MICROVISION, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________to _________

Commission file number    001-34170

MicroVision, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

6244 185th Avenue NE, Suite 100
Redmond, Washington 98052
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(425) 936-6847
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐   Accelerated filer ☐   Non-accelerated filer ☒    Smaller reporting company ☒   Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES    ☐       NO    ☒

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 3, 2021 was 164,103,810.

PART I.

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MicroVision, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MicroVision, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MicroVision, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MicroVision, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

MicroVision, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1. MANAGEMENT'S STATEMENT

 Accounting Policy

The Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2021, the Condensed Statements of Operations and the Condensed Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, and the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, have been prepared by MicroVision, Inc. ("we" or "our") and have not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to state fairly the financial position at September 30, 2021 and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been made and consist of normal recurring adjustments. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. You should read these condensed financial statements in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be attained for the entire fiscal year.

We are focused on increasing the value of the Company by completing development of our 1st Generation Long Range Lidar (LRL) module to a level that it would be ready to scale in the market. We believe our technology and designs for automotive lidar can be successful in the market, and we expect our solutions to have features and performance that exceed those of competitors and will provide a sustainable strategic advantage in the market.

For the past few years, our strategy has been to sell Augmented Reality (AR) displays or components, Interactive Displays, or Consumer Lidars to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs) for incorporation into their products. However, while we do have a customer for one of these products which generates royalty income, the volume of sales and resulting royalties from that product are not significant, and we have been unable to secure additional customers to launch one of our products. As a result, in February 2020, we began seeking strategic alternatives while continuing to develop our 1st Generation Long Range Lidar module.

We have incurred significant losses since inception. We have funded our operations to date primarily through the sale of common stock, convertible preferred stock, warrants, the issuance of convertible debt and, to a lesser extent, from development contract revenues, product sales and licensing activities.

At September 30, 2021, we had $125.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. Based on our current operating plan, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.

2. NET LOSS PER SHARE

Net loss per share

Basic net loss per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net loss per share, assuming dilution, is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and the dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive securities, including common stock equivalents and convertible securities. Net loss per share, assuming dilution, is equal to basic net loss per share because the effect of dilutive securities outstanding during the period, including options and warrants computed using the treasury stock method, is anti-dilutive.

The components of basic and diluted net loss per share were as follows (in thousands, except loss per share data):

Components of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we excluded the following securities from net loss per share as the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive: outstanding options exercisable into a total of 1,712,000 and 3,906,000 shares of common stock, respectively, and 2,553,000 and 2,001,000 nonvested restricted and performance stock units, respectively.

3. LONG-TERM CONTRACTS

In May 2018, we signed a five-year license agreement with Sharp Corporation granting them exclusive license to our laser beam scanning (LBS) technology for display-only applications. The agreement includes an initial exclusivity period with requirements that must be met in order to maintain exclusivity. Because of the impact of COVID-19 on global commerce and new product introductions of consumer electronic devices, in February 2021 the agreement was amended to increase the term to six years and add twelve months to the initial exclusivity period. If this licensee acquires a customer, the agreement requires the licensee to buy specific components from us. The exclusivity period is scheduled to end in the fourth quarter of 2021.

4. REVENUE RECOGNITION

The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We generate all of our revenue from contracts with customers.

We evaluate contracts based on the 5-step model as stated in Topic 606 as follows: (i) identify the contract, (ii) identify the performance obligations, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.

A contract contains a promise (or promises) to transfer goods or services to a customer. A performance obligation is a promise (or a group of promises) that is distinct, as defined in the revenue standard.

The transaction price is the amount of consideration an entity expects to be entitled to from a customer in exchange for providing the goods or services. A number of factors should be considered to determine the transaction price, including whether there is variable consideration, a significant financing component, noncash consideration, or amounts payable to the customer. The determination of variable consideration will require a significant amount of judgment. In estimating the transaction price we will use either the expected value method or the most likely amount method.

The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices. Determining the relative standalone selling price can be challenging when goods or services are not sold on a standalone basis. The revenue standard sets out several methods that can be used to estimate a standalone selling price when one is not directly observable. Allocating discounts and variable consideration must also be considered. Allocating the transaction price can require significant judgement on our part.

Revenue is recognized when (or as) the customer obtains control of the good or service/performance obligations are satisfied. Topic 606 provides guidance to help determine if a performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time or over time. Where a performance obligation is satisfied over time, the related revenue is also recognized over time.

Disaggregation of revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by timing of revenue recognition (in thousands):

Disaggregation of Revenue

Contract balances

Under Topic 606, our rights to consideration are presented separately depending on whether those rights are conditional or unconditional. We present our unconditional rights to consideration as “accounts receivable” in our Balance Sheet.

Significant changes in the contract assets and the contract liabilities balances during the period are as follows (in thousands, except percentages):

Significant Changes in Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities

In April 2017, we signed a contract with Microsoft Corporation to develop an LBS display system. Under the agreement, we received an upfront payment of $10.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, we had applied $2.2 million against the contract liability. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we applied $718,000 and $1.9 million, respectively, against the contract liability with this customer.

Contract acquisition costs

We are required to capitalize certain contract acquisition costs consisting primarily of commissions paid when contracts are signed. We currently do not pay any commissions upon the signing of a contract; therefore, no commission cost has been incurred as of September 30, 2021.  

Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations

The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied at the end of the reporting period. The $10.0 million upfront payment received from our customer as noted above was being recognized as revenue as component sales were transferred to the customer. Under the arrangement reached in March 2020, the royalties we expect to earn will be applied against the remaining prepayment. We expect to apply an additional $582,000 during the remainder of 2021 and $2.5 million during 2022, and this amount is included in revenue below. Because there is uncertainty about the timing of the application of the remainder of the contract liability, it has been excluded from future estimated revenue in the table below. The $5.8 million contract liability is classified as a current liability on our balance sheet. It is likely that recognition of revenue may extend beyond the next twelve months.

The following table provides information about the estimated timing of revenue recognition (in thousands):

Estimated Timing of Revenue Recognition

5. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are primarily cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We typically do not require collateral from our customers. As of September 30, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents are comprised of operating checking accounts and short-term highly rated money market savings accounts.

Concentration of major customers and suppliers

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, one customer, Microsoft Corporation, accounted for $718,000 and $1.9 million in revenue, respectively, representing 100% of our total revenue, for each period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the same customer accounted for $539,000 and $2.6 million in revenue, respectively, representing 84% and 96% of our total revenue, respectively.

Typically, a significant concentration of our components and the products we have sold are manufactured and obtained from single or limited-source suppliers. The loss of any single or limited-source supplier, the failure of any of these suppliers to perform as expected, or the disruption in the supply chain of components from these suppliers could subject us to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, increased cost of sales, possible loss of revenues, or significant delays in product development or product deliveries, any of which could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

6. INVENTORY

Inventory consists of the following:

Components of Inventory

Inventory

Inventory consists of raw materials and finished goods assemblies. Inventory is computed using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method and is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Management periodically assesses the need to account for obsolescence of inventory and adjusts the carrying value of inventory to its net realizable value when required.

7. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Compensation

We issue share-based compensation to employees in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance stock units (PSUs). We account for the share-based awards by recognizing the fair value of share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. The fair value of stock options is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of RSUs and non-executive PSUs is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Executive PSUs are valued using a binomial option pricing model using the following inputs: stock price, volatility, and risk-free interest rates. Changes in estimated inputs or using other option valuation methods may result in materially different option values and share-based compensation expense.

The following table summarizes the amount of share-based compensation expense by line item on the statements of operations:

Share-based Compensation Expense by Line Item

Options activity and positions

The following table summarizes shares, weighted-average exercise price, weighted-average remaining contractual term and aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable as of September 30, 2021:

Option Positions

As of September 30, 2021, our unrecognized share-based employee compensation related to stock options was $103,000 which we plan to expense over the next 0.8 years.

Restricted stock activity and positions

The following table summarizes activity and positions with respect to RSUs and PSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2021:

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

As of September 30, 2021, our unrecognized share-based compensation related to RSUs was $26.0 million which we plan to expense over the next 2.5 years and our unrecognized share-based compensation related to the non-executive PSUs was $1.2 million, which we plan to expense over the next 1.0 years.

8. LEASES

Lessee Lease Policy

We lease our office space and certain equipment under finance and operating leases. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one to two years. Our office lease agreement includes both lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for separately. Our finance leases contain options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless we are reasonably certain to exercise the purchase option.

In September 2021, we entered into an office lease with Redmond East Office Park LLC, a Washington limited liability company, pursuant to which we will lease approximately 16,681 square feet of space located in Redmond, Washington that we will use primarily for general office space and product testing. The lease provides for an initial term of 128 months commencing November 1, 2021. Pursuant to the lease, annual base rent will be approximately $500,000 for the first year and is subject to annual increases of 3.0%. In addition to base rent, we will pay additional rent comprised of our proportionate share of any operating expenses, real estate taxes, and management fees. We have the option to extend the term for one ten-year renewal period, provided that the rent would be subject to market adjustment at the beginning of the renewal term. The total minimum lease payments related to this forward-starting lease are $6.4 million.

In September 2021, we entered into a second office lease with Redmond East Office Park LLC, pursuant to which we will lease approximately 36,062 square feet of space located in Redmond, Washington that we will use primarily for general office and lab space. The lease provides for an initial term of 120 months with a target commencement date of July 1, 2022. Pursuant to the lease, annual base rent will be approximately $1.1 million for the first year and is subject to annual increases of 3.0%. In addition to base rent, we will pay additional rent comprised of our proportionate share of any operating expenses, real estate taxes, and management fees. We have the option to extend the term for one ten-year renewal period, provided that the rent would be subject to market adjustment at the beginning of the renewal term. The total minimum lease payments related to this forward-starting lease are $13.0 million.

In connection with the effectiveness of the second lease with Redmond East Office Park, we amended our current office lease to provide for early termination intended to coincide with our move into the new 36,062 square feet of space but, in any event, no later than October 31, 2022.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

Components of Lease Expense

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

Cash Flow Information Related to Leases

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases

As of September 30, 2021, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

Maturities of Lease Liabilities

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

We are subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the normal course of business. We are not currently party to any legal proceedings that management believes are reasonably possible to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

10. COMMON STOCK

In June 2021, we entered into a $140.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum. Under the agreement we are able, at our discretion, to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $140.0 million through Craig-Hallum. As of September 30, 2021, we had issued 4.0 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $67.8 million under this ATM agreement. There were no transactions under this agreement in the third quarter of 2021.

In February 2021, we entered into a $50.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum. Under the agreement we were able, at our discretion, to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $50.0 million through Craig-Hallum. We issued 2.5 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $48.8 million under this ATM agreement. No further shares are available for sales under this agreement.

In December 2020, we entered into a $13.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum. Under the agreement we were able, from time to time, at our discretion to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $13.0 million through Craig-Hallum. As of December 31, 2020, we had issued 1.0 million shares for net proceeds of $6.1 million that was received in January 2021. The $6.1 million was classified as subscriptions receivable on our December 31, 2020 balance sheet and is not included in the cash balance as of December 31, 2020. In January 2021, we issued 1.1 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $6.6 million under the agreement. In total, we issued 2.1 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $12.7 million under this ATM agreement. No further shares are available for sales under this agreement.

In November 2020, we entered into a $10.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum Capital Group. Under the agreement we were able, from time to time, at our discretion to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $10.0 million through Craig-Hallum. As of December 31, 2020, we had completed sales under such sales agreement, having sold 4.9 million shares for net proceeds of $9.6 million.

In December 2019, we entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park granting us the right to sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $16.0 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Lincoln Park made an initial purchase of 1.5 million shares of common stock for $1.0 million at a purchase price of $0.6531 per share. Subject to various limitations and conditions set forth in the agreement, we were able to sell up to an additional $15.0 million in shares of common stock, from time to time, at our sole discretion to Lincoln Park over a 24-month period beginning December 2019. In consideration for entering into the agreement, we issued 375,000 shares of our common stock, having a value of $277,000, based on the closing stock price at the date of grant, to Lincoln Park as a commitment fee. We incurred an additional $90,000 in issuance costs. As of December 31, 2020, we had completed sales under such sales agreement, having sold 22.2 million shares for net proceeds of $15.6 million.

11. LONG-TERM DEBT

In April 2020, we received funds in the amount of approximately $1.6 million pursuant to a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program of the 2020 CARES Act (PPP) administered by the Small Business Administration. The loan has an interest rate of 0.98% and a term of 24 months. Due to an extension of the program, no payments were due until August 2021, although interest accrued during that period. Thereafter, the loan was repayable in monthly installments over the next 9 months to retire the loan plus accrued interest. Funds from the loan could only be used for certain purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and a portion of the loan used to pay certain costs was forgivable, all as provided by the terms of the PPP. The CARES Act provided that the forgivable portion of the PPP loan could be reduced if the borrower reduced full-time equivalent employees during the covered period as compared to a base period. As of December 31, 2020, all of the funds received under the PPP had been used for qualified purposes. We applied for and, in July 2021, received partial forgiveness of the loan of approximately $690,000 in accordance with PPP guidelines. The forgiveness was recorded in our financial statements in the third quarter of 2021 as a gain on debt extinguishment. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note, which contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults and breaches of representations and warranties. We may prepay the loan at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-looking statements

The information set forth in this report in Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Item 3, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," includes "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, capital expenditures, plans for product development and cooperative arrangements, technology development by third parties, future operations, financing needs or plans of MicroVision, Inc. (“we,” “our,” or “us”), as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. The words "anticipate," "could," "would," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "may," "plan," "project," "will," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements include risk factors identified below in Item 1A.

Overview

MicroVision, Inc. is developing a lidar sensor to be used in automotive safety and autonomous driving applications. Our lidar sensor uses our pioneering laser beam scanning (LBS) technology. Our LBS technology is based on our patented expertise in systems that include micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS), laser diodes, opto-mechanics, electronics, algorithms and software and how those elements are packaged into a small form factor. Our lidar sensor also utilizes edge computing and machine intelligence as part of the solution. Though automotive lidar is our current priority, we have also developed solutions for Augmented Reality (AR), Interactive Displays, and Consumer Lidars.

We are developing our 1st generation lidar sensor, which we call Long Range Lidar (LRL), for OEMs and Tier 1 automotive suppliers to be incorporated into automotive active collision avoidance systems and autonomous driving vehicles. This product may also be targeted for sales to technology companies focused on Mobility as a Service (MaaS), which are currently major users of automotive lidar sensors.

We believe our technology and designs for automotive lidar can be successful in the market and expect our solutions to have features and performance that exceed market expectations and competitive products and that will provide us several sustainable strategic advantages in the market. In April 2021 we completed our A-Sample LRL module. During the third quarter of 2021, we tested our A-Sample hardware on an outdoor track, and we demonstrated the module at a significant trade show in Munich, Germany. We are continuing to develop the LRL module to improve and refine its features.

In addition to our automotive lidar sensor, in prior years we developed micro-display concepts and designs for use in head-mounted AR headsets and developed a 1440i MEMS module that can support AR headsets. We also developed a display solution targeted at the smart speakers market, which we call an Interactive Display module. This display is designed to project onto a countertop, tabletop or a wall from inside a smart speaker. The user can then touch the projected image on any surface on which the display is visible and it will behave like a touchscreen, as on a tablet or smartphone. Lastly, we developed a small lidar sensor, which we call Consumer Lidar, for use indoors with smart home systems. This allows for a smart home system to understand what is happening in the home and then enable the smart home to respond in an appropriate way.

For the past few years, our strategy has been to sell AR displays or components, Interactive Displays, or Consumer Lidars to OEMs and ODMs for incorporation into their products. Currently, our sole customer is Microsoft Corporation. Our arrangement with this customer generates royalty income; however, the volume of sales and resulting royalties from that arrangement are not significant. In the recent past, we have been unable to secure additional customers to launch one of our products.

As a result, in February 2020, we began seeking strategic alternatives while continuing to develop our 1st Generation Long Range Lidar module. We currently have no agreements or commitments to engage in any specific strategic transactions.

We have incurred substantial losses since inception, and we expect to incur a significant loss during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic, which continues to be spread throughout the United States and the world. The impact from the COVID-19 outbreak is uncertain and may impact our business and results of operations and could impact our financial condition in the future. We are unable to accurately predict the full impact that COVID-19 may have due to numerous uncertainties, including the severity, duration and spread of the outbreak, and actions that may be taken by governmental authorities.

Several of the suppliers of components in our LBS modules have experienced closures or have been operating at reduced capacity, resulting in lower component availability. Continued disruptions to the supply chain could have a material impact on our future operating results.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including related governmental guidance or directives, some of our office-based employees continue to work remotely. We may experience reductions in productivity and disruptions to our business routines while our hybrid work policy remains in place, or if our employees become ill and are unable to work. This could have an adverse effect on the timing of our development activities.

In April 2020, we received funds in the amount of approximately $1.6 million pursuant to a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program of the 2020 CARES Act (PPP) administered by the Small Business Administration. The loan has an interest rate of 0.98% and a term of 24 months. Due to an extension of the program, no payments were due until August 2021, although interest accrued during that period. Thereafter, the loan was repayable in monthly installments over the next 9 months to retire the loan plus accrued interest. Funds from the loan could only be used for certain purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and a portion of the loan used to pay certain costs was forgivable, all as provided by the terms of the PPP. The CARES Act provided that the forgivable portion of the PPP loan could be reduced if the borrower reduced full-time equivalent employees during the covered period as compared to a base period. As of December 31, 2020, all of the funds received under the PPP had been used for qualified purposes. We applied for and received partial forgiveness of the loan of approximately $690,000 in accordance with PPP guidelines. The forgiveness was recorded in our financial statements in the third quarter of 2021. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note, which contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults and breaches of representations and warranties. We may prepay the loan at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties.

Key accounting policies and estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on a continuous basis. We base our estimates on historical data, terms of existing contracts, our evaluation of trends in the consumer display and 3D sensing industries, information provided by our current and prospective customers and strategic partners, information available from other outside sources and on various other assumptions we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results form the basis for making judgments regarding the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting judgments, policies, and estimates as described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Results of operations

Product revenue

Product revenue is revenue from sales of our products which are LBS modules and their components. Revenue is recognized when control of the goods passes to the customer. Our quarterly product revenue may vary substantially due to the timing of product orders from customers, product shipments, production constraints and availability of components and raw materials.

The decrease in product revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was due to ceasing product shipments in March 2020 in connection with our transfer of production to our customer. From the third quarter of 2019 through the end of February 2020, we produced and sold to the customer components to a high definition display system that we developed for the customer pursuant to a development agreement. The volume and resulting revenue and gross profit from this arrangement was fairly low. Therefore, in March 2020 we transferred production of the components to the customer. Starting in March 2020, instead of recognizing product revenue and the related cost, we earn a royalty from the customer for each unit shipped. Product revenue backlog at September 30, 2021 and 2020 was zero.

License and royalty revenue

License and royalty revenue is revenue under license agreements to our PicoP® scanning technology. We recognize revenue on upfront license fees at a point in time if the nature of the license granted is a right-to-use license, representing functional intellectual property with significant standalone functionality. If the nature of the license granted is a right-to-access license, representing symbolic intellectual property, which excludes significant standalone functionality, we recognize revenue over the period of time we have ongoing obligations under the agreement. We will recognize revenue from sales-based royalties on the basis of the quarterly reports provided by our customer as to the number of royalty-bearing products sold or otherwise distributed. In the event that reports are not received, we will estimate the number of royalty-bearing products sold by our customers.

As described above, in March 2020, our customer took over production of components that we had been producing for them. As a result, beginning in March 2020, we earn a royalty on each component shipped that is approximately equal to the gross profit we would have earned if we had continued to produce and ship the components. The increase in license and royalty revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to this change, resulting in revenue from this arrangement being recognized as royalty revenue rather than as product revenue with a related cost of product revenue. As we recognize this revenue, we record a corresponding reduction in the $10.0 million prepayment that we received from this customer in 2017; accordingly, no cash will be received for this royalty revenue unless and until the prepayment is exhausted.

Contract revenue

Contract revenue includes revenue from performance on development contracts and the sale of prototype units and evaluation kits based on our PicoP® scanning module. Our contract revenue in a particular period is dependent upon when we enter into a contract, the value of the contracts we have entered into, and the availability of technical resources to perform work on the contracts. We recognize contract revenue either at a point in time, or over time, depending upon the characteristics of the individual contract. If control of the deliverable(s) occur over time, the revenue is recognized in proportion to the transfer of control. If control passes to the customer only upon completion and transfer of the asset, revenue is recognized at the completion of the contract. In contracts that include significant customer acceptance provisions, we recognize revenue only upon acceptance of the deliverable(s).

The decrease in contract revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was attributed to decreased support contract activity with our customer and no prototype shipments. Our contract backlog, including orders for prototype units and evaluation kits, at September 30, 2021 and 2020 was zero.

Cost of product revenue

Cost of product revenue includes the direct and allocated indirect costs of products sold to customers. Direct costs include labor, materials, reserves for estimated warranty expenses, and other costs incurred directly, or charged to us by our contract manufacturers, in the manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor, manufacturing overhead, and other costs associated with operating our manufacturing capabilities and capacity. Manufacturing overhead includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, facility and other costs, and is allocated to cost of product revenue based on the proportion of indirect labor which supported production activities.

Cost of product revenue can fluctuate significantly from period to period, depending on the product mix and volume, the level of manufacturing overhead expense and the volume of direct material purchased. As described above, cost of product revenue was lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 due to ceasing product shipments to our customer after we transferred production to the customer in March 2020. The credits of $10,000 and $46,000 for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2021, respectively, are related to the reversal of accrued warranty liabilities since warranty claims were less than expected. Inventory write-downs of $168,000 were recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Cost of contract revenue

Cost of contract revenue includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on contracts and producing prototype units and evaluation kits. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in producing prototype units and evaluation kits or performing on a contract. Indirect costs include labor and other costs associated with operating our research and development department and building our technical capabilities and capacity. Cost of contract revenue is determined by the level of direct and indirect costs incurred, which can fluctuate substantially from period to period.

The decrease in the cost of contract revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributed to reduced contract activity.

Research and development expense

Research and development expense consists of compensation related costs of employees and contractors engaged in internal research and product development activities, direct material to support development programs, laboratory operations, outsourced development and processing work, and other operating expenses. We assign our research and development resources based on the business opportunity of the available projects, the skill mix of the resources available and the contractual commitments we have made to our customers. We believe that a substantial level of continuing research and development expense will be required to further develop our scanning technology.

The increase in research and development expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to higher non-cash compensation expense and increased headcount and direct material and equipment expenses related to the development of our lidar sensor. Due to changes in our incentive compensation and retention programs, we expect higher non-cash compensation expenses in future periods.

Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense

Sales, marketing, general and administrative expense includes compensation and support costs for marketing, sales, management and administrative staff, and for other general and administrative costs, including legal and accounting services, consultants and other operating expenses.

The increase in sales, marketing, general and administrative expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily attributed to higher non-cash compensation expense and professional services.

Liquidity and capital resources

We have incurred significant losses since inception. We have funded operations to date primarily through the sale of common stock, convertible preferred stock, warrants, the issuance of convertible debt and, to a lesser extent, from development contract revenues, product sales, and licensing activities. At September 30, 2021, we had $125.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Based on our current operating plan, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.

Operating activities

Cash used in operating activities totaled $21.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to cash used in operating activities of $11.8 million during the same period in 2020. The change in cash flows from operating activities is primarily attributed to increased operating expenses to support development activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

Investing activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $2.0 million compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $431,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we sold fixed assets to our customer for $525,000 as part of our transfer of production of components that we had previously been producing. Purchases of property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 were $2.0 million and $94,000, respectively.

Financing activities

In June 2021, we entered into a $140.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum. Under the agreement we are able, at our discretion, to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $140.0 million through Craig-Hallum. As of September 30, 2021, we had issued 4.0 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $67.8 million under this ATM agreement. There were no transactions under this agreement in the third quarter of 2021.

In February 2021, we entered into a $50.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum. Under the agreement we were able, at our discretion, to offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $50.0 million through Craig-Hallum. We issued 2.5 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $48.8 million under this ATM agreement. No further shares are available for sales under this agreement.

In December 2020, we entered into a $13.0 million ATM equity offering agreement with Craig-Hallum. Under the agreement we were able to, from time to time, at our discretion offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $13.0 million through Craig-Hallum. As of December 31, 2020, we had issued 1.0 million shares for net proceeds of $6.1 million that was received in January 2021. The $6.1 million was classified as subscriptions receivable on our December 31, 2020 balance sheet and is not included in the cash balance as of December 31, 2020. In January 2021, we issued 1.1 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $6.6 million under the agreement. In total, we issued 2.1 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $12.7 million under this ATM agreement. No further shares are available for sales under this agreement.

In December 2019, we entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement with Lincoln Park granting us the right to sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate value of up to $16.0 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Lincoln Park made an initial purchase of 1.5 million shares of common stock for $1.0 million at a purchase price of $0.6531 per share. Subject to various limitations and conditions set forth in the agreement, we may sell up to an additional $15.0 million in shares of common stock, from time to time, at our sole discretion to Lincoln Park over a 24-month period beginning December 2019. In consideration for entering into the agreement, we issued 375,000 shares of our common stock, having a value of $277,000, based on the closing stock price at the date of grant, to Lincoln Park as a commitment fee. We incurred an additional $90,000 in issuance costs. As of December 31, 2020, we had completed sales under such sales agreement, having sold 22.2 million shares for net proceeds of $15.6 million.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest rate and market liquidity risk

As of September 30, 2021, all of our cash and cash equivalents have variable interest rates. Therefore, we believe our exposure to market and interest rate risk is not material.

Our investment policy generally directs that the investment manager should select investments to achieve the following goals: principal preservation, adequate liquidity and return. As of September 30, 2021, we had $125.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, which are comprised of operating checking accounts and short-term, highly rated money market savings accounts.

Foreign exchange rate risk

Our major contract and collaborative research and development agreements, product sales, and licensing activity payments are currently made in U.S. dollars. However, in the future we may enter into contracts or collaborative research and development agreements in foreign currencies that may subject us to foreign exchange rate risk. We have entered into purchase orders and supply agreements in foreign currencies in the past and may enter into such arrangements, from time to time, in the future. We believe our exposure to currency fluctuations related to these arrangements is not material. We may enter into foreign currency hedges to offset material exposure to currency fluctuations when we can adequately determine the timing and amounts of the exposure.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the chief executive officer (principal executive officer) and the chief financial officer (principal financial officer), we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in the Exchange Act, as of September 30, 2021.

During the second quarter of 2021, we identified a material weakness in the controls that support the determination of the grant date of equity awards. We have implemented remediation activities to address the material weakness that was identified, including: a) revision of processes for issuance of equity grants, b) definition of documentation requirements for issuing equity grants, and c) training of personnel involved in issuance of equity grants. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. We expect that the remediation of this material weakness will be completed prior to the end of this fiscal year. As remediation has not yet been completed, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures continued to be ineffective at a level that provides reasonable assurance as of September 30, 2021.

Other than the remediation activities noted above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to various claims and pending or threatened lawsuits in the normal course of business. We are not currently party to any other legal proceedings that management believes are reasonably possible to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below together with the other information set forth in this report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and future results. The risks described below are not the only risks facing our company. Risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Risk Factors Related to Our Business and Industry

We have a history of operating losses and expect to incur significant losses in the future.

We have had substantial losses since our inception. We cannot assure you that we will ever become or remain profitable.

The likelihood of our success must be considered in light of the expenses, difficulties and delays frequently encountered by companies formed to develop and commercialize new technologies. In particular, our operations to date have focused primarily on research and development of our LBS technology system and development of demonstration units. We are unable to accurately estimate future revenues and operating expenses based upon historical performance.

We cannot be certain that we will succeed in obtaining additional development revenue or commercializing our technology or products. In light of these factors, we expect to continue to incur significant losses and negative cash flow at least through 2021 and likely thereafter. There is significant risk that we will not achieve positive cash flow at any time in the future.

We were unable to secure a customer to launch one of our module products in 2020, as planned. As a result, we focused our immediate attention on strategic alternatives, including a potential sale or merger of the Company, sale of part of the Company, strategic minority investment, licensing agreement or other transaction. We also focused on developing our lidar sensor for the automotive market. There is substantial risk that these efforts will be unsuccessful. We currently have no agreements or commitments to engage in any specific strategic transactions.

COVID-19 has had an adverse effect on our business, and the future COVID-19 effects on our financial position and business prospects are uncertain.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic, which continues to be spread throughout the United States and the world. The impact from the COVID-19 outbreak is uncertain and may impact our business and results of operations and could impact our financial condition in the future. We are unable to accurately predict the full impact that COVID-19 may have due to numerous uncertainties, including the severity, duration and spread of the outbreak, and actions that may be taken by governmental authorities.

The adverse impacts of the pandemic on our business and future financial performance could include, but are not limited to:

We may require additional capital to fund our operations and to implement our business plan. Raising additional capital may dilute the value of current shareholders' shares.

Based on our current operating plan, we anticipate that we have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months. We may require additional capital to fund our operating plan past that time. We may seek to obtain additional capital through the issuance of equity or debt securities, product sales and/or licensing activities. There can be no assurance that any such efforts to obtain additional capital would be successful.

We are currently focused on developing our automotive lidar module. This involves introducing new technology into an emerging market which creates significant uncertainty about our ability to accurately project revenue, costs and cash flows. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the commercial success of our LBS modules, the rate at which OEMs and ODMs introduce products incorporating our LBS technology and the market acceptance and competitive position of such products. If revenues are less than we anticipate, if the mix of revenues and the associated margins vary from anticipated amounts or if expenses exceed the amounts budgeted, we may require additional capital earlier than expected to fund our operations. In addition, our operating plan provides for the development of strategic relationships with suppliers of components, products and systems, and equipment manufacturers that may require additional investments by us.

Additional capital may not be available to us or, if available, may not be available on terms acceptable to us or on a timely basis. Raising additional capital may involve issuing securities with rights and preferences that are senior to our common stock and may dilute the value of our current shareholders' shares. If adequate capital resources are not available on a timely basis, we may consider limiting our operations substantially and we may be unable to continue as a going concern. This limitation of operations could include reducing investments in our research and development projects, staff, operating costs, and capital expenditures which could jeopardize our ability to achieve our business goals or satisfy our customer requirements.

Qualifying a contract manufacturer or foundry for our products could cause us to experience delays that result in lost revenues and damaged customer relationships.

We rely on single or limited-source suppliers to manufacture our products. Establishing a relationship with a contract manufacturer or foundry is a time-consuming process, as our unique technology may require significant manufacturing process adaptation to achieve full manufacturing capacity. Accordingly, we may be unable to establish a relationship with a contract manufacturer at prices or on other terms that are acceptable to us.

Changes in our supply chain may result in increased cost and delay and may subject us to risks and uncertainties regarding, but not limited to, product warranty, product liability and quality control standards. The loss of any single or limited-source supplier, the failure of any of these suppliers to perform as expected or the disruption in the supply chain of components from these suppliers could cause significant delays in product deliveries, which may result in lost revenues and damaged customer relationships. To the extent that we are not able to establish a relationship with a contract manufacturer or foundry in a timely manner, we may be unable to meet contract or production milestones, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to secure and retain significant third-party manufacturing resources.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to provide our components and future products in commercial quantities at competitive prices and on schedule. Accordingly, we will be required to obtain and retain access, through business partners or contract manufacturers, to manufacturing capacity and processes for the commercial production of our expected future products.

Our foreign contract manufacturers could experience severe financial difficulties or other disruptions in their business, and such continued supply could be significantly reduced or terminated. In addition, we cannot be certain that we will successfully obtain and retain access to needed manufacturing resources concurrent with a significant increase in our planned production levels. Future manufacturing limitations of our suppliers could constrain the number of products that we are able to develop and produce.

We are dependent on third parties in order to develop, manufacture, sell and market products incorporating our LBS technology, scanning modules, and the scanning module components.

Our business strategy for commercializing our technology in products incorporating LBS technology includes entering into development, manufacturing, licensing, sales and marketing arrangements with OEMs, ODMs and other third parties. These arrangements reduce our level of control over production and distribution and may subject us to risks and uncertainties regarding, but not limited to, product warranty, product liability and quality control standards.

We cannot be certain that we will be able to negotiate arrangements on acceptable terms, if at all, or that these arrangements will be successful in yielding commercially viable products. If we cannot establish these arrangements, we would require additional capital to undertake such activities on our own and would require extensive manufacturing, sales and marketing expertise that we do not currently possess and that may be difficult to obtain.

In addition, we could encounter significant delays in introducing our LBS technology or find that the development, manufacture or sale of products incorporating our technology would not be feasible. To the extent that we enter into development, manufacturing, licensing, sales and marketing or other arrangements, our revenues will depend upon the performance of third parties. We cannot be certain that any such arrangements will be successful.

We cannot be certain that our technology system or products incorporating our LBS technology will achieve market acceptance. If our technology system or products incorporating our technology do not achieve market acceptance, our revenues may not grow.

Our success will depend in part on customer acceptance of our LBS technology. Our technology may not be accepted by manufacturers who use lidar sensing and display technologies in their products, by systems integrators, OEMs, and ODMs who incorporate the scanning module components into their products or by end users of these products. To be accepted, our LBS technology must meet the expectations of our current and potential customers in the consumer electronics, automotive, and other markets. If our technology system or products incorporating our LBS technology do not achieve market acceptance, we may not be able to continue to develop our technology.

Future products incorporating our LBS technology and scanning modules are dependent on advances in technology by other companies.

Our LBS technology will continue to rely on technologies, such as laser diode light sources and other components that are developed and produced by other companies. The commercial success of certain future products incorporating our LBS technology will depend, in part, on advances in these and other technologies by other companies. We may, from time to time, contract with and support companies developing key technologies in order to accelerate the development of them for our or our customers' specific uses. There are no guarantees that such activities will result in useful technologies or products that will be profitable.

Our revenue is generated from one customer. Our quarterly performance may vary substantially and this variance, as well as general market conditions, may cause our stock price to fluctuate greatly and potentially expose us to litigation.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, one customer accounted for $1.9 million in revenue, representing 100% of our total revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the same customer accounted for $2.6 million in revenue, representing 96% of our total revenue. Generally, our customers take time to obtain, and the loss of a significant customer, in particular our current sole customer, could negatively affect our revenue. Our quarterly operating results may vary significantly based upon:

In one or more future quarters, our results of operations may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors and the trading price of our common stock may decline as a consequence. In addition, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, shareholders often have instituted securities class action litigation against that company.

If we become involved in a class action suit, it could divert the attention of management and, if adversely determined, could require us to pay substantial damages.

We or our customers may fail to perform under open orders or agreements, which could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.

We or our customers may be unable to meet the performance requirements and obligations under open orders or agreements, including performance specifications, milestones or delivery dates, required by such purchase orders or agreements. Furthermore, our customers may be unable or unwilling to perform their obligations thereunder on a timely basis, or at all if, among other reasons, our products and technologies do not achieve market acceptance, our customers' products and technologies do not achieve market acceptance or our customers otherwise fail to achieve their operating goals. To the extent we are unable to perform under such purchase orders or agreements or to the extent customers are unable or unwilling to perform, our operating results and cash flows could be adversely affected.

We identified a material weakness in our internal controls.

In the second quarter of 2021, we identified a material weakness in the controls that support our determination of the grant date of equity awards. If not remediated, or if we identify further material weaknesses in our internal controls, our failure to establish and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements and a failure to meet our reporting obligations. Any such failure could cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy of our financial reports, harm our reputation and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our stock price has fluctuated in the past, has recently been volatile and may be volatile in the future, and as a result, investors in our common stock could incur substantial losses.

Our stock price has fluctuated in the past, has recently been volatile and may be volatile in the future. During the 12 months prior to the date of this report, our common stock has traded at a low of $1.52 and a high of $28.00. From the beginning of 2021 through November 3, 2021, our common stock has traded at a low of $4.86 and a high of $28.00. We may incur rapid and substantial decreases in our stock price in the foreseeable future that are unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred a loss per share of $(0.10).

As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our common stock. The market price for our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including the following:

Since the stock price of our common stock has fluctuated in the past, has been recently volatile and may be volatile in the future, investors in our common stock could incur substantial losses. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. There can be no guarantee that our stock price will remain at current levels or that future sales of our common stock will not be at prices lower than those sold to investors.

Additionally, securities of certain companies have recently experienced significant and extreme volatility in stock price due to short sellers of shares of common stock, known as a “short squeeze.” These short squeezes have caused extreme volatility in both the stock prices of those companies and in the market, and have led to the price per share of those companies to trade at a significantly inflated rate that is disconnected from the underlying value of the company. Many investors who have purchased shares in those companies at an inflated rate face the risk of losing a significant portion of their original investment, as in many cases the price per share has declined steadily as interest in those stocks have abated. There can be no assurance that our shares will not be subject to a short squeeze in the future, and investors may lose a significant portion or all of their investment if they purchase our shares at a rate that is significantly disconnected from our underlying value.

If we are unable to maintain our listing on The Nasdaq Global Market, it could become more difficult to sell our stock in the public market.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market. To maintain our listing on this market, we must meet Nasdaq's listing maintenance standards. From the initial receipt of notice in the fourth quarter of 2019 through our regaining compliance in the second quarter of 2020, our stock was at risk of being delisted due to noncompliance with the minimum required market value and closing price requirements of Nasdaq’s continued listing standards. If we are unable to continue to meet Nasdaq's listing maintenance standards for any reason, our common stock could be delisted from The Nasdaq Global Market. If our common stock were delisted, we may seek to list our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market, the NYSE American or on a regional stock exchange or, if one or more broker-dealer market makers comply with applicable requirements, the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Listing on such other market or exchange could reduce the liquidity of our common stock. If our common stock were to trade in the OTC market, an investor would find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations for the price of, the common stock.

A delisting from The Nasdaq Global Market and failure to obtain listing on another market or exchange would subject our common stock to so-called penny stock rules that impose additional sales practice and market-making requirements on broker-dealers who sell or make a market in such securities. Consequently, removal from The Nasdaq Global Market and failure to obtain listing on another market or exchange could affect the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell or make a market in our common stock and the ability of purchasers of our common stock to sell their securities in the secondary market.

On November 3, 2021, the closing price of our common stock was $8.93 per share.

Our lack of financial and technical resources relative to our competitors may limit our revenues, potential profits, overall market share or value.

Our products and potential products incorporating our LBS technology will compete with established manufacturers of existing products and companies developing new technologies. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and other resources than we have. Because of their greater resources, our competitors may develop products or technologies that may be superior to our own. The introduction of superior competing products or technologies could result in reduced revenues, lower margins or loss of market share, any of which could reduce the value of our business. Additionally, for a variety of reasons, customers may choose to purchase from suppliers that have substantially greater financial, technical or other resources than we have.

We may not be able to keep up with rapid technological change and our financial results may suffer.

The automotive lidar and consumer display industries have been characterized by rapidly changing technology, accelerated product obsolescence and continuously evolving industry standards. Our success will depend upon our ability to further develop our LBS technology system and to cost effectively introduce new products and features in a timely manner to meet evolving customer requirements and compete with competitors' product advances. We may not succeed in these efforts due to:

The occurrence of any of the above factors could result in decreased revenues, market share and value of our business.

We could face lawsuits related to our use of LBS technology or other technologies. Defending these suits would be costly and time-consuming. An adverse outcome, in any such matter, could limit our ability to commercialize our technology or products incorporating our LBS technology, reduce our revenues and increase our operating expenses.

We are aware of several patents held by third parties that relate to certain aspects of light scanning displays and 3D sensing products. These patents could be used as a basis to challenge the validity, limit the scope or limit our ability to obtain additional or broader patent rights of our patents. A successful challenge to the validity of our patents could limit our ability to commercialize our technology or products incorporating our LBS technology and, consequently, materially reduce our revenues. Moreover, we cannot be certain that patent holders or other third parties will not claim infringement by us with respect to current and future technology. Because U.S. patent applications are held and examined in secrecy, it is also possible that presently pending U.S. applications will eventually be issued with claims that will be infringed by our products or our technology.

The defense and prosecution of a patent suit would be costly and time-consuming, even if the outcome were ultimately favorable to us. An adverse outcome in the defense of a patent suit could subject us to significant costs, require others and us to cease selling products incorporating our technology, require us to cease licensing our technology or require disputed rights to be licensed from third parties. Such licenses, if available, would increase our operating expenses. Moreover, if claims of infringement are asserted against our future co-development partners or customers, those partners or customers may seek indemnification from us for any damages or expenses they incur.

If we fail to manage expansion effectively, our revenue and expenses could be adversely affected.

Our ability to successfully offer products incorporating LBS technology and implement our business plan in a rapidly evolving market requires an effective planning and management process. The growth in business and relationships with customers and other third parties has placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our management systems and resources. We will need to continue to improve our financial and managerial controls, reporting systems and procedures, and will need to continue to train and manage our work force. Following our substantial reduction in headcount in February 2020, the risks associated with strained resources are heightened.

If we fail to adequately reduce and control our manufacturing, supply chain and operating costs, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.

We incur significant costs related to procuring components and increasing our production capabilities to manufacture our products. We may experience delays, cost overruns or other unexpected costs associated with an increase in production. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to reduce and control our manufacturing, supply chain and operating costs and keep costs aligned with the levels of revenues we generate, our business and financial condition could suffer.

Our technology and products incorporating our LBS technology may be subject to future environmental, health and safety regulations that could increase our development and production costs.

Our technology and products incorporating our LBS technology could become subject to future environmental, health and safety regulations or amendments that could negatively impact our ability to commercialize our technology and products incorporating our LBS technology. Compliance with any such new regulations would likely increase the cost to develop and produce products incorporating our LBS technology, and violations may result in fines, penalties or suspension of production. If we become subject to any environmental, health, or safety laws or regulations that require us to cease or significantly change our operations to comply, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

Our operating results may be adversely impacted by worldwide political and economic uncertainties and specific conditions in the markets we address.

In the recent past, general worldwide economic conditions have experienced a downturn due to slower economic activity, concerns about inflation, increased energy costs, decreased consumer confidence, reduced corporate profits and capital spending, and adverse business conditions. Any continuation or worsening of the current global economic and financial conditions could materially adversely affect: (i) our ability to raise, or the cost of, needed capital, (ii) demand for our current and future products, and (iii) our ability to commercialize products. Additionally, infectious diseases including COVID-19 may cause an unexpected downturn in economic conditions. We cannot predict the timing, strength, or duration of any economic slowdown or subsequent economic recovery, worldwide, regionally or in the display industry.

Because we plan to continue using foreign suppliers, our operating results could be harmed by economic, political, regulatory and other factors in foreign countries.

We currently use foreign suppliers and plan to continue to use foreign suppliers to manufacture current and future components and products, where appropriate. These international operations are subject to inherent risks, which may adversely affect us, including, but not limited to:

Our suppliers' facilities could be damaged or disrupted by a natural disaster or labor strike, either of which would materially affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

A major catastrophe, such as an earthquake, monsoon, flood, infectious disease including the COVID-19 virus, or other natural disaster, labor strike, or work stoppage at our suppliers' facilities or our customers, could result in a prolonged interruption of our business. A disruption resulting from any one of these events could cause significant delays in product shipments and the loss of sales and customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

If we are unable to obtain effective intellectual property protection for our products, processes and technology, we may be unable to compete with other companies.

Intellectual property protection for our products, processes and technology is important and uncertain. If we do not obtain effective intellectual property protection for our products, processes and technology, we may be subject to increased competition. Our commercial success will depend, in part, on our ability, to maintain the proprietary nature of our LBS technology and other key technologies by securing valid and enforceable patents and effectively maintaining unpatented technology as trade secrets.

We protect our proprietary LBS technology by seeking to obtain United States and foreign patents in our name, or licenses to third party patents, related to proprietary technology, inventions, and improvements that may be important to the development of our business. However, our patent position involves complex legal and factual questions. The standards that the United States Patent and Trademark Office and its foreign counterparts use to grant patents are not always applied predictably or uniformly and can change.

Additionally, the scope of patents is subject to interpretation by courts and their validity can be subject to challenges and defenses, including challenges and defenses based on the existence of prior art. Consequently, we cannot be certain as to the extent to which we will be able to obtain patents for our new products and technology or the extent to which the patents that we already own, protect our products and technology. Reduction in scope of protection or invalidation of our licensed or owned patents, or our inability to obtain new patents, may enable other companies to develop products that compete directly with ours on the basis of the same or similar technology.

We also rely on the law of trade secrets to protect unpatented know-how and technology to maintain our competitive position. We try to protect this know-how and technology by limiting access to the trade secrets to those of our employees, contractors and partners, with a need-to-know such information and by entering into confidentiality agreements with parties that have access to it, such as our employees, consultants and business partners. Any of these parties could breach the agreements and disclose our trade secrets or confidential information, or our competitors might learn of the information in some other way. If any trade secret not protected by a patent were to be disclosed to or independently developed by a competitor, our competitive position could be negatively affected.

We could be subject to significant product liability claims that could be time-consuming and costly, divert management attention and adversely affect our ability to obtain and maintain insurance coverage.

We could be subject to product liability claims if any of the product applications are alleged to be defective or cause harmful effects. For example, because some of the scanning modules incorporating our LBS technology could scan a low power beam of colored light into the user's eye, the testing, manufacture, marketing and sale of these products involve an inherent risk that product liability claims will be asserted against us.

Additionally, any misuse of our technology or products incorporating our LBS technology by end users or third parties that obtain access to our technology, could result in negative publicity and could harm our brand and reputation. Product liability claims or other claims related to our products or our technology, regardless of their outcome, could require us to spend significant time and money in litigation, divert management time and attention, require us to pay significant damages, harm our reputation or hinder acceptance of our products. Any successful product liability claim may prevent us from obtaining adequate product liability insurance in the future on commercially desirable or reasonable terms. An inability to obtain sufficient insurance coverage at an acceptable cost or otherwise to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of our products and our LBS technology.

Our contracts and collaborative research and development agreements have long sales cycles, which makes it difficult to plan our expenses and forecast our revenues.

Our contracts and collaborative research and development agreements have long sales cycles that involve numerous steps including determining the product application, exploring the technical feasibility of a proposed product, evaluating the costs of manufacturing a product or qualifying a contract manufacturer for production. Typically, these contracts and agreements involve several face-to-face meetings before they conclude. Infectious diseases including COVID-19 may delay face-to-face meetings and closing contracts and agreements. Our long sales cycle, which can last several years, makes it difficult to predict the quarter in which revenue recognition will occur. Delays in entering into contracts and collaborative research and development agreements could cause significant variability in our revenues and operating results for any particular period.

Our contracts and collaborative research and development agreements may not lead to any product or any products that will be profitable.

Our contracts and collaborative research and development agreements, including without limitation, those discussed in this document, are exploratory in nature and are intended to develop new types of products for new applications. Our efforts may prove unsuccessful and these relationships may not result in the development of any product or any products that will be profitable.

Our operations could be adversely impacted by information technology system failures, network disruptions, or cyber security breaches.

We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit, store, and protect electronic data between our employees, our customers and our suppliers. Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruptions due to events beyond our control, including, but are not limited to, natural disasters, power loss, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hacking, or other cyber security issues. Our system redundancy may be inadequate and our disaster recovery planning may be ineffective or insufficient to account for all eventualities. Additionally, we maintain insurance coverage to address certain aspects of cyber risks. Such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses or all claims that may arise, should such an event occur.

Loss of any of our key personnel could have a negative effect on the operation of our business.

Our success depends on our executive officers and other key personnel and on the ability to attract and retain qualified new personnel. Achievement of our business objectives will require substantial additional expertise in the areas of sales and marketing, research and product development and manufacturing. Competition for qualified personnel in these fields is intense, and the inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled personnel, or the loss of key personnel, could hinder our ability to compete effectively in the LBS markets and adversely affect our business strategy execution and results of operations.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.