Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-159645
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 DATED AUGUST 16, 2011
TO PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 27, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
Copies of the following current reports, registration statement and quarterly report of Ambient Corporation are attached:
Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 1, 2011
Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 20, 2011
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed July 29, 2011
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 2, 2011
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 3, 2011
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 8, 2011
Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, as filed August 10, 2011
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 16, 2011
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): June 27, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 0-23723 | | 98-0166007 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | | | |
7 WELLS AVENUE, SUITE 11, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 02459
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
617- 332-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
SECTION 5 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(a) Effective June 27, 2011, Mark Fidler joined Ambient Corporation (“Ambient” or the Company”) as its Principal Financial Officer and Vice President. Prior to joining Ambient, Mr. Fidler, 40, spent ten years at Evergreen Solar Inc. in positions of increasing responsibility, first as Corporate Controller and most recently as Vice President of Finance & Treasurer. Prior to his tenure at Evergreen Solar, Mr. Fidler held various senior finance roles at The Boston Consulting Group and Hampshire Chemical, a division of Dow Chemical, and he began his career as an accountant at Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Fidler received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University’s Graduate School of Business Administration. Mr. Fidler is also a certified public accountant.
Mr. Fidler will receive an annual salary of $250,000, and he received a signing bonus of $12,500. The Company also granted to Mr. Fidler a stock option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of Ambient common stock under the Company’s 2000 Equity Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $0.075 per share, which options will vest in equal quarterly installments over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the effective date of his employment. Upon satisfactory job performance as determined by Ambient’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fidler will become the Chief Financial Officer on the earlier of September 27, 2011 and the anticipated listing of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market, at which time, the Company would enter into an employment agreement with Mr. Fidler, pay him an additional $12,500 bonus and grant him an additional stock option to purchase 3,000,000 shares of Ambient common stock subject to approval by the Company’s Compensation Committee. If, prior to Mr. Fidler’s promotion to Chief Financial Officer, the Company terminates Mr. Fidler without cause or he terminates his employment in connection with a change of control, he will receive a severance payment of six months of his base salary, and the Company will pay his COBRA premiums for six months.
(b) Effective June 29, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company elected Francesca E. Scarito to the Board as a Director. Ms. Scarito was also appointed to the Audit Committee of the Board. Ms. Scarito is President of RS Finance & Consulting, LLC, a boutique investment bank located in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Scarito has been an investment banker for over 20 years and has extensive experience in private capital, equity capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Scarito earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Scarito and any other person pursuant to which she was elected to the Board, and there are no relationships between Ms. Scarito and the Company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ambient compensates independent directors at an annual rate of $15,000. Ms. Scarito will receive a pro rata portion of such compensation.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
Dated: July 1, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 18, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 0-23723 | | 98-0166007 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | | | |
7 WELLS AVENUE, SUITE 11, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02459
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
617- 332-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
SECTION 2 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
See the disclosure under Item 8.01.
SECTION 8 – OTHER EVENTS
Item 8.01 Other Events.
Ambient Corporation (the “Company”) has attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 a press release containing a preliminary announcement of its revenues for the second quarter of 2011. At this time, the Company is finalizing its financial results for the second quarter of 2011 and will report those results on or before August 15, 2011. The results described in the attached press release are estimated and preliminary and are subject to revision based upon the Company’s completion of its ordinary quarterly closing procedures.
In addition to announcing preliminary second quarter revenues, the Company announced that the previously approved reverse stock split was effected on July 18, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on a 1-for-100 basis. The reverse split, which the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders approved earlier this year, is expected to improve the Company’s prospects of successfully listing its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In connection with the reverse stock split, the Company reduced its authorized shares of stock such that the total number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.001 per share. More information on the reverse stock split is available in the Company's information statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2011.
SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit 3.1 | | Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ambient Corporation filed and effective July 18, 2011 |
Exhibit 99.1 | | Press Release Issued on July 20, 2011 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
Dated: July 20, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | | Description |
3.1 | | Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ambient Corporation filed and effective July 18, 2011 |
99.1 | | Press release issued by Ambient Corporation dated as of July 20, 2011 |
Exhibit 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Pursuant to Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)
AMBIENT CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies that:
1. The Board of Directors of Ambient Corporation (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), acting at a meeting on February 3, 2011, adopted resolutions setting forth the proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") set forth below, (a) declaring said amendment to be advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation and (b) recommending to the Corporation’s stockholders that they approve said amendment.
2. The terms and provisions of this Certificate of Amendment have been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
3. Effective as of 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 18, 2011, the Certificate of Incorporation is amended by deleting Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
| FOURTH: Effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 18, 2011 (the "Effective Time"), every one hundred (100) shares of the Corporation's Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Old Common Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof be combined and converted into one (1) share of Common Stock, par value $.001, of the Corporation (the "New Common Stock") (and such combination and conversion, the "Reverse Stock Split"). |
| Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, no fractional shares of New Common Stock shall be issued to the holders of record of Old Common Stock in connection with the foregoing reclassification of shares of Old Common Stock and the Corporation shall not recognize on its stock record books any purported transfer of any fractional share of New Common Stock. In lieu thereof, the Corporation will pay to the registered stockholder, in cash, the value of any fractional share interest arising from the Reverse Stock Split. The cash payment will equal the fraction to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board Market, as of the Effective Time. No transaction costs will be assessed to stockholders for the cash payment. Stockholders will not be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the Effective Time and the date payment is made for their fractional shares. |
| Immediately after the Effective Time, the Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated respectively as “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue consists of One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares of Common Stock and five million (5,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock. Each share of Common Stock and Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001. |
4. Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, acting by written consent on February 15, 2011, duly approved the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation contained herein.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by the undersigned this 15 day of July, 2011.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
Ambient Corporation Announces Preliminary Second Quarter Revenue
Company Achieves Record Revenue of Approximately $16.0 million
Newton, Mass., July 20, 2011 – Ambient Corporation (OTCBB: ABTG), a leading provider of integrated networking and communications solutions that allow utilities to enable smart grid applications and enhanced communication platforms, announced today preliminary revenue for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 of approximately $16.0 million, representing a 250% increase over the comparable quarter in 2010 and a 33% increase over the first quarter of 2011.
John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation, commented, “We are excited to see the first large-scale deployment of Ambient Smart Grid communications technologies and equipment continue to expand and perform as designed to the mutual benefit of Ambient and Duke Energy. We have now delivered approximately 60,000 communications nodes through the second quarter as part of the Ohio Smart Grid implementation.”
Continued Mr. Joyce, “As of June 30, 2011, we have over $60 million of orders in backlog that we expect to be fulfilled through the remainder of 2011 and into fiscal 2012. Based upon our strong performance year-to-date and our expected delivery schedule for the remainder of 2011, we expect total revenue to be approximately $50 to $55 million for fiscal year 2011, up from $20.4 million for 2010.”
In addition to announcing preliminary second quarter record revenue, the Company announced that the previously approved reverse stock split was effected on July 18, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on a 1-for-100 basis. The reverse split, which the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders approved earlier this year, is expected to improve the Company’s prospects of successfully listing its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Due to the reverse stock split, Ambient’s common stock will trade under a new CUSIP number, 02318N 201, and will temporarily trade under the symbol "ABTGD" for 20 trading days beginning July 20, 2011, after which time the symbol will revert to "ABTG." More information on the reverse stock split is available in the Company's information statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2011.
All data are preliminary and subject to revision based upon the Company’s completion of its ordinary closing procedures. These preliminary results should not be viewed as a substitute for full interim financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
For more information about the Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform, visit www.ambientcorp.com.
About Ambient Corporation
Ambient designs, develops and markets Ambient Smart Grid® communications technologies and equipment. Using open standards-based technologies along with in-depth industry experience, Ambient provides utilities with solutions for creating smart grid communication platforms and technologies. Headquartered in Newton, MA, Ambient is a publicly traded company (OTCBB: ABTG). More information on Ambient is available at www.ambientcorp.com.
This press release contains statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” under federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements involve substantial uncertainties and risks and include the Company’s assessment of its performance to date in 2011, its expectations regarding its delivery schedule for the remainder of 2011 and into 2012, its expectation regarding total revenue for 2011, and its assessment of its prospects for listing its common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and our industry and reflect our beliefs
and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to, the potential listing of Ambient common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market, the dependence on one key customer, the Company’s ability to raise additional capital when needed, the sufficiency of working capital, the competitive market generally and in the smart grid industry specifically, the success of the Company’s collaborative arrangements, changes in economic conditions generally and the smart grid industry specifically, changes in technology, legislative or regulatory changes , and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.
Ambient, Ambient Smart Grid, Communications for a Smarter Grid and AmbientNMS are registered trademarks of Ambient Corporation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Media Contact
Anna E. Croop
acroop@ambientcorp.com
(617) 614-6739
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State of incorporation or organization) | | 98-0166007 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
7 WELLS AVENUE
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02459
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class to be so registered | | Name of each exchange on which each class is to be registered |
Common Stock, par value $0.001 | | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box. þ
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box. ¨
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: _______________
(If applicable)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
ITEM 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.
Authorized Shares. The registrant’s authorized capital stock includes 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share.
Voting. Except as otherwise required by Delaware law, holders of the registrant’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Dividend Rights. Dividends or other distributions in cash, securities or other property of the registrant as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of assets and funds legally available for dividend payments.
Liquidation and Preemptive Rights. In the event of the registrant’s liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, holders of common stock are entitled to share equally on a per share basis in all assets remaining after payment or provision of payment of the registrant’s debts. Holders of our common stock have no conversion, exchange, preemption or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.
ITEM 2. Exhibits
Pursuant to the Instructions as to Exhibits for Form 8-A, no exhibits are required to be filed because no other securities of the registrant are registered on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, and the securities registered hereby are not being registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed by the undersigned, duly authorized.
Date: July 29, 2011 | AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | Name: John J. Joyce | |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer | |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 28, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 0-23723 | | 98-0166007 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7 WELLS AVENUE, SUITE 11, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02459
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
617- 332-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
SECTION 5 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 5.05. AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRANT'S CODE OF ETHICS, OR WAIVER OF A PROVISION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS.
On July 28, 2011, the Board of Directors of Ambient Corporation (the "Company") approved the replacement of the Company's existing "Code of Ethics for Senior Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers” with a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”), which applies to all of the Company’s directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and persons performing similar functions. The Company adopted the new Code of Conduct in connection with the listing of its common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The new Code of Conduct, among other things, enhances the description of the policies and regulations pertaining to conflicts of interest, insider trading, confidentiality, honest and ethical conduct and fair dealing, protection and proper use of corporate assets, gifts and gratuities, accuracy of books and records and public reports, concerns regarding accounting and auditing matters, and dealing with independent auditors. The Code of Conduct also describes the procedures for waivers of the Code of Conduct and for reporting suspected violations of the Code. The foregoing summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Code of Conduct, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 14.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and which is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.05.
The Code of Conduct is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://www.ambientcorp.com.
SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
Exhibit 14.1 | | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
Dated: August 2, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 14.1 | | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
4
Exhibit 14.1
Ambient Corporation
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) sets forth legal and ethical standards of conduct for directors, officers and employees of Ambient Corporation (the “Company”). This Code applies to the Company and any subsidiaries and other business entities controlled by it. The Board of Directors has adopted and issued this Code to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
● honest and ethical conduct by everyone associated with the Company, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest;
● full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company submits to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in the Company’s other public communications;
● compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations;
● the prompt internal reporting of any violations of this Code to the appropriate person at the Company; and
● accountability for adherence to the Code.
The Board of Directors has designated the Chief Financial Officer as the “Compliance Officer” with respect to the Code. The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, may change the Compliance Officer from time to time and will inform all directors, officers and employees of any change in the Compliance Officer by providing the identity and contact information of the Compliance Officer through an email distribution, physical posting or update of the Company’s employee handbook. If you have any questions regarding this Code or its application to you in any situation, you should contact your supervisor or the Compliance Officer.
Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations
The Company requires that all employees, officers and directors comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company wherever it does business. You are expected to use good judgment and common sense in seeking to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to ask for advice when you are uncertain about them.
If you become aware of the violation of any law, rule or regulation by the Company, whether by its officers, employees, directors, or any third party doing business on behalf of the Company, it is your responsibility to promptly report the matter to your supervisor or to the Company’s Compliance Officer. While it is the Company’s desire to address matters internally, nothing in this Code should discourage you from reporting any illegal activity, including any violation of the securities laws, antitrust laws, environmental laws or any other federal, state or foreign law, rule or regulation, to the appropriate regulatory authority. Employees, officers and directors shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee because he or she reports any such violation, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false. This Code should not be construed to prohibit you from testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in any state or federal administrative, judicial or legislative proceeding or investigation.
Conflicts of Interest
Employees, officers and directors must act in the best interests of the Company. You must refrain from engaging in any activity or having a personal interest that presents a “conflict of interest.” A conflict of interest occurs when your personal interest interferes, or appears to interfere, with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise whenever you, as an officer, director or employee, take action or have an interest that prevents you from performing your Company duties and responsibilities honestly, objectively and effectively.
For example:
● | No employee, officer or director shall perform services as a consultant, employee, officer, director, advisor or in any other capacity for, or have a financial interest in, a direct competitor of the Company, other than services performed at the request of the Company and other than a financial interest representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly held company; and |
● | No employee, officer or director shall use his or her position with the Company to influence a transaction with a supplier or customer in which such person has any personal interest, other than a financial interest representing less than one percent (1%) of the outstanding shares of a publicly held company. |
It is your responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest to the Company’s Compliance Officer or, if you are an executive officer or director, to the Board of Directors, who shall be responsible for determining whether such transaction or relationship constitutes a conflict of interest.
Insider Trading
Employees, officers and directors who have material non-public information about the Company or other companies, including our suppliers and customers, as a result of their relationship with the Company are prohibited by law and Company policy from trading in securities of the Company or such other companies, as well as from communicating such information to others who might trade on the basis of that information. To help ensure that you do not engage in prohibited insider trading and avoid even the appearance of an improper transaction, the Company has adopted a Policy Statement Regarding Insider Trading, which is available in the Company’s employee handbook.
If you are uncertain about the constraints on your purchase or sale of any Company securities or the securities of any other company that you are familiar with by virtue of your relationship with the Company, you should consult with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer before making any such purchase or sale.
Confidentiality
Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company or other companies, including our suppliers and customers, except when disclosure is authorized by a supervisor or legally mandated. Unauthorized disclosure of any confidential information is prohibited. Additionally, employees should take appropriate precautions to ensure that confidential or sensitive business information, whether it is proprietary to the Company or another company, is not communicated within the Company except to employees who have a need to know such information to perform their responsibilities for the Company.
Third parties may ask you for information concerning the Company. Subject to the exceptions noted in the preceding paragraph, employees, officers and directors (other than the Company’s authorized spokespersons) must not discuss internal Company matters with, or disseminate internal Company information to, anyone outside the Company, except as required in the performance of their Company duties and, if appropriate, after a confidentiality agreement is in place. This prohibition applies particularly to inquiries concerning the Company from the media, market professionals (such as securities analysts, institutional investors, investment advisers, brokers and dealers) and security holders. All responses to inquiries on behalf of the Company must be made only by the Company’s authorized spokespersons. If you receive any inquiries of this nature, you must decline to comment and refer the inquirer to your supervisor or one of the Company’s authorized spokespersons. The Company’s policies with respect to public disclosure of internal matters are described more fully in the Company’s Insider Trading Policy and employee handbook.
You also must abide by any lawful obligations that you have to your former employers. These obligations may include restrictions on the use and disclosure of confidential information, restrictions on the solicitation of former colleagues to work at the Company and non-competition obligations.
Honest and Ethical Conduct and Fair Dealing
Employees, officers and directors should endeavor to deal honestly, ethically and fairly with the Company’s suppliers, customers, competitors and employees. Statements regarding the Company’s products and services must not be untrue, misleading, deceptive or fraudulent. You must not take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice.
Protection and Proper Use of Corporate Assets
Employees, officers and directors should seek to protect the Company’s assets. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company’s financial performance. Employees, officers and directors must use the Company’s assets and services solely for legitimate business purposes of the Company and not for any personal benefit or the personal benefit of anyone else.
Employees, officers and directors must advance the Company’s legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. You must not take for yourself personal opportunities that are discovered through your position with the Company or the use of property or information of the Company.
Gifts and Gratuities
The use of Company funds or assets for gifts, gratuities or other favors to employees or government officials is prohibited, except to the extent such gifts are in compliance with applicable law, insignificant in amount and not given in consideration or expectation of any action by the recipient.
Employees, officers and directors must not accept, or permit any member of his or her immediate family to accept, any gifts, gratuities or other favors from any customer, supplier or other person doing or seeking to do business with the Company, other than items of insignificant value. Any gifts that are not of insignificant value should be returned immediately and reported to your supervisor. If immediate return is not practical, they should be given to the Company for charitable disposition or such other disposition as the Company, in its sole discretion, believes appropriate.
Common sense and moderation should prevail in business entertainment engaged in on behalf of the Company. Employees, officers and directors should provide, or accept, business entertainment to or from anyone doing business with the Company only if the entertainment is infrequent, modest and intended to serve legitimate business goals.
Bribes and kickbacks are criminal acts, strictly prohibited by law. You must not offer, give, solicit or receive any form of bribe or kickback anywhere in the world.
Accuracy of Books and Records and Public Reports
Employees, officers and directors must honestly and accurately report all business transactions. You are responsible for the accuracy of your records and reports. Accurate information is essential to the Company’s ability to meet legal and regulatory obligations.
All Company books, records and accounts shall be maintained in accordance with all applicable regulations and standards and accurately reflect the true nature of the transactions they record. The financial statements of the Company shall conform to generally accepted accounting rules and the Company’s accounting policies. No undisclosed or unrecorded account or fund shall be established for any purpose. No false or misleading entries shall be made in the Company’s books or records for any reason, and no disbursement of corporate funds or other corporate property shall be made without adequate supporting documentation.
It is the policy of the Company to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with, or submitted to, the SEC and in other public communications.
Concerns Regarding Accounting or Auditing Matters
Employees with concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters or complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters may confidentially, and anonymously if they wish, submit such concerns or complaints in writing to the Company’s Compliance Officer at Ambient Corporation, Attn: Compliance Officer, 7 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459 or may use the telephone number 1-617-614-6900. See “Reporting and Compliance Procedures” below. All such concerns and complaints will be forwarded to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, unless they are determined to be without merit by the Company’s Compliance Officer. In any event, a record of all complaints and concerns received will be provided to the Audit Committee each fiscal quarter. Any such concerns or complaints may also be communicated, confidentially and, if you desire, anonymously, directly to the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee will evaluate the merits of any concerns or complaints received by it and authorize such follow-up actions, if any, as it deems necessary or appropriate to address the substance of the concern or complaint.
The Company will not discipline, discriminate against or retaliate against any employee who reports a complaint or concern, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false.
Dealings with Independent Auditors
No employee, officer or director shall, directly or indirectly, make or cause to be made a materially false or misleading statement to an accountant in connection with (or omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading to, an accountant in connection with) any audit, review or examination of the Company’s financial statements or the preparation or filing of any document or report with the SEC. No employee, officer or director shall, directly or indirectly, take any action to coerce, manipulate, mislead or fraudulently influence any independent public or certified public accountant engaged in the performance of an audit or review of the Company’s financial statements.
Waivers of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
While some of the policies contained in this Code must be strictly adhered to and no exceptions can be allowed, in other cases exceptions may be appropriate. Any employee or officer who believes that a waiver of any of these policies is appropriate in his or her case should first contact his or her immediate supervisor. If the supervisor agrees that a waiver is appropriate, the approval of the Company’s Compliance Officer must be obtained. The Company’s Compliance Officer shall be responsible for maintaining a record of all requests by employees or officers for waivers of any of these policies and the disposition of such requests.
Any executive officer or director who seeks a waiver of any of these policies should contact the Company’s Compliance Officer. Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors or any change to this Code that applies to executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Company and will be disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation.
Reporting and Compliance Procedures
Every employee, officer and director has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance, report suspected violations and express concerns regarding compliance with this Code. Any employee, officer or director who knows or believes that any other employee or representative of the Company has engaged or is engaging in Company-related conduct that violates applicable law or this Code should report such information to his or her supervisor or to the Company’s Compliance Officer, as described below. You may report such conduct openly or anonymously without fear of retaliation. The Company will not discipline, discriminate against or retaliate against any employee who reports such conduct, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false, or who cooperates in any investigation or inquiry regarding such conduct. Any supervisor who receives a report of a violation of this Code must immediately inform the Company’s Compliance Officer.
You may report violations of this Code, on a confidential or anonymous basis, by contacting the Company’s Compliance Officer by mail at: Ambient Corporation, Attn: Compliance Officer, 7 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459, by fax at 617-332-7260. In addition, the Company has established a telephone number 1-617-614-6900 where you can leave a recorded message about any violation or suspected violation of this Code. While we prefer that you identify yourself when reporting violations so that we may follow up with you, as necessary, for additional information, you may leave messages anonymously if you wish.
If the Company’s Compliance Officer receives information regarding an alleged violation of this Code, he or she shall, as appropriate, (a) evaluate such information, (b) if the alleged violation involves an executive officer or a director, inform the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors of the alleged violation, (c) determine whether it is necessary to conduct an informal inquiry or a formal investigation and, if so, initiate such inquiry or investigation and (d) report the results of any such inquiry or investigation, together with a recommendation as to disposition of the matter, to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for action, or if the alleged violation involves an executive officer or a director, report the results of any such inquiry or investigation to the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. Employees, officers and directors are expected to cooperate fully with any inquiry or investigation by the Company regarding an alleged violation of this Code. Failure to cooperate with any such inquiry or investigation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
The Company shall determine whether violations of this Code have occurred and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against any employee who has violated this Code. In the event that the alleged violation involves an executive officer or a director, the Board of Directors shall determine whether a violation of this Code has occurred and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against such executive officer or director.
Failure to comply with the standards outlined in this Code will result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to, reprimands, warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions, reductions in salary, discharge and restitution. Certain violations of this Code may require the Company to refer the matter to the appropriate governmental or regulatory authorities for investigation or prosecution. Moreover, any supervisor who directs or approves of any conduct in violation of this Code, or who has knowledge of such conduct and does not immediately report it, also will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.
Dissemination and Amendment
This Code shall be distributed to each new employee, officer and director of the Company upon commencement of his or her employment or other relationship with the Company and shall also be distributed annually to each employee, officer and director of the Company, and each employee, officer and director shall certify that he or she has received, read and understood the Code and has complied with its terms.
The Company reserves the right to amend, alter or terminate this Code at any time for any reason. The most current version of this Code can be found in the Company’s employee handbook. This Code supersedes the Company’s Code of Ethics for Senior Executive Officers and Senior Financial Officers.
This document is not an employment contract between the Company and any of its employees, officers or directors.
Certification
I, ______________________________ do hereby certify that:
(Print Name Above)
1. I have received and carefully read the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Ambient Corporation.
2. I understand the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
3. I have complied and will continue to comply with the terms of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Date: __________________________ __________________________________
(Signature)
EACH EMPLOYEE, OFFICER AND DIRECTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS CERTIFICATION TO THE COMPANY’S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF ISSUANCE. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 3, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 0-23723 | | 98-0166007 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7 WELLS AVENUE, SUITE 11, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02459
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
617- 332-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
SECTION 3 – SECURITIES AND TRADING MARKETS
ITEM 3.01 NOTICE OF DELISTING OR FAILURE TO SATISFY A CONTINUED LISTING RULE OR STANDARD; TRANSFER OF LISTING.
On August, 2, 2011, Ambient Corporation (the “Company”) announced that its common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Company expects its common stock to commence trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 under the ticker symbol “AMBT.” Prior to the listing change to NASDAQ, the Company's common stock traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol "ABTGD."
SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
Exhibit 99.1 – Press Release Issued on August 2, 2011
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
Dated: August 3, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | Name: John J. Joyce | |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
99.1 | Press release issued by Ambient Corporation dated as of August 2, 2011 |
4
| Media Contact Anna E. Croop acroop@ambientcorp.com (617) 614-6739 |
Ambient Corporation Announces Listing on NASDAQ
Newton, Mass., August 2, 2011 – Ambient Corporation (OTCBB: ABTGD), a leading provider of smart grid applications and enhanced communication platforms, announced today that its common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The Company expects its common stock to commence trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market on Wednesday, August 3, 2011, under the ticker symbol “AMBT”. Prior to the listing change to NASDAQ, the company's common stock will continue to trade on the OTC Bulletin Board under the current ticker symbol "ABTGD.OB".
About Ambient Corporation
Ambient designs, develops and markets Ambient Smart Grid® communications technologies and equipment. Using open standards-based technologies along with in-depth industry experience, Ambient provides utilities with solutions for creating smart grid communication platforms and technologies. Headquartered in Newton, MA, Ambient is a publicly traded company (OTCBB: ABTGD). More information on Ambient is available at www.ambientcorp.com.
This press release contains statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” under federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and our industry and reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to, the dependence on one key customer, the Company’s ability to raise additional capital when needed, the sufficiency of working capital, the competitive market generally and in the smart grid industry specifically, the success of the Company’s collaborative arrangements, changes in economic conditions generally and the smart grid industry specifically, changes in technology, legislative or regulatory changes , and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.
Ambient, Ambient Smart Grid, Communications for a Smarter Grid and AmbientNMS are registered trademarks of Ambient Corporation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 4, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 011-35259 | | 98-0166007 |
(State or other jurisdiction | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer |
of incorporation) | | | | Identification No.) |
7 WELLS AVENUE, SUITE 11, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 02459
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
617- 332-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
SECTION 5 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR CERTAIN OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF CERTAIN OFFICERS; COMPENSATORY ARRANGEMENTS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.
(a) On August 8, 2011, Ambient Corporation (“Ambient” or the Company”) announced that it had named Mark L. Fidler as Ambient’s Chief Financial Officer. Effective June 27, 2011, Mr. Fidler joined Ambient as its Principal Financial Officer and Vice President. In accordance with Mr. Fidler’s employment offer letter, in connection with the successful listing of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market, the Company promoted Mr. Fidler to the position of Chief Financial Officer.
Effective August 4, 2011, the Company and Mr. Fidler entered into an Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Fidler will receive an annual salary of $250,000. Additionally, the Company is obligated to pay Mr. Fidler, within 10 days of the execution of the Employment Agreement, an additional bonus of $12,500, less all required deductions. The Company also granted to Mr. Fidler a stock option to purchase 30,000 shares of Ambient common stock under the Company’s 2000 Equity Incentive Plan at an exercise price of $10.40 per share, which options will vest in equal quarterly installments over a three-year period with the first quarterly installment vesting on October 31, 2011. The agreement also contains certain provisions for early termination, which may result in a severance payment equal to one year of base salary then in effect.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fidler spent the last ten years at Evergreen Solar Inc. in positions of increasing responsibility, first as Corporate Controller from 2001 to 2006 and most recently as Vice President of Finance & Treasurer. Prior to his tenure at Evergreen Solar, Mr. Fidler held various senior finance roles at The Boston Consulting Group from 1998 to 2001 and Hampshire Chemical, a division of Dow Chemical, from 1996 to 1998. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Fidler was with the audit practice of Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Fidler received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University's Graduate School of Business Administration and is a certified public accountant.
SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit 10.1 – Employment Agreement dated as of August 4, 2011 between Mark Fidlerand Ambient Corporation |
| Exhibit 99.1 – Press Release Issued on August 8, 2011 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
Dated: August 8, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | Name: John J. Joyce | |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | | Description |
| | |
10.1 | | Employment Agreement dated as of August 4, 2011 between Mark Fidler and Ambient Corporation |
| | |
99.1 | | Press release issued by Ambient Corporation dated as of August 8, 2011 |
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EXHIBIT 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") entered into as of August 4, 2011, between MARK FIDLER ("Employee") and AMBIENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (collectively, the "Company").
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee, and the Employee wishes to be employed, as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements set forth herein, and other valuable consideration, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT
The Company agrees to employ Employee, and Employee hereby agrees to such employment, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. POSITIONS AND DUTIES
(a) Employee shall continue to occupy the position and perform the duties of Chief Financial Officer on a full-time basis. In his capacity as Chief Financial Officer, Employee shall report directly to, and be responsible to John J. Joyce, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, or such other Company officer as shall be designated by the Chief Executive Officer. Employee shall perform duties and responsibilities as are consistent with the position described above which relate to the business of Company, or of any affiliates or subsidiaries of the Company, or any business ventures in which Company, its affiliates or subsidiaries may participate and as are assigned to him from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer.
(b) Employee shall devote 100% of his working time, attention and energies to the business of the Company and shall assume and perform such further reasonable and lawful responsibilities and duties as may be assigned or directed by the Board.
(c) Employee agrees that he will at all times devote his reasonable best efforts, skill and ability to promote the Company's interests and work with the Chief Executive Officer and the other executives of the Company.
(d) Employee acknowledges and agrees that he is required to observe all the lawful rules and policies of the Company generally applicable to senior executives to the extent they are not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.
3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
For the full and faithful performance of the services to be rendered by Employee, in consideration of Employee's obligations under this Agreement, provided Employee is not in material breach of this Agreement and that Employee is employed by the Company as of each relevant payment date, and it being understood and agreed by Employee and the Company that Employee would not be entitled to the full compensation package and benefits without his absolute commitment to comply with his undertakings set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Employee and Employee shall be entitled to receive:
(a) Base Salary. Company will pay to Employee during the term of his employment under this Agreement, a base salary at the annual rate of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) per annum less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and other employee taxes (said amounts hereinafter referred to as the "Base Salary"). Any Base Salary payable hereunder shall be paid in regular intervals in accordance with the Company's payroll practices, but no less frequently than once each month. Subject to review at January 1st of each year, commencing on January 1, 2012, Employee's Base Salary may, at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer, be increased for the succeeding calendar year.
(b) Incentive Compensation.
(i) In addition to his Base Salary, Employee shall be eligible for an annual incentive cash compensation as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”). In addition, pursuant to the offer letter between the Company and Employee dated June 5, 2011 (“Offer Letter”), within 10 days of execution by Employee of this Agreement, the Company will pay you a $12,500 bonus, less all required deductions.
(ii) Company Plans. Employee shall be eligible to participate, on terms no less favorable than those afforded to other executives of the Company, in any incentive compensation plan that may hereafter be adopted by the Company for its executives and management employees from time to time. Such participation shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plans, generally applicable policies of the Company, applicable law and the discretion of the Board of Directors. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create any obligation on the part of the Company to establish any such plan or to maintain the effectiveness of any such plan which may be in effect from time to time.
(c) Stock Option Grants. The Employer has previously granted non-qualified stock options to Employee under the Company's 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Pursuant to the Offer Letter, August 4, 2011, the Company will grant you a non-qualified stock option pursuant to the Plan to purchase 30,000 shares of Ambient common stock (“Stock”) at the Fair Market Value of the Stock as of August 4, 2011 (it being acknowledged that such number of shares reflects the one for one hundred reverse stock split of the Stock that was effected on July 18, 2011). All such stock options are subject to the terms of the written stock option agreement(s) issued by the Company.
(d) Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans, medical insurance plans, life insurance plans, disability insurance plans, retirement plans, 401(k) and other benefit plans which are available to any other executives of the Company. Such participation shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents, generally applicable policies of the Company, and applicable law.
(e) Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall promptly pay the reasonable, business-related expenses incurred by Employee in the performance of his duties hereunder, including, without limitation, those incurred in connection with business related travel, telecommunications and entertainment, or, if such expenses are paid directly by Employee, shall promptly reimburse the Employee for such payment, provided that Employee has properly accounted therefor in accordance with Company policy.
(f) Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid vacation in accordance with the Company's vacation policies for its executives, as in effect from time to time, but in no event less than four (4) weeks per year. The timing and duration of any vacation shall be taken at such time so as not to interfere with Employee's responsibilities and commitment to the company as determined by the Chief Executive Officer. Employee shall also be entitled to all paid holidays given by the Company to its employees.
4. TERMINATION.
Employee's services shall terminate upon the first to occur of the following events:
(a) Upon Employee's date of death or the date Employee is given written notice that he has been determined to be disabled by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, Employee shall be deemed to be disabled if Employee, as a result of illness or incapacity, shall be unable to perform substantially his required duties for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or an aggregate of ninety (90) days in any twelve (12) month period ("Incapacity"). Termination of Employee's employment by the Company due to Incapacity shall be communicated to Employee by written notice to Employee and shall be effective on the tenth (10) day after receipt of such notice by Employee, unless Employee returns to full-time performance of his required duties before such tenth (10th) day;
(b) On the date Employee is terminated by the Company for "Cause." For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall be defined as: (i) Employee's conviction of, or plea of nolo contendre, to any felony or to a crime involving moral depravity or fraud; (ii) Employee's commission of an act of dishonesty or fraud or breach of fiduciary duty or act that has a adverse effect on the name or public image of the Company (iii) Employee's commission of an act of willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by the Board, provided the Employee shall have the opportunity to state his case before the Board prior to the Board taking such decision to so terminate the Employee; (iv) the failure of Employee to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement; (v) the material breach of any of Employee's material obligations under this Agreement; (vi) the failure of Employee to follow a lawful directive of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board Of Directors or (vii) excessive absenteeism, chronic alcoholism or any other form of addiction that prevents Employee from performing the essential functions of his position with or without a reasonable accommodation; provided, however, that the Company may terminate Employee's employment for Cause, as to (iv) or (v) above, only after failure by Employee to correct or cure, or to commence or to continue to pursue the correction or curing of, such conduct or omission within ten (10) days after receipt by Employee of written notice by the Company of each specific claim of any such misconduct or failure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may place Employee on paid administrative leave immediately after discovery of any such conduct or omission, and prior to termination of employment.
(c) On the date Employee terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined below). For the purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean, without Employee's express written consent, the occurrence of one or both of the following conditions, provided that Employee shall have given notice to the Company within 30 days of the initial onset of the condition (the “Notice Period”) and the Company shall not have remedied such condition within 30 days thereafter: (i) a material diminution of Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a material breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement, including the Company’s failure to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement pursuant to Section 14 hereof.
(d) On the date Employee terminates his employment without Good Reason, provided that Employee shall give the Company thirty (30) days written notice prior to such date of his intention to terminate his employment ("Notice Period"); or
(e) On the date the Company terminates Employee's employment for any reason, other than a reason set forth in Section 4(a) (Incapacity) or 4(b) (Cause), provided that the Company shall give Employee thirty (30) days written notice prior to such date of its intention to terminate Employee's employment ("Notice Period"). During such Notice Period, Employee will continue to perform his duties and responsibilities, and to be compensated therefore, unless the Company advises Employee otherwise.
5. RIGHTS UPON TERMINATION.
(a) Upon termination of Employee's employment by either party for any reason, all rights Employee has to payment under this Agreement shall cease as of the effective date of the termination, and except as expressly provided herein or as may be provided under any employee benefit plan or as required by law, Employee shall not be entitled to any additional compensation, commission, bonus, perquisites, or benefits with the exception of this Section 5 which shall survive termination of this agreement as outlined herein.
(b) Upon termination of Employee's employment (i) by the Company for Cause, (ii) by the Company for reason of Employee's death or Incapacity or (iii) by Employee without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to Employee or Employee's estate or representatives, as the case may be, his Base Salary and any benefits and outstanding reimbursable expenses accrued and payable to him through the last day of his actual employment by the Company.
(c) If Employee's employment is terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 4(c) or by the Company pursuant to Section 4(e) hereof, Employee shall receive his Base Salary for twelve (12) months following the date of termination and shall continue to be eligible for the Company’s medical and dental benefits (on the same terms applicable to active employees) for twelve (12) months following termination. In addition, subject to the provisions of this Agreement and the Company’s expense reimbursement policy, the Company shall reimburse Employee for all reimbursable expenses incurred prior to termination; such reimbursement shall be made in a lump sum upon or as soon as practicable following termination, provided appropriate documentation has been submitted by Employee in accordance with Company policy, and in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year in which termination occurs. Payment of Base Salary under this Section 5(c) shall commence on a date to be determined by the Company but no later than 90 days following termination of employment.
In order to be eligible for the severance benefits as set forth in this Section 5(c), Employee must (i) execute and deliver to the Company a general release, in a form satisfactory to the Company, within 90 days following the date of termination and (ii) be and remain in full compliance with his obligations under this Agreement and under the NDA (as defined below). In the event Employee breaches any obligation under this Agreement or the NDA any and all payments or benefits provided for in this Section 5(c) shall cease immediately.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that this Agreement shall have been terminated by Employee pursuant to Section 4(d) or by the Company pursuant to Section 4(e) hereof, upon the request of the Company the Employee shall vacate his position and the Company's premises (if applicable) on a termination date specified by the Company which is earlier than the end of the Notice Period specified in Section 4(d) or 4(e) and Employee shall be paid, in one lump sum on such termination date, the Base Salary that would have been payable to him from such termination date through the end of the Notice Period, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security and other employee taxes.
(e) This agreement automatically shall terminate upon the death of Employee, except that Employee's estate shall be entitled to receive any amount accrued under Section 5(b) and any other amount to which Employee was entitled of the time of his death. Upon the Employee’s death, all stock options, warrants and stock appreciation rights granted by the employer to employee under any plan or otherwise prior to the date of Employee’s death, shall become vested, accelerate and become immediately exercisable by the Employee’s Estate for a period of six (6) months from the date of Employee’s death. In the event the Employee owned or was entitled to receive any unregistered securities of Employer, then Employer must use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of all such securities as soon as practical, and the estate of the Employee shall then have six (6) months after the effective date of the registration statement to exercise said options for the previously unregistered securities.
6. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
Employee has previously executed the Employee Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit A ("NDA"), which shall be incorporated by reference into this Agreement and made a part hereof. All references herein to this Agreement shall be construed to include Exhibit A. Employee understands that continued compliance with the NDA is a condition to Employee 's continued employment with the Company and that failure to comply with the terms and conditions of these provisions may result in termination "for cause" under this Agreement and in other damages to the Company.
7. COOPERATION FOLLOWING TERMINATION
Employee agrees that, following notice of termination of his employment until the date of his termination, he shall in good faith cooperate with the Company in all matters relating to the completion of his pending work on behalf of the Company and the orderly transition of such work to such other employees as the Company may designate. Employee further agrees that during and following the termination of his employment he shall in good faith cooperate with the Company as to any and all claims, controversies, disputes or complaints over which he has any knowledge or that may relate to his employment relationship with the Company; provided, however, that (a) Employee will be reimbursed by the Company for any out of pocket expenses incurred pursuant to his duties under this Section 7 and reasonably compensated for his time, and (b) Employee's obligation to cooperate under this Section 7 shall in no way preclude Employee from seeking to enforce his rights under this Agreement. Such cooperation includes, but is not limited to, providing the Company with all information known to him related to such claims, controversies, disputes or complaints and appearing and giving testimony in any forum.
8. GOVERNING LAW
Except as otherwise explicitly noted, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without giving effect to the conflict of law rules of Massachusetts).
9. INTEGRATION
This Agreement and the previously executed NDA attached hereto as Exhibit A constitutes the entire understanding between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, superseding all negotiations, prior discussions, preliminary agreements and agreements (other than the NDA) related to the subject matter hereof made prior to the date hereof.
10. MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS
This Agreement may be modified or amended only by an instrument in writing executed by the parties hereto and approved in writing by the Board of Directors. Such modification or amendment will not become effective until such approval has been given.
11. SEVERABILITY
If any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall be declared void or unenforceable by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction, such term or condition shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement, and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement shall continue to be valid and enforceable.
12. NOTICE
For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given as of the date if delivered in person or by telecopy, on the next business day, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, and on the second business day if mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, in each case addressed as follows:
If to the Employee:
Mark Fidler
c/o Ambient Corporation
7 Wells Avenue, Suite 11
Newton, MA 02459
If to the Company:
Ambient Corporation
7 Wells Avenue, Suite 11
Newton, MA 02459
or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of changes of address shall be effective upon receipt.
13. WAIVER
The observation or performance of any condition or obligation imposed upon Employee hereunder may be waived only upon the written consent of the Board of Directors. Such waiver shall be limited to the terms thereof and shall not constitute a waiver of any other condition or obligation of the Employee under this Agreement.
14. ASSIGNMENT
The rights and obligations of the Company in this Agreement shall inure to its benefit and be binding upon its successors-in-interest (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, sale of stock or assets or otherwise), and the Company may assign this Agreement to any affiliate. This Agreement, being for the personal services of Employee, shall not be assignable by Employee.
15. HEADINGS
The headings have been inserted for convenience only and are not to be considered when construing the provisions of this Agreement.
16. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same agreement.
17. COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 409A
No amounts payable under this Agreement are intended to constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulatory guidance issued thereunder (“Section 409A”). Amounts payable as severance under Section 5 of this Agreement are intended to be excepted from 409A and shall be interpreted accordingly. If and to the extent any amount provided under this Agreement becomes subject to the requirements of Section 409A, such amount shall be paid or otherwise provided in a manner that complies in form and in operation with the requirements of Section 409A. If, at the time his employment terminates, the Employee is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, no payments that constitute “deferred compensation” as defined in Section 409A shall be made prior to six months from his separation from service. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an entitlement to or guarantee of any particular tax treatment to the Employee.
[signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first above written.
AMBIENT CORPORATION
Date: August 4, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | Name: John J. Joyce | |
| | Title: Chief Executive Officer | |
EMPLOYEE
| By: | /s/ Mark Fidler | |
| | Mark Fidler | |
7
Exhibit 99.1
Media Contact
Anna E. Croop
acroop@ambientcorp.com
(617) 614-6739
Ambient Corporation Expands Management Team
Appoints Mark Fidler as Chief Financial Officer
Newton, Mass., August 8, 2011 – Ambient Corporation (NASDAQ: AMBT), a leading provider of smart grid communication platforms and applications, today announced the appointment of Mark as Chief Financial Officer.
"Mark has a proven track record in the clean technology industry bringing significant public company experience and provides us with financial and strategic leadership for our growing Company. We are very pleased to have Mark join our leadership team" stated John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation.
Mr. Fidler joined the Company as Principal Financial Officer and Vice President in June 2011 and became Chief Financial Officer, effective August 4, 2011, upon the listing of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Fidler spent the last ten years at Evergreen Solar Inc. in positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as Vice President of Finance & Treasurer. Prior to his tenure at Evergreen Solar, Mr. Fidler held various senior finance roles at The Boston Consulting Group and Hampshire Chemical, a division of Dow Chemical. Mr. Fidler began his career with the audit practice at Coopers & Lybrand LLP.
Mr. Fidler received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University's Graduate School of Business Administration and is a certified public accountant.
"Ambient’s proven technology, strong growth opportunity and outstanding team make this a very attractive opportunity I look forward to contributing to the Company’s continued success,” said Mark Fidler, CFO of Ambient Corporation.
About Ambient Corporation
Ambient designs, develops and markets Ambient Smart Grid® communications technologies and equipment. Using open standards-based technologies along with in-depth industry experience, Ambient provides utilities with solutions for creating smart grid communication platforms and technologies. Headquartered in Newton, MA, Ambient is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: AMBT). More information on Ambient is available at www.ambientcorp.com.
This press release contains statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” under federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and our industry and reflect our beliefs and assumptions based upon information available to us at the date of this release. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to, the dependence on one key customer, the Company’s ability to raise additional capital when needed, the sufficiency of working capital, the competitive market generally and in the smart grid industry specifically, the success of the Company’s collaborative arrangements, changes in economic conditions generally and the smart grid industry specifically, changes in technology, legislative or regulatory changes , and other risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "RISK FACTORS" in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.
Ambient, Ambient Smart Grid, Communications for a Smarter Grid and AmbientNMS are registered trademarks of Ambient Corporation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2011
or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from: _____________ to _____________
Commission File Number: 001-35259
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 98-0166007 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
7 WELLS AVENUE, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02459
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
617-332-0004
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
———————
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
Large accelerated filer | o | Accelerated filer | o |
Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | þ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No þ
As of August 9, 2011, there were 16,522,228 shares of issuer's common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.
INDEX PAGE
| PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION | | | |
| | | | |
Item 1. | Financial Statements | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 (Audited)* and June 30, 2011 (Unaudited) | | | 4 | |
| | | | | |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011 (Unaudited) | | | 5 | |
| | | | | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011 (Unaudited) | | | 6 | |
| | | | | |
| Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements | | | 7 | |
| | | | | |
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation | | | 12 | |
| | | | | |
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | | | 17 | |
| | | | | |
| PART II – OTHER INFORMATION | | | | |
| | | | | |
Item 6. | Exhibits | | | 17 | |
| | | | | |
SIGNATURES | | | | 18 | |
*The Balance Sheet at December 31, 2010 has been derived from audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. All other financial statements are unaudited.
Explanatory Note
Ambient Corporation implemented the previously approved 1-for-100 reverse stock split on July 18, 2011. All share and per share amounts and calculations in this Quarterly Report and the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the reverse stock split.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We make forward-looking statements in this report, in other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or that we otherwise release to the public, and on our website. In addition, our senior management might make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media, and others. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements concerning our future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, future economic performance (including growth and earnings) and demand for our products and services, and other statements of our plans, beliefs, or expectations, including the statements contained in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition, and Results of Operations” regarding our future plans, strategies and expectations are forward-looking statements. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “continue,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because these forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various assumptions, risks, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. Thus, our ability to predict results or the actual effect of our future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, dependence on one key customer, our inability to obtain necessary financing; changes in economic conditions generally and our specific market areas, changes in technology, legislative or regulatory changes that affect us, the availability of working capital, changes in costs and the availability of goods and services, the introduction of competing products, changes in our operating strategy or development plans, our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, and changes in our acquisition and capital expenditure plans. These risks and uncertainties, together with the other risks described from time to time in reports and documents that we file with the SEC, should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Indeed, it is likely that some of our assumptions will prove to be incorrect. Our actual results and financial position will vary from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements and the variances may be material. Moreover, we do not assume the responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| | December 31, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2011 | |
| | | | | (Unaudited) | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 6,987 | | | $ | 12,545 | |
Accounts receivable | | | 1,731 | | | | 478 | |
Inventory | | | 834 | | | | 2,452 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 276 | | | | 274 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 9,828 | | | | 15,749 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 745 | | | | 1,049 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 10,573 | | | $ | 16,798 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and stockholders' equity | | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 3,608 | | | $ | 4,630 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including related party interest | | | | | | | | |
of $244 and $0 respectively) | | | 633 | | | | 696 | |
Deferred revenue | | | - | | | | 107 | |
Income taxes payable | | | - | | | | 109 | |
Capital lease obligations, current portion | | | 10 | | | | 4 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 4,251 | | | | 5,546 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-current liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Deferred rent | | | 186 | | | | 143 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 4,437 | | | | 5,689 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders' equity | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $.001 par value; | | | | | | | | |
20,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized; | | | | | | | | |
16,493,764 and 16,532,228 issued; and | | | | | | | | |
16,483,764 and 16,522,228 outstanding, respectively | | | 16 | | | | 16 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 149,748 | | | | 151,190 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (143,428 | ) | | | (139,897 | ) |
Less: treasury stock; 10,000 shares at cost | | | (200 | ) | | | (200 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders' equity | | | 6,136 | | | | 11,109 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 10,573 | | | $ | 16,798 | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
AMBIENT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenue | | $ | 4,574 | | | $ | 15,986 | | | $ | 6,258 | | | $ | 27,993 | |
Cost of goods sold | | | 2,641 | | | | 9,162 | | | | 3,782 | | | | 15,963 | |
Gross profit | | | 1,933 | | | | 6,824 | | | | 2,476 | | | | 12,030 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and development expenses | | | 1,398 | | | | 2,805 | | | | 2,975 | | | | 4,893 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 1,130 | | | | 1,496 | | | | 2,305 | | | | 3,507 | |
Total expenses | | | 2,528 | | | | 4,301 | | | | 5,280 | | | | 8,400 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating (loss) income | | | (595 | ) | | | 2,523 | | | | (2,804 | ) | | | 3,630 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | (213 | ) | | | (1 | ) |
Interest income | | | - | | | | 6 | | | | - | | | | 13 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss income before income taxes | | | (595 | ) | | | 2,529 | | | | (3,017 | ) | | | 3,642 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | | - | | | | 81 | | | | - | | | | 109 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (595 | ) | | $ | 2,448 | | | $ | (3,017 | ) | | $ | 3,533 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income per share (basic) | | $ | (0.04 | ) | | $ | 0.15 | | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | 0.21 | |
Net (loss) income per share (diluted) | | $ | (0.04 | ) | | $ | 0.14 | | | $ | (0.20 | ) | | $ | 0.21 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in computing basic net (loss) income per share | | | 15,871 | | | | 16,505 | | | | 15,022 | | | | 16,496 | |
Weighted average shares used in computing diluted net (loss) income per share | | | 15,871 | | | | 16,909 | | | | 15,022 | | | | 16,936 | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (3,017 | ) | | $ | 3,533 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by | | | | | | | | |
(used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 182 | | | | 206 | |
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature of convertible debt | | | 184 | | | | - | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 35 | | | | 1,306 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | 748 | | | | 1,253 | |
Inventory | | | (271 | ) | | | (1,618 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 3 | | | | 2 | |
Accounts payable | | | 117 | | | | 1,022 | |
Deferred rent | | | 75 | | | | (43 | ) |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | 96 | | | | 63 | |
Income taxes payable | | | - | | | | 109 | |
Deferred revenue | | | (121 | ) | | | 107 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | | | (1,969 | ) | | | 5,940 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | | (264 | ) | | | (511 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (264 | ) | | | (511 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | 2,500 | | | | - | |
Proceeds from exercise of warrants | | | 100 | | | | 106 | |
Proceeds from exercise of options | | | 26 | | | | 30 | |
Payments of capitalized lease obligations | | | (6 | ) | | | (7 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 2,620 | | | | 129 | |
| | | | | | | | |
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | | 387 | | | | 5,558 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | | 987 | | | | 6,987 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD | | $ | 1,374 | | | $ | 12,545 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Noncash financing and investing activites: | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock in connection with conversion of debt | | $ | 10,000 | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the period for: | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 246 | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
AMBIENT CORPORATION
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Ambient Corporation and its subsidiary (collectively, the “Company,” “we” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with Article 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We are a leading provider of a smart grid communications platform that enables utilities to effectively deploy, integrate and communicate with multiple smart grid applications within the electrical power distribution grid. The Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform, which includes hardware, software and firmware, provides the network platform to effectively manage smart grid applications. Today, our communications platform enables the simultaneous integration and parallel communication of multiple smart grid applications provided by a variety of vendors, including smart metering, demand response and distribution automation.
Our long-standing relationship with Duke Energy, which has one of the most forward-looking smart grid investment initiatives in North America, has led to rapid growth in our business. We entered into a long-term agreement in September 2009 with Duke Energy, currently our sole customer, to supply Duke Energy our Ambient Smart Grid® communications nodes and license our AmbientNMS® through 2015.
On July 18, 2011, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation effecting a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-100 shares (the “Reverse Split”). The Certificate of Amendment provides that each 100 outstanding shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, will be exchanged and combined, automatically, without further action, into one share of common stock. Following the implementation of the Reverse Split, the number of authorized shares of common stock that we are authorized to issue from time to time was updated to 100,000,000 shares. The Reverse Split became effective on July 18, 2011 and has been reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
NOTE 2 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On January 1, 2011, we adopted Accounting Statement Update (ASU) 2009-13 (ASU 2009-13),“Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” which eliminates the residual method of allocation, and instead requires companies to use the relative selling price method when allocating revenue in a multiple deliverable arrangement. When applying the relative selling price method, the selling price for each deliverable shall be determined using vendor specific objective evidence of selling price, if it exists and otherwise using third-party evidence of selling price. If neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence of selling price exists for a deliverable, companies shall use their best estimate of the selling price for that deliverable when applying the relative selling price method. We elected to adopt this guidance prospectively for all revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption. Our adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On January 1, 2011, we adopted ASU 2010-17 (ASU 2010-17), "Revenue Recognition-Milestone Method (Topic 605): Milestone Method of Revenue Recognition." The amendments in this Update are effective on a prospective basis for milestones achieved in fiscal 2011 and thereafter. Our adoption of ASU 2010-17 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standard if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Substantially all of the Company’s financial instruments, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, and other current liabilities, are carried at, or approximate, fair value because of their short-term nature.
NOTE 4 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table presents stock-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
(in thousands) | | June 30, 2010 | | | June 30, 2011 | | | June 30, 2010 | | | June 30, 2011 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | (Unaudited) | |
Cost of goods sold | | $ | - | | | $ | 56 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 56 | |
Research and development expenses | | | 5 | | | | 220 | | | | 17 | | | | 439 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | - | | | | 377 | | | | 18 | | | | 811 | |
Total stock-based compensation | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 653 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 1,306 | |
NOTE 5 - NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of our common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of our common stock, including common stock equivalents outstanding. Certain common shares consisting of stock options and warrants that would have an anti-dilutive effect were not included in the diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011.
The following is a reconciliation of the denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:
| Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
(in thousands) | June 30, | | | June 30, | | | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
2010 | | | 2011 | | | 2010 | | | 2011 | |
| (Unaudited) | | | (Unaudited) | |
Denominators: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share | | | 15,871 | | | | 16,505 | | | | 15,022 | | | | 16,496 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants | | | - | | | | 404 | | | | -- | | | | 440 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average shares outstanding and dilutive securities used to compute dilutive earnings per share | | | 15,871 | | | | 16,909 | | | | 15,022 | | | | 16,936 | |
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2011, there were approximately 1.6 million shares of outstanding potential common stock equivalents which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE 6 - SALES AND MAJOR CUSTOMER
Total revenues for the three and six ended June 30, 2010 and 2011 was as follows: -
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, 2010 | | | June 30, 2011 | | | June 30, 2010 | | | June 30, | |
(in thousands) | | (Unaudited) | | | (Unaudited) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 4,555 | | | $ | 15,939 | | | $ | 6,220 | | | $ | 27,911 | |
Software maintenance | | | 19 | | | | 47 | | | | 38 | | | | 82 | |
Total revenue | | $ | 4,574 | | | $ | 15,986 | | | $ | 6,258 | | | $ | 27,993 | |
Duke Energy accounted for 100% of the product and software maintenance revenue for the 2010 and 2011 periods and 100% of the accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2011.
NOTE 7 – INVENTORY
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market and is determined on first-in-first-out method (FIFO) basis. Market is determined as the replacement cost for direct materials and the net realizable value for finished goods. Finished goods primarily consists of shipments in transit which represent the cost of finished goods inventory shipped for which title has not yet passed to our customer. The value of the inventory is adjusted for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Inventory consisted of the following:
(in thousands) | | December 31, 2010 | | | June 30, 2011 | |
| | | | | (Unaudited) | |
Raw materials | | $ | 139 | | | $ | 322 | |
Finished goods | | | 695 | | | | 2,130 | |
| | $ | 834 | | | $ | 2,452 | |
NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes at June 30, 2011 was comprised of federal alternative minimum tax.
Significant components of deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards and stock-based compensation. Due to the uncertainty of their realization, we have not recorded any income tax benefit as we have established valuation allowances for any such benefits.
NOTE 9 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Employee Stock Options
For the six month period ended June 30, 2011, we issued a total of 46,500 stock options from our 2000 Equity Incentive Plan at exercise prices between $8.50 and $10.00 per share, and we issued a total of 8,250 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options for total proceeds of $30,375.
Additionally, in July and August 2011, we issued a total of 33,250 stock options from our 2000 Equity Incentive Plan at exercise prices between $10.40 and $11.75 per share.
Warrant Exercises
For the six month period ended June 30, 2011, we issued 30,214 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants for total proceeds of $105,750. Additionally, in July 2011, we issued 10,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants for total proceeds of $35,000.
As of June 30, 2011, we had 1,161,807 warrants outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of approximately $16.18 per share, of which approximately 955,033 are held by Vicis Master Capital Fund with a weighted average exercise price of approximately $18.89 per share.
NOTE 10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On August 3, 2011, our common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbol “AMBT.”
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE NOTES THERETO. SOME OF OUR DISCUSSION IS FORWARD-LOOKING AND INVOLVES RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING RISK FACTORS THAT COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, REFER TO THE RISK FACTORS CONTAINED HEREIN AND THE RISK FACTORS SECTION OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010 ON FORM 10-K.
OVERVIEW
We are a leading provider of a smart grid communications platform that enables utilities to effectively deploy, integrate and communicate with multiple smart grid applications within the electrical power grid. Our smart grid communications platform fosters the ability of utilities to use advanced technologies to upgrade their electric power distribution grids, effectively making the grids more intelligent or smart.
The term “smart grid” refers to the use of advanced technologies to upgrade the electric power distribution grid, or the grid, effectively making the grid more intelligent and efficient. The grid was largely designed and built decades ago to reliably distribute electricity uni-directionally from generators to customers in a cost-effective manner appropriate at that time. A number of factors are increasingly straining the grid, including rapidly growing electricity demand, new demands of the grid, such as bi-directional power flow and advanced pricing plans, and the implementation of renewable and distributed energy sources. As such, the aging grid is prone to reliability, security, availability and power quality issues, costing utilities and consumers billions of dollars each year. We believe that the smart grid will address the current shortcomings of the grid as well as deliver significant benefits to utilities and consumers of energy, including reduced costs, increased power reliability and quality, accommodation of renewable energy technologies, consumer empowerment over energy consumption and a platform for continued integration of new technologies.
The Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform, which includes hardware, software and firmware, provides the network platform to effectively manage smart grid applications. Our communications platform provides utilities with a secure, two-way, flexible and open IP architecture that efficiently networks smart grid applications and different technologies within each application, and supports multiple communications technologies currently used by utilities, such as Wi-Fi, radio frequency, cellular technologies, power line communications, serial and Ethernet. Today, our communications platform enables the simultaneous integration and parallel communication of multiple smart grid applications provided by a variety of vendors, including smart metering, demand response and distribution automation. We believe that the Ambient Smart Grid® delivers significant benefits to utilities, including support of a single network; an open, scalable and interoperable platform; security and recoverability of utility investment; third party application hosting; remote and distributed intelligence; secure communications; and reduced overall implementation and operating costs.
The Ambient Smart Grid® products and services include communications nodes; a network management system, AmbientNMS®; integrated applications; and maintenance and consulting services. The communications nodes, our principal product, are physical boxes that contain the hardware and software needed for communications and data collection in support of smart grid assets. We have configured the communications nodes to act as individual data processors and collectors that receive signals from other networked devices, enabling smart grid applications. Duke Energy, our premier customer, has deployed approximately 55,000 of our communications nodes that receive data from smart electric and gas meters, using a variety of communications technologies, and processes and transmit these data to the utility back office over a cellular carrier network for further processing. Furthermore, our communications nodes, soon to be in their fourth generation, also contain integrated applications, which include our own developed technology and third party technology, thereby substantially increasing their functionality. By enabling such system interoperability, our communications platform both reduces implementation and ongoing communications costs, and improves overall power management efficiencies. We believe that, to date, no single solution or technology has provided the necessary flexibility in a cost-effective manner enabling a comprehensive digital communications platform while leveraging standards-based technologies.
Our long-standing relationship with Duke Energy, which has one of the most forward-looking smart grid investment initiatives in North America, has led to rapid growth in our business. We entered into a long-term agreement in September 2009 with Duke Energy, currently our sole customer, to supply Duke Energy our Ambient Smart Grid® communications nodes and license our AmbientNMS® through 2015. We have increased revenue from $2.2 million in 2009 to $20.4 million in 2010, and generated $28.0 million of additional revenue in the first six months of 2011. As of June 30, 2011, we had backlog of approximately $68 million, consisting of products that we expect to deliver into 2012.
On July 18, 2011, we implemented a reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for 100 shares (the “Reverse Split”). The Reverse Split became effective on July 18, 2011 and has been reflected in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. On August 3, 2011, our common stock began to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under our new ticker symbol “AMBT.”
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COMPARISON OF THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2011 TO THE THREE AND SIX MONTH ENDED JUNE 30, 2010
Total Revenue. Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $16.0 million, an increase of approximately 250% from approximately $4.6 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $28.0 million, an increase of approximately 344% from approximately $6.3 million for the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in total revenue during each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, as compared with the corresponding periods in 2010, reflected a substantial increase in the number of communications nodes delivered as part of Duke Energy’s Ohio smart grid initiative, as well as increased software maintenance fees related to our AmbientNMS®.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $9.2 million, an increase of $6.6 million from $2.6 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Cost of goods sold for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $16.0 million, an increase of $12.2 million from $3.8 million for the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in cost of goods sold was due primarily to the increase in sales volume associated with increased activity related to the Duke Energy Ohio smart grid initiative.
Our policy is to accrue anticipated warranty costs based upon historical percentages of items returned for repair within one year of the initial sale. Our repair rate of products under warranty has been minimal, and a historical percentage has not been established, and we have not provided for any reserves for such warranty liability for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2011.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $6.8 million, an increase of $4.9 million from approximately $1.9 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Our overall gross margin for the three months ended June 30, 2011, increased to approximately 43% compared with approximately 42% for the corresponding period in 2010. Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $12.0 million, an increase of $9.5 million from approximately $2.5 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Our overall gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased to approximately 43% compared with approximately 40% for the corresponding period in 2010. Gross margin improved over 2010 primarily because of improved manufacturing costs associated primarily with increased volumes.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2011 were approximately $2.8 million, an increase of $1.4 million from approximately $1.4 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were approximately $4.9 million, an increase of $1.9 million from approximately $3.0 million for the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in research and development during the 2011 periods was due primarily to increased personnel and consultant expenses for the continued development of our fourth generation communications platform, and the enhancement of our AmbientNMS®. We believe that our continued development efforts are critical to our strategic objectives of enhancing our technology while reducing costs, and therefore, we expect that our research and development expenses will increase over the next twelve months as we continue to focus our efforts on developing more robust solutions and providing additional value-added functionality for the Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform. Research and development expenses consisted of expenses incurred primarily in designing, developing and field testing our smart grid communications platform. These expenses consisted primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel, contract design and testing services, supplies used, and consulting and license fees paid to third parties.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2011 were approximately $1.5, an increase of $400,000 from approximately $1.1 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were approximately $3.5 million, an increase of $1.2 million from approximately $2.3 million for the corresponding period in 2010. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due primarily to increased personnel costs and increased activity regarding our efforts to market the Ambient Smart Grid® communications platform. Selling, general and administrative expenses consisted primarily of salaries and other related costs for personnel in executive and other administrative functions. Other significant costs included professional fees for legal, accounting and other services. We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will increase over the next twelve months as we hire additional personnel associated with business development activities, incur more expenses associated with our listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and increase activity associated with marketing programs targeted at increasing our overall brand awareness.
Interest Income and Interest Expense. Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $6,000 as compared with net interest expense of approximately $269 for the corresponding period in 2010. Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $11,500 as compared with net interest expense of approximately $213,000 for the corresponding period in 2010. Interest expense during the six months ended June 30, 2010 related primarily to our 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Notes, which were issued in July and November of 2007 and January 2008 and included non-cash charges associated with the amortization of the beneficial conversion features and deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the placement of the convertible promissory notes. As of January 31, 2010, all of the outstanding convertible promissory notes were converted into shares of our common stock, for which we will no longer incur interest expenses.
Provision for Income Taxes. As a result of our net income of approximately $2.4 million and $3.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, we recorded a provision for income taxes of approximately $81,000 and $109,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The provision reflected federal alternative minimum taxes. At December 31, 2010, we had available approximately $77 million of net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes, which expire in the years 2016 through 2029. However, due to changes in stock ownership resulting from historical investments provided by Vicis Capital Master Fund, we expect that the use of the U.S. net operating loss carryforwards are significantly limited under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, we estimate that approximately $61 million of our net operating loss carryforwards will expire and will not be available to use against future tax liabilities.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Since inception, we have funded our operations primarily through the sale of our securities and, most recently, through revenue generated from sales of our products. At June 30, 2011, we had working capital of $10.2 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $12.5 million. Our cash and cash equivalents were $7.0 million as of December 31, 2010.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $2.0 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was due primarily to an increase in product revenue of $21.7 million over the corresponding period in 2010, thereby significantly increasing gross profit and generating cash sufficient to pay our ongoing operating expenses.
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $511,000 as compared with approximately $264,000 for the corresponding period in 2010. Net cash used in investing activities was primarily for additions to fixed assets.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2011 was approximately $129,000 as compared with approximately $2.6 million for the corresponding period in 2010. Net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of sales of our securities.
We believe that our business plan will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our operating needs for the next 12 months. However, there are factors that can impact our ability to continue to fund our operating needs, including:
· | Our ability to maintain product pricing as expected, particularly in light of increased competition and its unknown effects on market dynamics; |
· | Our and our contract manufacturer’s ability to reduce manufacturing costs as expected; |
· | Our ability to expand sales volume, which is highly dependent on the smart grid implementation plans of Duke Energy and other utilities; and |
· | The need for us to continue to invest in operating activities in order to remain competitive or acquire other businesses and technologies in order to complement our products, expand the breadth of our business, enhance our technical capabilities, or otherwise offer growth opportunities. |
If we cannot effectively manage these factors, we may need to raise additional capital in order to fund our operating needs. We currently do not have any commitments for additional funding. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we require it, our ability to continue to grow or support our business and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of "disclosure controls and procedures" in Rule 13a-15(e).
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
3.1 | | Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
32 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
101.INS* | | XBRL Instance Document |
| | |
101.SCH* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
| | |
101.CAL* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
| | |
101.DEF* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
| | |
101.LAB* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
| | |
101.PRE* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
* | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMBIENT CORPORATION | | | |
(Registrant) | | | |
| | | |
By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | | By: | /s/ Mark L. Fidler | |
| John J. Joyce | | | Mark L. Fidler | |
| Chief Executive Officer | | | Chief Financial Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) | | | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| | | | | |
Date: | August 10, 2011 | | Date: | August 10, 2011 | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
3.1 | | Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
32 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
101.INS* | | XBRL Instance Document |
| | |
101.SCH* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
| | |
101.CAL* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
| | |
101.DEF* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
| | |
101.LAB* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
| | |
101.PRE* | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
* | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability. |
Exhibit 3.1
RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION
I, John J. Joyce, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 of Ambient Corporation; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
August 10, 2011
| By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
EXHIBIT 31.2
RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION
I, Mark L. Fidler, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 of Ambient Corporation; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
| d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
| b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. |
August 10, 2011
| By: | /s/ Mark L. Fidler | |
| | Mark L. Fidler | |
| | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Accounting Officer) | |
EXHIBIT 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 (AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002)
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ambient Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 (the "Report") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we, John J. Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Mark L. Fidler, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of our knowledge:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods presented in the Report.
Date: August 10, 2011
| | | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |
| By: | /s/ Mark L. Fidler | |
| | Mark L. Fidler | |
| | Chief Financial Officer | |
A certification furnished pursuant to this Item will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): August 15, 2011
AMBIENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 001-35259 | | 98-0166007 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
7 WELLS AVENUE, SUITE 11, NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 02459
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)
617- 332-0004
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
SECTION 5 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(e) On August 15, 2011, the Board of Directors of Ambient Corporation (the “Company”) approved an amendment to the Company’s 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance under the 2000 Plan from 1,100,000 to 2,750,000 shares. By written consent, the holder of a majority of the shares of outstanding common stock of the Company approved the amendment for such increase. The amendment for such increase will not become effective until 20 calendar days after the Company sends an Information Statement on Schedule 14C to its stockholders with respect to the amendment to the 2000 Plan. Under the 2000 Plan, the Company may grant to eligible participants stock options, performance units, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses, other stock-based awards, tax bonuses and other cash payments. The Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and named executive officers are eligible participants under the 2000 Plan, but the Company has not made any determination regarding the grant of any awards under the 2000 Plan with respect to the available shares under the 2000 Plan, including with respect to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and named executive officers. Except to increase the number of shares available under the 2000 Plan, there have been no other amendments to the 2000 Plan. The brief description of the 2000 Plan set forth above is qualified in its entirety by the 2000 Plan, a copy of which is filed as Appendix A to the Definitive Information Statement of Ambient Corporation on Schedule 14C, filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009.
On August 15, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company also approved an amendment to the Company’s 2002 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance under the 2002 Plan from 250,000 to 750,000 shares. By written consent, the holder of a majority of the shares of outstanding common stock of the Company approved the amendment for such increase. The amendment for such increase will not become effective until 20 calendar days after the Company sends an Information Statement on Schedule 14C to its stockholders with respect to the amendment to the 2002 Plan. Under the 2002 Plan, the Company may grant non-qualified stock options to the Company’s non-employee directors. Except to increase the number of shares available under the 2002 Plan, there have been no other amendments to the 2002 Plan. The brief description of the 2002 Plan set forth above is qualified in its entirety by the 2002 Plan, a copy of which is filed as Appendix B to the Definitive Information Statement of Ambient Corporation on Schedule 14C, filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMBIENT CORPORATION | |
| | | |
Dated: August 16, 2011 | By: | /s/ John J. Joyce | |
| | John J. Joyce | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
| | | |