AURA SYSTEMS INC - Quarter Report: 2019 May (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2019
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________
AURA SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 95-4106894 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
10541 Ashdale St.
Stanton, CA 90680
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 643-5300
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: YES ☒ NO ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ☐ NO ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ☐ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company ☒ | |
Emerging growth company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class | Outstanding October 28, 2019 | |
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share | 54,110,729 shares |
AURA SYSTEMS, INC.
INDEX
i
AURA
SYSTEMS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| May 31, 2019 | February 28, 2019 | ||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 10,773 | $ | 358,209 | ||||
Other current assets | 47,086 | 59,849 | ||||||
Total current assets | 57,859 | 418,058 | ||||||
Investment in joint venture | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 307,859 | $ | 668,058 | ||||
Liabilities & Shareholders’ Deficit | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 2,516,183 | $ | 2,635,664 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 3,380,687 | 3,205,456 | ||||||
Customer advances | 1,136,542 | 1,136,542 | ||||||
Notes payable, current portion | 877,537 | 847,537 | ||||||
Convertible notes payable and accrued interest-related party, net of discount | 3,720,194 | 3,644,354 | ||||||
Notes payable and accrued interest-related party | 6,289,907 | 6,156,375 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 17,921,050 | 17,625,929 | ||||||
Notes payable-related party | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | ||||||
Note payable | 185,181 | 215,181 | ||||||
Convertible notes payable | 1,421,647 | 1,421,647 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 22,527,878 | 22,262,757 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | - | - | ||||||
Shareholders’ deficit | ||||||||
Common stock: $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized at May 31 and February 28, 2019; 53,870,395 and 53,714,145 issued and outstanding at May 31 and February 28, 2019, respectively | 5,386 | 5,371 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 442,569,076 | 442,519,092 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (464,794,482 | ) | (464,119,161 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders’ deficit | (22,220,020 | ) | (21,594,699 | ) | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit | $ | 307,859 | $ | 668,058 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
1
AURA
SYSTEMS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2019 AND 2018
(Unaudited)
May 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Net revenue | $ | - | $ | 37,400.00 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | - | 14,677 | ||||||
Gross profit | - | 22,723 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Engineering, research & development | 44,082 | 132,853 | ||||||
Selling, general & administration | 314,223 | 1,001,966 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 358,305 | 1,134,819 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (358,305 | ) | (1,112,096 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||
Interest expense, net | (317,015 | ) | (277,217 | ) | ||||
Other (expense) | - | 352,931 | ||||||
Total income (expense) | (317,015 | ) | 75,714 | |||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (675,321 | ) | $ | (1,036,382 | ) | ||
Net income (loss) per share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | ||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 53,863,602 | 41,437,035 | ||||||
Diluted income (loss) per share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | ||
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding | 53,863,602 | 41,437,035 |
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.
2
AURA
SYSTEMS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2019 AND 2018
(Unaudited)
May 31, | ||||||||
2019 | 2018 | |||||||
Net Income (loss) | $ | (675,321 | ) | $ | (1,036,382 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
FMV of warrants issued for services | - | 312,072 | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount | - | - | ||||||
Gain on settlement of debt | - | - | ||||||
Stock issued for legal settlement | - | - | ||||||
Stock issued for services | - | - | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in | - | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable | (30,751 | ) | ||||||
Other current assets | 12,763 | 3,608 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in | - | - | ||||||
Accts payable, customer deposits and accrued expenses | 265,122 | (249,400 | ) | |||||
Cash used in operating activities | (397,436 | ) | (1,000,853 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Issuance of common stock | 50,000 | - | ||||||
Payment on notes payable | - | (50,000 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from subscription receivable | - | 500,000 | ||||||
Cash provided by financing activities | 50,000 | 450,000 | ||||||
Net incr (decr) in cash and cash equivalents | (347,436 | ) | (550,853 | ) | ||||
Beginning cash | 358,209 | 748,008 | ||||||
Ending cash | $ | 10,773 | $ | 197,155 | ||||
Cash paid in the period for: | ||||||||
Interest | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Income taxes | $ | - | $ | - |
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.
3
AURA
SYSTEMS INC.
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2019
(Unaudited)
Common Stock Shares | Common Stock Amount | Additional Paid-In Capital | Subscription Receivable | Accumulated Deficit | Total Shareholders’ Deficit | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance, February 28, 2019 | 53,714,145 | $ | 5,371 | $ | 442,519,092 | $ | - | $ | (464,119,162 | ) | $ | (21,594,699 | ) | |||||||||||
Shares issued for cash | 156,250 | 15 | 49,985 | 50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (675,321 | ) | (675,321 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, May 31, 2019 | 53,870,395 | $ | 5,386 | $ | 442,569,077 | $ | - | $ | (464,794,483 | ) | $ | (22,220,020 | ) |
See accompanying notes to these unaudited financial statements.
4
AURA
SYSTEMS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS
Aura Systems, Inc., (“Aura”, “We” or the “Company”) a Delaware corporation, was founded to engage in the development, commercialization, and sales of products, systems, and components, using its patented and proprietary electromagnetic technology. Aura develops and sells AuraGen® axial flux mobile induction power systems to the industrial, commercial, and defense mobile power generation markets. In addition, the Company has also developed and patented High Force Electromagnetic Linear Actuators which it has sold in prior years.
NOTE 2 – ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting principles
In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of income and comprehensive income, and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with information included in the Company’s Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended February 28, 2019 filed on October 24, 2019 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 affects any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. The guidance in this Update supersedes Topic 840, Leases. The core principle of Topic 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For public companies, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company evaluated the impact of the adoption of Topic 842 effective for the three-months ended May 31, 2019 and the impact was none on the Condensed Financial Statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements,” which requires companies to measure credit losses utilizing a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal year 2021 for the Company). The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its Financial Statements.
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606. ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company has assessed the impact of the guidance by performing the following five steps analysis:
Step 1: Identify the contract
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price
Step 5: Recognize revenue
5
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the comparative financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.
NOTE 3 – GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. During the three months ended May 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred losses of $675,321 and $1,036,382, respectively, and had negative cash flows from operating activities of $397,436 and $1,000,853, respectively.
If the Company is unable to generate profits and is unable to continue to obtain financing for its working capital requirements, it may have to curtail its business sharply or cease business altogether.
Substantial additional capital resources will be required to fund continuing expenditures related to our research, development, manufacturing and business development activities. The Company’s continuation as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations on a timely basis, to retain its current financing, to obtain additional financing, and ultimately to attain profitability.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that could result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
During the next twelve months we intend to increase operations of our AuraGen®/VIPER business both domestically and internationally. We plan to lease or acquire a new facility of approximately 50,000 square feet to support operations.
NOTE 4 – NOTES PAYABLE
Notes payable consisted of the following:
May 31, | February 28, | |||||||
Demand promissory notes payable with six individuals, carrying an interest rate of 10% (see Demand Promissory Notes below) | $ | 777,537 | $ | 777,537 | ||||
Note payable – related party, carrying an interest rate of 5% - see note 6, Breslow Note, for further details | 3,000,000 | 3,000,000 | ||||||
Convertible Promissory Note dated August 10, 2012, due August 10, 2017, convertible into shares of our common stock at a price of $0.76 per share. The note carries an interest rate of 7% with interest only payments due on the 10th of each month with the principal payment due on the maturity date. On January 30, 2017, this note was amended providing, among other things, for the conversion of 80% of the principal and accrued interest into common stock at $1.386 per share conditioned on the occurrence of certain future events the last of which was completed on February 14, 2018. See 7% Convertible Promissory Notes – Dalrymple August 2012 for further details. | 264,462 | 264,462 |
Convertible Promissory Note dated October 2, 2012, due October 2, 2017, convertible into shares of our common stock at a price of $0.76 per share. The note carries an interest rate of 7% with interest only payments due on the 2nd of each month with the principal payment due on the maturity date. On January 30, 2017, this note was amended providing, among other things, for the conversion of 80% of the principal and accrued interest into common stock at $1.386 per share conditioned on the occurrence of certain future events the last of which was completed on February 14, 2018. See 7% Convertible Promissory Notes – Dalrymple October 2012 for further details. | 133,178 | 133,178 | ||||||
Senior secured convertible notes dated May 7, 2013, due May 7, 2014, convertible into shares of our common stock at a price of $0.75 per share. The notes carry an interest rate of 12% with interest due on the last day of the month. On January 30, 2017, this note was amended providing, among other things, for the conversion of 80% of the principal and accrued interest into common stock at $1.386 per share conditioned on the occurrence of certain future events the last of which was completed on February 14, 2018. See Convertible Debt – Kenmont Capital Partners, LPD Investments and Guenther for further details. | 945,825 | 945,825 | ||||||
Senior secured convertible notes dated June 20, 2013, due June 20, 2014, convertible into shares of our common stock at a price of $0.50per share. On January 30, 2017, this note was amended providing, among other things, for the conversion of 80% of the principal and accrued interest into common stock at $1.386 per share conditioned on the occurrence of certain future events the last of which was completed on February 14, 2018. See Convertible Debt – Dresner and Lempert for further details. | 78,182 | 78,182 | ||||||
$ | 1,421,647 | $ | 1,421,647 | |||||
In 2016, the Company and the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Melvin Gagerman, were named among several other defendants in a lawsuit filed by two secured creditors demanding repayment of loans totaling $125,000 plus accrued interest and exemplary damages. In January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with all secured creditors other than the two plaintiffs. In September 2018 the court entered a judgment of approximately $235,000 plus legal fees in favor of the two secured creditors. The Company subsequently appealed this judgment and, in September 2019, reached a settlement agreement with these creditors for an aggregate principle amount of $315,000, including $80,000 of plaintiff’s legal expenses, and initial payment of $20,000 , , a payment schedule for monthly repayments of $10,000 commencing on October 15, 2019 and continuing for 12 months, and a final payment due on November 15, 2020. | 285,000 | 285,000 | ||||||
$ | 5,484,184 | $ | 5,484,184 | |||||
Less: Current portion | $ | 877,537 | $ | 847,537 | ||||
Long-term portion | $ | 4,606,647 | $ | 4,636,647 |
7
DEMAND PROMISSORY NOTES
The Demand Promissory Notes are six individual notes issued in 2015 that are payable on demand with an interest rate of 10% per annum. The principal amount of each note and the person/entity they are payable to are as follows: $10,000 Mr. Zeitlin, a former director of the Company; $30,000 Mr. Sook; $461,537 Mr. Macleod, a former president of the Company; $4,500 Mr. Howsmon, a former director of the Company; $4,500 El Pais, an entity controlled by Salvador Diaz, a current director of the Company.
In February 2018, the Company issued 192,641 shares of its common stock to Steven Veen in satisfaction of $267,000 in debt. Despite this issuance, Mr. Veen claims to continue to be entitled to repayment of the $267,000 debt. Mr. Veen has, to-date, not surrendered the shares issued to him in fulfillment of the debt he claims to be still owed and continues to own the 192,641 shares as of the date of this filing. The Company’s new management team is in the process of investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr. Veen.
CONVERTIBLE DEBT
Kenmont Capital Partners
On May 7, 2013, the Company transferred 4 notes payable with a total principal value of $1,000,000 together with accrued interest, and consulting fees to a senior secured convertible note with a principal value of $1,087,000 (“New Kenmont Note”) and warrants to Kenmont Capital Partners LP. The New Kenmont Note had a 1-year maturity date and was convertible into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $0.75 per share. The warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company recorded $342,020 as a discount, which has been fully amortized. There is a remaining balance of $549,954 as of May 31, 2019.
LPD Investments
On May 7, 2013, the Company transferred 2 note payables with a total principal value of $550,000 together with accrued interest to a senior secured convertible note with a principal value of $558,700 (“New LPD Note”) and warrants to LPD Investments, Ltd. The New LPD Note had a 1-year maturity date and was convertible into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $0.75 per share. The warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company recorded $175,793 as a discount, which has been fully amortized. There is a remaining balance of $163,677 as of May 31, 2019.
Guenther
On May 7, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with an individual, Mr. Guenther, for the sale of $750,000 of secured convertible note payable (the “Note”) and warrants. The Note had a 1-year maturity date and was convertible into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $0.75 per share. The warrants entitle the holder to acquire 1,000,000 shares and have an initial exercise price of $0.75 per share and have a 7-year term. The Company recorded $235,985 as a discount, which has been fully amortized. There is a remaining balance of $232,194 as of May 31, 2019.
Dresner and Lempert
On June 20, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with two individuals, Mr. Dresner and Mr. Lempert, for the sale of $200,000 of secured convertible notes payable (the “Notes”) and warrants. The Notes had a 1-year maturity date and were convertible into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $0.50 per share. The warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company recorded $39,152 as a discount, which has been fully amortized. There is a remaining balance of $78,182 as of May 31, 2019.
8
Abdou and Abdou
On June 20, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with two individuals, Mr. M. Abdou and Mr. W. Abdou, for the sale of $125,000 of secured convertible notes payable (the “Notes”) and warrants. The Notes had a 1-year maturity date and were convertible into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $0.50 per share. The warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company recorded $24,470 as a discount, which has been fully amortized. There is a remaining balance of $125,000 as of February 28, 2018. In 2016, the Company and the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Melvin Gagerman, were named among several other defendants in a lawsuit filed by the Mssrs. Abdou demanding repayment of loans totaling $125,000 plus accrued interest and exemplary damages. In January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with all secured creditors other than Mr. W. Abdou and Mr. M. Abdou. In September 2018 the court entered a judgment of approximately $235,000 plus legal fees in favor of the Mssrs. Abdou. The Company subsequently appealed this judgment and, in September 2019, reached a settlement agreement with these creditors.
Kopple Notes
On August 19, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with Robert Kopple, a former member of its Board of Directors for the sale of $2,500,000 of convertible notes payable (the “Kopple Notes”) and warrants. The Kopple Notes carry a base interest rate of 9.5%, have a 4-year maturity date and are convertible into shares of common stock at the conversion price of $0.50 per share. The warrants were subsequently exercised. The Company recorded $667,118 as a discount, which has been fully amortized. The Company also entered into a demand note payable with this individual in the amount of $20,000, which bears interest at a rate of 5%. As of May 31, 2019, the balance of the $2,000,000 note including interest is $3,621,944, and the balance of the demand note payable including interest is $22,410. The total owed under these two notes is $3,644,354.
7% Convertible Promissory Notes:
Dalrymple – August 2012
On August 10, 2012 the Company entered into an agreement with an individual, Mr. Dalrymple, for the sale of $1,000,000 of unsecured Convertible Promissory Note. The Convertible Promissory Note balance together with all accrued interest thereon was due and payable on August 10, 2017 and the annual interest rate was 7% per annum and was due to be repaid 5 years from the closing date. The Company recorded $310,723 as a debt discount, which will be amortized over the life of the note. There is a remaining balance of $264,462 as of May 31, 2019
Dalrymple – October 2012
On October 2, 2012 the Company entered into an agreement with an individual, Mr. Dalrymple, for the sale of $500,000 of unsecured Convertible Promissory Note. This Convertible Promissory Note balance together with all accrued interest thereon was due and payable on October 2, 2017 and the annual interest rate was 7% per annum and was due to be repaid 5 years from the closing date. The Company recorded $137,583 as a debt discount, which will be amortized over the life of the note. There is a remaining balance of $133,178 as of May 31, 2019.
9
On January 30, 2017 the Company entered into an agreement entitled First Amendment to Transaction Documents with five of seven secured creditors holding a security interest in all of the Company’s assets except for its patents and other intellectual properties. These creditors are the seven listed above under Convertible Debt and include the following: Kenmont Capital Partners, LPD Investments, Guenther, Dresner, Lempert and Mr. M. Abdou and Mr. W. Abdou. All of the creditors entered into the January 30, 2017 agreement with the exception of the Messrs. Abdou. The original agreement dated May 7, 2013 provided that if at least 75% of the stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes votes to amend the agreement and/or waive any conditions or defaults, then any such amendments or waivers shall be binding on all secured creditors. The five secured creditors signing the amendment total in excess of 95% of the issuable stock upon conversion and, therefore the agreement is binding on all seven of the secured creditors. The agreement provided that all accrued and unpaid interest will be added to the principal amount. The amended note provided for no interest from November 1, 2016 to February 14, 2018, the date at which the 1-for-7 reverse stock split became effective at which time 80% of the total debt including accrued interest was converted into shares of common stock and a new five year 5% per annum convertible note was issued for the remainder. The new amended and restated senior convertible notes have a maturity date of January 30, 2022. The five creditors and the Company entered into a Second Amendment to Transaction Documents on March 14, 2017 and a Third Amendment to Transaction Documents on April 8, 2017, both of which extended the required date of the stockholder approval of the 1-for-7 reverse stock split, which was completed on February 14, 2018. The amended and restated senior convertible notes also require the Company to make a “Required Cash Payment” as defined in the agreement if the Company receives at least $4,000,000 in aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of equity securities (including securities convertible into equity securities) of the Company in one or a series of related transactions. The Required Cash Payment is equal to the current outstanding balance of the notes, which was $1,149,007 at May 31, 2019, plus any outstanding accrued interest.
NOTE 5 – ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
May 31, 2019 | February 28, 2019 | |||||||
Accrued payroll and related expenses | $ | 2,847,194 | $ | 2,732,019 | ||||
Accrued interest | 533,494 | 428,625 | ||||||
Other | - | 44,812 | ||||||
Total | $ | 3,380,687 | $ | 3,205,456 |
Accrued payroll and related expenses consists of salaries and vacation time accrued but not paid to employees due to our lack of financial resources.
NOTE 6 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
During the three months ended May 31, 2019, we issued 156,250 shares of common stock for $50,000.
During the three months ended May 31, 2018, we did not issue any shares of common stock.
Employee Stock Options
The 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan
In September 2006, our Board of Directors adopted the 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan, subject to shareholder approval, which was obtained at a special shareholders meeting in 2009. Under the 2006 Plan, the Company may grant options for up to the greater of Three Million (3,000,000) or 10% of the number of shares of the Common Stock of Aura from time to time outstanding. The shares of Common Stock available under the 2006 Plan was increased to the greater of Ten Million shares (10,000,000) or 15% of the number of shares of Common Stock of Aura from time to time outstanding at the October 2011 shareholders meeting. The exercise price of each option shall be at least equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant. The term of the options may not be greater than ten years, and they typically vest over a three-year period. No options were issued during the three-month period ended May 31, 2019. Activity in the plan for the three-month period ended May 31, 2019 is as follows:
10
Weighted | ||||||||||||
Number of | Exercise | Average Intrinsic | ||||||||||
Shares | Prices | Value | ||||||||||
Outstanding, February 28, 2019 | 647,000 | $ | 1.40 | $ | - | |||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Cancelled | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding, May 31, 2019 | 647,000 | $ | 1.40 | $ | - |
Information regarding the options outstanding and exercisable as of May 31, 2019 follows:
Options Outstanding | Exercisable Options | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average | Average | Average | Weighted | |||||||||||||||||||||
Range of | Remaining | Exercise | Remaining | Average | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise Price | Number | Life | Price | Life | Number | Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 1.40 | 647,000 | .75 Yr | $ | 1.40 | .75 Yr | 647,000 | $ | 1.40 |
The 2011 Director and Executive Officers Stock Option Plan
In October 2011 shareholders approved the 2011 Director and Executive Officers Stock Option Plan at the Company’s annual meeting. Under the 2011 Plan, the Company may grant options for up to 15% of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company from time to time outstanding. Pursuant to this plan, the Board or a committee of the Board may grant an option to any person who is elected or appointed a director or executive officer of the Company. The exercise price of each option shall be at least equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant. The term of the options may not be greater than five years. Activity in the plan for the three-month period ended May 31, 2019 is as follows:
Warrants
Activity in issued and outstanding warrants is as follows:
Number of | Exercise | |||||||
Shares | Prices | |||||||
Outstanding, February 28, 2019 | 7,490,987 | $ | 1.40 | |||||
Granted | - | - | ||||||
Exercised | - | - | ||||||
Cancelled | - | - | ||||||
Outstanding, May 31, 2019 | 7,490,987 | $ | 1.40 |
Information regarding the warrants outstanding and exercisable as of May 31, 2019 follows
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Range of Exercise Price | Stock Warrants Outstanding | Stock Warrants Exercisable | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life | Weighted Average Exercise Price of Warrants Outstanding | Weighted Average Exercise Price of Warrants Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||
$ | 1.40 | 7,490,987 | 7,485,987 | 3.25 Yrs. | $ | 1.40 | $ | 1.40 |
NOTE 7 – RELATED PARTIES TRANSACTIONS
Breslow Note
On January 24, 2017 the Company entered into a Debt Refinancing Agreement with Mr. Breslow, a former Director of the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, both Mr. Breslow and the Company acknowledged that total debt owed to Mr. Breslow was $23,872,614 including $8,890,574 of accrued interest. Mr. Breslow agreed to cancel and forgive all interest due, waive all events of default and sign a new five-year convertible note in the amount of $14,982,041 providing for no interest for six months and interest of 5% per annum thereafter payable monthly in arrears. The note also provides various default provisions. In accordance with the agreement, on February 14, 2018, the effective date of the 1-for-7 reverse stock split, $11,982,041 of the note was converted into 7,403,705 shares of common stock and the then accrued interest of $9,388,338 was forgiven. A new $3,000,000 five-year note representing the remaining balance was entered into. The note bears interest at a rate of 5% per annum payable monthly in arrears.
Kopple Note
At May 31, 2019, the balance in Notes Payable and accrued interest-related party, current of $6,289,907, includes $3,424,882 plus accrued interest of $2,526,564 to Mr. Kopple (a former Board member), a 10% shareholder. At May 31, 2019, the balance in Convertible note payable and accrued interest-related party includes $2,000,000 of unsecured convertible notes payable plus accrued interest of $1,697,534 and an unsecured convertible note of $20,000 plus accrued interest of $2,659 to Mr. Kopple.
Gagerman Note
Related parties transactions also includes $82,000 of unsecured notes payable plus accrued interest of $50,346 owed to Melvin Gagerman, the Company’s former CEO, pursuant to a demand note entered into on April 5, 2014.
NOTE 8 – COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES
Leases
Our facilities consist of approximately 20,000 square feet in Stanton, California and an additional storage facility in Santa Clarita, California. The Stanton facility is used for some assembly and testing of AuraGen®/VIPER systems and is rented on a month-to-month basis. The rent for the Stanton facility is $10,000 per month and the storage facility is an additional $5,000 per month, both on a month-to-month basis. Our current Stanton facility is not sufficient to support the expected operations and the Company is evaluating new facility options to be used for limited production, testing, warehousing and engineering, as well as needed office space for support staff. The Company also rents temporary storage space on a month-to-month basis. Commencing in February 2019, the Company began renting approximately 300 square feet of office space in Irvine, California at a cost of $ 2,350 per month on a month-to-month basis. In July 2019, the Company ceased renting this office space.
Following the adoption of Topic 842, Leases, as of the start of fiscal year 2020, the Company determined that there was no impact on its Condensed Financial Statements during the three month period ended May 31, 2019. The standard requires entities to evaluate all lease transactions including leases previously classified as operating leases, and, if required under Topic 842, a right-to-use asset and a corresponding lease liability may be recorded on the balance sheet in the period in which the lease commences.
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Joint Venture
In March 2017 the Company entered into a joint venture with a Chinese partner to form Jiangsu Shengfeng Mobile Power Technology Co., Ltd. (“Jiangsu Shengfeng”) to address the Chinese market. Under the Jiangsu Shengfeng joint venture agreement, Aura owns 49% of the venture and our Chinese partner owns 51%. The Chinese partner is to contribute approximately $9.25 million to the venture –– principally in the form of facilities and equipment as wells as approximately $500,000 in cash. The Company contributed to the venture in the form of $250,000 in cash as well as a limited license to the joint venture to manufacture, sell and service the AuraGen® products within China. The limited license sold to the Jiangsu Shengfeng joint venture, however, does not permit Jiangsu Shengfeng to manufacture the AuraGen® rotor; rather, the joint venture is required to purchase all rotor subassemblies as well as certain software elements directly from the Company. Jiangsu Shengfeng’s board of directors consists of three members appointed by the Company and three appointed by our Chinese partner; Jiangsu Shengfeng’s CEO is appointed by our Chinese partner while its CFO and director for quality assurance and control are appointed by Aura.
In addition, Jiangsu Shengfeng is required to purchase a minimum of $1,250,000 of product from the Company supported by letters of credit for distribution until their factory is built, equipment installed, and staff hired and properly trained by Aura personnel. Aura has also committed to supply personnel for six months at no cost other than to be reimbursed for travel, room and board. This commitment has been fulfilled and Aura is under no further obligation to supply personnel at no cost. The agreement was subject to the approval of the Chinese Government which was received in April 2017. Mr. Song, the majority shareholder of the Chinese partner of the joint venture, invested $2,000,000 in Aura’s common shares at a price of $1.40 per share.
Contingencies
We are subject to the legal proceedings and claims discussed below as well as certain other legal proceedings and claims that have not been fully resolved and that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Our management evaluates our exposure to these claims and proceedings individually and in the aggregate and evaluates potential losses on such litigation if the amount of the loss is estimable and the loss is probable. However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company is subject to significant uncertainty. Although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against the Company for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected. The Company settled certain matters subsequent to year end that did not individually or in the aggregate have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or operating results.
In 2017, the Company’s former COO was awarded approximately $238,000 in accrued salary and related charges by the California labor board. The Company believes that this award does not reflect the amount owed which is significantly lower and is exploring all its options and available remedies and is working toward an offer to settle this matter.
In 2016, the Company and the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Melvin Gagerman, were named among several other defendants in a lawsuit filed by two secured creditors demanding repayment of loans totaling $125,000 plus accrued interest and exemplary damages. In January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with all secured creditors other than the two plaintiffs. In September 2018 the court entered a judgment of approximately $235,000 in favor of the two secured creditors. The Company subsequently appealed this judgment and, in September 2019, reached a settlement agreement with these creditors.
The Company is presently engaged in a dispute with one of its former directors, Robert Kopple, relating to approximately $9 million and approximately 3.15 million warrants which Mr. Kopple claims to be owed to him and his affiliates by the Company. In July 2017, Mr. Kopple filed suit against the Company as well as against current director Mr. Diaz-Verson and former directors Mr. Breslow and Mr. Howsmon, as well as Mr. Gagerman, the former CEO (not a director) in connection with these allegations. In 2018, the Court sustained demurrers by Mr. Diaz-Verson, Mr. Breslow, Mr. Howsmon and Mr. Gagerman and as a result of these successful demurrers, all four of these defendants have been dismissed from the suit. While the Company believes that it has certain valid defenses in these matters, the Company is currently in settlement discussions with Mr. Kopple. If the settlement negotiation is unsuccessful, the Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the transactions under dispute with Mr. Kopple.
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In April 2018, the Company filed suit against its former counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP alleging various acts of malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty committed by the firm in connection with its representation of Aura. In June 2018, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP filed a cross-complaint against the Company claiming in excess of $400,000 in allegedly unpaid legal fees. In January 2019, the Company reached a settlement with Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, pursuant to which, among other things, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP agreed to dismiss its cross-complaint and waive all unpaid legal fees. The action and the cross-complaint were both subsequently dismissed.
In February 2018, the Company failed to issue shares of stock contractually owed to BetterSea, LLC (“BetterSea”), one of the Company’s long-standing technical consultants. On August 15, 2018, 7,364,735 restricted shares were issued in fulfillment of this contractual obligation based on the then-outstanding closing quote of the stock. The issuance of the shares was previously reported by the Company. The Company also paid $20,000 in legal fees on behalf of BetterSea related to legal expense associated with the Company’s delays in the issuance of the stock.
In May 2018, Shelley Scholnick dba JB Transporters brought suit against the Company claiming ongoing fees in excess of $52,000 owed for the storage of the Company’s property. Notably, in June 2017, the Company had brought suit against J.B. Moving & Delivery, a business operated and controlled by Scholnick’s father, Jacob Binstok, for damages suffered by the Company as a result of the defendant’s improper storage of the Company’s property and improper refusal to return such property. In 2018, the Company successfully received a judgment against J.B. Moving & Delivery in the amount of approximately $114,000. The Company disputes that any amount is now owed to Scholnick.
On March 26, 2019, various stockholders of the Company controlling a combined total of more than 27.5 million shares delivered a signed written consent to the Company removing Ronald Buschur as a member of the Company’s Board and electing Cipora Lavut as a director of the Company. On March 27, 2019, those same stockholders delivered a further signed written consent to the Company removing William Anderson and Si Ryong Yu as members of the Company’s Board and electing Robert Lempert and David Mann as directors of the Company. These written consents represented a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock as of March 26, 2019 and March 27, 2019, respectively. Because of Aura’s refusal to recognize the legal effectiveness of the consents, on April 8, 2019 the stockholders filed suit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 225 of the Delaware General Corporations Law, seeking an order confirming the validity of the consents and declaring that Aura’s Board consists of Ms. Lavut, Mr. Mann, Mr. Lempert, Mr. Douglas and Mr. Diaz-Versón, Jr. On July 8, 2019 the Court of Chancery entered final judgment in favor of the stockholder plaintiffs, confirming that (a) Ronald Buschur, Si Ryong Yu and William Anderson had been validly removed by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock acting by written consent (b) Ms. Lavut, Mr. Mann and Mr. Lempert had been validly elected by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock acting by written consent, and (c) the Company’s Board of Directors validly consists of Cipora Lavut, David Mann, Robert Lempert, Gary Douglas and Salvador Diaz-Versón, Jr.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward Looking Statements
This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Report, including the statements under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” regarding future events or prospects are forward-looking statements. The words “approximates,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seek,” “may,” or other similar expressions in this Report, as well as other statements regarding matters that are not historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements. We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Report are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. Such statements are based on assumptions and the actual outcome will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results may differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends.
Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include the following:
● | Our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations; |
● | Our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our operations; |
● | The impact of economic, political and market conditions on us and our customers; |
● | The impact of unfavorable results of legal proceedings; |
● | Our exposure to potential liability arising from possible errors and omissions, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty of care, waste of corporate assets and/or similar claims that may be asserted against us; |
● | Our ability to compete effectively against competitors offering different technologies; |
● | Our business development and operating development; |
● | Our expectations of growth in demand for our products; and |
● | Other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and those risks discussed in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2019 (as the same may be updated from time to time in subsequent quarterly reports), which discussion is incorporated herein by this reference. |
We do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except to the extent required by law. You should interpret all subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf as being expressly qualified by the cautionary statements in this Report. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
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Overview
Beginning with fiscal 2017 through 2018, we reduced our engineering, manufacturing, sales, and marketing activities to focus on renegotiating numerous financial obligations and minimizing expenditures while we attempted to raise additional funding and pursue some initial engineering activities
In fiscal 2018, we successfully eliminated approximately 68% of our total indebtedness. Specifically, our secured creditors converted approximately $5.73 million of secured debt into approximately 4.1 million shares of our common stock. The converted debt represented approximately 80% of the total secured debt of the Company. The balance of the secured debt (approximately $960,000) is to be paid to the secured creditors in cash if we raise at least $4.0 million in proceeds through new equity offerings in one or a series of related offerings. Additionally, in fiscal 2018, approximately $12.77 million of unsecured debt was converted into approximately 9.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock and approximately $12.3 million of unsecured debt was forgiven. In total, during fiscal 2018, we eliminated a total of approximately $30.23 million of debt.
As of the date of this filing, Robert Kopple, our former Vice Chairman of the Board, is the only significant unsecured note holder that has not agreed to restructure his debt. Mr. Kopple claims that he and his affiliates are owed approximately $9.5 million on terms significantly preferable to other similarly situated unsecured creditors. We dispute Mr. Kopple’s claims. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for information regarding the dispute with Mr. Kopple regarding these transactions. Mr. Kopple has not accepted our numerous offers to restructure this debt.
On February 14, 2018, we effectuated a one-for-seven reverse stock split.
In fiscal 2019, we began increasing our engineering and manufacturing activities. We utilized contractors for these services in order to minimize our expense while we continued to pursue new sources of financing. In July 2019, we began significantly increasing our sales, engineering, manufacturing and marketing activities under our new management team.
Our business is based on the exploitation of our patented mobile power solution known as the AuraGen® for commercial and industrial applications and the VIPER for military applications. Our business model consists of two major components; (i) sales and marketing, (ii) design and engineering.
(i) Our sales and marketing approaches are composed of direct sales in North America and the use of agents, distributors and joint ventures for sales internationally. In North America, our primary focus is in (a) mobile exportable power applications, (b) transport refrigeration, and (c) U.S. Military applications.
(ii) The second component of our business model is focused on the design of new products and engineering support for the sales activities described above. The engineering support consists of the introduction of new features for our AuraGen® solution such as higher power, different voltages, three phase options, shore power systems, higher current solutions as well as interface kits for different platforms. After suspending the majority of our engineering, manufacturing, sales, and marketing activities to focus on renegotiating numerous financial obligations in fiscal 2018 and 2019, we expect modest engineering activities budgeted at approximately $750,000 during the fiscal 2020 year.
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Operations.
During the first half of fiscal 2016, we significantly reduced operations due to lack of financial resources. During the second half of fiscal 2016, our operations were further disrupted when the we were forced to move from its facilities in Redondo Beach, California to a smaller facility in Stanton, California. Operations during the second half of fiscal 2016 were sporadic. During fiscal 2017, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019, the Company reduced its engineering, manufacturing, sales, and marketing activities to focus on renegotiating numerous financial obligations. During this time, our agreements with numerous customers, third party vendors, and organizations and entities material to the operation of the Company business were canceled, delayed or terminated. During fiscal 2018, we successfully restructured in excess of $30 million of debt. During fiscal 2019, we continued to address our financial needs, was able to ship a small quantity of product during fiscal 2019 and shipped a small amount to customers, and maintained a small inventory of finished product. The Company believes that it will have the ability to increase production during fiscal 2020 once it has secured additional sources of capital and confirmed orders are in-place. Our marketing strategy during fiscal 2020 includes the following key activities:
(i) One element of our business plan is focused on electric transport refrigeration. The market is well understood and both social and economic forces are providing an unprecedented opportunity to gain significant market share. Our immediate focus is on 20-k BTU/hr. midsize trucks and the 50-k BTU/hr. trailers.
(ii) Another element of our business plan is focused on our mobile power solution for military applications around the globe.
(iii) We also plan to seek joint venture opportunities similar to the agreement we entered in China to explore other international opportunities.
Going Concern.
Our independent auditor has expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and believes that our ability is dependent on our ability to implement our business plan, raise capital and generate revenues. See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on page F-1, together with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2019 on Form 10-K/A issued on October 23, 2019.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial conditions and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and disclosures on the date of the financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to revenue recognition. We use authoritative pronouncements, historical experience and other assumptions as the basis for making judgments. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606. ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.
We have assessed the impact of the guidance by performing the following five steps analysis:
Step 1: Identify the contract
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price
Step 5: Recognize revenue
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Inventory Valuation and Classification
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market, on a standard cost basis. We review the components of inventory on a regular basis for excess or obsolete inventory based on estimated future usage and sales. We have minimally operated and therefore have only produced minimal product since late 2015. As a result, while we believe that a portion of the inventory has value, we are unable to substantiate its demand and market value and as a result we have elected to reserve it in its entirety as of May 31 and February 28, 2019.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which requires the measurement of all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, using a fair value-based method and the recording of such expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
We account for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC 505-50, “Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees”, whereas the fair value of the equity-based compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at the earlier of either (a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached or (b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete.
For the past, several years and in accordance with established public company accounting practice, we have consistently utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of stock options and warrants issued as compensation, primarily to management, employees, and directors. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is a widely-accepted method of valuation that public companies typically utilize to calculate the fair value of options and warrants that they issue in such circumstances.
Results of Operations
Three months ended May 31, 2019 compared to three months ended May 31, 2018
Net revenues were $0 for the three months ended May 31, 2019 (the “First Quarter FY2020”) compared to $37,400 for the three months ended May 31, 2018 (the “First Quarter FY2019”).
Cost of goods sold were $0 in the First Quarter FY2020 compared to $14,677 in the First Quarter FY2019.
Engineering, research and development expenses were $44,082 in the First Quarter FY2020, compared to $132,853 in the First Quarter FY 2019.
Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $687,743,850 (69%) to $314,223,116 in the First Quarter FY2020 from $1,001,966 in the First Quarter FY2019. The decrease is primarily due to a non-cash charge of $312,000 for warrants issued to the Board of Directors in the prior year, a decrease of approximately $73,000 in consulting fees, and a reduction in other legal expense of approximately $240,000.
Net interest expense in the First Quarter FY2020 increased $39,798, or14%, to $317,015 from $277,217 in the First Quarter FY2019.
Our net loss for the First Quarter FY2020 decreased $358306, or 35%, to $675,321 from $1,036,382 in the First Quarter FY2019.
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Net cash used in operations for the three months ended May 31, 2019, was $397,436, a decrease of $603,147 from the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. Net cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended May 31, 2019, was $50,000 from the issuance of common stock as compared to a total of $450,000 provided by financing activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The cash flow generated from our operations to date has not been sufficient to fund our working capital needs, and we cannot predict when operating cash flow will be sufficient to fund working capital needs.
There were no acquisitions of property and equipment during the First Quarter FY2020 or the First Quarter FY2019.
Accrued expenses as of May 31, 2019 increased $146,564 to $3,352,020 from $3,205,456 as of February 28, 2019. At May 31, 2019, approximately $2.3 million of accrued expenses is salaries accrued but unpaid to certain current and former employees due to a lack of resources, and approximately $0.5 million is accrued but unused vacation earned by employees.
The Company had a deficit of $22.2 million in shareholders’ equity as of May 31, 2019, compared to $21.6 million as of February 28, 2019 with the net change attributed to net loss of approximately $675,000 offset by issuance of shares of $50,000.
In the past, in order to generate liquidity we have relied upon external sources of financing, principally equity financing and private indebtedness. We have no bank line of credit and require additional debt or equity financing to fund ongoing operations. The issuance of additional shares of equity in connection with any such financing could dilute the interests of our existing stockholders, and such dilution could be substantial. If we cannot raise needed funds, we would also be forced to make further substantial reductions in our operating expenses, which could adversely affect our ability to implement our current business plan and ultimately our viability as a company.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide disclosure under this Item 3.
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods. For the last 3 fiscal years, these control and procedures broke down due to insufficient capital to maintain such controls and procedures. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these controls and procedures were ineffective as of the end of the period covered by this report in ensuring that information requiring disclosure is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2019, which have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
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We are subject to the legal proceedings and claims discussed below as well as certain other legal proceedings and claims that have not been fully resolved and that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Our management evaluates our exposure to these claims and proceedings individually and in the aggregate and evaluates potential losses on such litigation if the amount of the loss is estimable and the loss is probable. However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company is subject to significant uncertainty. Although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against the Company for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected. The Company settled certain matters subsequent to year end that did not individually or in the aggregate have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or operating results.
In 2017, the Company’s former COO was awarded approximately $238,000 in accrued salary and related charges by the California labor board. The Company believes that this award does not reflect the amount owed which is significantly lower and is exploring all its options and available remedies and is working toward an offer to settle this matter.
In 2016, the Company and the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Melvin Gagerman, were named among several other defendants in a lawsuit filed by two secured creditors demanding repayment of loans totaling $125,000 plus accrued interest and exemplary damages. In January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with all secured creditors other than the two plaintiffs. In September 2018 the court entered a judgment of approximately $235,000 in favor of the two secured creditors. The Company subsequently appealed this judgment and, in September 2019, reached a settlement agreement with these creditors (see note 14)
The Company is presently engaged in a dispute with one of its former directors, Robert Kopple, relating to approximately $9 million and approximately 3.15 million warrants which Mr. Kopple claims to be owed to him and his affiliates by the Company. In July 2017, Mr. Kopple filed suit against the Company as well as against current director Mr. Diaz-Verson and former directors Mr. Breslow and Mr. Howsmon, as well as Mr. Gagerman, the former CEO (not a director) in connection with these allegations. In 2018, the Court sustained demurrers by Mr. Diaz-Verson, Mr. Breslow, Mr. Howsmon and Mr. Gagerman and as a result of these successful demurrers, all four of these defendants have been dismissed from the suit. While the Company believes that it has certain valid defenses in these matters, the Company is currently in settlement discussions with Mr. Kopple. If the settlement negotiation is unsuccessful, the Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the transactions under dispute with Mr. Kopple.
In April 2018, the Company filed suit against its former counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP alleging various acts of malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty committed by the firm in connection with its representation of Aura. In June 2018, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP filed a cross-complaint against the Company claiming in excess of $400,000 in allegedly unpaid legal fees. In January 2019, the Company reached a settlement with Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, pursuant to which, among other things, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP agreed to dismiss its cross-complaint and waive all unpaid legal fees. The action and the cross-complaint were both subsequently dismissed.
In February 2018, the Company failed to issue shares of stock contractually owed to BetterSea, LLC (“BetterSea”), one of the Company’s long-standing technical consultants. On August 15, 2018, 7,364,735 restricted shares were issued in fulfillment of this contractual obligation based on the then-outstanding closing quote of the stock. The issuance of the shares was previously reported by the Company. The Company also paid $20,000 in legal fees on behalf of BetterSea related to legal expense associated with the Company’s delays in the issuance of the stock.
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In May 2018, Shelley Scholnick dba JB Transporters brought suit against the Company claiming ongoing fees in excess of $52,000 owed for the storage of the Company’s property. Notably, in June 2017, the Company had brought suit against J.B. Moving & Delivery, a business operated and controlled by Scholnick’s father, Jacob Binstok, for damages suffered by the Company as a result of the defendant’s improper storage of the Company’s property and improper refusal to return such property. In 2018, the Company successfully received a judgment against J.B. Moving & Delivery in the amount of approximately $114,000. The Company disputes that any amount is now owed to Scholnick.
On March 26, 2019, various stockholders of the Company controlling a combined total of more than 27.5 million shares delivered a signed written consent to the Company removing Ronald Buschur as a member of the Company’s Board and electing Cipora Lavut as a director of the Company. On March 27, 2019, those same stockholders delivered a further signed written consent to the Company removing William Anderson and Si Ryong Yu as members of the Company’s Board and electing Robert Lempert and David Mann as directors of the Company. These written consents represented a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock as of March 26, 2019 and March 27, 2019, respectively. Because of Aura’s refusal to recognize the legal effectiveness of the consents, on April 8, 2019 the stockholders filed suit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 225 of the Delaware General Corporations Law, seeking an order confirming the validity of the consents and declaring that Aura’s Board consists of Ms. Lavut, Mr. Mann, Mr. Lempert, Mr. Douglas and Mr. Diaz-Versón, Jr. On July 8, 2019 the Court of Chancery entered final judgment in favor of the stockholder plaintiffs, confirming that (a) Ronald Buschur, Si Ryong Yu and William Anderson had been validly removed by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock acting by written consent (b) Ms. Lavut, Mr. Mann and Mr. Lempert had been validly elected by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock acting by written consent, and (c) the Company’s Board of Directors validly consists of Cipora Lavut, David Mann, Robert Lempert, Gary Douglas and Salvador Diaz-Versón, Jr.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K issued on June 13, 2019 and the Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended February 28, 2019, issued on October 24, 2019.
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the quarter ended May 31, 2019, we issued 156,250 shares of common stock for $50,000.
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
As of the date of this filing, Robert Kopple, the Company’s Vice Chairman of the Board, is the only significant unsecured note holder that has not agreed to restructure his debt. Mr. Kopple claims to be owed approximately $5.3 million plus interest and approximately 22 million warrants on terms significantly preferable to other similarly-situated unsecured creditors. To-date, Mr. Kopple has not accepted the Company’s multiple offers to restructure his debt. The Company is presently engaged in a dispute with Mr. Kopple relating to the debt and securities which Mr. Kopple claims to be owed to him and his affiliates by the Company. See, “Note 3 – Notes Payable” and “Note 5 – Related Parties Transactions” to the Company’s condensed financial statements and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding amounts that may be owed under the Company’s notes payable and the recent restructuring of certain Company debt.
In June 2014, we entered into a Financing Letter of Agreement (the “June 2014 Agreement”) with two affiliate entities of Mr. Kopple, KF Business Ventures and the Kopple Family Partnership (the “Additional Kopple Parties”), pursuant to which the Additional Kopple Parties loaned us an additional $1,000,000 (the “June 2014 Loan”). In connection with the June 2014 Loan, Mr. Kopple also added $202,205 in penalties and accrued interest, credited us with $200,000 for amounts previously repaid by us and consolidated several earlier advances into a single new note (the “June 2014 Kopple Note”) in the principal amount of $2,715,2067 and bearing simple interest at a rate of 10% per annum. We were also required to obtain a subordination agreement from the Breslow Parties in favor of the Kopple Parties with respect to the June 2014 Kopple Note.
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Pursuant to the June 2014 Agreement, the Kopple Parties also placed various restrictions on our ability to raise additional capital, hire qualified personnel and pay certain expenses without his prior approval for so long as the principal amount of his note remained outstanding. The June 2014 Kopple Note also required us to issue Mr. Kopple a stock purchase warrant (the “June 2014 Kopple Warrant”) to purchase approximately 771,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.70 per share, to be exercisable for seven years. Additionally, if we borrowed funds, issued capital stock or rights to acquire or convert into capital stock, or granted rights in respect to territories to any person for cash consideration of more than $5 million in the aggregate after the date of the June 2014 Kopple Note, we would be required to pay the entire amount of such cash consideration in excess of $5 million as a mandatory prepayment of the June 2014 Kopple Note. Additionally, Mr. Kopple required a default provision providing that in the event that the entire outstanding balance of the June 2014 Kopple Note was not paid in full prior to October 1, 2014, then for each consecutive calendar month during the period beginning October 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2015, we would issue to Mr. Kopple additional stock purchase warrants, each to purchase 416,458 shares of our common stock, up to a maximum aggregate of approximately 2.5 million shares of our common stock, at $0.70 per share (the “Kopple Penalty Warrants”), the Kopple Penalty Warranties to be exercisable for seven years from the time of their respective issuances. In addition to the Kopple Penalty Warrants, the default provision under the June 2014 Kopple Note provides for a 5% late charge on the total amount due plus 15% per year interest. We have not repaid the Kopple Parties for the amounts loaned to us. Additionally, we have not issued any of the Kopple Penalty Warrants and management believes that Mr. Kopple is not entitled to receive them. We have also cancelled the June 2014 Kopple Warrant.
We consider the transactions described above with Mr. Kopple to be related party transactions.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
None.
31.1 | Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
31.2 | Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
32.1 | Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | XBRL Schema Document |
101.CAL | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF | XBRL Definition Linkbase |
101.LAB | XBRL Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 29, 2019 | AURA SYSTEMS, INC. | |
(Registrant) | ||
By: | /s/ David Mann | |
David Mann | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and | ||
Duly Authorized Officer) |
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