NOTICE OF ANNUALSPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time on March 23, 2018April 26, 2019

To theDear Stockholders of Bridgeline Digital, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annuala Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting"“Meeting”) of BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (the "Company"“Company”) will be held on March 23, 2018April 26, 2019 at 9:00 A.M., local time, Eastern Time at the Company’sour corporate headquarters located at 80 Blanchard Road100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts, 01803 to consider and vote on01803. The Meeting will be held for the following matters described under the corresponding numbers in the attached Proxy Statement:purposes:

TheOur Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 2, 201827, 2019 (the “Record Date”) as the record dateRecord Date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting and onlyor any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of shares of our common stockCommon Stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, of recordpar value $0.001 per share (“Series A Preferred”), at the close of business on that daythe Record Date will be entitled to vote.notice of and to vote at the Meeting. The stock transfer books of the Company will not be closed.

A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting shall be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Meeting, during ordinary business hours for the ten days prior to the date ofuntil the Meeting at the principal executive offices of the Company. The list will also be available at the Meeting.

Whether or not you expect to attend in person, we urge you to vote your shares as promptly as possible by Internet, telephone or mail so that your shares may be presentrepresented and voted at the Meeting, please fill in, date, sign, and return the enclosed Proxy, which is solicited by management. The Proxy is revocable and will not affectMeeting.  If your vote in personshares are held in the eventname of a bank, broker or other fiduciary, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the record holder.

Our Board of Directors recommends that you attendvote “FOR” Proposals One, Two, Three, Four and Five. Each of these Proposals are described in detail in the Meeting.accompanying proxy statement.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 26, 2019:

THE PROXY STATEMENT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: https://www.bridgeline.com/about/investor-relations.

By Order of the Board of Directors   Michael D. Prinn Stacey A. Ward Assistant Secretary February 13, 2018March 15, 2019

Requests for additional copies of the proxy materials and the Company's Annual Report for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 should be addressed to Shareholder Relations, Bridgeline Digital, Inc., 80 Blanchard Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803. This material will be furnished without charge to any stockholder requesting it.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on March 23, 2018: The Proxy Statementfor the Annual Meeting and the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended September 30, 2017 are available athttps://www.bridgeline.com/about/investor-relations/annual-report.

Proxy Statement

AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders

March 23, 2018April 26, 2019

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the management of Bridgeline Digital, Inc. in connection with the Annuala Special Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting” or the “Annual Meeting” or the “2018 Annual Meeting”“Meeting”) to be held on March 23, 2018April 26, 2019 at 9:00 A.M., local time, Eastern Time at the Company’sCompany’s headquarters located at 80 Blanchard Road,100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 and any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board “Boardof Directors"Directors”) has set the close of business on February 2, 201827, 2019 (“Record Date”) as the record dateRecord Date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. A stockholder executing and returning a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by filing a later-dated proxy with, or other communication to, the Assistant Secretary of the Company or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.

The proxy will be voted in accordance with your directions to:

The Proxy Statement,proxy statement, the attached Notice of Meeting and the enclosed form of proxy and a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017 (the “Annual Report”)card are being mailed to stockholders on or about February 13, 2018.March 18, 2019. The Company'sCompany’s principal executive offices are located at 80 Blanchard Road,100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, and its telephone number at that location is (781) 376-5555.

The proxy statement can also be accessed online as of March 15, 2019 at: https://www.bridgeline.com/about/investor-relations.

The entire cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The costs of solicitation will include the costs of supplying necessary additional copies of the solicitation materials and our Annual Report to beneficial owners of shares held of record by brokers, dealers, banks, trustees, and their nominees, including the reasonable expenses of such record holders for completing the mailing of such materials and Annual Reports to such beneficial owners.materials. Solicitation of proxies may also include solicitation by telephone, fax, electronic mail, or personal solicitations by Directors,directors, officers, or employees of the Company. No additional compensation will be paid to our directors, officers or employees for any such services. The Company may engagehas engaged D.F. King & Co., Inc. (“D.F. King”), a professional proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the proxy solicitation, and if so, will pay such solicitation firmD.F. King customary fees plus expenses.expenses in connection with their services.

StockholdersOnly stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value (the “Common Stock”),Company’s outstanding voting securities at the close of business on February 2, 2018, the record date for the Meeting,27, 2019 will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting. As of February 2, 2018, there were 4,200,219 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, all of which are entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the record date is entitled to one vote on each matter that is voted at the Meeting.

In addition, as of February 2, 2018, there were 258,494 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series A Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding. Each shareholder of record of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at the close of business on the record date is entitled to receive notice of, and to vote, on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, at the Meeting. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at the close of business on the record date is entitled to 0.62 votes on each matter that is voted at the Meeting. Therefore, the holders of our outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have an aggregate of 160,266 votes on matters to come before the Meeting, which represents approximately 4% of our outstanding voting securities.

Stockholders may vote by proxy over the Internet, over the telephone, or by mail. The procedures for voting by proxy are as follows:

Stockholders of record may also vote in person at the Meeting.

As of February 27, 2019, there were 16,141,259 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. In addition, as of February 27, 2019, there were 262,310 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Series A Preferred”) issued and outstanding. Each stockholder of record of Series A Preferred outstanding at the close of business on the Record Date is entitled to vote, on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, at the Meeting. Each share of Series A Preferred is entitled to 0.62 votes. Therefore, the holders of our outstanding shares of Series A Preferred have an aggregate of 162,632 votes on matters to come before the Meeting, which represents approximately 1% of our outstanding voting securities. At this time, holders of the Company’s Series C Preferred are not entitled to vote their shares of Series C Preferred at the Meeting.

A majority of the outstanding shares of our voting securities represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting will constitute a quorum at the Meeting. All shares of the Common Stock and Series A Preferred represented in person or by proxy (including shares which abstain or do not vote for any reason with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting.

The representation in person or by proxy of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting is necessary to establish a quorum for the transaction of all business to come before the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of establishing a quorum.

Abstentions will be treated as shares that areAn abstention is the voluntary act of not voting by a stockholder who is present at a meeting and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the number of shares present and entitled to vote with respect to any particular matter but will not be counted as a vote in favor of such matter.

vote. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal, but does not vote on another proposal because the broker does not have discretionary voting power and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. If a stockholder holds shares beneficially in street name and does not provide its broker with voting instructions, the shares may constitute “broker non-votes.” Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. Brokers that have not received voting instructions from their clients cannot vote on their clients’clients’ behalf on “non-routine” proposals. Brokers may vote in favor of a proposal in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”NYSE”) that govern how brokers may cast such votes on proposals they determine to be routine matters.

The two director nominees identified under Proposal 1 who receive We believe that each of the most votes at the MeetingProposals One, Three and Four being submitted to stockholders in this proxy statement will be elected, thus abstentionsconsidered “non-routine” proposals, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.Proposals Two and Five would be considered “routine.”

Pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”“DGCL”), Proposal 2Proposals One and Two must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding voting securities entitled to vote as of the record date.Record Date. Abstentions and broker non-votes cast, if any, with respect to Proposal No. 2Proposals One and Two will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal No. 2.Proposals One and Two.

Under the DGCL and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, Proposals 3, 4Three, Four and the advisory vote presented in Proposal 5Five will be determined by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power present or represented by proxy at the Meeting. For these matters, abstentions and broker non-votes cast, if any, will not be counted as votes in favor of such proposals,Proposals, and will also not be counted as shares voting on such matter.matters. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against these Proposals.

The stockholders of the Company have no dissenter’s or appraisal rights in connection with any of the Proposals described herein.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING

PROPOSAL ONE

AMENDMENT TO OUR CHARTER TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

Our Board of Directors has voted to recommend to the stockholders that the we amend our Charter to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder from 50,000,000 shares to 2,500,000,000 shares (“Increase in Authorized”). The text of the proposed amendment to effect the Increase in Authorized is set forth as Appendix B to this proxy statement (“Amendment”).  The text of Appendix Bremains subject to modification to include such changes as may be required by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and as our Board of Director deems necessary or advisable to implement the Increase in Authorized, and assuming approval of Proposal Two, to effect the Reverse Split.

Purpose and Rationale for the Increase in Authorized

Issued and Outstanding and Reserved Common Stock.  As of the Record Date, our authorized capital stock consisted of (i) 50 million shares of Common Stock (ii) and 1.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 264,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred. As of the Record Date, we had 16,241,259 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, and we were required to reserve 12,268,607 shares of Common Stock for issuance under our incentive plans or upon the conversion or exercise of our outstanding derivative securities, including the following: 392,968 shares for issuance pursuant to stock options granted under our equity compensation plans, 11,443,073 shares for issuance pursuant to warrants to purchase Common Stock, 269,934 shares for future issuance under our 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, and 162,632 shares for issuance upon conversion of our outstanding shares of Series A Preferred. As of the Record Date, we had 262,310 shares of Series A Preferred issued and outstanding. As a result, as of the Record Date, an aggregate of 28,509,866 shares of our Common Stock were either issued and outstanding, reserved for issuance or obligated to be reserved for issuance, as described above, leaving us with 21,490,134 shares of Common Stock available for issuance.  

Issuance of Securities Issued in Private Placement. As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 13, 2019, on March 12, 2019 (“Closing Date”) we consummated a private offering of our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock with a stated value of $1,000 per share (“Stated Value”) (“Series C Preferred”), Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants (together, “Warrants”), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $10,227,500 (“Private Placement”). The Series C Preferred are convertible into a total of 56,819,473 shares of Common Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at a conversion price of $0.18 per share (the “Conversion Price). The Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants are initially exercisable at an exercise price of $0.18 per share of Common Stock (“Warrant Shares”) for an aggregate of 113,638,946 shares of Common Stock, resulting in a total potential issuance of 170,458,419 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series C Preferred and exercise of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants. The exercise price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants are subject to potential resets, if ever, on three separate dates (each, a “Reset Date”), subject to a floor of $0.08 per share (the “Floor”). 

The Series C Warrants are exercisable for up to an aggregate of 125% of the Conversion Shares, calculated on the applicable Reset Dates, such number to be determined by (i) subtracting the number of Conversion Shares from (ii) the quotient determined by dividing (a) the aggregate purchase price paid by the investor on the Closing Date, by (b) the applicable Reset Price (as defined in the Series C Warrant). The Series C Warrants (x) are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.001 per share of Common Stock, (y) are not exercisable unless and until the applicable Reset Price is less than the Conversion Price on the applicable Reset Date, subject to the Floor, and (z) are intended to effectively provide the equivalent value to investors as would result from a decrease in the Conversion Price to the applicable Reset Price, subject to the Floor. Assuming the Reset Price is reset to the Floor, the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants will be exercisable for an aggregate of 255,687,500 shares of Common Stock and the Series C Warrants will be exercisable for an aggregate of 71,024,277 shares of Common Stock, resulting in a total potential issuance of 383,531,250 shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series C Preferred and the exercise of all Warrants.

Approximately $4.5 million of the net proceeds from the Private Placement, after deducting placement agent fees and other fees and expenses payable by us, was used to acquire certain assets from Stantive Technologies Group, Inc. (“Stantive”) (the “Stantive Acquisition”), as reported in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2019 and March 14, 2019. An additional approximate $2.7 million was used to retire certain indebtedness of the Company. The remaining proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for general working capital purposes.

We currently have insufficient shares of Common Stock available for issuance under our Charter to issue the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares upon the conversion and exercise of the Series C Preferred and Warrants, respectively. Assuming stockholders approve the Increase in Authorized, we will have a sufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock available for issuance to allow us to issue the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares. More specifically, assuming that we do not issue any additional securities and that all of the Series C Preferred and Warrants are converted and exercised, (i) in the event that the exercise price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants is never reset, we will have approximately 2,301,031,715 shares of Common Stock available for issuance, and (ii) in the event that the Reset Price is reset to the Floor, we will have approximately 2,087,958,884 shares of Common Stock available for issuance. In addition, our Board of Directors believes that increasing the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under our Charter to 2,500,000,000 shares will provide us with flexibility to issue securities in connection with future financings and strategic acquisitions, debt restructurings or resolutions, equity compensation and incentives to employees and officers and for other corporate purposes, and will help avoid the delay and expense associated with obtaining special stockholder approval each time an opportunity requiring the issuance of shares of Common Stock arises in the future. As a result, stockholder approval of the Increase in Authorized would provide us with the ability to issue additional shares of Common Stock, or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of Common Stock, without additional stockholder approval, including the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred and exercise of the Warrants issued in the Private Placement.

Consequences if the Increase in Authorized is Not Approved.  In the event that stockholders do not approve the Increase in Authorized, we will not be able to issue the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares even if stockholders approve Proposal Three. In addition, in the event that stockholders do not approve the Increase in Authorized on or before six months from the Closing Date, each holder of Series C Preferred will have the right, upon delivery to the Company of written notice (“Redemption Notice”) to require that the Company redeem the Series C Preferred beneficially owned by such holder at a price equal to the greater of (i) the Stated Value of such Series C Preferred being redeemed as of the redemption date, and (ii) the product of the number of Conversion Shares into which the Series C Preferred would be convertible on such redemption date multiplied by the greater of (a) the last closing price of a share of the Company’s Common Stock at the time of delivery of the Redemption Notice, and (b) the greatest intraday price on the date of the Redemption Notice on a date which is three business days from the date of delivery to the Company of the Redemption Notice. In the event that we receive Redemption Notices from one or more holders of the Series C Preferred, we may not have sufficient funds available to pay the amounts due to such holders. In the event that we do not have sufficient funds available to redeem those shares of Series C Preferred required to be redeemed pursuant to a Redemption Notice, we may be forced to obtain additional funding through other means, including through the issuance of debt or other securities, and such additional funding may not be available. The issuance of debt or other securities, if successful, may negatively impact our business, financial condition and future prospects, including our ability to continue as a going concern.

Effect on Outstanding Common Stock

The additional shares of Common Stock authorized by the Increase in Authorized will have the same privileges and rights as the shares of Common Stock currently authorized and issued. Stockholders do not have preemptive rights under our Charter and will not have such rights with respect to the additional authorized shares of Common Stock. The increase to our authorized shares would not affect the terms or rights of holders of existing shares of Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock will continue to have one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by our stockholders, including the election of directors.

The issuance of any additional shares of Common Stock may, depending on the circumstances under which those shares are issued, and the issuance of Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares upon conversion of the Series C Preferred and exercise of the Warrants, respectively, will reduce stockholders’ equity per share and, unless additional shares are issued to all stockholders on a pro rata basis, will reduce the percentage ownership of Common Stock of existing stockholders. In addition, if our Board of Directors elects to issue additional shares of Common Stock, such issuance could have a further dilutive effect on the earnings per share, voting power and shareholdings of current stockholders. We expect, however, to receive consideration for any additional shares of Common Stock issued, thereby reducing or eliminating any adverse economic effect to each stockholder of such dilution.

The Increase in Authorized will not otherwise alter or modify the rights, preferences, privileges or restrictions of the Common Stock. Except as described above, we currently have no definitive plans, understandings, commitments, agreements or undertakings concerning the issuance of any such additional shares.

Anti-Takeover Effects

Although the Increase in Authorized is not motivated by anti-takeover concerns and is not considered by our Board of Directors to be an anti-takeover measure, the availability of additional authorized shares of Common Stock could enable the Board of Directors to issue shares defensively in response to a takeover attempt or to make an attempt to gain control of the Company more difficult or time-consuming. For example, shares of Common Stock could be issued to purchasers who might side with management in opposing a takeover bid that the Board of Directors determines is not in our best interests, thus diluting the ownership and voting rights of the person seeking to obtain control of the Company. In certain circumstances, the issuance of Common Stock without further action by the stockholders may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company, may discourage bids for our Common Stock at a premium over the prevailing market price and may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, increasing the authorized number of shares of our Common Stock could render more difficult and less likely a hostile takeover, tender offer or proxy contest, assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our stock, and the possible removal of our incumbent management. We are not aware of any proposed attempt to take over the Company or of any present attempt to acquire a large block of our Common Stock.

Authorized Capital Stock

Common Stock

Except as otherwise expressly provided in our Charter, or as required by applicable law, all shares of our Common Stock have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and are identical in all respects as to all matters, including, without limitation, those described below. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.

Voting Rights. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters. The Common Stock does not have cumulative voting rights.

Dividends. Each share of Common Stock has an equal and ratable right to receive dividends to be paid from our assets legally available therefore when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Common Stock, and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

Liquidation. In the event we dissolve, liquidate or wind up, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets available for distribution after payments are made to our creditors and to the holders of any outstanding preferred stock we may designate and issue in the future with liquidation preferences greater than those of the Common Stock.

Other. The holders of shares of our Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription or redemption rights and are not liable for further call or assessment.

Preferred Stock

We are authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and our Charter, to issue up to 1.0 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each series and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Our Board of Directors can increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, but not below the number of shares of that series then outstanding, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. Our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the Common Stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our Common Stock.

Series A Preferred

In October 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the creation of a series of up to 264,000 shares of Series A Preferred. The Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Preferred was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on October 28, 2014. As of March 15, 2019, there were 264,000 shares of Series A Preferred issued and 262,310 shares of Series Preferred outstanding. There will be no further issuances of Series A Preferred.

Voting Rights. Shares of Series A Preferred vote on an as-converted basis along with shares of our Common Stock.

Conversion. Shares of Series A Preferred may be converted, at the option of the holder, at any time into such number of shares of our Common Stock equal to (i) the number of shares of Series A Preferred to be converted, multiplied by the stated value of $10.00 per share (“Series A Conversion Shares”), and (ii) divided by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion, currently $16.25.

Any accrued but unpaid dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred to be converted shall also be converted into shares of our Common Stock at the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion. We also have the right to require the holders to convert shares of Series A Preferred into Series A Conversion Shares if (i) our Common Stock has closed at or above $32.50 per share for ten consecutive trading days, and (ii) the Series A Conversion Shares are (A) registered for resale on an effective registration statement, or (B) may be resold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Dividends. Cumulative dividends are currently payable in cash at a rate of 12% per year; provided, however, that in connection with the Private Placement, a majority of the holders of our Series A Preferred agreed to defer all payment of dividends to holders of the Series A Preferred until such time that Proposals One and Three have been approved by a majority of the Company’s stockholders. Series A Preferred will continue to accrue all dividends until such time as payments re-commence pursuant to the foregoing conditions. The Series A Preferred is senior to our Common Stock and any other stock with respect to dividends rights.

Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred will be entitled to receive in preference to the holders of Common Stock and any other stock other than our Series C Preferred, the amount equal to the Stated Value per share of Series A Preferred plus declared and unpaid dividends, if any. After such payment has been made, the remaining assets of the Company will be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock

Series C Preferred

On March 11, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized the creation of a series of up to 15,000 shares of Series C Preferred. The Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series C Preferred was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on March 11, 2019, designating 11,000 shares of our preferred stock as Series C Preferred. As of March 15, 2019, there were 10,227.50 shares of Series C Preferred issued and outstanding. There are currently no plans for further issuances of Series C Preferred.

Voting Rights.  Conditioned on the approval of Proposal Two, shares of Series C Preferred vote on an as-converted basis along with shares of our Common Stock.

Conversion. Shares of Series C Preferred may be converted, at the option of the holder, at any time following stockholder approval of Proposals One and Three, into such number of shares of our Common Stock equal to (i) the number of shares of Series C Preferred to be converted, multiplied by the Stated Value of $1,000 per share, and (ii) divided by the Conversion Price of $0.18 per share.

Redemption. In the event that stockholders do not approve the Increase in Authorized on or before six months from the Closing Date, each holder of Series C Preferred will have the right, upon delivery to the Company of written notice (“Redemption Notice”) to require that the Company redeem the Series C Preferred beneficially owned by such holder at a price equal to the greater of (i) the Stated Value of such Series C Preferred being redeemed as of the redemption date, and (ii) the product of the number of Conversion Shares into which the Series C Preferred would be convertible on such redemption date multiplied by the greater of (a) the last closing price of a share of the Company’s Common Stock at the time of delivery of the Redemption Notice, and (b) the greatest intraday price on the date of the Redemption Notice on a date which is three business days from the date of delivery to the Company of the Redemption Notice.

Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred will be entitled to receive in preference to the holders of Common Stock, Series A Preferred and any other stock, the amount equal to the Stated Value per share of Series C Preferred. After such payment has been made, the remaining assets of the Company will be distributed ratably to the holders of Series A Preferred, and the remainder ratably to holders of Common Stock.

Bifurcation of Proposal One and Proposal Two

While the Amendment reflects the proposed amendments to our Charter described in both Proposal One and Proposal Two, the approval of one Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of the other Proposal. To the extent that only one of these two Proposals is approved by stockholders, we will only include the language relating to the Proposal that was approved in the version of the Amendment that we file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.  In the event stockholders approve this Proposal and Proposal Two, the Increase in Authorized will be reduced by the same ratio as the Reverse Split, so that the total number of shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under our Charter will be 50,000,000.

Required Stockholder Vote to Approve the Proposal

Approval of the Amendment to effect the Increase in Authorized will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities as of the Record Date. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL ONE

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORSTWO

AMENDMENT TO OUR CHARTER

TO AUTHORIZE OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO EFFECT A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING AND AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK

Overview

Our Board of Directors has determined that it is advisable and in the Company’s and its stockholders’ best interests that our Board of Directors be granted the authority to implement the Reverse Split of both the issued and outstanding and authorized shares of our Common Stock at any time on or prior to December 31, 2019, at a ratio of one (1) share of Common Stock for every fifty (50) shares of Common Stock. Accordingly, stockholders are asked to approve the Amendment set forth on Appendix B to effect the Reverse Split consistent with those terms set forth in this Proposal, and to grant authorization to the Board of Directors to determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to implement the Reverse Split, as well as its specific timing. The text of Appendix Bremains subject to modification to include such changes as may be required by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and as our Board of Directors deems necessary or advisable to implement the Reverse Split.

If approved by the holders of our outstanding voting securities, the Reverse Split proposal would permit, but not require, our Board of Directors to implement a reverse stock split of both our issued and outstanding and authorized Common Stock at a ratio of one (1) share of Common Stock for every fifty (50) shares of Common Stock, at any time prior to December 31, 2019. Under Proposal One, we will increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 50,000,000 to 2,500,000,000. If approved, the Authorized Increase will be implemented prior to implementing the Reverse Split (although the Authorized Increase under Proposal One is not conditioned on approval of the Reverse Split).

Our Board of Directors reserves the right to elect to abandon the Reverse Split if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company’s and our stockholders.

In the event that the Reverse Split is effected, no fractional shares of our Common Stock will be issued; instead, holders of our Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share of Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Split will receive cash in lieu of such fractional share.

Our Board of Directors strongly believes that the Reverse Split is necessary to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has approved resolutions proposing the Amendment to our Charter to effect the Reverse Split and directed that it be submitted to our stockholders for approval at the Meeting.

Although we are not required to effect the Reverse Split if this Proposal is approved by stockholders, because of our desire to maintain the listing of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, our Board of Directors currently consistsintends to effect the Reverse Split promptly following approval of five (5) directors and is divided into three (3) classes. Directors in each class are generally elected to serve for three-year terms that expire in successive years. Currently,this Proposal by stockholders. Notwithstanding approval of the term for each of our three classes of directors is set to expire at the Meeting, our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, respectively.

At the Meeting,Reverse Split by our stockholders, are being asked to elect two (2) directors with terms currently set to expire at the Meeting to hold office for a three-year term expiring in 2021. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Bylaws, our directors are to be elected by a plurality of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The following directors have been nominated for election at the Meeting:

Both Ms. Kahn and Mr. Kahn have advised management that, if elected, they are able to serve on the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, abandon the proposed Reverse Split and determine prior to the effectiveness of filing of the Amendment with the Delaware Division of Corporations not to effect the Reverse Split, as permitted under Section 242(c) of the DGCL. If our Board of Directors does not implement the Reverse Split on or prior to December 31, 2019, stockholder approval again would be required prior to implementing any reverse stock split.

Failure to approve the Reverse Split will have serious, adverse effects on the Company and our stockholders. Our Common Stock could be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market because shares of our Common Stock may continue to trade below the requisite $1.00 per share price needed to maintain our listing. As described under “Purpose and Rationale for the durationReverse Split,” if we are unable to increase the closing price of their term. Management has no reasonour Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market for ten consecutive trading days on or before May 20, 2019, the Nasdaq Capital Market will delist our Common Stock. Our shares may then trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or other small trading markets, such as the pink sheets. In that event, our Common Stock could trade thinly as a microcap or penny stock, adversely decrease to believenominal levels of trading and may be avoided by retail and institutional investors, resulting in the impaired liquidity of our Common Stock. 

Purpose and Rationale for the Reverse Split

Avoid Delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market. As disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2018, the Company received an initial notification letter, dated November 20, 2018, from the Nasdaq Listings Qualification Department indicating that the nomineesbid price of the Company’s Common Stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share required for continued listing under Nasdaq Market Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for at least thirty consecutive business days (the “Nasdaq Notification”). In accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were provided an initial 180-calendar day period, or until May 20, 2019, to regain compliance. To regain compliance, our Common Stock must close at or above the $1.00 minimum bid price for at least ten consecutive business days prior to May 20, 2019. If we do not regain compliance by that date in accordance with terms of the Nasdaq Notification, Nasdaq will provide written notice that our securities will be unablesubject to serve.delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market. In that event, we may appeal the decision to a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”). In the event of an appeal, our securities would remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market pending a written decision by the Panel following a hearing. In the event that either nominee becomes unavailablethe Panel determines not to servecontinue our listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, our Common Stock may be delisted and may commence trading on the OTC Bulletin Board or other small trading markets, such as the pink sheets.

Our Board of Directors has considered the potential harm to the Company and its stockholders should the Nasdaq Stock Market delist our Common Stock from the Nasdaq Capital Market. Delisting could adversely affect the liquidity of our Common Stock since alternatives, such as the OTC Bulletin Board and the pink sheets, are generally considered to be less efficient markets. An investor likely would find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our Common Stock on an over-the-counter market. Many investors likely would not buy or sell our Common Stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange, or other reasons.

On March 15, 2019, our Common Stock closed at $0.21 per share on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Reverse Split, if effected, will have the immediate effect of increasing the price of our Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, therefore reducing the risk that our Common Stock could be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Other Effects. Our Board of Directors also believes that the increased market price of our Common Stock expected as a director,result of implementing the proxiesReverse Split could improve the marketability and liquidity of our Common Stock and will encourage interest and trading in our Common Stock. The Reverse Split, if effected, could allow a broader range of institutions to invest in our Common stock (namely, funds that are prohibited from buying stock whose price is below a certain threshold), potentially increasing the trading volume and liquidity of our Common Stock. The Reverse Split could help increase analyst and broker interest in our Common Stock, as their policies can discourage them from following or recommending companies with low stock prices. Because of the trading volatility often associated with low-priced stocks, many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Some of those policies and practices may make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Additionally, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, a low average price per share of Common Stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were higher.

Our Board of Directors does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a series of plans or proposals of a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). 

Risks of the Proposed Reverse Split

We cannot assure you that the proposed Reverse Split will increase the price of our Common Stock and have the desired effect of maintaining compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.

Our Board of Directors expects that the Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock will increase the market price of our Common Stock so that we are able to regain and maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market minimum bid price requirement. However, the effect of the Reverse Split upon the market price of our Common Stock cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of similar stock splits for companies in like circumstances is varied. It is possible that (i) the per share price of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split will not rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding resulting from the Reverse Split, (ii) the market price per post-Reverse Split share may not exceed or remain in excess of the $1.00 minimum bid price for a sustained period of time, or (iii) the Reverse Split may not result in a per share price that would attract brokers and investors who do not trade in lower priced stocks. Even if we effect the Reverse Split, the market price of our Common Stock may decrease due to factors unrelated to the Reverse Split. In any case, the market price of our Common Stock will be based on other factors which may be votedunrelated to the number of shares outstanding, including our future performance. If the Reverse Split is consummated and the trading price of our Common Stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Split. Even if the market price per post-Reverse Split share of our Common Stock remains in excess of $1.00 per share, we may be delisted due to a failure to meet other continued listing requirements, including Nasdaq Capital Market requirements related to the minimum number of shares that must be in the public float and the minimum market value of the public float.

A decline in the market price of our Common Stock after the Reverse Split is implemented may result in a greater percentage decline than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split.

If the Reverse Split is effected and the market price of our Common Stock declines, the percentage decline may be greater than would occur in the absence of a reverse stock split. The market price of our Common Stock will, however, also be based upon our performance and other factors, which are unrelated to the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

The proposed Reverse Split may decrease the liquidity of our Common Stock.

The liquidity of our Common Stock may be harmed by the proposed Reverse Split given the reduced number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding after the Reverse Split, particularly if the stock price does not increase as a result of the Reverse Split.

In addition, investors might consider the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares to have an anti-takeover effect under certain circumstances, since the proportion allows for dilutive issuances, which could prevent certain stockholders from changing the composition of our Board of Directors or render tender offers for a combination with another entity more difficult to successfully complete. Our Board of Directors does not intend for the electionReverse Split to have any anti-takeover effects.

Principal Effects of such person whothe Reverse Split

After the effective date of the proposed Reverse Split, each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of Common Stock. Except for adjustments that may result from the treatment of fractional shares as described below, the proposed Reverse Split will affect all stockholders uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in us. The proportionate voting rights and other rights and preferences of the holders of our Common Stock will not be designatedaffected by the Boardproposed Reverse Split (other than as a result of Directors.

the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares). For example, a holder of 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock immediately prior to a Reverse Split would continue to hold 2% (assuming there is no impact as a result of the payment of cash in lieu of issuing fractional shares and no Conversion Shares, Warrant Shares or other shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of any other derivative securities are issued) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock immediately after such Reverse Stock Split. The number of stockholders of record also will not be affected by the proposed Reverse Split, except to the extent that any stockholder holds only a fractional share interest and receives cash for such interest after the Reverse Split.

The following table sets forth certaincontains approximate information relating to the Common Stock under the proposed Reverse Split ratio, without giving effect to any adjustments for fractional shares of Common Stock or the issuance of Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, or other shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of any other derivative securities, as of March 15, 2019:

If the proposed Reverse Split is implemented, it will increase the number of our stockholders who own “odd lots” of fewer than 100 shares of Common Stock. Brokerage commission and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions of more than 100 shares of Common Stock.

After the effective date of the Reverse Split, our Common Stock would have a new committee on uniform securities identification procedures (CUSIP) number, a number used to identify our Common Stock.

Our Common Stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The proposed Reverse Split will not affect the registration of our Common Stock under the Exchange Act. Our Common Stock would continue to be reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “BLIN,” assuming that we are able to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, although it is likely that Nasdaq would add the letter “D” to the end of the trading symbol for a period of twenty trading days after the effective date of the Reverse Split to indicate that the Reverse Split had occurred.

Effect on Series A Preferred, Series C Preferred and Warrants

The Reverse Split will require that proportionate adjustments be made to the conversion rate, the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the following outstanding securities issued by the Company, in accordance with the Reverse Split ratio (all figures are as of March 13, 2019 and are on a pre-Reverse Split basis):

The adjustments to the above securities, as required by the Reverse Split and in accordance with the Reverse Split ratio, would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such exercise or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Split.

Effect on Stock Option Plans

As of March 15, 2019, we had 392,968 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options issued under our Plans, as well as 269,934 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plans. Pursuant to the terms of the Plans, our Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, as applicable, will adjust the number of shares of Common Stock underlying outstanding awards, the exercise price per share of outstanding stock options and other terms of outstanding awards issued pursuant to the Plans to equitably reflect the effects of the Reverse Split. The number of shares subject to vesting under restricted stock awards and the number of shares issuable as contingent consideration as part of an acquisition by the Company will be similarly adjusted, subject to our current directors:treatment of fractional shares. Furthermore, the number of shares available for future grant under the Plans will be similarly adjusted.

Potential Anti-Takeover Effects of a Reverse Split

*Independent director as defined under the rulesRelease No. 34-15230 of the Nasdaqstaff of the SEC requires disclosure and discussion of the effects of any action, including the proposals discussed herein, that may be used as an anti-takeover mechanism. The Reverse Split, if effected, will also result in a relative increase in the number of authorized but unissued shares of our Common Stock Market.

Kenneth Galaznik has been a membervis-à-vis the outstanding shares of our Common Stock and, could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect, although this is not the purpose or intent of our Board of Directors since 2006. Mr. Galaznik isDirectors. A relative increase in the Chairmannumber of authorized shares of Common Stock could have other effects on our stockholders, depending upon the Company’s Audit Committeeexact nature and serves as a membercircumstances of the Compensation Committee. From 2005 to 2016, Mr. Galaznik was the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurerany actual issuances of American Science and Engineering, Inc., a publicly held supplier of X-ray inspection and screening systems with a public market cap of over $200 million. Mr. Galaznik retired from his position at American Science and Engineering on March 31, 2016. From August 2002 to February 2005, Mr. Galaznik was Vice President of Finance of American Science and Engineering, Inc. From November 2001 to August 2002, Mr. Galaznik was self-employed as a consultant. From March 1999 to September 2001, he served as Vice President of Finance at Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc. and has more than 35 years of experienceauthorized but unissued shares. A relative increase in accounting and finance positions. Mr. Galaznik holds a B.B.A. degree in accounting from The University of Houston. Mr. Galaznik brings extensive experience to our Board and our Audit Committee as an experienced senior executive, a financial expert, and as chief financial officer of a publicly-held company.

Joni Kahn has been a member ofauthorized shares could potentially deter takeovers, including takeovers that our Board of Directors since April 2012. Ms. Joni Kahn and Mr. Roger Kahn, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer,has determined are not related. In May 2015, Ms. Kahn was appointed Chairpersonin the best interest of our stockholders, in that additional shares could be issued (within the limits imposed by applicable law) in one or more transactions that could make a change in control or takeover more difficult. For example, we could issue additional shares so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to obtain control without our agreement. Similarly, the issuance of additional shares to certain persons allied with our management could have the effect of making it more difficult to remove our current management by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such removal. The Reverse Split therefore may have the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts. By potentially discouraging initiation of any such unsolicited takeover attempts, the Reverse Split may limit the opportunity for our stockholders to dispose of their shares at the higher price generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available under a merger proposal.

Although the Reverse Split has been prompted by business and financial considerations and not by the threat of any known or threatened hostile takeover attempt, stockholders should be aware that the effect of the BoardReverse Split could facilitate future attempts by us to oppose changes in control of Directors. She also serves asour Company and perpetuate our management, including transactions in which the Chairstockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices. We cannot provide assurances that any such transactions will be consummated on favorable terms or at all, that they will enhance stockholder value, or that they will not adversely affect our business or the trading price of our Common Stock.  

Effective Date

The proposed Reverse Split would become effective on the date of filing of the Compensation Committee and is a memberAmendment with the office of the AuditSecretary of State of the State of Delaware. On the effective date, shares of Common Stock issued and Nominatingoutstanding and Governance Committees. Ms. Kahn has over thirty yearsshares of operating experienceCommon Stock held in treasury, in each case, immediately prior thereto will be combined and converted, automatically and without any action on the part of our stockholders, into new shares of Common Stock in accordance with high growth software and services companies with specific expertisethe Reverse Split ratio set forth in this Proposal. If the SaaS (Softwareproposed Amendment is not approved by our stockholders, a Reverse Split will not occur.

Treatment of Fractional Shares

No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued as a Service), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Applications, Business Intelligence and Analytics and CyberSecurity segments. From 2013 to 2015, Ms. Kahn was the Senior Vice President of Global Services for Big Machines, Inc., which was acquired by Oracle in October 2013. From 2007 to 2012, Ms. Kahn was Vice President of Services for HP’s Enterprise Security Software group. From 2005 to 2007, Ms. Kahn was the Executive Vice President at BearingPoint where she managed a team of over 3,000 professionals and was responsible for North American delivery of enterprise applications, systems integration and managed services solutions. Ms. Kahn also oversaw global development centers in India, China and the U.S. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Kahn was the Senior Group Vice President for worldwide professional services for Business Objects, a business intelligence software maker based in San Jose, where she led the applications and services division that supported that company's transformation from a products company to an enterprise solutions company. Business Objects was acquired by SAP in 2007. From 2000 to 2007, Ms. Kahn was a Memberresult of the BoardReverse Split. Instead, in lieu of Directorsany fractional shares to which a stockholder of record would otherwise be entitled as a result of the Reverse Split, we will pay cash (without interest) equal to such fraction multiplied by the average of the closing sales prices of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market during regular trading hours for MapInfo,the five consecutive trading days immediately preceding the effective date of the Reverse Split (with such average closing sales prices being adjusted to give effect to the Reverse Split). After the Reverse Split, a global location intelligence solutions company. She wasstockholder otherwise entitled to a member of MapInfo’s Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. MapInfo was acquired by Pitney Bowes in 2007. From 1993fractional interest will not have any voting, dividend or other rights with respect to 2000, Ms. Kahn was an Executive Vice President and Partner of KPMG Consulting, where she helped grow the firm’s consulting business from $700 millionsuch fractional interest except to $2.5 billion. Ms. Kahn received her B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.receive payment as described above.

Roger Kahn was elected to the BoardUpon stockholder approval of Directors in December 2017. Mr. Kahn joined the Company as the Chief Operating Officer in August 2015 and has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2016. Prior to joining Bridgeline Digital, Mr. Kahn co-founded FatWire, a leading content management and digital engagement company. As the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer of FatWire, Mr. Kahn built the company into a global corporation with offices in thirteen countries and annual revenues of $40 million. FatWire was acquired by Oracle in 2011 for $160 million. Mr. Kahn received his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Chicago.

Scott Landers has been a member ofthis Proposal, if our Board of Directors since 2010. Mr. Landers iselects to implement the Chairproposed Reverse Split, stockholders owning, prior to the Reverse Split, less than the number of whole shares of Common Stock that will be combined into one share of Common Stock in the NominatingReverse Split would no longer be stockholders. For example, if a stockholder held forty-nine shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Reverse Split, then such stockholder would cease to be our stockholder following the Reverse Split and Corporate Governance Committee and serveswould not have any voting, dividend or other rights except to receive payment for the fractional share as a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Mr. Landers was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Monotype Imaging Holdings, Inc. on January 1, 2016 after serving as the company’s Chief Operating Officer since early 2015 and its Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary since joining Monotype in July 2008. Monotype is a publicly-held company and is a leading provider of typefaces, technology and expertise that enable the best user experiences and sure brand integrity. Prior to joining Monotype, from September 2007 until July 2008, Mr. Landers was the Vice President of Global Finance at Pitney Bowes Software, a $450 million division of Pitney Bowes, a leading global provider of location intelligence solutions. From 1997 until September 2007, Mr. Landers held several senior finance positions, including Vice President of Finance and Administration, at MapInfo, a publicly-held company which was acquired by Pitney Bowes in April 2007. Earlier in his career, Mr. Landers was a Business Assurance Manager with Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Landers holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. and a master’s degree in business administration from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. Mr. Landers brings extensive experience to our Board and our Audit Committee as an experienced senior executive, a financial expert, and as chief executive officer and a chief financial officer of a publicly-held company.described above.

Michael Taglich has been a member ofRecord and Beneficial Stockholders

If the Reverse Split is authorized by our stockholders and our Board of Directors since 2013. Heelects to implement the Reverse Split, stockholders of record holding some or all of their shares of our Common Stock electronically in book-entry form under the direct registration system for securities will receive a transaction statement at their address of record indicating the number of shares of our Common Stock they hold after the Reverse Split along with payment in lieu of any fractional shares. Non-registered stockholders holding Common Stock through a bank, broker or other nominee should note that such banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures for processing the consolidation and making payment for fractional shares than those that would be put in place by us for registered stockholders. If you hold your shares with such a bank, broker or other nominee and if you have questions in this regard, you are encouraged to contact your nominee.

If the Reverse Split is authorized by the Chairmanstockholders and Presidentour Board of Taglich Brothers, Inc.,Directors elects to implement the Reverse Split, stockholders of record holding some or all of their shares in certificate form will receive a New York City based securities firm which he co-founded in 1992 with his brother Robert Taglich. Taglich Brothers, Inc. focuses on public and private micro-cap companies in a wide varietyletter of industries. He is currentlytransmittal, as soon as practicable after the Chairmaneffective date of the BoardReverse Split. Our transfer agent will act as “exchange agent” for the purpose of implementing the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-Reverse Split shares will be asked to surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-Reverse Split shares in exchange for post-Reverse Split shares and payment in lieu of fractional shares (if any) in accordance with the procedures to be set forth in the letter of transmittal. Until surrender, each Air Industries Group Inc., a publicly traded aerospacecertificate representing shares before the Reverse Split would continue to be valid and defense company (NYSE AIRI), and BioVentrix, Inc., a privately held medical device company whose products are directed at heart failure treatment. He also serves as a director of awould represent the adjusted number of other private companies,whole shares based on the exchange ratio of the Reverse Split. No new post-Reverse Split share certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s) together with the properly completed and is a directorexecuted letter of Icagen Inc, a drug screening company. Michael Taglich brings extensive professional experience which spans various aspects of senior management, including finance, operations and strategic planning. Mr. Taglich has more than 30 years of financial industry experience, and served on his first public company board over 20 years ago.transmittal to the exchange agent.

Executive OfficersSTOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY PRE-SPLIT STOCK CERTIFICATE AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY ARE REQUESTED TO DO SO.

Accounting Consequences

The par value per share of Common Stock would remain unchanged at $0.001 per share after the Reverse Split. As a result, on the effective date of the Reverse Split, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to the Common Stock will be reduced proportionally, based on the exchange ratio of the Reverse Split, from its present amount, and the additional paid-in capital account shall be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. The per share Common Stock net income or loss and net book value will be increased because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding. The shares of Common Stock held in treasury, if any, will also be reduced proportionately based on the exchange ratio of the Reverse Split. Retroactive restatement will be given to all share numbers in the financial statements, and accordingly all amounts including per share amounts will be shown on a post-split basis. We do not anticipate that any other accounting consequences would arise as a result of the Reverse Split.

No Appraisal Rights

Our stockholders are not entitled to dissenters’ or appraisal rights under the DGCL with respect to this Proposal and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such right if the Reverse Split is implemented.

Material Federal U.S. Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

The following table sets forth certainis a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of a Reverse Split to our stockholders. The summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and current administrative rulings and practices as in effect on the date of this proxy statement. Changes to the laws could alter the tax consequences described below, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the federal income tax consequences of a Reverse Split. This discussion is for general information only and does not discuss the tax consequences which may apply to special classes of taxpayers (e.g., non-resident aliens, broker/dealers or insurance companies). The state and local tax consequences of a Reverse Split may vary significantly as to our executive officers whoeach stockholder, depending upon the jurisdiction in which such stockholder resides. Stockholders are not also directors:urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the particular consequences to them.  

Michael Prinn has beenWe will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the proposed Reverse Split.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION IS INTENDED ONLY AS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN FEDERAL U.S. INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE SPLIT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX EFFECTS RELEVANT THERETO. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE SPLIT IN LIGHT OF YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

Bifurcation of Proposal One and Proposal Two

While the Amendment reflects the proposed amendments to our Executive Vice PresidentCharter described in both Proposal One and Chief Financial Officer since October 2012. Mr. Prinn joined Bridgeline Digital in August 2010 as our Vice PresidentProposal Two, the approval of Finance as was subsequently promotedone Proposal is not conditioned on the approval of the other Proposal. To the extent that only one of these two Proposals is approved by stockholders, we will only include the language relating to the positionProposal that was approved in the version of Chief Accounting Officerthe Amendment that we file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. In the event stockholders approve this Proposal and Executive Vice PresidentProposal One, the Increase in Authorized will be reduced by the same ratio as the Reverse Split, so that the total number of Finance. In addition to his duties as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Prinn acted as Co-Interim Chief Executive Officer and President alongside Mr. Roger Kahn from December 2015 until Mr. Kahn’s appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2016. Prior to joining Bridgeline Digital, from 2006 to 2010, Mr. Prinn was a Senior Manager and Controller at Sapient, a $1.4 billion publicly-held global integrated marketing and technology services company. From 2003 to 2006 Mr. Prinn was the Corporate Controller for SensAble Technologies, a developerauthorized shares of 3D touch-enabled digital solutions. Prior to joining SensAble Technologies, Mr. Prinn was an Audit Manager in Arthur Andersen’s High Tech Audit Practice. Mr. Prinn received his B.S. in Accounting from Boston College and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Common Stock will be 50,000,000.

Required Vote and Recommendation

UnderIn accordance with our AmendedCharter and Restated CertificateDelaware law, approval and adoption of Incorporation, the election of our directorsthis Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a pluralitymajority of our issued and outstanding voting securities. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the voting shares present or represented by proxy and entitled tosame effect as a vote at the Meeting. Unless otherwise instructed or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the election of Ms. Kahn and Mr. Kahn.“AGAINST” this Proposal.

The Board recommends that the stockholders voteOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” the election of Ms. Kahn and Mr. Kahn to serve as directors for a three-year term, until the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders.PROPOSAL TWO

Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsPROPOSAL THREE

Item 404(d)APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK UPON CONVERSION OF OUR SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF OUR SERIES A WARRANTS, SERIES B WARRANTS AND SERIES C WARRANTS, EACH ISSUED IN THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT CONSUMMATED ON MARCH 12, 2019, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635(D)

Our Common Stock is currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and, as such, we are subject to Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d) (“Rule 5635(d)”) requires us to obtain stockholder approval prior to the issuance of Regulation S-K requiresour Common Stock in connection with certain non-public offerings, issued below the “minimum price” of our Common Stock, as defined in Rule 5635(d), involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance by the Company of Common Stock (and/or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock) equal to disclose any transaction or proposed transaction which occurred since the beginning of the two most recently completed fiscal years in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent (1%) of the average of the Company’s total assets as of the end of the last two completed fiscal years in which the Company is a participant and in which any related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A related person is any executive officer, director, nominee for director, or holder of 5%20% or more of the Company's Common Stock outstanding immediately before the issuance. Although derivative securities, such as the Series C Preferred and Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement, may be issued prior to obtaining stockholder approval, such derivative securities may not be converted into or exercised for shares of Common Stock until such time, if ever, that stockholder consent is obtained. Shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of warrants, options, debt instruments, preferred stock or other equity securities issued or granted in such nonpublic offerings will be considered shares issued in such a transaction in determining whether the 20% limit has been reached, except in certain circumstances such as issuing warrants that are not exercisable for a minimum of six months and have an immediate family memberexercise price that exceeds market value.

Background

As discussed under Proposal One, on March 12, 2019, we consummated the Private Placement consisting of the issuance of Series C Preferred and Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants, and Series C Warrants, which securities were offered at a discount to the market price of our Common Stock on the Closing Date, or $0.18 per share. The discount was in recognition of (i) the challenges of raising capital given our history of operating losses, (ii) the limited public float of our traded Common Stock, (iii) the historical volatility of our Common Stock, (iv) the risk that the bid price of our Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market could be less than the closing price of our Common Stock on the Closing Date at such time as stockholder approval of Proposal One and this Proposal is approved by our stockholders, and (v) current market conditions.

Effects of Issuance

Assuming that the applicable Reset Price is not less than the Conversion Price on the applicable Reset Date, the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the Private Placement is 170,458,419 shares, or 1,050% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Private Placement. Assuming that the applicable Reset Price on any Reset Date is reset down to the Floor, or $0.08 per share, the total number of those persons.shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the Private Placement assuming all Series C Warrants are exercised is 383,531,250 or 2,361% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Private Placement. As a result, upon conversion of our Series C Preferred and exercise of the Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants, the total number of shares of Common Stock issued in connection with such conversion and exercise will exceed 20% of our Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately before the consummation of the Private Placement. However, in the event each of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants are exercised in full, the Company will generate proceeds from such exercise of approximately $30.7 million.

The Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares, when issued, shall have the same privileges and rights as all other shares of our Common Stock that are currently issued and outstanding.

The issuance of Common Stock upon the conversion and exercise of Series C Preferred and Warrants, respectively, issued in connection with the Private Placement will result in substantial dilution to stockholders that did not participate in the Private Placement, which in turn will have the result of reducing the interest of our existing stockholders with respect to earnings per share, voting power, liquidation value and book and market value per share. The conversion of the Series C Preferred and exercise of the Warrants may also impact trading patterns and adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. Additionally, we have agreed to register the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), to permit investors in the Private Placement to freely resell their Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares without restriction, pursuant to a Registration Statement that we intend to file with the SEC. If significant quantities of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares are sold (or if it is perceived that they may be sold) in the public market, the trading price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected.

As a result of the application of Rule 5635(d) to the Private Placement, stockholder approval of the issuance of the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares is required to convert the Series C Preferred and exercise the Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants. We are therefore seeking stockholder approval, so that we can issue the Conversion Shares and Warrants Shares upon conversion of the Series C Preferred and exercise of the Warrants.

Required Vote and Recommendation

In accordance with our Audit Committee charter,Charter, Delaware law and the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, approval and adoption of this Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. Broker non-votes cast, if any, will not be counted as votes in favor of this Proposal, and will also not be counted as shares voting on this Proposal.

When you consider our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewingBoard of Directors’ recommendation to vote in favor of Proposal Three, you should be aware that certain of our directors and approving the terms of any related party transactions. Therefore, any material financial transaction between the Company and any related person would need toour officers may have interests that may be approved by our Audit Committee priordifferent from, or in addition to, the Company entering into such transaction.

interests of other stockholders. In October 2013, Mr. Michael Taglich joined the Board of Directors. Michael Taglich is the Chairman and President of Taglich Brothers, Inc.particular, as discussed in Proposal Four, a New York based securities firm. Taglich Brothers, Inc. were the Placement Agents for many of the Company’s private offerings in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016. They were also the Placement Agent for the Company’s $3 million subordinated debt offering in 2013 and the Series A Preferred Stock sale in 2015. Michael Taglich beneficially owns approximately 22% of Bridgeline stock. Michael Taglich has also guaranteed $1.5 million in connection with the Company’s out of formula borrowings on its credit facility with Heritage Bank.

In consideration of previous loans by Michael Taglich and a personal guaranty delivered by Michael Taglich to BridgeBank, N.A. for the benefit of Bridgeline on December 19, 2014 (the “Guaranty”), on January 7, 2015 the Company issued Michael Taglich a warrant to purchase 12,000 shares of Common Stockcurrent director of the Company at a price equal to $20.00 per share. On January 7, 2015, Bridgeline also entered into a side letter with Michael Taglich pursuant to which Bridgeline agreedis participating in the eventPrivate Placement, contingent upon the Guaranty remains outstanding for a periodapproval of more than 12 months, on each anniversary of the date of issuance of the Guaranty while the Guaranty remains outstanding Bridgeline will issue Michael Taglich a warrant to purchase 6,000 shares of common stock, which warrant shall contain the same terms as the warrant issued to Michael Taglich on January 7, 2015. Since the Guaranty did remain outstanding for a period of more than 12 months, a warrant to purchase 6,000 shares of common stock was issued to Michael Taglich in February 2016 at a price of $20.00 and a warrant to purchase 6,000 shares of common stock was issued in January 2017 at a price of $20.00.Proposal Four.

Mr. Taglich was also issued warrants in fiscal 2015 in connection with shareholder term notes issued to him. The notes were subsequently converted to shares of common stock in May 2016. He was issued three warrants totaling 36,000 shares at an exercise price of $20.00 and one warrant for 32,000 shares at an exercise price of $8.75 in connection with these notes. The warrants have a term of five years and are exercisable six months after the date of issuance.OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A fair market value of $270 was assigned to the warrants and recorded as a debt discount in current liabilities with the offsetting amount recorded to additional paid in capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair market value of the warrants was amortized on a straight-line basis over their expected life. However, when the Company converted these term notes in May 2016, the remaining unamortized value was recorded as amortization expense. Total amortization expense of $158 was recorded in fiscal 2016 related to the warrants.

Robert Taglich was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors in May 2016. Robert Taglich is the brother of Michael Taglich and is the Co-founder and Senior Director of Taglich Brothers, Inc. Robert Taglich beneficially owns approximately 8% of Bridgeline stock. Mr. Taglich was a consultant to the Company prior to his appointment to the Board of Directors. As compensation for his consulting services, Robert Taglich was granted 3,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price of $6.05. As a director, Mr. Taglich was granted 2,200 options to purchase common stock, and 6,954 shares of restricted common stock. Mr. Taglich did not seek re-election to the Board of Directors and his tenure expired on June 29, 2017.VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL THREE

In connection with the equity conversion of the $3 million in term notes from shareholders that was completed in May 2016, the Taglich Brothers, Inc were granted Placement Agent warrants to purchase 86,778 shares of common stock at a price of $3.65 per share. Included in the distribution were 35,120 warrants to Michael Taglich and 28,552 warrants to Robert Taglich. The warrants expire in five years.PROPOSAL FOUR

APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF SERIES C PREFERRED AND WARRANTS TO A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NASDAQ MARKETPLACE RULE 5635(C)

In connection with the private offering in July 2016, the Taglich Brothers, Inc were granted Placement Agent warrants to purchase 44,000 shares of common stock at a price of $4.60 per share. Included in the distribution were 8,864 warrants to Michael Taglich and 7,236 warrants to Robert Taglich. The warrants expire in five years.

In connection with the November 2016 Private Placement, the Company issuedentered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Michael Taglich, a director of the Company (“Affiliated Investor”), for the sale of 350 shares of Series C Preferred, and Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants, exercisable for a total of 5,833,335 shares of Common Stock, subject to reset as described in Proposal One, at the Purchaserssame price as we agreed to sell to other purchasers in the Private Placement, for a total investment of $350,000 (“Affiliated Proceeds”). The Affiliated Investor is also a principal of Taglich Brothers, Inc. (“Taglich Brothers”), a co-placement agent in the Private Placement that received $389,700 in sales commissions upon consummation of the Private Placement and placement agent warrants to purchase an aggregate total1,450,348 shares of 213,538Common Stock (“Placement Agent Warrants”), which Placement Agent Warrants contain terms and conditions identical to the Series A Warrants issued to investors in the Private Placement. Of those Placement Agent Warrants issued to Taglich Brothers, Taglich Brothers has informed the Company that it intends to allocate Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 508,000 shares of Common Stock to the Affiliated Investor, subject to stockholder approval of this Proposal. The Company and the Affiliated Investor have agreed to place the Affiliated Proceeds and the Securities Purchase Agreement executed by the Affiliated Investor in escrow, and not to release the same until such time as stockholder approval of this Proposal is obtained, as required under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(c) (“Rule 5635(c)”). In addition, Taglich Brothers and the Affiliated Investor have agreed that Taglich Brothers shall not allocate any Placement Agent Warrants to the Affiliated Investor unless or until such time as stockholder approval of this Proposal is obtained, as required under Rule 5635(c).

Rule 5635(c) deems the issuance of common stock. Each Purchaser Warrant Share expires five and one-half years from the date of issuance and isstock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for $3.50 per share beginning six-monthscommon stock, to a Nasdaq-listed company’s officers, directors, employees or consultants in a private placement at a price less than the market value of such stock, calculated as the closing bid price for such shares on the trading day immediately prior to entry into the agreement, as equity compensation requiring stockholder approval. As described in Proposals One and Two, the Purchase Agreement and Placement Agent Warrants provide for the sale and/or issuance of securities to the Affiliated Investor at a price that is less than the closing bid price of our Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the trading day immediately prior to the Closing Date. As a result, stockholder approval of the issuance of the Series C Preferred, Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants to the Affiliated Investor, and receipt by the Company of the Affiliated Proceeds, is required pursuant to Rule 5635(c).

If stockholder approval is not obtained, the Purchase Agreement will terminate and the Affiliated Investor’s investment will be released from escrow and returned back to the dateAffiliated Investor, and the Affiliated Investor would not be permitted to purchase securities in the Private Placement. We would therefore not receive the approximate $350,000 in proceeds from such sale. In addition, if stockholder approval of issuance,this Proposal is not obtained, Taglich Brothers will not allocate any of the Placement Agent Warrants to the Affiliated Investor.

When you consider our Board of Directors’ recommendation to vote in favor of Proposal Four, you should be aware that certain of our directors and our officers may have interests that may be different from, or May 9, 2017. The warrants expire May 9, 2022. Purchaser Warrant Shares werein addition to, the interests of other stockholders. In particular, if stockholder approval is obtained, the Affiliated Investor will purchase securities at a price that was below the closing bid price of our Common Stock on the day prior to the execution of the Purchase Agreement.

Required Vote and Recommendation

In accordance with our Charter, Delaware law and the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, approval and adoption of this Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this Proposal. Broker non-votes cast, if any, will not be counted as votes in favor of this Proposal, and will also issued to Roger Kahn 8,600not be counted as shares and Michael and Robert Taglich 15,385 shares each.voting on this Proposal.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL FOUR

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.Act. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person or a group and the percentage ownership of that person or group, shares of our Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after February 2, 2018March 15, 2019 are deemed outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each individual named below is our address, 80 Blanchard Road, 2nd Floor,100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.

The following tables set forth, as of February 2, 2018,March 15, 2019, the beneficial ownership of our Series A Preferred, StockSeries C Preferred and Common Stock by (i) each person or group of persons known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of each class of the outstanding securities, (ii) each of our directors and named executive officers, and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. At the close of business on February 2, 2018March 15, 2019 there were 258,494262,310 shares of Series A Preferred, Stock10,227.50 shares of Series C Preferred, and 4,200,21916,241,259 shares of our Common Stock. On February 2, 2018 the closing price of our Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $2.23 per share.issued and outstanding.

Except as indicated in the footnotes to the tables below, each shareholderstockholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned by such shareholder.stockholder.  Until such time as stockholders approve Proposal Three, holders of Series C Preferred have no voting rights.

This information is based upon information received from or on behalf of the individuals named herein.

Series A Preferred Stock

*less than 1%

Series C Preferred Stock

*less than 1%

Common Stock

*less than 1%

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 for our principal executive officer and our other two most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers on September 30, 2017. We refer to these officers as our named executive officers.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into an employment agreement with Roger Kahn, our President and Chief Executive Officer, to provide executive management services. The employment agreement had an initial term of thirteen months beginning August 24, 2015 and terminating on September 30, 2016. The employment agreement was amended on May 1, 2016 (“First Amendment”) to extend through September 30, 2017 and then extended again through September 30, 2018. The First Amendment included a reimbursement for living expenses directly related to accommodations and utilities for an apartment near the Company’s corporate headquarters in an amount not to exceed $2,900 per month. The employment agreement renews for successive periods of one year if the Company provides written notice of renewal not less than 60 days prior to the end of the initial term or any applicable succeeding term. The employment agreement may be terminated by (i) us, in the event of Mr. Kahn's death, resignation, retirement or disability, or for or without cause, or (ii) Mr. Kahn for good reason. In the event that we terminate Mr. Kahn without cause or Mr. Kahn resigns for good reason, he is entitled to receive severance payments equal to twelve months of salary and one full quarterly bonus. In addition, any stock option awards that are not exercisable will be immediately vested and exercisable.

Michael Prinn

         We have entered into an employment agreement with Michael Prinn, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to provide executive management services. Mr. Prinn’s current employment agreement is effective for the period of twelve months commencing October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. The employment agreement may be terminated by (i) us, in the event of Mr. Prinn's death, resignation, retirement or disability, or for or without cause, or (ii) Mr. Prinn for good reason. In the event that we terminate Mr. Prinn without cause or Mr. Prinn resigns for good reason, he is entitled to receive severance payments equal to twelve months of salary and bonus. In addition, any stock option awards that are not exercisable will be immediately vested and exercisable.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2017 Year-End

The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding stock options for each named executive officer as of September 30, 2017.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Directors who are not named executive officers as of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

a). In consideration for a loan to the Company of $250,000, Michael Taglich received 3,000 options to purchase the Company’s Common Stock on November 20, 2015 at a price of $6.05. The fair value of the options at the time of grant was $4.15 per share. The shares vest in equal installments upon the anniversary date of the grant over three years. 

The non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors are compensated as follows:

OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND THE BOARD OFDIRECTORS

Meetings of the Board of Directors

During the Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Board of Directors held five (5) meetings and acted eight (8) times by unanimous written consent. During fiscal 2017, each director attended each meeting. The Chairman was present at all meetings. The Company encourages Board members to attend the Annual Meeting.

Structure of the Board of Directors

Ms. Joni Kahn, an independent director, was appointed as Chairperson of the Board in May 2015. The Board of Directors determined that it would be beneficial to the Company to separate the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board in order to allow the Chief Executive Officer to focus on the Company’s operations and execution of its business plan while the Chairperson of the Board would focus on the Company’s strategic plan. The Board of Directors believes that Ms. Kahn’s service as Chairperson of the Board will further help extend the Company’s footprint into both the enterprise and multi-unit technology sectors.

The Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors oversees our risk management process. This oversight is primarily accomplished through the Board of Directors’ committees and management’s reporting processes, including receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the company, including operational, financial and strategic risks. The Audit Committee focuses on risks related to accounting, internal controls, and financial and tax reporting and related party transactions. The Audit Committee also assesses economic and business risks and monitors compliance with ethical standards. The Compensation Committee identifies and oversees risks associated with our executive compensation policies and practices.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board in the oversight of the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the quality and integrity of our accounting, auditing and financial reporting processes. The Audit Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board concerning the selection and engagement of independent registered public accountants and for reviewing the scope of the annual audit, audit fees, results of the audit and auditor independence. The Audit Committee also reviews and discusses with management and the Board such matters as accounting policies, internal accounting controls and procedures for preparation of financial statements. Our Audit Committee is comprised of Mr. Galaznik (Chair), Ms. Kahn and Mr. Landers. Our Board has determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee meet the criteria for independence under the standards provided by the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. A copy of such charter is available on the Company's website, www.bridgeline.com. During Fiscal 2017, the Audit Committee met four times. Each member of the Audit Committee attended each such meeting. The Chairman of the Audit Committee was present at all meetings.

Audit Committee Financial Expert. Our Board has also determined that each of Mr. Galaznik and Mr. Landers qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as defined under Item 407(d) (5) of Regulation S-K and as an independent director as defined by the Nasdaq listing standards.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of our senior executives, considers the design and competitiveness of our compensation plans, including the review of independent research and data regarding compensation paid to executives of public companies of similar size and geographic location, reviews and approves senior executive compensation and administers our equity compensation plans. In addition, the Committee also conducts reviews of executive compensation to ensure compliance with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Ms. Kahn (Chair), Mr. Galaznik and Mr. Landers, all of whom are independent directors. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee. A copy of such charter is available on the Company's website, www.bridgeline.com. During Fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee met five times and acted two times by unanimous written consent.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies candidates for future Board membership and proposes criteria for Board candidates and candidates to fill Board vacancies, as well as a slate of directors for election by the shareholders at each annual meeting. The Nominating and Governance Committee also annually assesses and reports to the Board on Board and Board Committee performance and effectiveness and reviews and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the composition, size and structure of the Board and its committees. A copy of such charter is available on the Company's website, www.bridgeline.com. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of Mr. Landers (Chair) and Ms. Kahn, each of whom are independent directors. During Fiscal 2017, the Nominating and Governance Committee met five times.

Communications with the Board of Directors

The Company encourages stockholder communications with the Board of Directors. Interested persons may directly contact any individual member of the Board of Directors by contacting Shareholder Relations, Bridgeline Digital, Inc., 80 Blanchard Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee consists of three independent directors, all of whom are "independent directors" within the meaning of the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. The Audit Committee's responsibilities are as described in a written charter adopted by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Company's website at www.bridgeline.com.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial statements for fiscal 2017 with management and with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Marcum LLP. The Audit Committee has discussed with Marcum LLP the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board relating to the conduct of the audit. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Marcum LLP required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with Marcum LLP its independence.

Based on the Audit Committee's review of the audited financial statements and the review and discussions described in the foregoing paragraph, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for fiscal 2017 be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Submitted by the members of the Audit Committee:

Kenneth Galaznik, Chairman

Scott Landers

Joni Kahn

OTHER MATTERS

Audit Fees

The firm of Marcum LLP acts as our principal independent registered public accounting firm. They have served as our independent auditors since April 26, 2010. A representative of Marcum LLP is expected to attend this year's Annual Meeting, and he will have an opportunity to make a statement if he desires to do so. It is also expected that such representative will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The table below shows the aggregate fees that the Company paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by Marcum LLP for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016. The Company did not engage its independent registered public accounting firm during either of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016 for any other non-audit services.

Audit Fees. This category includes fees for the audits of the Company's annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in the Company's Form 10-Q Quarterly Reports and services that are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the relevant fiscal years.

Audit-Related Fees. This category consists of audits performed in connection with certain acquisitions.

Tax Fees. This category consists of professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. The services for the fees disclosed under this category include tax return preparation, research and technical tax advice.

There were no other fees paid or accrued to Marcum LLP in the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.

Before an independent public accounting firm is engaged by the Company to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement is approved by the Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee has the sole authority to approve the scope of the audit and any audit-related services as well as all audit fees and terms. Our Audit Committee must pre-approve any audit and non-audit related services by our independent registered public accounting firm. During our fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, no services were provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm other than in accordance with the pre-approval procedures described herein.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics within the meaning of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act that applies to all of the Company's officers and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics codifies the business and ethical principles that govern the Company's business. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Company's website www.bridgeline.com. The Company intends to post amendments to or waivers from its Code of Ethics (to the extent applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer) on its website. The Company's website is not part of this proxy statement.

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF THE FILING AND EFFECTIVENESS

OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION FILED WITH THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS ON JULY 21, 2017 AND THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT EFFECTED THEREBY

Our Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to ratify, pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL and common law, the filing and effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations on July 21, 2017 (the “July 2017 Certificate of Amendment”) and the one-for-five reverse stock split that was effected thereby and that became effective on July 24, 2017 (the “2017 Reverse Stock Split”).  This ratification shall be retroactive to the effectiveness of the filing of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split, as applicable.

Background

At our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2017 Annual Meeting”) held on June 29, 2017, we sought stockholder approval of an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Charter”), to effectuate the 2017 Reverse Stock Split. Our request for approval of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split included a determination by our Board of Directors that it was in the Company’s best interest and in the best interests of our stockholders to increase the per share price of our stock to satisfy the per share minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market.  

At our 2017 Annual Meeting, our independent proxy tabulator reported votes cast by nominees/brokers without instruction from the beneficial owners of certain of our outstanding shares, also known as broker non-votes, in favor of the proposal in accordance with the rules of the NYSE that govern how brokers may cast such votes on proposals they determine to be routine matters. Consequently, our inspector of elections determined that the proposal to approve an amendment to our Charter to affect the 2017 Reverse Stock Split received the requisite stockholder approval and certified that the proposal passed. Certain statements made in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 16, 2017 (the “2017 Proxy Statement”) were inconsistent with this approach.  The 2017 Proxy Statement stated that such nominees/brokers would not have discretion to vote for the proposal to approve the amendment to our Charter to effectuate the 2017 Reverse Stock Split without instruction as we assessed the proposal to be a non-routine matter, and that broker non-votes would be counted “against” the proposal.

Based on the independent proxy tabulator’s report of votes cast, our inspector of elections for the 2017 Annual Meeting certified that the proposal passed, and we subsequently filed the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Division of Corporations on July 21, 2017.  A question has been raised regarding the validity of the vote due to the disclosures in the 2017 Proxy Statement regarding the authority of brokers/nominees to vote on the proposal without instruction from the beneficial owner of the securities held by such brokers/nominees. The Company had assessed the proposal to effectuate the 2017 Reverse Stock Split as a non-routine matter, which conflicts with the determination by the NYSE.

Our Board of Directors, in consultation with counsel, has determined that the description of the authority of brokers/nominees to vote on proposals without instruction in the 2017 Proxy Statement may create some uncertainty as to the effect of the vote obtained at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  As a result, our Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders to ratify the filing and effectiveness of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL and common law in order to eliminate any uncertainty related to the effectiveness of these corporate actions. If the ratification of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split (the “Amendment Ratification”) is approved by the stockholders and becomes effective, the ratification will be retroactive to (i) in the case of the filing of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment, July 21, 2017, which was the date of the filing of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Division of Corporation, and (ii) in the case of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split, July 24, 2017, which was the date on which the 2017 Reverse Stock Split became effective.  

Board Approval of the Ratification of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split

Section 204 of the DGCL allows a Delaware corporation, by following specified procedures, to ratify a corporate act retroactive to the date the corporate act was originally taken.  The Company does not believe that it is clear that the filing and effectiveness of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and 2017 Reverse Stock Split are invalid and ineffective.  However, on January 12, 2018, our Board of Directors determined that it would be advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to ratify the filing and effectiveness of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL and Delaware common law in order to eliminate any uncertainty related to their validity or effectiveness, and unanimously adopted the resolutions attached hereto as Appendix B (such resolutions are incorporated herein by reference) approving the Amendment Ratification. Our Board of Directors also recommended that our stockholders approve the Amendment Ratification for purposes of Section 204 and at common law, and directed that the Amendment Ratification be submitted to our stockholders for approval at the Annual Meeting.

The text of sections 204 and 205 of the DGCL are attached hereto as Appendix C.

Filing of a Certificate of Validation

Upon the receipt of the required vote of the stockholders to approve the Amendment Ratification, we may file a certificate of validation with respect to the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split with the Delaware Division of Corporation (the “Certificate of Validation”). The effectiveness of the filing of the Certificate of Validation will be the validation effective time of the Amendment Ratification within the meaning of Section 204 of the DGCL.

Retroactive Ratification of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the Reverse Stock Split

When the Certificate of Validation becomes effective in accordance with the DGCL, it should eliminate any possible uncertainty as to whether the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split are void or voidable as a result of the potential failure of authorization described above, and the effect of the ratification will be retroactive to (i) in the case of the filing of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment, July 21, 2017, which was the date of the original filing of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and (ii) in the case of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split, July 24, 2017, which is the date on which the 2017 Reverse Stock Split became effective. The Board does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a series of plans or proposals of a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Time Limitations on Legal Challenges to the Ratification of the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment and the Reverse Stock Split

If the Amendment Ratification becomes effective, under the DGCL, any claim that (i) the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment or the 2017 Reverse Stock Split are void or voidable due to a failure of authorization, or  (ii) the Delaware Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that the Amendment Ratification not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions, must be brought within 120 days from the time that the filing of the Certificate of Validation becomes effective in accordance with the DGCL.

The Consequences if the Amendment Ratification is Not Approved by the Stockholders

If the Amendment Ratification is not approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders, we will not be able to file the Certificate of Validation and the Amendment Ratification will not become effective in accordance with Section 204 of the DGCL. The failure to approve the Amendment Ratification may leave us exposed to potential claims that (i) the vote on the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment did not receive requisite stockholder approval, (ii) the July 2017 Certificate of Amendment therefore was not validly adopted, and the 2017 Reverse Stock Split was not validly effected, and (iii) the Company could be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market because, but for the 2017 Reverse Stock Split, shares of our common stock may have continued to trade below the requisite $1.00 per share price needed to maintain our listing. If Nasdaq chooses to delist our common stock, our shares may then trade on the OTC Bulletin Board or other small trading markets, such as the pink sheets, causing our common stock to be considered a penny stock and potentially causing a decrease to nominal levels of trading that are avoided by retail and institutional investors, resulting in the impaired liquidity of our shares.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Approval of the Amendment Ratification requires “For” votes from the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities as of the record date for the 2018 Annual Meeting. The NYSE has informed us that a vote on this proposal will be a “routine” matter. Therefore, we do not expect any broker non-votes on this matter. However, abstentions and any broker non-voters that may be cast will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.  

In addition, with respect to the approval of the Amendment Ratification, we are requiring “For” votes from the holders of a majority of shares of our voting securities outstanding as of the record date for the 2017 Annual Meeting that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split.  Because we cannot specifically separate shares that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split from shares that were not, we are requiring 2,192,058 “For” votes on this proposal, which represents the sum of (i) one share more than fifty percent of our outstanding voting securities as of the record date for the 2017 Annual Meeting plus (ii) the number of voting securities that have been issued since the effectiveness of the 2017 Reverse Stock Split.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” Proposal 2.

PROPOSAL 3FIVE

THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

This proposalProposal is presented to stockholders at the Meeting to approve an adjournment to another time or place, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Meeting to approve Proposal 2.Proposals One, Two, Three and Four.  

If, at the Meeting, the number of shares present or represented and voting in favor of the approval of Proposal 2 isProposals One, Two, Three and Four are not sufficient to approve that proposal,such Proposals, we currently intend to move to adjourn the Meeting in order to enable our Board of Directors to solicit additional proxies for the approval of Proposal 2. In that event, we will ask our stockholders to vote only upon Proposals 1, 3, 4,One, Two, Three and 5, and not upon Proposal 2.Four. In the event this Proposal 3Five is approved, the Meeting may be adjourned from time to time to a date that is not more than 120 days after the original record date for the Meeting.

In this proposal,Proposal, we are asking our stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by our Board of Directors to vote in favor of granting discretionary authority to the proxy holders, and each of them individually, to adjourn the Meeting to another time and place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies. If the stockholders approve the adjournment proposal,this Proposal, we could adjourn the Meeting and any adjourned session of the Meeting and use the additional time to solicit additional proxies, including the solicitation of proxies from stockholders who have previously voted.

Required Vote Required and Recommendation

If the proposalthis Proposal to adjourn the Meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies is submitted to theour stockholders for approval, such proposalProposal will be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” Proposal 3,Five, as to the adjournment of the Meeting if necessary or appropriate to solicit additional proxies in favor of the approval of Proposal 2.Proposals One, Two, Three and Four.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” Proposal 3.OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL FIVE

PROPOSAL 4

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has reappointed Marcum LLP to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. Marcum LLP has served as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm since April 2010. A representative from Marcum LLP is expected to be present at the meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Although stockholder ratification of the appointment is not required by law, the Company desires to solicit such ratification. If the appointment of Marcum LLP is not approved by a majority of the shares represented at the Meeting, the Company will consider the appointment of other independent registered public accounting firms.

Required Vote and Recommendation

Ratification of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy or unless authority to vote is withheld, shares represented by executed proxies will be voted “FOR” the ratification of Marcum LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of Marcum LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

PROPOSAL 5

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (“SAY-ON-PAY”)

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, we provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.Other Matters

Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success, and to reward our named executive officers for the achievement of short-term and long-term strategic and operational goals and the achievement of increased total shareholder return. We seek to closely align the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our shareholders, and our Compensation Committee regularly reviews named executive officer compensation to ensure such compensation is consistent with our goals.

Required Vote

This vote is advisory, which means that the vote on executive compensation is not binding on the company, our Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation, but rather relates to the overall compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this proxy statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the extent there is a significant vote against our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address our shareholders’ concerns.

Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Summary Compensation Table, and the other related tables and disclosure.”

Vote Required and Recommendation

On this advisory, non-binding matter, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to approve this Proposal 5.

The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the advisory resolution above, approving of the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers.

Other Matters

The Board of Directors has no knowledge of any other matters which may come before the Meeting and does not intend to present any other matters. However, if any other matters shall properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons named as proxies will have discretionary authority to vote the shares of Common Stock represented by the accompanying proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceAdditional Information

Section 16(a)We will provide to any stockholder entitled to vote at the Meeting, at no charge, a copy of Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requiresour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company's executive officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. With respect to 2017 and based solely on its review of the copies of such forms and amendments thereto received by it, the Company believes that all of the executive officers, directors, and owners of ten percent of the outstanding Common Stock complied with all applicable filing requirements with the exception of late filings for Robert Taglich for a Preferred Series A Stock dividend received on October 1, 2016 and a Series A Preferred Stock dividend received on January 1, 2017, for which a Form 4 wasyear ended September 30, 2018, filed with the SEC on April 3, 2017. Robert Taglich was a Director until June 29, 2017.December 28, 2018 (the "Annual Report"), including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules contained in the Form 10-K.  We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

Stockholder Proposals and Recommendations for Director Incorporation of Information by Reference

Any stockholder ofThe SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information we file with the Company who wishesSEC, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you to present a proposalthose documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be considered ata part of this proxy statement. We incorporate herein the next annual meetingfollowing information contained in or attached to our Annual Report: (i) Item 7 entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, (ii) Item 8 entitled “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and (iii) Item 9 entitled “Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.”

Distribution and Householding of Solicitation Materials

We will pay the cost of preparing, printing and distributing this proxy statement.

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies.

A number of brokers with account holders who are stockholders of the Company will be “householding” the Company’s proxy materials. A single set of the Company’s proxy materials will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate set of the Company’s proxy materials, please notify your broker or direct a written request to our Assistant Secretary at 100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, or by calling 781-376-5555. The Company undertakes to deliver promptly, upon any such oral or written request, a separate copy of its consent proxy materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. Stockholders who wishescurrently receive multiple copies of the Company’s proxy materials at their address and would like to have such proposal presented in the Company's Proxy Statement for such meeting must deliver such proposal in writing torequest “householding” of their communications should contact their broker, bank or other nominee, or contact the Company at 80 Blanchard Road, 2nd Floor, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 onthe above address or before January 27, 2018. Such proposals may be made only by persons who are shareholders, beneficially or of record, on the date the proposals are submitted and who continue in such capacity through the date of the next annual meeting, of at least 1% or $2,000 in market value of securities entitled to be voted at the meeting, and have held such securities for at least one year.phone number.

For any stockholder proposal that is not submitted for inclusion inStockholder Communications with the Company’s Proxy Statement, but instead seeks to present such proposal directly at the Annual Meeting, management will be able to vote proxies in its discretion if the Company does not receive noticeBoard of the proposal prior to the close of business on January 27, 2018.Directors

Stockholders may recommend individualsOur Board of Directors provides stockholders with the ability to send communications to the Board of Directors, for consideration as potential director candidates by following the requirements under Article I, Section 10 of the Bylaws.and stockholders may do so at their convenience. In order to be eligible to nominate a person for election to ourparticular, stockholders may send their communications to: Board of Directors, a stockholder must (i) comply with the notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws and (ii) be a stockholder of record on the date of giving such notice of a nomination as well as on the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting at which directors will be elected.

To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be in writing and received by our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices as follows: (A) in the case of an election of directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 20 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's notice must be so received no earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (y) the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of such annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; or (B) in the case of an election of directors at a special meeting of stockholders, provided that the board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) the 90th day prior to such special meeting and (2) the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of such special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of such special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

In addition, a stockholder's notice must contain the information specified in Article I, Section 10 of the Bylaws and must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to serve as a director if elected. The stockholder making a nomination must personally appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders to present the nomination, otherwise the nomination will be disregarded.

Stockholders interested in making a nomination should refer to the complete requirements set forth in our Bylaws filed as an exhibit to our Periodic Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2015. Provided that the date of next year's annual meeting of stockholders is not advanced by more than 20 days or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the 2018 Annual Meeting, any stockholder who wishes to make a nomination to be considered for the next annual meeting must deliver the notice specified by our Bylaws between November 23, 2018 and December 23, 2018. The By-Laws contain a number of substantive and procedural requirements, which should be reviewed by any interested stockholder. Any notice should be mailed to:c/o Assistant Secretary, Bridgeline Digital, Inc., 80 Blanchard Road, 2nd Floor,100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803.

All communications received by the Assistant Secretary are relayed to the Board of Directors of the Company.

By Order of the Board of Directors Michael D. PrinnStacey A. Ward Assistant Secretary February 13, 2018March 15, 2019

Appendix A

Appendix B

Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors

In Lieu of a Special Meeting

January 12, 2018

The undersigned, being all the Directors of Bridgeline Digital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby consent, pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law, Section 141(f), to the adoption of the following resolutions, effective as of the date set forth above:

Ratification of the Reverse Split And Amendment

WHEREAS , on July 21, 2017, Bridgeline Digital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company setting forth an amendment (the “Amendment”) that effected a 1-for-5 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split”) of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”);

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company believes that such Amendment, and the Reverse Split effected thereby, were validly authorized by the Board and by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held on June 29, 2017 (the “2017 Annual Meeting”), pursuant to the Company’s shareholders’ approval of the proposal submitted to the Company’s shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting asking the Company’s shareholders to authorize the Board to effect, in its discretion, on or prior to July 31, 2017, a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock at ratio of not less than 1-for-5, with the exact ratio to be determined by the Board, and to approve a corresponding amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the reverse stock split and to reduce proportionately the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company was authorized to issue, subject to the Board’s authority to determine not to effect any reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”);

WHEREAS , the Board has been advised that a question has been raised regarding whether such Reverse Stock Split Proposal and such Amendment, and the Reverse Split effected thereby, were properly approved; and

WHEREAS , in order to eliminate any uncertainty regarding the validity of such Amendment and the Reverse Split, the Board has determined that it is advisable to adopt the following resolutions to ratify such actions.

NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the potentially defective corporate acts to be ratified by this resolution are (i) the filing and effectiveness of, and the amendment effected by, the Amendment filed with the Delaware Division of Corporations (the “State Office”) on July 21, 2017 and (ii) the Reverse Split, which resulted in the combination of all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Split into 4,193,576 shares of Common Stock of the Company upon the effectiveness of the Reverse Split (which, together with the filing and effectiveness of, and the amendment affected by, the Amendment, are referred to herein as the “Potentially Defective Corporate Acts”);

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the nature of the potential failures of authorization in respect of the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts identified in the paragraph immediately above are as follows: (i) the Reverse Stock Split Proposal was submitted to the Company’s shareholders for their approval at the 2017 Annual Meeting, and, at the 2017 Annual Meeting, the Company’s inspector of elections, relying on the report of the Company’s independent proxy tabulator, determined that the proposal to approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal received the requisite shareholder approval, and based in part on that determination, the Company filed the Amendment with the State Office on July 21, 2017, thereby effecting the Reverse Split on July 24, 2017; (ii) as part of the determination that the Reverse Stock Split Proposal received the requisite shareholder approval, votes cast by brokers/nominees without instruction from the beneficial owners of certain shares of Common Stock (the “Broker Votes”) were counted as votes in favor of the approval of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal; however, the counting of the Broker Votes in favor of such approval was inconsistent with certain statements made in the Company’s proxy materials for its 2017 Annual Meeting, which stated that a broker/nominee would not have discretion to vote on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal without instruction from the applicable beneficial owner and that the failure of a beneficial owner to provide his, her or its broker/nominee with instruction regarding how to vote on the Reverse Stock Split Proposal would have the same effect as casting a vote “against” the Reverse Stock Split Proposal; and (iii) if the Broker Votes were counted as votes “against” the proposal to approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, the Reverse Stock Split Proposal would not have been approved by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, as required by Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”); and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby approves, adopts and authorizes, in all respects, the ratification of the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL and approves, adopts, authorizes and ratifies the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts.

Submission to Shareholders for Ratification

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Board hereby directs that the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts shall be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for the shareholders to ratify such acts under Section 204 of the DGCL and under common law, and the Board hereby recommends that the shareholders ratify the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the proper officers of the Company be, and each hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed, for and on behalf of the Company, to submit the proposal to ratify the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (as the same may be adjourned and/or postponed, the “2018 Annual Meeting”), which meeting shall be held on March 23, 2018, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at the Company’s corporate headquarters located at 80 Blanchard Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 (unless the Board fixes another date, time and place), and further directed to provide notice of the 2018 Annual Meeting in accordance with Section 204(d) of the DGCL to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon and to all other holders entitled to notice thereunder; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2018 Annual Meeting shall be the close of business on February 2, 2018, as previously set by the Board (unless the Board subsequently fixes a different record date for such purposes); and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Board hereby recommends that the shareholders entitled to vote thereon approve the ratification of the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts.

Abandonment

RESOLVED FURTHER, that at any time before the “validation effective time,” as such term in used in Section 204 of the DGCL, in respect of the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts identified in the foregoing resolutions, notwithstanding approval of the ratification of such Potentially Defective Corporate Acts by the shareholders of the Company, the Board may abandon the ratification of such Potentially Defective Corporate Acts without further action of the shareholders of the Company.

Authorization to Prepare and File Certificate of Validation

RESOLVED FURTHER, that, following the ratification by the shareholders of the Company of the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts identified in the foregoing resolutions, each officer of the Company (acting alone) is hereby authorized to execute a certificate of validation in respect of such Potentially Defective Corporate Acts and to cause such certificate of validation to be filed with the State Office, with such certificate of validation to be in such form and filed at such time as any such officer may deem advisable (the advisability of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the execution and filing of such certificate of validation).

Common Law Ratification

RESOLVED FURTHER, that in addition to the ratification permitted by Section 204 of the DGCL, the Board hereby approves, adopts, confirms and ratifies the Potentially Defective Corporate Acts identified in the foregoing resolutions for all purposes of, and to the fullest extent permitted by, the common law of Delaware or any other applicable law.

General Authority

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the proper officers of the Company are, and each of them hereby is, authorized, empowered and directed on behalf of the Company to take any and all such further action and to execute any and all such further documents, instruments and certificates, and to do or cause to be done all such other acts and things, and take all such steps and other action or actions necessary, appropriate or advisable in order to effectuate the full intent and purpose of any and all of the preceding resolutions all of which are hereby authorized, adopted, approved, ratified and confirmed.

Appendix C

Sections 204 and 205 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

§ 204 Ratification of defective corporate acts and stock

(a) Subject to subsection (f) of this section, no defective corporate act or putative stock shall be void or voidable solely as a result of a failure of authorization if ratified as provided in this section or validated by the Court of Chancery in a proceeding brought under § 205 of this title.

(b)(1) In order to ratify 1 or more defective corporate acts pursuant to this section (other than the ratification of an election of the initial board of directors pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section), the board of directors of the corporation shall adopt resolutions stating:

(A) The defective corporate act or acts to be ratified;

(B) The date of each defective corporate act or acts;

(C) If such defective corporate act or acts involved the issuance of shares of putative stock, the number and type of shares of putative stock issued and the date or dates upon which such putative shares were purported to have been issued;

(D) The nature of the failure of authorization in respect of each defective corporate act to be ratified; and

(E) That the board of directors approves the ratification of the defective corporate act or acts.

Such resolutions may also provide that, at any time before the validation effective time in respect of any defective corporate act set forth therein, notwithstanding the approval of the ratification of such defective corporate act by stockholders, the board of directors may abandon the ratification of such defective corporate act without further action of the stockholders. The quorum and voting requirements applicable to the ratification by the board of directors of any defective corporate act shall be the quorum and voting requirements applicable to the type of defective corporate act proposed to be ratified at the time the board adopts the resolutions ratifying the defective corporate act; provided that if the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, any plan or agreement to which the corporation was a party or any provision of this title, in each case as in effect as of the time of the defective corporate act, would have required a larger number or portion of directors or of specified directors for a quorum to be present or to approve the defective corporate act, such larger number or portion of such directors or such specified directors shall be required for a quorum to be present or to adopt the resolutions to ratify the defective corporate act, as applicable, except that the presence or approval of any director elected, appointed or nominated by holders of any class or series of which no shares are then outstanding, or by any person that is no longer a stockholder, shall not be required.

(2) In order to ratify a defective corporate act in respect of the election of the initial board of directors of the corporation pursuant to § 108 of this title, a majority of the persons who, at the time the resolutions required by this paragraph (b)(2) of this section are adopted, are exercising the powers of directors under claim and color of an election or appointment as such may adopt resolutions stating:

(A) The name of the person or persons who first took action in the name of the corporation as the initial board of directors of the corporation;

(B) The earlier of the date on which such persons first took such action or were purported to have been elected as the initial board of directors; and

(C) That the ratification of the election of such person or persons as the initial board of directors is approved.

(c) Each defective corporate act ratified pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be submitted to stockholders for approval as provided in subsection (d) of this section, unless:

(1) No other provision of this title, and no provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, or of any plan or agreement to which the corporation is a party, would have required stockholder approval of such defective corporate act to be ratified, either at the time of such defective corporate act or at the time the board of directors adopts the resolutions ratifying such defective corporate act pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and

(2) Such defective corporate act did not result from a failure to comply with § 203 of this title.

(d) If the ratification of a defective corporate act is required to be submitted to stockholders for approval pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, due notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of the meeting shall be given at least 20 days before the date of the meeting to each holder of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, at the address of such holder as it appears or most recently appeared, as appropriate, on the records of the corporation. The notice shall also be given to the holders of record of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, as of the time of the defective corporate act, other than holders whose identities or addresses cannot be determined from the records of the corporation. The notice shall contain a copy of the resolutions adopted by the board of directors pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section or the information required by paragraph (b)(1)(A) through (E) of this section and a statement that any claim that the defective corporate act or putative stock ratified hereunder is void or voidable due to the failure of authorization, or that the Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with this section not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions must be brought within 120 days from the applicable validation effective time. At such meeting, the quorum and voting requirements applicable to ratification of such defective corporate act shall be the quorum and voting requirements applicable to the type of defective corporate act proposed to be ratified at the time of the approval of the ratification, except that:

(1) If the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, any plan or agreement to which the corporation was a party or any provision of this title in effect as of the time of the defective corporate act would have required a larger number or portion of stock or of any class or series thereof or of specified stockholders for a quorum to be present or to approve the defective corporate act, the presence or approval of such larger number or portion of stock or of such class or series thereof or of such specified stockholders shall be required for a quorum to be present or to approve the ratification of the defective corporate act, as applicable, except that the presence or approval of shares of any class or series of which no shares are then outstanding, or of any person that is no longer a stockholder, shall not be required;

(2) The approval by stockholders of the ratification of the election of a director shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of such director, except that if the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation then in effect or in effect at the time of the defective election require or required a larger number or portion of stock or of any class or series thereof or of specified stockholders to elect such director, the affirmative vote of such larger number or portion of stock or of any class or series thereof or of such specified stockholders shall be required to ratify the election of such director, except that the presence or approval of shares of any class or series of which no shares are then outstanding, or of any person that is no longer a stockholder, shall not be required; and

(3) In the event of a failure of authorization resulting from failure to comply with the provisions of § 203 of this title, the ratification of the defective corporate act shall require the vote set forth in § 203(a)(3) of this title, regardless of whether such vote would have otherwise been required.

Shares of putative stock on the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on any matter submitted to stockholders pursuant to subsection (c) of this section (and without giving effect to any ratification that becomes effective after such record date) shall neither be entitled to vote nor counted for quorum purposes in any vote to ratify any defective corporate act.

(e) If a defective corporate act ratified pursuant to this section would have required under any other section of this title the filing of a certificate in accordance with § 103 of this title, then, whether or not a certificate was previously filed in respect of such defective corporate act and in lieu of filing the certificate otherwise required by this title, the corporation shall file a certificate of validation with respect to such defective corporate act in accordance with § 103 of this title. A separate certificate of validation shall be required for each defective corporate act requiring the filing of a certificate of validation under this section, except that (i) 2 or more defective corporate acts may be included in a single certificate of validation if the corporation filed, or to comply with this title would have filed, a single certificate under another provision of this title to effect such acts, and (ii) 2 or more overissues of shares of any class, classes or series of stock may be included in a single certificate of validation, provided that the increase in the number of authorized shares of each such class or series set forth in the certificate of validation shall be effective as of the date of the first such overissue. The certificate of validation shall set forth:

(1) Each defective corporate act that is the subject of the certificate of validation (including, in the case of any defective corporate act involving the issuance of shares of putative stock, the number and type of shares of putative stock issued and the date or dates upon which such putative shares were purported to have been issued), the date of such defective corporate act, and the nature of the failure of authorization in respect of such defective corporate act;

(2) A statement that such defective corporate act was ratified in accordance with this section, including the date on which the board of directors ratified such defective corporate act and the date, if any, on which the stockholders approved the ratification of such defective corporate act; and

(3) Information required by 1 of the following paragraphs:

a. If a certificate was previously filed under § 103 of this title in respect of such defective corporate act and no changes to such certificate are required to give effect to such defective corporate act in accordance with this section, the certificate of validation shall set forth (x) the name, title and filing date of the certificate previously filed and of any certificate of correction thereto and (y) a statement that a copy of the certificate previously filed, together with any certificate of correction thereto, is attached as an exhibit to the certificate of validation;

b. If a certificate was previously filed under § 103 of this title in respect of the defective corporate act and such certificate requires any change to give effect to the defective corporate act in accordance with this section (including a change to the date and time of the effectiveness of such certificate), the certificate of validation shall set forth (x) the name, title and filing date of the certificate so previously filed and of any certificate of correction thereto, (y) a statement that a certificate containing all of the information required to be included under the applicable section or sections of this title to give effect to the defective corporate act is attached as an exhibit to the certificate of validation, and (z) the date and time that such certificate shall be deemed to have become effective pursuant to this section; or

c. If a certificate was not previously filed under § 103 of this title in respect of the defective corporate act and the defective corporate act ratified pursuant to this section would have required under any other section of this title the filing of a certificate in accordance with § 103 of this title, the certificate of validation shall set forth (x) a statement that a certificate containing all of the information required to be included under the applicable section or sections of this title to give effect to the defective corporate act is attached as an exhibit to the certificate of validation, and (y) the date and time that such certificate shall be deemed to have become effective pursuant to this section.

A certificate attached to a certificate of validation pursuant to paragraph (e)(3)b. or c. of this section need not be separately executed and acknowledged and need not include any statement required by any other section of this title that such instrument has been approved and adopted in accordance with the provisions of such other section.

(f) From and after the validation effective time, unless otherwise determined in an action brought pursuant to § 205 of this title:

(1) Subject to the last sentence of subsection (d) of this section, each defective corporate act ratified in accordance with this section shall no longer be deemed void or voidable as a result of the failure of authorization described in the resolutions adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and such effect shall be retroactive to the time of the defective corporate act; and

(2) Subject to the last sentence of subsection (d) of this section, each share or fraction of a share of putative stock issued or purportedly issued pursuant to any such defective corporate act shall no longer be deemed void or voidable and shall be deemed to be an identical share or fraction of a share of outstanding stock as of the time it was purportedly issued.

(g) In respect of each defective corporate act ratified by the board of directors pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, prompt notice of the ratification shall be given to all holders of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, as of the date the board of directors adopts the resolutions approving such defective corporate act, or as of a date within 60 days after such date of adoption, as established by the board of directors, at the address of such holder as it appears or most recently appeared, as appropriate, on the records of the corporation. The notice shall also be given to the holders of record of valid stock and putative stock, whether voting or nonvoting, as of the time of the defective corporate act, other than holders whose identities or addresses cannot be determined from the records of the corporation. The notice shall contain a copy of the resolutions adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or the information specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(A) through (E) or paragraphs (b)(2)(A) through (C) of this section, as applicable, and a statement that any claim that the defective corporate act or putative stock ratified hereunder is void or voidable due to the failure of authorization, or that the Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with this section not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions must be brought within 120 days from the later of the validation effective time or the time at which the notice required by this subsection is given. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no such notice shall be required if notice of the ratification of the defective corporate act is to be given in accordance with subsection (d) of this section, and (ii) in the case of a corporation that has a class of stock listed on a national securities exchange, the notice required by this subsection may be deemed given if disclosed in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to §§ 13, 14 or 15(d) (15 U.S.C. §§ 78m, 77n or 78o(d)) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent United States federal securities laws, rules or regulations. If any defective corporate act has been approved by stockholders acting pursuant to § 228 of this title, the notice required by this subsection may be included in any notice required to be given pursuant to § 228(e) of this title and, if so given, shall be sent to the stockholders entitled thereto under § 228(e) and to all holders of valid and putative stock to whom notice would be required under this subsection if the defective corporate act had been approved at a meeting other than any stockholder who approved the action by consent in lieu of a meeting pursuant to § 228 of this title or any holder of putative stock who otherwise consented thereto in writing. Solely for purposes of subsection (d) of this section and this subsection, notice to holders of putative stock, and notice to holders of valid stock and putative stock as of the time of the defective corporate act, shall be treated as notice to holders of valid stock for purposes of §§ 222 and 228, 229, 230, 232 and 233 of this title.

(h) As used in this section and in § 205 of this title only, the term:

(1) "Defective corporate act" means an overissue, an election or appointment of directors that is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization, or any act or transaction purportedly taken by or on behalf of the corporation that is, and at the time such act or transaction was purportedly taken would have been, within the power of a corporation under subchapter II of this chapter, but is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization;

(2) "Failure of authorization" means: (i) the failure to authorize or effect an act or transaction in compliance with the provisions of this title, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, or any plan or agreement to which the corporation is a party, if and to the extent such failure would render such act or transaction void or voidable; or (ii) the failure of the board of directors or any officer of the corporation to authorize or approve any act or transaction taken by or on behalf of the corporation that would have required for its due authorization the approval of the board of directors or such officer;

(3) "Overissue" means the purported issuance of:

a. Shares of capital stock of a class or series in excess of the number of shares of such class or series the corporation has the power to issue under § 161 of this title at the time of such issuance; or

b. Shares of any class or series of capital stock that is not then authorized for issuance by the certificate of incorporation of the corporation;

(4) "Putative stock" means the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the corporation (including shares issued upon exercise of options, rights, warrants or other securities convertible into shares of capital stock of the corporation, or interests with respect thereto that were created or issued pursuant to a defective corporate act) that:

a. But for any failure of authorization, would constitute valid stock; or

b. Cannot be determined by the board of directors to be valid stock;

(5) "Time of the defective corporate act" means the date and time the defective corporate act was purported to have been taken;

(6) "Validation effective time" with respect to any defective corporate act ratified pursuant to this section means the latest of:

a. The time at which the defective corporate act submitted to the stockholders for approval pursuant to subsection (c) of this section is approved by such stockholders or if no such vote of stockholders is required to approve the ratification of the defective corporate act, the time at which the board of directors adopts the resolutions required by paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section;

b. Where no certificate of validation is required to be filed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, the time, if any, specified by the board of directors in the resolutions adopted pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, which time shall not precede the time at which such resolutions are adopted; and

c. The time at which any certificate of validation filed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section shall become effective in accordance with § 103 of this title.

(7) "Valid stock" means the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the corporation that have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with this title.

In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the judgment of the board of directors that shares of stock are valid stock or putative stock shall be conclusive, unless otherwise determined by the Court of Chancery in a proceeding brought pursuant to § 205 of this title.

(i) Ratification under this section or validation under § 205 of this title shall not be deemed to be the exclusive means of ratifying or validating any act or transaction taken by or on behalf of the corporation, including any defective corporate act, or any issuance of stock, including any putative stock, or of adopting or endorsing any act or transaction taken by or in the name of the corporation prior to the commencement of its existence, and the absence or failure of ratification in accordance with either this section or validation under § 205 of this title shall not, of itself, affect the validity or effectiveness of any act or transaction or the issuance of any stock properly ratified under common law or otherwise, nor shall it create a presumption that any such act or transaction is or was a defective corporate act or that such stock is void or voidable.

§ 205 Proceedings regarding validity of defective corporate acts and stock

(a) Subject to subsection (f) of this section, upon application by the corporation, any successor entity to the corporation, any member of the board of directors, any record or beneficial holder of valid stock or putative stock, any record or beneficial holder of valid or putative stock as of the time of a defective corporate act ratified pursuant to § 204 of this title, or any other person claiming to be substantially and adversely affected by a ratification pursuant to § 204 of this title, the Court of Chancery may:

(1) Determine the validity and effectiveness of any defective corporate act ratified pursuant to § 204 of this title;

(2) Determine the validity and effectiveness of the ratification of any defective corporate act pursuant to § 204 of this title;

(3) Determine the validity and effectiveness of any defective corporate act not ratified or not ratified effectively pursuant to § 204 of this title;

(4) Determine the validity of any corporate act or transaction and any stock, rights or options to acquire stock; and

(5) Modify or waive any of the procedures set forth in § 204 of this title to ratify a defective corporate act.

(b) In connection with an action under this section, the Court of Chancery may:

(1) Declare that a ratification in accordance with and pursuant to § 204 of this title is not effective or shall only be effective at a time or upon conditions established by the Court;

(2) Validate and declare effective any defective corporate act or putative stock and impose conditions upon such validation by the Court;

(3) Require measures to remedy or avoid harm to any person substantially and adversely affected by a ratification pursuant to § 204 of this title or from any order of the Court pursuant to this section, excluding any harm that would have resulted if the defective corporate act had been valid when approved or effectuated;

(4) Order the Secretary of State to accept an instrument for filing with an effective time specified by the Court, which effective time may be prior or subsequent to the time of such order, provided that the filing date of such instrument shall be determined in accordance with § 103(c)(3) of this title;

(5) Approve a stock ledger for the corporation that includes any stock ratified or validated in accordance with this section or with § 204 of this title;

(6) Declare that shares of putative stock are shares of valid stock or require a corporation to issue and deliver shares of valid stock in place of any shares of putative stock;

(7) Order that a meeting of holders of valid stock or putative stock be held and exercise the powers provided to the Court under § 227 of this title with respect to such a meeting;

(8) Declare that a defective corporate act validated by the Court shall be effective as of the time of the defective corporate act or at such other time as the Court shall determine;

(9) Declare that putative stock validated by the Court shall be deemed to be an identical share or fraction of a share of valid stock as of the time originally issued or purportedly issued or at such other time as the Court shall determine; and

(10) Make such other orders regarding such matters as it deems proper under the circumstances.

(c) Service of the application under subsection (a) of this section upon the registered agent of the corporation shall be deemed to be service upon the corporation, and no other party need be joined in order for the Court of Chancery to adjudicate the matter. In an action filed by the corporation, the Court may require notice of the action be provided to other persons specified by the Court and permit such other persons to intervene in the action.

(d) In connection with the resolution of matters pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Court of Chancery may consider the following:

(1) Whether the defective corporate act was originally approved or effectuated with the belief that the approval or effectuation was in compliance with the provisions of this title, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation;

(2) Whether the corporation and board of directors has treated the defective corporate act as a valid act or transaction and whether any person has acted in reliance on the public record that such defective corporate act was valid;

(3) Whether any person will be or was harmed by the ratification or validation of the defective corporate act, excluding any harm that would have resulted if the defective corporate act had been valid when approved or effectuated;

(4) Whether any person will be harmed by the failure to ratify or validate the defective corporate act; and

(5) Any other factors or considerations the Court deems just and equitable.

(e) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions brought under this section.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no action asserting:

(1) That a defective corporate act or putative stock ratified in accordance with § 204 of this title is void or voidable due to a failure of authorization identified in the resolution adopted in accordance with 204(b) of this title; or

(2) That the Court of Chancery should declare in its discretion that a ratification in accordance with § 204 of this title not be effective or be effective only on certain conditions,

may be brought after the expiration of 120 days from the later of the validation effective time and the time notice, if any, that is required to be given pursuant to § 204(g) of this title is given with respect to such ratification, except that this subsection shall not apply to an action asserting that a ratification was not accomplished in accordance with § 204 of this title or to any person to whom notice of the ratification was required to have been given pursuant to § 204(d) or (g) of this title, but to whom such notice was not given.

Appendix D

PROXY

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

80 Blanchard Road, 2nd Floor100 Summit Drive

Burlington, Massachusetts 01803

The undersigned, revoking all proxies, hereby appoints Roger Kahn and Michael PrinnCarole Tyner, and each of them, proxies with power of substitution to each, for and in the name of the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock of Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (the "Company"“Company”) which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if present at the AnnualSpecial Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on March 23, 2018,April 26, 2019, at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time at the Company’sCompany’s corporate headquarters located at 80 Blanchard Road,100 Summit Drive, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 and any adjournments thereof, upon the matters set forth in the Notice of AnnualSpecial Meeting.

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of AnnualSpecial Meeting and Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report.Statement.

Appendix B

43

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BRIDGELINE DIGITAL, INC.

Pursuant to Section 242 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by its President and Chief Executive Officer this ___ day of April __, 2019.