UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2020
☐ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
For the transition period from _______ to ________
Commission File number 000-30262
KNOW LABS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Nevada | 90-0273142 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
500 Union Street, Suite 810, Seattle, Washington USA | 98101 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
206-903-1351 | ||
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) | ||
(Former name, address, and fiscal year, if changed since last report) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The number of shares of common stock, $.001 par value, issued and outstanding as of February 16, 2021: 26,301,354 shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS | ||
Page Number | ||
PART I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
3 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
23 | ||
31 | ||
32 | ||
PART II | OTHER INFORMATION | |
33 | ||
44 | ||
45 | ||
48 |
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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOW LABS, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | |
ASSETS | ||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $2,927,234 | $4,298,179 |
Total current assets | 2,927,234 | 4,298,179 |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET | 117,004 | 128,671 |
OTHER ASSETS | ||
Intangible assets | 57,781 | 101,114 |
Other assets | 25,181 | 25,180 |
Operating lease right of use asset | 96,672 | 129,003 |
TOTAL ASSETS | $3,223,872 | $4,682,147 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||
Accounts payable - trade | $573,224 | $487,810 |
Accounts payable - related parties | 7,559 | 5,687 |
Accrued expenses | 480,403 | 401,178 |
Accrued expenses - related parties | 613,641 | 591,600 |
Convertible notes payable | 5,044,558 | 3,967,578 |
Note payable | 226,170 | 226,170 |
Simple Agreements for Future Equity | 840,000 | 785,000 |
Current portion of operating lease right of use liability | 84,537 | 108,779 |
Total current liabilities | 7,870,092 | 6,573,802 |
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||
Operating lease right of use liability, net of current portion | 14,602 | 23,256 |
Total non-current liabilities | 14,602 | 23,256 |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14) | - | - |
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | ||
Preferred stock - $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and | ||
outstanding at 12/31/2020 and 9/30/2020 respectively | - | - |
Series C Convertible Preferred stock - $0.001 par value, 1,785,715 shares authorized, | ||
1,785,715 shares issued and outstanding at 12/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, respectively | 1,790 | 1,790 |
Series D Convertible Preferred stock - $0.001 par value, 1,016,014 shares authorized, | ||
1,016,004 shares issued and outstanding at 12/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, respectively | 1,015 | 1,015 |
Common stock - $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 25,370,224 and 24,804,874 | ||
shares issued and outstanding at 12/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, respectively | 25,372 | 24,807 |
Additional paid in capital | 56,576,613 | 54,023,758 |
Accumulated deficit | (61,265,612) | (55,966,281) |
Total stockholders' deficit | (4,660,822) | (1,914,911) |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT | $3,223,872 | $4,682,147 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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KNOW LABS, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended, | ||
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |
REVENUE | $- | $117,393 |
COST OF SALES | - | 65,935 |
GROSS PROFIT | - | 51,458 |
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES | 966,861 | 491,138 |
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES | 2,598,732 | 920,551 |
OPERATING LOSS | (3,565,593) | (1,360,231) |
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): | ||
Interest expense | (1,733,738) | (1,679,490) |
Other income | - | 24,708 |
Total other (expense), net | (1,733,738) | (1,654,782) |
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | (5,299,331) | (3,015,013) |
Income tax expense | - | - |
NET LOSS | $(5,299,331) | $(3,015,013) |
Basic and diluted loss per share | $(0.21) | $(0.16) |
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding- basic and diluted | 25,208,726 | 18,409,902 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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KNOW LABS, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Series C Convertible | Series D Convertible | Additional | Total | ||||||
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Paid in | Accumulated | Stockholders' | ||||
Shares | $ | Shares | $ | Shares | $ | Capital | Deficit | Deficit | |
Balance as of October 1, 2019 | 1,785,715 | $1,790 | 1,016,004 | $1,015 | 18,366,178 | $18,366 | $39,085,179 | $(42,403,640) | $(3,297,290) |
Stock compensation expense - employee options | - | - | - | - | - | - | 175,442 | - | 175,442 |
Stock option exercise | - | - | - | - | 73,191 | 73 | (73) | - | - |
Beneficial conversion feature | - | - | - | - | - | - | 330,082 | - | 330,082 |
Issuance of warrants to debt holders | - | - | - | - | - | - | 168,270 | - | 168,270 |
Issuance of warrants for services related to debt offering | - | - | - | - | - | - | 160,427 | - | 160,427 |
Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants | - | - | - | - | 28,688 | 29 | (29) | - | - |
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (3,015,013) | (3,015,013) |
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | 1,785,715 | 1,790 | 1,016,004 | 1,015 | 18,468,057 | 18,468 | 39,919,298 | (45,418,653) | (5,478,082) |
Balance as of October 1, 2020 | 1,785,715 | 1,790 | 1,016,004 | 1,015 | 24,804,874 | 24,807 | 54,023,758 | (55,966,281) | (1,914,911) |
Stock compensation expense - employee options | - | - | - | - | - | - | 175,442 | - | 175,442 |
Conversion of debt offering and accrued interest (Note 9 and 11) | - | - | - | - | 561,600 | 562 | 561,038 | - | 561,600 |
Issuance of warrant for services to related party | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,811,691 | - | 1,811,691 |
Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants | - | - | - | - | 3,750 | 4 | 4,684 | - | 4,688 |
Net loss | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (5,299,331) | (5,299,331) |
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | 1,785,715 | $1,790 | 1,016,004 | $1,015 | 25,370,224 | $25,372 | $56,576,613 | $(61,265,612) | $(4,660,822) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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KNOW LABS, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended, | ||
December 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||
Net loss | $(5,299,331) | $(3,015,013) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) | ||
operating activities | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 64,633 | 60,316 |
Stock based compensation- warrants | 1,811,691 | - |
Stock based compensation- stock option grants | 175,442 | 399,897 |
Amortization of debt discount | 1,596,980 | 1,567,047 |
Right of use, net | (565) | 458 |
Provision on loss on accounts receivable | - | 40,000 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||
Accounts receivable | - | 23,049 |
Prepaid expenses | - | 1,243 |
Inventory | - | 7,103 |
Accounts payable - trade and accrued expenses | 230,150 | 91,575 |
NET CASH (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (1,421,000) | (824,325) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||
Purchase of research and development equipment | (9,633) | (15,357) |
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | (9,633) | (15,357) |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||
Proceeds from convertible notes payable | - | 520,000 |
Proceeds from Simple Agreements for Future Equity | 55,000 | - |
Payments for issuance costs from notes payable | - | (78,845) |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock for warrant exercise | 4,688 | - |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 59,688 | 441,155 |
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (1,370,945) | (398,527) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period | 4,298,179 | 1,900,836 |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | $2,927,234 | $1,502,309 |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||
Interest paid | $- | $- |
Taxes paid | $- | $- |
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||
Beneficial conversion feature | $- | $330,082 |
Issuance of warrants to debt holders | $- | $168,270 |
Issuance of warrants for services related to debt offering | $- | $160,427 |
Cashless warrant exercise (fair value) | $- | $7,172 |
Cashless stock options exercise (fair value) | $- | $18,298 |
Conversion of debt offering | $520,000 | $- |
Conversion of accrued interest | $41,599 | $- |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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KNOW LABS, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Know Labs, Inc, formerly Visualant, Incorporated (“the Company”, “us,” “we,” or “our”) in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the fiscal periods presented have been included.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 29, 2020. The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year, or for any other fiscal period.
1. ORGANIZATION
Know Labs, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada in 1998. The Company has authorized 105,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 100,000,000 are shares of voting common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 are shares preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.
The Company is focused on the development, marketing and sales of proprietary technologies which are capable of uniquely identifying or authenticating almost any substance or material using electromagnetic energy to record, detect, and identify the unique “signature” of the substance or material. The Company call these our “Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies.
Historically, the Company focused on the development of our proprietary ChromaID technology. Using light from low-cost LEDs (light emitting diodes) the ChromaID technology maps the color of substances, fluids and materials. With the Company’s proprietary processes we can authenticate and identify based upon the color that is present. The color is both visible to the Company as humans but also outside of the humanly visible color spectrum in the near infra-red and near ultra-violet and beyond. The Company’s ChromaID scanner sees what we like to call “Nature’s Color Fingerprint.” Everything in nature has a unique color identifier and with ChromaID the Company can see, and identify, and authenticate based upon the color that is present. The Company’s ChromaID scanner is capable of uniquely identifying and authenticating almost any substance or liquid using light to record, detect and identify its unique color signature. Today the Company is focused upon extensions and new inventions that are derived from and extend beyond the Company’s ChromaID technology. The Company calls this new technology “Bio-RFID.” The rapid advances made with the Company’s Bio-RFID technology in our laboratory have caused us to move quickly into the commercialization phase as the Company works to create revenue generating products for the marketplace. Today, the sole focus of the Company is on its Bio-RFID technology and its commercialization.
Particle, Inc. was incorporated April 30, 2020 and to date has engaged in activities consisting primarily of research and development on threaded light bulbs that have a warm white light that can inactivate germs, including bacteria and viruses. On June 1, 2020, the Company approved and ratified entry into an intercompany Patent License Agreement dated May 21, 2020 with Particle. Pursuant to the Agreement, Particle received an exclusive non-transferrable license to use certain patents and trademarks of the Company, in exchange the Company shall receive: (i) a one-time fee of $250,000 upon a successful financing of Particle, and (ii) a quarterly royalty payment equal to the greater of 5% of the Gross Sales, net of returns, from Particle or $5,000. As of December 31, 2020 the operations of Particle have generated no sales and operations are just commencing. The first product, the Particle bulb can be used in households, businesses and other facilities to inactivating bacteria and viruses. Through internal preliminary testing, Particle personnel has confirmed the bulb’s efficacy in inactivating common germs such as E. coli and Staphylococcus. A world renowned, CDC-regulated biosafety level-4 laboratory is currently testing the Particle bulb’s ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
7
In 2010, the Company acquired TransTech Systems, Inc. as an adjunct to our business. Operating as an independent subsidiary, TransTech was a distributor of products for employee and personnel identification and authentication. TransTech historically provided substantially all of the Company’s revenues. The financial results from our TransTech subsidiary had been diminishing as vendors of their products increasingly moved to the Internet and direct sales to their customers. TransTech closed June 30, 2020.
2. GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company incurred net losses of $5,299,331, $13,562,641 and $7,612,316 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $1,421,000, $3,913,803 and $3,104,035 the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company anticipates that it will record losses from operations for the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s accumulated deficit was $61,265,612. The Company has limited capital resources. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The audit report prepared by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm relating to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2020 includes an explanatory paragraph expressing the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company believes that its cash on hand will be sufficient to fund our operations until July 31, 2021. The Company may need additional financing to implement our business plan and to service our ongoing operations and pay our current debts. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure any needed funding, or that if such funding is available, the terms or conditions would be acceptable to us. If we are unable to obtain additional financing when it is needed, we will need to restructure our operations, and divest all or a portion of our business. We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings and strategic collaborations. Debt financing, if obtained, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, and could increase our expenses and require that our assets secure such debt. Equity financing, if obtained, could result in dilution to the Company’s then-existing stockholders and/or require such stockholders to waive certain rights and preferences. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, or is not available at all, the Company may be required to delay, scale back, eliminate the development of business opportunities and our operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Basis of Presentation – The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, TransTech Systems, Inc. and RAAI Lighting, Inc., and majority-owned subsidiary, Particle, Inc. Inter-Company items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The ownership of Particle not owned by the Company at December 31, 2020 is not material and thus no non-controlling interest is recognized.
Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company classifies highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk for cash on deposit. At December 31, 2020, the Company had uninsured deposits in the amount of $2,677,234.
8
Equipment – Equipment consists of machinery, leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and software, which are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or lease period of the relevant asset, generally 2-5 years, except for leasehold improvements which are depreciated over 5 years.
Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets under certain circumstances are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value (less the projected cost associated with selling the asset). To the extent carrying values exceed fair values, an impairment loss is recognized in operating results.
Intangible Assets – Intangible assets are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life, if the life is determinable. If the life is not determinable, amortization is not recorded. We regularly perform reviews to determine if facts and circumstances exist which indicate that the useful lives of our intangible assets are shorter than originally estimated or the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. When an indication exists that the carrying amount of intangible assets may not be recoverable, we assess the recoverability of our assets by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Such impairment test is based on the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the estimated fair value of those assets.
Research and Development Expenses – Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors who design, engineer and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies and facilities used in producing prototypes.
The Company’s current research and development efforts are primarily focused on improving our Bio-RFID technology, extending its capacity and developing new and unique applications for this technology. As part of this effort, the Company conducts on-going laboratory testing to ensure that application methods are compatible with the end-user and regulatory requirements, and that they can be implemented in a cost-effective manner. The Company also is actively involved in identifying new applications. The Company’s current internal team along with outside consultants has considerable experience working with the application of the Company’s technologies and their applications. The Company engages third party experts as required to supplement our internal team. The Company believes that continued development of new and enhanced technologies is essential to our future success. The Company incurred expenses of $966,861, $2,033,726 and $1,257,872 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, on development activities.
Advertising – Advertising costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $118,750 and $0, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments – ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
Level 2 – Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
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The recorded value of other financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 are based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities.
The Company has a money market account which is considered a level 1 asset. The balance as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 was $2,853,419 and $4,252,959, respectively.
The following table represents a roll-forward of the fair value of the Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) for which fair value is determined by Level 3 inputs:
Balance as of October 1, 2019 | $- |
Proceeds from issuance of SAFE | 785,000 |
Fair value adjustment | - |
Balance as of September 30, 2020 | $785,000 |
Proceeds from issuance of SAFE | 55,000 |
Fair value adjustment | - |
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $840,000 |
Fair value of the SAFE on issuance was determined to be equal to the proceeds received (see Note 8). There were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 categories in the periods presented.
Derivative Financial Instruments –Pursuant to ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”, the Company evaluates all of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. The Company then determines if embedded derivative must bifurcated and separately accounted for. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. For stock-based derivative financial instruments, the Company uses a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to value the derivative instruments at inception and on subsequent valuation dates. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within twelve months of the balance sheet date.
The Company determined that the conversion features for purposes of bifurcation within its currently outstanding convertible notes payable were immaterial and there was no derivative liability to be recorded as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.
Stock Based Compensation - The Company has share-based compensation plans under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be granted restricted stock, as well as options and warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant. Stock-based compensation cost to employees is measured by the Company at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, over the requisite service period under ASC 718. For options issued to employees, the Company recognizes stock compensation costs utilizing the fair value methodology over the related period of benefit.
Convertible Securities – Based upon ASC 815-15, we have adopted a sequencing approach regarding the application of ASC 815-40 to convertible securities. We will evaluate our contracts based upon the earliest issuance date. In the event partial reclassification of contracts subject to ASC 815-40-25 is necessary, due to our inability to demonstrate we have sufficient shares authorized and unissued, shares will be allocated on the basis of issuance date, with the earliest issuance date receiving first allocation of shares. If a reclassification of an instrument were required, it would result in the instrument issued latest being reclassified first.
10
Net Loss per Share – Under the provisions of ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share,” basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the periods presented. Diluted net loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 25,370,224 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, there were options outstanding for the purchase of 12,936,955 common shares (including unearned stock option grants totaling 10,625,745 shares related to performance targets), warrants for the purchase of 22,016,367 common shares, and 8,108,356 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series C and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company currently has 14,189,764 common shares (9,020,264 common shares at the current price of $0.25 per share and 5,169,500 common shares at the current price of $1.20 per share) reserved and are issuable upon conversion of convertible debentures of $7,424,566. All of which could potentially dilute future earnings per share but are excluded from the December 31, 2020 calculation of net loss per share because their impact is antidilutive.
As of December 31, 2019, there were options outstanding for the purchase of 4,812,668 common shares (including unearned stock option grants totaling 2,680,000 and excluding certain stock option grants for a cancelled kickstarter program), warrants for the purchase of 18,044,490 common shares, and 8,108,356 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series C and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company currently has 13,782,779 common shares (9,020,264 common shares at the current price of $0.25 per share and 4,762,515 common shares at the current price of $1.00 per share) and are issuable upon conversion of convertible debentures of $7,017,581. All of which could potentially dilute future earnings per share.
Comprehensive loss – Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business during a period from non-owner sources. There were no differences between net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and comprehensive loss for those periods.
Dividend Policy – The Company has never paid any cash dividends and intends, for the foreseeable future, to retain any future earnings for the development of our business. Our future dividend policy will be determined by the board of directors on the basis of various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements and investment opportunities.
Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Based on the Company’s review of accounting standard updates issued since the filing of the 2020 Form 10-K, there have been no other newly issued or newly applicable accounting pronouncements that have had, or are expected to have, a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
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4. FIXED ASSETS
Property and equipment as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 was comprised of the following:
Estimated | December 31, | September 30, | |
KNWN- | Useful Lives | 2020 | 2020 |
Machinery and equipment | 2-3 years | $361,020 | $355,272 |
Leasehold improvements | 5 years | 3,612 | 3,612 |
Furniture and fixtures | 5 years | 26,855 | 26,855 |
Software and websites | - | - | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | (278,044) | (257,068) | |
$113,443 | $128,671 |
Total depreciation expense was $21,300 and $16,983 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. All equipment is used for selling, general and administrative purposes and accordingly all depreciation is classified in selling, general and administrative expenses.
5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 consisted of the following:
Estimated | December 31, | September 30, | |
Useful Lives | 2020 | 2020 | |
Technology | 3 years | $520,000 | $520,000 |
Less: accumulated amortization | (462,219) | (418,886) | |
Intangible assets, net | $57,781 | $101,114 |
Total amortization expense was $43,333 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Merger with RAAI Lighting, Inc.
On April 10, 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with 500 Union Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and RAAI Lighting, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of RAAI’s capital stock through a merger of Merger Sub with and into RAAI (the “Merger”), with RAAI surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
The fair value of the intellectual property associated with the assets acquired was $520,000 estimated by using a discounted cash flow approach based on future economic benefits. In summary, the estimate was based on a projected income approach and related discounted cash flows over five years, with applicable risk factors assigned to assumptions in the forecasted results.
6. LEASES
The Company has entered into operating leases for office and development facilities. These leases have terms which range from two to three years and include options to renew. These operating leases are listed as separate line items on the Company's December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheets and represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company’s obligation to make lease payments are also listed as separate line items on the Company's December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheets. Based on the present value of the lease payments for the remaining lease term of the Company's existing leases, the Company recognized right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases of approximately $250,000 on October 1, 2018. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities commencing after October 1, 2018 are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. During the three months ended December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the Company had one lease expire and recognized the rent payments as an expense in the current period. As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, total right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities for remaining long term lease was approximately $99,000 and $132,000, respectively. In the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized approximately $37,612 and $136,718, respectively in total lease costs for the leases.
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Because the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments.
Information related to the Company's operating right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities as of and for the period ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Cash paid for ROU operating lease liability $34,813
Weighted-average remaining lease term 1.2 years
Weighted-average discount rate 7%
The minimum future lease payments as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Year | $ |
2021 | $87,463 |
2022 | 17,917 |
Imputed interest | (6,241) |
Total lease liability | $99,139 |
7. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE AND NOTE PAYABLE
Convertible notes payable as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 consisted of the following:
Convertible Promissory Notes with Clayton A. Struve
The Company owes Clayton A. Struve $1,071,000 under convertible promissory or OID notes. The Company recorded accrued interest of $73,452 and $71,562 as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively. On December 23, 2020, the Company signed Amendments to the convertible promissory or OID notes, extending the due dates to March 31, 2021. Mr. Struve also invested $1,000,000 in the May 2019 Debt Offering.
Convertible Redeemable Promissory Notes with Ronald P. Erickson and J3E2A2Z
On March 16, 2018, the Company entered into a Note and Account Payable Conversion Agreement pursuant to which (a) all $664,233 currently owing under the J3E2A2Z Notes was converted to a Convertible Redeemable Promissory Note in the principal amount of $664,233, and (b) all $519,833 of the J3E2A2Z Account Payable was converted into a Convertible Redeemable Promissory Note in the principal amount of $519,833 together with a warrant to purchase up to 1,039,666 shares of common stock of the Company for a period of five years. The initial exercise price of the warrants described above is $0.50 per share, also subject to certain adjustments. The warrants were valued at $110,545. Because the note is immediately convertible, the warrants and beneficial conversion were expensed as interest. The Company recorded accrued interest of $163,109 and $145,202 as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively. On December 8, 2020, the Company signed Amendment 4 to the convertible promissory or OID notes, extending the due dates to March 31, 2021.
Convertible Debt Offering
Beginning in 2019, the Company entered into series of debt offerings with similar and consistent terms. The Company issued Subordinated Convertible Notes and Warrants in a private placement to accredited investors, pursuant to a series of substantially identical Securities Purchase Agreements, Common Stock Warrants, and related documents. The notes are convertible into one share of common stock for each dollar invested in a Convertible Note Payable and automatically convert to common stock after one year. The convertible notes contain terms and conditions which are deemed to be a Beneficial Conversion Feature (BCF). Warrants are issued to purchase common stock with an exercise price of $1.20 per share and the number of warrants are equal to 50% of the convertible note balance. The Company compensates the placement agent with a cash fee and warrants. Through December 31, 2020, the Company has raised approximately $10 million through this offerings, of which $0 and $520,000 were raised in the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
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The Convertible Notes are initially convertible into 520,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments, and the Warrants are initially exercisable for 260,000 shares of Common Stock.
The fair value of the Warrants issued to debt holders was $168,270 on the date of issuance and were amortized over the one-year term of the Convertible Notes.
In connection with the debt offering, the placement agent for the Convertible Notes and the Warrants received a cash fee of $78,845 and warrants to purchase 71,400 shares of the Company’s common stock, all based on 8-10% of gross proceeds to the Company. The warrants issued for these services had a fair value of $160,427 at the date of issuance. The fair value of the warrants was recorded as debt discount (with an offset to APIC) and will be amortized over the one-year term of the Convertible Notes. The $78,845 cash fee was recorded as issuance costs and will be amortized over the one-year term of the related Convertible Notes.
The Company recorded a debt discount of $330,082 associated with a beneficial conversion feature on the debt, which is being accreted using the effective interest method over the one-year term of the Convertible Notes.
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 561,600 shares of common stock related to the automatic conversion of Convertible Notes and interest from a private placement to accredited investors in 2020. The Convertible Notes and interested were automatically converted to Common Stock at $1.00 per share on the one year anniversary starting on October 17, 2020.
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, amortization related to the 2020 debt offerings of $1,596,980 of the beneficial conversion feature, warrants issued to debt holders and placement agent was recognized as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Convertible notes payable as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 are summarized below:
December 31, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | |
Convertible note- Clayton A. Struve | $1,071,000 | $1,071,000 |
Convertible note- Ronald P. Erickson and affiliates | 1,184,066 | 1,184,066 |
2019 Convertible notes | 4,242,490 | 4,242,490 |
Q1 2020 Convertible notes | 520,000 | 520,000 |
Q2 2020 Convertible notes | 195,000 | 195,000 |
Q3 2020 Convertible notes | 4,924,500 | 4,924,500 |
Boustead fee refund (originally booked as contra debt) | 50,000 | 50,000 |
Less conversions of 2019 and 2020 notes | (4,762,490) | (4,242,490) |
Less debt discount - BCF | (1,237,832) | (2,127,894) |
Less debt discount - warrants | (595,743) | (1,025,512) |
Less debt discount - warrants issued for services | (546,433) | (823,582) |
$5,044,558 | $3,967,578 |
Note Payable
On April 30, 2020, the Company received $226,170 under the Paycheck Protection Program of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 7(a) Loan Program pursuant to the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Pub. Law 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (2020). As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the Company recorded interest expense of $1,530 and $960, respectively. The Company is utilizing the funds in accordance with the legal requirements and expects this loan to be forgiven. Until the loan is legally forgiven, the loan balance will outstanding. The Company expects to start the application for the loan forgiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
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8. | SIMPLE AGREEMENTS FOR FUTURE EQUITY |
In July 2020, Particle entered into Simple Agreements for Future Equity (“SAFE”) with twenty two accredited investors pursuant to which Particle received $785,000 in cash in exchange for the providing the investor the right to receive shares of the Particle stock. The Company expects to issue 981,250 shares of the Particle stock that was initially valued at $0.80 per share. The Company paid $47,100 in broker fees which were expensed as business development expenses.
In October 2020, Particle entered into Simple Agreements for Future Equity (“SAFE”) with two accredited investors pursuant to which Particle received $55,000 in cash in exchange for the providing the investor the right to receive shares of the Particle stock. The Company expects to issue 68,750 shares of the Particle stock that was initially valued at $0.80 per share. The Company paid $4,125 in broker fees which were expensed as business development expenses.
The SAFE contained a number of conversion and redemption provisions, including settlement upon liquidity or dissolution events. The final price and shares are not known until settlement upon liquidity or dissolution events conditions are achieved. The Company elected the fair value option of accounting for the SAFE.
9. EQUITY
Authorized Capital Stock
The Company authorized 105,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which 100,000,000 are shares of voting common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 are shares preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 25,370,224 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, held by 125 stockholders of record. The number of stockholders, including beneficial owners holding shares through nominee names, is approximately 2,300. Each share of common stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote, and no cumulative voting for directors is permitted. Stockholders do not have any preemptive rights to acquire additional securities issued by the Company. As of December 31, 2020, there were options outstanding for the purchase of 12,936,995 common shares (including unearned stock option grants totaling 10,625,745 shares related to performance targets), warrants for the purchase of 22,016,367 common shares, and 8,108,356 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series C and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company currently has 14,189,764 common shares (9,020,264 common shares at the current price of $0.25 per share and 5,169,500 common shares at the current price of $1.20 per share) reserved and are issuable upon conversion of convertible debentures of $7,424,566. All of which could potentially dilute future earnings per share but are excluded from the December 31, 2020 calculation of net loss per share because their impact is antidilutive.
Voting Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001.
Series C and D Preferred Stock and Warrants
On August 5, 2016, the Company closed a Series C Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement with Clayton A. Struve, an accredited investor for the purchase of $1,250,000 of preferred stock with a conversion price of $0.70 per share. The preferred stock has a yield of 8% and an ownership blocker of 4.99%. In addition, Mr. Struve received a five-year warrant to acquire 1,785,714 shares of common stock at $0.70 per share. On August 14, 2017, the price of the Series C Stock were adjusted to $0.25 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments. On December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 there are 1,785,715 Series C Preferred shares outstanding.
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As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the Company has 1,016,014 of Series D Preferred Stock outstanding with Clayton A. Struve, an accredited investor. On August 14, 2017, the price of the Series D Stock were adjusted to $0.25 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments.
The Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock at a price of $0.25 per share or by multiplying the number of Series D Preferred Stock shares by the stated value and dividing by the conversion price then in effect, subject to certain diluted events, and has the right to vote the number of shares of common stock the Series D Preferred Stock would be issuable on conversion, subject to a 4.99% blocker. The Preferred Series D has an annual yield of 8% The Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock at a price of $0.25 per share or by multiplying the number of Series D Preferred Stock shares by the stated value and dividing by the conversion price then in effect, subject to certain diluted events, and has the right to vote the number of shares of common stock the Series D Preferred Stock would be issuable on conversion, subject to a 4.99% blocker. The Preferred Series D has an annual yield of 8% if and when dividends are declared.
Series F Preferred Stock
On August 1, 2018, the Company filed with the State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation establishing the Designations, Preferences, Limitations and Relative Rights of Series F Preferred Stock. The Designation authorized 500 shares of Series F Preferred Stock. The Series F Preferred Stock shall only be issued to the current Board of Directors on the date of the Designation’s filing and is not convertible into common stock. As set forth in the Designation, the Series F Preferred Stock has no rights to dividends or liquidation preference and carries rights to vote 100,000 shares of common stock per share of Series F upon a Trigger Event, as defined in the Designation. A Trigger Event includes certain unsolicited bids, tender offers, proxy contests, and significant share purchases, all as described in the Designation. Unless and until a Trigger Event, the Series F shall have no right to vote. The Series F Preferred Stock shall remain issued and outstanding until the date which is 731 days after the issuance of Series F Preferred Stock (“Explosion Date”), unless a Trigger Event occurs, in which case the Explosion Date shall be extended by 183 days. As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, there are no Series F shares outstanding.
Securities Subject to Price Adjustments
In the future, if the Company sells its common stock at a price below $0.25 per share, the exercise price of 8,108,356 outstanding shares of Series C and D Preferred Stock that adjust below $0.25 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments. In addition, the conversion price of Convertible Notes Payable of $7,894,566 or 14,659,764 common shares (9,020,264 common shares at the current price of $0.25 per share and 5,639,500 common shares at the current price of $1.00 per share) and the exercise price of additional outstanding warrants to purchase 12,588,286 shares of common stock would adjust below $0.25 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments. Warrants totaling 5,191,636 would adjust below $1.20 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments.
Common Stock
All of the offerings and sales described below were deemed to be exempt under Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. No advertising or general solicitation was employed in offering the securities, the offerings and sales were made to a limited number of persons, all of whom were accredited investors and transfer was restricted by the company in accordance with the requirements of Regulation D and the Securities Act. All issuances to accredited and non-accredited investors were structured to comply with the requirements of the safe harbor afforded by Rule 506 of Regulation D, including limiting the number of non-accredited investors to no more than 35 investors who have sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to make them capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in our securities.
The following equity issuances occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2020:
The Company issued 561,600 shares of common stock related to the automatic conversion of Convertible Notes and interest from a private placement to accredited investors in 2020. The Convertible Notes and interested were automatically converted to Common Stock at $1.00 per share on the one year anniversary starting on October 17, 2020.
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The Company issued 3,750 shares of common stock at $1.25 per share related to the exercise of warrants.
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock
The following warrant transactions occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2020:
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued a fully vested warrant to Ronald P. Erickson for 2,000,000 shares of common stock. The five year warrant is convertible at $1.53 per share and was valued using a Black-Scholes model at $1,811,691.
A summary of the warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
December 31, 2020 | ||
Weighted | ||
Average | ||
Exercise | ||
Shares | Price | |
Outstanding at beginning of period | 20,016,367 | $0.556 |
Issued | 2,000,000 | 1.530 |
Exercised | - | - |
Forfeited | - | - |
Expired | - | - |
Outstanding at end of period | 22,016,367 | $0.644 |
Exerciseable at end of period | 22,016,367 |
The following table summarizes information about warrants outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020 | ||||
Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | ||
Average | Average | Average | ||
Number of | Remaining | Exercise | Shares | Exercise |
Warrants | Life ( In Years) | Price | Exerciseable | Price |
13,133,286 | 1.52 | $0.250 | 13,133,286 | $0.250 |
714,286 | 0.58 | 0.700 | 714,286 | 0.700 |
882,159 | 0.87 | 1.000 | 882,159 | 1.000 |
7,191,636 | 4.25 | 1.20-1.50 | 7,191,636 | 1.20-1.50 |
95,000 | 3.94 | 2.00-4.08 | 95,000 | 2.34-4.08 |
22,016,367 | 3.27 | $0.644 | 22,016,367 | $0.644 |
The significant weighted average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s warrants issued during the three months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Dividend yield | 0% |
Expected life | 3 years |
Expected volatility | 140% |
Risk free interest rate | 0.4% |
There were vested warrants of 22,016,367 with an aggregate intrinsic value of $36,904,487.
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10. | STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS |
Know Labs, Inc.
On January 23, 2019, the Board approved an amendment to its 2011 Stock Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares of common stock reserved under the Incentive Plan from 2,200,000 to 2,500,000 to common shares. On May 22, 2019, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to its 2011 Stock Incentive Plan increasing the number of shares of common stock reserved under the Incentive Plan from 2,500,000 to 3,000,000 to common shares. On November 23, 2020, the Board of Directors increased the size of the stock available under the Stock Option Plan by 9,750,000 shares. This increase is based on an industry peer group study.
Determining Fair Value under ASC 718
The Company records compensation expense associated with stock options and other equity-based compensation using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for estimating fair value of stock options granted under our plan. The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options on a ratable basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting periods. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company estimates the volatility of our common stock based on the historical volatility of its own common stock over the most recent period corresponding with the estimated expected life of the award. The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black Scholes-Merton option valuation model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award. The Company has not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model and adjusts share-based compensation for changes to the estimate of expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.
Stock Option Activity
The Company had the following stock option transactions during the three months ended December 31, 2020:
A consultant exercised a stock option for 3,750 shares of common stock for a vested stock option grant. The stock option grant had an exercise price of $1.25 per share.
The Compensation committee issued a stock option grant to an employee for 140,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.24 per share. The stock option grant expires in five years. The stock option grant vests quarterly over four years after a six month cliff vesting period.
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued two stock option grants to Ronald P. Erickson one for 1,865,675 shares and one for 1,865,675 shares at an exercise price of $1.53 per share. The stock option grants expire in five years. The stock option grants vest when earned based on certain performance criteria.
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued two stock option grants to Phillip A. Bosua one for 2,132,195 shares and one for 2,132,200 shares at an exercise price of $1.53 per share. The stock option grants expire in five years. The stock option grants vest when earned based on certain performance criteria.
There are currently 12,936,995 (including unearned stock option grants totaling 10,625,745 shares related to performance targets) options to purchase common stock at an average exercise price of $1.390 per share outstanding as of December 31, 2020 under the 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company recorded $119,483 and 175,442 of compensation expense, net of related tax effects, relative to stock options for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and in accordance with ASC 718. As of December 31, 2020, there is approximately $505,996, net of forfeitures, of total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options that are not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 3.84 years.
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Stock option activity for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Weighted Average | |||
Options | Exercise Price | $ | |
Outstanding as of September 30, 2018 | 2,182,668 | $1.698 | $3,706,519 |
Granted | 2,870,000 | 2.615 | 7,504,850 |
Exercised | - | - | - |
Forfeitures | (520,000) | (3.906) | (2,031,000) |
Outstanding as of September 30, 2019 | 4,532,668 | 2.025 | 9,180,369 |
Granted | 3,085,000 | 1.142 | 3,522,400 |
Exercised | (73,191) | (0.250) | (18,298) |
Forfeitures | (2,739,477) | (2.593) | (7,103,921) |
Outstanding as of September 30, 2020 | 4,805,000 | 1.161 | 5,580,550 |
Granted | 8,135,745 | 1.525 | 12,407,090 |
Exercised | (3,750) | (1.250) | (4,688) |
Forfeitures | - | - | - |
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 | 12,936,995 | $1.390 | $17,982,952 |
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:
Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | |||
Average | Average | Average | |||
Range of | Number | Remaining Life | Exercise Price | Number | Exercise Price |
Exercise Prices | Outstanding | In Years | Outstanding | Exerciseable | Exerciseable |
$0.25 | 230,000 | 2.45 | $0.250 | 129,375 | $0.250 |
1.10-1.25 | 3,076,250 | 3.89 | 1.05 | 340,729 | 1.104 |
1.28-1.52 | 9,495,745 | 3.89 | 1.50 | 773,646 | 1.310 |
1.79-2.25 | 135,000 | 3.01 | 2.13 | 71,875 | 2.145 |
12,936,995 | 3.84 | $1.390 | 1,315,625 | $1.294 |
There were in the money stock option grants of 12,936,995 shares as of December 31, 2020 with an aggregate intrinsic value of $11,794,416.
Particle, Inc.
On May 21, 2020, Particle approved a 2020 Stock Incentive Plan and reserved 8,000,000 shares under the Plan. The Plan requires vesting annually over four years, with no vesting in the first two quarters.
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, Particle approved stock option grants to non-executive employees and consultants totaling 2,250,000 shares at an average of $0.147 per share. The stock option grants vest annually over four years, with no vesting in the first two quarters.
On July 2, 2020, Particle approved stock option grants for 1,500,000 shares at $0.10 per share to both Phillip A. Bosua and Ronald P. Erickson. The stock option grants vest (i) 33.3% upon issuance; (ii) 33.3% after the first sale; and (iii) 33.4% after one million in sales are achieved. The 500,000 vested stock option grants for both Mr. Bosua and Erickson were valued at $0.788 per share or $394,000.
During November 2020, Particle approved a stock option grant to a consultant totaling 50,000 shares at an average of $0.80 per share. The stock option grant vests quarterly over four years, with no vesting in the first two quarters.
The Company recorded $55,959 and $0 of compensation expense, net of related tax effects, relative to stock options for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and in accordance with ASC 718. As of December 31, 2020, there is approximately $802,445, net of forfeitures, of total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options that are not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 4.52 years.
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The following table summarizes information about Particle stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:
Weighted | Weighted | ||||
Average | Weighted | Average | |||
Range of | Number | Remaining Life | Average | Number | Exercise Price |
Exercise Prices | Outstanding | In Years | Exercise Price | Exerciseable | Exerciseable |
$0.10 | 5,100,000 | 4.51 | $0.10 | 1,000,000 | $0.10 |
0.80 | 200,000 | 4.77 | $0.80 | - | - |
5,300,000 | 4.52 | $4.52 | 1,000,000 | $0.10 |
There were in the money stock option grants of 1,000,000 shares as of December 31, 2020 with an aggregate intrinsic value of $673,585.
11. | OTHER SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES |
Related Party Transactions with Ronald P. Erickson
See Notes 7, 9, 10 and 12 for related party transactions with Ronald P. Erickson.
Mr. Erickson and/or entities with which he is affiliated also have accrued compensation, travel and interest of approximately $619,218 and $597,177 as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively.
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued a fully vested warrant to Ronald P. Erickson for 2,000,000 shares of common stock. The five year warrant is convertible at $1.53 per share and was valued using a Black-Scholes model at $1,811,691.
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued two stock option grants to Ronald P. Erickson, one for 1,865,675 shares and one for 1,865,675 shares at an exercise price of $1.53 per share. The stock option grants expire in five years. The stock option grants vest when earned based on certain performance criteria.
Related Party Transaction with Phillip A. Bosua
See Notes 10 and 12 for related party transactions with Phillip A. Bosua.
On December 15, 2020, the Company issued two stock option grant to Phillip A. Bosua, one for 2,132,195 shares and one for 2,132,200 shares at an exercise price of $1.53 per share. The stock option grants expire in five years. The stock option grants vest when earned based on certain performance criteria.
12. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Legal Proceedings
The Company may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. The Company is currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding that is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.
Employment Agreement with Phillip A. Bosua, Chief Executive Officer
See the Employment Agreement for Phillip A. Bosua that was disclosed in Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 29, 2020. Phillip A. Bosua.
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Employment Agreement with Ronald P. Erickson, Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Financial Officer
See the Employment Agreement for Ronald P. Erickson that was disclosed in Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 29, 2020.
Properties and Operating Leases
See the Property Leases that were disclosed in Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 29, 2020.
13. SEGMENT REPORTING
The management of the Company considers the business to have two operating segments (i) the development of the Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies; (ii) Particle, Inc. technology; and (iii) TransTech, a distributor of products for employee and personnel identification and authentication. TransTech has historically provided substantially all of the Company’s revenues. TransTech closed on June 30, 2020. Particle commenced operations in the three months ended June 30, 2020.
The reporting for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows (in thousands):
Segment | ||||
Gross | Operating | Segment | ||
Segment | Revenue | Margin | Profit (Loss) | Assets |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||
Development of the Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies | $- | $- | $(3,190) | $3,158 |
Particle, Inc. technology | - | - | (375) | 66 |
TransTech distribution business | - | - | - | - |
Total segments | $- | $- | $(3,565) | $3,224 |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 | ||||
Development of the Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies | $- | $- | $(1,393) | $2,077 |
TransTech distribution business | 117 | 51 | 32 | 18 |
Total segments | $117 | $51 | $(1,361) | $2,095 |
During the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred non-cash expenses of $3,648,181 and $2,067,718.
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company evaluated subsequent events, for the purpose of adjustment or disclosure, up through the date the financial statements were issued. Subsequent to December 31, 2020, there were the following material transactions that require disclosure:
Stock Option Exercises and Issuances
On January 14, 2021, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock to Financial Genetics LLC at $2.00 per share. The warrants were issued for investor relation services. The warrant expires on January 14, 2026.
On January 14, 2021, the Company issued a stock option grant to purchase 180,000 shares of common stock to an employee at $2.00 per share. The stock option grant expires in five years and vests quarterly over four years (none in the first six months).
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On January 15, 2021, the Company issued 30,000 shares each to three directors shares at an exercise price of $2.00 per share.
On January 15, 2021, the Company issued 20,000 warrants to purchase common stock each to three directors shares at $2.00 per share. The warrants expire on January 15, 2026.
On February 4, 2021, the Company issued a stock option grant to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock to an employee at $2.04 per share. The stock option grant expires in five years and vests quarterly over four years (none in the first six months).
On February 9, 2021, the Company issued stock option grants to seven employees and two consultants for 1,350,000 shares at an exercise price of $2.35 per share. The stock option grants expire in five years. The stock option grants vest when earned based on certain performance criteria.
On February 4, 2021, Particle issued a stock option grant to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock to an employee at $0.80 per share. The stock option grant expires in five years and vests quarterly over four years (none in the first six months).
On February 9, 2021, Particle issued stock option grants to seven employees and one consultant to purchase 1,900,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.80 per share. The stock option grants expire in five years. The stock option grants vest when earned based on certain performance criteria.
On February 12, 2021, the Company issued 17,500 shares and received $21,000 related to the exercise of warrants.
On February 12, 2021, Particle entered into Simple Agreements for Future Equity (“SAFE”) with accredited investors pursuant to which Particle received $111,815 in cash in exchange for the providing the investor the right to receive shares of the Particle stock.
Transactions with Clayton A. Struve
On January 5, 2021, the Company extended the due date of the following warrants with Clayton A. Struve, a major investor in the Company:
Warrant No./Class | Issue Date | No. Warrant Shares | Exercise Price | Original Expiration Date | Amended Expiration Date |
Clayton Struve Warrant Series C Warrant W98 | 08-04-2016 | 1,785,715 | $0.25 | 08-04-2021 | 08-04-2023 |
Clayton Struve Warrant Series F Warrant F-1 | 11-14-2016 | 187,500 | $0.25 | 11-13-2021 | 11-13-2023 |
Clayton Struve Warrant Series F Warrant F-2 | 12-19-2016 | 187,500 | $0.25 | 12-18-2021 | 12-18-2023 |
On January 28, 2021, Clayton A. Struve exercised warrants on a cashless basis for 889,880 shares of common stock at $0.25 per share, including 187,500 and 187,500 that were just extended as discussed above.
Particle Test Results
The first product, the Particle bulb can be used in households, businesses and other facilities to inactivate bacteria and viruses. Through internal preliminary testing, Particle personnel has confirmed the bulb’s efficacy in inactivating common germs such as E. coli and Staphylococcus. A world renowned, CDC-regulated biosafety level-4 laboratory is currently testing the Particle bulb’s ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Appointment of Financial Expert
On February 12, 2021, the Audit Committee appointed William A. Owens as “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and as adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good-faith judgment of our management and the statements are based on facts and factors as we currently know them. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, but are not limited to, those discussed below as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report (including in Part II, Item 1A (Risk Factors)). Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report.
BACKGROUND AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Know Labs, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada in 1998. Since 2007, we have been focused primarily on research and development of proprietary technologies which can be used to authenticate and diagnose a wide variety of organic and non-organic substances and materials. Our Common Stock trades on the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol “KNWN.”
BUSINESS
We are focused on the development, marketing and sales of proprietary technologies which are capable of uniquely identifying or authenticating almost any substance or material using electromagnetic energy to record, detect, and identify the unique “signature” of the substance or material. We call these our “Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies.
Historically, we have focused on the development of our proprietary ChromaID technology. Using light from low-cost LEDs (light emitting diodes) the ChromaID technology maps the color of substances, fluids and materials. With our proprietary processes we can authenticate and identify based upon the color that is present. The color is both visible to us as humans but also outside of the humanly visible color spectrum in the near infra-red and near ultra-violet and beyond. Our ChromaID scanner sees what we like to call “Nature’s Color Fingerprint.” Everything in nature has a unique color identifier and with ChromaID we can see, and identify, and authenticate based upon the color that is present. Our ChromaID scanner is capable of uniquely identifying and authenticating almost any substance or liquid using light to record, detect and identify its unique color signature. More recently, we have focused upon extensions and new inventions that are derived from and extend beyond our ChromaID technology. We call this new technology “Bio-RFID.” The rapid advances made with our Bio-RFID technology in our laboratory have caused us to move quickly into the commercialization phase of our Company as we work to create revenue generating products for the marketplace. Today, our sole focus of the Company is on its Bio-RFID technology and its commercialization.
Particle, Inc. was incorporated April 30, 2020 and to date has engaged in activities consisting primarily of research and development on threaded light bulbs that have a warm white light that can inactivate germs, including bacteria and viruses. On June 1, 2020, we approved and ratified entry into an intercompany Patent License Agreement dated May 21, 2020 with Particle. Pursuant to the Agreement, Particle received an exclusive non-transferrable license to use certain patents and trademarks of the Company, in exchange the Company shall receive: (i) a one-time fee of $250,000 upon a successful financing of Particle, and (ii) a quarterly royalty payment equal to the greater of 5% of the Gross Sales, net of returns, from Particle or $5,000. As of December 31, 2020 the operations of Particle have generated no sales and operations are just commencing. The first product, the Particle bulb can be used in households, businesses and other facilities to inactivate bacteria and viruses. Through internal preliminary testing, Particle personnel has confirmed the bulb’s efficacy in inactivating common germs such as E. coli and Staphylococcus. A world renowned, CDC-regulated biosafety level-4 laboratory is currently testing the Particle bulb’s ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
In 2010, we acquired TransTech Systems, Inc. as an adjunct to our business. TransTech is a distributor of products for employee and personnel identification and authentication. TransTech has historically provided substantially all of the Company’s revenues. The financial results from our TransTech subsidiary have been diminishing as vendors of their products increasingly move to the Internet and direct sales to their customers. While it does provide our current revenues, it is not central to our current focus as a Company. Moreover, we have written down any goodwill associated with its historic acquisition. We shut down TransTech on June 30, 2020.
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The Know Labs Technology
We have internally and under contract with third parties developed proprietary platform technologies to uniquely identify or authenticate almost any material and substance. Our technology utilizes electromagnetic energy along the electromagnetic spectrum to perform analytics which allow the user to identify and authenticate substances and materials depending upon the user’s unique application and field of use. The Company’s proprietary platform technologies are called Bio-RFID and ChromaID.
Our latest technology platform is called Bio-RFID. Working in our lab over the last two years, we have developed extensions and new inventions derived in part from our ChromaID technology which we refer to as Bio-RFID technology. We are rapidly advancing the development of this technology. We have announced over the past year that we have successfully been able to non-invasively ascertain blood glucose levels in humans. We are building the internal and external development team necessary to commercialize this newly discovered technology as well as make additional patent filings covering the intellectual property created with these new inventions. The first applications of our Bio-RFID technology will be in a product marketed as a Glucose Monitor. It will provide the user with real time information on their blood glucose levels. This product will require US Food and Drug Administration approval prior to its introduction to the market.
We have also announced the results of laboratory-based comparison testing between our Bio-RFID technology and the leading continuous glucose monitors from Abbott Labs (Freestyle Libre®) and DexCom (G5®). These results provide evidence of a high degree of correlation between our Bio-RFID based technology and the current industry leaders and their continuous glucose monitors. Our technology is fundamentally differentiated from these industry leaders as our technology completely non-invasively monitors blood glucose levels.
We expect to begin the process of obtaining US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of our non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device during calendar year 2021.To guide us in that undertaking we previously announced the hiring of a Chief Medical Officer and formed a Medical and Regulatory Advisory Board to guide us through the FDA process. We are unable, however, to estimate the time necessary for such approval nor the likelihood of success in that endeavor.
Our ChromaID patented technology utilizes light at the photon (elementary particle of light) level through a series of emitters and detectors to generate a unique signature or “fingerprint” from a scan of almost any solid, liquid or gaseous material. This signature of reflected or transmitted light is digitized, creating a unique ChromaID signature. Each ChromaID signature is comprised of from hundreds to thousands of specific data points.
The ChromaID technology looks beyond visible light frequencies to areas of near infra-red and ultraviolet light and beyond that are outside the humanly visible light spectrum. The data obtained allows us to create a very specific and unique ChromaID signature of the substance for a myriad of authentication, verification and identification applications.
Traditional light-based identification technology, called spectrophotometry, has relied upon a complex system of prisms, mirrors and visible light. Spectrophotometers typically have a higher cost and utilize a form factor (shape and size) more suited to a laboratory setting and require trained laboratory personnel to interpret the information. The ChromaID technology uses lower cost LEDs and photodiodes and specific electromagnetic frequencies resulting in a more accurate, portable and easy-to-use solution for a wide variety of applications. The ChromaID technology not only has significant cost advantages as compared to spectrophotometry, it is also completely flexible is size, shape and configuration. The ChromaID scan head can range in size from endoscopic to a scale that could be the size of a large ceiling-mounted florescent light fixture.
In normal operation, a ChromaID master or reference scan is generated and stored in a database. We call this the ChromaID Reference Data Library. The scan head can then scan similar materials to identify, authenticate or diagnose them by comparing the new ChromaID digital signature scan to that of the original or reference ChromaID signature or scan result. Over time, we believe the ChromaID Reference Libraries can become a significant asset of the Company, providing valuable information in numerous fields of use. The Reference Data Libraries for our newly developed Bio-RFID will have a similar promise regarding their utility and value.
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Bio-RFID and ChromaID: Foundational Platform Technologies
Our Bio-RFID and ChromaID technologies provide a platform upon which a myriad of applications can be developed. As platform technologies, they are analogous to a smartphone, upon which an enormous number of previously unforeseen applications have been developed. Bio-RFID and ChromaID technologies are “enabling” technologies that bring the science of electromagnetic energy to low-cost, real-world commercialization opportunities across multiple industries. The technologies are foundational and, as such, the basis upon which the Company believes significant businesses can be built.
As with other foundational technologies, a single application may reach across multiple industries. The Bio-RFID technology can non-invasively identity the presence and quantity of glucose in the human body. By extension, there may be other molecular structures which this same technology can identity in the human body which, over time, the Company will focus upon. They may include the monitoring of drug usage or the presence of illicit drugs. They may also involve identifying hormones and various markers of disease.
Similarly, the ChromaID technology can, for example effectively differentiate and identify different brands of clear vodkas that appear identical to the human eye. By extension, this same technology could identify pure water from water with contaminants present. It could provide real time detection of liquid medicines such as morphine that have been adulterated or compromised. It could detect if jet fuel has water contamination present. It could determine when it is time to change oil in a deep fat fryer. These are but a few of the potential applications of the ChromaID technology based upon extensions of its ability to identify different liquids.
The cornerstone of a company with a foundational platform technology is its intellectual property. We have pursued an active intellectual property strategy and have been granted 13 patents. We currently have a number of patents pending and continue, on a regular basis the filing of new patents. We possess all right, title and interest to the issued patents. Nine issued and pending patents are licensed exclusively to us in perpetuity by our strategic partner, Allied Inventors, a spin-off entity of Intellectual Ventures, an intellectual property fund.
Our Patents and Intellectual Property
We believe that our 14 patents, patent applications, registered trademarks, and our trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights are important assets. Our issued patents will expire at various times between 2027 and 2039. Pending patents, if and when issued, may have expiration dates that extend further in time. The duration of our trademark registrations varies from country to country. However, trademarks are generally valid and may be renewed indefinitely as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained.
The issued patents cover the fundamental aspects of the Know Labs ChromaID technology and a number of unique applications. We have filed patents on the fundamental aspects of our Bio-RFID technology and growing number of unique applications. We will continue to expand the Company’s patent portfolio. Particle has applied for three patents related to its light technology.
Additionally, significant aspects of our technology are maintained as trade secrets which may not be disclosed through the patent filing process. We intend to be diligent in maintaining and securing our trade secrets.
The patents that have been issued to Know Labs and their dates of issuance are:
On August 9, 2011, we were issued US Patent No. 7,996,173 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus and Article to Facilitate Distributed Evaluation of Objects Using Electromagnetic Energy,” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires August 24, 2029.
On December 13, 2011, we were issued US Patent No. 8,076,630 B2 entitled “System and Method of Evaluating an Object Using Electromagnetic Energy” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires November 7, 2028.
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On December 20, 2011, we were issued US Patent No. 8,081,304 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus and Article to Facilitate Evaluation of Objects Using Electromagnetic Energy” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires July 28, 2030.
On October 9, 2012, we were issued US Patent No. 8,285,510 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus, and Article to Facilitate Distributed Evaluation of Objects Using Electromagnetic Energy” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires July 31, 2027.
On February 5, 2013, we were issued US Patent No. 8,368,878 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus and Article to Facilitate Evaluation of Objects Using Electromagnetic Energy by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires July 31, 2027.
On November 12, 2013, we were issued US Patent No. 8,583,394 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus and Article to Facilitate Distributed Evaluation of Objects Using Electromagnetic Energy by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires July 31, 2027.
On November 21, 2014, we were issued US Patent No. 8,888,207 B2 entitled “Systems, Methods, and Articles Related to Machine-Readable Indicia and Symbols” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires February 7, 2033. This patent describes using ChromaID to see what we call invisible bar codes and other identifiers.
On March 23, 2015, we were issued US Patent No. 8,988,666 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus, and Article to Facilitate Evaluation of Objects Using Electromagnetic Energy” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires July 31, 2027.
On May 26, 2015, we were issued US Patent No. 9,041,920 B2 entitled “Device for Evaluation of Fluids using Electromagnetic Energy” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires March 12, 2033. This patent describes a ChromaID fluid sampling devices.
On April 19, 2016, we were issued US Patent No. 9,316,581 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus, and Article to Facilitate Evaluation of Substances Using Electromagnetic Energy” by the United States Office of Patents and Trademarks. The patent expires March 12, 2033. This patent describes an enhancement to the foundational ChromaID technology.
On April 18, 2017, we were issued US Patent No. 9,625,371 B2 entitled “Method, Apparatus, and Article to Facilitate Evaluation of Substances Using Electromagnetic Energy.” The patent expires July 2027. This patent pertains to the use of ChromaID technology for the identification and analysis of biological tissue. It has many potential applications in medical, industrial and consumer markets.
On May 30, 2017, we were issued US Patent No. 9,664.610 B2 entitled “Systems for Fluid Analysis Using Electromagnetic Energy that is reflected a Number of Times through a Fluid Contained within a Reflective Chamber.” This patent expires approximately in approximately March 2034. This patent pertains to a method for the use of the Company’s technology analyzing fluids.
On April 4, 2018, we were issued US Patent No. 9,869,636 B2, entitled “Device for Evaluation of Fluids Using Electromagnetic Energy.” The patent expires in approximately April 2033. This patent pertains to the use of ChromaID technology for evaluating and analyzing fluids such as those following through an IV drip in a hospital or water, for example.
On February 4, 2020, we were issued US Patent No. 10,548,503 B2, entitled “Health Related Diagnostics Employing Spectroscopy in Radio/Microwave Frequency Band. The patent expires in approximately May 2039. This patent pertains to the use of Bio-RFID technology for medical diagnostics.
We continue to pursue a patent strategy to expand our unique intellectual property in the United States and other countries.
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Product Strategy
We are currently undertaking internal development work on potential products for the consumer marketplace. We have announced the development of our non-invasive glucose monitor and our desire to obtain US Food and Drug Administration approval for the marketing of this product to the diabetic and pre-diabetic population. We have also announced the engagement of a manufacturing partner we will work with to bring this product to market. We will make further announcements regarding this product as development, manufacturing and regulatory approval work progresses.
Currently we are focusing our efforts on productizing our Bio-RFID technology as we move it out of our research laboratory and into the marketplace.
Research and Development
Our current research and development efforts are primarily focused on improving our Bio-RFID technology, extending its capacity and developing new and unique applications for this technology. As part of this effort, we conduct on-going laboratory testing to ensure that application methods are compatible with the end-user and regulatory requirements, and that they can be implemented in a cost-effective manner. We are also actively involved in identifying new applications. Our current internal team along with outside consultants have considerable experience working with the application of our technologies and their application. We engage third party experts as required to supplement our internal team. We believe that continued development of new and enhanced technologies is essential to our future success. We incurred expenses of $966,861 and $491,138 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, on development activities.
On April 30, 2020, the Company approved and ratified the incorporation of Particle. Particle is focused on the development and commercialization of the Company’s extensive intellectual property relating to electromagnetic energy outside of the medical diagnostic arena which remains the parent company’s singular focus. Since incorporation, Particle has engaged in research and development activities on threaded light bulbs that have a warm white light and can inactivate germs, including bacteria and viruses.
Merger with RAAI Lighting, Inc.
On April 10, 2018, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with 500 Union Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and RAAI Lighting, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we acquired all the outstanding shares of RAAI’s capital stock through a merger of Merger Sub with and into RAAI (the “Merger”), with RAAI surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2020, we had seven full-time employees. Our senior management and five other personnel are located in our Seattle, Washington offices. We also utilize consulting firms and people to supplement our workforce.
THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK
Our common stock trades on the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol “KNWN.” On May 1, 2018, we filed a corporate action with FINRA to effectively change the Company’s OTC trading symbol and change our name to “Know Labs, Inc.” Our name change from Know Labs, Incorporated to Know Labs, Inc. and symbol change from VSUL to KNWN was announced by FINRA declared effective on the opening of trading as of May 25, 2018.
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PRIMARY RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
We are exposed to various risks related to our need for additional financing, the sale of significant numbers of our shares and a volatile market price for our common stock. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail below in Part II, Item 1A.
CORPORATE INFORMATION
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on October 8, 1998. Our executive offices are located at 500 Union Street, Suite 810, Seattle, WA 98101. Our telephone number is (206) 903-1351 and its principal website address is located at www.knowlabs.co. The information on our website is not incorporated as a part of this Form 10-Q.
WEBSITE ACCESS TO UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REPORTS
We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information concerning filers. We also maintain a web site at http://www.knowlabs.co that provides additional information about our Company and links to documents we file with the SEC. The Company's charters for the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating Committee; and the Code of Conduct & Ethics are also available on our website. The information on our website is not part of this Form 10-Q.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We are focused on the development, marketing and sales of proprietary technologies which are capable of uniquely identifying or authenticating almost any substance or material using electromagnetic energy to record, detect, and identify the unique “signature” of the substance or material. We call these our “Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies.
Historically, we have focused on the development of our proprietary ChromaID technology. Using light from low-cost LEDs (light emitting diodes) the ChromaID technology maps the color of substances, fluids and materials. With our proprietary processes we can authenticate and identify based upon the color that is present. The color is both visible to us as humans but also outside of the humanly visible color spectrum in the near infra-red and near ultra-violet and beyond. Our ChromaID scanner sees what we like to call “Nature’s Color Fingerprint.” Everything in nature has a unique color identifier and with ChromaID we can see, and identify, and authenticate based upon the color that is present. Our ChromaID scanner is capable of uniquely identifying and authenticating almost any substance or liquid using light to record, detect and identify its unique color signature. Today we are focused upon extensions and new inventions that are derived from and extend beyond our ChromaID technology. We call this new technology “Bio-RFID.” The rapid advances made with our Bio-RFID technology in our laboratory have caused us to move quickly into the commercialization phase of our Company as we work to create revenue generating products for the marketplace. Today, the sole focus of the Company is on its Bio-RFID technology and its commercialization.
Particle, Inc. was incorporated April 30, 2020 and to date has engaged in activities consisting primarily of research and development on threaded light bulbs that have a warm white light that can inactivate germs, including bacteria and viruses. On June 1, 2020, we approved and ratified entry into an intercompany Patent License Agreement dated May 21, 2020 with Particle. Pursuant to the Agreement, Particle received an exclusive non-transferrable license to use certain patents and trademarks of the Company, in exchange the Company shall receive: (i) a one-time fee of $250,000 upon a successful financing of Particle, and (ii) a quarterly royalty payment equal to the greater of 5% of the Gross Sales, net of returns, from Particle or $5,000. As of December 31, 2020 the operations of Particle have generated no sales and operations are just commencing. The first product, the Particle bulb can be used in households, businesses and other facilities to inactivate bacteria and viruses. Through internal preliminary testing, Particle personnel has confirmed the bulb’s efficacy in inactivating common germs such as E. coli and Staphylococcus. A world renowned, CDC-regulated biosafety level-4 laboratory is currently testing the Particle bulb’s ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
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In 2010, we acquired TransTech Systems, Inc. as an adjunct to our business. Operating as an independent subsidiary, TransTech was a distributor of products for employee and personnel identification and authentication. TransTech historically provided substantially all of the Company’s revenues. The financial results from our TransTech subsidiary had been diminishing as vendors of their products increasingly moved to the Internet and direct sales to their customers. TransTech closed on June 30, 2020.
The following table presents certain consolidated statement of operations information and presentation of that data as a percentage of change from period-to-period.
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended December 31, | ||||
2020 | 2019 | $ Variance | % Variance | |
Revenue | $- | $117 | $(117) | -100.0% |
Cost of sales | - | 66 | (66) | 100.0% |
Gross profit | - | 51 | (51) | -100.0% |
Research and development expenses | 967 | 491 | 476 | -96.9% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,598 | 921 | 1,677 | -182.1% |
Operating loss | (3,565) | (1,361) | (2,204) | -161.9% |
Other (expense) income: | ||||
Interest expense | (1,734) | (1,679) | (55) | -3.3% |
Other income (expense) | - | 25 | (25) | -100.0% |
Total other income (expense) | (1,734) | (1,654) | (80) | -4.8% |
(Loss) before income taxes | (5,299) | (3,015) | (2,284) | -75.8% |
Income taxes - current (benefit) | - | - | - | 0.0% |
Net (loss) | $(5,299) | $(3,015) | $(2,284) | -75.8% |
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
Sales
Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2020 decreased $117,000 to $0 as compared to $$117,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2019. TransTech closed June 30, 2020.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2020 decreased $66,000 to $0 as compared to $66,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2019. TransTech closed June 30, 2020.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased $476,000 to $967,000 as compared to $491,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2019. The increase was due to increased personnel, use of consultant and expenditures related to the development of our Bio-RFID™ and Particle technologies.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased $1,678,000 to $2,599,000 as compared to $921,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2019.
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The increase primarily was due to (i) decreased professional fees of $84,000; (ii) increased stock based compensation of $1,587,000; (iii) increased other expenses of $146,000; and increased Particle expenses of $375,000 (primarily payroll); offset by (iv) decreased TransTech expenses of $20,000 (primarily salaries and rent). As part of the selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded $60,000 and $40,000, respectively, of investor relation expenses and business development expenses.
Other (Expense), Net
Other expense, net for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $1,734,000 as compared to other expense, net of $1,679,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2019. The other expense, net for the three months ended December 31, 2020 included interest expense of $1,734,000 related to convertible notes payable and the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature.
The other expense for the three months ended December 31, 2019 included (i) interest expense of $1,679,000; offset by (ii) other income of $25,000. The interest expense related to convertible notes payable and the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature.
Net Loss
Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $5,299,000 as compared to $3,015,000 for the three months ended December 30, 2019. The net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2020 included non-cash expenses of $3,648,000. The non-cash items include (i) depreciation and amortization of $65,000; (ii) stock based compensation- warrants of $1,812,000; (iii) stock based compensation- stock options of $175,000; and (iv) amortization of debt discount as interest expense of $1,596,000. On December 15, 2020, we issued a warrant to Ronald P. Erickson for 2,000,000 shares of common stock. The five year warrant is convertible at $1.53 per share and was valued using a “Black-Scholes” model at $1,812,000.
The net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2019 included non-cash items of $2,068,000. The non-cash items include (i) depreciation and amortization of $60,000; (ii) stock based compensation of $400,000; (iii) amortization of debt discount of $1,567,000; and (iv) other of $41,000. TransTech’s net income from operations was $57,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
We expect losses to continue as we commercialize our ChromaID™ and Bio-RFID™ technology.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. Significant factors in the management of liquidity are funds generated by operations, levels of accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures.
We had cash of approximately $2,927,000 and net working capital of approximately $187,000 (net of convertible notes payable and right of use asset and liabilities) as of December 31, 2020. We have experienced net losses since inception and we expect losses to continue as we commercialize our ChromaID™ technology. As of December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $61,266,000 and net losses in the amount of $5,299,000, $13,563,000, and $7,612,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the years ended 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company incurred non-cash expenses of $3,648,000.
We believe that our cash on hand including funding closed since December 31, 2020 will be sufficient to fund our operations through July 31, 2021.
The opinion of our independent registered public accounting firm on our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2020 contains an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon raising capital from financing transactions.
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We need additional financing to implement our business plan and to service our ongoing operations and pay our current debts. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure any needed funding, or that if such funding is available, the terms or conditions would be acceptable to us. If we are unable to obtain additional financing when it is needed, we will need to restructure our operations, and divest all or a portion of our business. We may seek additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings and strategic collaborations. Debt financing, if obtained, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, and could increase our expenses and require that our assets secure such debt. Equity financing, if obtained, could result in dilution to our then-existing stockholders and/or require such stockholders to waive certain rights and preferences. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, or is not available at all, we may be required to delay, scale back, or eliminate the development of business opportunities and our operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
We have financed our corporate operations and our technology development through the issuance of convertible debentures, the issuance of preferred stock, the sale of common stock and the exercise of warrants.
The proceeds of warrants which are not expected to be cashless are expected to generate potential proceeds of up to $10,519,000.
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $1,421,000. This amount was primarily related to (i) a net loss of $5,299,000; offset by (ii) working capital changes of $230,000; and (iii) non-cash expenses of $3,648,000. The non-cash items include (iv) depreciation and amortization of $65,000; (v) stock based compensation- warrants of $1,812,000; (vi) stock based compensation- stock options of $175,000; and (vii) amortization of debt discount as interest expense of $1,596,000. On December 15, 2020, we issued a warrant to Ronald P. Erickson for 2,000,000 shares of common stock. The five year warrant is convertible at $1.53 per share and was valued using a “Black-Scholes” model at $1,812,000.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $10,000 and $15,000. This amount was primarily related to the investment in equipment for research and development.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $60,000 and $441,000. This amount was primarily related to (i) issuance of Simple Agreements for future Equity of $55,000; and (ii) issuance of common stock for warrant exercises of $5,000.
Our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2020 are summarized in the table below:
Less Than | Greater Than | ||||
Contractual Cash Obligations (1) | Total | 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | 5 Years |
Operating leases | $99,038 | $84,437 | $14,601 | $- | $- |
Convertible notes payable | 7,424,566 | 7,424,566 | - | - | - |
$7,523,604 | $7,509,003 | $14,601 | $- | $- |
(1)
Convertible notes payable includes $5,169,500 that converts into common stock at the maturity date during 2021 and $2,255,066 under various convertible promissory notes as of December 31, 2020 including $1,184,066 owed to entities controlled by our chairman. Through December 31, 2020, $840,000 has been raised through the sale of SAFE instruments. The Company expects to issue 1,050,000 shares of the Particle stock that was initially valued at $0.80 per share. We expect to incur capital expenditures related to the development of the “Bio-RFID™” and “ChromaID™” technologies. None of the expenditures are contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. |
This item is not applicable.
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ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures also include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded as of December 31, 2020 that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting discussed immediately below.
Identified Material Weakness
A material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
Management identified the following material weakness during its assessment of internal controls over financial reporting:
Personnel: We do not employ a full time Chief Financial Officer. Our Chairman serves as interim Chief Financial Officer. We also utilize a consultant who is a qualified Chief Financial Officer to assist with our financial reporting. This consultant has increased his involvement in the Company.
Audit Committee: While we have an audit committee, we lack a financial expert. On February 12, 2021, the Audit Committee appointed William A. Owens as “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and as adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(b) Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their cost.
c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during this fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to have a materially affect, on our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
We may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding that is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on the Company’s development in the future and the most significant risks and uncertainties known and identified by our management are described below.
RISK FACTORS
There are certain inherent risks which will have an effect on the Company’s development in the future and the most significant risks and uncertainties known and identified by our management are described below.
Risks Related to Pandemics
The near-term effects of the recent COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are known, as they adversely affected our business. Longer term effects are not immediately known and may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and cash flow.
Presently, the impact of COVID-19 has had adverse effects on our business by slowing down our ability to work with third parties outside of Seattle on testing and validation. It is difficult to predict what other adverse effects, if any, COVID-19 can have on our business, or against the various aspects of same.
As of the date of this Quarterly Report, COVID-19 coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has been declared a National Emergency by the United States Government and has resulted in several states being designated disaster zones. COVID-19 coronavirus caused significant volatility in global markets. The spread of COVID-19 coronavirus has caused public health officials to recommend precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus, especially as to travel and congregating in large numbers. In addition, certain states and municipalities have enacted, and additional cities are considering, quarantining and “shelter-in-place” regulations which severely limit the ability of people to move and travel and require non-essential businesses and organizations to close. While some states have lifted certain “shelter-in-place” restrictions and travel bans, as they are removed there is no certainty that an outbreak will not occur and additional restrictions imposed again in response. Additionally, several states have lifted restrictions only to reimpose such restrictions as the number of cases rise again.
It is unclear how such restrictions, which will contribute to a general slowdown in the global economy, will affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our future strategic plans.
Shelter-in-place and essential-only travel regulations could negatively impact our employees, partners, and customers. In addition, we still could experience significant supply chain disruptions due to interruptions in operations at any or all of our suppliers’ facilities or downline suppliers. If we experience significant delays in receiving our products, we will experience delays in fulfilling orders and ultimately receiving payment, which could result in loss of sales and a loss of customers, and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. The current status of COVID-19 coronavirus closures and restrictions could also negatively impact our ability to receive funding from our existing capital sources as each business is and has been affected uniquely.
If any of our employees, consultant, customers, or visitors were to become infected we could be forced to close our operations temporarily as a preventative measure to prevent the risk of spread which could delay our progress and interfere with our ability to meet obligations.
In addition, our headquarters are located in Seattle, Washington which has been the subject of large COVID-19 outbreak resulting in restrictions on individuals and businesses. It is unclear at this time how these restrictions will be continued and/or amended as the pandemic evolves. We are hopeful that COVID-19 closures will have only a limited effect on our operations and revenues.
General securities market uncertainties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the outset of the pandemic the United States and worldwide national securities markets have undergone unprecedented stress due to the uncertainties of the pandemic and the resulting reactions and outcomes of government, business and the general population. These uncertainties have resulted in declines in all market sectors, increases in volumes due to flight to safety and governmental actions to support the markets. As a result, until the pandemic has stabilized, the markets may not be available to the Company for purposes of raising required capital. Should we not be able to obtain financing when required, in the amounts necessary to execute on our plans in full, or on terms which are economically feasible we may be unable to sustain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan and may have to reduce the planned future growth and/or scope of our operations.
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Risks Relating to the Company Generally
We need additional financing to support our technology development and ongoing operations, pay our debts and maintain ownership of our intellectual properties.
We are currently operating at a loss. We believe that our cash on hand will be sufficient to fund our operations through July 31, 2021. We may need additional financing to implement our business plan and to service our ongoing operations, pay our current debts (described below) and maintain ownership of our intellectual property. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure any needed funding, or that if such funding is available, the terms or conditions would be acceptable to us. If we are unable to obtain additional financing when it is needed, we will need to restructure our operations and/or divest all or a portion of our business. We, including our wholly owned subsidiary Particle, are each seeking additional capital through a combination of private and public equity offerings, debt financings and strategic collaborations. Debt financing, if obtained, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, and could increase our expenses and require that our assets secure such debt. Equity financing, if obtained, could result in dilution to our then-existing stockholders and/or require such stockholders to waive certain rights and preferences. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms, or is not available at all, we may be required to delay, scale back, eliminate the development of business opportunities and our operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sell that number of shares, if any.
We need to continue as a going concern if our business is to succeed.
Because of our recurring losses and negative cash flows from operations, the audit report of our independent registered public accountants on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2020 contains an explanatory paragraph stating that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Factors identified in the report include our historical net losses, negative working capital, and the need for additional financing to implement our business plan and service our debt repayments. If we are not able to attain profitability in the near future our financial condition could deteriorate further, which would have a material adverse impact on our business and prospects and result in a significant or complete loss of your investment. Further, we may be unable to pay our debt obligations as they become due, which include obligations to secured creditors. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, we might have to liquidate our assets and the values we receive for our assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in our financial statements. Additionally, we are subject to customary operational covenants, including limitations on our ability to incur liens or additional debt, pay dividends, redeem stock, make specified investments and engage in merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions, among other restrictions. In addition, the inclusion of an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our lack of cash resources may materially adversely affect our share price and our ability to raise new capital or to enter into critical contractual relations with third parties.
As of December 31, 2020, we owe approximately $2,874,284 and if we do not satisfy these obligations, the lenders may have the right to demand payment in full or exercise other remedies.
Mr. Erickson, our current chairman, and/or entities with which he is affiliated also have accrued compensation, travel and interest of approximately $619,218 as of December 31, 2020.
We owe $2,255,066 under various convertible promissory notes as of December 31, 2020 including $1,184,066 owed to entities controlled by our chairman.
We may need additional financing, to service and/or repay these debt obligations. If we raise additional capital through borrowing or other debt financing, we may incur substantial interest expense. If and when we raise more equity capital in the future, it will result in substantial dilution to our current stockholders.
We have a history of operating losses and there can be no assurance that we can achieve or maintain profitability.
We have experienced net losses since inception. As of December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $61,266,000 and net losses in the amount of $5,299,000, $13,563,000, and $7,612,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred non-cash expenses of $3,648,000.
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There can be no assurance that we will achieve or maintain profitability. If we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods. Failure to become and remain profitable would impair our ability to sustain operations and adversely affect the price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital. Our operating expenses may increase as we spend resources on growing our business, and if our revenue does not correspondingly increase, our operating results and financial condition will suffer. Our ChromaID and Bio-RFID and Particle businesses have produced minimal revenues and may not produce significant revenues in the near term, or at all, which would harm our ability to continue our operations or obtain additional financing and require us to reduce or discontinue our operations. You must consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and difficulties we will encounter as business with an early-stage technology in a new and rapidly evolving industry. We may not be able to successfully address these risks and difficulties, which could significantly harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
If the company were to dissolve or wind-up operations, holders of our common stock would not receive a liquidation preference.
If we were to wind-up or dissolve our company and liquidate and distribute our assets, our common stockholders would share in our assets only after we satisfy any amounts we owe to our creditors and preferred equity holders. If our liquidation or dissolution were attributable to our inability to profitably operate our business, then it is likely that we would have material liabilities at the time of liquidation or dissolution. Accordingly, it is very unlikely that sufficient assets will remain available after the payment of our creditors and preferred equity holders to enable common stockholders to receive any liquidation distribution with respect to any common stock.
We may not be able to generate sufficient revenue from the commercialization of our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology and related products to achieve or sustain profitability.
We are in the early stages of commercializing our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology. Failure to develop and sell products based upon our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology, grant additional licenses and obtain royalties or develop other revenue streams will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
To date, we have generated minimal revenue from sales of our ChromaID and Bio-RFID products. We believe that our commercialization success is dependent upon our ability to significantly increase the number of customers that are using our products. In addition, demand for our products may not materialize, or increase as quickly as planned, and we may therefore be unable to increase our revenue levels as expected. We are currently not profitable. Even if we succeed in introducing our technology and related products to our target markets, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to achieve or sustain profitability.
We currently rely in part upon external resources for engineering and product development services. If we are unable to secure an engineering or product development partner or establish satisfactory engineering and product development capabilities, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology.
Our success depends upon our ability to develop products that are accurate and provide solutions for our customers. Achieving the desired results for our customers requires solving engineering issues in concert with them. Any failure of our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology or related products to meet customer expectations could result in customers choosing to retain their existing methods or to adopt systems other than ours.
We have not historically had sufficient internal resources which can work on engineering and product development matters. We have used third parties in the past and will continue to do so. These resources are not always readily available and the absence of their availability could inhibit our research and development efforts and our responsiveness to our customers. Our inability to secure those resources could impact our ability to provide engineering and product development services and could have an impact on our customers’ willingness to use our technology.
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We are in the early stages of commercialization and our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology and related products may never achieve significant commercial market acceptance.
Our success depends on our ability to develop and market products that are recognized as accurate and cost-effective. Many of our potential customers may be reluctant to use our new technology. Market acceptance will depend on many factors, including our ability to convince potential customers that our ChromaID and Bio-RFID technology and related products are an attractive alternative to existing light-based technologies. We will need to demonstrate that our products provide accurate and cost-effective alternatives to existing light-based authentication technologies. Compared to most competing technologies, our technology is relatively new, and most potential customers have limited knowledge of, or experience with, our products. Prior to implementing our technology and related products, some potential customers may be required to devote significant time and effort to testing and validating our products. In addition, during the implementation phase, some customers may be required to devote significant time and effort to training their personnel on appropriate practices to ensure accurate results from our technology and products. Any failure of our technology or related products to meet customer expectations could result in customers choosing to retain their existing testing methods or to adopt systems other than ours.
Many factors influence the perception of a system including its use by leaders in the industry. If we are unable to induce industry leaders in our target markets to implement and use our technology and related products, acceptance and adoption of our products could be slowed. In addition, if our products fail to gain significant acceptance in the marketplace and we are unable to expand our customer base, we may never generate sufficient revenue to achieve or sustain profitability.
Our management has concluded that we have material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting and that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. During the audit of our financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2020,
Management identified the following material weakness during its assessment of internal controls over financial reporting:
Personnel: We do not employ a full time Chief Financial Officer. Our Chairman serves as interim Chief Financial Officer. We also utilize a consultant who is a qualified Chief Financial Officer to assist with our financial reporting. This consultant has increased his involvement in the Company.
Audit Committee: While we have an audit committee, we lack a financial expert. On February 12, 2021, the Audit Committee appointed William A. Owens as “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and as adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
If these weaknesses continue, investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and other disclosures.
The Company’s TransTech subsidiary closed on June 30, 2020.
Transtech was not able to successfully address their revenue which resulted in their closure on June 30, 2020. The loss of the TransTech subsidiary revenue will impact our top line revenues and our operating results and may result in future expenses associated with its closure.
The Company Particle, Inc. subsidiary was incorporated April 30, 2020 and has no operating history.
Particle, Inc. was incorporated April 30, 2020 and to date has engaged in activities consisting primarily of research and development on threaded light bulbs that have a warm white light that can inactivate germs, including bacteria and viruses. On June 1, 2020, we approved and ratified entry into an intercompany Patent License Agreement dated May 21, 2020 with Particle. Pursuant to the Agreement, Particle received an exclusive non-transferrable license to use certain patents and trademarks of the Company, in exchange the Company shall receive: (i) a one-time fee of $250,000 upon a successful financing of Particle, and (ii) a quarterly royalty payment equal to the greater of 5% of the Gross Sales, net of returns, from Particle or $5,000. As of December 31, 2020 the operations of Particle have generated no sales and operations are just commencing. The first product, the Particle bulb can be used in households, businesses and other facilities to inactivate bacteria and viruses. Through internal preliminary testing, Particle personnel has confirmed the bulb’s efficacy in inactivating common germs such as E. coli and Staphylococcus. A world renowned, CDC-regulated biosafety level-4 laboratory is currently testing the Particle bulb’s ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
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To date, we have generated no revenue from Particle. We may not generate revenues in the near future while products are being developed. We believe that Particle’s commercialization success is dependent upon its ability to develop successful products to take to market. Further, Particle products are awaiting laboratory testing for efficacy in killing certain germs and viruses; there are no assurances the results of laboratory testing will be in our favor. In addition, once developed, demand for its products may not materialize, or increase as quickly as planned, and we may therefore be unable to increase our revenue levels as expected. Even if we succeed in introducing our technology and related products to our target markets, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to achieve or sustain profitability.
We are dependent on key personnel.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of key management and other personnel, some of whom could be difficult to replace, including Ronald P. Erickson, our Chairman and Phil Bosua, our Chief Executive Officer. We maintain key person life insurance on our Chief Executive Officer, Phil Bosua. Our success will depend on the performance of our officers, our ability to retain and motivate our officers, our ability to integrate new officers into our operations, and the ability of all personnel to work together effectively as a team. Our failure to retain and recruit officers and other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our success also depends on our continued ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate highly skilled technical, managerial, manufacturing, administrative and sales and marketing personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we may not be able to successfully recruit, assimilate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. In particular, we may encounter difficulties in recruiting and retaining a sufficient number of qualified technical personnel, which could harm our ability to develop new products and adversely impact our relationships with existing and future customers. The inability to attract and retain necessary technical, managerial, manufacturing, administrative and sales and marketing personnel could harm our ability to obtain new customers and develop new products and could adversely affect our business and operating results.
We have limited insurance which may not cover claims by third parties against us or our officers and directors.
We have limited directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and commercial liability insurance policies. Claims by third parties against us may exceed policy amounts and we may not have amounts to cover these claims. Any significant claims would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our limited directors’ and officers’ liability insurance may affect our ability to attract and retain directors and officers.
Our inability to effectively protect our intellectual property would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively, our revenue, our financial condition and our results of operations.
We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, and trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. Obtaining and maintaining a strong patent position is important to our business. Patent law relating to the scope of claims in the technology fields in which we operate is complex and uncertain, so we cannot be assured that we will be able to obtain or maintain patent rights, or that the patent rights we may obtain will be valuable, provide an effective barrier to competitors or otherwise provide competitive advantages. Others have filed, and in the future are likely to file, patent applications that are similar or identical to ours or those of our licensors. To determine the priority of inventions, or demonstrate that we did not derive our invention from another, we may have to participate in interference or derivation proceedings in the USPTO or in court that could result in substantial costs in legal fees and could substantially affect the scope of our patent protection. We cannot be assured our patent applications will prevail over those filed by others. Also, our intellectual property rights may be subject to other challenges by third parties. Patents we obtain could be challenged in litigation or in administrative proceedings such as ex parte reexam, inter parties review, or post grant review in the United States or opposition proceedings in Europe or other jurisdictions.
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There can be no assurance that:
● | any of our existing patents will continue to be held valid, if challenged; |
● | patents will be issued for any of our pending applications; |
● | any claims allowed from existing or pending patents will have sufficient scope or strength to protect us; |
● | our patents will be issued in the primary countries where our products are sold in order to protect our rights and potential commercial advantage; or |
● | any of our products or technologies will not infringe on the patents of other companies. |
If we are enjoined from selling our products, or if we are required to develop new technologies or pay significant monetary damages or are required to make substantial royalty payments, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
Obtaining and maintaining a patent portfolio entails significant expense and resources. Part of the expense includes periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees, various other governmental fees on patents and/or applications due in several stages over the lifetime of patents and/or applications, as well as the cost associated with complying with numerous procedural provisions during the patent application process. We may or may not choose to pursue or maintain protection for particular inventions. In addition, there are situations in which failure to make certain payments or noncompliance with certain requirements in the patent process can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. If we choose to forgo patent protection or allow a patent application or patent to lapse purposefully or inadvertently, our competitive position could suffer.
Legal actions to enforce our patent rights can be expensive and may involve the diversion of significant management time. In addition, these legal actions could be unsuccessful and could also result in the invalidation of our patents or a finding that they are unenforceable. We may or may not choose to pursue litigation or interferences against those that have infringed on our patents, or used them without authorization, due to the associated expense and time commitment of monitoring these activities. If we fail to protect or to enforce our intellectual property rights successfully, our competitive position could suffer, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and business.
Claims by others that our products infringe their patents or other intellectual property rights could prevent us from manufacturing and selling some of our products or require us to pay royalties or incur substantial costs from litigation or development of non-infringing technology.
In recent years, there has been significant litigation in the United States involving patents and other intellectual property rights. We may receive notices that claim we have infringed upon the intellectual property of others. Even if these claims are not valid, they could subject us to significant costs. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert our attention and resources, cause product shipment delays or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all. We have engaged in litigation and litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation may also be necessary to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity by others. A successful claim of intellectual property infringement against us and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology or develop or license technology with comparable functionality could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
If we are unable to secure a sales and marketing partner or establish satisfactory sales and marketing capabilities at Know Labs we may not be able to successfully commercialize our technology.
If we are not successful entering into appropriate collaboration arrangements or recruiting sales and marketing personnel or in building a sales and marketing infrastructure, we will have difficulty successfully commercializing our technology, which would adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
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We may not be able to enter into collaboration agreements on terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, even if we enter into such relationships, we may have limited or no control over the sales, marketing and distribution activities of these third parties. Our future revenues may depend heavily on the success of the efforts of these third parties. If we elect to establish a sales and marketing infrastructure we may not realize a positive return on this investment. In addition, we must compete with established and well-funded pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to recruit, hire, train and retain sales and marketing personnel. Factors that may inhibit our efforts to commercialize technology without strategic partners or licensees include:
● | our inability to recruit and retain adequate numbers of effective sales and marketing personnel; |
● | the lack of complementary products to be offered by sales personnel, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage relative to companies with more extensive product lines; and |
● | unforeseen costs and expenses associated with creating an independent sales and marketing organization. |
Government regulatory approval may be necessary before some of our products can be sold and there is no assurance such approval will be granted.
Our technology may have a number of potential applications in fields of use which will require prior governmental regulatory approval before the technology can be introduced to the marketplace. For example, we are exploring the use of our technology for certain medical diagnostic applications, with an initial focus on the continuous monitoring of blood glucose.
There is no assurance that we will be successful in developing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) medical applications for our technology.
If we were to be successful in developing continuous glucose monitoring medical applications of our technology, prior approval by the FDA and other governmental regulatory bodies will be required before the technology could be introduced into the marketplace.
There is no assurance that such regulatory approval would be obtained for a continuous glucose monitoring medical diagnostic or other applications requiring such approval.
The FDA can refuse to grant, delay, and limit or deny approval of an application for approval of a glucose monitoring device for many reasons.
We may not obtain the necessary regulatory approvals or clearances to market these continuous glucose monitoring systems in the United States or outside of the United States.
Any delay in, or failure to receive or maintain, approval or clearance for our products could prevent us from generating revenue from these products or achieving profitability.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents could result in the compromise of confidential data or critical data systems and give rise to potential harm to customers, remediation and other expenses, expose us to liability under HIPAA, consumer protection laws, or other common law theories, subject us to litigation and federal and state governmental inquiries, damage our reputation, and otherwise be disruptive to our business and operations.
Cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. We collect and store on our networks sensitive information, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of our customers. The secure maintenance of this information and technology is critical to our business operations. We have implemented multiple layers of security measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of this data and the systems and devices that store and transmit such data. We utilize current security technologies, and our defenses are monitored and routinely tested internally and by external parties. Despite these efforts, threats from malicious persons and groups, new vulnerabilities and advanced new attacks against information systems create risk of cybersecurity incidents. These incidents can include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, we may be unable to anticipate these incidents or techniques, timely discover them, or implement adequate preventative measures.
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These threats can come from a variety of sources, ranging in sophistication from an individual hacker to malfeasance by employees, consultants or other service providers to state-sponsored attacks. Cyber threats may be generic, or they may be custom-crafted against our information systems. Over the past several years, cyber-attacks have become more prevalent and much harder to detect and defend against. Our network and storage applications may be vulnerable to cyber-attack, malicious intrusion, malfeasance, loss of data privacy or other significant disruption and may be subject to unauthorized access by hackers, employees, consultants or other service providers. In addition, hardware, software or applications we develop or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our systems or facilities through fraud, trickery or other forms of deceiving our employees, contractors and temporary staff.
There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to cybersecurity incidents that bypass our security measures, impact the integrity, availability or privacy of personal health information or other data subject to privacy laws or disrupt our information systems, devices or business, including our ability to deliver services to our customers. As a result, cybersecurity, physical security and the continued development and enhancement of our controls, processes and practices designed to protect our enterprise, information systems and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access remain a priority for us. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
We may engage in acquisitions, mergers, strategic alliances, joint ventures and divestures that could result in final results that are different than expected.
In the normal course of business, we engage in discussions relating to possible acquisitions, equity investments, mergers, strategic alliances, joint ventures and divestitures. Such transactions are accompanied by a number of risks, including the use of significant amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, incurrence of debt on potentially unfavorable terms as well as impairment expenses related to goodwill and amortization expenses related to other intangible assets, the possibility that we may pay too much cash or issue too many of our shares as the purchase price for an acquisition relative to the economic benefits that we ultimately derive from such acquisition, and various potential difficulties involved in integrating acquired businesses into our operations.
From time to time, we have also engaged in discussions with candidates regarding the potential acquisitions of our product lines, technologies and businesses. If a divestiture such as this does occur, we cannot be certain that our business, operating results and financial condition will not be materially and adversely affected. A successful divestiture depends on various factors, including our ability to effectively transfer liabilities, contracts, facilities and employees to any purchaser; identify and separate the intellectual property to be divested from the intellectual property that we wish to retain; reduce fixed costs previously associated with the divested assets or business; and collect the proceeds from any divestitures.
If we do not realize the expected benefits of any acquisition or divestiture transaction, our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and stock price could be negatively impacted.
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We have made strategic acquisitions in the past and may do so in the future, and if the acquired companies do not perform as expected, this could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and existing business.
We may continue to expand our business through strategic acquisitions. The success of any acquisition will depend on, among other things:
● | the availability of suitable candidates; |
● | higher than anticipated acquisition costs and expenses; |
● | competition from other companies for the purchase of available candidates; |
● | our ability to value those candidates accurately and negotiate favorable terms for those acquisitions; |
● | the availability of funds to finance acquisitions and obtaining any consents necessary under our credit facility; |
● | the ability to establish new informational, operational and financial systems to meet the needs of our business; |
● | the ability to achieve anticipated synergies, including with respect to complementary products or services; and |
● | the availability of management resources to oversee the integration and operation of the acquired businesses. |
We may not be successful in effectively integrating acquired businesses and completing acquisitions in the future. We also may incur substantial expenses and devote significant management time and resources in seeking to complete acquisitions. Acquired businesses may fail to meet our performance expectations. If we do not achieve the anticipated benefits of an acquisition as rapidly as expected, or at all, investors or analysts may not perceive the same benefits of the acquisition as we do. If these risks materialize, our stock price could be materially adversely affected.
We are subject to corporate governance and internal control requirements, and our costs related to compliance with, or our failure to comply with existing and future requirements could adversely affect our business.
We must comply with corporate governance requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as additional rules and regulations currently in place and that may be subsequently adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. These laws, rules, and regulations continue to evolve and may become increasingly stringent in the future. The financial cost of compliance with these laws, rules, and regulations is expected to remain substantial.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to fully comply with these laws, rules, and regulations that address corporate governance, internal control reporting, and similar matters in the future. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations could materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition, and the value of our securities.
The exercise prices of certain warrants, convertible notes payable and the Series C and D Preferred Shares may require further adjustment.
In the future, if we sell our common stock at a price below $0.25 per share, the exercise price of 8,108,356 outstanding shares of Series C and D Preferred Stock that adjust below $0.25 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments. In addition, the conversion price of Convertible Notes Payable of $7,424,566 or 14,189,764 common shares (9,020,264 common shares at the current price of $0.25 per share and 5,169,500 common shares at the current price of $1.00 per share) and the exercise price of additional outstanding warrants to purchase 12,588,286 shares of common stock would adjust below $0.25 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments. Warrants totaling 5,191,636 would adjust below $1.20 per share pursuant to the documents governing such instruments.
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Risks Relating to Our Stock
The price of our common stock is volatile, which may cause investment losses for our stockholders.
The market price of our common stock has been and is likely in the future to be volatile. Our common stock price may fluctuate in response to factors such as:
● | Announcements by us regarding liquidity, significant acquisitions, equity investments and divestitures, strategic relationships, addition or loss of significant customers and contracts, capital expenditure commitments and litigation; | |
● | Issuance of convertible or equity securities and related warrants for general or merger and acquisition purposes; | |
● | Issuance or repayment of debt, accounts payable or convertible debt for general or merger and acquisition purposes; | |
● | Sale of a significant number of shares of our common stock by stockholders; | |
● | General market and economic conditions; | |
● | Quarterly variations in our operating results; | |
● | Investor and public relation activities; | |
● | Announcements of technological innovations; | |
● | New product introductions by us or our competitors; | |
● ● | Competitive activities; Low liquidity; and | |
● | Additions or departures of key personnel. |
These broad market and industry factors may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Future issuance of additional shares of common stock in Particle, Inc. could dilute the Company as majority stockholders of Particle, Inc.
The Company is currently the 100% shareholder in Particle, Inc. In July 2020, Particle entered into Simple Agreements for Future Equity (“SAFE”) with twenty two accredited investors pursuant to which Particle received $785,000 in cash in exchange for the providing the investor the right to receive shares of the Particle stock. Through December 31, 2020, $840,000 has been raised through the sale of SAFE instruments. The Company expects to issue 1,050,000 shares of the Particle stock that was initially valued at $0.80 per share. The SAFE contained a number of conversion and redemption provisions, including settlement upon liquidity or dissolution events. The final price and share are not known until settlement upon liquidity or dissolution events conditions are achieved. The Company’s ownership interest in Particle will be diluted when the SAFE’s are converted to common stock.
Additionally, as Particle develops, they may need to raise additional capital to fund operations through the sale of equity or debt securities, which may result in a dilution of the Company’s position. The issuance of any additional securities could, among other things, result in substantial dilution to the percentage ownership of the Company.
Four individual investors could have significant influence over matters submitted to stockholders for approval.
As of December 31, 2020, four individuals in the aggregate, assuming the exercise of all warrants to purchase common stock, hold shares representing approximately 45.2% of our common stock on a fully-converted basis and could be considered a control group for purposes of SEC rules. However, the agreement with one of these individuals limits his ownership to 4.99% individually. Beneficial ownership includes shares over which an individual or entity has investment or voting power and includes shares that could be issued upon the exercise of options and warrants within 60 days after the date of determination. If these persons were to choose to act together, they would be able to significantly influence all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, as well as our officers, directors, management and affairs. For example, these persons, if they choose to act together, could significantly influence the election of directors and approval of any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of voting power could delay or prevent an acquisition of us on terms that other stockholders may desire.
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The sale of a significant number of our shares of common stock could depress the price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2020, we had 25,370,224 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, held by 125 stockholders of record. The number of stockholders, including beneficial owners holding shares through nominee names, is approximately 2,300. Each share of common stock entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote, and no cumulative voting for directors is permitted. Stockholders do not have any preemptive rights to acquire additional securities issued by the Company. As of December 31, 2020, there were options outstanding for the purchase of 12,936,955 common shares (including unearned stock option grants totaling 10,625,745 shares related to performance targets), warrants for the purchase of 22,016,367 common shares, and 8,108,356 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series C and Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. In addition, the Company currently has 14,189,764 common shares (9,020,264 common shares at the current price of $0.25 per share and 5,169,500 common shares at the current price of $1.20 per share) reserved and are issuable upon conversion of convertible debentures of $7,424,566. All of which could potentially dilute future earnings per share but are excluded from the December 31, 2020 calculation of net loss per share because their impact is antidilutive.
Significant shares of common stock are held by our principal stockholders, other company insiders and other large stockholders. As “affiliates” of Know Labs, as defined under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, our principal stockholders, other of our insiders and other large stockholders may only sell their shares of common stock in the public market pursuant to an effective registration statement or in compliance with Rule 144.
These options, warrants, convertible notes payable and convertible preferred stock could result in further dilution to common stockholders and may affect the market price of the common stock.
Future issuance of additional shares of common stock and/or preferred stock could dilute existing stockholders. We have and may issue preferred stock that could have rights that are preferential to the rights of common stock that could discourage potentially beneficial transactions to our common stockholders.
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, we currently have authorized 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. To the extent that common shares are available for issuance, subject to compliance with applicable stock exchange listing rules, our board of directors has the ability to issue additional shares of common stock in the future for such consideration as the board of directors may consider sufficient. The issuance of any additional securities could, among other things, result in substantial dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders at the time of issuance, result in substantial dilution of our earnings per share and adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common stock.
An issuance of additional shares of preferred stock could result in a class of outstanding securities that would have preferences with respect to voting rights and dividends and in liquidation over our common stock and could, upon conversion or otherwise, have all of the rights of our common stock. Our Board of Directors’ authority to issue preferred stock could discourage potential takeover attempts or could delay or prevent a change in control through merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making these attempts more difficult or costly to achieve. The issuance of preferred stock could impair the voting, dividend and liquidation rights of common stockholders without their approval.
Future capital raises may dilute our existing stockholders’ ownership and/or have other adverse effects on our operations.
If we or Particle raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership will be reduced and these stockholders may experience substantial dilution. We may also issue equity securities that provide for rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock. If we raise additional funds by issuing debt securities, these debt securities would have rights senior to those of our common stock and the terms of the debt securities issued could impose significant restrictions on our operations, including liens on our assets. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some rights to our technologies or candidate products, or to grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all of our future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of any future debt agreements may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.
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Anti-takeover provisions may limit the ability of another party to acquire our company, which could cause our stock price to decline.
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws and Nevada law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring our company, even if doing so may be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, these provisions could limit the price investors would be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation allow for our board to create new series of preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our Board of Directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors also has the authority to issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval. As a result, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the holders of common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common stock. In addition, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common stock or result in dilution to our existing stockholders.
We or our manufacturers may be unable to obtain or maintain international regulatory clearances or approvals for our current or future products, or our distributors may be unable to obtain necessary qualifications, which could harm our business.
Sales of the Know Labs products internationally are subject to foreign regulatory requirements that vary widely from country to country. In addition, the FDA regulates exports of medical devices from the U.S. Complying with international regulatory requirements can be an expensive and time-consuming process, and marketing approval or clearance is not certain. The time required to obtain clearances or approvals, if required by other countries, may be longer than that required for FDA clearance or approvals, and requirements for such clearances or approvals may significantly differ from FDA requirements. We may rely on third-party distributors to obtain regulatory clearances and approvals required in other countries, and these distributors may be unable to obtain or maintain such clearances or approvals. Our distributors may also incur significant costs in attempting to obtain and in maintaining foreign regulatory approvals or clearances, which could increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining qualified distributors. If our distributors experience delays in receiving necessary qualifications, clearances or approvals to market our products outside the U.S., or if they fail to receive those qualifications, clearances or approvals, we may be unable to market our products or enhancements in international markets effectively, or at all.
Foreign governmental authorities that regulate the manufacture and sale of medical devices have become increasingly stringent and, to the extent we market and sell our products outside of the U.S., we may be subject to rigorous international regulation in the future. In these circumstances, we would be required to rely on our foreign independent distributors to comply with the varying regulations, and any failures on their part could result in restrictions on the sale of our product in foreign countries.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we had the following unregistered sales of equity securities:
We issued 561,600 shares of common stock related to the automatic conversion of Convertible Notes and interest from a private placement to accredited investors in 2020. The Convertible Notes and interested were automatically converted to Common Stock at $1.00 per share on the one year anniversary starting on October 17, 2020.
We issued 3,750 shares of common stock at $1.25 per share related to the exercise of warrants.
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ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
The exhibits required to be filed herewith by Item 601 of Regulation S-K, as described in the following index of exhibits, are attached hereto unless otherwise indicated as being incorporated by reference, as follows:
(a) Exhibits
The exhibits required to be filed herewith by Item 601 of Regulation S-K, as described in the following index of exhibits, are attached hereto unless otherwise indicated as being incorporated by reference, as follows:
Exhibit No. | Description |
Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation dated September 13, 2013 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A2, filed September 17, 2013) | |
Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K, filed August 17, 2012) | |
Certificate of Amendment to the Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation dated June 11, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 17, 2015) | |
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 11, 2016) | |
Form of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed September 1, 2016) | |
Certificate of Correction and Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Amended Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed January 9, 2017) | |
Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 10, 2017) | |
Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 5, 2017) | |
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 19, 2018) | |
Articles of Merger (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 3, 2018) | |
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 20, 2018) | |
Certificate of Designation of Series F Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 3, 2018) | |
2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed January 11, 2013) | |
Form of Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Form of Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement. and Form of Series F Warrant to Purchase Common Stock by and between Visualant, Incorporated and Clayton A. Struve (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 5, 2017) | |
Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 14, 2017 by and between Visualant, Incorporated and accredited investor (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 18, 2017) | |
Senior Secured Convertible Redeemable Debenture dated December 12, 2017 by and between Visualant, Incorporated and accredited investor. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 22, 2017) |
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Senior Secured Convertible Redeemable Debenture dated February 28, 2018 by and between Visualant, Incorporated and accredited investor. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 7, 2018) | |
Note and Account Payable Conversion Agreement and related notes and warrants dated January 31, 2018 by and between Visualant, Incorporated and J3E2A2Z LP (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 21, 2018) | |
Employment Agreement dated April 10, 2018 by and between Visualant, Incorporated and Phillip A. Bosua. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed December 21, 2018) | |
Amended Employment Agreement dated April 10, 2018 by and between Visualant, Incorporated and Ronald P. Erickson. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed December 21, 2018) | |
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 10, 2018, by and among Visualant, Incorporated, 500 Union Corporation, and RAAI Lighting, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed December 21, 2018) | |
Certificate of Merger, dated as of April 10, 2018, by 500 Union Corporation (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 17, 2018) | |
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 6, 2019) | |
Form of Subscription Agreement, Subordinated Convertible Note, Common Stock Purchase Warrant, Subordination and Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed March 6, 2019) | |
Amendment 3 dated May 12, 2020 to Convertible Redeemable Promissory Note dated January 31, 2018 by and between Know Labs, Inc. and J3E2A2Z LP. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 13, 2020) | |
Amendment 3 dated May 12, 2020 to Convertible Redeemable Promissory Note dated January 31, 2018 by and between Know Labs, Inc. and J3E2A2Z LP. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 13, 2020) | |
Amendment 3 dated May 11, 2020 to Senior Secured Convertible Redeemable Note dated September 30, 2016 by and between Know Labs, Inc. and Clayton A. Struve. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2020) | |
Amendment 3 dated May 11, 2020 to Senior Secured Convertible Redeemable Note dated August 14, 2017 by and between Know Labs, Inc. and Clayton A. Struve. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2020) | |
Amendment 3 dated May 11, 2020 to Senior Secured Convertible Redeemable Note dated December 12, 2017 by and between Know Labs, Inc. and Clayton A. Struve. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2020) | |
Amendment 2 dated May 11, 2020 to Senior Secured Convertible Redeemable Note dated February 28, 2018 by and between Know Labs, Inc. and Clayton A. Struve. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 15, 2020) | |
Code of Ethics dated November 2018 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 27, 2018) |
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Audit Committee Charter dated November 2018 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 27, 2018) | |
Compensation Committee Charter dated November 2018 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 27, 2018) | |
Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee Charter dated November 2018 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 27, 2018) |
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*Filed Herewith. Pursuant to Regulation S-T, this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
KNOW LABS, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: February 16, 2021 | By: | /s/ Phillip A Bosua | |
Phillip A. Bosua | |||
Chief Executive Officer, and Director | |||
(Principal Executive Officer) |
Date: February 16, 2021 | By: | /s/ Ronald P. Erickson | |
Ronald P. Erickson | |||
Interim Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | |||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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