THE COMPANY
MicroVision, Inc. is a pioneer in laser beam scanning (LBS) technology that we market under our brand name PicoP®. We have developed our proprietary PicoP® scanning technology that can be adopted by our customers to create high-resolution miniature projection and three-dimensional sensing and image capture solutions. PicoP® scanning technology is based on our patented expertise in micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS), laser diodes, opto-mechanics, and electronics and how those elements are packaged into a small form factor, low power scanning engine that can display, interact and sense, depending on the needs of the application. For display, the engine can project a high-quality image on any surface for use in pico projection and augmented or virtual reality. For sensing, we use infrared (IR) lasers to capture three-dimensional data in the form of a point cloud. Interactivity uses the 3D sensing function and the display function to project an image that the user could then interact with as one would a touch screen.
Our strategy includes selling LBS engines to original design manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). We plan to offer three scanning engines to support a wide array of applications: a small form factor display engine for consumer products, an interactive scanning engine for smart Internet of Things (IoT) products, and a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) engine for consumer electronic applications. We also are developing LiDAR for automotive collision avoidance systems.
In addition to selling modules, we have licensed our patented PicoP® scanning technology to other companies for incorporation into their scanning engines for projection. We sell our licensees key components needed to produce their laser scanning engines and/or license our technology in exchange for a royalty fee for each scanning engine they sell. Companies to whom we license our PicoP® scanning technology are typically ODMs or OEMs who are in the business of making components or products ready for sale to end users. To date, we have primarily focused on the consumer electronics market, however, we believe that our LBS technology creates a platform that could support multiple applications and markets including medical, industrial and automotive.
While we are optimistic about our technology and the potential for future revenues, we have incurred substantial losses since inception and we expect to incur a significant loss during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered under this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, working capital and capital expenditures. The prospectus supplement relating to specific sales of our securities hereunder will set forth our intended use for the net proceeds we receive from the sales. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we expect to invest the proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments or other securities.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes us to issue 150,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of October 30, 2018, there were 93,073,343 shares of common stock, and no shares of preferred stock, outstanding.
Common Stock. All outstanding common stock is, and any stock issued under this prospectus will be, duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the rights of the holders of our outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock:
| • | | are entitled to any dividends validly declared; |
| • | | will share ratably in our net assets in the event of a liquidation; and |
| • | | are entitled to one vote per share. |
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