KULR Technology Group, Inc. - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2021
☐ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from [ ] to [ ]
Commission file number 001-40454
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
Delaware |
| 81-1004273 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
| (IRS Employer |
4863 Shawline Street, San Diego, California 92111 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
Issuer’s telephone number: (408) 663-5247
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
| KULR |
| NYSE American LLC |
| ||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: | ||||
None |
Indicate by check mark if registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 has filed a report to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Auditor PCAOB ID: 688 | Auditor Name: Marcum LLP | Auditor Location: Los Angeles,California |
As of June 30, 2021, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $153,270,922 based on the closing price of $2.47 as of that date.
As of March 28, 2022, there were 104,864,715 shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding.
Documents incorporated by reference: None.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In this report, unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words refer to KULR Technology Group, Inc. (“KULR”), a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, KULR Technology Corporation (“KTC”), a Delaware corporation.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the “Securities Act,” and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the “Exchange Act.” These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “intend,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms. These terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs, which management believes are reasonable. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors, or factors we are aware of, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. Except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
You should be aware that our actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including:
● | new competitors are likely to emerge and new technologies may further increase competition; |
● | our operating costs may increase beyond our current expectations and we may be unable to fully implement our current business plan; |
● | our ability to obtain future financing or funds when needed; |
● | our ability to successfully obtain and maintain a diverse customer base; |
● | our ability to protect our intellectual property through patents, trademarks, copyrights and confidentiality agreements; |
● | our ability to attract and retain a qualified employee base; |
● | our ability to respond to new developments in technology and new applications of existing technology before our competitors; |
● | acquisitions, business combinations, strategic partnerships, divestures, and other significant transactions may involve additional uncertainties; |
● | our ability to maintain and execute a successful business strategy; and |
● | regardless of these factors the recent emergence of the COVID-19 virus pandemic has created global restrictions on travel and meetings, temporary but unlimited closure of businesses and business activities, major economic uncertainties leading to unemployment, loss of customers and suppliers, and reluctance of business management to make critical commitments and, instead, conserve cash. At this stage, we are unable to make any reasonable forward-looking statements due to the unprecedented business uncertainty. |
Other risks and uncertainties include such factors, among others, as market acceptance and market demand for our products and services, pricing, the changing regulatory environment, the effect of our accounting policies, potential seasonality, industry trends, adequacy of our financial resources to execute our business plan, our ability to attract, retain and motivate key technical, marketing and management personnel, and other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” You should consider carefully the statements under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of this report, which address additional factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements and could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the applicable cautionary statements.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview and Market Opportunities
KULR Technology Group, Inc., through our wholly owned subsidiary KULR Technology Corporation, develops and commercializes high-performance thermal management technologies for batteries, electronics, and other components across an array of battery-powered applications. As the global economy becomes increasingly electrified and connected, KULR is addressing the rising demand for cooler, lighter, and safer batteries, and electronic systems. Leveraging the company’s roots in developing breakthrough cooling solutions for NASA space missions and backed by a strong intellectual property portfolio, KULR provides customers with industry-leading battery safety technologies as well as cost-effective cooling technologies that outperform traditional solutions. The world’s leading aerospace, electronics, energy storage, 5G infrastructure, and electric vehicle manufacturers trust KULR to solve safety, reliability, and efficiency challenges in an ethical and environmentally sustainable manner.
Active government initiatives propelled by industry and regulatory tailwinds are increasing demand for battery recycling and clean energy, resulting in an expanding total addressable market for KULR’s solutions. The Company’s disruptive technologies strive to fulfill an addressable $24 billion thermal management systems market (estimated based on market data projections published by Converged Markets stating that the thermal management systems market size was projected to grow from $11.1 billion in 2017 to $24.8 billion by 2025. The Company’s integrated design approach offers comprehensive solutions in thermal interface materials, lightweight heat exchangers, and protection against lithium-ion battery thermal runaway propagation. Its high-performance solutions can be designed to fit demanding configurations and applications.
As companies and governments around the world pledge to meet net zero emissions over the next few decades, KULR is uniquely positioned to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions and sustainable products and facilitate the migration to a global circular economy. The Company’s goal is to provide total battery safety solutions for more efficient battery systems, increased sustainability, and end-of-life battery management, making KULR a key technology solutions provider in the migration to a global circular economy.
Energy Storage
The U.S. doubled its energy storage capacity in 2021 and is expected to increase 17x by 2030, according to Wood Mackenzie. Lithium-ion batteries are the dominant technology on the market for energy storage because of their cost and availability but do carry well documented safety risks. While rare, cell to cell thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries can cause a fire or explosion. For example, an explosion at Arizona Public Service’s McMicken battery plant injured four emergency responders in 2019 and overheating caused the 1.2 GWh Moss Landing storage facility in California to go off-line. To reach net zero by mid-century will require an additional 245 GWh of battery capacity each year until 2030, but incidents of the like distill trust in battery technologies and threaten to slow the pace which is needed to achieve decarbonization goals. KULR’s passive propagation resistant (PPR) and thermal runaway shield (TRS) technologies prevent cell to cell thermal runaway propagation and inhibit fire and ejecta of a single cell from exiting the battery enclosure, making battery energy storage packs safe for homes, hospitals, schools, and universities, and more. KULR is partnering with leaders in the energy storage industry such as Volta Energy Products, the subsidiary of Buffalo NY based parent company, Viridi Parente, to increase deployments of safe, reliable, and durable energy storage safety systems to accelerate the broader energy transition.
Battery Recycling and Management
KULR-Tech Safe_Case provides a safe and cost-effective solution to commercially store and transport lithium batteries, which is increasing in frequency as supply chain challenges and ESG commitments necessitate battery recycling and end-of-lifecycle management. Whether shipping a single battery, a battery-powered device or a load shipment of batteries, KULR’s technology mitigates the impacts of cell-to-cell thermal runaway propagation and ensures a safe journey. KULR’s Thermal Runaway Shield (TRS) technology is trusted by NASA to ship and store astronauts’ laptop batteries on the International Space Station. In addition, KULR combines its Passive Propagation Resistant (PPR) solutions with its new CellCheck intelligent battery management system to extend battery life. The CellCheck modular battery management system platform is KULR’s AI-powered battery safety technology for e-mobility, energy storage and fleet applications. It captures real time and lifetime battery intelligence, sensing adverse electrical, environmental, and physical events to analyze and control for maximum battery safety, reliability, and performance. As commercial industries across the board face greater scrutiny to comply with ESG standards, KULR is serving a total addressable market for a circular economic model for batteries that will reach over $21 billion by 2025 (estimated based on market data projections published by Grand View Research, Inc. stating that the global battery recycling market size is expected to reach $21.04 billion by 2025).
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E-mobility
KULR is supporting the shift to electrified transport by enabling safer, lighter, and faster charging lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and micro mobility solutions. KULR’s passive propagation resistant (PPR) battery pack solutions increase battery energy capacity while preventing thermal runaway events that can lead to hazardous explosions, helping the transportation industry to address growing public safety concerns around electric vehicles, electric aviation and micro-mobility markets.
Vehicle technology advancements and EV range anxiety requires more battery capacity to expand the range and power of existing platforms while adding new, power-demanding components for advances such as 5G data networks. The additional strain on batteries increases the risk for overheating and serious failures and can damage sensitive chip architecture. In addition, overheating has been a key limiting factor for advancing fast charging battery technology. KULR’s carbon fiber thermal management technologies reduce the thermal resistance inside battery cells while increasing electrical conductivity to dissipate heat more efficiently to enable the safe deployment of fast charging batteries. With KULR, automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers can increase the energy capacity of battery cells so less cells are needed, making for lighter vehicles that drive further before needing to be charged.
Aerospace/Defense
KULR’s thermal management solutions enable the defense and aerospace industries to safely deploy electronic technologies that support critical missions and protect national security. Technology in this sector is developing at increasing rates - the space industry alone will be worth nearly $3 trillion in 30 years. The electronic devices being placed into aircrafts, satellites, and missiles are becoming ever smaller and more powerful. Lithium-ion batteries, which are already prone to overheating and propagation, are exposed to harsh thermal environments as well as shock and vibration during aerospace and defense operations. The Company has partnered with Lockheed Martin, Leidos and other prime contractors to develop and supply mission-critical technologies for hypersonic vehicles, high-power magnetic wave, and other defense systems.
High-Powered Computing & 5G
Demand for improved, cost-effective cooling solutions in the rapidly growing 5G and cloud computing industries is ever-increasing. KULR’s portfolio of thermal management solutions target air and liquid-cooling of high-performance computing applications such as crypto mining, cloud computing, AI, and AR/VR simulations to maximize performance, energy efficiency and safety. KULR’s proprietary carbon fiber-based suite of thermal interface materials leverage advanced carbon fiber based heatsink technology that offers customers highly customizable, lightweight, and cost-effective solutions with industrial-level reliability due to their high thermal conductivity, lightweight, and low contact pressure.
New Battery Cell Development
KULR started a research and development initiative using carbon fiber structures to produce battery cells with higher energy density and faster charging capabilities. Fast-charging will be the killer app for next-gen batteries. Right now, overheating is a key limiting factor in advancing fast-charging battery technology. There may be a way to solve that problem by using carbon fiber inside the battery cell to reduce thermal and electrical resistance which can dissipate heat more effectively. The R&D initiatives include thicker cathode with higher loading factor, silicon anode, lithium metal anode and solid-state electrolyte development. This is a long-term strategic development for KULR.
Commercial Partnerships
KULR has a long-term technology and developmental partnership with Andretti Technologies (ATEC), the advanced technology arm of racing team Andretti Autosport. The alliance will establish a thermal management testing and design platform for high-performance battery solutions with the highest safety ratings that will be adapted to the technical requirements of Andretti’s racing enterprise with the goal of transferring solutions to mass-market electric vehicle (EV) applications.
New Facility and IT-Systems
KULR relocated in October 2021 to a new facility located at 4863 Shawline St, San Diego, CA. The facility is 3 times larger than the previous facility with adequate room to support our new automated battery cell testing capability that will launch in Q322 as well as personnel growth. Additionally, we installed independently enclosed areas to support the machine shop, testing lab, battery lab, and Fiber Thermal Interface Material (“FTI”) manufacturing lab. We have implemented a 5S standard for the entire facility and will seek ISO 9001 certification in June 2022.
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KULR has engaged with Managed Solutions to enhance our IT infrastructure and improve all aspects of Cyber Security. As a sub-contractor for DOD programs, it was vital that KULR have state of the art IT systems and controls. We believe the best path based on the current scale of the company is to outsource this activity to a professional IT services organization. The result of this activity was an improvement of our NIST score of over 140 points.
We have not yet achieved profitability and expect to continue to incur cash outflows from operations, as a result, we will eventually need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability. Until that time we shall have to continue to use cash reserves or raise additional cash through equity or debt financings.
Corporate
KULR was incorporated in the State of Delaware in December 2015 and was formerly known as “KT High-Tech Marketing, Inc.” and, prior to that, as “Grant Hill Acquisition Corporation.” In April 2016, KULR implemented a change of control by issuing shares to new shareholders, redeeming shares of existing shareholders, electing new officers and directors and accepting the resignations of its then existing officers and directors.
Our wholly-owned subsidiary, KULR Technology Corp, was formed in 2013 and is based in San Diego California. Since its inception, KTC primarily focused on developing and commercializing its thermal management technologies, which it acquired through assignment from and license with KTC’s co-founder Dr. Timothy Knowles. Prior to 2013, KTC’s technologies were used in numerous advanced space and industrial applications for NASA, Boeing, and Raytheon. A few notable achievements were the use of KTC’s technologies in the X-31 aircraft (battery heat sink), Mercury Messenger (battery heat sink), and X-51 Scramjet (heat exchanger).
On June 19, 2017, KULR closed a share exchange with KTC and 100% of the shareholders of KTC (the “KTC Shareholders”) whereby the KTC Shareholders agreed to transfer an aggregate of 25,000,000 shares of KTC’s common stock to KULR in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of KULR’s common stock to the KTC Shareholders (the “Share Exchange”), resulting in KTC becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of KULR and KTC’s business of developing and commercializing its thermal management technologies becoming KULR’s main operation.
The Share Exchange was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, with KTC being treated as the acquiring company for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements included in this Annual Report reflect the assets, liabilities and historical results of KTC prior to the completion of the Share Exchange.
On August 30, 2018, KULR changed its name from “KT High-Tech Marketing, Inc.” to “KULR Technology Group, Inc.” by filing a certificate of amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
On December 31, 2018, KULR filed a certificate of amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, to increase the number of authorized shares of its common stock from 100,000,000 to 500,000,000. As a result, the aggregate number of the Company’s authorized capital stock became 520,000,000 shares.
Recent Developments
COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, a novel strain coronavirus, a pandemic. During 2020 and continuing into 2022, the global economy has been, and continues to be, affected by COVID-19. While the Company continues to see signs of economic recovery as certain governments begin to gradually ease restrictions, provide economic stimulus and accelerate vaccine distribution, the rate of recovery on a global basis has been affected by resurgence of the virus or its variants in certain jurisdictions. The Company continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on its business and operational assumptions and estimates and has determined there were no material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position at December 31, 2021, although the full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and financial condition remains uncertain.
Appointment of Officers and Management
On March 8, 2021, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) appointed Keith Cochran as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, to hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office, a successor is duly elected and qualified, or the earlier of such officer’s death, resignation, disqualification, or removal.
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As compensation for his services as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, Mr. Cochran will receive: (1) a salary of $250,000 per annum and commensurate benefits; (2) 2,000,000 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, which shares shall vest, so long as Mr. Cochran remains employed by the Company, in four (4) equal yearly installments, with the first installment amount to vest on March 1, 2022 and annually thereafter; and (3) eligibility, also subject to Mr. Cochran’s continued employment with the Company, for incentive based grants of up to 1,500,000 shares, which shall be earned upon the Company achieving certain market capitalization milestones.
In addition, during 2021, we hired Antonio Martinez as our new Vice President of Operations on April 19, 2021 and Greg Provenzano as our new Vice President of Sales and Marketing on June 10, 2021.
Appointment and Resignation of Independent Directors
Effective June 7, 2021, in connection with our uplisting to the NYSE American exchange, Morio Kurosaki, Joanna D. Massey and Stayce D. Harris were appointed as directors to our Board of Directors. In connection with their appointments, each of Mr. Kurosaki, Dr. Massey and Ms. Harris were granted compensation equal to (1) $10,000 per quarter; (2) 20,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock, vesting in equal 5,000 share increments per quarter, with the first quarterly vest on September 7, 2021, subject to the respective director’s continued services to the Company; (3) $5,000 per year ($10,000 for respective chairpersons), beginning on June 7, 2021, for each directors’ positions on each of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board; (4) $8,000 per year ($17,000 for the chairperson), beginning on June 7, 2021, for each directors’ position on the Audit Committee of the Board; and (5) customary per diems and/or expense reimbursements for attending meetings of the Board.
Effective as of December 13, 2021, Ms. Harris resigned as an independent member of the Board.
Conversion of Series B Preferred Stock
During the year ended December 31, 2021, KULR issued an aggregate of 698,600 shares of our common stock upon conversion of 13,972 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, after which there remained no further Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.
Series D Preferred Stock
On May 20, 2021, we sold an aggregate of 650 shares of Series D Preferred pursuant to a new designation of preferred stock, and one-year warrants to purchase 2,600,000 shares of common stock at a price of $2.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,500,000. The Series D Preferred shares were convertible into an aggregate of 3,170,732 shares of common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.05 and had the right to vote on an as-converted basis. We also paid the investor a commitment fee of 1,300,000 shares of common stock in connection with the sale of the Series D Preferred. Notes payable obligations in the aggregate amount of $1,540,000, were paid in full upon the closing of the sale of the Series D Preferred.
On June 17, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 3,170,730 shares of our common stock upon conversion of 650 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, after which no Series D Preferred shares remained outstanding.
Operating Lease
On April 5, 2021, we entered into an agreement to lease office space for a thirty-six-month period, commencing June 1, 2021 with the option to renew for an additional 5 years. Monthly rental payments under the new lease total $23,787, which are comprised of $18,518 of base rent plus $5,269 for common area costs, with annual escalation of 3.5%.
Exercise of Warrants
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we issued 6,793,358 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $11,719,204.
NYSE American Exchange Listing
On June 7, 2021, the Company’s common stock was up listed and now trades on the NYSE American Exchange.
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Sales and Marketing Strategy
The Company markets and sells products and solutions directly to customers and through representatives. We believe that a direct relationship with Key Accounts allows us to have more in-depth technical interactions, faster turnaround time and provides valuable information directly to our Engineering and Marketing teams we use to improve our product features and roadmap. We market to our customers through our website, industry conferences, and industry market research reports. In the first half of 2022, we are expanding our direct sales and support team for Key Account coverage and to support an expanded representative and distributor network in the second half of 2022.
Advertising and Communications Strategy
We plan to utilize all forms of advertising and communications tools at our disposal. This includes commissioning unbiased white papers and technical papers, attending, sponsoring, and guest speaking at industry events, conferences, and symposiums. We have hired a public relations consultant who will oversee our press releases and media relations interface with newspapers, magazines, and blogs. We have also hired a SEO specialist for social media outreach activities and will also rely on the company’s pedigree within the thermal management community to spread high praise via word of mouth. To date, as a result of these efforts, we have received coverage in WSJ, Cheddar TV, CNBC, Forbes, EE Times, USA Today, Business Insider and others.
Intellectual Property and Patent Strategy
Our intellectual property strategy includes pursuing patent protection for new innovations in core carbon fiber architecture development, application development, acquisition of intellectual property, and licensing of third-party patents and intellectual property. As of December 31, 2021, we have five patents granted and assigned to KULR, an exclusive license to four third party patents, and eight pending nonprovisional and provisional patent applications.
Product and Services
Our heat management products and services can be divided into the following categories, subcategories and functionalities:
Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway Shield (“TRS”): KULR has developed a thermal insulation technology aimed at passive resistance to thermal runaway propagation in Li-ion batteries in partnership with National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center (“NASA JSC”). HYDRA TRS acts as a heat sink during normal Li-ion battery pack operation but also prevents thermal runaway propagation, which is a serious concern for aerospace and defense customers and electric vehicle manufacturers. The HYDRA is a vaporizing thermal capacitor that provides passive prevention of thermal runaway propagation (“TRP”) in Li-ion battery packs. Thermal runaway can occur spontaneously in a Li-ion cell due to a short. This can trigger an explosive release of electric energy that ruptures the end cap resulting in a flare and combustion of cell materials. Released heat drives the triggered cell temperatures to > 500°C, causing a dramatic increase in neighboring cell temperatures. Temperatures above the critical 130°C greatly increases the chance for a short in adjacent cells and result in TRP. TRS keeps neighboring cell temperatures from rising above 100°C (well below the 130°C threshold) and prevents TRP.
KULR Battery Cell Screening and Testing Automation System: A new automated battery cell testing platform in the second quarter of 2021 to support the stringent requirements of NASA and the DOD. This platform has been designed to meet the entire specifications of NASA WI-037 battery testing requirements. The automated equipment is modular and the initial processing capability is 500K cells annually. Based on current commitments for the equipment, we intend to have the system installed and validated in the third quarter of 2022.
CellCheck: A scalable battery management platform to provide a new level of safety, performance optimization and regulatory compliance capabilities to our customers. We achieve this by putting together a modular architecture that's built on large data sets, performing an array of analytics, and then layering on top of it AI algorithms to provide predictive and preventative intelligence to our customers. It’s modular so that we can incorporate new capabilities and enhancements to the platform as the battery evolution accelerates in the coming years. This is another significant step to position KULR as a one-stop-shop total solutions provider of battery thermal energy and safety management.
KULR-Tech Safe Case: This product was developed for the commercial transportation and storage of Li-ion batteries. It is an extension of the product jointly developed with NASA, the TRS Bags which safely store and transport Li-ion batteries to and in the International Space Station. The cases have been tested and granted special permits by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for shipment of Li-ion batteries up to 2.1KWh for shipment of batteries classified as DDR (damaged, defective or recall), recycling and prototype.
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Fiber Thermal Interface Material (“FTI”): KULR thermal interface materials (“TIMs”) consist of vertically oriented carbon fiber velvets attached to a film of polymer or metal. The fiber packing density and orientation are selected to serve a wide range of applications, including hostile thermal and chemical environments, sliding interfaces, and interfaces with widely varying gaps. They can be coated for electrical isolation. They require low contact pressure and provide high thermal conductivity. Their light weight and high compliance make them uniquely suited for aerospace, industrial and high-performance commercial devices.
Phase Change Material (“PCM”) Heat Sink: KULR PCM composite heat sinks consisting of a conductive carbon fiber velvet embedded with a proprietary heat dissipation medium having high latent heat at its melting point. Such heat sinks offer passive thermal control for instruments that would otherwise overheat or under-cool during periodic operations. A typical application involves lasers that dissipate heat but need tight thermal control where active cooling is unavailable.
Internal Short Circuit (“ISC”) Device: In March 2018, KULR reached an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, to be the exclusive manufacturing and distribution partner for the patented ISC device, which causes predictable battery cell failures in Li-ion batteries, making them easier to study and, therefore, safer. Li-ion batteries are the industry and consumer standard for portable power; billions of individual battery cells exist and billions more are planned for production. They provide power for everything from smart phones and laptops to electric cars and space crafts. But Li-ion batteries fail, sometimes with catastrophic results. Due to the relative rarity of cell failures, scientists and researchers had been unable to reliably or accurately replicate latent defect cell failures in lab settings, impeding research into safer battery technology.
CRUX Cathode: The CRUX Cathode is composed of a carbon fiber velvet, providing a means of generating powerful electron pulses by field emission from the tops of the carbon fibers. CRUX Cathodes can be customized for different applications including the generation of microwaves, x-rays, and laser radiation. They can be fabricated in a wide variety of physical configurations, ranging from simple planar and cylindrical forms to more complex lobed shapes.
Competition
Currently, the battery industry uses a number of solutions to mitigate thermal runaway propagation that are offered by Unifrax, Lydall, LHS, 3M, Engineered Syntactic Systems, Celono, AllCell and others. Each of their solutions offer unique features and benefits for a specific application. We do not believe, however, that there is a one-size-fits-all solution across all applications. We believe our PPR design solution offers competitive light-weight and effective solutions for high energy battery cells because it is more flexible and can fit into different design configurations. For applications that require passive, light-weight solutions for high energy density battery cells, TRS offers a competitive solution.
Thermal interface material is a large and fragmented market with many large suppliers including Henkel Bergquist, Fujipoly, Laird, 3M, Honeywell and others. These solutions are typically based on silicone and thermal particles. KULR’s FTI offers high bulk thermal conductivity and low contact pressure requirements, which we believe gives us a competitive advantage over other thermal interface solutions.
Our licensed ISC device offers a reliable way to trigger battery cell thermal runaway compared to nail penetration, over-charging or over-heating the cell. ISC does not rely on mechanically damaging the battery exterior to activate the short, as do most of the other evaluation methodologies. Instead, the ISC devices trigger true internal shorts. This makes it possible to accurately pinpoint and fix problems leading to malfunctions, an ability that we believe will give us a competitive advantage over other testing solutions.
Governmental Regulation and Environmental Compliance
Certain substances we use in our manufacturing process are subject to federal governmental regulations (such as Environmental Protect Agency regulations). We believe we are in material compliance with all applicable governmental regulations, and that the cost and effect of compliance with environmental laws is not material. As a small generator of hazardous substances, we are subject to local governmental regulations relating to the storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation, manufacture and disposal of toxic or other hazardous substances, such as acetone that is used in very small quantities to manufacture our products. We are currently in compliance with these regulations. Most new materials sold in the U.S or in many other countries require regulation by government authorities. In most other countries, there are no specific regulations that require additional regulation, but some countries do have registration requirements with which we comply to the best our ability.
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Employees
As of December 31, 2021, we had 52 full time employees and 5 contractors. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes. In addition, KULR leverages outsource partners for IT management, Software Development, Battery Cell R&D, and Machine Automation.
Intellectual Property
We seek to establish and maintain our proprietary rights in our technology and products through the use of patents, copyright, trademarks and trade secrets. We have, and will continue to, file applications for and/or obtain patents, copyrights and trademarks in the United States and selected foreign countries where we believe filing for such protection is appropriate. We also seek to maintain our trade secrets and confidential information by implementing organizational nondisclosure policies and through the use of appropriate confidentiality agreements. As of December 31, 2021, we held five U.S. patents and eight non-provisional pending U.S. patent applications with expiration dates ranging from 2022 to 2035. In addition, KULR has exclusive license on four patents from its partnerships. There can be no assurance, however, that the rights obtained can be successfully enforced against infringing products in every jurisdiction. While our patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets provide some advantage and protection, we believe our competitive position and future success is largely determined by such factors as the system and application knowledge, innovative skills, technological expertise and management ability and experience of our personnel; the range and success of new products being developed by us; our market brand recognition and ongoing marketing efforts; and customer service and technical support. We also have trademarks that are used in the conduct of our business to distinguish genuine KULR products; KULR has been granted trademarks for Class 9 and Class 17 applications.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Company’s common stock involves a high degree of risk. In determining whether to purchase the Company’s common stock, an investor should carefully consider all of the material risks described below, together with the other information contained in this report before deciding to purchase the Company’s securities. An investor should only purchase the Company’s securities if he or she can afford to suffer the loss of his or her entire investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Our Industry
We are a young company with a limited operating history, making it difficult for you to evaluate our business and your investment.
KULR was formed in 2015 and KTC was formed in 2013. The Company, as a whole, has limited operating history. We have not yet demonstrated sales of products at a level capable of covering our fixed expenses. Since inception, we have not demonstrated the capability to produce sufficient materials to generate the ongoing revenues necessary to sustain our operations in the long-term. Nor have we demonstrated the ability to generate sufficient sales to sustain the business. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever produce a profit.
Many of the Company’s products represent new products that have not yet been fully tested in commercial product settings and for which manufacturing operations have not yet been fully scaled. This means that investors are subject to all the risks incident to the creation and development of multiple new products and their associated manufacturing processes, and each investor should be prepared to withstand a complete loss of their investment.
Because we are subject to these uncertainties, there may be risks that management has failed to anticipate and you may have a difficult time evaluating our business and your investment in our Company. Our ability to become profitable depends primarily on our ability to successfully commercialize our products in the future. Even if we successfully develop and market our products, we may not generate sufficient or sustainable revenue to achieve or sustain profitability, which could cause us to cease operations.
We have no sustainable base of products approved for commercial use by our customers, have never generated significant product revenues and may never achieve sufficient revenues for profitable operations, which could cause us to cease operations.
(KULR primarily sells bulk materials or products made with these materials to other companies for incorporation into their products). Although KULR’s technologies were previously used in numerous advanced space and industrial applications for NASA, there has been no significant incorporation of our materials or products into customer products that are released for commercial sale as of the date of this report. Because there is no demonstrated history of large-scale commercial success for our products, it is possible that such commercial success may never happen and that we will never achieve the level of revenues necessary to sustain our business.
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We will need to raise substantial additional capital in the future to fund our operations and we may be unable to raise such funds when needed and on acceptable terms, which could have a materially adverse effect on our business.
We anticipate that we will incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. Although we currently have adequate cash to fund operations over the next year, we may require additional funds for our anticipated operations and if we are not successful in securing additional financing, we may be required to delay significantly, reduce the scope of or eliminate one or more of our research or development programs, downsize our general and administrative infrastructure, or seek alternative measures to avoid insolvency, including arrangements with collaborative partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to certain of our technologies, product candidates or products.
We could experience significant disruptions in supply from our current or future sources.
We could experience significant disruptions as a result of global supply chain issues and, in the event of a disruption, we cannot make any assurances that we would be able to locate alternative suppliers of materials of comparable quality at an acceptable price, or alternative purchasers of our products. Identifying suitable supplier and purchasers is a resource-intensive process that requires us to become satisfied with quality control, responsiveness and service, financial stability and labor and other ethical practices. In addition, any indirect supply chain disruptions due to United States trade policy with China or the recent military conflict in Ukraine may further complicate existing supply chain constraints and direct or indirect customers’ demand for our products. Interruption of our supplies and in demand of our products by our purchasers, or the loss of one or more key suppliers or purchasers, could have a negative effect on the Company’s business and operating results. Any delays, interruption or increased costs or manufacture of our products could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet customer demand for our products and result in lower net sales and operating income both in the short and long term, which could in turn negatively impact our business, financial condition and the price of our shares. In addition, we cannot adequately predict the effects of the global supply chain disruptions on our customers or potential customers and the indirect effects such disruptions could have on our operations both in the short and long term, which could in turn negatively impact our business, financial condition and the price of our shares.
We have limited experience in higher volume manufacturing that will be required to support profitable operations, and the risks associated with scaling to larger production quantities may be substantial.
We have limited experience manufacturing our products. We have established small-scale commercial or pilot-scale production facilities for our carbon-based thermal management products, but these facilities do not have the existing production capacity to produce sufficient quantities of materials for us to reach sustainable sales levels. At present, we rely on outsourced partners to produce high volume products. In order to develop internal capacity to produce much higher volumes, it will be necessary to produce multiples of existing processes or engineer new production processes in some cases. We have begun building up the scale of our automated battery cell facilities in our new leased facility in San Diego but there is no guarantee that we will be able to economically scale-up our production processes to the levels required. If we are unable to scale-up our production processes and facilities to support sustainable sales levels, the Company may be forced to curtail or cease operations.
We have a long and complex sales cycle and have not demonstrated the ability to operate successfully in this environment.
It has been our experience since our inception that the average sales cycle for our products can range from one to five years from the time a customer begins testing our products until the time that they could be successfully used in a commercial product. We have only demonstrated a limited track record of success in completing customer development projects, which makes it difficult for you to evaluate the likelihood of our future success. The sales and development cycle for our products is subject to customer budgetary constraints, internal acceptance procedures, competitive product assessments, scientific and development resource allocations, and other factors beyond our control. If we are not able to successfully accommodate these factors to enable customer development success, we will be unable to achieve sufficient sales to reach profitability. In this case, the Company may not be able to raise additional funds and may be forced to curtail or cease operations and you could lose all or a significant part of your investment.
We are dependent on customers and partners to design and test our solution into new applications which may not be brought to market successfully.
The Company targets its thermal management solution for new applications and devices that require high performance and unique features offered by its products. Developing new applications and devices involves a lengthy and complex process, and they may not be commercialized on a timely basis, or at all. The Company’s success is directly related to the success of these new products. Furthermore, because the Company’s solutions are relatively new to mass market consumer electronics, the design and testing time is longer than traditional solutions. Moreover, in transitioning to new technologies and products, we may not achieve design wins, our customers may delay transition to these new technologies, our competitors may transition more quickly than we do, or we may experience product delays, cost overruns or performance issues that could harm our operating results and financial condition.
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We could be adversely affected by our exposure to customer concentration risk.
We are subject to customer concentration risk as a result of our reliance on a relatively small number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues. For 2021, we had 3 customers whose purchases accounted for 84% of total revenues. Due to the nature of our business and the relatively large size of many of the applications our customers are developing, we anticipate that we will be dependent on a relatively small number of customers for the majority of our revenues for the next several years. It is possible that only one or two customers could place orders sufficient to utilize most or all of our existing manufacturing capacity.
In this case, there would be at risk of significant loss of future revenues if one or more of these customers were to stop ordering our materials, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business and on your investment.
We operate in an advanced technology arena where hypothesized properties and benefits of our products may not be achieved in practice, or in which technological change may alter the attractiveness of our products.
Because there is no sustained history of successful use of our products in commercial applications, there is no assurance that broad successful commercial applications may be technically feasible. Some of the scientific and engineering data related to our products has been generated in our own laboratories or in laboratory environments at our customers or third-parties. It is well known that laboratory data is not always representative of commercial applications.
Likewise, we operate in a market that is subject to rapid technological change. Part of our business strategy is to monitor such change and take steps to remain technologically current, but there is no assurance that such strategy will be successful. If the Company is not able to adapt to new advances in materials sciences, or if unforeseen technologies or materials emerge that are not compatible with our products and services or that could replace our products and services, our revenues and business prospects would likely be adversely affected. Such an occurrence may have severe consequences, including the potential for our investors to lose all of their investment.
Competitors that are larger and better funded may cause the Company to be unsuccessful in selling its products.
The Company operates in a market that is expected to have significant competition in the future. Global research is being conducted by substantially larger companies who have greater financial, personnel, technical, and marketing resources. There can be no assurance that the Company’s strategy of offering better thermal management solutions based on the Company’s proprietary carbon fiber-based products will be able to compete with other companies, many of whom will have significantly greater resources, on a continuing basis. In the event that we cannot compete successfully, the Company may be forced to cease operations.
Because of our small size and limited operating history, we are dependent on key employees.
The Company’s operations and development are dependent upon the experience and knowledge of Michael Mo, our Chief Executive Officer, Simon Westbrook our Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Timothy Knowles, our Chief Technical Officer, Keith Cochran, our President and Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Carpenter, our Vice President of Engineering. If the services of any of these individuals should become unavailable, the Company’s business operations might be adversely affected. If several of these individuals became unavailable at the same time, the ability of the Company to continue normal business operations might be adversely affected to the extent that revenue or profits could be diminished, and you could lose all or a significant amount of your investment.
Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, and our inability to enforce these rights could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position.
We rely on the patent, trademark, copyright and trade-secret laws of the United States and to protect our intellectual property rights. We may be unable to prevent third parties from using our intellectual property without our authorization. The unauthorized use of our intellectual property could reduce any competitive advantage we have developed, reduce our market share or otherwise harm our business. In the event of unauthorized use of our intellectual property, litigation to protect or enforce our rights could be costly, and we may not prevail.
Many of our technologies are not covered by any patent or patent application, and our issued and pending U.S. patents may not provide us with any competitive advantage and could be challenged by third parties. Our inability to secure issuance of our pending patent applications may limit our ability to protect the intellectual property rights these pending patent applications were intended to cover. Our competitors may attempt to design around our patents to avoid liability for infringement and, if successful, our competitors could adversely affect our market share. Furthermore, the expiration of our patents may lead to increased competition.
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Our pending trademark applications may not be approved by the responsible governmental authorities and, even if these trademark applications are granted, third parties may seek to oppose or otherwise challenge these trademark applications. A failure to obtain trademark registrations in the United States and in other countries could limit our ability to protect our products and their associated trademarks and impede our marketing efforts in those jurisdictions.
In addition, effective patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in some foreign countries. We also rely on unpatented proprietary manufacturing expertise, continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. Although we generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and third parties to protect our intellectual property, these confidentiality agreements are limited in duration and could be breached, and may not provide meaningful protection of our trade secrets or proprietary manufacturing expertise. Adequate remedies may not be available if there is an unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets and manufacturing expertise. In addition, others may obtain knowledge about our trade secrets through independent development or by legal means. The failure to protect our processes, apparatus, technology, trade secrets and proprietary manufacturing expertise, methods and compounds could have a material adverse effect on our business by jeopardizing critical intellectual property.
Where a product formulation or process is kept as a trade secret, third parties may independently develop or invent and patent products or processes identical to our trade-secret products or processes. This could have an adverse impact on our ability to make and sell products or use such processes and could potentially result in costly litigation in which we might not prevail.
We could face intellectual property infringement claims that could result in significant legal costs and damages and impede our ability to produce key products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our technologies conflict with the proprietary rights of others, we may incur substantial costs as a result of litigation or other proceedings and we could face substantial monetary damages and be precluded from commercializing our products, which would materially harm our business and financial condition.
Patents in the thermal management solutions industry are numerous and may, at times, conflict with one another. As a result, it is not always clear to industry participants, including us, which patents cover the multitude of product types. Ultimately, the courts must determine the scope of coverage afforded by a patent and the courts do not always arrive at uniform conclusions.
A patent owner may claim that we are making, using, selling or offering for sale an invention covered by the owner’s patents and may go to court to stop us from engaging in such activities. Such litigation is not uncommon in our industry. Patent lawsuits can be expensive and would consume time and other resources. There is a risk that a court would decide that we are infringing a third party’s patents and would order us to stop the activities covered by the patents, including the commercialization of our products. In addition, there is a risk that we would have to pay the other party damages for having violated the other party’s patents (which damages may be increased, as well as attorneys’ fees ordered paid, if infringement is found to be willful), or that we will be required to obtain a license from the other party in order to continue to commercialize the affected products, or to design our products in a manner that does not infringe a valid patent. We may not prevail in any legal action, and a required license under the patent may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, requiring cessation of activities that were found to infringe a valid patent. We also may not be able to develop a non-infringing product design on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
We may not obtain U.S. Government contracts to further develop our technology.
We can give no assurances that we will be successful in obtaining government contracts. The process of applying for government contracts is lengthy, and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in complying with all requirements throughout such application process. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will be awarded any U.S. Government contracts utilizing our carbon fiber-based solutions.
Downturns in general economic conditions could adversely affect our profitability.
Downturns in general economic conditions can cause fluctuations in demand for our products, product prices, volumes and gross margins. Future economic conditions may not be favorable to our industry. A decline in the demand for our products or a shift to lower-margin products due to deteriorating economic conditions could adversely affect sales of our products and our profitability and could also result in impairments of certain of our assets.
Furthermore, any uncertainty in economic conditions may result in a slowdown to the global economy that could affect our business by reducing the prices that our customers may be able or willing to pay for our products or by reducing the demand for our products.
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An increase in the cost of raw materials or electricity might affect our profits.
Any increase in the prices of our raw materials or energy might affect the overall cost of our products. If we are not able to raise our prices to pass on increased costs to our customers, we would be unable to maintain our existing profit margins. Our major cost components include items such as production materials and electricity, which items are normally readily available industrial commodities. During our history as a business, we have not seen any material impact (as defined by GAAP) on our cost structure from fluctuations in raw material or energy costs, but this could change in the future.
Our results of operations could deteriorate if our manufacturing operations were substantially disrupted for an extended period.
Our manufacturing operations may be subject to disruption due to extreme weather conditions, floods and similar events, major industrial accidents, strikes and lockouts, adoption of new laws or regulations, changes in interpretations of existing laws or regulations or changes in governmental enforcement policies, civil disruption, riots, terrorist attacks, war, and other events. We cannot assure you that no such events will occur. If such an event occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may become subject to liabilities related to risks inherent in working with hazardous materials.
Our development and manufacturing processes involve the controlled use of hazardous materials, such as acetone. We are subject to federal, provincial and local laws and EPA regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of such materials and certain waste products. Although we believe that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of such materials comply with the standards prescribed by such laws and regulations, the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of such an accident, we could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability could exceed our resources. We are not specifically insured with respect to this liability. Although we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations and currently do not expect to make material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities in the near-term, if we fail to comply with these regulations substantial fines could be imposed on us and we could be required to suspend production, alter manufacturing processes or cease operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to incur significant costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations in the future, or that our operations, business or assets will not be materially adversely affected by current or future environmental laws or regulations.
Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security and other incidents could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We maintain information in digital and other forms that is necessary to conduct our business, and we are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure to operate our business. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, store and transmit large amounts of confidential information, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information. It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the privacy, security, confidentiality, and integrity of such confidential information. Our internal information technology systems and infrastructure, and those of any future collaborators and our contractors, consultants, vendors and other third parties on which we rely, are vulnerable to damage or unauthorized access or use resulting from computer viruses, malware, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication and electrical failures, cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, denial or degradation of service attacks, ransomware, hacking, phishing schemes intended to cause an unauthorized transfer of funds and other social engineering attacks, attachments to emails, persons inside our organization or persons with access to systems inside our organization.
In December 2021 we were the subject of a phishing scheme involving a fraudulent email and wire instructions, resulting in the loss of approximately $138,000 in corporate funds. We took immediate action to contain and eradicate the security breach, including the implementation of control enhancements to prevent a similar situation from occurring again. We believe this was an isolated event and do not believe our technology systems have been compromised. While we have not experienced any other losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches such as the one that occurred in December 2021, there can be no assurance (i) that we will ever recover the funds lost, or (ii) that we will not suffer additional losses in the future.
Additionally, while we have implemented security measures to protect our data security and information technology systems, our efforts to address these problems may not be successful, and these problems could result in unexpected interruptions, delays, cessation of service, negative publicity and other harm to our business and our competitive position. If such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our product development programs. Any security compromise affecting us, our partners or our industry, whether real or perceived, could harm our reputation, erode confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures and lead to regulatory scrutiny, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Future adverse regulations could affect the viability of the business.
As a small generator of hazardous substances, we are subject to local governmental regulations relating to the storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation, manufacture and disposal of toxic or other hazardous substances, such as acetone that is used in very small quantities to manufacture our products. We are currently in compliance with these regulations. However, there can be no assurance that future regulations might not change or raise the compliance standards, of which the Company may become in violate or for which we may incur substantial costs to comply.
In most cases, as far as we are aware, there are no current regulations elsewhere in the world that prevent or prohibit the sale of the Company’s products. However, there is no assurance that any regulations will not be enacted in the future to require the Company’s products or production materials to be subject to test for toxicity or other health effects before they can be sold or used in the production process, if such regulations are enacted in the future, the Company’s business could be adversely affected because of the requirement for expensive and time-consuming tests or other regulatory compliance. There can be no assurance that future regulations might not severely limit or even prevent the sale of the Company’s products in major markets, in which case the Company’s financial prospects might be severely limited, causing investors to lose some or all of their investment.
Our directors and officers may be exposed to liability.
We currently maintain a policy for director and officer liability insurance, also known as “D&O Insurance.” However, the maximum coverage under our D&O Insurance policy may not be sufficient to cover all such liability exposure and, 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.
Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure will result in additional expenses and will divert time and attention away from revenue generating activities.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC regulations, have created uncertainty for public companies and significantly increased the costs and risks associated with accessing the public markets and public reporting. Our management team will need to invest significant management time and financial resources to comply with both existing and evolving standards for public companies, which will lead to increased selling, general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
If we fail to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, the price of our common stock may be adversely affected.
Our management identified weaknesses in our internal controls, as described in Item 9A here within. Our internal control over financial reporting may still or could in the future have weaknesses and conditions that could require correction or remediation, the disclosure of which and continued existence of which may have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock. We are required to establish and maintain appropriate internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to establish those controls, or any failure of those controls once established, could adversely affect our public disclosures regarding our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, management’s assessment of internal controls over financial reporting may identify weaknesses and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal controls over financial reporting or other matters that may raise concerns for investors. Any actual or perceived weaknesses and conditions that need to be addressed in our internal control over financial reporting or disclosure of management’s assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting may have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
We are required to comply with certain provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and if we fail to comply in a timely manner, our business could be harmed and our stock price could decline.
Rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require an annual assessment of internal controls over financial reporting, and for certain issuers an attestation of this assessment by the issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm. The standards that must be met for management to assess the internal controls over financial reporting as effective are evolving and complex, and require significant documentation, testing, and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards. We expect to incur significant expenses and to devote resources to Section 404 compliance on an ongoing basis. It is difficult for us to predict how long it will take or how costly it will be to complete the assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for each year and to remediate any deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. As a result, we may not be able to complete the assessment and remediation process on a timely basis. In addition, although attestation requirements by our independent registered public accounting firm are not presently applicable to us, we could become subject to these requirements in the future and we may encounter problems or delays in completing the implementation of any resulting changes to internal controls over financial
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reporting. In the event that our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determine that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective as defined under Section 404, we cannot predict how regulators will react or how the market prices of our shares will be affected; however, we believe that there is a risk that investor confidence and share value may be negatively affected.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
An active, liquid and orderly market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained, and you may not be able to sell your common stock without adversely affecting the price, or at all depending on volume offered for sale at any time.
Our common stock trades on the NYSE American LLC Exchange (“NYSE American”). We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell the common stock at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling common stock and may impair our ability to acquire other businesses or technologies using our common stock as consideration, which, in turn, could materially adversely affect our business.
We are subject to the continued listing requirements of the NYSE American. If we are unable to comply with such requirements, our common stock would be delisted from the NYSE American, which would limit investors’ ability to effect transactions in our common stock and subject us to additional trading restrictions.
Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American. In order to maintain our listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of shareholders’ equity and a minimum number of public shareholders. In addition to these objective standards, the NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer if, in its opinion, the issuer’s financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; if it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the NYSE American inadvisable; if the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or ceases to be an operating company; if an issuer fails to comply with the NYSE American’s listing requirements; if an issuer’s common stock sells at what the NYSE American considers a “low selling price” (generally trading below $0.20 per share for an extended period of time); or if any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes continued listing on the NYSE American, in its opinion, inadvisable.
If the NYSE American delists our common stock from trading on its exchange and we are not able to list our securities on another national securities exchange, we expect our common stock would qualify to be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board ® or on the Pink Sheets ® (a quotation medium operated by Pink Sheets LLC). If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
● | a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; |
● | reduced liquidity for our securities; |
● | a determination that our common stock are a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; |
● | a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
● | a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they change their recommendations regarding our stock adversely, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. Our research coverage by industry and financial analysts is currently limited. Even if our analyst coverage increases, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our stock, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.
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Shares eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market.
From time to time, certain of our stockholders may be eligible to sell all or some of their shares of common stock by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the open market pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, subject to certain limitations. In general, pursuant to amended Rule 144, non-affiliate stockholders may sell freely after six months subject only to the current public information requirement. Affiliates may sell after six months subject to the Rule 144 volume, manner of sale (for equity securities), and current public information and notice requirements. Any substantial sales of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144 may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
We could issue additional common stock, which might dilute the book value of our common stock.
Our Board of Directors has the authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or a part of our authorized but unissued shares. Such stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount or a premium from the then-current trading price of our common stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we have and may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for a significant amount of our common stock. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters on which our shareholders vote and might dilute the book value of our common stock. You may incur additional dilution if holders of stock options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their options, or if warrant holders exercise their warrants, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, to purchase shares of our common stock.
Our common stock could be further diluted as a result of the issuance of convertible securities, warrants or options.
In the past, we have issued convertible securities (such as convertible debentures and notes), warrants and options in order to raise money or as compensation for services and incentive compensation for our employees and directors. We have shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of certain of these securities and may increase the shares reserved for these purposes in the future. Our issuance of these convertible securities, options and warrants could affect the rights of our stockholders, could reduce the market price of our common stock or could result in adjustments to exercise prices of outstanding warrants (resulting in these securities becoming exercisable for, as the case may be, a greater number of shares of our common stock), or could obligate us to issue additional shares of common stock to certain of our stockholders.
The outbreak of Coronavirus has led to restrictions on travel and public meetings and has disrupted markets and shipping schedules.
The COVID-19 virus pandemic has created global restrictions on travel and meetings, temporary and permanent closures of businesses and business activities, unemployment, loss of customers and suppliers, and reluctance of business management to make critical commitments and, instead, conserve cash. For example, we have experienced delays in customer acceptance of delivered products and shipment delays from our suppliers or customers’ suppliers, which delays have disrupted ours and our customers’ product development and testing processes. At this stage, the outlook appears to be improving, although there is no assurance as to when business conditions will return to normal, if at all.
Global economic uncertainty and financial market volatility caused by political instability, changes in international trade relationships and conflicts, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, could make it more difficult for us to access financing and could adversely affect our business and operations.
Our ability to raise capital is subject to the risk of adverse changes in the market value of our stock. Periods of macroeconomic weakness or recession and heightened market volatility caused by adverse geopolitical developments could increase these risks, potentially resulting in adverse impacts on our ability to raise further capital on favorable terms. The impact of geopolitical tension, such as a deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the US and China or an escalation in conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including any resulting sanctions, export controls or other restrictive actions that may be imposed by the US and/or other countries against governmental or other entities in, for example, Russia, also could lead to disruption, instability and volatility in global trade patterns, which may in turn impact our ability to source necessary reagents, raw materials and other inputs for our research and development operations.
We do not intend to pay dividends.
We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We may not have sufficient funds to legally pay dividends. Even if funds are legally available to pay dividends, we may nevertheless decide in our sole discretion not to pay dividends. The declaration, payment and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of our operations, cash flows and financial condition, operating and capital
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requirements, and other factors our board of directors may consider relevant. There is no assurance that we will pay any dividends in the future, and, if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend.
Voting power of our shareholders is highly concentrated by insiders.
Our officers, directors and affiliates currently beneficially own approximately 37% of our outstanding Common Stock eligible to vote. Such concentrated control of the Company may adversely affect the value of our Common Stock. If you acquire our Common Stock, you may have no effective voice in our management. Sales by our insiders or affiliates, along with any other market transactions, could affect the value of our Common Stock.
Our articles of incorporation allow for our board to create a new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our Common Stock.
Our Board of Directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors have the authority to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of our preferred stock terms of which may be determined by the Board without further stockholder approval. As a result, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of Common Stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our Common Stock.
In addition, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our Common Stock or that is convertible into our Common Stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our Common Stock or result in dilution to our existing stockholders.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Smaller reporting companies such as us are not required to provide the information required by this item.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our principal executive office is located at 4863 Shawline Street, San Diego, CA 92111, and the telephone number at such address is 408-663-5247.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not currently a party to any legal or administrative proceedings. Our current officers and directors have not been convicted in a criminal proceeding nor have they been permanently or temporarily enjoined, barred, suspended or otherwise limited from involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
On June 7, 2021, our common stock ceased trading on the OTCQB and commenced trading on the NYSE American LLC Exchange under the symbol “KULR.”
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
On November 5, 2018, KULR adopted and ratified the KULR Technology Group 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). Subject to certain adjustments, the 2018 Plan, the total number of shares of common stock which may be purchased or granted directly under the plan shall not exceed fifteen million (15,000,000). The 2018 Plan is generally administered by the Board or a committee of two (2) or more independent, non-employee directors (the “Plan Committee”). The Board or the Plan Committee, as applicable, has the power to determine the participants (the “Participants”) to whom awards under the 2018 Plan (the “Plan Awards”) shall be made. The 2018 Plan allows for the award of, stock, stock options, and shares of restricted stock. Stock options granted under the Plan may be either incentive stock options (an “ISO”) qualifying under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Codes of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or non-qualified stock options (a “NQSO”). An ISO may only be issued to employees of KULR. ISOs may be granted to officers or directors, provided they are also employees of KULR.
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2021, our securities authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders:
|
|
| Number of securities | ||||
Number of securities | remaining available for | ||||||
to be issued upon | Weighted-average | future issuance under equity | |||||
exercise of | exercise price of | compensation plans | |||||
outstanding options, | outstanding options, | (excluding securities | |||||
warrants and | warrants | reflected in | |||||
rights | and rights | column (a)) | |||||
Plan Category | (a) | (b) |
| (c) | |||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
| 405,216 | $ | 2.29 |
| 12,336,047 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
| — |
| — |
| — | |
Total |
| 405,216 | $ | 2.29 |
| 12,336,047 |
Stock Transfer Agent
Our stock transfer agent of our Common Stock is VStock Transfer LLC, located at 18 Lafayette Pl, Woodmere, NY 11598.
Common Shareholders
On March 28, 2022, we had approximately 123 record and street shareholders.
Dividends
The Company has not paid any dividends to date. The Company intends to employ all available funds for the growth and development of its business, and accordingly, does not intend to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the year ended December 31, 2021, KULR issued an aggregate of 698,600 shares of our common stock upon conversion of 13,972 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, KULR issued an aggregate of 3,170,730 shares of our common stock upon conversion of 650 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, KULR issued an aggregate of 6,793,358 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of warrants.
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During the year ended December 31, 2021, KULR issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of our common stock to certain consultants for services.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, KULR issued as incentive shares to its employees, an aggregate of 2,677,744 shares of our restricted common stock, of which, 117,744 shares were cancelled subsequent to December 31, 2021.
All of the previously described issuances of securities were made pursuant to the exemption from registration at Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act for either transactions not involving a public offering or for transactions with an “accredited investor” as defined under the Securities Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company did not repurchase any of its equity securities during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021.
ITEM 6. [Reserved]
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION
The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of KULR Technology Group, Inc. ("KULR") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, KULR Technology Corporation (“KTC”) (collectively referred to as “KULR” or the “Company”) as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. References in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to “us”, “we”, “our” and similar terms refer to the Company. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains statements that are forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors. These statements are often identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” or “continue,” and similar expressions or variations. Actual results could differ materially because of the factors discussed in “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this Annual Report, and other factors that we may not know.
Overview
KULR Technology Group, Inc., through our wholly-owned subsidiary KULR Technology Corporation, develops and commercializes high-performance thermal management technologies for batteries, electronics, and other components across an array of battery-powered applications. For aerospace and Department of Defense (“DOD”) applications, our solutions target high performance applications in direct energy, hypersonic vehicles and satellite communications. For commercial applications, our main focus is a total solution to battery safety and sustainability by which we aim to mitigate the effects of thermal runaway propagation which has been known to cause random fires in lithium-ion (“Li-ion”) batteries. This total battery safety solution can be used for electric vehicles, energy storage, battery recycling transportation, cloud computing and 5G communication devices. Our proprietary core technology is a carbon fiber material that provides what we believe to be superior thermal conductivity and heat dissipation for an ultra-lightweight and pliable material. By leveraging our proprietary cooling solutions that have been developed through longstanding partnerships with advanced technology users like NASA, the Jet Propulsion Lab and others, our products and services make commercial battery powered products safer and electronics systems cooler and lighter.
KULR’s business model continues to evolve from being a component supplier, to providing more design and testing services to our customers. The next step of evolution is to provide total system solutions to address market needs. In order to scale up as a systems provider more quickly and efficiently in (i) the Li-ion battery energy storage and recycling markets, (ii) battery cell design and safety testing, and (iii) advanced thermal management systems, such as hypersonic vehicles, KULR will actively seek partners for joint venture, technology licensing and other strategic partnership models. The goal is to leverage the Company’s thermal design technology expertise to create market leading products, which KULR will take to market directly to capture more value for KULR shareholders.
We have not yet achieved profitability and expect to continue to incur cash outflows from operations, as a result, we will eventually need to generate significant revenues to achieve profitability. Until that time, we shall have to continue to raise cash, as and when required, through equity or debt financings.
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Recent Developments
COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, a novel strain coronavirus, a pandemic. During 2020 and continuing into 2022, the global economy has been, and continues to be, affected by COVID-19. While the Company continues to see signs of economic recovery as certain governments begin to gradually ease restrictions, provide economic stimulus and accelerate vaccine distribution, the rate of recovery on a global basis has been affected by resurgence of the virus or its variants in certain jurisdictions. The Company continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on its business and operational assumptions and estimates and has determined there were no material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position at December 31, 2021.
The full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and financial condition is uncertain. Accordingly, COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects during 2022 and beyond, including the demand for its products, interruptions to supply chains, ability to maintain regular research and development and manufacturing schedules as well as the capability to meet customer demands in a timely manner. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
New Officer Hires
During 2021, the Company hired the following officers:
● | On March 8, 2021, Keith Cochran joined KULR as President and Chief Operating Officer. |
● | On April 19, 2021, Antonio Martinez joined the Company as its new Vice President of Operations. |
Appointment and Resignation of Independent Directors
On June 7, 2021, the following new independent director appointments became effective:
● | Morio Kurosaki (Chair of Audit Committee) |
● | Stayce Harris (Chair of Compensation Committee) |
● | Joanna Massey (Chair of Nominating and Governance Committee) |
Effective as of December 13, 2021, Stayce Harris resigned as an independent member of the Board.
Operating Lease
On April 5, 2021, we entered into an agreement to lease office space for a thirty-six-month period, commencing June 1, 2021 with the option to renew for an additional 5 years. Monthly rental payments under the new lease total $23,787, which are comprised of $18,518 of base rent plus $5,269 for common area costs, with annual escalation of 3.5%.
Conversion of Series D Preferred Stock
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we sold an aggregate of 650 shares of Series D Preferred pursuant to a new designation of preferred stock, and one-year warrants to purchase 2,600,000 shares of common stock at a price of $2.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,500,000. The Series D Preferred shares were convertible into an aggregate of 3,170,730 shares of common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.05 and had the right to vote on an as-converted basis. We also paid the investor a commitment fee of 1,300,000 shares of common stock in connection with the sale of the Series D Preferred. Notes payable obligations in the aggregate amount of $1,540,000, were paid in full upon the closing of the sale of the Series D Preferred.
As of December 31, 2021, we issued an aggregate of 3,170,730 shares of our common stock upon conversion of 650 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, after which no Series D Preferred shares remained outstanding.
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Exercise of Warrants
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we issued 6,793,358 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $11,719,204.
NYSE American Exchange Listing
On June 7, 2021, our common stock was up listed and now trades on the NYSE American LLC Exchange.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared With Year Ended December 31, 2020
Revenue
Our revenues consisted of the following types:
| For the Years Ended | |||||
December 31, | ||||||
2021 |
| 2020 | ||||
Product sales | $ | 1,495,328 | $ | 404,467 | ||
Contract services |
| 917,540 |
| 219,498 | ||
Total revenue | $ | 2,412,868 | $ | 623,965 |
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we generated $2,412,868 and $623,965 of revenues from 20 and 25 customers, respectively, representing an increase of $1,788,903, or 287%. Revenue from product sales during the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $1,090,861 or 270% compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Three large contracts received during 2021 for the sales of our component product, carbon fiber velvet (“CFV”) thermal management solution, internal short circuit (“ISC”) battery cells and devices, patented TRS technology, and thermal fiber thermal interface (“FTI”) materials generated $1,197,368 of revenues. Revenue from contract services during the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $698,042 or 318% compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Four large DOD contracts received during 2021 generated $905,504 of revenues. Our service revenues, which include certain research and development contracts and onsite engineering services, have not been hampered by restrictions arising from working under COVID-19 shelter-in-place regulations.
Our customers and prospective customers are large organizations with multiple levels of management, controls/procedures, and contract evaluation/authorization. Furthermore, our solutions are new and do not necessarily fit into pre-existing patterns of purchase commitment. Accordingly, the business activity cycle between expression of initial customer interest to shipping, acceptance and billing can be lengthy, unpredictable, and lumpy, which can influence the timing, consistency and reporting of sales growth.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consisted of the cost of our products as well as labor expenses directly related to product sales or research contract services.
Generally, we earn greater margins on revenue from products as compared to revenue from services, so product mix plays an important part in our reported average margins for any period. Also, we are introducing new products at an early stage in our development cycle and the margins earned can vary significantly between periods, customers and products due to the learning process, customer negotiating strengths, and product mix.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, cost of revenues was $1,102,038 and $187,903, respectively, representing an increase of $914,135, or 486%. The increase was primarily due to increased costs as a result of increased revenues. The gross margin percentage was 54% and 70% for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in margins realized during the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily attributable to two service contracts that resulted in a gross margin of 15% and 13% during the first and second quarters of 2021, respectively.
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Research and Development
Research and development includes expenses incurred in connection with the R&D of our CFV thermal management solution, high-areal-capacity battery electrodes, 3D engineering for a rechargeable battery and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, R&D expenses were $1,662,183 and $289,772, respectively, representing an increase of $1,372,411 or 474%. The increase during 2021 was comprised of the following:
a) | $464,000 related to an increase in employee headcount spent on R&D and three new projects for automation, battery and drone design initiated during 2021. |
b) | $341,000 related to product development for high-areal capacity battery electrodes and 3D-engineering for solid state rechargeable batteries due to University of Colorado-Boulder. |
c) | $286,000 related to software engineering services due to Key Software Services. |
d) | $116,000 related to drone and engineering services due to International Vibration Technology. |
e) | $75,000 related to engineering design services due to Rapid Composites. |
We expect that our R&D expenses will increase as we expand our future operations.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consisted primarily of stock-based compensation, marketing and advertising, salaries, payroll taxes and other benefits, accounting and tax, consulting fees, travel and entertainment, rent expense, office expenses, and legal and professional fees.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, selling, general and administrative expenses were $11,162,062 and $2,486,722, respectively, an increase of $8,675,340, or 349%. The increase is primarily due to increases of approximately $3,858,000 for stock-based compensation related market-based awards and restricted common stock issued to employees and consultants in 2021, $1,727,000 for expanded marketing and advertising expenses, $1,145,000 in labor costs as a result of 19 new hires during the period, $431,000 for consulting contractor services, $403,000 for office expenses and supplies, $321,000 for legal and professional fees, $207,000 for travel and entertainment due to the lifting of COVID-19 dining and travel restrictions, $160,000 for rent expense due to the execution of a new operating lease agreement during the period, $139,000 for a fraudulent transaction due to an information technology related breach in security, and $100,000 for directors and officers insurance.
Other (Expense) Income
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, other expenses were $397,736 and $509,664, respectively, representing a decrease of $111,928 or 22%. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in the amortization of debt discount recorded in connection with notes payable issued in 2020 of $374,000, and partially offset by a $140,000 increase of debt redemption costs in connection with the repayment of notes payable issued in 2020 and the $123,000 increase in the change in fair value of accrued issuable equity.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had cash balances of $14,863,301 and $8,880,140, respectively, and working capital of $13,302,935 and $6,194,257, respectively.
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For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, cash used in operating activities was $6,805,674 and $2,730,253, respectively. Our cash used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $11,911,151, adjusted for non-cash expenses in the aggregate amount of $4,670,955, as well as $434,522 of net cash generated from changes in the levels of operating assets and liabilities. Our cash used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to our net loss of $2,850,096, adjusted for non-cash expenses in the aggregate amount of $864,929, as well as $745,086 of net cash used from changes in the levels of operating assets and liabilities.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, cash used in investing activities was $2,737,235 and $46,087, respectively. Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was related to deposits paid for equipment of $2,153,950, purchases of property and equipment of 383,285, and the purchase of an intangible asset for $200,000. Cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was related to the purchases of property and equipment for $46,087.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, cash provided by financing activities was $15,526,070 and $11,547,623, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 was due to proceeds from the exercise of warrants of $11,719,204, proceeds from the sale of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock of $6,500,000, and proceeds from the exercise of options of $121,866. These amounts were partially offset by repayments of notes payable of $2,450,000, and payment of financing costs of $365,000. Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2020 was due to proceeds from the sale of common stock and warrants of $8,000,001, proceeds from notes payable of $3,710,000, proceeds from the sale of common stock issued pursuant to the SEDA agreement of $1,501,696, and proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program loan of $155,226. These amounts were partially offset by repayments of notes payable of $759,000, payment of offering costs in connection with the sale of common stock and warrants of $705,300, payment of debt issuance costs of $340,000, and payment of financing costs of $15,000.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had cash balances of $14,863,301 and $8,880,140, respectively, and working capital of $13,302,935 and $6,194,257, respectively. Cash requirements for our current liabilities include approximately, $1,880,113 for accounts payable and accrued expenses (including lease liabilities) and $155,226 related to our PPP loan, for which we will apply for forgiveness. The Company has also committed to spend $1,650,000 in sponsorship fees, capital expenditures of $1,324,251 for automation and testing equipment, and $958,286 for research and development. Cash requirements for long term liabilities consist of $423,447 for lease payments, $350,000 for sponsorship fees, and $245,270 for research and development. The Company intends to meet these cash requirements from its current cash balance and from future revenues.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, a novel strain coronavirus, a pandemic. During 2020 and continuing into 2022, the global economy has been, and continues to be, affected by COVID-19. While the Company continues to see signs of economic recovery as certain governments begin to gradually ease restrictions, provide economic stimulus and accelerate vaccine distribution, the rate of recovery on a global basis has been affected by resurgence of the virus or its variants in certain jurisdictions. The Company continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on its business and operational assumptions; however, given the uncertainty around the extent and timing of the potential future spread or mitigation of the Coronavirus and around the imposition or relaxation of protective measures, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact to our future results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.
The short and long-term worldwide implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are difficult to predict at this time. The imposition of sanctions on Russia by the United States or other countries and possible counter sanctions by Russia, and the resulting economic impacts on oil prices and other materials and goods, could affect the price of materials used in the manufacture of our product candidates. If the price of materials used in the manufacturing of our product candidates increase, that would adversely affect our business and the results of our operations.
Our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which contemplate our continuation as a going concern and the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities presented in the consolidated financial statements do not necessarily purport to represent realizable or settlement values.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures must be in conformity with U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles require us to make estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the periods presented. We believe that the estimates and judgments upon which it relies are reasonably based upon information available to us at the time that it makes these estimates and judgments. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial results will be
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affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates and judgments and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results are described below.
The following is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies or estimates. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our financial statements included at the end of this Annual Report.
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant. The fair value amount of the shares expected to ultimately vest is then recognized over the period for which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. The estimation of stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from original estimates, such amounts are recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period that the estimates are revised. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 19, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with an investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue to the investor an aggregate of 650 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock (the “Series D Preferred”) pursuant to a new designation of preferred stock, and one-year warrants to purchase 2,600,000 shares of common stock (the “Warrants”) at a price of $2.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,500,000 (the “Offering”). The Company also agreed to pay the investor a commitment fee of 1,300,000 shares of common stock (the “Commitment Shares”) at the closing of the Offering. The closing of the Offering occurred on May 20, 2021.
The accounting for the Offering required valuations of each of (a) the Series D Preferred; (b) the Warrants; and (c) the Commitment Shares. Management employed the assistance of a valuation specialist to value the Series D Preferred using the backsolve valuation method. The backsolve valuation method utilized the Black-Scholes option model to allocate the value of a company between various share classes. The Warrants were also valued using the Black-Scholes option model. The Commitment Shares and the common stock value input to the Black-Scholes option model were valued by reference the fair value of our common stock (generally an observable market price, as our common stock is publicly traded). The remaining inputs to the Black-Scholes option model require assumptions, including the expected term of the financial instrument (judgment is required), the expected volatility of our common stock over the expected term (generally estimated by reference to the historical volatilities of selected peer group companies ), our expected dividend rate over the expected term (currently estimated as zero, given that we are not projecting profits over the intermediate term) and the expected risk-free rate over the expected term (generally estimated by reference to United States treasury instruments with similar remaining terms).
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report for a summary of recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are a smaller reporting company, as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1) and are not required to provide the information required by this Item.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” which appears on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) (the “Exchange Act”). Based on the foregoing evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level because of the material weakness discussed below.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we did not design or maintain effective controls to ensure that there is an appropriate review and approval of electronic payments (wires, EFT’s, ACH’s and credit card payments).
We are in the process of developing a detailed plan for remediation of the material weakness, including developing and maintaining preventative controls around the electronic payment process to ensure proper segregation of duties. As a first step we have committed to upgrading our enterprise software from QuickBooks to NetSuite which will provide more documented authorizations, options and workflow. In addition, during 2021, we hired a Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) that will assist in providing additional segregation of duties and independent reviews our electronic payments. The COO will provide the leadership and organizational experience necessary to ensure we have proper operational controls and procedures in place to effectively manufacture and automate on a mass scale with sound operating efficiency. We will continue to assess the design and effectiveness of our remediation efforts in connection with our future assessments of internal control over financial reporting.
Notwithstanding the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described above, our management has concluded that our consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) (2013 Framework). Based on this evaluation under the 2013 Framework, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2021 as a result of the material weakness described above.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except as disclosed above, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over current or future financial reporting.
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Inherent Limitations of the Effectiveness of Controls
Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm
This Annual Report does not contain an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm related to internal control over financial reporting because the rules for smaller reporting companies provide an exemption from the attestation requirement.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Officers and Directors
Our executive officers and directors and their ages are as follows:
Name |
| Age |
| Office |
Michael Mo |
| 51 |
| Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
Dr. Timothy Knowles |
| 75 |
| Director, Chief Technical Officer and Secretary |
Simon Westbrook |
| 73 |
| Chief Financial Officer |
Keith Cochran |
| 56 |
| President and Chief Operating Officer |
Michael Carpenter | 58 | Vice President of Engineering | ||
Morio Kurosaki | 65 | Director | ||
Dr. Joanna Massey |
| 53 |
| Director |
The term of office for each director is one year, or until the next annual meeting of the stockholders.
Michael Mo was appointed CEO and Director of the Company on March 16, 2011, is a technology entrepreneur and successful investor with over 20 years of experience in technology management, product development and marketing. In 2013, he co-founded KULR and has been serving as its CEO since then. From 2007 to 2015, Mr. Mo served as Senior Director of Business Development at Amlogic, Inc., a California high-tech company. Mr. Mo received his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1995.
Timothy R. Knowles was appointed CTO and Director of the Company, has over 30 Years of Thermal Management R&D and product development experience for the most challenging space and industrial applications. He conducted research and built building products for various space and industrial customers such as NASA, Boeing, Raytheon, Jet Propulsion Lab, and others. Since 1983, Dr. Knowles has been working as President at ESLI. In addition, in 2013, Dr. Knowles co-founded KULR and has been serving as its CTO since then. From 1977 to 1983, he was a postdoctoral research physicist at Hamburg University. Mr. Knowles received Ph.D. in Physics from University of California San Diego in 1977 and B.S. in Physics from University of Southern California in 1969.
Simon Westbrook was appointed Chief Financial Officer on March 15, 2018. In 2009, Mr. Westbrook founded and has since served as an officer of Aargo, Inc., a company specializing in financial consulting services to corporations in various tech-related industries. Prior to Aargo, Inc., Mr. Westbrook was CFO of Amber Networks, Inc., and the Chief Financial Officer of Sage, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGI), a Silicon Valley company specializing in flat panel displays. Before joining Sage, Mr. Westbrook held a number of senior financial positions at Creative Technology (NASDAQ: CREAF), a leading PC multimedia company, and Atari Corp (AMEX: ATC), the video game and home computer company both in the USA and overseas. At various times, he has held positions as an advisory board member of the Silicon Valley Financial Executives Institute, and various technology start-up companies where he has assisted in strategic planning, fund raising and team development. Simon is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Master’s in Economics from Trinity College, Cambridge University.
Keith Cochran was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer effective March 1, 2021. Mr. Cochran spent twenty-four years in various management roles at Jabil Greenpoint (NYSE: JBL) and most recently as Senior Vice President of its Global Business Unit in Singapore, where he led a smartphone technology division responsible for $3.7 billion in revenues. Mr. Cochran is based in the United States and has vast international experience working with partners in Singapore, India, Brazil, Mexico, China, France, Hungary and other countries. Mr. Cochran has a Bachelor of Science in Business Operations from Devry Institute of Technology.
Michael G. Carpenter serves as KULR’s Vice President of Engineering. Mr. Carpenter has been employed by ESLI since December 1983, serving as Director of the PCM Heatsink Group, Quality Manager, Facility Security Officer (FSO) in the Defense Industrial Security Program from 1988 to 1995. He also has been served as Safety Officer since he joined ESLI in 1983. Mr. Carpenter received his B.S. in Applied Mechanics from the University of California, San Diego in 1983.
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Non-Executive Directors
Morio Kurosaki serves as a member of the Company’s board of directors since June 7, 2021. Mr. Kurosaki founded IT-Farm Corporation (“IT-Farm”), a Japanese venture capital firm, in 1999. Mr. Kurosaki has been the President of IT-Farm since the company’s inception. Mr. Kurosaki has led early investments in notable companies such as Zoom Video Communications (Nasdaq: ZM); ContextLogic (Nasdaq: WISH); Treasure Data, acquired by ARM Holdings (Nasdaq: NVDA); Tubi, acquired by Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOX); Red Hot Labs, acquired by Google (Nasdaq: GOOGL); lvl5, acquired by DoorDash (NYSE: DASH); Accel Technology, acquired by Marvell Technology Group (Nasdaq: MRVL), and Extreme DA, acquired by Synopsis (Nasdaq: SNPS). Mr. Kurosaki has also served as Asia-Pacific advisory member of ARM Holdings, acquired by SoftBank Group Corporation (OTCMKTS: SFTBY). Mr. Kurosaki started his business career at Intel Japan, thereafter, joining Western Digital Corporation (Nasdaq: WDC) as one of the earliest members of WDC’s Japanese division.
Joanna Massey serves as a member of the Company’s board of directors since June 7, 2021. Dr. Massey is an experienced C-level communications marketing executive and board director, who advises executive teams at Fortune 500 companies, startups and nonprofits. Dr. Massey is also an author and corporate speaker. Dr. Massey has worked for over 25 years strategizing on global brand reputation management at companies, such as Condé Nast, Lionsgate, CBS, Viacom, Discovery and Hasbro. Dr. Massey has been the CEO of The Marketing Communications Think Tank since she founded the company in May 2021. Dr. Massey has also been an adjunct professor at Columbia University teaching a graduate-level course in corporate communication since 2019. From 2017 to 2019, Dr. Massey was the head of communications at Condé Nast. During her time at Condé Nast, Dr. Massey was responsible for all internal and external communications. From 2015 to 2017, Dr. Massey was the Senior Vice President of Lionsgate, During her time at Lionsgate, Dr. Massey handled quarterly reporting, M&A activities and crisis communications, and managed corporation communications for the company’s motion picture, television, digital properties, games, location-based entertainment, streaming video on demand, home entertainment and ancillary businesses worldwide. Dr. Massey has been President & CEO of J.D. Massey Associates, Inc., a portfolio company with multiple divisions that manage marketing communications, executive training and publishing, since she founded the Company in 2012. Dr. Massey received an M.B.A from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in psychology from Sofia University.
Board Composition
The Company’s directors are elected at the annual meeting of shareholders to hold office until the annual meeting of shareholders for the ensuing year or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected annually by the board of directors and serve at the discretion of the board.
Our board currently consists of four directors, Michael Mo, Dr. Timothy Knowles, Morio Kurosaki, and Joanna Massey. Mr. Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey are “independent” as defined under the NYSE American rules (as discussed below).
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any director and executive officer.
Director Independence
Our board of directors has determined that Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey are “independent,” as defined under the NYSE American rules. For purposes of the NYSE American rules, an independent director means a person other than an executive officer or employee of our company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, subject to certain additional limitations.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.
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Audit Committee
The members of our Audit Committee are Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey, with Mr. Kurosaki serving as the Chairperson. Each of Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey, is independent under the rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE American applicable to audit committee members. Our board of directors has determined that each of Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey qualify as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and meet the financial sophistication requirements of the NYSE American.
Our Audit Committee has the responsibility for, among other things, (i) selecting, retaining and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm, (ii) obtaining and reviewing a report by independent auditors that describe the accounting firm's internal quality control, and any materials issues or relationships that may impact the auditors, (iii) reviewing and discussing with the independent auditors standards and responsibilities, strategy, scope and timing of audits, any significant risks, and results, (iv) ensuring the integrity of the Company's financial statements, (v) reviewing and discussing with the Company's independent auditors any other matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 1301, (v1) reviewing, approving and overseeing any transaction between the Company and any related person and any other potential conflict of interest situations, (vii) overseeing the Company’s internal audit department, (v) reviewing, approving and overseeing related party transactions, and (viii) establishing and overseeing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by Company employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Compensation Committee
The members of our Compensation Committee are Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey, with Mr. Kurosaki and Dr. Massey serving as Co-Chairpersons. Our Compensation Committee has the responsibility for, among other things, (i) reviewing and approving the chief executive officer’s compensation based on an evaluation in light of corporate goals and objectives, (ii) reviewing and recommending to the Board the compensation of all other executive officers, (iii) reviewing and recommending to the Board incentive compensation plans and equity plans, (iv) reviewing and discussing with management the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis and related information to be included in the annual report on Form 10-K and proxy statements, and (v) reviewing and recommending to the Board for approval procedures relating to Say on Pay Votes.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey, with Dr. Massey serving as the Chairperson. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility relating to assisting the Board in, among other things, (i) identifying and screening individuals qualified to become members of our board of directors, consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors, (ii) recommending to the Board the approval of nominees for director, (ii) developing and recommending to our board of directors a set of corporate governance guidelines, and (iv) overseeing the evaluation of our board of director.
Code of Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”). The Code applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. We have made the Code available on our website https://www.kulrtechnology.com/governance-documents/. We intend to disclose future amendments to, or waivers of, our Code, as and to the extent required by SEC regulations, at the same location on our website identified above or in public filings.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Our directors, executive officers and control persons have not been involved in any of the following events during the past five years:
● | any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; |
● | any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); |
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● | being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; or |
● | being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock to file reports of initial ownership of common stock and other equity securities and subsequent changes in that ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners have complied with all applicable filing requirements of Section 16(a).
Nomination Process
As of December 31, 2021, we did not affect any material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Board of Directors. We do not have any defined policy or procedure requirements for stockholders to submit recommendations or nominations for directors. The Board of Directors believes that, given the current stage of our development, a specific nominating policy would be premature and of little assistance until our operations develop to a more advanced level. We do not currently have any specific or minimum criteria for the election of nominees to the Board of Directors and there is no specific process or procedure for evaluating such nominees. The board of directors assesses all candidates, whether submitted by management or stockholders, and makes recommendations for election or appointment.
A stockholder who wishes to communicate with the Board of Directors may do so by directing a written request addressed to our Chief Executive Officer at the address appearing on the face page of this annual report.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth all compensation earned in all capacities during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 by (i) our principal executive officer, (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our principal executive officer, who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2021 and whose total compensation for the 2020 fiscal year, as determined by Regulation S-K, Item 402, exceeded $100,000, (iii) a person who would have been included as one of our two most highly compensated executive officers, other than our principal executive officer, but for the fact that he was not serving as one of our executive officers as of December 31, 2021 (the individuals falling within categories (i), (ii) and (iii) are collectively referred to as the “Named Executive Officers”):
| Stock | Option |
| Total |
| |||||||||||||
Name and Principal Position | Year |
| Salary |
| Bonus |
| Awards |
| Awards |
| Earned | |||||||
Michael Mo |
| 2021 | $ | 233,661 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,579,000 | $ | 2,812,661 | (1) | |||||
Chief Executive Officer |
| 2020 | $ | 137,931 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 137,931 | (2) | |||||
Timothy Knowles |
| 2021 | $ | 70,680 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 70,680 | (3) | |||||
Chief Technology Officer |
| 2020 | $ | 56,893 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 56,893 | ||||||
Michael Carpenter |
| 2021 | $ | 139,413 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 139,413 | ||||||
VP of Engineering | 2020 | $ | 92,178 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 92,178 | |||||||
Keith Cochran | 2021 | $ | 206,571 | $ | — | $ | 8,131,420 | $ | — | $ | 8,337,991 | (4) | ||||||
President and Chief Operating Officer |
| 2020 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
|
(1) | Includes a grant date fair value of $2,579,000 attributable to an award of unvested options to purchase of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 per share, which will be incrementally earned based upon achieving certain market capitalization milestones up to $4 billion. Represents the full fair value at grant date computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB”) Topic 718. The assumptions applied in determining the fair value of the award are discussed in Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
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(2) | Of the aggregate $137,931 earned during 2020, cash compensation paid during 2020 was $356,895, of which $218,964 was earned in prior years. $0 remains unpaid as of December 31, 2020. |
(3) | Of the aggregate $70,680 earned during 2021, cash compensation paid during 2021 was $179,590, of which $108,910 was earned in prior years. $0 remains unpaid as of December 31, 2021. |
(4) | Includes a grant date fair value of $2,911,420 attributable to an award of 1,500,000 unvested shares of the Company’s common stock which will be incrementally earned based upon achieving certain market capitalization milestones up to $4 billion. Also includes a grant date fair value of $5,220,000 attributable to an award of 2,000,000 unvested shares of the Company’s common stock which will vest in four equal annual increments, with the first vest beginning in March of 2022. Represents the full fair value at grant date computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB”) Topic 718. The assumptions applied in determining the fair value of the award are discussed in Note 13 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
Employment Contracts; Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements
We have not entered into employment agreements with our officers and directors and our Board of Directors has the sole discretion to pay salaries and incentive bonuses, including merit-based cash and equity bonuses.
On June 9, 2021, the Board, at the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the following compensation for each of the following officers of the Company:
● | Michael Carpenter shall receive an annual salary of $160,000 for his services rendered as Vice President of Engineering of the Company; and |
● | Michael Mo shall receive (1) an annual salary of $285,000 for his services rendered as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and (2) a five-year, non-qualified stock option grant to purchase up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price equal to $2.60 per share, which options shall vest in increments upon the Company’s achievement of various market capitalization milestones. |
Bonuses
Any bonuses granted in the future will relate to meeting certain performance criteria that are directly related to areas within the named executive’s responsibilities with the Company. As we continue to grow, more defined bonus programs may be established to attract and retain our employees at all levels.
Equity Compensation Plans
On August 15 and November 5, 2018, the Board of Directors and a majority of the Company’s shareholders, respectively, approved the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). Under the 2018 Plan, 15,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company are authorized for issuance. The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, rights to purchase common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. The 2018 Plan requires the exercise price of stock options to be not less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
Compensation of Directors
On June 7, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the following compensation for Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey, the independent directors of the Board. Each independent director shall receive (1) $10,000 cash compensation per quarter, beginning on June 7, 2021; (2) 20,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock, which shares shall vest equally in 5,000 share increments per quarter, with the first quarterly vest due to be achieved on September 7, 2021, subject to the respective director’s continued services to the Company; (3) $5,000 per year ($10,000 for respective chairpersons), beginning on June 7, 2021, for each directors’ positions on each of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board; (4) $8,000 per year ($17,000 for the chairperson), beginning on June 7, 2021, for each directors’ position on the Audit Committee of the Board; and (5) customary per diems and/or expense reimbursements for attending meetings of the Board.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table discloses information regarding outstanding equity awards granted or accrued as of December 31, 2021, for our named executive officers.
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| Market | ||||
Number of | Value of | |||||||||||||
Number of | Number of | Shares or | Shares or | |||||||||||
Securities | Securities | Units of | Units of | |||||||||||
Underlying | Underlying | Option | Stock that | Stock that | ||||||||||
Unexercised | Unexercised | Exercise | Option | have not | have not | |||||||||
Options (#) | Options (#) | Price | Expiration | Vested | Vested | |||||||||
Name | Vested | Unvested | ($) | Date | (#) | ($) | ||||||||
Michael Mo (Chief Executive Officer) |
| — |
| 1,500,000 | $ | 2.60 |
| 6/10/2026 |
| — | $ | — | ||
Keith Cochran (President and Chief Operating Officer) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 3,500,000 |
| 9,660,000 |
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table provides the names and addresses of each person known to us who own more than 5% of the outstanding common stock as of the date of this annual report, and by our officers and directors. Except as otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons shown is c/o KULR Technology Group, Inc., 4863 Shawline Street, San Diego, CA 92111.
| Amount of |
|
|
| |
Beneficial | Percentage | ||||
Name of Beneficial Owner | Ownership | Ownership (1) |
| ||
Michael Mo (2) - CEO and Chairman |
| 20,651,539 |
| 20.06 | % |
Dr. Timothy Knowles (3) - CTO and Director |
| 16,470,000 |
| 16.00 | % |
Simon Westbrook - CFO (4) |
| — |
| — | |
Keith Cochran (5) – President and COO |
| 395,000 |
| * | |
Michael Carpenter - VP of Engineering |
| 500,000 |
| * | |
Morio Kurosaki (6) - Director | 515,000 | * | |||
Dr. Joanna Massey (7) - Director | 15,000 | * | |||
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) |
| 38,546,539 |
| 37.45 | % |
* | Less than 1% |
Change in Control
We are not aware of any arrangement that might result in a change in control of the Company.
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Other than as set forth below and compensation arrangements, including employment, and indemnification arrangements, discussed, there have been no transactions since January 1, 2020, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets as at the year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and to which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Other Transactions
None.
Director Independence
The Board evaluates the independence of each nominee for election as a director of our Company in accordance with the NYSE American rules. Pursuant to these rules, a majority of our Board must be “independent directors” within the meaning of the NYSE American Rules, and all directors who sit on our Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee must also be independent directors.
Our board of directors has determined that Morio Kurosaki and Dr. Joanna Massey are “independent,” as defined under the NYSE American rules. For purposes of the NYSE American rules, an independent director means a person other than an executive officer or employee of our company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, subject to certain additional limitations.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The following is a summary of the fees billed or expected to be billed to us for professional services rendered with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| For the Fiscal Year Ended | |||||
December 31, | ||||||
2021 |
| 2020 | ||||
Audit Fees | $ | 170,980 | $ | 156,936 | ||
Tax Fees |
| 8,085 |
| 6,825 | ||
Total | $ | 179,065 | $ | 163,761 |
Audit Fees
Audit fees consist of fees billed for services rendered by our independent auditors during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for the audit and review of our financial statements.
Tax Fees
Tax fees consist of fees billed for services rendered by our tax preparers during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 in connection with the preparation and filing of our income tax returns.
Pre-Approval Policies
Our Board of Directors, who acts as our audit committee, has adopted a policy governing the pre-approval by the Board of Directors of all services, audit and non-audit, to be provided to our Company by our independent auditors. Under the policy, the Board of Directors has pre-approved the provision by our independent auditors of specific audit, audit related, tax and other non-audit services as being consistent with auditor independence. Requests or applications to provide services that require the specific pre-approval of the board of directors must be submitted to the Board of Directors by the independent auditors, and the independent auditors must advise the board of directors as to whether, in the independent auditor’s view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
The Board of Directors has considered the nature and amount of the fees billed by Marcum and believes that the provision of the services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining the independence of Marcum.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
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10.14 | ||
10.15 | Standby Equity Distribution Agreement dated February 27, 2020 (17) | |
10.16 | ||
10.17 | ||
10.18 | ||
10.19 | ||
10.20 | ||
10.21 | ||
10.22 | ||
10.23 | Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 19. 2021 (20) | |
10.24 | ||
21.1 | ||
23.1 | ||
31.1 | ||
31.2 | ||
32.1 | ||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance* | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema* | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation* | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition* | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels* | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation* | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (Embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit)* |
* | Filed herewith. |
(1) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on June 12, 2017 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(2) | Previously filed as an exhibit on Form 10-12G on January 7, 2016 (File No.: 000-55564) and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(3) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on June 19, 2017 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(4) | Previously filed on Form S-1 on June 28, 2016 (File No.: 333-212272) and incorporated herein by this reference. |
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(5) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on November 3, 2016 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(6) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on April 5, 2017 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(7) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on March 15, 2018 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(8) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on August 30, 2018 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(9) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on December 6, 2018 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(10) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on January 7, 2019 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(11) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on August 23, 2019 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(12) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form S-8 on October 9, 2018 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(13) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on April 3, 2019 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(14) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 10-Q on May 14, 2019 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(15) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on July 5, 2019 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(16) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on December 5, 2019 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(17) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on March 4, 2020 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(18) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on July 21, 2020 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(19) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on December 31, 2020 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
(20) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Form 8-K on May 20, 2021 and incorporated herein by this reference. |
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
March 28, 2022 | KULR Technology Group, Inc. | |
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| By: | /s/ Michael Mo |
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| Michael Mo |
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| Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
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| By: | /s/ Simon Westbrook |
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| Simon Westbrook |
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| Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
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By: | /s/ Michael Mo |
| Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
| March 28, 2022 |
| Michael Mo |
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By: | /s/ Timothy Knowles |
| Chief Technical Officer and Director |
| March 28, 2022 |
| Timothy Knowles |
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By: | /s/ Simon Westbrook |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| March 28, 2022 |
| Simon Westbrook |
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By: | /s/ Keith Cochran | ||||
Keith Cochran | President and Chief Operating Officer | March 28, 2022 | |||
By: | /s/ Joanna Massey | ||||
Joanna Massey | Director | March 28, 2022 | |||
By: | /s/ Morio Kurosaki | Director | March 28, 2022 | ||
Morio Kurosaki |
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KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
KULR Technology Group, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of KULR Technology Group, Inc. and Subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity (deficiency) and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, 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 December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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 audits 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.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Description of the Matter
As described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue to the investor an aggregate of 650 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock and one-year warrants to purchase 2,600,000 shares of common stock at a price of $2.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,500,000 (the “Offering”). The Company also agreed to pay the investor a commitment fee of 1,300,000 shares of common stock at the closing of the Offering.
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 1,500,000 shares of restricted common stock and 1,500,000 options to purchase common stock to officers of the Company. Both grants will vest based on the achievement of certain market capitalization milestones by the Company.
We identified the valuation of the Series D convertible preferred stock and the market-based share based compensation awards to be a critical audit matter as the valuations of such instruments are complex and can require judgement on the part of management.
F-2
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
Our audit procedures to address this critical audit matter included the following: (i) we evaluated the terms and conditions of the preferred stock as outlined in the preferred stock certificate of designation, (ii) we evaluated the terms and conditions of each of the market-based awards granted to the officers, and (iii) with the assistance of our internal valuation specialists, we tested the models and inputs used by management to estimate the fair value of the preferred stock and market-based awards through a combination of reperforming the Company’s model and performing an independent model using a Monte Carlo simulation.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
Los Angeles, CA
March 28, 2022
F-3
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Assets |
|
|
|
| ||
Current Assets: |
|
|
|
| ||
Cash | $ | 14,863,301 | $ | 8,880,140 | ||
Accounts receivable |
| 136,326 |
| 55,492 | ||
Inventory |
| 191,311 |
| 55,452 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 570,360 |
| 150,468 | ||
Total Current Assets |
| 15,761,298 |
| 9,141,552 | ||
Property and equipment, net |
| 374,475 |
| 57,857 | ||
Vendor deposits |
| 2,153,950 |
| — | ||
Security deposits | 58,941 | 8,728 | ||||
Intangible assets, net | 216,952 | — | ||||
Right of use asset | 665,687 | — | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 19,231,303 | $ | 9,208,137 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
|
|
|
| ||
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Accounts payable | $ | 454,507 | $ | 66,537 | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
| 1,163,227 |
| 397,640 | ||
Notes payable, net of debt discount of $0 and $128,198 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | - | 2,321,802 | ||||
Accrued issuable equity | 290,721 | 128,380 | ||||
Lease liability, current portion | 262,379 | — | ||||
Loan payable, current portion | 155,226 | 12,936 | ||||
Deferred revenue | 132,303 | 20,000 | ||||
Total Current Liabilities |
| 2,458,363 |
| 2,947,295 | ||
Lease liability, non-current portion | 407,898 | — | ||||
Loan payable, non-current portion | - | 142,290 | ||||
Total Liabilities | | 2,866,261 |
| 3,089,585 | ||
Commitments and contingencies ( Note 14) |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
| |||
Stockholders' Equity |
| |||||
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; |
|
|
| |||
Series A Preferred Stock, 1,000,000 shares designated; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively |
| — |
| — | ||
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, 31,000 shares designated; 0 and 13,972 shares and and liquidation preference of $0 and $13,972 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively |
| — | 1 | |||
Series C Preferred Stock, 400 shares designated; none and at and 2020, respectively | — |
| — | |||
Series D Preferred Stock, 650 shares designated; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively | — | — | ||||
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; and 89,908,600 shares and at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively |
| 10,479 |
| 8,991 | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 39,512,122 |
| 17,355,968 | ||
Accumulated deficit |
| (23,157,559) |
| (11,246,408) | ||
Total Stockholders' Equity |
| 16,365,042 |
| 6,118,552 | ||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 19,231,303 | $ | 9,208,137 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Revenue | $ | 2,412,868 | $ | 623,965 | ||
Cost of revenue |
| 1,102,038 |
| 187,903 | ||
Gross Profit |
| 1,310,830 |
| 436,062 | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
| ||
Research and development |
| 1,662,183 |
| 289,772 | ||
Selling, general, and administrative |
| 11,162,062 |
| 2,486,722 | ||
Total Operating Expenses |
| 12,824,245 |
| 2,776,494 | ||
Loss From Operations |
| (11,513,415) |
| (2,340,432) | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Other Expense |
|
|
|
| ||
Interest expense, net |
| (3,336) |
| (5,268) | ||
Debt redemption costs | (140,000) | — | ||||
Amortization of debt discount | (128,198) | (501,802) | ||||
Change in fair value of accrued issuable equity |
| (125,821) |
| (2,594) | ||
Loss on foreign currency transactions | (381) | — | ||||
Total Other Expense, net |
| (397,736) |
| (509,664) | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Net Loss | (11,911,151) | (2,850,096) | ||||
Deemed dividend to Series C preferred stockholders | — | (1,691) | ||||
Deemed dividend to Series D preferred stockholders | (2,624,326) | — | ||||
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders | $ | (14,535,477) | $ | (2,851,787) | ||
Net Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted | (0.15) | (0.03) | ||||
|
|
|
| |||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted |
| 97,708,080 |
| 82,032,420 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIENCY) EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series B Convertible | Series C Convertible | Series D Convertible | Additional | Stockholders’ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Paid-In | Accumulated | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| (Deficiency) | |||||||
Balance - January 1, 2020 |
| 14,487 | $ | 1 |
| 24.01 | $ | — | — | $ | — | 81,071,831 | $ | 8,107 | $ | 7,591,239 | $ | (8,396,312) | $ | (796,965) | |||||||||
Common stock and warrants issued for cash, net of issuance costs [1] |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 6,400,001 |
| 640 |
| 7,269,209 |
| — |
| 7,269,849 | |||||||||||
Common stock issued for the commitment fee pursuant to the SEDA agreement |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 95,847 |
| 10 |
| 63,249 |
| — |
| 63,259 | |||||||||||
Common stock issued pursuant to the SEDA agreement: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||
For cash, net of issuance costs [2] |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 1,128,908 |
| 113 |
| 1,423,324 |
| — |
| 1,423,437 | |||||||||||
In satisfaction of notes payable |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 712,640 |
| 71 |
| 790,929 |
| — |
| 791,000 | |||||||||||
Common stock issued upon conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock |
| (515) |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 25,758 |
| 3 |
| (3) |
| — |
| — | |||||||||||
Common stock issued upon conversion of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock |
| — |
| — |
| (24.01) | — | — | — | 234,662 |
| 24 |
| (24) |
| — |
| — | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Common stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | 238,953 | 23 | 178,619 | — | 178,642 | ||||||||||||||||||
Options |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| 39,426 |
| — |
| 39,426 | |||||||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| (2,850,096) |
| (2,850,096) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2020 |
| 13,972 |
| 1 |
| — |
| — | — |
| — | 89,908,600 |
| 8,991 |
| 17,355,968 |
| (11,246,408) |
| 6,118,552 | |||||||||
Common stock issued upon conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock |
| (13,972) |
| (1) |
| — | — | — | — | 698,600 |
| 70 |
| (69) |
| — |
| — | |||||||||||
Issuance of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, common stock and warrants for cash [3] | — | — | — | — | 650 | — | 1,300,000 | 130 | 6,134,870 | — | 6,135,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon the conversion of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock | — | — | — | — | (650) | — | 3,170,730 | 317 | (317) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon the exercise of warrants | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6,793,358 | 679 | 11,718,525 | — | 11,719,204 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued upon the exercise of options |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 184,784 |
| 18 |
| 121,848 |
| — |
| 121,866 | |||||||||||
Common stock issued as partial consideration for intangible asset |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 6,000 |
| 1 |
| 17,999 |
| — |
| 18,000 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation: |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for services |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | 170,000 |
| 17 |
| 376,892 |
| — |
| 376,909 | |||||||||||
Restricted common stock issued | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2,677,744 | 268 | (268) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Restricted common stock cancelled | — | — | — | — | — | — | (117,744) | (12) | 12 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of restricted common stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,606,578 | — | 1,606,578 | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of stock options |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| 68,239 |
| — |
| 68,239 | |||||||||||
Amortization of market-based award |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| 2,111,845 |
| — |
| 2,111,845 | |||||||||||
Net loss |
| — |
| — |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| (11,911,151) |
| (11,911,151) | |||||||||||
Balance - December 31, 2021 |
| — | $ | — |
| — | $ | — | — | $ | — | 104,792,072 | $ | 10,479 | $ | 39,512,122 | $ | (23,157,559) | $ | 16,365,042 |
[1] |
[2] |
[3] |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Net loss | $ | (11,911,151) | $ | (2,850,096) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
| |||
Amortization of debt discount | 128,198 | 501,802 | ||||
Non-cash lease expense | 149,130 | — | ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
| 67,715 |
| 15,746 | ||
Bad debt expense | — | 933 | ||||
Change in fair value of accrued issuable equity |
| 125,821 |
| 2,594 | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| 4,200,091 |
| 343,854 | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
| |||
Accounts receivable |
| (80,834) |
| (26,324) | ||
Inventory |
| (135,859) |
| (28,361) | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| (419,892) |
| (115,995) | ||
Security deposits |
| (50,213) |
| (296,072) | ||
Accounts payable |
| 385,342 |
| (271,290) | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
| 768,215 |
| (12,044) | ||
Lease liability |
| (144,540) |
| — | ||
Deferred revenue | 112,303 | 5,000 | ||||
Total Adjustments |
| 5,105,477 |
| 119,843 | ||
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities |
| (6,805,674) |
| (2,730,253) | ||
Cash Flows From Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Vendor deposits for the purchase of property and equipment |
| (2,153,950) |
| — | ||
Purchases of property and equipment |
| (383,285) |
| (46,087) | ||
Purchase of intangible asset |
| (200,000) |
| — | ||
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities |
| (2,737,235) |
| (46,087) | ||
|
|
|
| |||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Proceeds from Paycheck Protection Program loan | — | 155,226 | ||||
Proceeds from notes payable |
| — |
| 3,710,000 | ||
Payment of financing costs | (365,000) | (15,000) | ||||
Repayments of notes payable | (2,450,000) | (759,000) | ||||
Payment of debt issuance costs | — | (340,000) | ||||
Proceeds from the exercise of options | 121,866 | — | ||||
Proceeds from the exercise of warrants | 11,719,204 | — | ||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock and warrants | — | 8,000,001 | ||||
Payment of offering costs in connection with sale of common stock and warrants | — | (705,300) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock issued pursuant to the SEDA agreement [1] | — | 1,501,696 | ||||
Proceeds from sale of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, common stock and warrants |
| 6,500,000 |
| — | ||
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities |
| 15,526,070 |
| 11,547,623 | ||
Net Increase In Cash |
| 5,983,161 |
| 8,771,283 | ||
Cash - Beginning of Period |
| 8,880,140 |
| 108,857 | ||
Cash - End of Period | $ | 14,863,301 | $ | 8,880,140 |
[1] |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information: |
|
| ||||
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
| ||||
Interest | $ | 1,635 | $ | 3,890 | ||
Income taxes | $ | — | $ | — | ||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||
Right of use asset for lease liability | $ | 814,817 | $ | — | ||
Original issuance discount on notes payable | $ | — | $ | 290,000 | ||
Disposal of fully depreciated property and equipment | $ | — | $ | 1,829 | ||
Common stock issued for repayment of notes payable | $ | — | $ | 791,000 | ||
Beneficial conversion feature on Series D Convertible Preferred Stock | $ | 2,624,326 | $ | — | ||
Common stock issued as a commitment fee for the SEDA agreement | $ | — | $ | 63,259 | ||
Common stock issued upon the conversion of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock | $ | 70 | $ | 3 | ||
Common stock issued upon the conversion of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock | $ | — | $ | 24 | ||
Common stock issued upon the conversion of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock | | $ | 317 | | $ | — |
Common stock issued in satisfaction of accrued issuable equity | | $ | 209,200 | | $ | — |
Common shares issued as partial consideration for intangible asset | | $ | 18,000 | | $ | — |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
NOTE 1 | ORGANIZATION, NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND RISKS AND UNCERTANTIES |
Organization and Operations
KULR Technology Group, Inc. was incorporated on December 11, 2015 under the laws of the State of Delaware as KT High-Tech Marketing, Inc. Effective August 30, 2018, KT High-Tech Marketing, Inc. changed its name to KULR Technology Group, Inc.
KULR Technology Group, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, KULR Technology Corporation (collectively referred to as “KULR” or the “Company”), develops and commercializes high-performance thermal management technologies for electronics, batteries, and other components across a range of applications. Currently, the Company is focused on targeting both, high performance aerospace and Department of Defense (“DOD”) applications, such as satellite communications, directed energy systems and hypersonic vehicles, and applying them to mass market commercial applications, such as lithium-ion battery energy storage, electric vehicles, 5G communication, cloud computer infrastructure, consumer and industrial devices.
Risks and Uncertainties
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, a novel strain coronavirus, a pandemic. During 2020 and continuing into 2022, the global economy has been, and continues to be, affected by COVID-19. While the Company continues to see signs of economic recovery as certain governments begin to gradually ease restrictions, provide economic stimulus and accelerate vaccine distribution, the rate of recovery on a global basis has been affected by resurgence of the virus or its variants in certain jurisdictions. The Company continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on its business and operational assumptions and estimates and has determined there were no material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position at December 31, 2021.
The full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations and financial condition is uncertain. Accordingly, COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects during 2022 and beyond, including the demand for its products, interruptions to supply chains, ability to maintain regular research and development and manufacturing schedules as well as the capability to meet customer demands in a timely manner. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 2 | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of KULR Technology Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, KULR Technology Corporation. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
Liquidity
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company raised gross proceeds of $6,500,000 in connection with the sale of preferred stock, common stock and warrants, and raised proceeds of $11,841,070 in connection with the exercise of options and warrants to purchase common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company repaid outstanding notes payable in the amount of $2,450,000 and paid financing costs in the amount of $365,000.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $14,863,301 and working capital of $13,302,935 . While the Company anticipates it will continue to incur operating losses and use cash in operating activities for the foreseeable future, the Company believes that its current working capital is sufficient in comparison to its anticipated cash usage for a period of at least twelve months subsequent to the filing date of these financial statements.
F-9
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Use of Estimates
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, together with amounts disclosed in the related notes to the financial statements. The Company’s significant estimates used in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, fair value calculations for equity securities, stock-based compensation and the valuation allowance related to the Company’s deferred tax assets. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the Company and general economic conditions. It is possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual results to differ from those estimates.
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Stock-Based Compensation for additional discussion of the use of estimates in estimating the fair value of the Company’s common stock.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consisted primarily of cash, accounts receivable, revenue and accounts payable.
Cash Concentrations
A significant portion of the Company’s cash is held at one major financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Cash held in US bank institutions is currently insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000 at each institution. There were uninsured balances of $14,363,301 and $8,513,010 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Customer and Revenue Concentrations
The Company had certain customers whose revenue individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s total revenue, or whose accounts receivable balances individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s total accounts receivable, as follows:
Revenues | Account Receivables |
| |||||||
For the Years Ended | | | |
| |||||
December 31, | As of December 31, |
| |||||||
|
| 2021 | 2020 |
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| |
Customer A |
| 29 | % | * | * | | * | ||
Customer B |
| * | * | * | | 70 | % | ||
Customer C |
| * | * | | 34 | % | * |
| |
Customer D |
| * | * | * |
| 19 | % | ||
Customer E |
| 25 | % | 18 | % | * | * | | |
Customer F | * | * |
| * | 10 | % | |||
Customer G | 30 | % | * | | 42 | % | * | ||
Customer H | * |
| * | 21 | % | * | |||
Customer I | * | 32 | % | * | | * | |||
Total |
| 84 | % | 50 | % | 97 | % | 99 | % |
* Less than 10%
There is no assurance the Company will continue to receive significant revenues from any of these customers. Any reduction or delay in operating activity from any of the Company’s significant customers, or a delay or default in payment by any significant customer, or termination of agreements with significant customers, could materially harm the Company’s business and prospects. As a result of the Company’s significant customer concentrations, its gross profit and results from operations could fluctuate significantly due to changes in political, environmental, or economic conditions, or the loss of, reduction of business from, or less favorable terms with any of the Company’s significant customers.
F-10
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Vendor Concentrations
Vendor concentrations are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
For the Years Ended |
| ||||
December 31, |
| ||||
2021 | 2020 |
| |||
Vendor A |
| * |
| 10 | % |
Vendor B |
| 14 | % | * | |
Total |
| 14 | % | 10 | % |
* | Less than 10% |
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried at their contractual amounts, less an estimate for uncollectible amounts. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no allowances for uncollectible amounts were determined to be necessary. Management estimates the allowance for bad debts based on existing economic conditions, the financial conditions of the customers, and the amount and age of past due accounts. Receivables are considered past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for bad debts only after all collection attempts have been exhausted.
Inventory
Inventory is comprised of carbon fiber velvet (“CFV”) thermal interface solutions and internal short circuit batteries, which are available for sale. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. The cost of inventory that is sold to third parties is included within cost of sales and the cost of inventory that is given as samples is included within operating expenses. The Company periodically reviews for slow-moving, excess or obsolete inventories. Products that are determined to be obsolete, if any, are written down to net realizable value. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company’s inventory was comprised solely of finished goods.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation which is recorded commencing at the in-service date using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to charge the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 7 years (see Note 4 – Property and Equipment for additional details). Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of (a) the useful life of the asset; or (b) the remaining lease term. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. The Company capitalizes cost attributable to the betterment of property and equipment when such betterment extends the useful life of the assets.
The Company reviews for the impairment of long-lived assets annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying value.
Intangibles
Intangible assets are stated at fair value as of the date acquired, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which were determined to be 20 years, using the straight-line method or another method that more fairly represents the utilization of the assets.
F-11
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
The Company periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives of our intangible assets to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization. In the event that the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life has changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. If it is determined that an intangible asset has an indefinite useful life, that intangible asset would be subject to impairment testing annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not, based on future undiscounted cash flows or market factors, be recoverable. An impairment loss, the recorded amount of which would be based on the fair value of the intangible asset at the measurement date, would be recorded in the period in which the impairment determination was made.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
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, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 — inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, such as cash, accounts receivable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, notes payable and loans payable approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Preferred Stock
The Company applies the accounting standards for distinguishing liabilities from equity when determining the classification and measurement of its preferred stock. The Company’s preferred shares are classified as stockholders’ equity because they are not subject to mandatory redemption, which would result in liability classified instruments measured at fair value, and because they are not conditionally redeemable preferred shares (including preferred shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) which would result in temporary equity classified instruments.
Convertible Instruments
The Company evaluates its convertible instruments to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivative financial instruments to be separately accounted for in accordance with Topic 815 of the FASB ASC. The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments requires that the Company record embedded conversion options and any related freestanding instruments at their fair values as of the inception date of the agreement and at fair value as of each subsequent balance sheet date. Any change in fair value is recorded as non-operating, non-cash income or expense for each reporting period at each balance sheet date. The Company reassesses the classification of its derivative instruments at each balance sheet date. If the classification changes as a result of events during the period, the contract is reclassified as of the date of the event that caused the reclassification. Embedded conversion options and any related freestanding instruments are recorded as a discount to the host instrument.
If the instrument is determined not to be a derivative liability, the Company then evaluates for the existence of a beneficial conversion feature by comparing the market price of the Company’s common stock as of the commitment date to the effective conversion price of the instrument.
F-12
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Accrued Issuable Equity
The Company records accrued issuable equity when it is contractually obligated to issue shares and there has been a delay in the issuance of such shares. Accrued issuable equity is recorded and carried at fair value with changes in its fair value recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Once the underlying shares of common stock are issued, the accrued issuable equity is reclassified as of the share issuance date at the then current fair market value of the common stock.
Offering Costs
Offering costs, which primarily consist of direct, incremental professional fees incurred in connection with a debt or equity financing, are capitalized as deferred offering costs (a non-current asset) on the balance sheet. Once the financing closes, the Company reclassifies such costs as either discounts to notes payable or as a reduction of proceeds received from equity transactions so that such costs are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. If the completion of a contemplated financing was deemed to be no longer probable, the related deferred offering costs would be charged to general and administrative expense in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). The core principle of ASC 606 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASC 606 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation.
The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
● | Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer; |
● | Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract; |
● | Step 3: Determine the transaction price; |
● | Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and |
● | Step 5: Recognize revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation. |
The Company recognizes revenue primarily from the following different types of contracts:
● | Product sales – Revenue is recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the goods and the Company satisfies its performance obligation, which is generally at the time it ships the product to the customer. |
● | Contract services – Revenue is recognized at the point in time that the Company satisfies its performance obligation under the contract, which is generally at the time the services are fulfilled and/or accepted by the customer. |
The following table summarizes the Company’s revenue recognized in its consolidated statements of operations:
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Product sales | $ | 1,495,328 | $ | 404,467 | ||
Contract services |
| 917,540 |
| 219,498 | ||
Total revenue | $ | 2,412,868 | $ | 623,965 |
F-13
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $132,303 and $20,000 of deferred revenue, respectively, from contracts with customers. The contract liabilities represent payments received from customers for which the Company had not yet satisfied its performance obligation under the contract, or the customers have not officially accepted the goods or services provided under the contract. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not recognize any revenues that were included in deferred revenue in a previous period. During the year ended 2020, the Company recognized $15,000 of revenues that were included in deferred revenue in previous periods.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $84,324 and $31,212, respectively, of deferred labor costs, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Deferred labor costs represent costs to fulfill the Company’s contract service revenue. The Company will recognize the deferred labor costs as cost of revenues at the point in time that the Company satisfies its performance obligation under the respective contract, which is generally at the time the services are fulfilled and/or accepted by the customer.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Amounts billed to a customer in a sales transaction related to shipping and handling are recorded as revenue. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are included as cost of revenues on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company reclassed $18,887 of shipping and handling costs from selling, general and administrative expense to cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Research and Development
Research and development include expenses incurred in connection with the research and development of our CFV thermal management solution, high-areal-capacity battery electrodes, 3D engineering for a rechargeable battery and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred. Advertising costs charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $145,025 and $123,846, respectively, and are included in selling, general and administrative in the consolidated statements of operations.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award since the fair value of the award is more readily determinable than the value of the services. The fair value of the award is measured on the grant date. The fair value amount is then recognized over the period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Upon the exercise of an award, the Company issues new shares of common stock out of its authorized shares.
During the period from January 1, 2020 through June 17, 2020, it was determined that the Company’s common stock had a fair value of $0.66 per share, which was based on a number of factors, such as the examination of the sales of common stock for cash and the convertible preferred stock for cash etc.
For the period from June 18, 2020 through December 31, 2021, the Company estimated the fair value of the awards granted in this period based on the market value of its freely tradable common stock as reported on the OTCQB market. The Company determined the freely tradable common stock price became a reliable and accurate representation of its fair market value during this period as a result of increased share volume and dollar trading volume.
Net Loss Per Common Share
Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of vested common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common-equivalent shares outstanding during each period.
F-14
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
The following shares were excluded from the calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
December 31, | ||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock |
| — |
| 698,600 |
Unvested restricted stock | 2,590,000 | — | ||
Unvested market -based equity awards | 3,000,000 | — | ||
Options | 405,216 | 370,000 | ||
Warrants | 2,594,553 | 6,787,911 | ||
Total |
| 8,589,769 |
| 7,856,511 |
Operating Leases
The Company leases properties under operating leases. For leases in effect upon adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” at January 1, 2020 and for any leases commencing thereafter, the Company recognizes a liability to make lease payments, the “lease liability”, and an asset representing the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term, the “right-of-use asset”. The lease liability is measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted at the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The right-of-use asset is measured at the amount of the lease liability adjusted for the remaining balance of any lease incentives received, any cumulative prepaid or accrued rent if the lease payments are uneven throughout the lease term, any unamortized initial direct costs, and any impairment of the right-of-use-asset. Operating lease expense consists of a single lease cost calculated so that the remaining cost of the lease is allocated over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis, variable lease payments not included in the lease liability, and any impairment of the right-of-use asset.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included or excluded in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the difference between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their respective financial reporting amounts (“temporary differences”) at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
The Company utilizes a recognition threshold and measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.
Management has evaluated and concluded that there were no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits within twelve months of the reporting date.
The Company’s policy is to classify assessments, if any, for tax related interest as interest expense and penalties as selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period balances have been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations or loss per share.
Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date which the consolidated financial statements were issued. Based upon the evaluation, the Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements, except as disclosed.
F-15
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 requires entities to provide expanded disclosures about the terms and features of convertible instruments and amends certain guidance in ASC 260, Earnings per Share, relating to the computation of earnings per share for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10 “Codification Improvements”, which improves consistency by amending the Codification to include all disclosure guidance in the appropriate disclosure sections and clarifies application of various provisions in the Codification by amending and adding new headings, cross referencing to other guidance, and refining or correcting terminology. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
On May 3, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. This new standard provides clarification and reduces diversity in an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (such as warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Issuers should apply the new standard prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring after the effective date of the new standard. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an issuer elects to early adopt the new standard in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company does not expect this new standard to have a material impact on its financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
NOTE 3 | PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Inventory deposits | $ | 309,688 | $ | — | ||
Deferred labor costs | 84,324 | 31,212 | ||||
Insurance | 69,925 | 10,429 | ||||
Professional fees |
| 65,118 |
| 9,354 | ||
Other |
| 31,074 |
| 41,370 | ||
Marketing | 10,231 | 58,103 | ||||
Total prepaid expenses | $ | 570,360 | $ | 150,468 |
F-16
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
NOTE 4 | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, property and equipment consisted of the following:
December 31, | ||||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
| Estimated Useful Life | ||
Computer equipment | $ | 47,503 | $ | 11,525 | 3 years | |||
Leasehold improvements |
| 339,422 |
| 8,834 | Lesser of the useful life of the asset or remaining term of the lease | |||
Software |
| 18,714 |
| 5,656 | 3 years | |||
Machinery & equipment |
| 72,392 |
| 72,392 | 5 -7 years | |||
Research and development equipment |
| 12,810 |
| 12,810 | 3 years | |||
Furniture and fixtures |
| 6,968 |
| 3,307 | 5 years | |||
| 497,809 |
| 114,524 | |||||
Less: accumulated deprecation |
| (123,334) |
| (56,667) | ||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 374,475 | $ | 57,857 |
Depreciation expense amounted to $66,667 and $15,746 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative and research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE 5 | INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
In December 2021, the Company acquired a patent for consideration of $218,000. This long-lived intangible asset has a useful life of approximately 20 years, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis and tested for impairment on an annual basis.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no impairments of intangibles and recognized amortization expense related to the intangible of $1,048.
NOTE 6 | VENDOR DEPOSITS |
The Company entered into agreements with third party contractors for facility improvements, the design and build of a battery packaging and inspection automation system, and automated robotic tending system. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding deposits of $2,153,950 in connection with these agreements.
NOTE 7 | ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES |
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
As of December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Legal and professional fees | $ | 418,154 | $ | 81,902 | ||
Payroll and vacation | 302,101 |
| 279,054 | |||
Research and development |
| 146,158 |
| — | ||
Accrued cost of sales |
| 128,500 |
| — | ||
Board compensation |
| 45,680 |
| — | ||
Marketing and advertising fees | 37,810 | — | ||||
Other |
| 84,824 |
| 36,684 | ||
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ | 1,163,227 | $ | 397,640 |
F-17
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Related Party Transactions
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities include $0 and $2,628 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, payable to Energy Science Laboratories, Inc. (“ESLI”), a company controlled by the Company’s Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”), in connection with consulting services provided to the Company associated with the development of the Company’s CFV thermal management solutions in prior periods.
On September 30, 2021, ESLI agreed to forgive $2,628 of previously billed consulting fees. As a result, the Company accounted for the forgiveness by reducing accrued expenses and other current liabilities by $2,628 and recording a corresponding credit to research and development expense.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company reclassed $2,628 of accounts payable-related party liabilities to accrued expenses and other current liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2020.
NOTE 8 | ACCRUED ISSUABLE EQUITY |
A summary of the accrued issuable equity activity during the year ended December 31, 2021, is presented below:
As of December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Beginning Balance |
| $ | 128,380 | $ | — | |
Additions |
| 245,720 |
| 205,297 | ||
Reclassifications to equity upon issuance |
| (209,200) |
| (79,511) | ||
Mark-to market |
| 125,821 |
| 2,594 | ||
Ending Balance | $ | 290,721 | $ | 128,380 |
Accrued Issuable Equity for Services
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company entered into certain contractual arrangements for services in exchange for a fixed number of shares of common stock of the Company. On the respective dates the contracts were entered into, the estimated fair value of the shares to be issued was an aggregate of $245,720 and $205,297, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company settled certain of its accrued issuable equity obligations through the issuance of an aggregate of 100,000 of its shares with an aggregate fair value of $209,200 and $79,511, respectively, remeasured as of the date of settlement.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an aggregate of $125,821 and $2,594, respectively, of losses related to the change in fair value of accrued issuable equity (see Note 13 – Stockholders’ Equity, Stock-Based Compensation for additional details). The fair value of the accrued but unissued shares as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $290,721 and $128,380, respectively.
NOTE 9 | LEASES |
The Company leases office space in San Diego, California. The lease, as amended, provided for monthly rental payments of $5,127, and the lease term expired on June 30, 2021. Subsequent to the expiration of the lease term, the Company entered into a verbal agreement with the landlord to continue occupying the space on a month-to-month basis until the Company eventually moved out in October 2021. The Company evaluated this operating lease and determined that the short-term exemption available under ASC 842 applied since the lease term is less than 12 months and the lease does not include a purchase option whose exercise is reasonably certain. Since the short-term exemption applies, lease payments are recognized as an expense and no right of use asset or lease liability was recorded related to this lease.
On April 5, 2021, the Company entered into a new lease agreement for office space in San Diego, California, effective June 1, 2021. The initial lease term is three years and there is an option to renew for an additional five years. Management does not expect to exercise
F-18
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
its option to renew. Monthly rental payments under the new lease begin at $23,787, which is comprised of $18,518 of base rent plus $5,268 of common area maintenance fees, with annual escalation of 3.5%. The Company paid a security deposit of $50,213 in connection with the new lease agreement.
The Company determined that the value of the lease liability and the related right-of-use asset at inception was $814,817, using an estimated incremental borrowing rate of 5% based on information available at the commencement date of the lease.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, operating lease expense was $223,548 and $63,751, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the Company does not have any financing leases.
Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Maturity Year |
| Amount | |
2022 | $ | 289,981 | |
2023 |
| 297,917 | |
2024 |
| 125,530 | |
Total lease payments |
| 713,428 | |
Less: Imputed interest |
| (43,151) | |
Present value of lease liabilities |
| 670,277 | |
Less: current portion |
| (262,379) | |
Lease liabilities, non-current portion | $ | 407,898 |
Supplemental cash flow information related to the lease was as follows:
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities |
|
|
|
| ||
Operating cash flows from operating lease | $ | 166,509 | $ | — | ||
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for lease obligations |
|
|
|
| ||
Operating lease | $ | 814,817 | $ | — |
NOTE 10 | NOTES PAYABLE |
A summary of the notes payable activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, is presented below:
Notes |
| Debt |
|
| |||||
| Payable | Discount | Total | ||||||
Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||
Issuances |
| 4,000,000 |
| (630,000) |
| 3,370,000 | |||
Repayments in cash |
| (759,000) |
| — |
| (759,000) | |||
Repayments from proceeds of SEDA |
| (791,000) |
| — |
| (791,000) | |||
Amortization of debt discount |
| — |
| 501,802 |
| 501,802 | |||
Balance, January 1, 2021 | 2,450,000 | (128,198) | 2,321,802 | ||||||
Repayments in cash | (2,450,000) | — | (2,450,000) | ||||||
Amortization of debt discount | — | 128,198 | 128,198 | ||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2021 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
F-19
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company entered into note purchase agreements with the YAII PN, Ltd., a Cayman Island exempt limited partnership (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Investor purchased full recourse promissory notes (the “Notes”) in the original aggregate principal amount of $4,000,000 (“Principal Amount”) for cash proceeds of $3,710,000. The Notes included an original issue discount of $290,000, which represents the difference between the principal and proceeds received. The original issue discount, along with the $340,000 advisory fees were recorded as a debt discount which were amortized over the term of the respective Notes using the effective interest rate method.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repaid principal on the Notes in the aggregate amount of $1,550,000 and during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company repaid principal on the Notes in the aggregate amount of $2,450,000, such that the balance on the Notes is $0 at December 31, 2021. The Company paid debt redemption costs in the aggregate amount of $140,000, which were recognized as expense during the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 13 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency) for additional details.
The Company recorded amortization expense related to the debt discount of $128,198 and $501,802 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
NOTE 11 | LOAN PAYABLE |
On April 27, 2020, the Company received $155,226 of cash proceeds pursuant to an unsecured loan (the “PPP” Loan) provided in connection with the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and applicable regulations (“CARES Act”).
Under the terms of the CARES Act, as amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2021, the Company is eligible to apply for and receive forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of the loan proceeds for certain permissible purposes as set forth in the PPP, including, but not limited to, payroll costs (as defined under the PPP) and mortgage interest, rent or utility costs (collectively, “Qualifying Expenses”) incurred during the 24 weeks subsequent to funding, and on the maintenance of employee and compensation levels, as defined, following the funding of the PPP Loan. The Company used the proceeds of the PPP Loan for Qualifying Expenses. However, no assurance is provided that KULR will be able to obtain forgiveness of the PPP Loan in whole or in part. Any amounts not forgiven incur interest at 1.0% per annum and monthly repayments of principal and interest are deferred to the earlier of (i) when the Small Business Administration remits the forgiven amount to the lender or notifies the lender that no forgiveness is allowed or (ii) October 31, 2021. While the Company’s PPP Loan currently has a two-year maturity, the amended law will permit the Company to request a five-year maturity, subject to the approval of the counterparty. The Company recorded interest expense of $1,701 and $923 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s accrued interest related to the PPP Loan was $2,624.
NOTE 12 | INCOME TAXES |
The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 consists of the following:
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Federal: |
|
|
|
| ||
Current | $ | — | $ | — | ||
Deferred |
| (2,359,473) |
| (474,692) | ||
|
|
|
| |||
State and local: |
|
|
|
| ||
Current |
| — |
| — | ||
Deferred |
| (996,095) |
| (164,651) | ||
| (3,355,568) |
| (639,343) | |||
Change in valuation allowance |
| 3,355,568 |
| 639,343 | ||
Income tax provision | $ | — | $ | — |
F-20
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
For the Years Ended |
| ||||
December 31, |
| ||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 |
|
| |||||
Tax benefit at federal statutory rate |
| (21.0) | % | (21.0) | % |
State income taxes, net of federal benefit |
| (6.0) | % | (6.0) | % |
Permanent differences |
| (1.0) | % | 0.5 | % |
Incremental research and development tax credits |
| 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % |
Other and prior year true-ups |
| 0.0 | % | 4.1 | % |
Change in valuation allowance |
| 28.0 | % | 22.4 | % |
Effective income tax rate |
| 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % |
The Company has determined that a valuation allowance for the entire net deferred tax asset is required. A valuation allowance is required if, based on the weight of evidence, it is more likely than not that some or the entire portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. After consideration of all the evidence, management has determined that a full valuation allowance is necessary to reduce the deferred tax asset to zero.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below:
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | ||
Deferred Tax Assets: |
|
|
|
| ||
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | 4,978,331 | $ | 2,799,135 | ||
Research and development credit carryforwards |
| 270,188 |
| 51,199 | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| 981,067 |
| 11,062 | ||
Accruals |
| 55,460 |
| 68,082 | ||
Gross deferred tax assets |
| 6,285,046 |
| 2,929,478 | ||
Valuation allowance |
| (6,285,046) |
| (2,929,478) | ||
|
|
| ||||
Deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance | $ | — | $ | — | ||
|
|
| ||||
Changes in valuation allowance | $ | 3,355,568 | $ | 639,343 |
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $18.6 million and $10.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2021, approximately $3.9 million of federal net operating losses will expire from 2033 to 2037, and approximately $14.7 million will have no expiration. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had state net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $18.1 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2024.
The net operating loss carryovers may be subject to annual limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, and similar state provisions, should there be a greater than 50% ownership change as determined under the applicable income tax regulations. The amount of the limitation would be determined based on the value of the company immediately prior to the ownership change and subsequent ownership changes could further impact the amount of the annual limitation. An ownership change pursuant to Section 382 may have occurred in the past or could happen in the future, such that the NOLs available for utilization could be significantly limited.
The Company files federal and state (California) tax returns which are subject to audit for the years ending on or after December 31, 2017. No tax audits were commenced or were in process during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
F-21
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
NOTE 13 | STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY) |
Authorized Capital
The Company is authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share. The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote per share. The preferred stock is designated as follows: 1,000,000 shares designated as Series A Preferred Stock, 31,000 shares designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, 400 shares designated as Series C Preferred Stock, and 650 shares designated as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock.
Equity Incentive Plan
On August 15 and November 5, 2018, the Board of Directors and a majority of the Company’s shareholders, respectively, approved the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). Under the 2018 Plan, 15,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company are authorized for issuance. The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, rights to purchase common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates. The 2018 Plan requires the exercise price of stock options to be not less than the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2021, there were 12,336,047 shares available for issuance under the 2018 Plan.
Standby Equity Distribution Agreement
On February 27, 2020, KULR Technology Group, Inc. entered into a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement (“SEDA”) with an investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company may, at its discretion, sell to the Investor up to $8,000,000 of shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Offering”), par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”). For each share of Common Stock purchased under the SEDA (the “Shares”), the Investor will pay the Company 80% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock on the OTC Markets OTCQB or other principal market on which the Common Stock is traded for the five days immediately following the date the Company delivers notice requiring the Investor to purchase the Shares under the SEDA.
The commitment period under the SEDA commenced on February 27, 2020 (the “Effective Date”) and expires on the earliest to occur of (i) first day of the month following the twenty-four months after the Effective Date, (ii) the date on which the Investor has purchased an aggregate amount of $8,000,000 of Shares under the SEDA, or (iii) the date the SEDA is earlier terminated. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company was prohibited from issuing shares pursuant to the SEDA as a result of it being a Variable Rate Transaction pursuant to the Public Offering Purchase Agreement, described below. Effective March 1, 2022, the SEDA expired, and shares are no longer issuable under the agreement.
The Company paid cash of $15,000 and issued 95,847 shares of Common Stock to the Investor as consideration for entering into the SEDA. The shares of common stock issued to the Investor had an issuance date fair value of $63,259. The aggregate consideration of $78,259 was recorded as deferred offering costs and additional paid in capital on the consolidated balance sheet.
During the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company issued an aggregate of 1,841,548 shares of common stock, at prices between $0.72 - $1.65 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $2,214,437, in connection with notices submitted to the Investor under the SEDA, of which $791,000 of the proceeds, were applied directly against the Notes. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $5,707,305 available in connection with the SEDA, however, as a result of warrants issued during 2020 in an unrelated transaction which were outstanding, the Company could not issue shares in connection with Variable Rate Transactions pursuant to the Public Offering Purchase Agreement, described below.
Series A Preferred Stock
Each record holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right to vote on any matter with holders of the Company’s common stock and other securities entitled to vote, if any, voting together as one (1) class. Each record holder of Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to one-hundred (100) votes per share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder.
F-22
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into any series or class of stock of the Company. In addition, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to receive dividends, nor do they have a right to distribution from the assets of the Company in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company.
On November 5, 2018, the Company received a written consent of the majority of the stockholders to issue 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock to Mr. Mo, if necessary, as a measure to protect the Company from an uninvited takeover. As of the date of filing, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock have not been issued.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Holders of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock are not entitled to voting rights or dividend rights. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock does not contain any redemption provisions or other provisions requiring cash settlement within control of the holder. Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is senior in liquidation preference to common stock. Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, after 181 days after issuance and without the payment of additional consideration, is convertible at the option of the holder into fifty (50) fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock. It was determined that the embedded conversion option is clearly and closely related to the equity host, therefore it is not bifurcated and not accounted for as a derivative.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, a holder of 515 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock elected to convert their shares into 25,758 shares of common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 698,600 shares of common stock upon the conversion of 13,972 shares of Series B Preferred stock, after which no Series B Convertible Preferred Stock remained outstanding.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock is senior in liquidation preference to the Company’s common stock for an amount equal to the stated value per share of $10,000 (“Stated Value”). Holders of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shall vote on an as-if-converted-to-common-stock basis with the common stockholders. Holders of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, at an annual rate of twelve percent (12)% beginning one year after each share's issuance. The Company may elect to redeem all or part of each share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock for the Stated Value.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, certain holders of 5.11 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred stock elected to convert their shares into an aggregate of 56,777 shares of common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, a Qualified Offering occurred and 18.90 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock were mandatorily converted into an aggregate of 177,885 shares of common stock of the Company and warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 177,855 shares of common stock of the Company. The warrants are immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until December 31, 2025, at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. As a result of the Series C Preferred Stock having an effective conversion price that was lower than the market price on the commitment date, the Company immediately recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $1,691 as a deemed dividend, which increased the net loss attributable to common stockholders. Additionally, since the Company had an accumulated deficit, the impact was equity neutral to its additional paid-in capital.
There are no Series C Convertible shares outstanding at December 31, 2021 or 2020.
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 19, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with an investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue to the investor an aggregate of 650 shares of Series D convertible preferred stock (the “Series D Preferred”) pursuant to a new designation of preferred stock, and one-year warrants to purchase 2,600,000 shares of common stock (the “Warrants”) at a price of $2.50 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,500,000 (the “Offering”). The Company also agreed to pay the investor a commitment fee of 1,300,000 shares of common stock at the closing of the Offering. The closing of the Offering occurred on May 20, 2021. In connection with the closing of the financing, the Company repaid in full its aggregate remaining notes payable obligation of $1,400,000.
F-23
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
The Series D Preferred have a fixed conversion price of $2.05, are convertible into an aggregate of 3,170,730 shares of common stock and have the right to vote on an as-converted basis. Holders of the Series D Preferred shall be entitled to receive cumulative dividends annually at an annual rate equal to ten percent (10%). Dividends shall be payable in cash or, at the option of the holder of the Series D Preferred, converted into shares of common stock as provided in the certificate of designation for the Series D Preferred. Provided that the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series D Preferred is registered pursuant to an effective registration statement, the Company shall have the option, but not the obligation, to redeem, in cash, all or part of the Series D Preferred.
The Company determined that the Series D Preferred was permanent equity given that there was no redemption provision at the holder’s option and it was determined that the conversion option was clearly and closely related to the equity host, so it didn’t need to be bifurcated. The Company further determined that the $10,000 cash structuring fee, debt redemption costs of $140,000, and the remaining notes payable obligation of $1,400,000 paid to the investor, would be accounted for as a reduction of the $6,500,000 of gross proceeds. The remaining proceeds of $6,490,000 were allocated on a relative fair value basis to the Series D Preferred ($3,875,675), the commitment shares ($1,339,582) and the Warrant ($1,274,743). The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the Warrant using the following assumptions: exercise price of $2.50 per share, market price of $2.05 per share, expected term of 1.0 year, volatility of 142% and a risk-free interest rate of 0.05%. Finally, the Company determined that the Series D Preferred had a beneficial conversion feature equal to $2,624,326 which is a deemed dividend and represents an adjustment to the numerator in the loss per share calculation. The cash issuance costs of $365,000 (inclusive of the $10,000 cash structuring fee) were charged to additional paid-in-capital.
On June 17, 2021, all of the outstanding shares of Series D Preferred were converted into 3,170,730 shares of common stock, after which no Series D Convertible Preferred Stock remained outstanding.
Common Stock
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 176,000 shares of immediately vested common stock with a grant date value of $394,909 for legal and consulting services, of which, 6,000 shares with a grant date value of $18,000 has been applied to the total cost of the intangible asset acquired during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Public Offering
On December 29, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Public Offering Purchase Agreement”) with investors for the purchase and sale of an aggregate of 6,400,001 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”) and warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 6,400,001 shares of common stock (“Warrants”), in a registered direct offering at a combined purchase price of $1.25 per Share and Warrant, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $8,000,001. The Warrants are immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until December 31, 2025, at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The Warrants were determined to be classified within stockholders’ equity at their fair value. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, as well as for capital expenditures. This registered direct offering closed on December 31, 2020. Additionally, pursuant to the Public Offering Purchase Agreement, the Company is prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company of common stock involving a variable rate transaction (“Variable Rate Transaction”) until such time as no Purchaser holds any of the Warrants.
Pursuant to a co-placement agency agreement (the “Placement Agreement”) dated December 29, 2020 by and among the Company, Lake Street Capital Markets, LLC (“Lake Street”) and Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”) (together with Lake Street, the “Co-Placement Agents”), the Company retained Lake Street and Maxim to act as the Company’s co-placement agents in connection with the registered direct offering. Pursuant to the Placement Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the co-placement agents a cash fee of 7.0% ($560,000) of the gross proceeds the Company receives under the Purchase Agreement. The total offering expenses incurred by the Company, other than the placement agent fees, were $170,152, which included the co-placement agents’ reimbursable expenses, legal, financial advisory fees, accounting, printing costs, listing fees, and various other expenses associated with registering and issuing the shares. As of December 31, 2020, of the offering costs described above, an aggregate of $24,852 of offering costs remained unpaid and are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
F-24
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Warrants
A summary of warrants activity during the year ended December 31, 2021 is presented below:
Weighted | Weighted | |||||||||
Average | Average | |||||||||
Number of | Exercise | Remaining | Intrinsic | |||||||
| Warrants |
| Price |
| Term (Yrs) |
| Value | |||
Outstanding, January 1, 2021 | | 6,787,911 | | $ | 1.25 | |
| |
| |
Issued |
| 2,600,000 |
| 2.50 |
|
|
|
| ||
Exercised |
| (6,793,358) |
| (1.73) |
|
|
|
| ||
Expired |
| — |
| — |
|
|
|
| ||
Forfeited |
| — |
| — |
|
|
|
| ||
Outstanding, December 31, 2021 |
| 2,594,553 | $ | 1.25 |
| 4.0 |
| $ | 3,917,775 | |
Exercisable, December 31, 2021 |
| 2,594,553 | $ | 1.25 |
| 4.0 |
| $ | 3,917,775 |
A summary of outstanding and exercisable warrants as of December 31, 2021 is presented below:
Warrants Outstanding | Warrants Exercisable | ||||||
Weighted | |||||||
Outstanding | Average | Exercisable | |||||
Exercise | Number of | Remaining Life | Number of | ||||
Price |
| Warrants |
| In Years |
| Warrants | |
$ | 1.25 |
| 2,594,553 |
| 4.0 |
| 2,594,553 |
$ | 1.50 |
| — |
|
| — | |
$ | 2.50 | — | — | ||||
| | | 2,594,553 | | 4.0 | | 2,594,553 |
Stock Options
The Company has computed the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. In applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the Company used the following assumptions:
For the Years Ended | |||||||
December 31, | |||||||
|
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Risk free interest rate |
| 0.20% - 0.85 | % | 1.58 | % | ||
Expected term (years) |
| 2.5 - 3.5 |
| 2.50 |
| ||
Expected volatility |
| 93% - 109 | % | 93.00 | % | ||
Expected dividends |
| 0 | % | 0 | % |
Option forfeitures are accounted for at the time of occurrence. The expected term used is the estimated period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company utilizes the “simplified” method to develop an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” employee option grants. The Company does not yet have a trading history to support its historical volatility calculations. Accordingly, the Company is utilizing an expected volatility figure based on a review of the historical volatility of comparable entities over a period of time equivalent to the expected life of the instrument being valued. The risk-free interest rate was determined from the implied yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with a remaining term consistent with the expected term of the instrument being valued.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the weighted average grant date fair value per share of options was $0.80 and $0.36, respectively.
F-25
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
A summary of options activity during the year ended December 31, 2021 is presented below:
| Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||
| Average | Average | ||||||||
| Number of | Exercise | Remaining | Intrinsic | ||||||
|
| Options |
| Price |
| Term (Yrs) |
| Value | ||
Outstanding, January 1, 2021 |
| 370,000 | $ | 0.66 |
|
|
|
| ||
Granted |
| 220,000 |
| 2.30 |
|
|
|
| ||
Exercised |
| (184,784) |
| 0.66 |
|
|
|
| ||
Expired |
| — |
| — |
|
|
|
| ||
Forfeited |
| — |
| — |
|
|
|
| ||
Outstanding, December 31, 2021 |
| 405,216 | $ | 2.29 |
| 4.5 | $ | 104,009 | ||
Exercisable, December 31, 2021 |
| 180,147 | $ | 0.80 |
| 2.4 | $ | 352,370 |
The following table presents information related to stock options (excluding market-based option awards) as of December 31, 2021:
Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | ||||||
Weighted | |||||||
Outstanding | Average | Exercisable | |||||
Exercise | Number of | Remaining Life | Number of | ||||
Price |
| Options |
| In Years |
| Options | |
$ | 0.66 |
| 972 |
| 2.2 |
| 162,500 |
$ | 1.99 |
| 10,000 | 4.4 | 2,708 | ||
$ | 2.03 | 20,000 | 4.4 | 5,000 | |||
$ | 2.05 | 10,000 | — | ||||
$ | 2.08 | 10,000 | 4.4 | 2,708 | |||
$ | 2.13 | 20,000 | — | ||||
$ | 2.27 | 29,730 | 4.5 | 7,230 | |||
$ | 2.43 | 20,000 | — | ||||
$ | 2.44 | 100,000 | — | ||||
220,702 | 2.4 | 180,146 |
As of December 31, 2021, there was $152,948 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the above stock options, which will be recognized over the weighted average remaining vesting period of 2.7 years.
Restricted Common Stock
The following table presents information related to restricted common stock (excluding Market-Based Awards) as of December 31, 2021:
|
|
| Weighted Average | ||
Shares of Restricted | Grant Date | ||||
Common Stock | Fair Value | ||||
Non-vested balance, January 1, 2021 |
| 72,500 | $ | 1.24 | |
Granted |
| 2,677,744 |
| 2.56 | |
Vested |
| (42,500) |
| 2.25 | |
Canceled |
| (117,744) |
| 2.94 | |
Non-vested shares, December 31, 2021 |
| 2,590,000 | $ | 2.52 |
As of December 31, 2021, there was $4,995,064 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock that will be recognized over the weighted average remaining vesting period of 3.1 years.
F-26
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Market-Based Awards
The following table presents information related to market-based awards as of December 31, 2021:
| Number of |
| Grant Date | ||
Award | Shares | Fair Value | |||
Restricted Stock Units |
| 1,500,000 | $ | 2,911,420 | |
Stock Options |
| 1,500,000 |
| 2,579,000 | |
| 3,000,000 | $ | 5,490,420 |
On March 1, 2021, in connection with the appointment of the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (the “COO”), the COO became eligible to receive of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which will be earned based upon achieving certain market capitalization milestones up to $4 billion. The grant date value of this award of $2,911,420 was determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model for market-based vesting awards and will be amortized over each of the tranches’ prospective derived service period.
On June 10, 2021, the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) received an option for the purchase of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.60 per share, which will be earned based upon achieving certain market capitalization milestones up to $4 billion. The grant date value of this award of $2,579,000 was determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model for market-based vesting awards and will be amortized over each of the tranches’ prospective derived service period.
As of December 31, 2021, no shares of the market-based awards have vested. Shares shall vest for each award in the following increments upon the Company’s market capitalization reaching the respective amounts as follows:
● | $500 million market capitalization: 250,000 shares |
● | $1 billion market capitalization: 250,000 shares |
● | $1.5 billion market capitalization: 250,000 shares |
● | $2 billion market capitalization: 250,000 shares |
● | $3 billion market capitalization: 250,000 shares |
● | $4 billion market capitalization: 250,000 shares |
The following assumptions were used in applying the Monte Carlo valuation model to the Company’s market-based awards described above.
| March 1, |
| June 10, |
| |||
2021 | 2021 | ||||||
Risk free interest rate | 0.71 | % | 0.73 | % | |||
Expected volatility |
| 98.9 | % | 98.5 | % | ||
Expected dividend yield |
| 0 | % | 0 | % | ||
Expected term |
| 2.1 years |
| 2.2 years | |||
Fair value of common stock on date of grant | $ | 2.61 | $ | 2.62 |
As of December 31, 2021, there was $3,378,576 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to market-based awards which will be amortized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.69 years.
Stock-Based Compensation
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $4,200,091 and $343,854, respectively, related to restricted common stock, warrants and stock options, of which $4,171,241 and $312,922, respectively are included within selling, general and administrative expenses, and $28,850 and $30,932, respectively are included within research and development expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
F-27
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
The following table presents information related to stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
For the Years Ended | ||||||
December 31, | ||||||
| 2021 |
| 2020 | |||
Common stock for services | $ | 167,710 | $ | 178,642 | ||
Amortization of restricted common stock | 1,606,578 | — | ||||
Amortization of market-based awards | 2,111,845 | — | ||||
Stock options |
| 68,239 |
| 39,426 | ||
Accrued issuable equity (common stock) | 245,719 | 125,786 | ||||
Total | $ | 4,200,091 | $ | 343,854 |
NOTE 14 | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Patent License Agreement
On March 21, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”) granting the Company an exclusive license to commercialize its patented Internal Short Circuit technology. The agreement is effective for as long as the licensed patents are enforceable, subject to certain early termination provisions specified in the agreement. In consideration, the Company agreed to pay to NREL the following: (i) a cash payment of $12,000 payable over one year, (ii) royalties ranging from 1.5% to 3.75% on the net sales price of the licensed products, as defined in the agreement, with minimum annual royalty payments ranging from $0 to $7,500. In addition, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to bring the licensed products to market through a commercialization program that requires that certain milestones be met, as specified in the agreement. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded royalty expense of $2,558 and $2,876, respectively, which were included within cost of revenues.
Technology Development and Sponsorship Agreement
On March 31, 2021, the Company entered into a multi-year technology development and sponsorship agreement, pursuant to which the Company has committed to spend an aggregate of $900,000 in sponsorship fees, payable in three installments, of which $250,000 was paid on April 1, 2021, $300,000 is payable on January 1, 2022, and $350,000 is payable on January 1, 2023. The April 1, 2021 payment of $250,000 was recorded as a prepaid expense and is being amortized over the performance period. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $250,000 of sponsorship fees expense was recognized related to the agreement.
In addition, the Company has committed to paying an aggregate of $750,000 related to technology development fees, which is to be paid in three equal installments. As of December 31, 2021, the co-development technologies had not been agreed to and no portion of the technology fees has been paid.
Research and Development Agreements
On April 5, 2021, the Company entered into a two-year research and development agreement to develop high-areal-capacity battery electrodes to increase the energy density of batteries. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company has committed to spend an aggregate amount of $580,375, payable in eight quarterly installments of $72,547. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $217,641 of expense was recognized related to this agreement.
On August 18, 2021, the Company entered into a multi-year research and development agreement for a solid-state rechargeable battery, pursuant to which the Company has committed to spend an aggregate amount of $592,196 in eight quarterly payments of $74,025. During the year ended December 31, 2021, $123,375 of expense was recognized related to the agreement.
F-28
KULR TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Consulting Agreement
On September 30, 2020, the Company entered into a 2-year consulting agreement with a contractor to provide services as an Advisory Board Member related to government and defense acquisitions in exchange for 60,000 shares of restricted common stock. Pursuant to the consulting agreement, the shares are subject to the Company’s claw back, based upon the satisfaction of meeting general performance parameters. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, it was probable the contractor would satisfy the performance parameters and, as a result, the grant date fair value of the common stock is being recognized as stock-based compensation expense ratably over the vesting period. See Note 13 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency) for additional details.
On October 1, 2021, the Company entered into a three-month consulting agreement with a contractor to provide corporate advisory and financial relations services in exchange for 30,000 shares of restricted common stock and a minimum of $60,000. Following the initial term, this contract shall be automatically renewed for a six month period, pursuant to which the Company will be obligated to pay a minimum of $120,000 and issue an additional 100,000 shares of restricted common stock as compensation.
Election of Directors and Appointment of Certain Officers
On June 10, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed three new independent directors to the Board, to hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office of the director whom they have replaced, a successor is duly elected and qualified, or the earlier of such director’s death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. Each director will receive quarterly cash compensation equal to $10,000 and each will be granted 20,000 shares of common stock, which shares shall vest quarterly in 5,000 share with the first installment vesting immediately upon approval for uplisting to a national exchange.
On March 3, 2021, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Keith Cochran to act in the capacity of Executive Vice President. The consultant provided management and business development services to the Company. In consideration for services provided in January and February 2021, the Company compensated the consultant with $10,000 per month and 10,000 shares of its common stock per month. Effective March 1, 2021, the Company appointed Keith Cochran as President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of the Company, to hold office until the earlier of the expiration of the term of office, a successor is duly elected and qualified, or the earlier of such officer’s death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. The COO will receive annual cash compensation and received an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of its common stock, which shares will vest in four equal annual installments beginning on March 1, 2022. Additionally, the COO is eligible for incentive-based share grants totaling up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, which will be earned based on certain market capitalization achievement up to $4 billion.
Sponsorship Agreement
On December 16, 2021, the Company entered into a one-year sponsorship agreement which provides the Company with the right to display its name and logo during certain events during the period from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. The Company paid an aggregate amount of $1,350,000 in sponsorship fees related to this agreement during the first quarter of 2022, which have been recorded as prepaid expenses and will be amortized over the performance period.
NOTE 15 | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
Common Stock
During March 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 70,143 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants pursuant to which the Company received an aggregate of $87,679 of gross proceeds.
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