure resulted in at least 57 deaths across 25 Texas counties and over $195 billion in property damage, bringing attention to the energy system crisis and its potential causes. Utilities throughout California have experienced several rolling blackouts and brown-outs in recent years due to fire risks, supply constraints, and inability of neighboring states to assist with load sharing.  On the demand side, we believe that consumers will continue to use more electricity than ever due to more erratic weather patterns and the growing


34


adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) - national goal of 66% of all cars by 2050. EVs may decrease emissions, but they also significantly increase demand for electricity. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL) estimates that to reach the 66% goal, the US energy capacity will have to double to reach just the demand generated by EVs. For reference, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the last time the US doubled energy generation took nearly 40 years - from 1977 (2,128 billion kWh) to 2018 (4,178 billion kWh). These projections, EV adoption goals driving demand and generation goals for supply, are at odds. The likely result will be more frequent grid challenges especially during ambient temperature extremes both hot and cold.

 

The combination of a decreasing supply of reliable electricity and an increasing demand is not sustainable. According to the US Energy Information Administration’s 2021 Infrastructure Report Card (www.infrastructurereportcard.org), the U.S. depends on an aging and complex patchwork of power generation facilities, 600,000 miles of backbone transmission lines and around 5.5 million miles of local distribution lines that operate within federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory jurisdictions. The majority of the nation’s grid is aging, with some components over a century old - far past their 50-year life expectancy - and others, including 70% of transmission and distribution systems lines, are well into the second half of their lifespans. Distribution is a key failure point in the electric grid in terms of system reliability. The distribution system accounts for 92% of all electric service interruptions, a result of aging infrastructure, severe weather events, and vandalism. While weather has always been the number one threat to the energy sector’s reliability, climate change has only exacerbated the frequency and intensity of these events and associated costs. The Department of Energy (DOE) recently found that power outages are costing the U.S. economy $28 billion to $169 billion annually. Electric companies have invested more than $285 billion in Transmission and Distribution (T&D) since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, partially to harden the energy grid and make it more resilient to future storms, including investing in new and upgraded T&D infrastructure. Other ways utilities have incorporated resilience are through increased utilization of microgrids and battery storage. As wind and solar generation grow, new T&D lines are required to link these renewable resources to customers. Doing so allows owners to make investments that “harden” the grid and reduce outage frequency and duration on their own terms.

 

Gas and coal power plants generate continuous power by burning fuel, and how much they burn can be modulated based on the demand for electricity when grid stability exists. But the generation of solar and wind energy fluctuates. This can create a mismatch between demand and supply. This puts tremendous stress on the grid, which must exist in constant balance. Utilities have sophisticated systems for predicting when demand will go up and down, but the introduction of renewables into the equation has made compensating for the fluctuations more difficult as illustrated by the so-called ‘Duck Curve, a term coined in 2012 by California Independent System Operator (CAISO) www.caiso.com.

 

img5.png 

 

Without any form of energy storage, after times of high solar generation, generating companies must rapidly increase other forms of power generation around the time of sunset to compensate for the loss of solar generation, a major concern for grid operators where there is rapid growth of solar. Storage can fix these issues if it can be implemented, or they can strike that balance by burning more fossil fuels. But if there’s an unexpected spike in demand and a utility doesn’t have the requisite power, it must restore balance by cutting demand with blackouts.


35


img6.png 

 

History

 

We completed the initial design work and completed testing and certification of our first offering, the NeoVolta NV14, in August 2018. In September 2018, we completed our first production prototype. By March 2019, we completed all certifications and were granted approval by the California Energy Commission (CEC) for off-grid and on-grid installation. Since our headquarters are located in San Diego County, a county with more than 160,000 solar customers, we chose San Diego for our initial rollout. In May 2019, the NV14 was approved throughout San Diego County and City areas by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for connection to its grid system and customer installations began. In June 2019, we moved our contracted manufacturing to a facility in Poway, California. In June 2019, we began marketing to San Diego based solar installers. In early 2020, we expanded our certified installer network to the greater Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento areas, and, importantly, out of California to Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia. In January 2021, we moved to a larger production facility in Poway, California to facilitate growth. In 2021, we increased our national distribution, which we conduct through certified wholesale dealers, and now have installs in Puerto Rico, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Colorado, and Utah.

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Our Products - NeoVolta NV14 and NV24

 

The NV14 is a complete ESS with 7,680-Watt 120V / 240V hybrid inverter (one of the largest in the industry) which is also capable of 208V commercial power with a 14.4 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFe (PO4)) battery system.  This is all incorporated in one National Electrical Manufacturer Association (NEMA) Type 3R rated indoor/outdoor cabinet system with all United laboratories (UL) compliant electrical certifications, and fire code requirements. The NV14 is capable of storing and using inverted (AC) photovoltaic, non-inverted (DC) photovoltaic, or both AC and DC photovoltaic solar sources.  It can also accept utility grid AC power as a charging source for the integrated 14.4 kWh battery system. The NV14 system will charge the batteries with excess solar photovoltaic (AC, DC or both AC and DC) power during daylight conditions - a unique functionality in the ESS industry. The inverter will invert DC battery power into AC power during periods of darkness or higher use periods. Once discharged, the batteries will be idle until excess solar photovoltaic is available and will subsequently begin to recharge. The NV14 is designed to primarily charge from solar but can be programmed to charge from other sources of power (solar, wind turbine, generator, and grid). It can be easily programmed by our certified installers to customer-specific use profiles, including for “rate arbitrage,” (graph below) which allows charging from the grid during the lowest rate periods (A) if the utility company allows this activity. Once recharged, the batteries will discharge once solar photovoltaic begins to wane or when the customer needs more power than available from solar photovoltaic (B). By doing this, customers will be consuming their own solar photovoltaic production instead of sending excess photovoltaic power to the grid and then buying this power back later in the evening from the utility at an often significantly higher retail rate, thereby potentially lowering their monthly electric bill depending on their local utility’s rate plan. Our NV14 is also capable of multi-tasking by recharging via solar photovoltaic power while also supplying power.


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We believe our NV14 is unique among its competitors in that the cabinet is rated for indoor/outdoor installation (NEMA Type 3R) allowing for more installation configurations and the ability to fit more residential customer use cases. With measurements of 50.5” H x 38” W x 10” D it can be installed either inside the garage or outside (preferable near existing utility connections) of the residence or facility.

 

No solar system can provide power to a home without a system capable of “Islanding”, due to safety regulations put in place for utility workers during outages. “Islanding” is when a PV generator or other electrical source continues to power a location or residence even though electrical grid power is no longer present. According to Bloomenergy.com, power outages are on the rise in California. There were 25,281 blackout events in 2019, a 23% increase from 20,598 in 2018. The number of utility customers affected jumped to 28.4 million in 2019, up 50% from 19 million in 2018. Our NV14 is capable of “Islanding” when used with AC or DC photovoltaic (PV) systems. As islanding can be dangerous to utility workers, who may not realize that a circuit is still powered, an ESS capable of “islanding” must be capable of physically disconnecting from the grid power when it senses that grid supply is not present, has an over current, or an undercurrent condition. The NV14 includes “islanding” relays that are approved to perform this function. Islanding also allows solar production to function and power the residence or facility thereby decreasing the impact of a grid outage.

 

Our NV14 currently includes a commercially available encrypted WiFi logger and associated smart phone application that allows customers to visualize the state of the system in 8-minute intervals (battery, home, grid, photovoltaic, and/or generator). Settings adjustments for how the system works can be made remotely if/when utilities make changes to Time-of-Use billing rates/times. Our remote management system is included with the product and allows NeoVolta 24/7 system health monitoring, malfunction diagnosis, and the ability to push firmware and software. This allows NeoVolta, installers, and their customers, insight into system health 24/7. Remote monitoring and programming is accomplished using AWS Key Management encryption and cloud storage ensuring customer privacy and security.

 

Our NV24 has additional battery capability that raises NV14 energy storage from 14.4 KW to 24.0 KW. As the NV24 has add-on battery capacity, additional inverters are not required. This enables customers to achieve a 67% increase in storage for a fraction of the cost. Most competitive systems require an additional inverter for any additional storage.

 

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New ESS fire code regulations have been significant and are ongoing, especially in California.  ESSs can no longer be installed inside the living areas of a home. ESSs can be installed inside the garage but require smoke and heat detectors and may also require bollards or caging to protect the ESS from being accidentally struck by a vehicle. This is a particularly detrimental code to ESS that cannot be installed outside. Both requirements are directly related to fire risk from certain battery chemistries. Lithium Ion, a very popular chemistry in the ESS


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industry, has demonstrated fire and thermal runaway characteristics in certain circumstances. Our batteries were UL 9540 certified at the cell and modular level in July 2021 certifying that they will not catch on fire and exhibit no thermal runaway characteristics.

 

We are aware of additional regulatory requirements being planned in various jurisdictions for 2022. We expect such changes in regulatory code to be a routine requirement as ESS is a new field that warrants scrutiny and is a major focus of our management team. We also see the complex regulatory environment as a significant barrier to new market entry.

 

Market Characteristics

 

Our market can be looked at two ways: the solar installer market and the ESS market.

 

Solar Installer Market. Although we have active non-residential customers and prospects, the bulk of NeoVolta’s revenue and recurring customer base has been residential solar installers. According to IBIS Worldwide, there are over 13,000 solar installers in the US employing almost 55,000 employees. With SunRun and Tesla Energy representing approximately 20% of the market combined, and the top 10 companies representing about 38%. Most solar installers in the US are very small, independently owned operators and are generally not serviced by the larger companies. These installers have been NeoVolta’s target market. Based on IBIS’ figures, we estimate this to be at least 13,000 installers with less than 25 employees. Our average recurring installer customer purchases 1-2 systems a month. They generally sell their systems and install and pay for them within the same month, and typically do not stock inventory, so we believe NeoVolta’s “just in time” product availability makes us an ideal fit. Once these customers become certified NeoVolta installers, they become recurring customers. We built our company based on servicing small installers and will continue to do so by focusing on product availability, installer service, and, most importantly, the characteristics of our product while we capture market share. As we gain market acceptance, we expect larger installers to take notice. This is especially true when considering repeated product availability challenges within the industry.

 

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Installer storage installation activity has grown over time, with 50% of all active residential installers in 2020 having completed at least one solar + storage system, up from less than 20% in 2016 according to Berkeley Labs. The rate of attachment, or number of PV systems installed with storage, is growing considerably. According to Wood Mackenzie, by 2025, nearly 29% of all behind-the-meter solar systems will be paired with storage, compared to under 11% in 2021. Most of the growth will be powered by the smaller installers, as the larger ones have already incorporated storage into their standard new solar offerings. Although Tesla and LG Chem have dominated the market in the past few years, new market entries continue to gain ground and new opportunities in the space continue to present themselves to those who can adapt to fill the need. Additionally, our larger ESS competitors focus on energy storage as a component of their new solar installation, whereas NeoVolta focuses entirely on ESSs, revealing what we believe to be a compelling market in existing solar system retrofits. According to Berkeley Lab’s Tracking the Sun dataset, there are over 3 million solar systems installed in the US and only 6.8% of those have energy solar installed. This marketplace scenario presents small installer customers almost 3 million households to revisit for a storage retrofit.


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We believe that our 100% commitment to ESS and our relatively small size allow us to navigate this nascent industry more nimbly, and we have been able to develop distinct competitive advantages despite our relative resources.

 

ESS Market. This is a relatively new market as residential solar storage systems have only become viable in the last decade. It is a subset of what the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) refers to as the $17 billion U.S. residential solar PV market. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that there will be 3 million installations in 2021 growing to 4 million in 2023. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global residential energy storage systems market is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 19% during the forecast period of 2021 - 2026, reaching a market value of more than $8.5 billion by 2026 from $2.2 billion in 2019. The growth of the ESS market comes from a combination of retrofits to existing solar installations and more widespread adoption of storage as part of new solar installations.

 

According to Wood Mackenzie’s U.S. Energy Storage Monitor, released in December 2020, the residential storage segment posted its best quarter ever in the third quarter of 2020, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic with 52 megawatts and 119 megawatt-hours of new storage installed. The U.S. market is expected to reach 7.5 gigawatts in 2025, which amounts to sixfold growth from 2020. The Q3 2021 US Energy Storage Monitor estimates that the U.S. residential market will surpass $1 billion in 2022; a 14% share of the estimated $7 billion total US Energy Storage market. The report added that Q2 surpassed Q1 2021 to become the second-largest quarter for storage deployment on record in MWh terms.

 

Market Drivers

 

Regulatory. The regulatory drivers regarding ESS come in the form of an increasing number of mandates and incentives. On the mandate side, in August of 2021, California became the first state in the country to require builders to install solar and battery storage on new commercial buildings and high-rise multifamily buildings. This state approved Energy Code also includes requirements for builders to design single-family homes so battery storage can be easily added to the already existing solar system in the future as well as incentives to eliminate natural gas from new buildings. On the incentive side, the federal Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most impactful providing a 26% if you pair the battery with an on-site renewable resource. For a typical ESS, the ITC can reduce the cost of the system by $3,000 to $5,000. Many states are also putting incentive systems in place. Beyond states taking steps to encourage greater adoption of energy storage technologies, some utilities are now also offering incentives to home and business owners who install storage. To date, most of these utility-specific storage incentives are in the Northeast. We anticipate more of these programs being put in place in the future.

 

Utilities can also impact battery storage adoption on the cost side of the equation. In certain circumstances, when state utilities change their billing profiles, the market for ESS becomes more (or less) attractive. For example, Hawaii’s attachment rate rose to 80% after the state began transitioning away from net energy metering (NEM) and reduced compensation for grid exports.

 

Resiliency. Energy dependence has been a growing concern in the last few years as weather patterns have become more erratic. New findings from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Clean Energy Group (CEG) found that when the value of resilience is considered - preventing power outages - several more integrated solar-plus-storage projects are economically viable.

 

Utilities are addressing this matter in some cases through Public Safety Power Shut Off (PSPS) events (when power is purposefully turned off in the case of high winds with very dry vegetation conditions that increase wildfire risks).  The direct result of this was seen in California after the PSPS events of late 2019 (below)


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Consumer Perception. Although both economics and resiliency have been impactful on ESS demand, researchers at Berkeley Labs concluded that a third category of consumer perception may be adding to the trend. The feedback they received included the concept that consumers saw ESS as a “green” investment and felt like it was a way to “stick it to the utilities”. These factors are obviously less measurable than the more objective drivers above but are an additive factor in the market.

 

Growth Strategy

 

Our growth strategy is focused on expanding our core business of distributing our products on a recurring basis to small installers and broadening the application of our product through more non-residential (commercial) partnerships. We plan to do this through an increase in targeted direct sales and marketing to installers in ripe regional markets, concentrating efforts on adding to our national distributor partners, and marketing in ESS industry circles to identify new potential applications of our systems. Our growth thus far has been through word of mouth and networking mainly in Southern California. We have been successful in consistently growing both our installer base and our number of installs through these means, but recognize that to succeed in the national marketplace, we will need to bring on a team of sales and marketing professionals to reach our goals. We have plans to start to build out this team utilizing funds from this offering.

 

Installer Acquisition: Our goal is to increase our installer network by mirroring our success in the San Diego market. To date we have brought on almost all of our installers through word of mouth and through our distributor network (discussed below).

 

1.Increased sales and marketing to educate our prospective customers. We have historically not invested in significant marketing activities and have no direct sales team. To date most of our sales have been made through our website, word of mouth or management relationships. As a result of not having a large historical sales and marketing budget, we have had very little exposure to the 20,000+ installers nationwide. Our conversion from prospects to customers has been very high, as we are generally filling an urgent customer need. We believe that with increased investment in marketing and sales we will be able to reach a much larger audience of prospects who could benefit from our products, and that we should be able to maintain our high conversion rates from prospects to customers. 

 

2.Expansion of Installer Incentive Programs. We provide a unique benefit to our installer network; in that we provide them a lead generation tool for full solar installations. We receive a great number of inbound calls regarding our ESS, but the caller often wants a full solar system, so we put our certified installers on a lead program, where we send them qualified solar install leads at no cost and with no obligation to use our product. This referral system has proven to create a strong bond and brand loyalty with our installers. We intend to invest heavily in our target regions in social media and lead generation at the ESS-level to continue generating reciprocal lead volume for our customers. We will also pursue co-marketing plans with our installers, where we create materials and help cover their marketing costs to push NeoVolta products to both their install base and to new customers. 

 

3.Data/demographic-based geographic expansion. We believe the success we have found in Southern California can be spread nationally with strategically focused sales and marketing. Our focus will be in the regions or the country that meet both the regulatory and environmental profiles that most resemble those in California and Hawaii - high rates, economic incentives, and risk of grid outages. We have already  


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established footholds in some of those states but will continue to fund marketing efforts to consumers and outreach to local and regional installers. The residential sweet spot is high number of solar production days, high utility costs, and frequent grid outages, but is amplified by government regulatory requirements and incentives. Value propositions vary greatly by region. The Northeast may see more value in grid protection, while the West, may see value in the amount of sun and government incentives. Whatever the case, we believe we have adapted well to these environments on a tactical level due to our intimate relationships with each installer and with our inverter setting capabilities to offset high Time-of-Use rates and high demand or tier rates, and to set up for maximum grid outage protection scenarios. These efforts will continue to drive R&D expenditures in our determination to provide a great deal of flexibility and value to our customers.

 

4.According to Wood Mackenzie, there is a growing residential PV sector that is rapidly diversifying across state markets. South Carolina, for instance, was an emerging market as recently as 2016 with only about 1,160 cumulative installations. Today, the state is home to more than 18,000 solar systems and is expected to add 22,000 systems over the next five years. Other fast-growing states over the last three years include Texas, Utah, Florida, Rhode Island, and Maryland, which combined have grown from around 50,000 installations to more than 200,000. Looking ahead, Illinois will see cumulative installations increase from 4,000 today to nearly 100,000 by 2024. While California will continue to lead the nation in installations, the top 10 state markets will see faster growth. Nearly 750,000 installations are expected in those markets over the next 5 years, compared to 500,000 installations over the last 5 years. 

 

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5.Expand Distributor/Partner Relationships. Distributors partner with NeoVolta to market and sell our products to their own installer networks. This type of symbiotic relationship has proven to be a very successful growth strategy as evidenced by our current distributor Plus Minus Power - Energy (PMPE), located in Henderson, Nevada. We signed a three-year distribution agreement with PMPE in October 2019, which may be renewed for additional successive one year terms unless either party provides notice of nonrenewal at least 60 days before the end of the then-current term. The distribution agreement may also be terminated by either party for any reason on 90 days’ notice. The distribution agreement grants PMPE the ability to obtain limited exclusive distribution rights within the territories and for the customers covered by the distribution agreement, provided PMPE makes certain minimum purchases. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, if PMPE achieves certain volume requirements, we agreed to issue PMPE shares of our common stock. As of December 2021, we have received over $1,325,000 of purchase orders against that agreement and PMPE has earned an aggregate of 23,098 shares of common stock pursuant to the agreement. In December 2020, we signed an additional distribution agreement with PMPE related to an additional application of the NV-14. This agreement does not have any exclusivity provisions and may be terminated by either party for any reason on 90 days’ notice. Since signing with PMPE, together we have added installers throughout Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, and Colorado. Additionally, PMPE is pursuing larger multi-year commercial projects that are an ideal fit for NeoVolta. We will use capital to build production and inventory in 2022 to service these pending contracts. We continue to grow our relationship with PMPE through the synergy of their network and marketing efforts with our product development and customization to meet their needs. We will continue to seek out distributor relationships similar to PMPE through industry networking and direct sales, though we also believe the growth of the NeoVolta brand will begin to attract distributors to us. 


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6.Expand our Installer Network Relationships. The rise in the popularity of solar energy comes with the rise of the number of organizations and associations that aim to promote this form of renewable energy even further. There are hundreds of such organizations representing thousands of solar companies in the US. National ones such as the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), almost every state also has at least one such as California’s California Solar & Storage Association (CSSA), to regional and local such as SEBANE (www.sebane.org) - representing New England solar installers. These associations make it easy to get the audience of our prime prospective customers, as it is very difficult to find a solar installer who is not a member of their regions’ industry groups. We have participated in Southern California’s associations with some success, and plan on investing heavily in advertising, networking and social media with these groups as we enter each region. 

 

Non-Residential / Commercial Growth: NeoVolta’s systems are manufactured in the United States in our facility in Poway, CA and our all-in-one system was engineered with the intent to be easily configurable to the needs of the client and easily serviced and updated for our installers. Flexibility due to the close contact with the manufacturing process and the adaptability of the product, along with our ability to handle commercial 208V power, have opened up a number of new opportunities for us. These customers sought us out to create an energy storage system for their unique needs specifically because others would not or could not accept the challenge.  NeoVolta was and continues to be open to customizing our products for energy storage contracts should they meet our volume, profitability, and system requirements. This strategy of flexibility in R&D is affording NeoVolta access into markets that would normally be closed to companies of our size. We plan to leverage this customer-driven approach in the future.

 

New opportunities in this sector are difficult to forecast and are not a core focus of our current sales and marketing plan, but as these projects roll out and begin to be publicized, we believe NeoVolta can establish itself as an energy storage system engineering firm for large projects in applications globally. We intend to take advantage of our adaptability and the nascent industry to fill these diverse and complicated needs.

 

Competition

 

We compete with several large competitors already successfully selling in the ESS space. Notable competitors include Tesla, LG Chem, Sonnen, and SMA America, among others. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, product development, manufacturing, marketing resources, and name recognition. In addition to competitors in the ESS space, we compete with companies in power generation equipment and other engine powered products industries. We face competition from a variety of large diversified industrial companies as well as smaller generator manufacturers, along with mobile equipment, engine powered tools, solar inverter, battery storage and grid services providers, both domestic and internationally. In addition, as energy storage becomes a necessary component for residential customers to realize better value/savings from their solar PV installation, we believe new competitors will emerge in this field. There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete in this market.

 

NeoVolta Competitive Advantages:

 

Availability. We believe recent back order times for competitive products have been as long as 9-months in 2021. Smaller installers rely on quick sales to install to payment to keep their business going, and the lack of availability of competitive products is often the reason they are introduced to NeoVolta. As of December 2021, NeoVolta is delivering on orders in under two weeks, very often the same day. We achieve this by maintaining a high level of inventory relative to projected sales, component consolidation prior to shipment, and a small lot, recurring freight strategy, which we believe allows for more flexibility in getting through the supply chain. Our strategy of maintaining higher levels of inventory based on projected sales means that to the extent our sales expectations in any periods are incorrect we may suffer cash flow constraints for such periods. LG Chem recently experienced a large recall of their older systems due to fire risk and product defects associated with their lithium-ion chemistry. Inability to secure reliable product delivery, fire risk, and recalls have harmed reputations of our competitors.

 

Installer Service. NeoVolta considers its installer relationships to be the key to our growth. The relative newness of the industry requires a great deal of education and support to ensure quality and efficient installations. With all energy storage, there is significant necessary electrical work, which may be new to smaller solar installers. NeoVolta requires that every installer go through our Certified Installer Program and we often walk them through


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early installations one-on-one to get them comfortable with the product either in-person or via smart phone video. NeoVolta’s San Diego-based direct customer support is available throughout the install and for any ongoing service, as well as through our remote system monitoring. This one-on-one philosophy has generated great customer loyalty and install success and we intend to invest the resources necessary to keep this partnership culture a priority.

 

Superior Product. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, product development, manufacturing, marketing resources, and name recognition than we have. However, with the industry’s growth will come frequent and dramatic change. We believe that our 100% commitment to ESS and our size allow us to navigate this nascent industry more nimbly, and we have been able to develop distinct competitive advantages to appeal to smaller and regional independent installers. We designed the NeoVolta NV14 to be cost effective, easy to install and service, and adaptable to customer needs. We are one of very few in the ESS industry to focus virtually all our resources on energy storage systems.

 

Cost:

 

·According to Berkeley Labs, the median system-level reported residential storage cost is about $1,000 per kWh. NeoVolta’s cost generally falls below that mark depending on permitting, installer costs, etc. With the addition of the NV24, NeoVolta becomes even more cost competitive due to the addition of 9 KW of storage without the cost of an additional inverter. 

·Because of the ease of install, the time and cost of installation is greatly reduced. A typical NV14 installation generally takes between 6-8 hours to install because of design features of the NV14 that specifically benefit the installer during installation. Some of our competitors can take up to three days to install. This cost savings can be passed on to the homeowner, reducing the total system cost, making the sale easier for the installer. 

 

Ease of Install and Service:

 

·Our NeoVolta NV14 is an all-in-one system. Most competitive products require multiple components and additional installation materials. This generally allows for a smaller total system footprint, providing a cleaner and more appealing look. 

·Our NV14 is rated for indoor/outdoor installation (NEMA Type 3R) allowing for more installation configurations and the ability to fit more residential customer use cases with measurements of 50.5” H x 38” W x 10” D. 

·Our NV14 is modular. Meaning that all its internal components can be replaced on site. Most components can be replaced in less than 30 minutes.  Inverter replacement can be accomplished in about an hour. NeoVolta’s unique design can even allow the customer to have power while any warranty work is being performed.  Most competitive products require disconnection and removal of the system that needs replacement.  The system is then sent back to the manufacturer for repair. Once fixed, the same system is returned to the customer for reinstallation. 

 

This warranty process can take up to 6 months.  During this time, then homeowner typically does not have use of the battery and may not have working solar. This increases customer costs and places them at greater risk during a utility black out.

 

·System firmware updates for the inverter and the battery system can be ‘pushed’ remotely to the system, keeping the product up to date without the need for installer involvement. This capability also greatly enhances troubleshooting capabilities reducing the need for the installer to conduct a site visit, saving them limited resources. 

·System Adaptability: 

·Our NV14 is compatible with AC, DC and AC/DC solar systems. This is unique to NeoVolta and allows for flexibility and more widespread installation scenarios. 

·No solar is required to charge the NV14 battery. Most competitive systems require solar. 

·Our NV14’s storage can be increased by 9.6 KW without the need for an additional inverter, most of our competitors, require an additional inverter for increases in system storage sizing. 

·Our NV14 includes our NV7600 inverter, which is one of the biggest inverters in the ESS space at 7,680 W. 


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Other functionality that is rare or unique in the ESS space include:

 

·Grid outage switch over at 0.008 seconds. This means that there is no disruption to customer power during a grid outage. Most competitors experience a 1-3 second outage, which can be a significant inconvenience especially to office/computer work. 

·We exclusively use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe (PO4)) chemistry in our systems. This exclusivity is rare in the industry and provides for a much safer product (no fire risk). It also prevents us from competing with the more popular Lithium-Ion battery technology in the electric vehicle supply chain. 

·Both our NV14 and NV24 are only 10-inches in depth. This allows installations inside garages and outside by the utility supply points where space is limited. Some of our competitor systems are so large that they reduce garage parking and restrict movement to the street of large items like garbage cans. This is an inconvenience to their customers. 

·We can also accept generators, which are a staple commodity in areas where utility power is unreliable. Generators can be installed to power the critical loads thereby preserving the battery when the grid is out. They can also be connected to power the battery system if the solar system is DC. 

 

Our NV14 inverter can also accept 208 Volt commercial power by simply making a settings change. This feature allows small businesses to back up vital systems such as servers, alarm systems, entry and exit security features, vaults, emergency lighting, etc. Some States are beginning to require these capabilities as an emergency capability due to frequent grid outages.

 

IP & Product Development

 

We currently have one issued utility patent (US Patent No. 10,998,730) that is directed to NeoVolta’s solar power inverter system. This patent expires on November 25, 2039.  A continuing utility application was also filed directed to the ‘730 patent, which is currently pending.  Furthermore, another U.S. patent application was filed directed to supply circuitry that is implemented as part of NeoVolta’s solar power inverter system (the “supply circuitry patent application”), which is also currently pending.  A Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application has also been filed claiming priority to the supply circuitry patent application, which is also pending. The PCT application affords NeoVolta the opportunity to file a foreign application in any PCT-member country by the deadline of August 12, 2023. We also intend to further broaden our product portfolio to pursue new and diverse markets. We believe investment in our operations and engineering teams in the first quarter will accelerate these improvements.

 

We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, including federal, state and common law rights in the United States and other countries, nondisclosure agreements, and other measures to protect our intellectual property. We require our employees, consultants, and advisors to execute confidentiality agreements and to agree to disclose and assign to us all inventions conceived under their respective employment, consultant, or advisor agreement, using our property, or which relate to our business. Despite any measures taken to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our products or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Our business is affected by our ability to protect against misappropriation and infringement of our intellectual property, including our trademarks, service marks, patents, domain names, copyrights and other proprietary rights.

 

Regulatory Environment

 

Regulators are quickly getting involved in the ESS space. In the past two years, California regulators have implemented major requirements, including CSIP and CPUC “rapid shutdown”, and more are being planned. We have a track record of understanding, adapting, and deploying our products in this ever-changing world.

 

California, via the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and Hawaii appear to be leading the United States when it comes to new ESS regulations. In the past 16-months, CPUC adopted Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP), solar rapid shutdown, and several fire standards both inside garages and outside on residential dwellings. On June 22, 2020, with significant technical development and relationship building, NeoVolta received all certifications necessary for California CSIP compliance.  On August 5, 2020, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved NeoVolta’s CSIP application.  CEC facilitates regulatory approvals for the CPUC.


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In January 2021, CPUC adopted solar “rapid shutdown” requirements, which means emergency responders needed to be able to quickly terminate all with a switch or lever within a few feet of the Main Service Panel (MSP). NeoVolta already met this challenge with outside AC solar installations, and quickly met the requirements for indoor installations and DC solar.

 

NeoVolta’s other certifications include:

 

·Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547 (2003 standard) 

·International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62897 

·Electrical Codes: National Fire Codes (NEC) 2017 

·California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 21 Interconnection 

·Hawaii Electric Companies Source Requirement Document Version 1.1 (SRD-UL-1741-SA-V1.1) 

·CSA Group C22.2 No. 107.1:2001 Ed. 3 

·Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 15 Class B 

·Multiple Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certifications including 9540a 

·1699B Arc Fault Circuit Protection Type 1 

·California Energy Commission (CEC) off-grid and on-grid R-F38 

·California Energy Commission (CEC) on-grid R-F58 

·California Energy Commission (CEC) Grid Support Utility, Utility Interactive, Energy Storage System 

·San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) utility 

·National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Type 3R 

 

NeoVolta has established a track record for quickly understanding and meeting regulatory hurdles. Although regulatory changes will cause an enduring need for increases in Research and Development (R&D) and product constraints, we believe this will also raise the barrier of entry to new market entrants. We believe NeoVolta is well positioned to face new regulatory requirements due to our battery chemistry and our product being developed in California - where regulatory standards in energy are generally set. In fact, most states default their own regulations to California’s standards for energy solar systems.

 

Employees

 

As of January 1, 2022, we have five full-time employees. Our CEO manages all Company strategy, sales and R&D, our CFO manages all finance and administration. The balance of the staff manages supply chain, technical support and marketing/sales support. We also contract for hire with four outside consultants and contractors on an ongoing basis. Also, specific contracts for non-recurring R&D. Our intent is to hire up to three executive-level leaders in the first quarter to head up sales & marketing, operations and product development and build out their teams.

 

Facilities

 

Commencing January 2021, NeoVolta moved into a new dedicated headquarters and manufacturing facility in Poway, California, just north of San Diego. This state-of-the-art, energy-efficient facility has ample square footage, shipping and receiving space, and office spaces to support the company’s rapid growth by providing double the production capability and increases shipping efficiency from that of our previous facility. We believe this facility will accommodate our growth for at least three years.  The facility was secured under a sublease agreement with a major customer. Under the terms of the sublease agreement, we are required to make rental payments of $10,350 per month during the initial one-year term of the agreement. The sublease agreement is renewable upon mutual agreement of both parties for up to four additional years at a modest increase in the monthly rent, however, we are under is no obligation to renew it.

 

The complex features four shipping and receiving docks, two at ground level and two below grade. This setup significantly increases efficiency. The floor plan has four times the space for finished goods, which are kept separate from production and shipping areas. Exterior storage space is also available if needed.

 

The additional space at the facility will accommodate automation of labor-intensive tasks such as packaging and wire cutting. NeoVolta also has the option of future expansion within the site complex.


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All of NeoVolta’s products are manufactured in-house at our Poway, CA facility. We manufacture our products in an efficient build-to-order model, keeping very little finished-goods inventory. We sublease and share our facility with our contract manufacturer, ConnectPV, creating a seamless transition from sub-components to finished goods that are ready for shipping in a short amount of time.

 

With very clear short-term understanding of product demand, we issue build orders to ConnectPV, they pull raw materials from the warehouse, assemble the final units and prepare them for shipment or pick-up. Our timeline from order to delivery is usually less than two-weeks, some of our competitors have wait times as long as six months.

 

The end-product is then picked up or shipped from our docks, signed off by our installer and logged into our system when installed for system monitoring.

 

Quality control and component tracking are key. We run multiple quality checks throughout the process and have systems to track components and end-units from Asia to San Diego to the end-user’s location. Our manufacturing partner records all component serial numbers, all torque settings, and annotates all required item numbers and functionality prior to packaging.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We are currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding, nor is our property the subject of a pending legal proceeding, that we believe is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business or otherwise material to the financial condition of our business.

 

Periodic Reporting and Audited Financial Statements

 

We are registering the securities offered by this prospectus under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will have reporting obligations, including the requirement to file annual and quarterly reports with the SEC, following this offering. In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, our annual reports will contain financial statements audited and reported on by an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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MANAGEMENT

 

The following table presents information with respect to our executive officers and directors as of March 31, 2022:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Brent Willson

 

57

 

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Steve Bond

 

47

 

Director and Chief Financial Officer

James F. Amos

 

74

 

Director

Susan Snow

 

64

 

Director Nominee

John Hass

 

51

 

Director Nominee

 

Set forth below is biographical information about each of the individuals named in the table above:

 

Brent Willson. Brent Willson has served as founder and a director and as our president and chief executive officer since our inception. Col Willson retired after more than 31 years of distinguished service with the United States Marine Corps, in December 2017. Col Willson rose to the rank of USMC Colonel where he was responsible for large acquisitions, security, facilities and infrastructure, and was an aviator. At the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Col Willson was responsible for managing the Defense Department’s $100 billion portfolio of helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft. In January 2018, Col Willson served as a director and as president and chief executive officer of Holly Brothers Pictures, Inc., a crypto-currency company. Col Willson resigned from Holly Brothers Pictures, Inc. on November 15, 2019. Col Willson holds a BS in Business Administration, a Masters of Military Science, a Masters of National Security and Strategic Studies, and is a Level II Program Manager. Col Willson also holds all military pilots ratings and FAA multi-engine airplane/helicopter with instrument license. We believe Col Willson’s background in managing large portfolios and his educational background qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.

 

Steve Bond. Steve Bond has served as a director and as our chief financial officer since May 2018. Over the last 15 years, Steve Bond has worked with over 100 companies as a consulting executive in finance, strategy and revenue growth. Mr. Bond resigned as a director and as chief financial officer of Holly Brothers Pictures, Inc., a crypto-currency company, on November 15, 2019. Mr. Bond has been active in the San Diego Rotary Club and served on the Board of Promises to Kids. Mr. Bond graduated Summa Cum Laude in Finance from San Diego State University in 2000. We believe Mr. Bond’s consulting experience and his educational background qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.

 

James Amos. James Amos has served as a director since January 2021. Gen Amos was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2010, and confirmed by Congress, as the 35th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, the highest-ranking officer in the Marine Corps. Upon retirement in 2014, he joined the Board of Directors of LORD Corporation, a global leader in motion and control technologies, and later served as its Chairman of the Board of Directors prior to its acquisition by Parker Hannifin in 2019. Gen Amos currently serves as a strategic advisor to the President of ST Engineering - North America, a member of the President of Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding Strategic Advisory Panel, a member of NOVANT Health’s Board of Trustees, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Jewish Institute for National Security in America (JINSA), a member of Charlotte’s Veterans Bridge Home Advisory Board, as well as Founder of Windsock LLC. Gen Amos graduated from the University of Idaho in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and economics. Gen Amos previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Semper Fi Fund/America’s Fund. We believe Gen Amos’s leadership in both his military and civilian endeavors qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.

 

Susan Snow. Susan Snow will become a director upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. From January 2018 to December 2021, Ms. Snow served as Senior VP, Operations at Redhorse, a consulting firm specializing in contacts and relationships with U.S. governmental agencies. Previously, from May 2009 until January 2018, Ms. Snow was a principal at Transitional Finance Partners. Ms. Snow began her professional career and earned her CPA at KPMG, where she spent four years before leaving for a Chief Financial Officer role in private industry. We believe Ms. Snow’s financial and corporate experience and expertise qualify her to serve as one of our directors.


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John Hass. John Hass will become a director upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.  Mr. Hass has served as the Chief Product Officer for Shoals Technologies Group, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed electrical Balance of Systems provider for solar, energy storage, and eMobility, since September 2021.  Prior, he was Founder and CEO of ConnectPV, Inc., from January 2015 until September 2021, providing electrical Balance of Systems products to the utility scale solar and white labelling Residential Energy Storage systems for NeoVolta.  Mr. Hass served as CEO of SolarBOS, also supporting electrical Balance of System products in the solar industry, from March 2013 through November 2014.  Mr. Hass began his professional career at TEAL Electronics in 1994 and has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from San Diego State University.  We believe that John’s experience that spans almost three decades in power systems development, renewable energy and manufacturing qualify him to serve as one of our directors.

 

Family Relationships

 

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

 

Director Independence

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that Gen Amos is considered an “independent director” under the Nasdaq listing rules, which is defined generally as a person other than an executive officer or employee of ours who does not have a relationship that, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Prior to this offering, we will appoint additional independent directors such that our independent directors together will constitute a majority of our full Board of Directors. Our independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.

 

Board Committees

 

Prior to the closing of this offering, our Board of Directors will have three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will have a written charter, which will be available on our corporate website.

 

Audit Committee. Our audit committee will consist of three independent directors. The members of the audit committee will be Susan Snow, John Hass and James Amos. Ms. Snow will be the chairperson of the audit committee. The audit committee will consist exclusively of directors who are financially literate. In addition, Ms. Snow is considered an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC’s rules and regulations.

 

The audit committee responsibilities include:

 

·overseeing the compensation and work of and performance by our independent auditor and any other registered public accounting firm performing audit, review or attestation services for us; 

·engaging, retaining and terminating our independent auditor and determining the terms thereof; 

·assessing the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor; 

·evaluating whether the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence; 

·reviewing and discussing the audit results, including any comments and recommendations of the independent auditor and the responses of management to such recommendations; 

·reviewing and discussing the annual and quarterly financial statements with management and the independent auditor; 

·producing a committee report for inclusion in applicable SEC filings; 

·reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and procedures; 

·establishing procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received regarding the accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters and conducting or authorizing investigations into any matters within the scope of the responsibility of the audit committee; and 

·reviewing transactions with related persons for potential conflict of interest situations. 


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Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee will consist of three independent directors. The members of the compensation committee will be John Hass, Susan Snow and James Amos. Mr. Hass will be the chairperson of the compensation committee. The committee has primary responsibility for:

 

·reviewing and recommending all elements and amounts of compensation for each executive officer, including any performance goals applicable to those executive officers; 

·reviewing and recommending for approval the adoption, any amendment and termination of all cash and equity-based incentive compensation plans; 

·once required by applicable law, causing to be prepared a committee report for inclusion in applicable SEC filings; 

·approving any employment agreements, severance agreements or change of control agreements that are entered into with the CEO and certain executive officers; and 

·reviewing and recommending the level and form of non-employee director compensation and benefits. 

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. The nominating and governance committee will consist of three independent directors. The members of the nominating and governance committee will be James Amos, Susan Snow and John Hass. Gen Amos will be the chairperson of the nominating and governance committee. The committee’s responsibilities include:

 

·recommending persons for election as directors by the stockholders; 

·recommending persons for appointment as directors to the extent necessary to fill any vacancies or newly created directorships; 

·reviewing annually the skills and characteristics required of directors and each incumbent director’s continued service on the board; 

·reviewing any stockholder proposals and nominations for directors; 

·advising the board of directors on the appropriate structure and operations of the board and its committees; 

·reviewing and recommending standing board committee assignments; 

·developing and recommending to the board Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other corporate governance policies and programs and reviewing such guidelines, code and any other policies and programs at least annually; 

·making recommendations to the board as to determinations of director independence; and 

·making recommendations to the board regarding corporate governance based upon developments, trends, and best practices. 

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider stockholder recommendations for candidates for the board of directors.

 

Our bylaws provide that, in order for a stockholder’s nomination of a candidate for the board to be properly brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders, the stockholder’s nomination must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company no later than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting.

 

Code of Ethics

 

Prior to the closing of this offering, we will adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics that will apply to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The full text of our code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on our corporate website and is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of these provisions, on our corporate website or in filings under the Exchange Act.


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Director Compensation

 

Prior to this offering, our only independent director was Gen Amos. During 2021 and through March 31, 2022, we did not pay any cash compensation to Gen Amos for his service on the board, however, we granted Gen Amos 50,000 shares of restricted common stock at December 31, 2021 and will grant an additional 12,500 shares of common stock for the services rendered during the three months ended March 31, 2022. We do not pay Col Willson and Mr. Bond any additional compensation for serving as a director.

 

Commencing upon the closing of this offering, Gen Amos, Ms. Snow and Mr. Hass will receive annual compensation of $65,000 to paid quarterly with not less than 70% of such amount paid in shares of our common stock, calculated based on the share price at the end of such the prior fiscal quarter, and up to 30% paid in cash, with such final amounts to be determined by each director.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table shows the compensation awarded to or earned in the last two fiscal years by our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. We did not have any other employees that received more than $100,000 in compensation during fiscal 2021.

 

Summary Compensation Table - 2021

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary

($)

 

Bonus

($)

 

Stock

Awards

($)(2)

 

Total

($)

Brent Willson, Director

 

2021

 

150,000(1)

 

-

 

6,540,000

 

6,690,000

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2020

 

150,000(1)

 

-

 

500,000

 

650,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Bond, Director and

 

2021

 

100,000(3)

 

-

 

436,000

 

536,000

Chief Financial Officer

 

2020

 

100,000(3)

 

-

 

-

 

100,000

 

(1)The amounts shown in the first column represents the payments made or accrued by the Company to Col Willson in the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 and in the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Such payments were made to either Col Willson as an employee, or to his personal consulting company in its capacity as a contractor. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for additional information. 

 

(2)Represents the full grant date fair value of the stock awards and do not necessarily correspond to the actual value that may be realized by the holder. In December 2020, the Company awarded a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock to a company which is affiliated with Col Willson for reaching Milestones 1 and 2 of such affiliated company’s June 1, 2020 contractor agreement with the Company (see “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table” below). The Company valued the stock awards at a total amount of $6,540,000 based on the year-end 2020 public quoted price of $4.36 per share, as reported on the OTCQB Market. For the 1,500,000 shares awarded to Col Willson’s affiliated company, the Company immediately amortized $6,540,000 as a non-cash charge to expense as such shares were considered to have been earned by him under the Company’s milestone incentive compensation program, as of December 31, 2020. This amount compares with the previous year in which the Company granted Col Willson 500,000 incentive shares valued at $1.00 per share for a total grant of $500,000. Similarly, the Company awarded a total of 100,000 shares of common stock to Steve Bond for reaching the two milestones, with respect to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, under his June 1, 2020 contractor agreement with the Company, as of December 2020. For the 100,000 shares awarded to Mr. Bond, the Company valued the stock awards at a total amount of $436,000 based on the same quoted price of $4.36 per share and immediately amortized $436,000 as a non-cash charge to expense. For a description of these stock awards, see Note 4 to the Company’s financial statements. 

 

(3)The amounts shown in the first column represents the payments made or accrued by the Company to Mr. Bond in the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 and in the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Such payments were made to Mr. Bond in his capacity as a contractor, not as an employee. 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our outstanding equity awards for our named executive officer on June 30, 2021.

 

 


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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End - 2021

 

Name

Number of shares

or units of stock that

have not vested

(#)

Market value of

shares of units

of stock that

have not vested

($)

Equity

incentive

plan awards:

Number of unearned

shares, units or

other rights that

have not vested

(#)

Equity

incentive

plan awards:

Market or payout

value of

unearned

shares, units or

other rights that

have not vested

($)

Brent Willson

--

--

750,000

4,920,000

Steve Bond

--

--

100,000

656,000

 

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

 

We have entered into a new employment agreement with Colonel Brent Willson, which will become effective April 1, 2022, pursuant to which Col Willson agreed to continue to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President. The initial term of the employment agreement will be one year and will be automatically renewable for additional one-year terms unless either party chooses not to renew the agreement. The agreement provides for an initial annual salary of $165,000. Pursuant to the agreement, we issued Col Willson a restricted stock unit award for up to 150,000 shares of our common stock upon achieving the following milestones (which achievements shall be determined by the Board): (i) Milestone 1 - Successfully complete this offering in 2022 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2023: 50,000 shares; and (ii) Milestone 2 - Produce 2,000 ESSs in 2022 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2023: 100,000 shares. Any shares of common stock issued pursuant to the foregoing restricted stock unit award shall be subject to a further lock-up arrangement restricting the sale of such shares of common stock to 25% of the total shares issued on the three, six, nine and twelve month anniversary of issuance. If Col Willson’s employment is terminated at our election without “cause” (as defined in the agreement), Col Willson shall be entitled to receive severance payments equal to three months of Col Willson’s base salary. Col Willson will agree not to compete with us until twelve months after the termination of his employment.

 

Effective June 1, 2020, we entered into a second amended and restated independent contractor agreement with Canmore International, Inc., which is affiliated with Col Willson. The agreement provides for a term of two years, which we may extend for additional one-year terms. This agreement will terminate on March 31, 2022. Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to pay Canmore cash fees of $4,167 per month. In addition, pursuant to the original agreement, Canmore International, Inc is entitled to receive up to 2,250,000 shares of common stock upon achieving the following milestones (which achievement shall be determined by the Board): (i) Milestone 1 - design, engineer and submit for certification two-battery augmentation system (NV24) to the NV14 ESS: 750,000 shares; (ii) Milestone 2 - Sell a minimum of 300 NV14s in 2020: 750,000 shares; (iii) Milestone 3 - obtain a distributor agreement with distributor who purchases a minimum of 500 NV14s through 2021: 750,000 shares. As indicated in footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table above, Canmore successfully reached Milestones 1 and 2 as of December 2020, therefore, the Company awarded Canmore a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock. Canmore partially achieved Milestone 3, as of December 2021 such that 500,000 shares (two-thirds of possible 750,000 shares) were awarded to Canmore for service in 2021 under this agreement.

 

In February 2022, we entered into a new employment agreement with Steve Bond pursuant to which Mr. Bond agreed to continue to serve as our Chief Financial Officer, effective March 1, 2022. The initial term of the employment agreement is one year and will be automatically renewable for additional one-year terms unless either party chooses not to renew the agreement. The agreement provides for an initial annual salary of $125,000. Pursuant to the agreement, we issued Mr. Bond a restricted stock unit award for up to 300,000 shares of our common stock upon achieving the following milestones (which achievements shall be determined by the Board): (i) Milestone 1 - Successfully complete this offering in 2022 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2023: 250,000 shares; and (ii) Milestone 2 - successfully complete and file the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023 no later than September 29, 2023 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2024: 50,000 shares. If Mr. Bond’s employment is terminated at our election without “cause” (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Bond shall be entitled to receive severance payments equal to three months of Mr. Bond’s base salary. Mr. Bond will agree not to compete with us until twelve months after the termination of his employment.


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Effective October 4, 2021, we entered into an amended and restated independent contractor agreement with Steve Bond. Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Bond cash fees of $9,000 per month. This agreement was terminated upon execution of the employment agreement described above. Pursuant to the amended and restated independent contractor agreement, Mr. Bond was entitled to receive 100,000 shares each fiscal year as follows (for which achievement shall be determined by the Board): (i) 50,000 shares of common stock if all monthly financials are completed and filed on time; and (ii) 50,000 shares of common stock if the annual audits are completed on time. As indicated in footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table above, Mr. Bond successfully reached the two milestones with respect to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 as of December 2020, therefore, the Company awarded Mr. Bond a total of 100,000 shares of common stock. In connection with the termination of the amended and restated independent contractor agreement discussed above, Mr. Bond agreed that he was not entitled to any further compensation pursuant to the amended and restated independent contractor agreement for 2021.

 

2019 Stock Plan

 

In February 2019, we adopted the NeoVolta, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The Plan is a stock-based compensation plan that provides for discretionary grants of stock options, stock awards and stock unit awards to key employees and non-employee directors. To date, no awards have been granted under the 2019 Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to recognize contributions made to our Company by key employees and non-employee directors and to provide them with additional incentive to achieve the objectives of our Company. The following is a summary of the Plan.

 

Administration. The 2019 Plan is administered by our board of directors or, once established, the compensation committee of the board of directors (we refer to the body administering the 2019 Plan as the “Committee”). The Committee has full authority to select the individuals who will receive awards under the 2019 Plan, determine the form and amount of each of the awards to be granted and establish the terms and conditions of awards.

 

Limit on Non-Employee Director Compensation. Under the 2019 Plan, the following limits apply to non-employee directors. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a non-employee director with respect to any calendar year, including awards granted under the 2019 Plan and cash fees paid to such non-employee director, will not exceed $300,000 in total value. For purposes of these limitations, the value of awards is calculated based on the grant date fair value of such awards for financial reporting purposes.

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of the common stock that may be issued under the 2019 Plan is 2,500,000. If there is a lapse, forfeiture, expiration, termination or cancellation of any award made under the 2019 Plan for any reason, the shares subject to the award will again be available for issuance. Any shares subject to an award that are delivered to us by a participant, or withheld by us on behalf of a participant, as payment for an award or payment of withholding taxes due in connection with an award will not again be available for issuance, and all such shares will count toward the number of shares issued under the 2018 Plan. The number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2019 Plan is subject to adjustment, in the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, subdivision, consolidation or exchange of shares, any change in the capital structure of the company or any similar corporate transaction. In each case, the Committee has the discretion to make adjustments it deems necessary to preserve the intended benefits under the 2019 Plan. No award granted under the 2019 Plan may be transferred, except by will, the laws of descent and distribution.

 

Eligibility. All employees designated as key employees for purposes of the 2019 Plan, all non-employee directors and consultants are eligible to receive awards under the 2019 Plan. As of January 1, 2019, two employees and directors were eligible to participate in the 2019 Plan.

 

Awards to Participants. The 2019 Plan provides for discretionary awards of stock options, stock awards, stock unit awards and stock appreciation rights to participants. Each award made under the 2019 Plan will be evidenced by a written award agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the award as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, consistent with the terms of the 2019 Plan.

 

Stock Options. The Committee has the discretion to grant non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options to participants and to set the terms and conditions applicable to the options, including the type of option, the


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number of shares subject to the option and the vesting schedule; provided that the exercise price of each stock option will be the closing price of the common stock on the date on which the option is granted (“fair market value”), each option will expire ten years from the date of grant and no dividend equivalents may be paid with respect to stock options.

 

In addition, an incentive stock option granted to a key employee is subject to the following rules: (i) the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is granted) of the shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a key employee during any calendar year (under all incentive stock option plans of the company and its subsidiaries) cannot exceed $100,000, and if this limitation is exceeded, that portion of the incentive stock option that does not exceed the applicable dollar limit will be an incentive stock option and the remainder will be a non-qualified stock option; (ii) if an incentive stock option is granted to a key employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all class of stock of the company, the exercise price of the incentive stock option will be 110% of the closing price of the common stock on the date of grant and the incentive stock option will expire no later than five years from the date of grant; and (iii) no incentive stock option can be granted after ten years from the date the 2019 Plan was adopted.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee has the discretion to grant stock appreciation rights to participants. The Committee determines the exercise price for a stock appreciation right, which cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, we will pay the participant in common stock or in cash, at our discretion, an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess of the per share fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price, multiplied by (2) the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. The Committee has the discretion to set the terms and conditions applicable to the award, including the number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right and the vesting schedule, provided that each stock appreciation right will expire not more than ten years from the date of grant and no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid with respect to any stock appreciation right prior to the exercise of the stock appreciation right.

 

Stock Awards. The Committee has the discretion to grant stock awards to participants. Stock awards will consist of shares of common stock granted without any consideration from the participant or shares sold to the participant for appropriate consideration as determined by the Board. The number of shares awarded to each participant, and the restrictions, terms and conditions of the award, will be at the discretion of the Committee. Subject to the restrictions, a participant will be a shareholder with respect to the shares awarded to him or her and will have the rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares, including the right to vote the shares and receive dividends on the shares; provided that dividends otherwise payable on any stock award subject to restrictions will be held by us and will be paid to the holder of the stock award only to the extent the restrictions on such stock award lapse.

 

Stock Units. The Committee has the discretion to grant stock unit awards to participants. Each stock unit entitles the participant to receive, on a specified date or event set forth in the award agreement, one share of common stock or cash equal to the fair market value of one share on such date or event, as provided in the award agreement. The number of stock units awarded to each participant, and the terms and conditions of the award, will be at the discretion of the Committee. Unless otherwise specified in the award agreement, a participant will not be a shareholder with respect to the stock units awarded to him prior to the date they are settled in shares of common stock. The award agreement may provide that until the restrictions on the stock units lapse, the participant will be paid an amount equal to the dividends that would have been paid had the stock units been actual shares; provided that such dividend equivalents will be held by us and paid only to the extent the restrictions lapse.

 

Payment for Stock Options and Withholding Taxes. The Committee may make one or more of the following methods available for payment of any award, including the exercise price of a stock option, and for payment of the tax obligation associated with an award: (i) cash; (ii) cash received from a broker-dealer to whom the holder has submitted an exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to deliver promptly to us the amount of sales proceeds from the sale of the shares subject to the award to pay the exercise price or withholding tax; (iii) by directing us to withhold shares of common stock otherwise issuable in connection with the award having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld; and (iv) by delivery of previously acquired shares of common stock that are acceptable to the Committee and that have an aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price or withholding tax, or certification of ownership by attestation of such previously acquired shares.


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Provisions Relating to a “Change in Control” of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of the 2019 Plan or any award agreement, in the event of a “Change in Control” of the company, the Committee has the discretion to provide that all outstanding awards will become fully exercisable, all restrictions applicable to all awards will terminate or lapse, and performance goals applicable to any stock awards will be deemed satisfied at the target level. In addition, upon such Change in Control, the Committee has sole discretion to provide for the purchase of any outstanding stock option for cash equal to the difference between the exercise price and the then fair market value of the common stock subject to the option had the option been currently exercisable, make such adjustment to any award then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control and cause any such award then outstanding to be assumed by the acquiring or surviving corporation after such Change in Control.

 

Amendment of Award Agreements; Amendment and Termination of the 2019 Plan; Term of the 2019 Plan. The Committee may amend any award agreement at any time, provided that no amendment may adversely affect the right of any participant under any agreement in any material way without the written consent of the participant, unless such amendment is required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule.

 

The Board may terminate, suspend or amend the 2019 Plan, in whole or in part, from time to time, without the approval of the stockholders, unless such approval is required by applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, and provided that no amendment may adversely affect the right of any participant under any outstanding award in any material way without the written consent of the participant, unless such amendment is required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which the shares are listed.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the 2019 Plan nor any outstanding award agreement can be amended in a way that results in the repricing of a stock option. Repricing is broadly defined to include reducing the exercise price of a stock option or stock appreciation right or cancelling a stock option or stock appreciation right in exchange for cash, other stock options or stock appreciation rights with a lower exercise price or other stock awards. (This prohibition on repricing without stockholder approval does not apply in case of an equitable adjustment to the awards to reflect changes in the capital structure of the company or similar events.)

 

No awards may be granted under the 2019 Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the initial effective date of the 2019 Plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the date of this prospectus by:

 

·each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock; 

·each of our named executive officers, directors and director nominees; and 

·all our executive officers and directors as a group. 

 

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Except as otherwise indicated, each person or entity named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our capital shown as beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property laws.

 

In computing the number and percentage of shares beneficially owned by a person, shares that may be acquired by such person within 60 days of the date of this prospectus are counted as outstanding, although such shares are not counted as outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The percentage of shares beneficially owned before the offering is computed on the basis of 21,977,251 shares of our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the date of this prospectus. The percentage of shares beneficially owned after the offering assumes the representative does not exercise the option to purchase additional shares to cover over-allotments. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person listed below is c/o NeoVolta, Inc., 13651 Danielson Street, Suite A, Poway, California 92064.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares of

Common

Stock

Beneficially

Owned

 

Percent of

Common

Stock

Beneficially

Owned Prior

to Offering

 

Percent of

Common

Stock

Beneficially

Owned After

to Offering(2)

Executive officers and directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brent Willson

 

4,000,000(1)

 

18.2%

 

12.0%

Steve Bond

 

500,000

 

2.3%

 

1.5%

James F. Amos

 

50,000

 

*

 

*

Susan Snow

 

--

 

 

 

 

John Hass

 

--

 

 

 

 

All Executive Officers and Directors as a group

(5 persons)

 

4,550,000

 

20.7%

 

13.7%

 

*Less than 1%. 

 

(1)Includes shares held by Canmore International, Inc., an entity affiliated with Col Willson. 

(2)Based on 33,315,784 shares to be outstanding following this offering, which includes (i) 9,404,867 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of our 2018 convertible notes into shares of common stock and (ii) 267,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of our October 2021 convertible notes, at a conversion price of $4.00 per share, each of which shall occur upon the closing of this offering.  

 

 

 


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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Effective June 1, 2020, we entered into a second amended and restated independent contractor agreement with Canmore International, Inc., which is affiliated with Col Willson. The agreement provides for a term of two years, which we may extend for additional one-year terms. This agreement will terminate on March 31, 2022. Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to pay Canmore cash fees of $4,167 per month. In addition, pursuant to the original agreement, Canmore International, Inc is entitled to receive up to 2,250,000 shares of common stock upon achieving the following milestones (which achievement shall be determined by the Board): (i) Milestone 1 - design, engineer and submit for certification two-battery augmentation system (NV24) to the NV14 ESS: 750,000 shares; (ii) Milestone 2 - Sell a minimum of 300 NV14s in 2020: 750,000 shares; (iii) Milestone 3 - obtain a distributor agreement with distributor who purchases a minimum of 500 NV14s through 2021: 750,000 shares. As indicated in footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table above, Canmore successfully reached Milestones 1 and 2 as of December 2020, therefore, the Company awarded Canmore a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock in connection with reaching these milestones. Canmore partially achieved Milestone 3 as of December 2021 such that 500,000 shares (two-thirds of possible 750,000 shares) were awarded to Canmore for service in 2021 under this agreement.

 

Effective October 4, 2021, we entered into an amended and restated independent contractor agreement with Steve Bond. Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to pay Mr. Bond cash fees of $9,000 per month. We intend to terminate this agreement upon execution of the employment agreement described above. Pursuant to the amended and restated independent contractor agreement, Mr. Bond was entitled to receive 100,000 shares each fiscal year as follows (for which achievement shall be determined by the Board): (i) 50,000 shares of common stock if all monthly financials are completed and filed on time; and (ii) 50,000 shares of common stock if the annual audits are completed on time. As indicated in footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table above, Mr. Bond successfully reached the two milestones with respect to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 as of December 2020, therefore, the Company awarded Mr. Bond a total of 100,000 shares of common stock. In connection with the termination of the amended and restated independent contractor agreement discussed above in “Executive Compensation - Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table,” Mr. Bond agreed that he was not entitled to any further compensation pursuant to the amended and restated independent contractor agreement for 2021.

 

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

 

As the Board standing committees will be constituted at the time of the effectiveness of this registration statement, the Board at large is currently responsible for reviewing and approving in advance any related party transaction. This covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or will be a participant to, where the amount involved exceeds the lesser $120,000 or one percent (1%) of the average of the Company’s total assets as of the end of last two completed fiscal years, and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

 

We have authorized capital stock consisting of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

Common Stock

 

Shares of our common stock have the following rights, preferences and privileges:

 

Voting

 

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Any action at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be decided by a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy, except in the case of any election of directors, which will be decided by a plurality of votes cast. There is no cumulative voting.

 

Dividends

 

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for payment, subject to the rights of holders, if any, of any class of stock having preference over the common stock. Any decision to pay dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors may or may not determine to declare dividends in the future. See “Dividend Policy.” The board’s determination to issue dividends will depend upon our profitability and financial condition any contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and the SEC, and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

In the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably on the basis of the number of shares held in any of the assets available for distribution after we have paid in full, or provided for payment of, all of our debts and after the holders of all outstanding series of any class of stock have preference over the common stock, if any, have received their liquidation preferences in full.

 

Other

 

Our issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of shares of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights. Shares of our common stock are not convertible into shares of any other class of capital stock, nor are they subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions.

 

Preferred Stock

 

We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Our articles of incorporation authorizes the board to issue these shares in one or more series, to determine the designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, including the dividend rights, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights (including the number of votes per share), redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences, sinking fund provisions and the number of shares constituting the series. Our board of directors could, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock and which could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.

 

Units Offered Hereby

 

We are offering 1,666,666 Units at an assumed offering price of $6.00 per Unit, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Each Unit consists of (a) one share of our common stock, and (b) one Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price equal to $____  share, which is not less than the offering price per Unit, exercisable until the fifth anniversary of the issuance date. The


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shares of our common stock and the Warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately, but will be purchased together in this offering.

 

Warrants Offered in the Units in this Offering

 

Overview. The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Warrants offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the warrant agent agreement between us the Warrant Agent, and the form of Warrant, both of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set forth in the warrant agent agreement, including the annexes thereto, and form of Warrant. The Warrants issued in this offering entitle the registered holder to purchase one share of our common stock at a price equal to $____ per share, which is not less than the offering price per Unit, subject to adjustment as discussed below, immediately following the issuance of such warrant and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, five years after the closing of this offering. As described below, we intend to apply to list the Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbol “NEOVW.”

 

Exercisability. The Warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance and at any time up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the Warrant Agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated. Under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, we must use our best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement and current prospectus relating to common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants until the expiration of the Warrants. If we fail to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement and current prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the holders of the Warrants shall have the right to exercise the Warrants solely via a cashless exercise feature provided for in the Warrants, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and current prospectus.

 

Exercise Limitation. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants.

 

Exercise Price. The exercise price per whole share of our common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is $____ (or not less than 100% of the public offering price per Unit) per share of common stock. The warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time up to the date that is five years after their original issuance. The exercise price of the warrants is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock and also upon any distributions of assets, including cash, stock or other property to our stockholders.

 

Cashless Exercise. If, at any time after the issuance of the warrants, a holder of the warrants exercises the warrants and a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available (or a prospectus is not available for the resale of shares of common stock underlying the warrants), then in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder shall instead receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) only the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the warrants. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event we do not have or maintain an effective registration statement, there are no circumstances that would require us to make any cash payments or net cash settle the warrants to the holders.

 

Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon exercise of the Warrants. If, upon exercise of the Warrant, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, we will, upon exercise, pay a cash adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price. If multiple Warrants are exercised by the holder at the same time, we shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.

 

Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned at the option of the holder without our consent.


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Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the Warrants and generally including any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common stock, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common stock, the holders of the Warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.

 

Rights as a Stockholder. Except by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holder of a warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common stock, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant.

 

Underwriter’s Warrants.

 

The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part also registers for sale the Underwriter’s Warrants, as a portion of the underwriting compensation in connection with this offering. Please see “Underwriting-Underwriter’s Warrants” for a description of the warrants we have agreed to issue to the underwriter in this offering, subject to the completion of the offering.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Neither our articles of incorporation nor bylaws prevent us from indemnifying our officers, directors and agents to the extent permitted under the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”). NRS Section 78.7502, provides that a corporation may indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation against expenses, including fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any defense to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to Section 78.7502(1) or 78.7502(2), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.

 

NRS 78.7502(1) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

 

NRS Section 78.7502(2) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals there from, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

 

NRS Section 78.747 provides that except as otherwise provided by specific statute, no director or officer of a corporation is individually liable for a debt or liability of the corporation, unless the director or officer acts as the alter ego of the corporation. The court as a matter of law must determine the question of whether a director or officer acts as the alter ego of a corporation.


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Our charter provides that we will indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents to the extent and in the manner permitted by the provisions of the NRS, as amended from time to time, subject to any permissible expansion or limitation of such indemnification, as may be set forth in any stockholders’ or directors’ resolution or by contract. Any repeal or modification of these provisions approved by our stockholders will be prospective only and will not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any of our directors or officers existing as of the time of such repeal or modification. We are also permitted to apply for insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or other agent for liability arising out of his actions, whether or not the NRS would permit indemnification.

 

Our bylaws provide that a director or officer of the Company shall have no personal liability to the Company or its stockholders for damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except for damages for breach of fiduciary duty resulting from (a) acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct, fraud, or a knowing violation of law, or (b) the payment of dividends in violation of section 78.3900 of the NRS as it may from time to time be amended or any successor provision thereto.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB marketplace under the symbol “NEOV.” We have applied to list our common stock and Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols “NEOV” and “NEOVW,” respectively. We believe that upon the completion of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing our common stock or our Warrants on Nasdaq; however, we will not complete this offering unless we are so listed.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company. Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company will also be the warrant agent in connection with the warrants to be issued in this offering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK

 

The following discussion is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other United States federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local or non-United States tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the United States Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date hereof. These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS will not take, or that a court will not sustain, a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all United States federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

 

·certain United States expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; 

 

·persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment; 

 

·banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions; 

 

·brokers, dealers or certain traders in securities; 

 

·“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid United States federal income tax; 

 

·partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes (and investors therein); 

 

·tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations; 

 

·persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; 

 

·persons who hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; 

 

·tax-qualified retirement plans; 

 

·“qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds; 

 

·persons who own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below); and 

 

·persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the stock being taken into account in an applicable financial statement. 

 

If an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships (or other entities treated


62


as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes) holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships (or other entities treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes) should consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal income tax consequences to them.

 

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-UNITED STATES TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

 

Definition of a Non-U.S. Holder

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is neither a “U.S. person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

A U.S. person is any person that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

·an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; 

 

·a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation, created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, or other entity treated as such for United States federal income tax purposes; 

 

·an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or 

 

·a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and all substantial decisions of which are subject to the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for United States federal income tax purposes. 

 

Distributions

 

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, amounts not treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and will first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock owned by such Non-U.S. Holder, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “-Sales or Other Taxable Dispositions of Common Stock.”

 

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, backup withholding and foreign accounts, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock will be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder timely furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate of United States withholding tax, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

 

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S.


63


Holder will be exempt from the United States federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must timely furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form), certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

 

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis at regular rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

Sales or Other Taxable Dispositions of Common Stock

 

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

·the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable); 

 

·the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met; or 

 

·our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest, or USRPI, by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for United States federal income tax purposes. 

 

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis at regular rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

 

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain United States source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed United States federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

 

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our non-United States real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock will not be subject to United States federal income tax if our common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market, and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition thereof or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period.

 

NON-U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING ANY POTENTIALLY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATIES THAT MAY PROVIDE FOR DIFFERENT RULES.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

Payments of distributions on our common stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the Non-U.S. Holder is a United


64


States person and the Non-U.S. Holder either certifies its non-United States status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions on our common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld.

 

In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock within the United States, or conducted through certain United States-related brokers, generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such Non-U.S. Holder is a United States person, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock conducted through a non-United States office of a non-United States broker that does not have certain enumerated relationships with the United States generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

 

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

 

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-United States financial institutions and certain other non-United States entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on distributions on our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States-owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

 

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of distributions on our common stock.  While withholding under FATCA also would have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such stock on or after January 1, 2019, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of such gross proceeds. In its preamble to these proposed Treasury Regulations, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

 

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF WITHHOLDING UNDER FATCA TO THEIR INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMON STOCK.

 

 


65


 

UNDERWRITING

 

Maxim Group LLC is acting as the sole book-running manager of the offering (the “Representative”). We will enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters and the underwriters have agreed to purchase from us, at the public offering price per Unit less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of Units listed next to its name in the following table:

Underwriter

 

Number of Units

Maxim Group LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriters to purchase all of the Units being offered to the public is subject to specific conditions, including the absence of any material adverse change in our business or in the financial markets and the receipt of certain legal opinions, certificates and letters from us, our counsel and the independent auditors. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the offering may be terminated. Subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters will purchase all of the Units being offered to the public, other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below, if any of these Units are purchased.

 

The underwriters are offering the Units, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by it, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

Over-Allotment Option

 

We have granted to the Representative an option, exercisable one or more times in whole or in part, not later than 45 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase from us up to an (i) additional ____ shares of common stock at a price of $____ per share and/or (ii) additional warrants to purchase ____ shares of common stock at a price of $____  per warrant, in each case, less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover of this prospectus in any combination thereof to cover over-allotments, if any. To the extent that the Representative exercises this option, it will become obligated, subject to conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of these additional shares of common stock and/or warrants as the number of Units to be purchased by it in the above table bears to the total number of Units offered by this prospectus. We will be obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell these additional shares of common stock and/or warrants to the Representative to the extent the option is exercised. If any additional shares of common stock and/or warrants are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares of common stock and/or warrants on the same terms as those on which the other Units are being offered hereunder.

Discounts and Commissions; Expenses

 

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the Representative of the over-allotment option.

 

 

 

Per Unit

 

Total Without

Over- Allotment

Option

 

Total With Full

Over- Allotment

Option

Public offering price

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Underwriting discount ([__%])

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

The underwriters proposes to offer the Units offered by us to the public at the public offering price per Unit set forth on the cover of this prospectus. In addition, the underwriters may offer some of the Units to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of $____ per Unit. After the initial offering, the public offering price and concession to dealers may be changed.


66


 

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the offering not to exceed $125,000 in the aggregate, including an advance of $25,000 paid to the Representative for its anticipated out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this offering. Any portion of the $25,000 expense advance will be returned to us to the extent that offering expenses are not actually incurred by the underwriters in accordance with Financial Industry Regulation Authority (“FINRA”) Rule 5110(g)(4)(A). We estimate that total expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, other than the underwriting discount and corporate finance fee, will be approximately $250,000.

 

Discretionary Accounts

 

The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the Units offered hereby to any accounts over which it has discretionary authority.

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

We and our directors, officers and certain shareholders have agreed with the underwriter, for a period of 180 days after the closing of this offering, not to offer for sale, issue, sell, contract to sell, pledge grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock either owned as of the date of the underwriting agreement or thereafter acquired without the prior written consent of the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions. Holders of a total of 13,907,867 shares of our issued and outstanding common stock are subject to such lockup. The Representative may, in its sole discretion and at any time or from time to time before the termination of the lock-up period, without notice, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements.

 

Pricing of this Offering

 

Prior to this offering, there has not been an active market for our common stock and there has been no public market for our Warrants. The public offering price for our Units was determined through negotiations between us and the underwriters. Among the factors considered in these negotiations were prevailing market conditions, our financial information, market valuations of other companies that we and the underwriters believe to be comparable to us, estimates of our business potential, the present state of our development and other factors deemed relevant.

 

We offer no assurances that the public offering price of our Units will correspond to the price at which our common stock will trade in the public market subsequent to this offering or that an active trading market for our common stock will develop and continue after this offering.

 

Underwriter’s Warrants

 

We have agreed to issue to the Representative (or its permitted assignees) warrants to purchase up to a total of ____ shares of common stock (6.0% of the shares of common stock included in the Units). The warrants will be exercisable at any time, and from time to time, in whole or in part, during the period commencing 180 days from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and expiring five years from the commencement of sales of the offering, which period is in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(e). The warrants are exercisable at a per share price equal to $____ per share, or 110% of the public offering price per unit in the offering. The warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(e)(1) of FINRA. The Representative (or permitted assignees under Rule 5110(e)(2)) will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate these warrants or the securities underlying these warrants, nor will they engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the warrants or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the commencement of sales of the offering. In addition, the warrants provide for certain demand and piggyback registration rights. The registration rights provided will not be greater than five years from the commencement of sales of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(8). We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to one demand and unlimited piggyback


67


registration of the securities issuable on exercise of the Underwriter’s warrants. The exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend or our recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the warrant exercise price or underlying shares will not be adjusted for issuances of shares of common stock at a price below the warrant exercise price.

 

Right of First Refusal and Certain Post-Offering Investments

 

Subject to the closing of this offering and certain conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, for a period of 18 months after the commencement of sales of the offering, the Representative shall have a right of first refusal to act as sole underwriter and sole book-running manager and/or sole placement agent for any and all future public or private equity, equity-linked, convertible or debt (excluding commercial bank debt) offerings undertaken during such period by us, or any of our successors or subsidiaries, on terms customary to each of the underwriter. The Representative, in conjunction with us, shall have the sole right to determine whether or not any other broker-dealer shall have the right to participate in any such offering and the economic terms of any such participation. In addition, we have agreed that in the event any investor previously introduced to us by the Representative in this Offering subsequently provides capital to us in any public or private financing during the twelve (12) month period following the closing of this Offering, we will pay the underwriters a cash fee of [__%] of the gross proceeds on any such investments.

 

Trading; Nasdaq Capital Market Listing

 

Prior to this offering, our common stock was quoted on the OTCQB market under the symbol “NEOV.” We have applied to list our common stock and Warrants on Nasdaq under the symbols “NEOV” and “NEOVW,” respectively. We believe that upon the completion of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, we will meet the standards for listing on Nasdaq. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in listing our common stock or our Warrants on Nasdaq; however, we will not complete this offering unless we are so listed.

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

 

In connection with this offering the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

 

·Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. 

 

·Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriters of securities in excess of the number of securities the underwriters are obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of securities over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of securities that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of securities involved is greater than the number of securities in the over-allotment option. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising its over-allotment option and/or purchasing securities in the open market. 

 

·Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of securities to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option. A naked short position occurs if the underwriters sells more securities than could be covered by the over-allotment option. This position can only be closed out by buying securities in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. 


68


·Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when securities originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. 

 

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our securities or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities. As a result, the price of our shares of common stock and warrants may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our shares of common stock and warrants. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that any transaction, if commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the underwriters, or by their affiliates. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriters’ website and any information contained in any other websites maintained by the underwriters is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriters in their capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Other

 

From time to time, the underwriters and/or their affiliates may in the future provide, various investment banking and other financial services for us for which services it has received and, may in the future receive, customary fees. Except for the services provided in connection with this offering and other than as described below, the underwriters have not provided any investment banking or other financial services during the 180-day period preceding the date of this prospectus.

 

Offers Outside the United States

 

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus has been passed upon for us by ArentFox Schiff LLP, Washington, DC, and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel for the underwriters in this offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of NeoVolta, Inc. as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, have been included herein in reliance on the report of MaloneBailey, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


69


 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the Units offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference. All filings we make with the SEC are available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

 

We file reports pursuant to Rule 257 of the Securities Act with the SEC. These reports are available on the website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at www.neovolta.com. Upon the completion of this offering you may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge or at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


70


 

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Unaudited Financial Statements as of March 31, 2022 and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited).

 

Contents

 

Page(s)

 

 

 

Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2022 (unaudited) and June 30, 2021

 

F-1

Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)

 

F-2

Statements of Operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)

 

F-3

Statements of Stockholders Equity for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)

 

F-4

Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (unaudited)

 

F-5

Notes to the Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

F-6

 

Audited Financial Statements as of June 30, 2021 and 2020 and for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

Contents

 

Page(s)

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-12

Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

F-13

Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

F-14

Statements of Stockholders Equity for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

F-15

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

F-16

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

F-17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


71


NEOVOLTA, INC.

Balance Sheets

 

 

March 31,

2022

 

June 30,

2021

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

785,989

 

$

425,681

Accounts receivable

 

1,361,365

 

 

1,128,444

Inventory

 

1,677,621

 

 

1,662,140

Prepaid insurance and other current assets

 

165,012

 

 

45,926

Total current assets

 

3,989,987

 

 

3,262,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

3,989,987

 

$

3,262,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

4,167

 

$

53,510

Accrued interest payable

 

35,256

 

 

3,918

Other accrued liabilities

 

30,993

 

 

36,821

Convertible notes payable

 

1,068,000

 

 

-

Total current liabilities

 

1,138,416

 

 

94,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible notes payable (net of unamortized discount of

 $-0- and $41,307 as of March 31, 2022 & June 30, 2021,

 respectively)

 

53,716

 

 

19,308

Total liabilities

 

1,192,132

 

 

113,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares

 authorized,21,977,251 and 19,640,888 shares

  issued and outstanding

 

21,978

 

 

19,641

Additional paid-in capital

 

17,448,202

 

 

13,169,363

Accumulated deficit

 

(14,672,325)

 

 

(10,040,370)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

2,797,855

 

 

3,148,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

3,989,987

 

$

3,262,191

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements.


F-1


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

 

 

Revenues from contracts with customers

$

932,903

 

$

1,317,701

Cost of goods sold

 

810,563

 

 

1,138,779

Gross profit

 

122,340

 

 

178,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

620,214

 

 

220,653

Research and development

 

-

 

 

25,652

Total operating expenses

 

620,214

 

 

246,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(497,874)

 

 

(67,383)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(21,829)

 

 

(5,445)

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

-

 

 

29,600

   Total other income (expense)

 

(21,829)

 

 

24,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(519,703)

 

$

(43,228)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

20,287,634

 

 

18,669,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

$

(0.03)

 

$

(0.00)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements.


F-2


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

 

 

Revenues from contracts with customers

$

3,567,634

 

$

3,863,623

Cost of goods sold

 

3,033,263

 

 

3,348,753

Gross profit

 

534,371

 

 

514,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

5,114,267

 

 

7,679,251

Research and development

 

66,503

 

 

42,801

Total operating expenses

 

5,180,770

 

 

7,722,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(4,646,399)

 

 

(7,207,182)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(31,365)

 

 

(17,870)

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

-

 

 

29,600

Total other income (expense)

 

(31,365)

 

 

11,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(4,677,764)

 

$

(7,195,452)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

20,082,627

 

 

17,307,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

$

(0.23)

 

$

(0.42)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements.


F-3


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021

(Unaudited)

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

 

Accumulated

Deficit

 

Total

Stockholders’

Equity

 

Shares

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2021

19,640,888

$

19,641

 

$

13,169,363

 

$

(10,040,370)

 

$

3,148,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 for conversion of debt

 and accrued interest

1,098,630

 

1,099

 

 

5,823

 

 

-

 

 

6,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

1,237,733

 

1,238

 

 

4,360,132

 

 

-

 

 

4,361,370

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment for change in

 accounting principle

-

 

-

 

 

(87,116)

 

 

45,809

 

 

(41,307)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(4,677,764)

 

 

(4,677,764)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2022

21,977,251

$

21,978

 

$

17,448,202

 

$

(14,672,325)

 

$

2,797,855

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

 

Accumulated

Deficit

 

Total

Stockholders’

Equity

 

Shares

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2020

14,421,528

$

14,422

 

$

5,714,482

 

$

(2,394,498)

 

$

3,334,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 for conversion of debt

 and accrued interest

3,604,830

 

3,605

 

 

19,106

 

 

-

 

 

22,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

1,614,530

 

1,614

 

 

7,112,737

 

 

-

 

 

7,114,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(7,195,452)

 

 

(7,195,452)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2021

19,640,888

$

19,641

 

$

12,846,325

 

$

(9,589,950)

 

$

3,276,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements.


F-4


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 

2022

 

2021

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(4,677,764)

 

$

(7,195,452)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net

 cash provided by (used in) operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

4,361,370

 

 

7,114,351

Amortization of debt discount

 

-

 

 

16,335

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

-

 

 

(29,600)

Changes in current assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(232,921)

 

 

(1,204,012)

Inventory

 

(15,481)

 

 

502,038

Prepaid insurance and other current assets

 

(119,086)

 

 

134,055

Accounts payable

 

(49,343)

 

 

183,357

Accrued expenses

 

25,533

 

 

9,608

Other changes, net

 

-

 

 

-

Net cash flows used in operating activities

 

(707,692)

 

 

(469,320)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from convertible notes payable

 

1,068,000

 

 

-

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

 

1,068,000

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

360,308

 

 

(469,320)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

425,681

 

 

1,309,304

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

785,989

 

$

839,984

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

-

 

$

-

Cash paid for income taxes

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental non-cash financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Conversion of convertible debt and accrued

 interest into common stock

$

6,922

 

$

22,711

Adjustment of debt discount related to

 adoption of new accounting principle

 

87,116

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements.


F-5


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

March 31, 2022

 

(1)  Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of Business - NeoVolta, Inc. (“we”, “our” or the "Company") is a Nevada corporation, which was formed on March 5, 2018.  The Company is a designer, seller and manufacturer of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) which can store and use energy via batteries and an inverter at residential sites.  The Company completed a public offering of shares of its common stock pursuant to Regulation A on May 9, 2019 (see Note 4), and began assembling and selling its proprietary ESS units through wholesale customers, primarily in California, in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.

 

Basis of Presentation - The accompanying financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company’s fiscal year end is June 30.  Accordingly, such interim financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete annual financial statements. The information furnished reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items which are, in the opinion of management, necessary in order to make the financial statements not misleading.  The balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 has been derived from the Company’s June 30, 2021 financial statements that were audited by an independent registered public accounting firm but does not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete annual financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The unaudited financial statements included in this report should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 1-K annual report for the year ended June 30, 2021, filed by the Company with the SEC on October 4, 2021.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid accounts with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.  Periodically, the Company may carry cash balances at financial institutions in excess of the federally insured limit of $250,000.  The amount in excess of the FDIC insurance at March 31, 2022 was $535,989.

 

Inventory - Inventory consists of batteries and inverters purchased from Asian suppliers and delivered to a location near the Company’s offices, for assembly into ESS units.  Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, cost being determined using the first-in, first out (FIFO) method.  Inventory of raw materials and work in process amounted to $1,677,621 and $1,662,140, as of March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which was adopted on July 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method, with no impact to the Company’s comparative financial statements. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five step model:

 

·Identification of the contact with a customer 

·Identification of the performance obligations in the contract 

·Determination of the transaction price 

·Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 

·Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation 

 

The Company generates revenues from contracts with customers, consisting of a relatively small number of wholesale dealers and installers, primarily in California.  Two such dealers represented approximately 22% and 16% of the Company’s revenues in the nine months ended March 31, 2022, however, no other dealers accounted for more than 10% of the revenues in such period. Those two dealers also represented an aggregate of approximately 43% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of March 31, 2022.  In the nine months ended March 31, 2021, two dealers represented approximately 22% and 16% of the Company’s revenues.  Those two dealers plus another dealer represented an aggregate of 59% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of March 31, 2021.  Under its present contracts with customers, the Company’s sole performance obligation is the delivery of products to the customer.  


F-6


Since all of the Company’s revenue is currently generated from the sales of similar products, no further disaggregation of revenue information for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 is provided.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The Company recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts whenever a loss is expected to be incurred in the realization of a customer’s account.  As of March 31, 2022, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been recorded.

Income Taxes - The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and the tax bases of reported assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company must then assess the likelihood that the resulting deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10 which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on its tax return. The Company evaluates and records any uncertain tax positions based on the amount that management deems is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination and ultimate settlement with the tax authorities in the tax jurisdictions in which it operates.

 

Stock Compensation Expense - Employee and non-employee share-based payment compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period.

 

Loss Per Common Share - Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is determined using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents. In periods when losses are reported, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.  As of March 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding common stock equivalents of 9,404,867 shares related to convertible notes, including accrued interest, issued in May 2018, and 267,000 shares related to convertible notes issued in October 2021 (see Note 3).

 

Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Use of Estimates - Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  As a result of the continued spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus since early 2020, economic uncertainties have arisen which could impact business operations, supply chains, energy demand, and commodity prices that are beyond our control.  Overall, we have not experienced a material adverse impact to our economic performance or ability to continue our business operations as a result of COVID-19.  We continue to monitor COVID-19, but do not believe it will have a material unfavorable impact to our future financial performance at this time.

 

Related Parties - The Company accounts for related party transactions in accordance with ASC 850 (“Related Party Disclosures”). A party is considered to be related to the Company if the party directly or indirectly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if  one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. A party which can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or if it has an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that it might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests is also a related party.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”), or other standard setting bodies and adopted by us as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective


F-7


will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption. The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

Effective as of July 1, 2021, the Company early adopted the provisions of ASU 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity).  As a result of the adoption of this new accounting principle, using the modified retrospective method, the Company no longer recognized a beneficial conversion feature associated with the issuance of any convertible debt.  Accordingly, the Company adjusted the beneficial conversion feature associated with the convertible notes issued in 2018 as of July 1, 2021 by reversing the previously recorded cumulative amortization expense of $45,809 and the remaining unamortized balance of the debt discount of $41,307, with an offsetting adjustment to reduce additional paid-in capital, in the amount of $87,116 (see Note 3)..

 

(2)  Going Concern

 

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will continue to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to obtain necessary equity financing to continue operations and the attainment of profitable operations.  As of March 31, 2022, the Company has incurred an accumulated deficit of $14,672,325, and had not yet generated a positive level of operating cash flow. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

These financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company may seek additional funding through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, third-party funding, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination thereof. Management cannot be certain that such events can be achieved.

 

(3)  Notes Payable

 

On various dates beginning in May 2018, the Company entered into six unsecured convertible notes payable for aggregate proceeds of $104,688.  Each note bears interest at 12% per annum and both principal and accrued interest are due at maturity five years from the date of issuance. These notes are convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.0063 per share.  The Company performed an analysis to determine whether there was a beneficial conversion feature and noted none.  The notes are structured to be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion price, subject to a shareholder limitation of 4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  This conversion feature resulted in the full repayment of the notes payable owed to two such note holders in conjunction with the closing of an IPO in May 2019 and left the four remaining note holders with a total outstanding principal balance of $87,116 (see Note 4).

 

Effective May 19, 2019, the remaining holders of the convertible notes payable agreed to prospectively amend the terms of the outstanding balance of their notes to reduce the interest rate from 12% per annum to 3.99% per annum and to change the interest accrual method from a compound to a simple basis.  Due to this amendment, the Company was required to perform an updated debt modification analysis under ASC 470 and determined that the amendment qualified as an extinguishment of debt and therefore a beneficial conversion feature was required to be evaluated as of the date of the modification. Since the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the time of the amendment was sufficiently higher than the conversion price, it was determined that a beneficial conversion feature in the amount of $87,116 existed as of that date.  Accordingly, the Company recorded a debt discount, offset by a credit to additional paid-in capital, in the amount of $87,116 as of May 19, 2019, and began amortizing the debt discount to interest expense over the remaining term of the notes.  As of July 1, 2021, the Company adopted a new accounting standard for convertible debt by reversing the previously recorded cumulative amortization expense of $45,809 and the remaining unamortized balance of the debt discount of $41,307, with an offsetting adjustment to reduce additional paid-in capital, in the amount of $87,116 (see Note 1).

 

In the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, holders of certain convertible notes payable reached agreements to sell portions of their notes in the aggregate amounts of $22,711 and $17,010, consisting of principal in the amounts of $16,652 and $9,849 and accrued interest in the amounts of $6,059 and $7,161, respectively, to


F-8


various third party investors. Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these investors elected to convert or exchange such purchased convertible notes payable into a total of 3,604,830 and 2,700,000 shares of common stock for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively (see Note 4).

 

In the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the holders of additional convertible notes payable having total principal and accrued interest balances in the aggregate amount of $6,922 elected to convert their notes.  Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these holders converted their notes payable into a total of 1,098,630 shares of common stock (see Note 4).

 

On October 18, 2021, the Company completed a new convertible debt offering with a group of accredited investors via the issuance of notes in the total amount of $1,068,000.  The unsecured notes bear interest at the rate of 6% per annum and are due one year from the date of issuance.  In the event, however, of a qualified public offering of the Company’s common stock pursuant to which the Company’s common stock becomes listed for trading on a national securities exchange, the principal amount of the notes and any accrued interest will be automatically converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $4.00 of principal per share.

 

As of March 31, 2022, the future maturities of all notes payable, after considering the partial sales of the 2018 convertible notes referenced above, are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31, 2022

$

1,068,000

Year ended December 31, 2023

 

53,716

 

$

1,121,716

 

As a result of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, the Company applied for and received a loan under the U.S. government sponsored Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) in May 2020 in the amount of $29,600.  Under the terms of the PPP loan, the Company was allowed to apply to have the PPP loan forgiven provided that it met certain documentation requirements. The Company made such an application in late 2020 and the loan was subsequently forgiven in full, effective February 26, 2021.  Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain on the forgiveness of debt for the year ended June 30, 2021 in the amount of $29,600.

 

(4)  Equity

 

Common Stock - In March 2018, the Company issued 100,000 shares of its common stock to its chief executive officer in exchange for his founding capital contribution in the amount of $500, which equates to a price of $0.005 per share.

 

In July 2018, the Company completed a private placement offering of shares of its common stock to a group of accredited investors. This offering was for a total of 1,500,000 shares at an offering price of $0.50 per share resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $750,000.  In December 2018, the Company completed a second private placement offering of shares of common stock to a group of accredited investors. This offering was for a total of 1,000,003 shares at an offering price of $0.75 per share resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $750,000.

 

On May 9, 2019, the Company completed a public offering of shares of its common stock pursuant to Regulation A. This offering was for a total of 3,500,000 shares at an offering price of $1.00 per share resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $3,500,000 (the net proceeds were $3,399,115).  In conjunction with the closing of the public offering, holders of the Company’s convertible notes payable in the principal amount of $17,572, plus an additional accrued interest amount of $2,094, automatically converted their notes into 3,121,525 shares of common stock, taking into consideration the shareholder ownership limitations under the terms of the convertible notes payable (see Note 3).

 

In the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, holders of certain convertible notes payable reached agreements to sell portions of their notes in the aggregate amounts of $22,711 and $17,010, consisting of principal in the amounts of $16,652 and $9,849 and accrued interest in the amounts of $6,059 and $7,161, respectively, to various third party investors. Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these investors elected to convert or exchange such purchased convertible notes payable into a total of 3,604,830 and 2,700,000 shares of common stock for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively (see Note 3).


F-9


In the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the holders of additional convertible notes payable having total principal and accrued interest balances in the aggregate amount of $6,922 elected to convert their notes.  Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these holders converted their notes payable into a total of 1,098,630 shares of common stock (see Note 3).

 

Stock Compensation Expense - In June 2018, the Company awarded a total of 2,100,000 shares of common stock to two executive officers and a consultant.  The Company valued the stock awards at a total amount of $13,200, based on the $0.0063 per share conversion price of the convertible notes payable (see Note 3).  Per the original vesting milestones, $525 of the value was initially amortized to stock compensation expense as of June 30, 2018.  Effective December 31, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the originally intended milestones associated with the awarding of these shares had been fully satisfied. Accordingly, the Company issued those shares to the recipients as of December 31, 2018.  In conjunction with that issuance, the Company recorded the remaining unamortized cost of such awards as stock compensation expense in the amount $12,675 as of December 31, 2018.

 

In December 2018, the Company also issued 100,000 shares of common stock to an attorney for legal services.  The Company recorded a charge to stock compensation expense for these shares in the amount $75,000, based on the same offering price of $0.75 per share, as was used in the second private placement offering, which was completed simultaneously with that issuance.

 

In December 2019, the Company awarded a total of 700,000 shares of common stock to an executive officer and a consultant.  The Company valued the stock awards at a total amount of $700,000, based on the above-noted public offering price of $1.00 per share.  For the 500,000 shares awarded to an officer, the Company immediately amortized $500,000 as a non-cash charge to expense as such shares were considered to have been earned by him under the Company’s milestone incentive compensation program, as of December 31, 2019, notwithstanding that issuance of the shares was deferred until a later date (such shares have not been issued as of December 31, 2021).  For the 200,000 shares awarded to a consultant, the Company amortized $200,000 as a non-cash charge to expense over his 24 month services agreement.

 

In June 2020, the Company entered into new Board approved employment contracts with the Company’s two executive officers and also entered into an associated contractor agreement with a company controlled by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Pursuant to such contracts, the company controlled by the Company’s CEO and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, in his induvial capacity, met the necessary milestones to earn a total of 1,600,000 incentive shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020. These shares, plus another 14,530 incentive shares earned by a wholesale dealer (see Note 5), were issued in February 2021. In the year ended June 30, 2021, the Company recognized non-cash stock compensation expense for the fair value of such shares, plus the fair value of earned shares subsequently issued to other grantees, in the total amount of $7,354,056.

 

Pursuant to the above noted contract with a company controlled by the Company’s CEO, such company met the necessary milestones to earn a total of an additional 500,000 incentive shares of common stock as of December 31, 2021, with a then current value of $3,505,000. These shares, plus another 500,000 incentive shares previously earned by that company, were issued in the quarter ended March 31, 2022, at which time the agreement with the company controlled by the Company’s CEO was terminated and the CEO entered into a new employment agreement, as described in the following paragraph.  In the nine months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized total non-cash stock compensation expense for the fair value of such 500,000 shares, plus the fair value of earned shares issued to other grantees, in the total amount of $4,168,056, including $191,125 for the amortized value of 50,000 shares attributable to a new independent director and $60,062 for 8,568 incentive shares earned by a wholesale dealer (see Note 5). There was a total of 237,733 earned shares of common stock issued to such other grantees, primarily advisors and consultants, in the nine months ended March 31, 2022.

 

In February 2022, we entered into a new employment agreement with our CEO, effective April 1, 2022.  The initial term of the employment agreement will be one year and will be automatically renewable for additional one-year terms unless either party chooses not to renew the agreement. The agreement provides for an initial annual salary of $165,000.  Pursuant to the agreement, we issued our CEO a restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award for up to 150,000 shares of our common stock upon achieving the following milestones (which achievements shall be determined by the Board): (i) Milestone 1 - Successfully complete an uplisting of our common stock in 2022 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2023: 50,000 shares; and (ii) Milestone 2 - Produce 2,000 ESSs in 2022 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2023: 100,000 shares.


F-10


In February 2022, we entered into a new employment agreement with our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), effective March 1, 2022. The initial term of the employment agreement is one year and will be automatically renewable for additional one-year terms unless either party chooses not to renew the agreement. The agreement provides for an initial annual salary of $125,000. Pursuant to the agreement, we issued our CFO an RSU award for up to 300,000 shares of our common stock upon achieving the following milestones (which achievements shall be determined by the Board): (i) Milestone 1 - Successfully complete an uplisting of our common stock in 2022 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2023: 250,000 shares; and (ii) Milestone 2 - successfully complete and file the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023 no later than September 29, 2023 and continue his employment with our company until January 1, 2024: 50,000 shares.

 

Based upon the Company’s assessment of the probability of the CEO and CFO ultimately achieving each milestone specified under the RSU awards indicated above, the Company has calculated the grant date value of such awards and is amortizing it as stock compensation expense over the underlying performance period.  As of March 31, 2022, the Company has recognized stock compensation applicable to such RSU awards in the amount of $193,314.

 

Other Matters - In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the establishment of a new 2019 Stock Option Plan with an authorization for the issuance of up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock. The Plan is designed to provide for future discretionary grants of stock options, stock awards and stock unit awards to key employees and non-employee directors. The Company also increased the total number of shares of common stock authorized from 30,000,000 to 100,000,000.

 

(5)  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company secured new corporate and manufacturing office space under a sublease agreement with a major wholesale customer. Under the terms of the sublease agreement, the Company is required to make rental payments of $10,350 per month during the initial one-year term of the agreement. The sublease agreement is renewable upon mutual agreement of both parties for up to four additional years at a modest increase in the monthly rent, however, the Company is under is no obligation to renew it. Management has determined that the exercise of the renewal option is not reasonably certain and, as such, the Company has accounted for it as a short-term lease under ASC 842, Leases.  Effective January 1, 2022, the Company elected to renew the agreement for another one year period.

 

As indicated in Note 1, the Company sells its proprietary ESS units through wholesale dealers, primarily in California.  In that regard, the Company has entered into agreements with several wholesale dealers operating in California and other states under which the Company has incentivized the dealers to achieve quarterly sales above targeted levels by agreeing to grant them shares of the Company’s common stock for exceeding such quarterly sales targets, subject to defined maximums.  Pursuant to such agreements, one dealer met the necessary milestones to earn 14,530 incentive shares of common stock in December 2020, which were issued in February 2021, and also earned another 8,568 incentive shares of common stock in December 2021, which were issued in March 2022.

 

From time to time in the ordinary course of our business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings, the outcomes of which may not be determinable. The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings at this time.  The results of litigation are inherently unpredictable.  Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in diversion of significant resources. We are not able to estimate an aggregate amount or range of reasonably possible losses for those legal matters for which losses are not probable and estimable.

 

 

 

 

 


F-11


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

NeoVolta, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of NeoVolta, Inc. as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Going Concern Matter

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has not generated positive operating cash flows that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP

www.malonebailey.com

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018

Houston, Texas

October 1, 2021


F-12


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Balance Sheets

 

 

June 30,

2021

 

June 30,

2020

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

425,681

 

$

1,309,304

Accounts receivable

 

1,128,444

 

 

391,112

Inventory

 

1,662,140

 

 

1,553,296

Prepaid insurance and other current assets

 

45,926

 

 

150,015

Total current assets

 

3,262,191

 

 

3,403,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

$

3,262,191

 

$

3,403,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

53,510

 

$

3,660

Accrued interest payable

 

3,918

 

 

7,236

Other accrued liabilities

 

36,821

 

 

14,388

Total current liabilities

 

94,249

 

 

25,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible notes payable (net of unamortized

 discount of $41,307 and $62,830 as of June 30, 2021

 and 2020, respectively)

 

19,308

 

 

14,437

Paycheck Protection Program loan

 

-

 

 

29,600

Total liabilities

 

113,557

 

 

69,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares

 authorized, 19,640,888 and 14,421,528 shares issued

 and outstanding

 

19,641

 

 

14,422

Additional paid-in capital

 

13,169,363

 

 

5,714,482

Accumulated deficit

 

(10,040,370)

 

 

(2,394,498)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

3,148,634

 

 

3,334,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

3,262,191

 

$

3,403,727

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.


F-13


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Operations

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

 

 

Revenues from contracts with customers

$

4,823,510

 

$

2,011,644

Cost of goods sold

 

4,175,795

 

 

1,773,049

Gross profit

 

647,715

 

 

238,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

8,255,865

 

 

1,507,211

Research and development

 

42,801

 

 

162,697

Total operating expenses

 

8,298,666

 

 

1,669,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(7,650,951)

 

 

(1,431,313)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(24,521)

 

 

(25,297)

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

29,600

 

 

-

Total other income (expense)

 

5,079

 

 

(25,297)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(7,645,872)

 

$

(1,456,610)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

17,889,327

 

 

12,404,725

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share

$

(0.43)

 

$

(0.12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.


F-14


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Total

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Stockholders’

 

Shares

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2019

11,521,528

$

11,522

 

$

5,083,705

 

$

(937,888)

 

$

4,157,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock for conver-

 sion of debt and accrued interest

1,950,000

 

1,950

 

 

10,335

 

 

-

 

 

12,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange of accrued interest on con-

 vertible debt into common stock

750,000

 

750

 

 

3,975

 

 

-

 

 

4,725

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

200,000

 

200

 

 

616,467

 

 

-

 

 

616,667

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(1,456,610)

 

 

(1,456,610)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2020

14,421,528

 

14,422

 

 

5,714,482

 

 

(2,394,498)

 

 

3,334,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock for conver-

 sion of debt and accrued interest

3,604,830

 

3,605

 

 

19,106

 

 

-

 

 

22,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

1,614,530

 

1,614

 

 

7,435,775

 

 

-

 

 

7,437,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

-

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(7,645,872)

 

 

(7,645,872)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2021

19,640,888

$

19,641

 

$

13,169,363

 

$

(10,040,370)

 

$

3,148,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.


F-15


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

2021

 

2020

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(7,645,872)

 

$

(1,456,610)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by

 (used in) operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

7,437,389

 

 

616,667

Amortization of beneficial conversion feature

 

21,780

 

 

21,780

Gain on forgiveness of debt

 

(29,600)

 

 

-

Changes in current assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(737,332)

 

 

(391,112)

Inventory

 

(108,844)

 

 

(559,383)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

104,089

 

 

(78,878)

Accounts payable - others

 

49,850

 

 

(28,399)

Accrued expenses

 

24,917

 

 

17,742

Net cash flows used in operating activities

 

(883,623)

 

 

(1,858,193)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds of Paycheck Protection Program loan

 

-

 

 

29,600

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

-

 

 

29,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(883,623)

 

 

(1,828,593)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

1,309,304

 

 

3,137,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

425,681

 

$

1,309,304

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

-

 

$

-

Cash paid for income taxes

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible notes payable and accrued interest converted to

 common stock

$

22,711

 

$

12,285

Exchange of common stock for debt

 

-

 

 

4,725

 

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.


F-16


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

(1)  Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of Business - NeoVolta, Inc. (“we”, “our” or the “Company”) is a Nevada corporation, which was formed on March 5, 2018. The Company is a designer, seller and manufacturer of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) which can store and use energy via batteries and an inverter at residential sites.  The Company completed a public offering of shares of its common stock pursuant to Regulation A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on May 9, 2019 (see Note 4), and began assembling and selling its proprietary ESS units through wholesale customers, primarily in California, in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.

 

Basis of Presentation - The accompanying financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid accounts with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Periodically, the Company may carry cash balances at financial institutions in excess of the federally insured limit of $250,000.  The amount in excess of the FDIC insurance at June 30, 2021 was $175,681.

 

Inventory - Inventory consists of batteries and inverters purchased from Asian suppliers and delivered to a location near the Company’s offices, for assembly into ESS units.  Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, cost being determined using the first-in, first out (FIFO) method.  Inventory of raw materials and work in process amounted to $1,662,140 and $1,553,296, respectively, as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company periodically reviews the value of items in inventory and records an allowance to reduce the carrying value of inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value based on its assessment of market conditions, inventory turnover and current stock levels. Inventory write-downs are charged to cost of goods sold. No inventory reserve was required as of June 30, 2021 and 2020.

 

Revenue Recognition - The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which was adopted on July 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method, with no impact to the Company’s comparative financial statements. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring those goods or services. Revenue is recognized based on the following five step model:

 

·Identification of the contact with a customer 

·Identification of the performance obligations in the contract 

·Determination of the transaction price 

·Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract 

·Recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation 

 

The Company initially began generating revenues from contracts with customers in the year ended June 30, 2020, however, such revenues have thus far been concentrated within a relatively small number of wholesale dealers and installers, primarily in California. In the year ended June 30, 2021, four such dealers represented approximately 18%, 15%, 13% and 10% of the Company’s revenues whereas in the year ended June 30, 2020, two such dealers represented approximately 41% and 25% of the Company’s revenues. As of June 30, 2021, three such dealers represented an aggregate of 54% of the Company’s accounts receivable. As of June 30, 2020, two such dealers represented an aggregate of 97% of the Company’s accounts receivable. Under its present contracts with customers, the Company’s sole performance obligation is the delivery of products to the customer. Since all of the Company’s revenue is currently generated from the sales of similar products, no further disaggregation of revenue information for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is provided.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The Company recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts whenever a loss is expected to be incurred in the realization of a customer’s account.  As of June 30, 2021, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been recorded.


F-17


Income Taxes - The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and the tax bases of reported assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company must then assess the likelihood that the resulting deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10 which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on its tax return. The Company evaluates and records any uncertain tax positions based on the amount that management deems is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination and ultimate settlement with the tax authorities in the tax jurisdictions in which it operates.

 

Beneficial Conversion Feature - The Company has issued convertible notes that have conversion prices that create an embedded beneficial conversion feature on the issuance date. A beneficial conversion feature exists on the date a convertible note is issued when the fair value of the underlying common stock to which the note is convertible into is in excess of the remaining unallocated proceeds of the note after first considering the allocation of a portion of the note proceeds to the fair value of any attached equity instruments, if any related equity instruments were granted with the debt. The Company estimated the fair value of its common stock on the dates issued. The intrinsic value of the beneficial conversion feature, if any, is recorded as a debt discount and amortized to interest expense over the life of the note (see Note 3).

 

Stock Compensation Expense - Employee and non-employee share-based payment compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period.  Share-based awards to non-employees are expensed over the period in which the related services are rendered at their fair value.

 

Loss Per Common Share - Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share is determined using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents. In periods when losses are reported, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had outstanding common stock equivalents related to convertible notes of approximately 9,621,000 shares.

 

Research and Development Costs - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Use of Estimates - Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As a result of the continued spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus since early 2020, economic uncertainties have arisen which could impact business operations, supply chains, energy demand, and commodity prices that are beyond our control.  Overall, we have not experienced a material adverse impact to our economic performance or ability to continue our business operations as a result of COVID-19.  We continue to monitor COVID-19, but do not believe it will have a material unfavorable impact to our future financial performance at this time.

 

Related Parties - The Company accounts for related party transactions in accordance with ASC 850 (“Related Party Disclosures”). A party is considered to be related to the Company if the party directly or indirectly or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. A party which can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the transacting parties or if it has an ownership interest in one of the transacting parties and can significantly influence the other to an extent that it might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests is also a related party.


F-18


Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments - ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

 

The carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. These financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and long-term debt. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value since the related rate of interest approximates current market rates.

 

At June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not have any financial assets or liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”), or other standard setting bodies and adopted by us as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption. The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

(2)  Going Concern

 

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the Company will continue to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business. The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to obtain necessary equity financing to continue operations and the attainment of profitable operations. As of June 30, 2021, the Company has incurred an accumulated deficit of $10,040,370 and had not yet generated a positive level of operating cash flow. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

These financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company may seek additional funding through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, third-party funding, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination thereof. Management cannot be certain that such events can be achieved.

 

(3)  Notes Payable

 

On various dates beginning in May 2018, the Company entered into six unsecured convertible notes payable for aggregate proceeds of $104,688. Each note originally bore interest at 12% per annum and both principal and accrued interest are due at maturity five years from the date of issuance. These notes are convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.0063 per share. The Company performed an analysis to determine whether there was a beneficial conversion feature and noted none. The notes are structured to be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion price, subject


F-19


to a shareholder limitation of 4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. This conversion resulted in the full repayment of the notes payable owed to two such note holders in conjunction with the closing of an IPO in May 2019 and left the four remaining note holders with a total outstanding principal balance of $87,116 (see Note 4).

 

Effective May 19, 2019, the remaining holders of the convertible notes payable agreed to prospectively amend the terms of the outstanding balance of their notes to reduce the interest rate from 12% per annum to 3.99% per annum and to change the interest accrual method from a compound to a simple basis. Due to this amendment, the Company was required to perform an updated debt modification analysis under ASC 470 and determined that the amendment qualified as an extinguishment of debt and therefore a beneficial conversion feature was required to be evaluated as of the date of the modification. Since the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the time of the amendment was sufficiently higher than the conversion price, it was determined that a beneficial conversion feature in the amount of $87,116 existed as of that date. Accordingly, the Company recorded a debt discount, offset by a credit to additional paid-in capital, in the amount of $87,116 as of May 19, 2019, and is amortizing the debt discount to interest expense over the remaining term of the notes. Amortization of debt discount had been recorded in the amount of $45,809, of which $21,780 was recorded in each of the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. As of June 30, 2021, unamortized debt discount amounted to $41,307.

 

In the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, holders of certain convertible notes payable reached agreements to sell portions of their notes in the aggregate amounts of $22,711 and $17,010, consisting of principal in the amounts of $16,652 and $9,849 and accrued interest in the amounts of $6,059 and $7,161, respectively, to various third party investors. Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these investors elected to convert or exchange such purchased convertible notes payable into a total of 3,604,830 and 2,700,000 shares of common stock for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively (see Note 4).

 

As of June 30, 2021, the future maturities of all notes payable, without taking into account the debt discount of the convertible notes referenced above, are as follows:

 

Year ended June 30, 2022

$

-

Year ended June 30, 2023

 

60,615

 

$

60,615

 

As a result of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, the Company applied for and received a loan under the U.S. government sponsored Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) in May 2020 in the amount of $29,600. Under the terms of the PPP loan, the Company was allowed to apply to have the PPP loan forgiven provided that it met certain documentation requirements. The Company made such an application in late 2020 and the loan was subsequently forgiven in full, effective February 26, 2021. Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain on the forgiveness of debt for the year ended June 30, 2021 in the amount of $29,600.

 

(4)  Equity

 

Common Stock -

 

In March 2018, the Company issued 100,000 shares of its common stock to its chief executive officer in exchange for his founding capital contribution in the amount of $500, which equates to a price of $0.005 per share.

 

In July 2018, the Company completed a private placement offering of shares of its common stock to a group of accredited investors. This offering was for a total of 1,500,000 shares (of which 60,000 shares were issued prior to July 1, 2018) at an offering price of $0.50 per share resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $750,000 (of which $30,000 was received prior to July 1, 2018). The subscription agreement includes, among other things, certain “lockup” provisions in the event of a successful IPO of the Company’s securities.

 

In December 2018, the Company completed a second private placement offering of shares of common stock to a group of accredited investors. This offering was for a total of 1,000,003 shares at an offering price of $0.75 per share resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $750,000. The subscription agreement includes, among other things, certain “lockup” provisions in the event of a successful IPO of the Company’s securities.

 

On May 9, 2019, the Company completed a public offering of shares of its common stock pursuant to Regulation A. This offering was for a total of 3,500,000 shares at an offering price of $1.00 per share resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $3,500,000 (the net proceeds were $3,399,115).  In conjunction with the closing


F-20


of the public offering, holders of the Company’s convertible notes payable in the principal amount of $17,572, plus an additional accrued interest amount of $2,094, automatically converted their notes into 3,121,525 shares of common stock, taking into consideration the shareholder ownership limitations under the terms of the convertible notes payable (see Note 3).

 

In the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, holders of certain convertible notes payable reached agreements to sell portions of their notes in the aggregate amounts of $22,711 and $17,010, consisting of principal in the amounts of $16,652 and $9,849 and accrued interest in the amounts of $6,059 and $7,161, respectively, to various third party investors. Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these investors elected to convert or exchange such purchased convertible notes payable into a total of 3,604,830 and 2,700,000 shares of common stock for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively (see Note 3).

 

Stock Compensation Expense - In June 2018, the Company awarded a total of 2,100,000 shares of common stock to two executive officers and a consultant. The Company valued the stock awards at a total amount of $13,200, based on the $0.0063 per share conversion price of the convertible notes payable (see Note 3). Per the original vesting milestones, $525 of the value was initially amortized to stock compensation expense as of June 30, 2018. Effective December 31, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the originally intended milestones associated with the awarding of these shares had been fully satisfied. Accordingly, the Company issued those shares to the recipients as of December 31, 2018.  In conjunction with that issuance, the Company recorded the remaining unamortized cost of such awards as stock compensation expense in the amount $12,675 as of December 31, 2018.

 

In December 2018, the Company also issued 100,000 shares of common stock to an attorney for legal services. The Company recorded a charge to stock compensation expense for these shares in the amount $75,000, based on the same offering price of $0.75 per share, as was used in the second private placement offering, which was completed simultaneously with that issuance.

 

In December 2019, the Company awarded a total of 700,000 shares of common stock to an executive officer and a consultant. The Company valued the stock awards at a total amount of $700,000, based on the above-noted public offering price of $1.00 per share. For the 500,000 shares awarded to an officer, the Company immediately amortized $500,000 as a non-cash charge to expense as such shares were considered to have been earned by him under the Company’s milestone incentive compensation program, in the year ended June 30, 2020, notwithstanding that issuance of the shares was deferred until a later date (such shares have not been issued as of June 30, 2021). For the 200,000 shares awarded to a consultant, the shares were issued to him in 2019, and the Company is amortizing the $200,000 as a non-cash charge to expense over his 24 month services agreement.

 

In June 2020, the Company entered into new Board approved employment contracts with the Company’s two executive officers. Pursuant to such employment contracts, the two officers met the necessary milestones to earn a total of 1,600,000 incentive shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020. These shares, plus another 14,530 incentive shares earned by a wholesale dealer (see Note 6), were issued in February 2021. Accordingly, the Company recognized non-cash stock compensation expense during the year ended June 30, 2021 for the fair value of such shares, plus the fair value of earned shares to be subsequently issued to other grantees, in the total amount of $7,354,056. When combined with the non-cash stock compensation expense for the shares issued to a consultant in 2019, the total non-cash stock compensation expense in the year ended June 30, 2021 was $7,437,389.

 

Other Matters - In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the establishment of a new 2019 Stock Option Plan with an authorization for the issuance of up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock. The Plan is designed to provide for future discretionary grants of stock options, stock awards and stock unit awards to key employees and non-employee directors. The Company also increased the total number of shares of common stock authorized from 30,000,000 to 100,000,000.


F-21


 

(5)  Income Taxes

 

The Company is subject to United States federal income taxes at an approximate rate of 21%. The reconciliation of the provision for income taxes at the federal statutory rate, compared to the Company’s income tax expense as reported, is as follows (rounded to nearest $00):

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

2021

 

2020

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit computed at statutory rate

$

39,200

 

$

93,000

Change in valuation allowance

 

(39,200)

 

 

(93,000)

Provision for income taxes

$

-

 

$

-

 

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets at the currently enacted corporate income tax rate are as follows (rounded to nearest $00):

 

 

June 30,

2021

 

June 30,

2020

Deferred income tax assets:

 

 

 

Net operating losses

$

310,200

 

$

271,000

Valuation allowance

 

(310,200)

 

 

(271,000)

Net deferred income tax assets

$

-

 

$

-

 

The Company has a tax operating loss carry forward as of June 30, 2021 of approximately $1,477,000, with an indefinite expiration period.

 

(6)  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company secured new corporate and manufacturing office space under a sublease agreement with a major customer. Under the terms of the sublease agreement, the Company is required to make rental payments of $10,350 per month during the initial one-year term of the agreement. The sublease agreement is renewable upon mutual agreement of both parties for up to four additional years at a modest increase in the monthly rent, however, the Company is under is no obligation to renew it. Management has determined that the exercise of the renewal option is not reasonably certain and, as such, the Company has accounted for it as a short-term lease under ASC 842, Leases.

 

In connection with a contractor agreement with a company associated with the CEO, the Company pays monthly service fees of $4,167 to such company which is also entitled to receive up to 2,250,000 shares of common stock of the Company based on achievement of certain milestones, of which the first two milestones of 1,500,000 shares has been met and the shares were issued in February 2021. In connection with the contractor agreement entered into with the CFO, the Company has agreed to issue up to 100,000 shares of common stock of the Company based on achievement of certain milestones, of which both of the two milestone of 100,000 shares has been met and the shares were issued in February 2021 (see Note 4).

 

As indicated in Note 1, the Company has commenced selling its proprietary ESS units through wholesale dealers, primarily in California. In that regard, the Company has entered into agreements with several wholesale dealers under which the Company has incentivized the dealers to achieve quarterly sales above targeted levels by agreeing to grant them shares of the Company’s common stock for exceeding such quarterly sales targets, subject to defined maximums. On October 7, 2019, the Company entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for specified territories outside of California, once objectives and milestones have been achieved, with a distributor in Henderson, Nevada. Pursuant to that agreement, the dealer met the necessary level of sales to earn a total of 14,530 incentive shares of common stock, which were issued in February 2021.

 

In April 2021, we were advised by a competitor located in Texas that they believed we were in violation of the terms of a distribution agreement that the competitor has in place with an Asian supplier of a significant component of our products. As a result of this claim, we immediately filed an action for declaratory relief from the competitor’s allegations in state district court in San Diego County, California. In June 2021, the competitor removed the claim to the federal district court for the Southern District of California and filed a counter claim.


F-22


Following a period of extensive negotiations which took place in July and August 2021, the Company and the competitor, as well as the Asian supplier of the component to both companies, reached a mutual Settlement and Release Agreement (the “Agreement”) on August 30, 2021 (under the Agreement, the Company, the competitor, and the Asian supplier are collectively referred to as the “Parties”). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Parties agreed to dismiss all claims and defenses asserted against each other and to completely release and forever discharge such claims in this matter. The Parties also agreed that the Company shall have the right to purchase the component from the Asian supplier and to sell it throughout the world.

 

Further, the Agreement provides for the Company and the Asian supplier to enter into a new five-year exclusive supply agreement pertaining to its NV7600 product. In accordance with the Agreement, the Company and the Asian supplier entered into the initial five-year exclusive supply agreement on August 30, 2021.

 

From time to time in the ordinary course of our business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings, the outcomes of which may not be determinable. Except for the matter noted above, the Company has not been involved in any legal proceedings. The results of litigation are inherently unpredictable. Any claims against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, require significant amounts of management time and result in diversion of significant resources. We are not able to estimate an aggregate amount or range of reasonably possible losses for those legal matters for which losses are not probable and estimable.

 

(7)  Subsequent Events

 

In July 2021, the holders of additional convertible notes payable having total principal and accrued interest balances in the aggregate amount of $1,283 elected to convert their notes (see Note 3).  Based upon the stated conversion price of $0.0063 per share, these holders converted their notes payable into a total of 203,630 shares of common stock. Additionally, another 154,165 shares of common stock were issued as compensation to several consultants (see Note 4) and attorneys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


F-23


 

  

 

img2.png 

1,666,666 Units

Each Unit Consisting of

One Share of Common Stock and

One Warrant to Purchase One Share of Common Stock

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Sole Book-Running Manager

Maxim Group, LLC

________, 2022

 

Until ________, 2022 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

Set forth below is an estimate (except for registration fees, which are actual) of the approximate amount of each type of fees and expenses listed below that were paid or are payable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the shares of common stock to be registered by this registration statement. None of the expenses listed below are to be borne by any of the selling stockholders named in the prospectus that forms a part of this registration statement.

 

SEC registration fee

$

2,205

FINRA filing fee

 

4,064

Nasdaq listing fee

 

75,000

Printing and engraving expenses

 

10,000

Legal fees and expenses

 

125,000

Accounting fees and expenses

 

50,000

Transfer agent and registrar fees

 

10,000

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

 

5,000

Total

$

281,251

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Neither our articles of incorporation nor bylaws prevent us from indemnifying our officers, directors and agents to the extent permitted under the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”). NRS Section 78.7502, provides that a corporation may indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation against expenses, including fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any defense to the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to Section 78.7502(1) or 78.7502(2), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.

 

NRS 78.7502(1) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

 

NRS Section 78.7502(2) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and fees actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138; or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals there from, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

 

NRS Section 78.747 provides that except as otherwise provided by specific statute, no director or officer of a corporation is individually liable for a debt or liability of the corporation, unless the director or officer acts as the


II-1


alter ego of the corporation. The court as a matter of law must determine the question of whether a director or officer acts as the alter ego of a corporation.

 

To the extent that indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of our company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by any of our directors, officers or controlling persons in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of that issue.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

During the past three years, we sold the following shares of common stock and promissory notes without registration under the Securities Act:

 

In May and June 2018, we issued 12% convertible notes in an aggregate of $104,698 in principal amount of convertible notes, which principal and accrued interest is convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion rate of $0.0063 per share. To date, we have issued an aggregate of 10,524,985 shares of our common stock in connection with prior conversions of the convertible notes. In April 2022, the holders of all of the remaining convertible notes payable having total principal and accrued interest of $59,251 agreed to exchange the foregoing convertible notes for an aggregate of 9,404,867 shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering.

 

In May 2019, we completed our initial public offering of 3,500,000 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $1.00 per share.  The shares were issued pursuant to Regulation A of Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for Tier 2 offerings.

 

In December 2019, we awarded 500,000 shares of our common stock to Brent Willson as compensation for services provided to the Company. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

In December 2019, we issued 200,000 shares of our common stock to a consultant as compensation for consulting services provided to the Company. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

In December 2020, we awarded 1,500,000 and 100,000 shares of our common stock to Canmore International and Steve Bond, respectively, as payment for reaching certain milestones under compensation contracts. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

In February 2021, we issued 14,530 shares of our common stock to PMP Energy as payment for reaching certain volume thresholds pursuant to a distribution agreement. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

In October 2021, we completed a private placement of convertible notes in aggregate principal amount of $1,068,000 to accredited investors. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

In December 2021, we issued 104,165 shares of our common stock to two advisors as compensation for advisory board services provided to the Company. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

In March 2022, we issued 1,000,000 of previously earned shares of our common stock to Canmore International as payment for reaching certain milestones under a compensation contract. At that time, we also issued 75,000 shares earned by a director and an attorney, and 8,568 shares to PMP Energy as payment for reaching certain


II-2


volume thresholds pursuant to a distribution agreement. The securities were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

1.1*

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of NeoVolta, Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Form 1-A (file no. 024-10942)).

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of NeoVolta, Inc. (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.2 of the Company’s Form 1-A (file no. 024-10942)).

3.3*

 

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of NeoVolta, Inc.

4.1

 

Form of 2018 convertible promissory note issued to debt holders (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 1-A (file no. 024-10942))

4.2

 

Form of amendment to 2018 convertible promissory notes issued to debt holders (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Form 1-K for the year ended June 30, 2019 filed October 15, 2019)

4.3*

 

Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant.

4.4*

 

Form of Warrant Agent Agreement.

4.5*

 

Form of Underwriter’s Warrant.

4.6**

 

Form of October 2021 convertible promissory note

5.1*

 

Opinion of ArentFox Schiff LLP

10.1

 

NeoVolta, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to exhibit 6.4 of the Company’s Form 1-A (file no. 024-10942))

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Independent Contractor Agreement between NeoVolta, Inc. and Canmore International Inc. dated January 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 6.1 of the Company’s Form 1-K for the year ended June 30, 2020 filed October 2, 2020)

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Independent Contractor Agreement between NeoVolta, Inc. and Steve Bond dated October 4, 2021 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 6.2 of the Company’s Form 1-K for the year ended June 30, 2020 filed October 2, 2020)

10.4

 

Employment Agreement between NeoVolta, Inc. and Brent Willson dated January 1, 2019 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 6.3 of the Company’s Form 1-A (file no. 024-10942))

10.5+

 

Employment Agreement between NeoVolta, Inc. and Brent Willson dated February 23, 2022

(incorporated by reference to exhibit 6.5 of the Company’s Form 1-SA for the fiscal semi-annual period ended December 31, 2021, filed on March 28, 2022)

10.6+

 

Employment Agreement between NeoVolta, Inc. and Steve Bond dated February 23, 2022

(incorporated by reference to exhibit 6.6 of the Company’s Form 1-SA for the fiscal semi-annual period ended December 31, 2021, filed on March 28, 2022)

10.7**++

 

Distribution Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2019, between NeoVolta, Inc. and PMP Energy, LLC

10.8**++

 

Exclusive Supply Agreement, effective as of August 30, 2021, by and  between  NeoVolta, Inc. and NingBo Deye Inverter Technology Co, Ltd.

10.9**

 

Consent to Sublease dated August 16, 2021 between NeoVolta, Inc. and ConnectPV, Inc.

10.10+

 

Independent Director Agreement, dated April 11, 2022, by and between NeoVolta, Inc. and Susan Snow.

10.11+

 

Independent Director Agreement, dated April 7, 2022, by and between NeoVolta, Inc. and John Hass.

14.1*

 

Code of Ethics

23.1*

 

Consent of MaloneBailey, LLP.

23.2*

 

Consent of ArentFox Schiff (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1

 

Power of Attorney (previously included on the signature page)

99.1**

 

Consent of Susan Snow

99.2**

 

Consent of John Hass

107**

 

Filing fee table

 

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

* Filed herewith.

** Previously filed.


II-3


++Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, certain portions of this exhibit have been redacted. The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally to the SEC, upon its request, an unredacted copy of this exhibit.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: 

(i)To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933. 

(ii)To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement. 

(iii)To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; 

(2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 

(3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. 

(4)For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. 

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

 

 

 

 


II-4


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Poway, State of California, on May 20, 2022.

 

 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brent Willson

 

 

Brent Willson

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ Brent Willson

 

 

 

 

Brent Willson

 

Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director

 

May 20, 2022

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Steve Bond

 

 

 

 

Steve Bond

 

Chief Financial Officer and Director

 

May 20, 2022

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

James F. Amos

 

Director

 

May 20, 2022

 

*  Pursuant to power of attorney

 

 

By: /s/ Steve Bond

Steve Bond, Attorney-in-fact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


II-5


___________ SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND

___________ WARRANTS TO PURCHASE ___________ SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

OF

NEOVOLTA, INC.

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

_______, 2022

Maxim Group LLC

300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor

New York, NY 10022

As the Representative of the

Several underwriters, if any, named in Schedule I hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, NeoVolta, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Nevada (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration Statement as being subsidiaries or affiliates of NeoVolta, Inc., the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with the several underwriters (such underwriters, including the Representative (as defined below), the “Underwriters” and each an “Underwriter”) named in Schedule I hereto for which Maxim Group LLC is acting as representative to the several Underwriters (the “Representative” and if there are no Underwriters other than the Representative, references to multiple Underwriters shall be disregarded and the term Representative as used herein shall have the same meaning as Underwriter) on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

It is understood that the several Underwriters are to make a public offering of the Public Securities as soon as the Representative deems it advisable to do so.  The Public Securities are to be initially offered to the public at the initial public offering price set forth in the Prospectus.

It is further understood that you will act as the Representative for the Underwriters in the offering and sale of the Closing Securities and, if any, the Option Securities in accordance with this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

1.1Definitions.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1: 

Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which commercial banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close, it being agreed that any day which would otherwise be a Business Day shall continue to be a Business Day notwithstanding the occurrence or



continuation of any “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in New York, New York are generally open for use by customers on such day.

Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Closing Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.

Closing Date” means the hour and the date on the Trading Day on which all conditions precedent to (i) the Underwriters’ obligations to pay for the Closing Securities and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Closing Securities, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) Trading Day (or third (3rd) Trading Day if this Agreement is executed after 4:00 p.m. (New York City Time) but prior to 11:59 p.m. (New York City Time)) following the date hereof or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company.

Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

Closing Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(ii).

Closing Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Closing Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(ii).

Combined Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

Company Auditor” means MaloneBailey, LLP., with offices located at _____.

Company Counsel” means ArentFox Schiff LLP, with offices located at 1717 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006.  

EGS” means Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, with offices located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Execution Date” shall mean the date on which the parties execute and enter into this Agreement.

 

Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units or options to employees, officers, directors, or consultants of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose, provided that such securities issued to consultants are issued as “restricted securities” (as


2



defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period contained in Section 4.21(a) and that such issuances to consultants under this subsection (a) shall be limited during the prohibition period contained in Section 4.21(a) up to an aggregate of _________ shares of Common Stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units or options for all consultants, (b) the Representative’s Warrant and the Warrant Shares and Representative’s Warrant Shares, (c) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, and (d) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibitive period set forth in Section 4.21 hereof, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.

FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(i).

General Disclosure Package” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(dd).

Indebtedness” means (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP.

Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, relating to the Securities that (A) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, or (B) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) under the Securities Act because it contains a description of the Securities or of the Offering that does not reflect the final terms or pursuant to Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) because it is a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act; provided, however, that a Written Testing-the-Waters Communication shall be deemed not to be an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

Issuer-Represented General Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Annex I to this Agreement.

Issuer-Represented Limited-Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer-Represented General Free Writing Prospectus. The term Issuer-Represented Limited-Use Free Writing Prospectus also includes any “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, that is made available without restriction pursuant to Rule


3



433(d)(8)(ii), even though not required to be filed with the Commission.

Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.

Lock-Up Agreements” means the lock-up agreements that are delivered on the Execution Date by each of the Company’s officers and directors and certain holders of Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents acceptable to the Representative, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

Material Adverse Effect” means (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document.

Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Offering” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c).

Option Closing Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(c).

Option Closing Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(b), which aggregate purchase price shall be net of the underwriting discounts and commissions.

Option Securities” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Option Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Option Warrants” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Over-Allotment Option” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2.

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Preliminary Prospectus” means, if any, any preliminary prospectus relating to the Securities included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto.

Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.

Prospectus” means the final prospectus filed for the Registration Statement.

Public Securities” means, collectively, the Closing Securities and, if any, the Option Securities.

Registration Statement” means, collectively, the various parts of the registration statement prepared by the Company on Form S-1 (File No. 333- 264275) with respect to the Securities, each as amended through the Execution Date, including the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and all exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference into such registration statement.  If the Company has filed or is required pursuant to the terms hereof to file a registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act registering additional Public Securities (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”), then, unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to


4



include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

Representative‘s Warrant” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(iii).

Representative‘s Warrant Shares” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(iii).

Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

Securities” means the Closing Securities, Option Securities, Warrant Shares, Representative’s Warrant and Representative’s Warrant Shares.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Share Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the Execution Date.

Statutory Prospectus” as of any time means the prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time. For purposes of this definition, information contained in a form of prospectus that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A or 430B under the Securities Act shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus as of the actual time that form of prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act.

Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.

Time of Sale” means [__] a.m./p.m. (Eastern time) on the Execution Date.

Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

Transaction Documents” means this Agreement and all exhibits and schedules hereto, the Warrants, the Warrant Agency Agreement, the Representative’s Warrant, the Lock-Up Agreements, and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

Transfer Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, with offices located at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10004  and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

Warrant Agency Agreement” means the warrant agency agreement dated on or about the date hereof, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

Warrant Purchase Price” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).


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Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

Warrants” means, collectively, the Common Stock purchase warrants delivered to the Underwriters in accordance with Section 2.1(a)(ii) and Section 2.2, which Warrants shall be exercisable immediately and have a term of exercise equal to five years, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE II.

PURCHASE AND SALE

2.1Closing.   

(a)Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to sell in the aggregate ________ shares of Common Stock and Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of _____ shares of Common Stock, and each Underwriter agrees to purchase, severally and not jointly, at the Closing, the following securities of the Company: 

(i)the number of shares of Common Stock (the “Closing Shares”) set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof; and 

(ii)Warrants to purchase up to the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereof (the “Closing Warrants” and, collectively with the Closing Shares, the “Closing Securities”), which Warrants shall have an exercise price of $____, subject to adjustment as provided therein. 

(b)The aggregate purchase price for the Closing Securities shall equal the amount set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter on Schedule I hereto (the “Closing Purchase Price”).  The combined purchase price for one Share and a Warrant to purchase one Warrant Share shall be $_____ (which represents the public offering price per Share and Warrant set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus less a 7.5% underwriting discount, the “Combined Purchase Price”) which shall be allocated as $_____ per Share (the “Share Purchase Price”) and $____ per Warrant (the “Warrant Purchase Price”) (provided, however, that with respect to certain investors identified in writing by the Company and agreed to by the Representative as of the Execution Date, the Combined Purchase Price shall be $____)1; and 

(c) On the Closing Date, each Underwriter shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company, via wire transfer, immediately available funds equal to such Underwriter’s Closing Purchase Price and the Company shall deliver to, or as directed by, such Underwriter its respective Closing Securities and the Company shall deliver the other items required pursuant to Section 2.3 deliverable at the Closing.  Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.3 and 2.4, the Closing shall occur at the offices of EGS or such other location as the Company and Representative shall mutually agree. The Public Securities are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (the “Offering”).   

2.2Over-Allotment Option.   

(a)For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Closing Securities, the Representative  is hereby granted an option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) to purchase, in the aggregate, up to _____ shares of Common Stock (the “Option Shares”) and/or Warrants to purchase up to ____ shares of Common Stock (the “Option Warrants” and, collectively with  


1 5% discount for up to $2M of company introduced investors.


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the Option Shares, the “Option Securities”)2 which may be purchased in any combination of Option Shares and/or Option Warrants at the Share Purchase Price and/or Warrant Purchase Price, respectively.

(b)In connection with an exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, (a) the purchase price to be paid for the Option Shares is equal to the product of the Share Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Shares to be purchased and (b) the purchase price to be paid for the Option Warrants is equal to the product of the Warrant Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option Warrants to be purchased (the aggregate purchase price to be paid on an Option Closing Date, the “Option Closing Purchase Price”).  

(c)The Over-Allotment Option granted pursuant to this Section 2.2 may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Securities within 45 days after the Execution Date.  An Underwriter will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Securities prior to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option by the Representative.  The Over-Allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or facsimile or other electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Shares and/or Option Warrants to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Securities (each, an “Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than two (2) full Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of EGS or at such other place (including remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Securities does not occur on the Closing Date, each Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice.  Upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Shares and/or Option Warrants specified in such notice.  The Representative may cancel the Over-Allotment Option at any time prior to the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option by written notice to the Company. 

2.3Deliveries.  The Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Representative or each Underwriter (as the case may be) the following: 

(i)At the Closing Date, the Closing Shares and, as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the applicable Option Shares, which shares shall be delivered via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters as directed by the Representative; 

(ii)At the Closing Date, the Closing Warrants and, as to each Option Closing Date, if any, the applicable Option Warrants via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system for the accounts of the several Underwriters; 

(iii)At the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, to the Representative or its permitted designees, a Common Stock purchase warrant (the “Representative’s Warrant”) to purchase up to a number of shares of Common Stock (the “Representative’s Warrant Shares”) equal to six percent (6.0%) of the Closing Securities or Option Securities (as the case may be) issued on the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date, which Representative’s Warrant shall have an exercise price of $[___]3, subject to adjustment therein. 

(iv)At the Closing Date, the Warrant Agency Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto; 


2 15% of the Closing Shares and the Closing Warrants.

3 Insert 110% of the Price per Share.


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(v)At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, a legal opinion of Company Counsel addressed to the Underwriters, including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter, addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Representative; 

(vi)As of the Execution Date, a “cold comfort” letter, addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Representative from the Company Auditor dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and a bring-down letter dated as of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any; 

(vii)On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, a duly executed and delivered Officer’s Certificate, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Representative; 

(viii)On the Closing Date and on each Option Closing Date, a duly executed and delivered Secretary’s Certificate, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Representative; and 

(ix)On or prior to the Execution Date, the duly executed and delivered Lock-Up Agreements. 

2.4Closing Conditions. The respective obligations of each Underwriter hereunder in connection with the Closing and each Option Closing Date are subject to the following conditions being met: 

(i)the accuracy in all material respects when made and on the date in question (other than representations and warranties of the Company already qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein); 

(ii)all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the date in question shall have been performed;  

(iii)the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.3 of this Agreement;  

(iv)the Registration Statement shall be effective on the date of this Agreement and  at each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative; 

(v)by the Execution Date, the Underwriters shall have received a letter of no objections from FINRA as to the terms of the arrangements with and amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters in connection with the Offering; 

(vi)the Closing Shares, the Option Shares, the Warrant Shares and Representative’s Warrant Shares have been approved for listing on Nasdaq; and 

(vii)prior to and on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (iii) no stop order applicable to the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the  


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Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act, and neither the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

ARTICLE III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

3.1Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Execution Date, as of the Closing Date and as of each Option Closing Date, if any, as follows: 

(a)Subsidiaries.  All of the direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement.  The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.  If the Company has no Subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded. 

(b)Organization and Qualification.  The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents.  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification. 

(c)Authorization; Enforcement.  The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals.  This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which the Company is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law. 

(d)No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this  


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Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, anti-dilution or similar adjustments, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)Filings, Consents and Approvals.  The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filing with the Commission of the Prospectus and (ii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”). 

 

(f)Registration Statement.  The Company has filed or will file with the Commission the Registration Statement, including any related Preliminary Prospectuses or the Prospectus, for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act, which Registration Statement has been prepared by the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act.  The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on [___], 2022 (the “Effective Date”) at the Time of Sale.  The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 001-[___]) providing for the registration of the Common Stock and the Warrants under the Exchange Act, and such registration of the Common Stock and the Warrants under the Exchange Act is effective as of the Effective Date. 

(g)Issuance of Securities.  The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens.  The Warrant Shares and the Representative’s Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrants and the Representative’s Warrant, respectively, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens.  The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement, the Warrants and the Representative’s Warrant.  The holder of the Securities will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders. The Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company.  All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities has been duly and validly taken, and no further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities.  The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement. 

 

(h)Capitalization.  As of the dates indicated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company were as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in the column headed “Actual” under the section thereof captioned “Capitalization” and, after giving effect to the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (excluding the sale of the Option Shares, if any), will be as set forth in the column headed “Pro Forma As Adjusted” in such section.  No Person has any right of first refusal,  


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preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except such as have been waived.  Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents.  The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Underwriters). There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary with any provision that adjusts the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price of such security or instrument upon an issuance of securities by the Company or any Subsidiary. There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.  The authorized shares of the Company conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the Company’s securities were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers, exempt from such registration requirements.  Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders that will be in effect following the Closing..

 

(i)Company Auditor.  To the knowledge and belief of the Company, the Company Auditor (i) is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.   The Company Auditor has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act. 

(j)SEC Reports; Financial Statements.  The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, together with the Prospectus, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension.  As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Company has never been an issuer subject to Rule 144(i) under the Securities Act. The financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and present fairly the financial position as of the dates indicated and the cash flows and results of operations for the periods specified of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries. Except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a  


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consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except in the case of unaudited financials, which remain subject to certain year-end adjustments and do not contain certain footnotes. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information required to be stated therein. No other financial statements, notes thereto or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The other financial and data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information included therein and have been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the financial statements that are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and the books and records of the respective entities presented therein.  There are no pro forma or as adjusted financial statements which are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in accordance with Regulation S-X which have not been included as so required. The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been properly compiled and prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and include all adjustments necessary to present fairly in accordance with GAAP the pro forma and as adjusted financial position of the respective entity or entities presented therein at the respective dates indicated and their cash flows and the results of operations for the respective periods specified. The assumptions used in preparing the pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions or events described therein. The related pro forma and pro forma as adjusted adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions; and the pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial information reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the corresponding historical financial statement amounts.

 

(k)Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting and Disclosure Controls.  The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the Execution Date, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the Execution Date and as of the Closing Date.  The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports to be filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.   

(l)Agreements, etc.  The agreements, contracts and documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained therein.  There are no agreements, contracts or other documents required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement that have not been so described or filed.  Each agreement, contract or other document (however characterized or described) to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’  


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rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. None of such agreements, contracts or documents has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company or its Subsidiaries nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements, contracts or documents will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, assets or businesses, except in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(m)Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments.  Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus: (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock, (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans and (vi) no officer or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company.  The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information.  Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement, no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws.  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since January 1, 2019, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock. 

(n)Litigation.  There is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement.  There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any current or former director or officer of the Company.  The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.   

(o)Labor Relations.  No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of  


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a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good.  To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters.  The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p)Compliance.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to the business of the Company or such Subsidiary, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.   

(q)Regulatory Permits.  The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (each, a “Material Permit”). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the termination, revocation or modification of any Material Permit.  The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state, local and all foreign regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects.  

(r)Environmental Laws.  The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance in all material respects with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance in all material respects with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. 

(s)Title to Assets.  The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to, or have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all real property and all personal property that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been  


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made in accordance with GAAP, and the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties.  Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects.

(t)Intellectual Property.  The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have licenses or other rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and which the failure to do so could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”).  None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person.  To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights.  The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 

(u)Insurance.  The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost. 

(v)Transactions With Affiliates and Employees.  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from, any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company. 

(w)Certain Fees.  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its stockholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.  The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who  


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raised or provided capital to the Company; or (ii)  any FINRA member participating in the offering as defined in FINRA Rule 5110(j)(15) (“Participating Member”), including any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with a Participating Member, within the twelve months prior to the Execution Date, other than the prior payments to the Representative in connection with the Offering. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any Participating Member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.

(x)Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 

(y)Registration Rights.  Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary. 

(z)Listing and Maintenance Requirements; DTC Eligibility.  The Common Stock and Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock or Warrants under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration.  The Company has been approved for listing on Nasdaq.  The Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all the listing and maintenance requirements of Nasdaq.  The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees of the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer. 

(aa)Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of Nasdaq.  At least one member of the Board of Directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the rules of Nasdaq.  In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent” as defined under the rules of Nasdaq.   

(bb)Application of Takeover Protections.  The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could become applicable as a result of the Underwriters and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents. 

(cc)Disclosure; 10b-5.  The Registration Statement (and any further documents to be filed with the Commission) contains all exhibits and schedules as required by the Securities Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, if any, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Act and Exchange Act and did not and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  The Prospectus and each Preliminary Prospectus, each as of its respective date, comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Acts. Each of the Prospectus and each Preliminary Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, did not and will not contain as of the date thereof any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements  


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therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of its date and the date hereof, the General Disclosure Package did not and does not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The SEC Reports, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the applicable rules and regulations, and none of such documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to the SEC Reports incorporated by reference in the Prospectus), in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading  No post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting any facts or events arising after the date thereof which represent, individually or in the aggregate, a fundamental change in the information set forth therein is required to be filed with the Commission.  There are no documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby that (x) have not been filed as required pursuant to the Securities Act or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement, or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which have not been described or filed as required.  The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading.  

(dd)Free-Writing Prospectuses, etc. Neither: (i) any Issuer-Represented General Free Writing Prospectus(es) issued at or prior to the Time of Sale and the Statutory Prospectus, all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), nor (ii) any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus(es), when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, nor (iii) any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, includes or included as of the Time of Sale any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or omitted as of the Time of Sale to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Each Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times until the Closing Date or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as described in Section 4.2(a), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the then-current Registration Statement, Statutory Prospectus or Prospectus.   

(ee)Offering Materials.  The Company has not distributed and will not distribute any prospectus or other offering material in connection with the Offering other than the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Testing-the-Waters Communication made in compliance with the terms hereof or other materials permitted by the Securities Act to be distributed by the Company. Unless the Company obtains the prior consent of the Representative, the Company has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Public Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, required to be filed with the Commission; provided that the prior written consent of the Representative shall be deemed to have been given in respect of any free writing prospectus referenced on Annex I attached hereto. The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act applicable to any Issuer-Represented Free Writing Prospectus as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the Closing Date, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. To the extent an electronic road show is used, the Company has satisfied and will satisfy the conditions in Rule 433 under the Securities Act to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show. 


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(ff)Statistical Information.  The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources which the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate, and such data agree in all material respects with the sources from which they are derived, and the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources, to the extent required. 

(gg)Forward-Looking Statements.  The Company had a reasonable basis for, and made in good faith, each “forward-looking statement” (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act or Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. 

(hh)No Integrated Offering.  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act. 

(ii)Solvency.  Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Closing Securities hereunder: (i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature, (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid.  The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt).  The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one (1) year from the Closing Date.  The Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus sets forth as of the Execution Date all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. 

(jj)Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated.  The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects. 

(kk)Tax Status.  Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply.  There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.  The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not  


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disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements.  The term “taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto.  The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.

(ll)Foreign Corrupt Practices.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.  The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the FCPA. 

(mm)Reserved.  

(nn)Office of Foreign Assets Control.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company's knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company  or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department. 

(oo)U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation.  The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon the Representative’s request. 

(pp)Bank Holding Company Act.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”).  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. 

(qq)Money Laundering.  The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened. 

(rr)D&O Questionnaires.  To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering as well as in the Lock-Up Agreement provided to the Underwriters is true and correct in all material respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in such questionnaires become inaccurate and incorrect. 

(ss)FINRA Affiliation.  No officer, director or, to the knowledge of the Company, any beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect  


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affiliation or association with any Participating Member. The Company will advise the Representative and EGS if it learns that any officer, director or owner of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a Participating Member.

(tt)Cybersecurity. (i)(x) There has been no security breach or other compromise of or relating to any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s information technology and computer systems, networks, hardware, software, data (including the data of its respective customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and any third party data maintained by or on behalf of it), equipment or technology (collectively, “IT Systems and Data”) and (y) the Company and the Subsidiaries have not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other compromise to its IT Systems and Data; (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable safeguards to maintain and protect its material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data; and (iv) the Company and the Subsidiaries have implemented backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry standards and practices. 

(uu)Officers’ Certificate.  Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or EGS shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby. 

ARTICLE IV.

OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

4.1Amendments to Registration Statement.   The Company has delivered, or will as promptly as practicable deliver, to the Underwriters complete conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts, as applicable, filed as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits), the Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as an Underwriter reasonably requests.  Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to the Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and copies of the documents incorporated by reference therein. The Company shall not file any such amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing. 

4.2Federal Securities Laws

 

(a)Compliance.  During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 4.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Securities Act. 


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(b)Filing of Final Prospectus.  The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424. 

(c)Exchange Act Registration.  For a period of three (3) years from the Effective Date, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act. During such three-year period, the Company will not deregister the Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative. 

 

(d)Free Writing Prospectuses.  The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act, without the prior written consent of the Representative. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is herein referred to as a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in rule and regulations under the Securities Act, and has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 of the Securities Act, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record keeping. 

 

4.3Delivery to the Underwriters of Prospectuses.  The Company will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request. 

 

4.4Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriters.  The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus until the later of nine (9) months from the Execution Date and the date on which the Warrants are no longer outstanding and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order. 

 

4.5Review of Financial Statements.  For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent registered public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial information. 

 

4.6Reports to the Underwriters; Expenses of the Offering

 

(a)Periodic Reports, etc.  For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company will furnish to the Underwriters copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities and also promptly furnish to the Underwriters: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K prepared and filed by the Company; (iv)  a copy of each registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act; (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and  


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the affairs of any future Subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Underwriters shall each sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative in connection with such Underwriter’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its EDGAR system shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Underwriters pursuant to this Section.

 

(b)Transfer Sheets.  For a period of three (3) years from the Execution Date, the Company shall retain the Transfer Agent or a transfer and registrar agent acceptable to the Representative and will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as an Underwriter may reasonably request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and the DTC. 

(c)Trading Reports.  During such time as the Closing Shares, Options Shares and Warrant Shares are listed on the Trading Market, the Company shall provide to the Underwriters, at the Company’s expense, such reports published by such Trading Market relating to price and trading of such shares, as the Underwriters shall reasonably request. 

 

(d)General Expenses Related to the Offering.  The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the Securities to be sold in the Offering (including the Option Securities) with the Commission; (b) all FINRA Public Offering Filing System fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; (c) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the Closing Shares, Options Shares and Warrant Shares on Nasdaq; (d) all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of the Company’s officers and directors; (e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of such Securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other  foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the fees and expenses of Blue Sky counsel); (f) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents (including, without limitation, the Underwriting Agreement, any Blue Sky Surveys and, if appropriate, any Agreement Among Underwriters, Selected Dealers’ Agreement, Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Power of Attorney), Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many Preliminary Prospectuses and Prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (g) the costs and expenses of the Company’s public relations firm; (h) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering the Securities; (i) fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent for the Securities (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company); (j) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriters; (k) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (l) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives; (m) the Underwriters’ costs of mailing prospectuses to prospective investors; (n) the fees and expenses of EGS; and (o) the Underwriters’ accountable expenses, including its use of i-Deal’s book-building, prospectus tracking and compliance software (or other similar software) for the Offering. The Representative may also deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or each Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Underwriters. The expenses payable to the Underwriters under this Section 4.6(d) shall be up to $125,000, provided that if the this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the terms hereof and the Offering is not consummated, the Company shall only be responsible for payment of $50,000 of expenses (in each case, inclusive of the $50,000 advance paid by the Company to the Representative prior to the date hereof). 

 

4.7Application of Net Proceeds.  The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus. 


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4.8Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders.  The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the Execution Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Execution Date. 

 

4.9Stabilization.  Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities. 

 

4.10Internal Controls.  The Company will use commercially reasonably efforts to maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. 

 

4.11Accountants.  The Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized independent certified public accounting firm for a period of at least three (3) years after the Execution Date.  The Underwriters acknowledge that the Company Auditor is acceptable to the Underwriters. 

 

4.12FINRA.  The Company shall advise the Underwriters (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is aware that any officer, director, 10% or greater shareholder of the Company or Person that received the Company’s unregistered securities in the 180 days prior to the initial filing of the Registration Statement is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of an Underwriter. 

 

4.13No Fiduciary Duties.  The Company hereby acknowledges that the Representative and the other Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company further acknowledge that the Representative and the other Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis and in no event do the parties intend that the Representative and the other Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company, its management, shareholders, creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Representative and the other Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the Offering, either before or after the Execution Date.  The Representative and the other Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company hereby confirms their understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company hereby further confirms its understanding that neither the Representative nor any other Underwriter has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the Offering or the process leading thereto, including any negotiation related to the pricing of the Securities.  The Company acknowledges that it has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate in connection with this Agreement and the Offering. The Company and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions, and that any opinions or views expressed by the Representative and the other Underwriters to the Company regarding such transactions, including but not limited to any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Representative and the other Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or any matters leading up to such transactions. 


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4.14Warrant Shares.  If all or any portion of a Warrant is exercised at a time when there is an effective registration statement to cover the issuance of the Warrant Shares or if the Warrant is exercised via cashless exercise in accordance with its terms, the Warrant Shares issued pursuant to any such exercise shall be issued free of all restrictive legends.  If at any time following the date hereof the Registration Statement (or any subsequent registration statement registering the sale or resale of the Warrant Shares) is not effective or is not otherwise available for the sale of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall immediately notify the holders of the Warrants in writing that such registration statement is not then effective and thereafter shall promptly notify such holders when the registration statement is effective again and available for the sale of the Warrant Shares (it being understood and agreed that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Company to issue, or any holder thereof to sell, any of the Warrant Shares in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws).  

4.15Board Composition and Board Designations.  The Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of the Trading Market and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the Board of Directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder. 

4.16Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity.  By 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date immediately following the Execution Date, the Company shall issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the Offering.  The Company and the Representative shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the Offering, and neither the Company nor any Underwriter shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of such Underwriter, or without the prior consent of such Underwriter, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication.  The Company will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Representative’s prior review and consent of the Representative (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld), for a period ending at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the first business day following the 45th day following the Closing Date, which review and consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Representative. 

4.17Shareholder Rights Plan.  No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that any Underwriter of the Securities is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that any Underwriter of Securities could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities. 

4.18Reservation of Common Stock. As of the Execution Date, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Option Shares pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option, the Warrant Shares pursuant to any exercise of the Warrants and the Representative’s Warrant Shares pursuant to any exercise of the Representative’s Warrants. 

4.19Listing of Common Stock and Warrants; Electronic Transfer. The Company hereby agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing or quotation of the Common Stock and Warrants on Nasdaq for a period of three (3) years from the Effective Date.  The Company further agrees, if the Company applies to have the Common Stock and Warrants traded on any other Trading Market, it will then include in such application all of the Warrants, Closing Shares, Option Shares, Warrant Shares and Representative’s Warrant Shares, and will take such other action as is necessary to cause all of the Warrants, Closing Shares, Option Shares and Representative’s Warrant Shares to be listed or quoted on such other Trading Market as promptly as possible.  The Company agrees to maintain the eligibility of the Common Stock and Warrants for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation, including, without limitation, by timely payment of fees to the Depository Trust Company or such other established clearing corporation in connection with such electronic transfer. 


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4.20Right of First Refusal.  The Company agrees that if the Securities are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Representative shall have an irrevocable right of first refusal for a period of eighteen (18) months from the commencement of sales of the Offering to act as sole managing underwriter, sole bookrunner, or sole placement agent, for any and all future public and private equity, equity-linked, convertible and debt (excluding commercial bank debt) offerings of the Company, or any Subsidiary of or successor to the Company (including as a result of a spinoff), whether with or without or through an underwriter, placement agent or broker-dealer and whether pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or otherwise. The Company and any such Subsidiary or successor will consult the Representative with regard to any such proposed financing. If the Representative fails to accept such offer within ten (10) Business Days after the provision of a notice containing the material terms of the proposed financing proposal, then the Representative shall have no further claim or right with respect to the financing proposal contained in such notice. If, however, the terms of such financing proposal are subsequently modified in any material respect, the irrevocable right referred to herein shall apply to such modified proposal as if the original proposal had not been made. The Representative’s failure to exercise its irrevocable right with respect to any particular proposal shall not affect its preferential rights relative to future proposals.  

4.21Company Lock-Up.   

(a)The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not, during the period ending six (6) months after the Execution Date (“Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, issue, sell, contract to sell, purchase, contract to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents; or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or (iii) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.   

(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.21 shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance or the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto.  

 

4.22Financial Public Relations Firm.  As of the Execution Date, the Company shall have retained a financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative and the Company, which firm will be experienced in assisting issuers in public offerings of securities and in their relations with their security holders, and shall retain such firm or another firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a period of not less than one (1) year after the Execution Date. 

 

4.23Research Independence. The Company acknowledges that each Underwriter’s research analysts and research departments, if any, are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriter’s research analysts may hold and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of its investment bankers.  The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against such Underwriter with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by such Underwriter’s investment banking divisions.  The Company acknowledges that the Representative is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short position in debt or equity securities of the Company. 

 

ARTICLE V.

DEFAULT BY UNDERWRITERS

 

If on the Closing Date or any Option Closing Date, if any, any Underwriter shall fail to purchase and pay for the portion of the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which such Underwriter has agreed to purchase and pay for on such date (otherwise than by reason of any default on the part of the Company), the


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Representative, or if the Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, shall use their reasonable efforts to procure within 36 hours thereafter one or more of the other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase from the Company such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms set forth herein, the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase.  If during such 36 hours the Representative shall not have procured such other Underwriters, or any others, to purchase the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, agreed to be purchased by the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then  (a) if the aggregate number of  Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur does not exceed 10% of the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, the other Underwriters shall be obligated, severally, in proportion to the respective numbers of Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which they are obligated to purchase hereunder, to purchase the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters failed to purchase, or (b) if the aggregate number of Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, with respect to which such default shall occur exceeds 10% of the Closing Securities or Option Securities, as the case may be, covered hereby, the Company or the Representative will have the right to terminate this Agreement without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters or of the Company except to the extent provided in Article VI hereof.  In the event of a default by any Underwriter or Underwriters, as set forth in this Article V, the applicable Closing Date may be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven days, as the Representative, or if the Representative is the defaulting Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters, may determine in order that the required changes in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.  The term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for a defaulting Underwriter.  Any action taken under this Section shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI.

INDEMNIFICATION

6.1Indemnification of the Underwriters.  Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters, and each dealer selected by each Underwriter that participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each Person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or any Selected Dealer (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between such Underwriter and the Company or between such Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Article VI, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, Trading Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the applicable Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any application, as the case may be, it being agreed that such information so furnished shall consist solely of: (i) the names of the Underwriters appearing in the Prospectus and (ii) the “Price Stabilization, Short Positions” and “Electronic Distribution” sections of the “Underwriting” section of the Prospectus (the  


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Underwriter Information).  With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, if any, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6.1 shall not inure to the benefit of  an Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the Person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such Person as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement. The Company agrees promptly to notify each Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

6.2Procedure.  If any action is brought against an Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 6.1, such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter or such Selected Dealer, as the case may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by such Underwriter (in addition to local counsel), Selected Dealer and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter, Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 

6.3Indemnification of the Company.  Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application, it being agreed that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists solely of the Underwriter Information.  In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other Person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other Person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to such Underwriter by the provisions of this Article VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.3, no Underwriter shall be required to indemnify the Company for any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter.  The Underwriters' obligations in this Section 6.3 to indemnify the Company are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint. 


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6.4Contribution

(a)Contribution Rights.  In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Securities Act in any case in which (i) any Person entitled to indemnification under this Article VI makes a claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Article VI provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such Person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Article VI, then, and in each such case, the Company and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and such Underwriter, as incurred, in such proportions that such Underwriter is responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no Person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each Person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6.4, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter.  The Underwriters' obligations in this Section 6.4 to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint. 

(b)Contribution Procedure.  Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 6.4 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. 

 

ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1Termination

(a)Termination Right.  The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in its opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on any Trading Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or  


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malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Securities, or (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder, or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the Execution Date of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Securities.

(b)Expenses.  In the event this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(a), within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Representative its actual and accountable out of pocket expenses related to the transactions contemplated herein then due and payable, including the fees and disbursements of EGS, up to $50,000 (provided, however, that such expense cap in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement), less the $25,000 advance paid by the Company to the Representative prior to the date hereof. 

(c)Indemnification.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Article VI shall not be in any way effected by such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof. 

(d)Future Financing. Upon termination of this Agreement, if the Company subsequently completes any public or private financing with any investors introduced to the Company by the Representative at any time during the twelve (12) months after such termination, then the Company shall pay to the Representative a commission as described in Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.3(iii) herein, in each case only with respect to the portion of such financing received from such investors

7.2Entire Agreement.  The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Engagement Agreement, dated October 15, 2021 (“Engagement Agreement”), by and between the Company and Maxim Group LLC, shall continue to be effective and the terms therein, including, without limitation, Section 14 with respect to any future offerings, shall continue to survive and be enforceable by the Representative in accordance with its terms, provided that, in the event of a conflict between the terms of the Engagement Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.  

7.3Notices.  Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or e-mail attachment at the email address set forth below at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or e-mail attachment at the e-mail address as set forth below that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day, (c) the second (2nd) Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.  The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth below: 

(a)if sent to the Representative or any Underwriter, shall be delivered personally, by facsimile or e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service to:  

 

Maxim Group LLC

300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Clifford A. Teller, Co-President


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Fax: 212-895-3555

Email: cteller@maximgrp.com

 

with a copy to Underwriters’ Counsel (which shall not constitute notice) at:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10105

Attention: Barry I. Grossman, Esq.

Fax:  212-370-7889

Email: bigrossman@egsllp.com

 

(b)if sent to the Company, shall be mailed, delivered, emailed or faxed to the Company and its counsel (with notice to such counsel notice shall be courtesy notice only) at the addresses set forth in the Registration Statement. 

 

7.4Amendments; Waivers.  No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and the Representative.   No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right. 

7.5Headings.  The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. 

7.6Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. 

7.7Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial.  Each Transaction Document shall be deemed to have been executed and delivered in New York and each of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed as to validity, interpretation, construction, effect, and in all other respects by the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements wholly performed within the borders of such state and without regard to the conflicts of laws principals thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of The New York General Obligations Law).  Each of Representative and the Company: (a) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Transaction Documents and/or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be instituted exclusively in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (b) waives any objection which it may have or hereafter to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and (c) irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Representative and the Company further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address or delivered by Federal Express via overnight delivery shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company, in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Representative mailed by certified mail to the Holder’s address or delivered by Federal Express via overnight delivery shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the Holder, in any such suit, action or proceeding.  THE PARTIES HERETO (ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES, THEIR SUBSIDIARIES AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF THEIR RESPECTIVE EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY. 


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7.8Survival.  The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and any Option Closing, if any, and the delivery of the Securities. 

7.9Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart.  In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof. 

7.10Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable. 

7.11Remedies.  In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, the Underwriters and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents.  The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate. 

7.12Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day. 

7.13Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement. 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 


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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement among the Company and the several Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

Very truly yours,

NEOVOLTA, INC.

By: _______________________________________

 

Name: ________________________________

 

Title: _________________________________

Accepted on the date first above written.

 

MAXIM GROUP LLC

For itself and as Representative of the several

Underwriters listed on Schedule I

By: _____________________________________

 

Name: _______________________________

 

Title: ________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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SCHEDULE I

SCHEDULE OF UNDERWRITERS

 

Underwriter

Number of Closing Shares to be Purchased

Number of Warrants to be Purchased

Closing Purchase Price

Maxim Group LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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ANNEX I

 

Issuer-Represented General Free Writing Prospectus

 

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Exhibit A

 

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


35



Exhibit B

 

Form of Warrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


36



Exhibit C

 

Form of Warrant Agency Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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NEOVOLTA, INC.

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I-OFFICES

Section 1.01Registered Office.  The corporation shall maintain in the State of Nevada a registered office and a registered agent whose business office is identical with such registered office. 

Section 1.02Locations of Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the state of Nevada as the board of directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require. 

ARTICLE II-STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as is designated by the board of directors and as is provided for in the notice of the meeting.  If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for the annual meeting of the stockholders, or at any adjournment thereof, the board of directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the stockholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient. 

Section 2.02Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, or by the board of directors, or in their absence or disability, by any vice president. 

Section 2.03Place of Meetings.  The board of directors may designate any place, either within or without the state of incorporation, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the board of directors.  A waiver of notice signed by all stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting may designate any place, either within or without state of incorporation, as the place for the holding of such meeting.  If no designation is made, or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be at the principal office of the corporation. 

Section 2.04Notice of Meetings.  The secretary or assistant secretary, if any, shall cause notice of the time, place, and purpose or purposes of all meetings of the stockholders (whether annual or special), to be mailed at least ten (10) but not more than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote. 

Section 2.05Waiver of Notice.  Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting of stockholders (however called or noticed, whether or not called or noticed and whether before, during, or after the meeting), signing a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting, or an approval of the minutes thereof.  Attendance at a meeting, in person or by proxy, shall constitute waiver of all defects of notice regardless of whether a waiver of notice, consent to the holding of such meeting, or any approval of the minutes thereof is signed or any objections are made, unless attendance is solely for the purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  All such waivers, consents, or approvals shall be made a part of the minutes of the meeting. 

Section 2.06Fixing Record Date.  For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect to any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the board of directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders, such date in any case to be not more than sixty (60) days and, in case, of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of stockholders is to be taken.  If no record date is fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting, the day preceding the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed shall be the record date.  For any other purpose, the record date shall be the close of business on the date on which the resolution of the board of directors pertaining thereto is adopted.  When a determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this  




section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.  Failure to comply with this section shall not affect the validity of any action taken at a meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.07Voting Lists.  The officers of the corporation shall cause to be prepared from the stock ledger at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.  The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting, during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.  The original stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this section, or the books of the corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders. 

Section 2.08Quorum.  A majority of the shares of each class, and series of each class, to the extent applicable (unless more than one class and or series votes as a class, in which case a majority of the shares voting as a class) of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the articles of incorporation.  If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders, entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice (other than the announcement at the meeting) until a date and time that a quorum shall be present.  At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.  If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. 

Section 2.09Vote Required.  When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of stock having a majority of the voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one on which by express provision of the statutes of the state of Nevada or of the articles of incorporation or as otherwise specifically required by these bylaws a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. 

Section 2.10Voting of Stock.  Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, subject to the modification of such voting rights of any class or classes of the corporation’s capital stock by the articles of incorporation.  There is no cumulative voting.  If and to the extent allowed by the laws of the State of Nevada and of the United States, stockholders may vote electronically. 

Section 2.11Proxies.  At each meeting of the stockholders, each stockholder entitled to vote shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy, provided however, that the right to vote by proxy shall exist only in case the instrument authorizing such proxy to act shall have been executed in writing by the registered holder or holders of such stock, as the case may be, as shown on the stock ledger of the corporation or by his attorney thereunto duly authorized in writing.  Such instrument authorizing a proxy to act shall be delivered at the beginning of such meeting to the secretary of the corporation or to such other officer or person who may, in the absence of the secretary, be acting as secretary of the meeting.  In the event that any such instrument shall designate two or more persons to act as proxy, a majority of such persons present at the meeting, or if only one be present, that one shall (unless the instrument shall otherwise provide) have all of the powers confirmed by the instrument on all persons so designated.  Persons holding stock in a fiduciary capacity, shall be entitled to vote the stock so held and the persons whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless, the transfer by the pledgor in the books and records of the corporation shall have expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which case the pledgee, or his proxy, may represent such stock and vote thereon.  No proxy shall be voted or acted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.  If and to the extent allowed by the laws of the State of Nevada and of the United States, stockholders may provide proxies electronically. 


2



Section 2.12No Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting.  Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, must be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, with prior notice and with a vote, and may not be taken by a consent in writing. 

Section 2.13Business at Annual Meeting.  At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the board of directors or (b) by any shareholder of record of the corporation who is entitled to vote with respect thereto and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this section.  For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the corporation.  To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not less than 120 calendar days in advance of the date in the current fiscal year that corresponds to the date in the preceding fiscal year on which the corporation’s notice of meeting and related proxy statement were released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no meeting was held in the immediately preceding year or if the date of the annual meeting in the current year varies by more than 30 calendar days’ from the corresponding date of such meeting in the preceding fiscal year, such notice by the shareholder proposing business to be brought before the meeting of the stockholders must be received not less than 30 days prior to the date of the current year’s annual meeting; provided, that in the event that less than 40 days notice of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, to be timely, a stockholders notice of business to be brought before the meeting shall be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed.  A stockholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the shareholder of record proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the corporation’s capital stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder, and (d) any material interest of such shareholder in such business.  Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions of this section.  The officer of the corporation or the person presiding at the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with such provisions, and if such presiding officer should so determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with such provisions and if such presiding officer should so determine, such presiding officer shall so declare to the meeting, and any such business so determined to be not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. 

Section 2.14Notification of Nominations.  Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any shareholder who both is entitled to vote for the election of directors and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this section and in the corporation’s articles of incorporation.  Any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as directors only if written notice of such shareholder’s intention to make such nomination is delivered or mailed to and received by the Secretary of the corporation, at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than 120 calendar days in advance of the date in the current fiscal year that corresponds to the date in the preceding fiscal year on which the corporation’s notice of meeting and related proxy statement were released to stockholders in connection with the previous years annual meeting of stockholders, except that (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, if no annual meeting was held in the immediately preceding year or if the date of the annual meeting in the current fiscal year has been changed by more than 30 calendar days from the corresponding date of such meeting in the preceding fiscal year, such notice by the shareholder must be received not less than 30 days prior to the date of the current year’s annual meeting; provided further, that in the event that less than 40 days notice of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, to be timely, a stockholders notice shall be so received not later than the close of business on the 10th day, following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed, and (ii) with respect to an election to be hold at a special meeting of stockholders for the election of directors, the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders.  Each such notice shall be signed and verified by the issuing stockholder under penalties of perjury, and shall set forth: 

(a)the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; 


3



(b)a representation that such shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or person specified in the notice; 

(c)a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and each nominee, and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by such shareholder; and 

(d)such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, had each nominee been nominated, or proposed to be nominated by the board of directors. 

Each such notice must be accompanied by an original signed written consent of each nominee, if elected, to serve as a director of the corporation.

The chairman and/or secretary of a meeting of the shareholders may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.

ARTICLE III-DIRECTORS

Section 3.01Number, Term, and Qualifications.  The board of directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person.  The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall be fixed from time to time by a majority vote of the directors then in office even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders.  No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.  At each annual meeting of stockholders or special meeting in lieu thereof, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders or special meeting in lieu thereof until their successors are duly elected and qualified.  Directors need neither be residents of the state of incorporation nor stockholders of the corporation. 

Section 3.02Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.  Vacancies resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the board of directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders.  In the event of any increase or decrease in the authorized number of directors, each director then serving as such shall nevertheless continue as a director until the expiration of his or her current term or his or her prior death, retirement, removal or resignation.  In the event of a vacancy in the board of directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the powers of the full board of directors until the vacancy is filled.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, resignation or removal.  If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. 

Section 3.03General Powers.  The business of the corporation shall be managed under the direction of its board of directors which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the articles of incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. 

Section 3.04Regular Meetings.  A regular meeting of board of directors shall be held without notice immediately following and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.  The board of directors may provide by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the state of incorporation, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution. 

Section 3.05Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the president, or any two directors.  The person or  


4



persons authorized to call special meetings of the board of directors may fix any place, either within or without the state of incorporation, as the place for holding any special meeting of the board of directors called by them.

Section 3.06Meetings by Telephone Conference Call.  Members of the board of directors may participate in a meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors by means of conference telephone or similar communications media provided that all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this section shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. 

Section 3.07Notice.  Notice of any special meeting shall be delivered personally or by telephone or by facsimile or by email to each director or sent by first-class mail, charges prepaid, addressed to each director at that director’s address, phone number, facsimile number, or email (as the case may be) as shown on the records of the corporation.  If the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting.  If the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or by facsimile or by email, it shall be delivered at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting Any director may waive notice of any meeting.  Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting solely for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. 

Section 3.08Quorum.  A majority of the number of directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors, but if less than a majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. 

Section 3.09Manner of Acting.  The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, unless the question is one on which by express provision of the statutes of the state of Nevada or of the articles of incorporation or as otherwise specifically required by these bylaws a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question, and individual directors shall have no power as such. 

Section 3.10Compensation.  Unless otherwise restricted by the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, the board of directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.  No such compensation shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. 

Section 3.11Presumption of Assent.  A director of the corporation who is present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting, unless he shall file his written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof, or shall forward such dissent by registered or certified mail to the secretary of the corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action. 

Section 3.12Resignations.  A director may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the chief executive officer, the president, a vice president, the secretary or assistant secretary, if any.  The resignation shall become effective upon delivery unless otherwise stated therein. 

Section 3.13Written Consent to Action by Directors.  Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the directors of the corporation or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the directors or of a committee, may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors, or all of the members of the committee, as the case may be.  Such consent shall have the same legal effect as a unanimous vote of all the directors or members of the committee. 

Section 3.14Removal.  Except as otherwise required by statute, one or more directors may be removed by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors. 


5



ARTICLE IV-OFFICERS

Section 4.01Number.  The officers of the corporation shall include a president and a secretary and may include a chairman, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a treasurer, and such vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers as the board of directors may choose. Except as provided in Article VIII, election or appointment as an officer shall not in and of itself create contract rights. 

Section 4.02Election Term of Office, and Qualifications.  The officers shall be chosen by the board of directors annually at its annual meeting.  In the event of failure to choose officers at an annual meeting of the board of directors, officers may be chosen at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors.  Each such officer (whether chosen to fill a vacancy or otherwise) shall hold his office until the next ensuing annual meeting of the board of directors and until his successor shall have been chosen and qualified, or until his death or until his resignation or removal in the manner provided in these bylaws.  Any one person may hold any two or more of such offices, except that neither the chief executive officer nor the president shall also be the secretary.  No person holding two or more offices shall act in or execute any instrument in the capacity of more than one office.  The chairman of the board, if any, shall be and remain director of the corporation during the term of his office.  No other officer need be a director. 

Section 4.03Subordinate Officers, Etc.  The board of directors from time to time may appoint such other officers or agents as it may, deem advisable, each of whom shall have such title, hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as the board of directors from time to time may determine.  The board of directors from time to time may, delegate to any officer or agent the power to appoint any such subordinate officer or agents and to prescribe their respective titles, terms of office, authorities, and duties. 

Section 4.04Resignations.  Any officer may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, or the secretary.  Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect on delivery. 

Section 4.05Removal.  Any officer may be removed from office at any special meeting of the board of directors called for that purpose or at a regular meeting, by the vote of a majority of the directors, with or without cause.  Any officer or agent appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 4.03 hereof may also be removed, either with or with cause, by any officer on whom such power of removal shall have been conferred by the board of directors. 

Section 4.06Vacancies and Newly Created Offices.  If any vacancy shall occur in any office by reason of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or any other cause, or if a new office shall be created, then such vacancies or newly created officers may be filled by the board of directors at any regular or special meeting. 

Section 4.07Chairman of the Board.  The chairman of the board, if there be such an officer, shall have the following powers and duties: 

(a)He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders; 

(b)He shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors; and 

(c)He shall be a member of the executive committee, if any. 

Section 4.08The Chief Executive Officer.  The chief executive officer, if there be such an officer, shall have the following powers and duties: 

(a)He shall have general authority and supervision over the management and direction of the affairs of the corporation, and supervision of all departments and of all officers of the corporation. 

(b)He shall, subject to the other provisions of these bylaws, have such other powers and perform such other duties as usually devolve upon the chief executive officer of a corporation or as may be  


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prescribed by the board of directors, and shall, in the absence of the chairman or if no chairman has been chosen, preside at meetings of the stockholders and board of directors.

(c)He may vote all securities which the corporation is entitled to vote except as to the extent such authority shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the corporation by the board of directors. 

(d)Except in those instances in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or agent of the corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the board of directors, he may execute any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized and may (without previous authorization by the board of directors) execute such contracts and other instruments as the conduct of the corporation’s business in its ordinary course requires, and may accomplish such execution in each case either under or without the seal of the corporation and either individually or with the secretary, any assistant secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the board of directors, according to the requirements of the form of the instrument. 

(e)He shall be a member of the executive committee, if any. 

In case of the absence, disability, death, resignation or removal from office of the chief executive officer, or if a chief executive officer is not chosen, the power and duties of the chief executive officer shall devolve upon and be exercised by the president, unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors.

Section 4.09The President.  The president shall have the following powers and duties: 

(a)He shall be the chief operating officer of the corporation and shall have such general authority and supervision over the management and direction of the affairs of the corporation, subject to the authority of the board of directors, as shall usually devolve upon a chief operating officer of a corporation. 

(b)He shall, subject to the other provisions of these bylaws, have such other powers and perform such other duties as usually devolved upon the president of a corporation, and such further duties as may be proscribed for the president by the board of directors.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, he shall see that the resolutions and directions of the board of directors are carried into effect except in those instances in which that responsibility is specifically assigned to some other person by the board of directors. 

(c)Except in those instances in which the authority to execute is expressly delegated to another officer or agent of the corporation or a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the board of directors, he may execute certificates representing shares of stock of the corporation, and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized and may (without previous authorization by the board of directors) execute such contracts and other instruments as the conduct of the corporation’s business in its ordinary course requires, and may accomplish such execution in each case either under or without the seal of the corporation and either individually or with the secretary, any assistant secretary, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the board of directors, according to the requirements of the form of the instrument. 

(d)In the absence of the chief executive officer, the president may vote all securities which the corporation is entitled to vote except as to the extent such authority shall be vested in a different officer or agent of the corporation by the board of directors.  In case of the absence, disability, death, resignation or removal from the office of the president, the powers and duties of the president shall devolve upon and be exercised by the chief executive officer, if there be such an officer, and in case of the absence, disability, death, resignation or removal from office of both the chief executive officer and the president, the powers and duties of the president shall devolve upon and be exercised by such other officer so appointed by the board of directors. 


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Section 4.10The Vice Presidents.  The board of directors may, from time to time, designate and elect one or more vice presidents, one of whom may be designated to serve as executive vice president.  Each vice president shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the president.  At the request or in the absence or disability of the president, the executive vice president or, in the absence or disability of the executive vice president, the vice president designated by the board of directors or (in the absence of such designation by the board of directors) by the president as senior vice president may perform all the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the president. 

Section 4.11The Secretary.  The secretary shall have the following powers and duties: 

(a)He shall keep or cause to be kept a record of all of the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and of the board of directors, in books provided for that purpose; 

(b)He shall cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws and as required by statute; 

(c)He shall be the custodian of the records and of the seal of the corporation, and shall cause such seal (or a facsimile thereof) to be affixed to all certificates representing stock of the corporation prior to the issuance thereof and to all instruments, the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal shall have been duly authorized in accordance with these bylaws, and when so affixed, he may attest the same; 

(d)He shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates, and other documents and records required by statute are properly kept and filed; 

(e)He shall have charge of the stock ledger and books of the corporation and cause such books to be kept in such manner as to show at any time the amount of the stock of the corporation of each class issued and outstanding, the manner in which and the time when such stock was paid for, the names alphabetically arranged and the addresses of the holders of record thereof, the amount of stock held by each holder and time when each became such holder of record; and he shall exhibit at all reasonable times to any director, on application, the original or duplicate stock ledger.  He shall cause the, stock ledger referred to in Section 6.04 hereof to be kept and exhibited at the principal office of the corporation, or at such other place as the board of directors shall determine, in the manner and for the purpose provided in such section; 

(f)He shall be empowered to sign certificates representing stock of the corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the board of directors; and 

(g)He shall perform in general all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as are given to him by these bylaws or as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the president. 

Section 4.12The Treasurer.  The treasurer shall have the following powers and duties: 

(a)He shall have charge and supervision over and be responsible for the monies, securities, receipts, and disbursements of the corporation; 

(b)He shall cause the monies and other valuable effects of the corporation to be deposited in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such banks or trust companies or with such banks or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with section 5.03 hereof, 

(c)He shall cause the monies of the corporation to be disbursed by checks or drafts (signed as provided in section 5.04 hereof) drawn on the authorized depositories of the corporation, and cause to be taken and preserved properly vouchers for all monies disbursed; 


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(d)He shall render to the board of directors or the president, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the corporation and of all of his transactions as treasurer, and render a full financial report at the annual meeting of the stockholders, if called on to do so; 

(e)He shall cause to be kept correct books of account of all the business and transactions of the corporation and exhibit such books to any directors on request during business hours; 

(f)He shall be empowered from time to time to require from all officers or agents of the corporation reports or statements giving such information as he may desire with respect to any and all financial transactions of the corporation; and 

(g)He shall perform in general all duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as are given to him by these bylaws or as from time to time may be assigned to him by the board of directors or the president. 

In case of the absence, disability, death, resignation or removal from office of the treasurer, or if a treasurer is not chosen, the power and duties of the treasurer shall devolve upon and be exercised by the secretary, unless otherwise ordered by the board of directors.

Section 4.13The Chief Financial Officer.  The chief financial officer, if there be such an officer, shall, under the direction of the president, be responsible for all financial and accounting matters and for the direction of the office of treasurer.  The chief financial officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the board of directors, the president, or these bylaws may, from time to time, prescribe. 

Section 4.14Assistant Treasurers And Assistant Secretaries.  The assistant treasurers and assistant secretaries, if there be any such officers, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the treasurer, in the case of assistant treasurers, or the secretary, in the case of assistant secretaries, or by the board of directors or president in either case.  Each assistant secretary may sign with the president, or a vice president, or any other officer thereunto authorized by the board of directors, certificates for shares of stock of the corporation (the issue of which shall have been authorized by the board of directors), and any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds, or other instruments which the board of directors has authorized, and may (without previous authorization by the board of directors) sign with such other officers as aforesaid such contracts and other instruments as the conduct of the corporation’s business in its ordinary course requires, in each case according to the requirements of the form of the instrument, except when a different mode of execution is expressly prescribed by the board of directors.  The assistant treasurers shall, if required by the board of directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the board of directors shall determine. 

Section 4.15Salaries.  The salaries or other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors, except that the board of directors may delegate to any person or group of persons the power to fix the salaries or other compensation of any subordinate officers or agents appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 4.03 hereof.  No officer shall be prevented from receiving any such salary or compensation by reason of the fact that he is also a director of the corporation. 

Section 4.16Surety Bonds.  In case the board of directors shall so require, any officer or agent of the corporation shall execute to the corporation a bond in such sums and with such surety or sureties as the board of directors may direct, conditioned on the faithful performance of his duties to the corporation, including responsibility for negligence and for the accounting of all property, monies, or securities of the corporation which may come into his hands. 

ARTICLE V-EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS,
BORROWING OF MONEY, AND DEPOSIT OF CORPORATE FUNDS

Section 5.01Execution of Instruments.  Subject to any limitation contained in the articles of incorporation or these bylaws, but without prejudice to the powers vested in the officers under Article IV of these bylaws, the chief executive officer, the president or any vice president may, in the name and on behalf of the  


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corporation, execute and deliver any contract or other instrument authorized in writing by the board of directors.  The board of directors may, subject to any limitation contained in the articles of incorporation or in these bylaws, authorize in writing any officer or agent to execute and deliver any contract or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the corporation; any such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.

Section 5.02Loans.  No loan or advance shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation, no negotiable paper or other evidence of its obligation under any loan or advance shall be issued in its name, and no property of the corporation shall be mortgaged, pledged, hypothecated, transferred, or conveyed as security for the payment of any loan, advance, indebtedness, or liability of the corporation, unless and except as authorized by the board of directors.  Any such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances. 

Section 5.03Deposits.  All monies of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to its credit in such banks or trust companies or with such bankers or other depositories as the board of directors may select, or as from time to time may be selected by any officer or agent authorized to do so by the board of directors. 

Section 5.04Checks, Drafts. Etc.  All notes, drafts, acceptances, checks, endorsements, and, subject to the provisions of these bylaws, evidences of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as the board of directors from time to time may determine.  Endorsements for deposit to the credit of the corporation in any of its duly authorized depositories shall be in such manner as the board of directors from time to time may determine. 

Section 5.05Bonds and Debentures.  Every bond or debenture issued by the corporation shall be evidenced by an appropriate instrument which shall be signed by the chief executive officer or the president or a vice president and by the secretary and sealed with the seal of the corporation.  The seal may be a facsimile, engraved or printed.  Where such bond or debenture is authenticated with the manual signature of an authorized officer of the corporation or other trustee designated by the indenture of trust or other agreement under which such security is issued, the signature of any of the corporation’s officers named thereon may be a facsimile.  In case any officer who signed, or whose facsimile signature has been used on any such bond or debenture, shall cease to be an officer of the corporation for any reason before the same has been delivered by the corporation, such bond or debenture may nevertheless be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as through the person who signed it or whose facsimile signature has been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer. 

Section 5.06Sale, Transfer, Etc. of Securities.  Sales, transfers, endorsements, and assignments of stocks, bonds, and other securities owned by or standing the name of the corporation, and the execution and delivery on behalf of the corporation of any all instruments in writing incident to any such sale, transfer, endorsement, or assignment, shall be effected by the chief executive officer, the president, or by any vice president, together with the secretary, or by any officer or agent thereunto authorized by the board of directors. 

Section 5.07Proxies.  Proxies to vote with respect to stock of other corporations owned by or standing in the name of the corporation shall be executed and delivered on behalf of the corporation by the chief executive officer, the president or any vice president and the secretary or assistant secretary of the corporation, or by any officer or agent thereunder authorized by the board of directors. 

ARTICLE VI-CAPITAL STOCK

Section 6.01Stock Certificates.  The shares of the corporation shall be evidenced by certificates in such form as the board of directors of the corporation may from time to time prescribe; provided that the board of directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock of the corporation shall be uncertificated shares.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled, upon request, to a certificate representing such shares.  Shares represented by certificates shall be numbered and registered in a share register as they are issued.  Share certificates shall exhibit the name of the registered holder and the number and class of shares and the series, if any, represented thereby and the par value of each share or a statement that such shares are without par value, as the case may be.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificated shares of the same class and series shall be identical. 


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Each certificate shall be signed by the chairman or president or vice-president and treasurer or assistant treasurer or the secretary or assistant secretary or such other officers designated by the board of directors from time to time as permitted by law, and shall bear the seal of the corporation.  The corporate seal and any or all of the signatures or corporation officers may be in facsimile if the stock certificate is manually counter-signed by an authorized person on behalf of a transfer agent or registrar other than the corporation or its employee.  If an officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has been placed on, a certificate shall have ceased to be such before the certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the time of its issue.

Section 6.02Transfer of Stock.  Transfers of stock of the corporation shall be made on the books of the corporation by the holder of record thereof, or by his attorney thereunto duly authorized by a power of attorney duly executed in writing and filed with the secretary of the corporation or any of its transfer agents, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, representing such stock.  Except as provided by law, the corporation and transfer agents and registrars, if any, shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any stock as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any legal, equitable, or other claim to or interest in such stock on the part of any other person whether or not it or they shall have express or other notice thereof. 

Section 6.03Regulations.  Subject to any provisions contained in the articles of incorporation, the board of directors may make such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issuance, transfer, redemption, and registration of certificates for stock of the corporation. 

Section 6.04Maintenance of Stock Ledger at Principal Place of Business.  A stock ledger (or ledgers where more than one kind, class, or series of stock is outstanding) shall be kept at the principal place of business of the corporation, or at such other place the board of directors shall determine, containing the names alphabetically arranged of original holders of the corporation, their addresses, their interest, the amount paid on their shares, and all transfers thereof and the number and class of stock held by each.  Such stock ledgers shall at all reasonable hours by subject to inspection by persons entitled by law to inspect the same. 

Section 6.05Transfer Agents and Registrars.  The board of directors may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars with respect to the certificates representing stock of the corporation, and may require all such certificates to bear the signature of either or both.  The board of directors may from time to time define the respective duties of such transfer agents and registrars.  No certificate for stock shall be valid until countersigned by a transfer agent, if at the date appearing thereon the corporation had a transfer agent for such stock, and until registered by a registrar, if at such date the corporation had a registrar for such stock. 

Section 6.06Closing of Transfer Books and Fixing of Record Date

(a)The board of directors shall have power to close the stock ledgers of the corporation for a period of not to exceed sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights or capital stock, or a date in connection with obtaining the approval of stockholders for any purpose. 

(b)In lieu of closing the stock ledgers as aforesaid, the board of directors may fix in advance a date not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining any such consent, as a date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to a notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent. 

(c)If the stock ledgers shall be closed or a record date set for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, such books shall be closed for or such record date shaft be at least ten days immediately preceding such meeting. 


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Section 6.07Lost or Damaged Certificates.  The corporation may issue a new certificate for stock of the corporation in place of any certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the board of directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate or his legal representatives, to give the corporation a bond in such form and amount as the board of directors may direct, and with such surety or sureties as may be satisfactory to the board of directors, to indemnify the corporation and its transfer agents and registrars, if any, against any claims that may be made against it or any such transfer agent or registrar on account of the issuance of such new certificate.  A new certificate may be issued without requiring any bond when, in the judgment of the board of directors, it is appropriate to do so. 

ARTICLE VII-COMMITTEES

Section 7.01How Constituted.  The board of directors may designate an executive committee, audit committee, governance and nominating committee, compensation committee and such other committees as the board of directors may deem appropriate, each of which committees shall consist of one or more directors.  Members of the committees shall be designated annually at the annual meeting of the board of directors; provided however, that at any time the board of directors may abolish or reconstitute any committee.  Each member of each committee shall hold office until his successor shall have been designated or until his resignation or removal in the manner provided in these bylaws. 

Section 7.02Powers.  During the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, the executive committee (if one is established) shall have and may exercise all powers of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, except for the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors or to amend these bylaws, and except for such powers as by law may not be delegated by the board of directors to an executive committee. 

Section 7.03Proceedings.  Each committee may fix its own presiding and recording officer or officers, and may meet at such place or places, at such time or times and on such notice (or without notice) as it shall determine from time to time.  It will keep record of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the board of directors at the meeting of board of directors next following. 

Section 7.04Quorum and Manner of Acting.  At all meetings of the committees as may be designated hereunder by the board of directors, the presence of members constituting a majority of the total authorized membership of the committee shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present at, any meeting at which a quorum is preset shall be the act of such committee.  The members of such committees, as may be designated hereunder by the board of directors, shall act only as a committee, and the individual members thereof shall have no powers as such. 

Section 7.05Resignations.  Any member of a committee may resign at any time by delivering a written resignation to the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary, or assistant secretary, or to the presiding officer of the committee of which he is a member, if any shall have been appointed and shall be in office.  Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect on delivery. 

Section 7.06Removal.  The board of directors may at any time remove any member of the executive committee or of any other committee designated by it hereunder either for or without cause. 

Section 7.07Vacancies.  If any vacancy shall occur in any committee by reason of disqualification, death, resignation, removal, or removal, or otherwise, the remaining members shall, until the filling of such vacancy, constitute the then total authorized membership of the committee and continued to act, unless such committee consisted of more than one member prior to the vacancy or vacancies and is left with only one member as a result thereof.  Such vacancy may be filled at any meeting of the board of directors. 

Section 7.08Compensation.  The board of directors may compensate any member of a duly designated committee who is not an active salaried employee of the corporation for attendance at each meeting of the said committee (and may reimburse his or her expenses of attendance). 


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ARTICLE VIII-INDEMNIFICATION, INSURANCE AND
OFFICER AND DIRECTOR CONTRACTS

Section 8.01Indemnification.  The corporation shall indemnify and make advancement of expenses to the extent and as required (and in the discretion of the board of directors, as allowed) in the articles of incorporation. 

ARTICLE IX-FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the board of directors.

ARTICLE X-DIVIDENDS

The board of directors may from time to time declare, and the corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding stock in the manner and on the terms and conditions provided by the articles of incorporation and by laws.

ARTICLE XI-AMENDMENTS

Any amendment of these bylaws shall require the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the directors comprising the board of directors, at a meeting called for the purpose of amending and/or restating these bylaws.  Absent affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the directors comprising the board of directors, at a meeting called for the purpose of amending and/or restating these bylaws, the stockholders of the corporation may amend these bylaws by an affirmative vote of a majority of each class of issued and outstanding shares of voting securities of the corporation, at a meeting called for the purpose of amending and/or restating these bylaws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Warrant Shares: [_______ ]                         Initial Exercise Date: [    ], 2022

 

THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, [_____] or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_], 2027]1 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from NeoVolta, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), up to [__] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant shall initially be issued and maintained in the form of a security held in book-entry form and the Depository Trust Company or its nominee (“DTC”) shall initially be the sole registered holder of this Warrant, subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.

Section 1.Definitions.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1: 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.


1 Insert the date that is the 5 year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date, provided that, if such date is not a Trading Day, insert the immediately following Trading Day.


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Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-264275).

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

Transfer Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer and Trust LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004-1561 and an email address of [__], and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

Underwriting Agreement” means the underwriting agreement, dated as of April __, 2022, among the Company and Maxim Group LLC as representative of the underwriters named therein, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

Warrant Agency Agreement” means that certain warrant agency agreement, dated on or about the Initial Exercise Date, between the Company and the Warrant Agent.


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Warrant Agent” means the Transfer Agent and any successor warrant agent of the Company.

Warrants” means this Warrant and other Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

Section 2.Exercise

a)Exercise of Warrant.  Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased.  The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice.  The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 2(a), a holder whose interest in this Warrant is a beneficial interest in certificate(s) representing this Warrant held in book-entry form through DTC (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), shall effect exercises made pursuant to this Section 2(a) by delivering to DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that are required by DTC (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable), subject to a Holder’s right to elect to receive a Warrant in certificated form pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agency Agreement, in which case this sentence shall not apply.

b)Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $[__], subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).   

c)Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where: 

(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the


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VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised.  The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

d)Mechanics of Exercise.  

i.Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise.  The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”).   Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise.  If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.  As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on  


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the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received by such Warrant Share Delivery Date.

ii.Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise.  If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant. 

iii.Rescission Rights.  If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise. 

iv.Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise.  In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder.  For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss.  Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof. 

v.No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant.  As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final  


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fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

vi.Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto.  The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. 

vii.Closing of Books.  The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof. 

e)Holder’s Exercise Limitations.  The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other  Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith.   To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination.  In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number  


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of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported.  The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.  The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply.  Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company.  The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

Section 3.Certain Adjustments

a)Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged.  Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification. 

b)Subsequent Rights Offerings.  In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).  


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c)Pro Rata Distributions.  During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).   

d)Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant).  For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration.  If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity  


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evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.

e)Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding. 


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f)Notice to Holder.   

i.Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.  

ii.Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice.  To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.  The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein. 

g)Voluntary Adjustment By Company.  Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant, subject to the prior written consent of the Holder, reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company. 

Section 4.Transfer of Warrant

a)Transferability.  This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer.  Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this  


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Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full.  The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.  

b)New Warrants. If this Warrant is not held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney.  Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.  

c)Warrant Register. The Warrant Agent shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time.  The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary. 

Section 5.Miscellaneous

a)No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash.  This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.  Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant. 

b)Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate. 

c)Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day. 

d)Authorized Shares.   

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed.  The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by


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this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).  

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

e)Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding. 

f)Restrictions.  The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws. 

g)Nonwaiver and Expenses.  No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies.  Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material  


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damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h)Notices.  Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 13651 Danielson Street, Suite A, Poway, CA 92064, Attention: Brent Wilson, email address: bwillson@neovolta.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.  To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. 

i)Limitation of Liability.  No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. 

j)Remedies.  The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant.  The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate. 

k)Successors and Assigns.  Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder.  The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares. 

l)Amendment.  This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder [or the beneficial owner of this Warrant], on the other hand. 

m)Severability.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant. 


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n)Headings.  The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant. 

o)Warrant Agency Agreement.  If this Warrant is held in global form through DTC (or any successor depositary), this Warrant is issued subject to the Warrant Agency Agreement.  To the extent any provision of this Warrant conflicts with the express provisions of the Warrant Agency Agreement, the provisions of this Warrant shall govern and be controlling. 

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

NEOVOLTA, INC.

 

 

By:____________________________________

    Name:

    Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


15



NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO:NEOVOLTA, INC. 

 

(1)The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any. 

(2)Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box): 

[  ] in lawful money of the United States; or

[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

(3)Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below: 

_______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity: ________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _________________________________________________

Name of Authorized Signatory: ___________________________________________________________________

Title of Authorized Signatory: ____________________________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 




ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information.  Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

Name:

________________________________

 

(Please Print)

Address:

________________________________

 

Phone Number:

Email Address:                                                             

(Please Print)

______________________________________

______________________________________

Dated: _______________ __, ______

 

Holder’s Signature: _______________________

 

Holder’s Address: ________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

 

and

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as

Warrant Agent

 

 

Warrant Agency Agreement

 

Dated as of [__], 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


WARRANT AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

WARRANT AGENCY AGREEMENT, dated as of [__], 2022 (“Agreement”), between NeoVolta, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Nevada (the “Company”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Warrant Agent”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to a registered offering by the Company of [   ] Units (the “Offering”), with each Unit consisting of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one warrant (a “Warrant”) to purchase one share of Common Stock (a “Warrant Share”) at a price of $[__] per share (or 100% of the price of each Unit sold in the Offering); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company granted an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional [  ] shares of Common Stock and/or Warrants to purchase up to an additional [    ] shares of Common Stock (the “Over-Allotment Option”) to the Underwriters; and

 

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth and pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-264275) (the “Registration Statement”), and the terms and conditions of the Warrant Certificate, the Company wishes to issue the Warrants in book entry form entitling the respective holders of the Warrants (the “Holders,” which term shall include a Holder’s transferees, successors and assigns and “Holder” shall include, if the Warrants are held in “street name,” a Participant (as defined below) or a designee appointed by such Participant); and

 

WHEREAS, the shares of Common Stock and Warrants to be issued in connection with the Offering shall be immediately separable and will be issued separately, but will be purchased together in the Offering; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company wishes the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrants and, in the Warrant Agent’s capacity as the Company’s transfer agent, the delivery of the Warrant Shares (as defined below).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, all capitalized terms not herein defined shall have the meanings hereby indicated: 

 

(a)Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). 

 

(b)Business Day” means any day except any Saturday, any Sunday, any day which is a federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which the Nasdaq Stock Market is authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close. 

 

(c)Close of Business” on any given date means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day. 

 

(d)Person” means an individual, corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, government or political subdivision thereof or governmental agency or other entity. 

 

(e)Warrant Certificate” means a certificate in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 1 hereto, representing such number of Warrant Shares as is indicated therein, provided that any reference to the  


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delivery of a Warrant Certificate in this Agreement shall include delivery of a Definitive Certificate or a Global Warrant (each as defined below).

 

All other capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Warrant Certificate.

 

Section 2. Appointment of Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment. 

 

Section 3. Global Warrants.  

 

(a) The Warrants shall be registered securities and shall be evidenced by a global warrant (the “Global Warrant”), in the form of the Warrant Certificate, which shall be deposited with the Warrant Agent and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”), or as otherwise directed by the Depositary. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Warrants shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by (i) the Depositary or its nominee for each Global Warrant or (ii) institutions that have accounts with the Depositary (such institution, with respect to a Warrant in its account, a “Participant”). 

 

(b)If the Depositary subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for the Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Warrants available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depositary to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each Global Warrant, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent to deliver to each Holder a Warrant Certificate. 

 

(c)A Holder has the right to elect at any time or from time to time a Warrant Exchange (as defined below) pursuant to a Warrant Certificate Request Notice (as defined below). Upon written notice by a Holder to the Company and the Warrant Agent for the exchange of some or all of such Holder’s interest in the Global Warrant for a separate certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 (such separate certificate, a “Definitive Certificate”) evidencing the same number of Warrants, which request shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2 (a “Warrant Certificate Request Notice” and the date of delivery of such Warrant Certificate Request Notice by the Holder, the “Warrant Certificate Request Notice Date” and the surrender by the Holder to the Warrant Agent of its beneficial interest in a number of Global Warrants for the same number of Warrants evidenced by a Warrant Certificate, a “Warrant Exchange”), the Company and the Warrant Agent shall promptly effect the Warrant Exchange and the Company shall promptly issue and deliver to the Holder a Definitive Certificate for such number of Warrants in the name set forth in the Warrant Certificate Request Notice.  Such Definitive Certificate shall be dated the original issue date of the Warrants, shall be manually executed by an authorized signatory of the Company and shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.  In connection with a Warrant Exchange, the Company agrees to deliver the Definitive Certificate to the Holder within ten (10) Business Days of the Warrant Certificate Request Notice pursuant to the delivery instructions in the Warrant Certificate Request Notice (“Warrant Certificate Delivery Date”).  If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Definitive Certificate subject to the Warrant Certificate Request Notice by the Warrant Certificate Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares evidenced by such Definitive Certificate (based on the VWAP (as defined in the Warrants) of the Common Stock on the Warrant Certificate Request Notice Date), $10 per Business Day for each Business Day after such Warrant Certificate Delivery Date until such Definitive Certificate is delivered or, prior to delivery of such Warrant Certificate, the Holder rescinds such Warrant Exchange.  The Company covenants and agrees that, upon the date of delivery of the Warrant Certificate Request Notice, the Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of the Definitive Certificate and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Definitive Certificate shall be deemed for all purposes to contain all of the terms and conditions of the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate and the terms of this Agreement, other than Sections 3(c), 3(d) and 9 herein, shall not apply to the Warrants evidenced by the Definitive Certificate. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall act as warrant agent with respect to any Definitive Certificate requested and issued pursuant to this section.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event of inconsistency between any provision in this Agreement and  


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any provision in a Definitive Certificate, as it may from time to time be amended, the terms of such Definitive Certificate shall control.

 

(d)A Holder of a Definitive Certificate (pursuant to a Warrant Exchange or otherwise) has the right to elect at any time or from time to time a Global Warrants Exchange (as defined below) pursuant to a Global Warrants Request Notice (as defined below). Upon written notice by a Holder to the Company for the exchange of some or all of such Holder’s Warrants evidenced by a Definitive Certificate for a beneficial interest in Global Warrants held in book-entry form through the Depositary evidencing the same number of Warrants, which request shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 3 (a “Global Warrants Request Notice” and the date of delivery of such Global Warrants Request Notice by the Holder, the “Global Warrants Request Notice Date” and the surrender upon delivery by the Holder of the Warrants evidenced by Definitive Certificates for the same number of Warrants evidenced by a beneficial interest in Global Warrants held in book-entry form through the Depositary, a “Global Warrants Exchange”), the Company shall promptly effect the Global Warrants Exchange and shall promptly direct the Warrant Agent to issue and deliver to the Holder Global Warrants for such number of Warrants in the Global Warrants Request Notice, which beneficial interest in such Global Warrants shall be delivered by the Depositary’s Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system to the Holder pursuant to the instructions in the Global Warrants Request Notice.  In connection with a Global Warrants Exchange, the Company shall direct the Warrant Agent to deliver the beneficial interest in such Global Warrants to the Holder within ten (10) Business Days of the Global Warrants Request Notice pursuant to the delivery instructions in the Global Warrant Request Notice (“Global Warrants Delivery Date”).  If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder Global Warrants subject to the Global Warrants Request Notice by the Global Warrants Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares evidenced by such Global Warrants (based on the VWAP (as defined in the Warrants) of the Common Stock on the Global Warrants Request Notice Date), $10 per Business Day for each Business Day after such Global Warrants Delivery Date until such Global Warrants are delivered or, prior to delivery of such Global Warrants, the Holder rescinds such Global Warrants Exchange.  The Company covenants and agrees that, upon the date of delivery of the Global Warrants Request Notice, the Holder shall be deemed to be the beneficial holder of such Global Warrants. 

 

Section 4.Form of Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Certificate, together with the form of election to purchase Common Stock (“Notice of Exercise”) and the form of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof, shall be in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto. 

 

Section 5.Countersignature and Registration. The Global Warrant shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Vice President, by facsimile signature. The Global Warrant shall be countersigned by the Warrant Agent by facsimile signature and shall not be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Global Warrant shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Warrant Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Global Warrant, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Warrant Agent, issued and delivered with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Global Warrant had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Global Warrant may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Global Warrant, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Global Warrant, although at the date of the execution of this Warrant Agreement any such person was not such an officer. 

 

The Warrant Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at one of its offices, or at the office of one of its agents, books for registration and transfer of the Global Warrants issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective Holders of the Global Warrant, the number of warrants evidenced on the face of each of such Global Warrant and the date of each of such Global Warrant.  The Warrant Agent will create a special account for the issuance of Global Warrants.  

 

The Company will keep or cause to be kept at one of its offices, books for the registration and transfer of any Definitive Certificates issued hereunder and the Warrant Agent shall not have any obligation to keep books and records with respect to any Definitive Warrants.  Such Company books shall show the names and addresses of the respective Holders of the Definitive Certificates, the number of warrants evidenced on the face of each such Definitive Certificate and the date of each such Definitive Certificate.


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Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Warrant Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Warrant Certificates. With respect to the Global Warrant, subject to the provisions of the Warrant Certificate and the last sentence of this first paragraph of Section 6 and subject to applicable law, rules or regulations, or any “stop transfer” instructions the Company may give to the Warrant Agent, at any time after the closing date of the Offering, and at or prior to the Close of Business on the Termination Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate), any Global Warrant or Global Warrants may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Global Warrant or Global Warrants, entitling the Holder to purchase a like number of shares of Common Stock as the Global Warrant or Global Warrants surrendered then entitled such Holder to purchase. Any Holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Global Warrant shall make such request in writing delivered to the Warrant Agent, and shall surrender the Global Warrant to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the Warrant Agent. Any requested transfer of Warrants, whether in book-entry form or certificate form, shall be accompanied by reasonable evidence of authority of the party making such request that may be required by the Warrant Agent. Thereupon the Warrant Agent shall, subject to the last sentence of this first paragraph of Section 6, countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Global Warrant or Global Warrants, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment from the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Global Warrants. The Company shall compensate the Warrant Agent per the fee schedule mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and provided separately on the date hereof. 

 

Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Warrant Certificate, which evidence shall include an affidavit of loss, or in the case of mutilated certificates, the certificate or portion thereof remaining, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity in customary form and amount (but, with respect to any Definitive Certificates, shall not include the posting of any bond by the Holder unless required by the Warrant Agent), and satisfaction of any other reasonable requirements established by Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Delaware, and reimbursement to the Company and the Warrant Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Warrant Agent and cancellation of the Warrant Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor to the Warrant Agent for delivery to the Holder in lieu of the Warrant Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

 

Section 7. Exercise of Warrants; Exercise Price; Termination Date.  

 

(a) The Warrants shall be exercisable commencing on the Initial Exercise Date. The Warrants shall cease to be exercisable and shall terminate and become void as set forth in the Warrant Certificate.  Subject to the foregoing and to Section 7(b) below, the Holder of a Warrant may exercise the Warrant in whole or in part pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2 of the Warrant Certificate.  Subject on Section 7(b) below, payment of the Exercise Price may be made, at the option of the Holder, by wire transfer or by certified or official bank check in United States dollars, to the Warrant Agent at the principal office of the Warrant Agent or to the office of one of its agents as may be designated by the Warrant Agent from time to time. In the case of the Holder of a Global Warrant, the Holder shall deliver the executed Notice of Exercise and the payment of the Exercise Price as described herein. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, a holder whose interest in a Global Warrant is a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant held in book-entry form through the Depositary (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), shall effect exercises by delivering to the Depositary (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable) the appropriate instruction form for exercise, complying with the procedures to effect exercise that are required by the Depositary (or such other clearing corporation, as applicable). Delivery of the Warrant Shares shall be made by the Warrant Share Delivery Date. The Company acknowledges that the bank accounts maintained by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services provided under this Agreement will be in its name and that the Warrant Agent may receive investment earnings in connection with the investment at Warrant Agent risk and for its benefit of funds held in those accounts from time to time.  Neither the Company nor the Holders will receive interest on any deposits or Exercise Price.  No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to a Holder whose interest in a Global Warrant is a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant held in book-entry form through the Depositary (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions), upon delivery of irrevocable instructions to such Holder’s Participant to exercise such warrants, that solely for purposes of Regulation SHO that such Holder shall be deemed to have exercised such warrants. 


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(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Exercise for a Cashless Exercise at a time when Cashless Exercise is available under the Warrants, the Company will promptly calculate and transmit to the Warrant Agent the number of Warrant Shares issuable in connection with such Cashless Exercise and deliver a copy of the Notice of Exercise to the Warrant Agent, which shall issue such number of Warrant Shares in connection with such Cashless Exercise.  

 

(c) Upon the exercise of the Warrant Certificate pursuant to the terms of Section 2 of the Warrant Certificate, the Warrant Agent shall cause the Warrant Shares underlying such Warrant Certificate or Global Warrant to be delivered to or upon the order of the Holder of such Warrant Certificate or Global Warrant, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such Holder, no later than the Warrant Share Delivery Date (as such term is defined in the Warrant Certificate). If the Company is then a participant in the DWAC system of the Depositary and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) the Warrant is being exercised via Cashless Exercise, then the certificates for Warrant Shares shall be transmitted by the Warrant Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s broker with the Depositary through its DWAC system. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company becomes obligated to pay any amounts to any Holders pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) or 2(d)(iv) of the Warrant Certificate, such obligation shall be solely that of the Company and not that of the Warrant Agent. Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, except in the case of a Cashless Exercise, if any Holder fails to duly deliver payment to the Warrant Agent of an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Warrant Shares to be purchased upon exercise of such Holder’s Warrant as set forth in Section 7(a) hereof by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Warrant Agent will not obligated to deliver such Warrant Shares (via DWAC or otherwise) until following receipt of such payment, and the applicable Warrant Share Delivery Date shall be deemed extended by one day for each day (or part thereof) until such payment is delivered to the Warrant Agent.  

 

(d) The Warrant Agent shall deposit all funds received by it in payment of the Exercise Price for all Warrants in the account of the Company maintained with the Warrant Agent for such purpose (or to such other account as directed by the Company in writing) and shall advise the Company via email at the end of each day on which notices of exercise are received or funds for the exercise of any Warrant are received of the amount so deposited to its account.  

 

Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Warrant Certificates. All Warrant Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Warrant Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Warrant Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Warrant Certificate shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Warrant Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Warrant Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Warrant Agent shall deliver all canceled Warrant Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such canceled Warrant Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company, subject to any applicable law, rule or regulation requiring the Warrant Agent to retain such canceled certificates.  

 

Section 9. Certain Representations; Reservation and Availability of Shares of Common Stock or Cash

 

(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Warrant Agent, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, and the Warrants have been duly authorized, executed and issued by the Company and, assuming due authentication thereof by the Warrant Agent pursuant hereto and payment therefor by the Holders as provided in the Registration Statement, constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled to the benefits hereof; in each case except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). 


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(b) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of common stock, of which approximately [    ] shares of Common Stock are issued and outstanding, and [    ] shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants, and (ii) five million (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, there are no other outstanding obligations, warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase from the Company any class of capital stock of the Company. 

 

(c) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock or its authorized and issued shares of Common Stock held in its treasury, free from preemptive rights, the number of shares of Common Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants. 

 

(d) The Warrant Agent will create a special account for the issuance of Common Stock upon the exercise of Warrants. 

 

(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Warrant Certificates or certificates evidencing Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax or governmental charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Warrant Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Stock in a name other than that of the Holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificate for shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of any Warrants until any such tax or governmental charge shall have been paid (any such tax or governmental charge being payable by the Holder of such Warrant Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that no such tax or governmental charge is due. 

 

Section 10. Common Stock Record Date. Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares of Common Stock is issued (or to whose broker’s account is credited shares of Common Stock through the DWAC system) upon the exercise of Warrants shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record for the Common Stock represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date on which submission of the Notice of Exercise was made, provided that the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant is duly surrendered (but only if required herein) and payment of the Exercise Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) is received on or prior to the Warrant Share Delivery Date; provided, however, that if the date of submission of the Notice of Exercise is a date upon which the Common Stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding day on which the Common Stock transfer books of the Company are open. 

 

Section 11. Adjustment of Exercise Price, Number of Shares of Common Stock or Number of the Company Warrants. The Exercise Price, the number of shares covered by each Warrant and the number of Warrants outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate. In the event that at any time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate, the Holder of any Warrant thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than shares of Common Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the shares contained in Section 3 of the Warrant Certificate and the provisions of Sections 7, 11 and 12 of this Agreement with respect to the shares of Common Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.  All Warrants originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Exercise Price pursuant to the Warrant Certificate shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Exercise Price, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Warrants, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.   

 

Section 12. Certification of Adjusted Exercise Price or Number of Shares of Common Stock. Whenever the Exercise Price or the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of each Warrant is adjusted as provided in Section 11 or 13, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth the  


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Exercise Price of each Warrant as so adjusted, and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Warrant Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock a copy of such certificate and (c) instruct the Warrant Agent to send a brief summary thereof to each Holder of a Warrant Certificate.

 

Section 13. Fractional Shares of Common Stock.  

 

(a) The Company shall not issue fractions of Warrants or distribute Warrant Certificates which evidence fractional Warrants. Whenever any fractional Warrant would otherwise be required to be issued or distributed, the actual issuance or distribution shall reflect a rounding of such fraction to the nearest whole Warrant (rounded down). 

 

(b) The Company shall not issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of Warrants or distribute stock certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. Whenever any fraction of a share of Common Stock would otherwise be required to be issued or distributed, the actual issuance or distribution in respect thereof shall be made in accordance with Section 2(d)(v) of the Warrant Certificate. 

 

Section 14. Conditions of the Warrant Agent’s Obligations. The Warrant Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following to all of which the Company agrees and to all of which the rights hereunder of the Holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates shall be subject:

 

(a)Compensation and Indemnification. The Company agrees promptly to pay the Warrant Agent the compensation detailed on Exhibit 4 hereto for all services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct finally adjudicated to have been directly caused by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services rendered hereunder by the Warrant Agent. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence, or willful misconduct on the part of the Warrant Agent, finally adjudicated to have been directly caused by Warrant Agent hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any claim of such liability. The Warrant Agent shall be under no obligation to institute or defend any action, suit, or legal proceeding in connection herewith or to take any other action likely to involve the Warrant Agent in expense, unless first indemnified to the Warrant Agent’s satisfaction.  The indemnities provided by this paragraph shall survive the resignation or discharge of the Warrant Agent or the termination of this Agreement.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Warrant Agent be liable under or in connection with the Agreement for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought, and the Warrant Agent’s aggregate liability to the Company, or any of the Company’s representatives or agents, under this Section 14(a) or under any other term or provision of this Agreement, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, is expressly limited to, and shall not exceed in any circumstances, one (1) year’s fees received by the Warrant Agent as fees and charges under this Agreement, but not including reimbursable expenses previously reimbursed to the Warrant Agent by the Company hereunder. 

 

(b)Agent for the Company. In acting under this Warrant Agreement and in connection with the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent is acting solely as agent of the Company and does not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the Holders of Warrant Certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants. 

 

(c)Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with counsel satisfactory to it, which may include counsel for the Company, and the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice of such counsel. 

 

(d)Documents. The Warrant Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon any Warrant Certificate, notice, direction, consent, certificate, affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper parties. 


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(e)Certain Transactions. The Warrant Agent, and its officers, directors and employees, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, Warrants, with the same rights that it or they would have if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it or they may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body of Holders of Warrant Securities or other obligations of the Company as freely as if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder. Nothing in this Warrant Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as trustee under any indenture to which the Company is a party. 

 

(f)No Liability for Interest. Unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Warrant Agent shall have no liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrant Certificates. 

 

(g)No Liability for Invalidity. The Warrant Agent shall have no liability with respect to any invalidity of this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agent’s countersignature thereon). 

 

(h)No Responsibility for Representations. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any of the recitals or representations herein or in the Warrant Certificate (except as to the Warrant Agent’s countersignature thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company. 

 

(i)No Implied Obligations. The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to perform only such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates specifically set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder which may tend to involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or in the case of the receipt of any written demand from a Holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law. 

 

Section 15. Purchase or Consolidation or Change of Name of Warrant Agent. Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent shall be party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent, shall be the successor to the Warrant Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Warrant Agent under the provisions of Section 17. In case at the time such successor Warrant Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement  any of the Warrant Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Warrant Agent and deliver such Warrant Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement. 

 

In case at any time the name of the Warrant Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Warrant Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver such Warrant Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Warrant Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Warrant Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.


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Section 16. Duties of Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company, by its acceptance hereof, shall be bound: 

 

(a) The Warrant Agent may consult with legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion. 

 

(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Vice President of the Company; and such certificate shall be full authentication to the Warrant Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate. 

 

(c) Subject to the limitation set forth in Section 14, the Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, or for a breach by it of this Agreement. 

 

(d) The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof) by the Company or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only. 

 

(e) The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Warrant Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for the adjustment of the Exercise Price or the making of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock required under the provisions of Section 11 or 13 or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such change or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment or change (except with respect to the exercise of Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificates after actual notice of any adjustment of the Exercise Price); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. 

 

(f) Each party hereto agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the other party hereto for the carrying out or performing by any party of the provisions of this Agreement. 

 

(g) The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Vice President of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable and shall be indemnified and held harmless for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer, provided Warrant Agent carries out such instructions without gross negligence or willful misconduct. 

 

(h) The Warrant Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Warrants or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity. 


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(i) The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorney or agents, and the Warrant Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorney or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof. 

 

Section 17. Change of Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days’ notice in writing sent to the Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and to the Holders of the Warrant Certificates. The Company may remove the Warrant Agent or any successor Warrant Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, sent to the Warrant Agent or successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and to the Holders of the Warrant Certificates. If the Warrant Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Warrant Agent or by the Holder of a Warrant Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Warrant Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the Holder of any Warrant Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Warrant Agent, provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to be the Warrant Agent until a new warrant agent is appointed. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of a state thereof, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Warrant Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. After appointment, the successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Warrant Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Warrant Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Warrant Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Warrant Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the Holders of the Warrant Certificates. However, failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 17, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent or the appointment of the successor Warrant Agent, as the case may be. 

 

Section 18. Issuance of New Warrant Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrants to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Exercise Price per share and the number or kind or class of shares of stock or other securities or property purchasable under the several Warrant Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. 

 

Section 19. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made (i) by the Warrant Agent or by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Company, (ii) subject to the provisions of Section 17, by the Company or by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to or on the Warrant Agent or (iii) by the Company or the Warrant Agent to the Holder of any Warrant Certificate shall be deemed given (a) on the date delivered, if delivered personally, (b) on the first Business Day following the deposit thereof with Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier, if sent by Federal Express or another recognized overnight courier, (c) on the fourth Business Day following the mailing thereof with postage prepaid, if mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), and (d) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or email attachment at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Business Day and (e) the next Business Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or email attachment on a day that is not a Business Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Business Day, in each case to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice): 


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(a)If to the Company, to:  

 

NeoVolta, Inc.

13651 Danielson Street, Suite A

Poway, CA 92064

Attention: Brent Wilson

 

(b)If to the Warrant Agent, to:  

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Attention:[__]

 

For any notice delivered by email to be deemed given or made, such notice must be followed by notice sent by overnight courier service to be delivered on the next business day following such email, unless the recipient of such email has acknowledged via return email receipt of such email.

 

(c) If to the Holder of any Warrant Certificate to the address of such Holder as shown on the registry books of the Company. Any notice required to be delivered by the Company to the Holder of any Warrant may be given by the Warrant Agent on behalf of the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, where this Agreement provides for notice of any event to a Holder of any Warrant, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the procedures of the Depositary or its designee. 

 

Section 20. Supplements and Amendments.  

 

(a) The Company and the Warrant Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any Holders of Global Warrants in order to (i) add to the covenants and agreements of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Global Warrants, (ii) to surrender any rights or power reserved to or conferred upon the Company in this Agreement, (iii) to cure any ambiguity, (iv) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or (v) to make any other provisions with regard to matters or questions arising hereunder which the Company and Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable, provided that such addition, correction or surrender shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Global Warrants or Warrant Certificates in any material respect. 

 

(b) In addition to the foregoing, with the consent of Holders of Warrants entitled, upon exercise thereof, to receive not less than a majority of the shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder, the Company and the Warrant Agent may modify this Agreement for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Global Warrants; provided, however, that no modification of the terms (including but not limited to the adjustments described in Section 11) upon which the Warrants are exercisable or the rights of Holders of Warrants to receive liquidated damages or other payments in cash from the Company or reducing the percentage required for consent to modification of this Agreement may be made without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Warrant Certificate affected thereby; provided further, however, that no amendment hereunder shall affect any terms of any Warrant Certificate issued in a Warrant Exchange. As a condition precedent to the Warrant Agent’s execution of any amendment, the Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent a certificate from a duly authorized officer of the Company that states that the proposed amendment complies with the terms of this Section 20. 

 

Section 21. Successors. All covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder. 


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Section 22. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the Holders of Warrant Certificates and the Warrant Agent any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.  This Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders of the Warrant Certificates.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent any provision of a Warrant Certificate conflicts with any provision of this Agreement, the provisions of the Warrant Certificate shall govern and be controlling. 

 

Section 23. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant Certificate and Global Warrant issued hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. 

 

Section 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 

 

Section 25. Captions. The captions of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. 

 

Section 26. Information. The Company agrees to promptly provide to the Holders of the Warrants any information it provides to the holders of the Common Stock, except to the extent any such information is publicly available on the EDGAR system (or any successor thereof) of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

 

[signature page to follow]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

 

By: _____________________________

Name:  Brent Wilson

Title:    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY

 

By: _____________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Exhibit 1

 

Form of Warrant Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Exhibit 2

Form of Warrant Certificate Request Notice

 

WARRANT CERTIFICATE REQUEST NOTICE

To: Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent for NeoVolta, Inc. (the “Company”)

The undersigned Holder of Common Stock Purchase Warrants (“Warrants”) in the form of Global Warrants issued by the Company hereby elects to receive a Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants held by the Holder as specified below:

1.Name of Holder of Warrants in form of Global Warrants: _____________________________ 

2.Name of Holder in Warrant Certificate (if different from name of Holder of Warrants in form of Global Warrants): ________________________________ 

3.Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Global Warrants: ___________________ 

4.Number of Warrants for which Warrant Certificate shall be issued: __________________ 

5.Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Global Warrants after issuance of Warrant Certificate, if any: ___________ 

 

6.Warrant Certificate shall be delivered to the following address: 

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with this Warrant Exchange and the issuance of the Warrant Certificate, the Holder is deemed to have surrendered the number of Warrants in form of Global Warrants in the name of the Holder equal to the number of Warrants evidenced by the Warrant Certificate.

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity: ____________________________________________________

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: ______________________________

 

Name of Authorized Signatory: ________________________________________________

 

Title of Authorized Signatory: _________________________________________________

 

Date: _______________________________________________________________

 

 

 



Exhibit 3

Form of Global Warrant Request Notice

 

GLOBAL WARRANT REQUEST NOTICE

To: Continental Stock Transfer & Trust LLC, as Warrant Agent for NeoVolta, Inc. (the “Company”)

The undersigned Holder of Common Stock Purchase Warrants (“Warrants”) in the form of Warrants Certificates issued by the Company hereby elects to receive a Global Warrant evidencing the Warrants held by the Holder as specified below:

1.Name of Holder of Warrants in form of Warrant Certificates: _____________________________ 

2.Name of Holder in Global Warrant (if different from name of Holder of Warrants in form of Warrant Certificates): ________________________________ 

3.Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Warrant Certificates: ___________________ 

4.Number of Warrants for which Global Warrant shall be issued: __________________ 

5.Number of Warrants in name of Holder in form of Warrant Certificates after issuance of Global Warrant, if any: ___________ 

 

6.Global Warrant shall be delivered to the following address: 

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

______________________________

 

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with this Global Warrant Exchange and the issuance of the Global Warrant, the Holder is deemed to have surrendered the number of Warrants in form of Warrant Certificates in the name of the Holder equal to the number of Warrants evidenced by the Global Warrant.

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity: ____________________________________________________

 

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: ______________________________

 

Name of Authorized Signatory: ________________________________________________

 

Title of Authorized Signatory: _________________________________________________

 

Date: _______________________________________________________________

 

 

 



Exhibit 4

 

Warrant Agent Fee Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


REPRESENTATIVE’S PURCHASE WARRANT

 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

Warrant Shares: [___]

Original Issuance Date: [___]

 

 

 

Initial Exercise Date: [___]

 

This REPRESENTATIVE’S PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, Maxim Partners LLC or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date referred to above as the Initial Exercise Date (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [___]2 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Neovolta, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to [___] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

Section 1.Definitions.  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”), dated [___], between the Company and Maxim Group LLC, as representative of the several Underwriters named in Schedule A thereto. 

Section 2.Exercise

a)Exercise of Warrant.  Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed facsimile copy or PDF copy submitted by email (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased.  The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof. 

b)Exercise Price.  The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $[___],3 subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).   


2 Five year anniversary of commencement of sales of offering

3 110% of public offering price


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c)Cashless Exercise. This Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where: 

(A) = as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(68) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock are then listed or quoted on The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE American or any tier of The Nasdaq Stock Market (each, a “Trading Market”), the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) (based on a trading day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if the Common Stock are listed or quoted on the OTCQB or OTCQX (each as operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc., or any successor market), the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock are not then listed or quoted for trading on the OTCQB or OTCQX Markets and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the OTC Pink Market published by OTC Markets Group Inc. (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Holder, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c). 

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).


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d)Mechanics of Exercise.  

i.Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise.  The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company by the Holder of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”).   Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise.  If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable.  As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.   

ii.Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise.  If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant. 

iii.Rescission Rights.  If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise. 

iv.Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise.  In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of  


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a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder.  For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss.  Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

v.No Fractional Shares or Scrip.  No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant.  As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share. 

vi.Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto.  The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. 

vii.Closing of Books.  The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof. 

e)Holder’s Exercise Limitations.  The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially  


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owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other  Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith.   To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination.  In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported.  The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.  The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply.  Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company.  The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

Section 3.Certain Adjustments

a)Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of Common Stock any shares of capital  


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stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged.  Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

b)Subsequent Rights Offerings.  In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).  

c)Pro Rata Distribution.  During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution (other than cash) of stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).  

d)Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification,  


6


reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant).  For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration.  If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction.  The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(e) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.

e)Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding. 

f)Notice to Holder.   

i.Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.  


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ii.Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice.  To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.  The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein. 

Section 4.Transfer of Warrant

a)Transferability.  Pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(e)(1), neither this Warrant nor any Warrant Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days immediately following the commencement of sales of the offering pursuant to which this Warrant is being issued, except as permitted under FINRA Rule 5110(e)(2).  Subject to the foregoing restriction, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer.  Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full.  This Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued. 

b)New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon  


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presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney.  Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

b)Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by or on behalf of the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time.  The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary. 

Section 5.Registration Rights.   

a)To the extent the Company does not maintain an effective registration statement for the Warrant Shares and in the further event that the Company files a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the sale of its shares of Common Stock (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or on another form, or in another context, in which such “piggyback” registration would be inappropriate), then, for a period of five (5) years from the commencement of sales of the Offering, the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Holder as soon as practicable but in no event less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date, which notice shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, of the offering, and offer to the Holder in such notice the opportunity to register the sale of such number of shares of Warrant Shares as such Holder may request in writing within five (5) days following receipt of such notice (a “Piggyback Registration”). The Company shall cause such Warrant Shares to be included in such registration and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Warrant Shares requested to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Warrant Shares in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through a Piggyback Registration that involves an underwriter or underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such Piggyback Registration. Furthermore, each Holder must provide such information as reasonably requested by the Company (which information shall be limited to that which is required for disclosure under the Securities Act and the forms, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) to be included in the registration statement timely or the Company may elect to exclude such Holder from the registration statement.  

b)In addition, to the extent the Company does not maintain an effective registration statement for the Warrant Shares, for a period of five (5) years from the commencement of sales of the Offering, the Holder shall be entitled to one (1) demand right for the registration of the Warrant Shares at the Company’s expense (other than any underwriting discounts, selling commissions, share transfer taxes applicable to the sale of the Warrant Shares, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Holder) (the “Demand Registration”). In the event of a Demand Registration, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to register the applicable Warrant Shares. All Holders of Warrant Shares proposing to distribute their securities through a Demand Registration that involves an underwriter or underwriters shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such Demand Registration. Furthermore, each Holder must provide such information as reasonably requested by the Company (which information shall be limited to that which is required for disclosure under the Securities Act and the forms, rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) to be included in the registration statement timely or the Company may elect to exclude such Holder from the registration statement.  


9


c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the registration rights described in this Section 5 shall be subject to limitations imposed by the Commission’s rules or comments of the Commission staff in connection with its review of the registration statement for any such resale registration. Moreover, notwithstanding the foregoing registration obligations of the Company, if the Company furnishes to the Holders requesting a Demand Registration a certificate signed by the Company’s chief executive officer stating that in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors it would be materially detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for a registration statement to either become effective or remain effective for as long as such registration statement otherwise would be required to remain effective, because such action would (i) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company; (ii) require premature disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (iii) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, then the Company shall have the right to defer taking action with respect to such Demand Registration or withdraw a related registration statement for a period of not more than forty-five (45) calendar days; provided, however, that the Company may not invoke this right more than twice in any twelve (12) month period or during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Termination Date. 

Section 6.Miscellaneous.  

a)No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash.  This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant. 

b)Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate. 

c)Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc.  If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day. 

d)Authorized Shares.   

i.The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant.  The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed.  The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).   


10


ii.Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant. 

iii.Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof. 

e)Governing Law; Venue. This Warrant shall be deemed to have been executed and delivered in New York and both this Warrant and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed as to validity, interpretation, construction, effect, and in all other respects by the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements wholly performed within the borders of such state and without regard to the conflicts of laws principals thereof (other than Section 5-1401 of The New York General Obligations Law). Each of the Holder and the Company: (a) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Warrant and/or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted exclusively in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (b) waives any objection which it may have or hereafter to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and (c) irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Holder and the Company further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address or delivered by Federal Express via overnight delivery shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company, in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Holder mailed by certified mail to the Holder’s address or delivered by Federal Express via overnight delivery shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the Holder, in any such suit, action or proceeding. THE HOLDER (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS RESPECTIVE EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT HOLDER MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS WARRANT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS WARRANT. 

f)Restrictions.  The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws. 

g)Nonwaiver and Expenses.  No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies.  Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company  


11


willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

h)Notices.  Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided hereunder shall be made in accordance with Section 7.3 of the Underwriting Agreement.  

i)Limitation of Liability.  No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. 

j)Remedies.  The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant.  The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate. 

k)Successors and Assigns.  Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder.  The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares. 

l)Amendment.  This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder of this Warrant, on the other hand. 

m)Severability.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant. 

n)Headings.  The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant. 

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

 

 


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

NEOVOLTA,  INC.

 

By:__________________________________________

    Name:

    Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO:NEOVOLTA, INC. 

 

(1)The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any. 

(2)Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box): 

[  ] in lawful money of the United States; or

[ ] if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

(3)Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below: 

_______________________________

 

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

 

Name of Investing Entity: ___________________________________________________

 

________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:

 

_________________________________________________

Name of Authorized Signatory:

 

___________________________________________________________________

Title of Authorized Signatory:

 

Date: ___________________________________________________________________


14


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information.  Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

Name:

____________________________________

 

(Please Print)

Address:

____________________________________

 

Phone Number:

Email Address: _______________________

(Please Print)

______________________________________

______________________________________

Dated: _______________ __, ______

 

Holder’s Signature: ________________________

 

Holder’s Address: _________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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ArentFox Schiff LLP

1717 K Street NW

Washington, DC  20006

____________________________

202.857.6000 MAIN

202.857.6395 FAX

____________________________

afslaw.com


May 19, 2022

 

NeoVolta, Inc.

13651 Danielson Street, Suite A

Poway, CA 92064

 

Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-1

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to NeoVolta, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company on April 13, 2022 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for the proposed offering (the “Offering”) of (A) 1,666,666 units (the “Units”) of securities of the Company, with each Unit consisting of (a) one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), and (b) one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (and the shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Warrants) (the “Warrants”); and (B) underwriters’ warrants to purchase up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock (and the shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Underwriters’ Warrants) (the “Underwriters’ Warrants”). The Common Stock, Warrants (and the shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Warrants), and Underwriters’ Warrants (and the shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Underwriters’ Warrants) are referred to herein collectively as the “Securities.” The Securities are being sold to the several underwriters named in, and pursuant to, an underwriting agreement among the Company and such underwriters (“Underwriting Agreement”).

 

In connection with our opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, the form of Underwriters’ Warrant, and such other documents, corporate records and instruments, and have examined such laws and regulations, as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion. In making our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the legal capacity of all natural persons. As to matters of fact material to our opinions in this letter, we have relied on certificates and statements from officers and other employees of the Company, public officials and other appropriate persons.

 

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by all necessary corporate action by the Company.

 

2. The shares of Common Stock, when issued and sold as described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3. Provided that the Units, the Warrants and Underwriters’ Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and duly delivered to the purchasers or underwriters, such Units, Warrants and Underwriters’ Warrants, when issued as contemplated in the Registration Statement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company.

 

4. The shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to each of the Warrants and Underwriter’s Warrants, upon payment to the Company of the required consideration, and when issued and sold by the Company and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Warrants or Underwriters’ Warrants, as applicable, and as described in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


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May 19, 2022

Page 2


The opinions set forth above are subject to the following qualifications:

 

A. The opinion expressed herein with respect to the legality, validity, binding nature and enforceability of the Units, Warrants and Underwriters’ Warrant is subject to (i) applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, whether now or hereafter in effect and (ii) general principles of equity, including, without limitation, concepts of materiality, laches, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the principles regarding when injunctive or other equitable remedies will be available (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

B. The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of New York and Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, and we express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

The opinions expressed in this opinion letter are as of the date of this opinion letter only and as to laws covered hereby only as they are in effect on that date, and we assume no obligation to update or supplement such opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may come to our attention after that date or any changes in law that may occur or become effective after that date. The opinions herein are limited to the matters expressly set forth in this opinion letter, and no opinion or representation is given or may be inferred beyond the opinions expressly set forth in this opinion letter.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of this firm’s name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ ArentFox Schiff, LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEOVOLTA, INC.

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

Introduction

NeoVolta, Inc. and each of its subsidiaries, if any, (collectively, the “Company”) are committed to the highest standards of ethics and business conduct. The Company conducts its business as a good corporate citizen and complies with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to it or the conduct of its business.  This commitment and standard of conduct governs our relationships with customers, suppliers, shareholders, competitors, the communities in which we operate, and with each other as employees at every organizational level.  Maintaining the highest ethical standards at all levels within our organization is critical for our success as a corporation.  This Code of Ethics (“Code”) applies to the corporation as a whole and to all employees, directors, officers, as well as consultants and vendors.

The Code is an expression of our core values and represents a framework for decision making.  To this end, all of us are responsible for understanding the Code and acting in accordance with it.  The Code cannot and is not intended to cover every applicable law, rule or regulation or provide answers to all questions that may arise; for that, we must ultimately rely on each employee’s, officer’s and director’s good sense of what is right, including a sense of when it is proper to seek guidance from others with respect to the appropriate course of conduct.  The Company maintains an open door policy for resolving issues that arise in the workplace.  Employees are encouraged to first discuss any questions regarding any law, rule, regulation, or principle discussed in this Code, which may govern business conduct, with the employee’s immediate supervisor.  If open communication with the employees’ supervisor does not resolve the issue or makes the employee uncomfortable, the employee should subsequently consult his or her next level supervisor or his or her Human Resources representative.  If this does not result in satisfactory resolution of the issue, the employee should consult the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.  Additionally, employees are encouraged to use the Company’s Ethics Hot Line at __________ to report any ethics violation.  Due to the sensitive nature of the reporting, calls to the Hot Line can be made anonymously.

The Code does not in any way constitute an employment contract or an assurance of continued employment.  It is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and may not be used or relied upon by any other party.  The Company may modify or repeal the provisions of the Code or adopt a new Code at any time it deems appropriate, with or without notice.

The Code must be strictly observed and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.  This Code applies equally to all employees, officers, directors, consultants and vendors of the Company.  The Company encourages employees to seek or to ask for advice from their supervisors or human resources representative when ethical issues arise in the workplace.

Compliance with Laws, Rules, Regulations and Policies

We all are expected to act honestly and maintain the highest standards of ethics and business conduct, consistent with the professional image of the Company. We are required to comply fully with all laws, rules and regulations affecting the Company’s business and its conduct in business matters.  We are expected to uphold both the letter and the spirit of the law and the Company’s policies.

The Company conducts its business in the United States and internationally.  Applicable laws, rules, regulations, customs and social requirements may be different in other countries from those in the United States.  It is the Company’s policy to abide by the national and local laws of our host nations and communities.  In the case of any conflict between the laws of another country and the United States, or in any situation where an employee has a doubt as to the proper course of conduct, it is incumbent upon an employee to immediately consult first his or her supervisor, and then his or her human resources representative.


 

Confidential, Proprietary Information

One of the Company’s most valuable assets is information.  Employees, officers and directors should maintain the confidentiality of information (whether specifically regarded as proprietary or not) entrusted to them not only by the Company, but also by suppliers, former employers, customers and others related to our business.  Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to our competitors or harmful to the Company, or its customers or suppliers, if disclosed.  Examples of confidential information include, but are not limited to, trade secrets, new product or marketing plans, customer lists, employee lists, research and development ideas, manufacturing processes, or acquisition or divestiture prospects.

Employees, officers and directors should take steps to safeguard confidential information by keeping such information secure, limiting access to such information to those employees who have a “need to know” in order to do their job, and avoiding discussion of confidential information in public areas, for example, in elevators, on planes, and on mobile phones. Employees, officers and directors must safeguard documents with confidential information, and should take steps to ensure proper disposal of documents with confidential information through shredding or other appropriate means, so that such documents cannot be acquired by those without proper authorization.  Confidential information may be disclosed to others when disclosure is authorized by the Company or legally mandated.  The obligation to preserve confidential information is ongoing, even after termination of employment.

Use of  Inside Information/ Insider Trading

Federal and state law prohibits the use of “material inside information” when trading in or recommending the Company securities.  In accordance with applicable federal and state law, no employee, officer or director may engage in transactions in the Company stock (whether for their own account, for the Company’s account or otherwise) while in possession of material inside information (“Insider Trading”) relating to the Company.  Further, no employee, officer or director who is in possession of material inside information may communicate such information to third parties who may use such information in the decision to purchase or sell Company stock (“Tipping”).  These restrictions also apply to securities of other companies if an employee, officer or director learns of material inside information in the course of his or her duties for the Company.  In addition to violating the Company policy, Insider Trading and Tipping are illegal.

What constitutes “material inside information” is a complex legal question, but is generally considered to be information not available to the general public, which a reasonable investor contemplating a purchase of the Company’s stock would be substantially likely to take into account in making his or her investment decision.  Such information includes information relating to a stock split and other actions relating to capital structure, major management changes, contemplated acquisitions or divestitures, and information concerning earnings or other financial information.  Such information continues to be “inside” information until two business days following the broad disclosure to the general public.

Any person who is in possession of material inside information is deemed to be an “insider.”  This would include directors, officers, employees (management and non- management), as well as spouses, friends or brokers who may have acquired such information directly or indirectly from an insider “tip.”

Substantial penalties may be assessed against people who trade while in possession of material inside information and can also be imposed upon companies and so-called controlling persons such as officers and directors who fail to take appropriate steps to prevent or detect insider trading violations by their employees or subordinates. To avoid severe consequences, employees should review this policy and the Insider Trading Policy before trading in securities and consult with the Company’s chief financial officer if any doubts exist as to what constitutes “material inside information.”


 

Conflicts of Interest

Employees must base business decisions and actions on the best interests of the Company. Accordingly, the Company policy prohibits conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal interest interferes in any way-or even appears to interfere-with the interests of the Company as a whole.  A conflict situation can arise when an employee or a member of an employee’s family takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and effectively.  Conflicts of interest also arise when an employee or a member of his or her family or close personal friend, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the Company.  Family members include an employee’s spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, step-parent, grandparent, sibling, in-laws and anyone living in an employee’s household and/or economically dependent upon an employee, including all adoptive relationships.

Such conflicts of interest can undermine our business judgment and our responsibility to the Company and threaten the Company’s business and reputation.  Accordingly, all apparent, potential, and actual conflicts of interest should be scrupulously avoided.  Though it is not possible to list every activity or situation that might raise a conflict of interest issue(s), the list below is included to help you recognize some of the more significant ones:

Corporate Opportunities. Taking personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position (unless the Company has already been offered the opportunity and turned it down), or using corporate property, information or position for personal gain or competing with the Company.  Such action is prohibited.  In addition, directors owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. 

Gifts.  Receiving from, or giving to, a supplier, customer or competitor, gifts, gratuities, special allowances, inappropriate discounts or other benefits of significant value (as defined below) that may have the potential to influence a business decision. The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with suppliers or customers. Gifts and entertainment of more than a significant value, that is, other than as is customary (i.e. holiday gift baskets or vendor attended entertainment), must be pre- approved, by a vice president or an officer of a higher level, other than the recipient of the gift.  In addition, any item that costs greater than $500 will be deemed to be of significant value and require pre-approval. If an employee is unsure regarding any gifts received or given, he or she should seek approval from his or her vice president.  Any vice president seeking approval shall seek such approval from the Chief Financial Officer. 

Loans.  Providing loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees or their family members.  Such activity will not be allowed without the prior written approval of the Chief Financial Officer, and if appropriate, the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. The Company will not extend, maintain or arrange any personal loan (or the equivalent thereof) to or for any director or executive officer or members of their families, or make guarantees of any of their obligations. 

Outside Activity.  Engaging in any outside activity that materially detracts from or interferes with the performance by an employee of his or her services to the Company. 

Outside Employment. Serving as a director, representative, employee, partner, consultant or agent of, or providing services to, an organization or individual that is a supplier, customer or otherwise seeking to do or doing business with the Company or a competitor of the Company. 

Personal Investments. Directly or indirectly, owning stock in, being a partner or creditor of, or having another financial interest in, or being engaged in the management of, a supplier, contractor, customer, distributor or competitor; provided that ownership of less than 1% in a publicly traded company shall not be included in the foregoing. 

All potential and actual conflicts of interest or material transactions or relationships that reasonably could be expected to give rise to such a conflict or the appearance of such a conflict must be promptly communicated to


the employee’s supervisor or human resources representative.  Employees should take care to report conflicts to a person who they believe is not involved in the matter giving rise to the conflict.

If a director believes he or she has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the Company, the director should notify the Chief Financial Officer and the Chairman of the Audit Committee (or any successor committee thereto) as promptly as practicable.  The director should not participate in any decision by the Board of Directors, or any Committee of the Board of Directors, that in any way relates to the matter that gives rise to the conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest until the issue has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Chairman of the Audit Committee or the entire Board of Directors.

Any employee who has a doubt about whether a conflict of interest exists after consulting this provision of the Code, should contact their human resources representative or, so that he or she can be assisted in making that determination.

Quality of Disclosures

The federal and state securities laws impose continuing disclosure requirements on the Company, and require the Company to regularly file certain reports with and make certain submissions (the “Reports”) to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded and disseminate them to its shareholders.  Such Reports must comply with all applicable legal and exchange requirements and may not contain material misstatements or omit material facts.

All employees, officers and directors directly or indirectly involved in preparing such Reports, any employees, officers or directors who regularly communicate with the press, investors and analysts concerning the Company, and all representatives who assist the Company in preparing such Reports and communications, will ensure that such Reports and communications are (i) full, fair, timely, accurate and understandable and (ii) meet all legal requirements. This policy applies to all public disclosure of material information about the Company, including written disclosures, oral statements, visual presentations, press conferences and media calls.

Protection and Proper Use of Assets

Proper and efficient use of assets of the Company, suppliers, customers and others, such as electronic communication systems, vehicles, cell phones, information (proprietary or otherwise), facilities and equipment, as well as intangible assets, is the responsibility of each employee, officer and director.  Employees, officers and directors must not inappropriately use such assets for non-Company business or personal profit for themselves or others unless such use is permitted under an approved written policy, compensation or expense reimbursement program.  In addition, employees, officers and directors must act in a manner to protect the Company’s assets from loss, damage, misuse, theft, removal and waste. Finally, employees, officers and directors must ensure that such assets are used only for legitimate business purposes.

Reporting of any Illegal or Unethical Behavior

Any employee who is aware of any illegal or unethical behavior or who believes that an applicable law, rule or regulation or the Code has been violated, must promptly report the matter to his or her supervisor.  If this does not result in a satisfactory conclusion, or if the supervisor is the subject matter of the report, the employee should contact his or her Human Resources representative.  Finally, if the matter is not resolved, the employee should contact the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Executive Officer.  Employees are also encouraged to use the Company’s Ethics Hot Line at _________. Due to the sensitive nature of the reporting, calls to the Hot Line can be made anonymously.

In addition, an employee who has a concern about the Company’s accounting practices, internal controls or auditing matters, should follow the same reporting procedures outlined above, provided that to the extent such concerns involve the Chief Financial Officer, the employee should not contact such officer. Employees should take care to report violations to a person who they believe is not involved in the matter giving rise to the violation. All


reports of violations will be promptly investigated and, if appropriate, remedied, and if legally required, immediately reported to the proper governmental authority.

Employees will be expected to cooperate in assuring that violations of the Code are promptly addressed.  The Company will protect confidentiality of those making reports of possible misconduct to the maximum extent possible, consistent with the requirements necessary to conduct an effective investigation and the law.  Any form of retaliation against someone for reporting an activity that he or she in good faith believes to be a violation of any law, rule, regulation, or this Code will not be tolerated.  Any supervisor or other employee intimidating or imposing sanctions on an employee for reporting a matter will be disciplined up to and including termination.

It is illegal to retaliate against a person, including any action regarding his employment, for providing truthful information to a law enforcement officer relating to the possible commission of any federal offense.  Employees, officers or directors who believe that they have been retaliated against by the Company, its employees, officers, directors, contractors, subcontractors or agents, for providing information to or assisting in an investigation conducted by a federal agency, Congress or a person with supervisory authority over the employee (or another employee who has the authority to investigate or terminate misconduct) in connection with conduct that the employee, officer or director reasonably believes constitutes a violation of federal criminal fraud statutes or any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, may file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor, or in federal court if the Secretary does not take action in a timely manner.  The Company encourages employees to report any retaliation for reporting violations of law to their human resources representative or the Chief Financial Officer in addition to the appropriate government authorities.

Responding to Improper Conduct

This Code will be enforced on a uniform basis for everyone, without regard to an employee’s position within the Company.  If an employee violates the Company’s Code, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action.  Supervisors and managers of a disciplined employee may also be subject to disciplinary action for their failure to properly oversee an employee’s conduct, or for retaliation against an employee who reports a violation(s).

The Company’s response to misconduct will depend upon a number of factors, including whether the improper behavior involved illegal conduct. Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to, reprimands and warnings, probation, suspension, demotion, reassignment, reduction in salary or immediate termination.  Employees should be aware that certain actions and omissions prohibited by the Code might be crimes that could lead to individual criminal prosecution and, upon conviction, to fines and imprisonment.

Employment Practices/ Equal Employment Opportunity

People are the greatest asset of the Company.  The Company strives to maintain a workplace free of discrimination or harassment.  This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination or harassment based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability. Retaliation against employees who report such conduct is illegal and will not be tolerated.

The Company also strives to provide a safe working environment for all of its employees. Employees are encouraged to provide any thoughts or ideas on how to improve workplace safety by contacting your supervisor or your respective safety representative.

Waivers

Employees, officers and directors should understand that waivers or exceptions to our Code will be granted only in advance and only under exceptional circumstances.  A waiver of this Code for any executive officer or director may be made only by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors and must be promptly disclosed to shareholders in accordance with applicable law and exchange requirements.


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Amendment No.2) of our report dated October 1, 2021 with respect to the audited financial statements of NeoVolta, Inc. for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP

www.malonebailey.com

Houston, Texas

May 19, 2022