CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
We describe below the transactions and series of similar transactions, since October 1, 2020, to which we were a party or will be a party, in which:
• | the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed the lesser of $120,000, or one percent of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years; and |
• | any of our directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other arrangements with directors and executive officers, which are described where required under the section above titled “Summary Compensation Table.” |
Zachary Bradford – Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director
During the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company paid Blue Chip Accounting, LLC (“Blue Chip”) $183,075 and $131,248, respectively, for accounting, tax, administrative services and reimbursement for office supplies. Blue Chip is 50% beneficially owned by Mr. Bradford. None of the services were associated with work performed by Mr. Bradford. The services consisted of preparing and filing tax returns, bookkeeping, accounting and administrative support assistance. The Company also sub-leased office space from Blue Chip. During the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, $18,300 and $14,725, respectively, was paid to Blue Chip for rent. The sublease and engagement for accounting services was terminated December 31, 2021.
Bryan Huber – Former Officer and Director
On August 28, 2018, the Company executed an agreement with Zero Positive, LLC an entity controlled by Mr. Huber. In accordance with the agreement with Zero Positive, LLC, Mr. Huber earned $125,154 during the year ended September 30, 2020. On March 12, 2020, the Agreement was terminated upon the execution of a separation agreement. All amounts owed from all agreements totaling $90,000 were paid in full.
On September 28, 2018, in connection with the consulting agreement executed with Zero Positive, LLC, the Company issued warrants to purchase 90,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.00 per share to Zero Positive. The warrants were valued at $2,607,096 using the Black Scholes option pricing model based upon the following assumptions: term of 10 years, risk free interest rate of 3.05%, a dividend yield of 0% and volatility rate of 191%. The warrants vest as follows: 30,000 vested immediately, the balance vest evenly on the last day of each month over forty-two months beginning August 31, 2018. As of September 30, 2020, 67,143 warrants had vested, and the Company recorded an expense of $496,590 during the year ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2021, 84,286 warrants had vested, and the Company recorded an expense of $496,590 during the year ended September 30, 2021.
S. Matthew Schultz – Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board
The Company entered into an agreement on November 15, 2019 with an organization to provide general investor relations and consulting services that Mr. Schultz is affiliated with. The Company paid the organization $49,500 in fees plus $176,000 in expense reimbursements for the year ended September 30, 2020. The agreement was terminated in March 2020.
Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Party Transactions
Our Board has adopted a written related person transaction policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions. This policy covers, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our Audit Committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. The related person transactions disclosed in this Proxy Statement were each approved by the full Board or Audit Committee, as applicable.