Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-280798
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 22, 2024)
Up to $1,425,000
Shares of Common Stock
On August 30, 2024, we entered into an at the market offering agreement (the “Sales Agreement”), with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”), relating to the offer and sale of shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement to or through Ladenburg as agent or principal. We may, under this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,425,000 in accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein, before you invest.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PRSO.” On August 28, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.36 per share. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the aggregate market value of our public float, calculated according to General Instructions I.B.6. of Form S-3, is $4,367,099, based on 2,787,461 shares of common stock (including common stock issuable upon the exchange of exchangeable shares) outstanding as of August 28, 2024, of which 2,662,865 shares of our common stock are held by non-affiliates, and a price of $1.64 per share, the price at which our common stock was last sold on the Nasdaq Capital Market on July 23, 2024. We have sold approximately $24,970 of securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 during the prior 12-calendar-month period that ends on, and includes, the date of this prospectus supplement. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our common stock in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75,000,000.
Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement may be made in sales deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Capital Market, the existing trading market for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange or otherwise, directly to Ladenburg as principal, in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, and/or in any other method permitted by applicable law. Ladenburg is not required to sell any specific amount of securities, but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
Ladenburg will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, Ladenburg will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of Ladenburg will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Ladenburg with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and the risk factors that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus from our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Ladenburg Thalmann
The date of this prospectus supplement is August 30, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT | ||
| ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT | S-ii | |
| PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY | S-1 | |
| THE OFFERING | S-7 | |
| RISK FACTORS | S-8 | |
| CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | S-10 | |
| USE OF PROCEEDS | S-11 | |
| DILUTION | S-12 | |
| PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | S-14 | |
| LEGAL MATTERS | S-15 | |
| EXPERTS | S-15 | |
| WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION | S-15 | |
| INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE | S-16 |
S-i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus dated July 22, 2024 are part of a registration statement on Form S-3, which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration statement, we may offer any combination of the securities described in our base prospectus included in the shelf registration statement in one or more offerings, up to a total aggregate offering price of $50,000,000. Under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we may offer shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,425,000 from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, a copy of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the information incorporated by reference herein and therein as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and the information in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.
This prospectus supplement describes the specific terms of the common stock we are offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in the accompanying prospectus and any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus that was filed with the SEC before the date of this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date — for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement — the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and Ladenburg has not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and Ladenburg is not, making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy our common stock in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents to which we have referred you in the sections of this prospectus supplement entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The distribution of this prospectus and the offering of the common stock in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities offered by this prospectus by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation.
Unless the context otherwise requires, “Peraso,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Peraso Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Trademarks, service marks or trade names of any other companies appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Use or display by us of trademarks, service marks or trade names owned by others is not intended to and does not imply a relationship between us, and/or endorsement or sponsorship by, the owners of the trademarks, service marks or trade names.
Note Regarding Reverse Stock Split
We effected a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-40, effective as of January 2, 2024. All share and per-share amounts in this prospectus supplement have been restated to reflect the reverse stock split.
S-ii
The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein or therein and does not contain all the information that may be important to purchasers of our securities. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, all documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, any related free writing prospectus and the additional information described under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information,” beginning on page S-15 before buying any of the securities being offered.
The Company
We are a fabless semiconductor company focused on the development and sale of: i) millimeter wavelength wireless technology (“mmWave”) semiconductor devices and antenna modules based on our proprietary semiconductor devices and ii) performance of non-recurring engineering, or NRE, services and licensing of intellectual property (“IP”). Our primary focus is the development of mmWave, which is generally described as the frequency band from 24 Gigahertz (“GHz”) to 300 GHz. Our mmWave products enable a range of applications including: multi-gigabit point-to-point (“PtP”) wireless links with a range of up to 25 kilometers and operating in the 60 GHz frequency band; multi-gigabit point-to-multi-point (“PtMP”) links in the 60 GHz frequency band used to provide fixed wireless access (“FWA”) services; FWA in the 5G operating bands from 24 GHz to 43 GHz to provide multi-gigabit capability and low latency connections; military communications; and consumer applications, such as high performance wireless video streaming and untethered augmented reality and virtual reality. We also have a line of memory-denominated integrated circuits (“ICs”) for high-speed cloud networking, communications, security appliance, video, monitor and test, data center and computing markets that deliver time-to-market, performance, power, area and economic benefits for system original equipment manufacturers. As discussed below, we initiated an end-of-life of these products in 2023.
Our Products
Our primary focus is the development, marketing and sale of our mmWave products.
mmWave ICs
Currently, there are two industry standards that incorporate mmWave technology for wireless communications: (i) license-free: IEEE 802.11ad/ay and (ii) licensed: 3GPP Release 15-17 (commonly referred to as 5G). We have developed and continue to develop products that conform to these standards. To date, we have not sold any 5G products.
Our first mmWave IC product line operates in the license-free 60 GHz band and conforms to the IEEE 802.11ad standard. This product line includes a baseband IC, several variations of mmWave radio frequency (“RF”) ICs, and associated antenna technology.
Our 60 GHz IEEE802.11ad products have two very important advantages over traditional 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz Wi-Fi products: very high data rates (up to 3.0 Gigabits per second (“Gb/s”)) and low latency, i.e., less than 5 milliseconds (“ms”). The first application that had traction was outdoor broadband, including applications such as PtP backhaul links or FWA using PtMP links. As the spectrum is unlicensed (free), wireless Internet service providers (“WISPs”) can provide services without having to procure expensive wireless spectrum licenses. We believe that our mmWave technology can be deployed quickly and cost effectively in rural and suburban environments, including in remote and low-income regions where residents often have poor Internet quality. While carriers can provide fiber access, the cost of fiber deployment can be prohibitive and trenching for fiber is time consuming and can limit the rate at which new subscribers are added. Our mmWave products enable WISPs to deploy broadband service using low-cost terminals and infrastructure and avoid the costs of deploying cable or fiber.
We are a leading supplier of semiconductors in the mmWave PtP and PtMP markets. We are currently shipping to leading equipment suppliers in this space, as well as directly to service providers that are building their own equipment. We believe we bring certain advantages to the market. First, our products support the spectrum from 66 GHz to 71 GHz, which is often referred to as channels 5 and 6 in the 802.11ad/ay specifications. The key advantage in supporting these channels is that the signals are able to propagate much further than channels 1 through 4; this is a result of significantly lower oxygen absorption at frequencies above 66 GHz. To date, our FWA customers have achieved links in the range of 25 kilometers, which is substantially longer than any past 60 GHz links.
S-1
In the indoor area, the 802.11ad technology is ideal for high-speed, low-latency video applications. In indoor applications, our products can support 3Gb/s links with under 5 ms of latency. Example applications include:
| ● | AR/VR links between the headset and the video console; |
| ● | USB video cameras for corporate video conferencing; |
| ● | wireless security cameras; and |
| ● | smart factory safety and surveillance. |
Our mmWave ICs have been in volume production since 2018. A core competency of the Company is phased-array technology, or beamforming, in which an array of antenna elements work in unison to create a focused RF beam. Through adjustment of the relative phase of the antenna signals, the beams can be directed to support robust wireless connection. We are a leader in the production of mmWave devices and have pioneered a high-volume production test methodology using standard low-cost production test equipment. It has taken us several years to refine performance of this production test methodology, and we believe this places us in a leadership position in addressing operational challenges of delivering mmWave products into high-volume markets.
Our second product line addresses the 5G mmWave opportunity. Given our extensive experience in the development of mmWave technology, 5G mmWave is a logical adjacent and larger market. We have commenced sampling a highly integrated 5G mmWave beamformer IC, which operates from the 24 GHz to 43 GHz frequency range. The device supports dual-stream multiple input, multiple output, or MIMO, with two 16-channel beamforming arrays. In June 2023, we announced a collaboration with pSemi, a Murata company, for the development of a 5G customer premise receiver utilizing our beamformer IC and pSemi’s up-down converter IC. The goals of the collaboration are to reduce the number of components and cost of each RF module to promote faster time to market for more rapid deployment by prospective customers.
mmWave Antenna Modules
In the second half of 2021, we augmented our business model to produce and sell complete mmWave antenna modules for license-free 60 GHz applications. The primary advantage provided by our antenna modules is that our proprietary mmWave ICs and the antenna are integrated into a single device. A differentiating characteristic of mmWave technology is that the RF amplifiers must be as close as possible to the antenna to minimize loss. With our module, we can guarantee the performance of the amplifier/antenna interface and simplify customers’ RF engineering, facilitating more opportunities for customer prospects that have not provided RF-type systems, as well as shortening the time to market for new products. It is possible for third parties to provide competitive module products, but, because we utilize our mmWave ICs and incorporate our proprietary mmWave antenna IP, we can provide a highly-competitive solution based on our internally-owned and developed module components.
During 2022, we launched our PERSPECTUS family of mmWave antenna modules to enable WISPs to offer high-capacity FWA networks in the unlicensed 60-GHz spectrum. The PERSPECTUS product family includes a new generation of integrated 60 GHz mmWave antenna modules and enhanced software for PtMP FWA applications. Our PERSPECTUS products allow rapid development of low-cost network equipment utilizing over 14 GHz of spectrum to provide multi-gigabit access services. Leveraging our integrated phased-array antennas and operating in the upper channels of the band, link ranges from 1.5 kilometers up to extended ranges of 30 kilometers can be achieved using a parabolic reflector.
Additionally, we have established an innovative user arbitration protocol called DUNE that is specifically designed to optimize network performance in dense urban environments using our PERSPECTUS antenna modules. DUNE is a result of our decade-long experience in mmWave technology and in-house development of the intellectual property incorporated in media access control, which controls the hardware, the physical layer, which controls the physical connection and software drivers, as well as novel antenna designs and beamforming algorithms. DUNE takes a multi-level approach to reducing contention and interference by incorporating both physical, e.g. antenna and beamforming, and protocol-level innovations.
S-2
Memory
We acquired a memory product line comprising our Bandwidth Engine IC products. These products integrate our proprietary, 1T-SRAM high-density embedded memory and a highly-efficient serial interface protocol resulting in a monolithic memory IC solution optimized for memory bandwidth and transaction access performance. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, or TSMC, is the sole foundry that manufactures the wafers used to produce our memory IC products. TSMC has informed us that TSMC is discontinuing the foundry process used to produce wafers, in turn, necessary to manufacture our memory ICs. As a result, in May 2023, we initiated an end-of-life, or EOL, of our memory IC products, and we commenced initial EOL shipments during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. We have requested customers to pay a deposit upon purchase order placement to reserve supply and provide funding for our required inventory purchases. In addition, we have requested customers to accelerate payments to improve our cash flows. Under our EOL plan, we expect shipments of our memory products to continue through March 31, 2025. However, the timing of EOL shipments will be dependent on receipt of additional purchase orders from customers, deliveries from our suppliers, and the delivery schedules requested by our customers.
We have ceased and do not intend to expend any development efforts or funds to develop new memory products. We believe our Bandwidth Engine IC products will provide us with meaningful revenue and gross margin contributions through March 31, 2025, as we complete the EOL of these products. We intend to continue to devote substantially all of our research and development efforts toward further expanding our mmWave technology portfolio and expanding our product offerings.
Recent Developments
Warrant Extension
On August 6, 2024, we extended the expiration date of our outstanding Series B warrants (CUSIP number 71360T 135) to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 7, 2024, by entering into an amendment to the Warrant Agency Agreement dated as of February 8, 2024 by and between us and the warrant agent, Equiniti Trust Company, LLC. The Series B warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,974,520 shares of our common stock were issued on February 8, 2024 as part of an underwritten public offering with Ladenburg as the sole underwriter. The Series B warrants have an exercise price of $2.25 per share and would otherwise have expired at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on August 8, 2024.
Cost Reductions
On November 7, 2023, we implemented an employee lay-off and terminated certain consulting positions (the “Reductions”) to reduce operating expenses and cash burn, as we prioritized business activities and projects that we believe will have a higher return on investment. As part of the Reductions, we implemented a temporary lay-off that impacted 16 employees (the “Employees”) of Peraso Technologies Inc. (“Peraso Tech”), our Canadian subsidiary. The employment of one Employee was terminated during the three months ended March 31, 2024. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we determined that we would not recall any of the 10 Employees that remained on our payroll and commenced notifying the remaining Employees that their employment would be terminated. As a result of the terminations, we recorded severance charges of approximately $424,000 and $446,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and recorded a liability for severance costs of $419,000 at June 30, 2024. The severance costs are expected to be paid over the next 13 months.
As a result of the decision to not recall the Employees, we determined that it was probable that a number of our non-cancelable licenses for computer-aided design software would not be utilized during the remaining license terms. During the three months ended June 30, 2024, we expensed the value of the remaining contractual liabilities and certain prepaid amounts totaling approximately $1,617,000 and recorded liabilities totaling approximately $1,533,000, which are expected to be paid through September 30, 2025.
S-3
Corporate History and Information
We were formerly known as MoSys, Inc., and we were incorporated in California in 1991 and reincorporated in 2000 in Delaware. On September 14, 2021, we and our subsidiaries, 2864552 Ontario Inc. and 2864555 Ontario Inc., entered into an Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Peraso Tech, a corporation existing under the laws of the province of Ontario, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Peraso Tech (the “Peraso Shares”), including those Peraso Shares to be issued in connection with the conversion or exchange of secured convertible debentures and common share purchase warrants of Peraso Tech, as applicable, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). On December 17, 2021, following the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, the Arrangement was completed and we changed our name to “Peraso Inc.” and began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “PRSO.”
Our principal corporate offices are located at 2309 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131. Our telephone number is (408) 418-7500. The address of our website is www.perasoinc.com. The information provided on or accessible through our website (or any other website referred to in the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part) is not part of the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
Risk Factor Summary
Below is a summary of material factors that make an investment in our common stock speculative or risky. Importantly, this summary does not address all of the risks and uncertainties that we face. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider this summary to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties that may substantially impact our business. Additional discussion of the risks and uncertainties summarized in this risk factor summary, as well as other risks and certainties that we face, are described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by that discussion. Moreover, we operate in a competitive and rapidly changing environment. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict the impact of all of these factors on our business, financial condition or results of operations. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement as part of your evaluation of an investment in our securities.
Risks Related to This Offering
| ● | Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering and may not use the proceeds effectively. |
| ● | You may experience immediate and substantial dilution. |
| ● | The actual number of shares we will issue under the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg, at any one time or in total, is uncertain. |
| ● | The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices. |
| ● | There is a limited trading market for our common stock, which could make it difficult to liquidate an investment in our common stock, in a timely manner. |
| ● | You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings. |
| ● | We do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. |
S-4
Risks Related to Our Business
| ● | We have a history of losses, and we will need to raise additional capital. |
| ● | We intend to discontinue the production of our memory products. |
| ● | We might not be able to continue as a going concern. |
| ● | Our failure to generate the significant capital necessary or raise additional capital to expand our operations and invest in new products could reduce our ability to compete and could harm our business. |
| ● | Our recent reduction in force undertaken to significantly reduce our ongoing operating expenses may not result in our intended outcomes and may yield unintended consequences and additional costs. |
| ● | We currently maintain and may expand operations outside of the United States which exposes us to significant risks. |
| ● | Our failure to successfully market our products could seriously harm our ability to execute our business strategy and may force us to curtail our research and development plans or existing operations. |
| ● | Future revenue growth depends on our winning designs with existing and new customers, retaining current customers, and having those customers design our solutions into their product offerings and successfully selling and marketing such products. If we do not continue to win designs in the short term, our product revenue in the following years will not grow. |
| ● | To date, we have not achieved the anticipated benefits of a fabless semiconductor company. |
| ● | Our main objective is the development and sale of our technologies to service providers, cloud networking, security, test and video system providers and their subsystem and component vendors and, if demand for these products does not grow, we may not achieve revenue growth and our strategic objectives. |
| ● | Our failure to continue to develop new products and enhance our products on a timely basis could diminish our ability to attract and retain customers. |
| ● | Our products have a lengthy sales cycle, which makes it difficult to predict success in this market and the timing of future revenue. |
| ● | The semiconductor industry is cyclical in nature and subject to periodic downturns, which can negatively affect our revenue. |
| ● | Our revenue has been highly concentrated among a small number of customers, and our results of operations could be harmed if we lose a key revenue source and fail to replace it. |
| ● | Our revenue concentration may also pose credit risks which could negatively affect our cash flow and financial condition. |
| ● | Our products must meet exact specifications and defects and failures may occur, which may cause customers to return or stop buying our products. |
| ● | Because we sell our products on a purchase order basis and rely on estimated forecasts of our customers’ needs, inaccurate forecasts could adversely affect our business. |
S-5
| ● | We rely on independent foundries and contractors for the manufacture, assembly, testing and packaging of our integrated circuits and modules, and the failure of any of these third parties to deliver products or otherwise perform as requested could damage our relationships with our customers and harm our sales and financial results. |
| ● | Disruptions in our supply chain due to shortages in the global semiconductor supply chain could cause delays for customers and impact revenue. |
| ● | Any claim that our products or technology infringe third party IP rights could increase our costs of operation and distract management and could result in expensive settlement costs or the discontinuance of our technology licensing or product offerings. In addition, we may incur substantial litigation expense which would adversely affect our profitability. |
| ● | The discovery of defects in our technology and products could expose us to liability for damages. |
| ● | We might not be able to protect and enforce our IP rights which could impair our ability to compete and reduce the value of our technology. |
| ● | Third parties might attempt to gain unauthorized access to our network or seek to compromise our products and services. |
Risks Related to Owning Our Stock
| ● | There may be future sales of our common stock, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and dilute a stockholder’s ownership of common stock. |
| ● | Potential volatility of the price of our common stock could negatively affect your investment. |
| ● | Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws or Delaware law might delay or prevent a change-of-control transaction and depress the market price of our stock. |
| ● | If we are unable to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the Nasdaq, our common stock could be delisted and the price and liquidity of our common stock may be adversely affected. |
S-6
| Common stock offered by us | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,425,000. | |
| Common stock to be outstanding following this offering | Up to 3,793,491 shares of our common stock, assuming the sale of 1,047,794 shares of our common stock in this offering at an offering price of $1.36 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq on August 28, 2024. The actual number of shares of our common stock issued will vary depending on the sale price under this offering. | |
| Manner of offering | Sales of our common stock, if any, will be made from time to time in sales deemed to be an “at the market offering,” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act to or through Ladenburg, as agent or principal. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-14. | |
| Use of proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, if any, for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, sales and marketing initiatives and general administrative expenses, working capital and capital expenditures. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-11. | |
| Risk factors | Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and incorporated by reference herein or therein for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock. These risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future. | |
| Nasdaq Capital Market Listing | Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PRSO.” |
The number of shares of our common stock expected to be outstanding immediately after this offering is based on 2,745,697 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of August 28, 2024, and excludes, as of such date:
| ● | 87,185 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of exchangeable shares; |
| ● | 33,401 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, which options have a weighted average exercise price of $126.32 per share; |
| ● | 9,253 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units; |
| ● | 42,158 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan; |
| ● | 142,857 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 7,143 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of placement agent warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 91,875 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated November 30, 2022 at $40.00 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series B warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 116,190 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $0.001 per share; and |
| ● | 139,108 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of underwriter warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.625 per share. |
S-7
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our common stock, you should carefully consider the specific risks described below, the risks discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC, which are incorporated in this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus by reference in their entirety, as well as any amendment or updates to our risk factors reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, including any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also impair our business. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the market value and/or trading price, as applicable, of our securities could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to This Offering
Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering and may not use the proceeds effectively.
Because we have not designated the amount of net proceeds from this offering to be used for any particular purpose, our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of any net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether such proceeds are being used effectively.
You may experience immediate and substantial dilution.
The offering prices per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of 1,047,794 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $1.36 per share pursuant to this prospectus supplement, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 28, 2024, you would experience immediate dilution of $0.53 per share, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2024 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. The exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants may result in further dilution of your investment. See the section titled “Dilution” below for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering. Because the sales of the common shares offered hereby will be made directly into the market or in negotiated transactions, the prices at which we sell these shares will vary and these variations may be significant. Purchasers of the shares we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices significantly below the price at which they invested.
The actual number of shares we will issue under the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver placement notices to Ladenburg at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares that are sold by Ladenburg after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of our common stock during the sales period and limits we set with Ladenburg.
S-8
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares of our common stock in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and accordingly may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand and the terms of the Sales Agreement, to vary the timing, prices, and number of shares of common stock sold in this offering. In addition, subject to the final determination by our board of directors or any restrictions we may place in any applicable placement notice, there is no minimum or maximum sales price for shares to be sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
There is a limited trading market for our common stock, which could make it difficult to liquidate an investment in our common stock, in a timely manner.
Our common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Because there is a limited public market for our common stock, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment whenever desired. We cannot assure that there will be an active trading market for our common stock and the lack of an active public trading market could mean that investors may be exposed to increased risk. In addition, if we failed to meet the criteria set forth in SEC regulations, various requirements would be imposed by law on broker-dealers who sell our securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. Consequently, such regulations may deter broker-dealers from recommending or selling our common stock, which may further affect its liquidity.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.
In order to raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share paid by any investor in this offering. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by any investor in this offering, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to you. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by any investor in this offering.
We do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and currently do not plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
S-9
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents that we incorporate by reference herein or therein and any free writing prospectuses that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” or “opportunity,” the negative of these words or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe our future plans, strategies, intentions, expectations, objectives, goals or prospects are also forward-looking statements. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended subsequent to our filing of such Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC.
These forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and projections about future events and future trends affecting our business, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include, among others, those noted in “Risk Factors” above and in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, and those included in the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and therein.
In addition, past financial and/or operating performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future performance, and you should not use our historical performance to anticipate results or future period trends. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly revise our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the filing of this prospectus supplement or any supplement or free writing prospectus, or documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, that include forward-looking statements.
S-10
We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $1,425,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required pursuant to the Sales Agreement, the actual total proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. Actual net proceeds will depend on the number of shares we sell and the prices at which such sales occur. We cannot assure you that we will sell any shares under or fully utilize the Sales Agreement as a source of financing. As a result, our management will have broad discretion in the allocation and use of the net proceeds from this offering, and investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds of this offering.
We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities under this prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, sales and marketing initiatives and general administrative expenses, working capital and capital expenditures. Pending our use of the net proceeds from this offering, we plan to hold the net proceeds in cash.
S-11
If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after giving effect to this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing the net tangible book value, which is total tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock. Dilution represents the difference between the price per share paid by purchasers of shares in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after giving effect to this offering. Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 was approximately $1.9 million, or $0.68 per share. “Net tangible book value” is total assets minus the sum of liabilities and intangible assets.
After giving effect to the sale of our common stock during the term of the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg in the aggregate amount of $1,425,000 at an assumed offering price of $1.36 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 28, 2024, the fixed commission rate of 3.0% payable to Ladenburg and our estimated total expenses for this offering, our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2024 would have been $3.1 million, or $0.83 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of $0.15 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $0.53 per share to new investors. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
| Assumed public offering price per share | $ | 1.36 | ||||||
| Net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2024 | $ | 0.68 | ||||||
| Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering | $ | 0.15 | ||||||
| As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2024, after giving effect to this offering | $ | 0.83 | ||||||
| Dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering | $ | 0.53 |
The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 1,047,794 shares of our common stock are sold during the term of the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg at a price of $1.36 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on August 28, 2024, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,425,000. Changes in the assumed public offering price of $1.36 per share would not affect our as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering because this offering is currently limited to $1,425,000. However, the shares subject to the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $0.25 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price per share shown in the table above, to $1.61 per share, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $1,425,000 during the remaining term of the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg is sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $0.85 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $0.76 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $0.25 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price per share shown in the table above, to $1.11 per share, assuming all of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $1,425,000 during the term of the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg is sold at that price, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $0.77 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $0.34 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.
S-12
The above discussion and table are based on 2,792,806 shares of our common stock and exchangeable shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024, comprising 2,705,621 shares of common stock and 87,185 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of exchangeable shares, and excludes, as of such date:
| ● | 33,883 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, which options have a weighted average exercise price of $125.99 per share; |
| ● | 9,879 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units; |
| ● | 41,644 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan; |
| ● | 142,857 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 7,143 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of placement agent warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 91,875 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated November 30, 2022 at $40.00 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series B warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 116,190 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $0.001 per share; and |
| ● | 139,108 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of underwriter warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.625 per share. |
To the extent that options or warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2024, if any, have been or are exercised, or other shares are issued, investors purchasing shares in this offering could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, including for potential acquisition or in-licensing opportunities, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
S-13
We have entered into the Sales Agreement with Ladenburg, under which we may offer and sell up to $1,425,000 of shares of our common stock from time to time through Ladenburg acting as agent and/or principal. Sales of shares of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at-the-market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act or in privately negotiated transactions.
Each time we wish to issue and sell shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement, we will notify Ladenburg of the number of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales may be made, any limitation on the number of shares to be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Once we have so instructed Ladenburg, unless Ladenburg declines to accept the terms of such notice, Ladenburg has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of Ladenburg under the Sales Agreement to sell shares of our common stock are subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.
Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may also sell shares of our common stock to the agent as principal for its own account at prices agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell shares of our common stock to the agent as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with the agent.
The settlement of sales of shares between us and Ladenburg is generally anticipated to occur on the first trading day following the date on which the sale was made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by and between us and Ladenburg in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of shares of our common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Ladenburg may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
We will pay Ladenburg a commission in cash of 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds we receive from each sale of shares of our common stock through Ladenburg as our agent. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse Ladenburg for the fees and disbursements of its counsel, payable upon execution of the sales agreement, in an amount not to exceed $60,000, in addition to certain ongoing disbursements of its legal counsel up to $7,500 in connection with diligence bring downs. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding any commissions or expense reimbursement payable to Ladenburg under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $165,000. The remaining sale proceeds, after deducting any other transaction fees, will equal our net proceeds from the sale of such shares.
Ladenburg will provide written confirmation to us following the close of trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on each day on which shares of common stock are sold under the Sales Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on that day, the aggregate gross proceeds of such sales and the proceeds to us.
In connection with the sale of the shares of common stock on our behalf, Ladenburg will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of Ladenburg will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify Ladenburg against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to contribute to payments Ladenburg may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
The offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate as permitted therein. The Company may terminate the Sales Agreement at any time upon five (5) business days’ prior notice and Ladenburg may terminate the Sales Agreement at any time at its discretion.
This summary of the material provisions of the Sales Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the Sales Agreement will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part.
Ladenburg and its affiliates have previously, and may in the future provide, various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they have received, and may in the future receive customary fees. In the course of its business, Ladenburg may actively trade our securities for its own account or for the accounts of customers, and, accordingly, Ladenburg may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.
S-14
The validity of the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus supplement, and certain other matters have been passed upon by Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, New York, New York. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York has acted as counsel to Ladenburg in connection with this offering.
Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in this registration statement to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Weinberg & Company, P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting in giving said report.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus supplement omits certain information that is included in the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part and its exhibits. Since this prospectus supplement may not contain all of the information that you may find important, we urge you to review the full text of these documents. If we have filed a contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, please read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. Each statement in this prospectus supplement, including statements incorporated by reference as discussed above, regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document.
We are subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with these requirements, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, we provide free access to these materials through our website, www.perasoinc.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.
S-15
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them. Incorporation by reference allows us to disclose important information to you by referring you to those other documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus supplement omits certain information contained in the registration statement, as permitted by the SEC. You should refer to the registration statement and any prospectus supplement filed hereafter pertaining to the securities offered hereby, including the exhibits, for further information about us and the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus supplement. Statements in this prospectus supplement regarding the provisions of certain documents filed with, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement are not necessarily complete and each statement is qualified in all respects by that reference. The documents we are incorporating by reference are:
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024; |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024; |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024; |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, February 9, 2024, April 4, 2024, June 13, 2024, July 16, 2024 (other than any portion of the filing that is furnished rather than filed pursuant to Item 2.02) and August 7, 2024; and |
| ● | the description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in the Company’ Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-32929) filed on June 26, 2001, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
In addition, all documents that the Company files pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subsequent to the filing of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents, except as to any document or portion of any document that is deemed furnished and not filed.
Pursuant to Rule 412 under the Securities Act, any statement contained in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified, superseded or replaced for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement modifies, supersedes or replaces such statement. Any such statement so modified, superseded or replaced shall not be deemed, except as so modified, superseded or replaced, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Upon written or oral request made to us at the address or telephone number below, we will, at no cost to the requester, provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus supplement is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (other than an exhibit to a filing, unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing), but not delivered with this prospectus supplement:
Peraso Inc.
2309 Bering Dr.
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 418-7500
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
S-16
Dated: July 22, 2024
PROSPECTUS
Peraso Inc.
$50,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Units
Subscription Rights
We may offer from time to time:
| ● | Shares of our common stock; | |
| ● | Shares of our preferred stock; | |
| ● | Warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock; | |
| ● | Units; and | |
| ● | Subscription rights. |
We may offer from time to time to sell the securities described in this prospectus separately or together in any combination, in one or more classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of any such offering.
The securities we offer will have an aggregate public offering price of up to $50,000,000. We will provide specific terms of any offering in supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
We may sell these securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly, through agents, dealers or underwriters as designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. We reserve the sole right to accept, and together with any agents, dealers and underwriters, reserve the right to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of securities. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any applicable commissions or discounts. Our net proceeds from the sale of securities also will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “PRSO.” The last reported sales price of our shares of common stock on July 11, 2024 was $1.53 per share.
As of the date of this prospectus, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was approximately $4,039,095, which was calculated based on 2,622,789 shares of our common stock outstanding held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024 and at a price of $1.54 per share, the price at which our common stock was last sold on the Nasdaq Capital Market on July 10, 2024. We have sold approximately $24,970 of securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the prior 12-calendar-month period that ends on and includes the date of this prospectus. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on this registration statement in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75 million.
Investing in any of our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and the “Risk Factors” section contained in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before investing in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is July 22, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC or the Commission, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf process, we may, from time to time, issue and sell to the public any or all of the securities described in the registration statement in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices, and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement also may add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to this offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the information in the accompanying prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. Please carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”
We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers, or agents or directly to purchasers. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept and to reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we offer securities, will provide the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any applicable fee, commission, or discount arrangements with them.
You should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any person to provide you with information that differs from what is contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If any person does provide you with information that differs from what is contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates, or an offer of solicitation in any jurisdiction where offers or sales are not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, even though this prospectus may be delivered or shares may be sold under this prospectus on a later date.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “Peraso,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company” in this prospectus mean Peraso Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Note Regarding Reverse Stock Split
We effected a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-40, effective as of January 2, 2024. All share and per-share amounts in this prospectus have been restated to reflect the reverse stock split.
ii
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, those incorporated by reference under “Risk Factors” below.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or similar terms.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the risk factors incorporated by reference under the heading “Risk Factors” below and a variety of other factors, including, without limitation, statements about our future business operations and results, the market for our technology, our strategy and competition, expected financial performance and the impacts of COVID-19 on our business, and inflation, which could cause customers to delay or reduce purchases of our products or delay payments to us, which would adversely affect our financial results, including cash flows.
Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may not occur.
iii
Overview
We are a fabless semiconductor company focused on the development and sale of: i) millimeter wavelength wireless technology, or mmWave, semiconductor devices and antenna modules based on our proprietary semiconductor devices and ii) performance of non-recurring engineering, or NRE, services and licensing of intellectual property, or IP. Our primary focus is the development of mmWave, which is generally described as the frequency band from 24 Gigahertz, or GHz, to 300 GHz. Our mmWave products enable a range of applications including: multi-gigabit point-to-point (“PtP”) wireless links with a range of up to 25 kilometers and operating in the 60 GHz frequency band; multi-gigabit point-to-multi-point (“PtMP”) links in the 60 GHz frequency band used to provide fixed wireless access, or FWA, services; FWA in the 5G operating bands from 24 GHz to 43 GHz to provide multi-gigabit capability and low latency connections; military communications; and consumer applications, such as high performance wireless video streaming and untethered augmented reality and virtual reality. We also have a line of memory-denominated integrated circuits, or ICs, for high-speed cloud networking, communications, security appliance, video, monitor and test, data center and computing markets that deliver time-to-market, performance, power, area and economic benefits for system original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs. As discussed below, we initiated an end-of-life of these products in 2023.
Our Products
Our primary focus is the development, marketing and sale of our mmWave products.
mmWave ICs
Currently, there are two industry standards that incorporate mmWave technology for wireless communications: (i) license-free: IEEE 802.11ad/ay and (ii) licensed: 3GPP Release 15-17 (commonly referred to as 5G). We have developed and continue to develop products that conform to these standards. To date, we have not sold any 5G products.
Our first mmWave IC product line operates in the license-free 60 GHz band and conforms to the IEEE 802.11ad standard. This product line includes a baseband IC, several variations of mmWave radio frequency, or RF, ICs, and associated antenna technology.
Our 60 GHz IEEE802.11ad products have two very important advantages over traditional 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz Wi-Fi products: very high data rates (up to 3.0 Gigabits per second (“Gbps”)) and low latency, i.e., less than 5 ms. The first application that had traction was outdoor broadband, including applications such as PtP backhaul links or FWA using PtMP links. As the spectrum is unlicensed (free), WISPs can provide services without having to procure expensive wireless spectrum licenses. We believe that our mmWave technology can be deployed quickly and cost effectively in rural and suburban environments, including in remote and low-income regions where residents often have poor Internet quality. While carriers can provide fiber access, the cost of fiber deployment can be prohibitive and trenching for fiber is time consuming and can limit the rate at which new subscribers are added. Our mmWave products enable WISPs to deploy broadband service using low-cost terminals and infrastructure and avoid the costs of deploying cable or fiber.
We are a leading supplier of semiconductors in the mmWave PtP and PtMP markets. We are currently shipping to leading equipment suppliers in this space, as well as directly to service providers that are building their own equipment. We believe we bring certain advantages to the market. First, our products support the spectrum from 66 GHz to 71 GHz, which is often referred to as channels 5 and 6 in the 802.11ad/ay specifications. The key advantage in supporting these channels is that the signals are able to propagate much further than channels 1 through 4; this is a result of significantly lower oxygen absorption at frequencies above 66 GHz. To date, our FWA customers have achieved links in the range of 25 kilometers, which is substantially longer than any past 60 GHz links.
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In the indoor area, the 802.11ad technology is ideal for high-speed, low-latency video applications. In indoor applications, our products can support 3Gb/s links with under 5 ms of latency. Example applications include:
| ● | AR/VR links between the headset and the video console; | |
| ● | USB video cameras for corporate video conferencing; | |
| ● | wireless security cameras; and | |
| ● | smart factory safety and surveillance. |
Our mmWave ICs have been in volume production since 2018. A core competency of the Company is phased-array technology, or beamforming, in which an array of antenna elements work in unison to create a focused RF beam. Through adjustment of the relative phase of the antenna signals, the beams can be directed to support robust wireless connection. We are a leader in the production of mmWave devices and have pioneered a high-volume mmWave production test methodology using standard low-cost production test equipment. It has taken us several years to refine performance of this production test methodology, and we believe this places us in a leadership position in addressing operational challenges of delivering mmWave products into high-volume markets.
Our second product line addresses the 5G mmWave opportunity. Given our extensive experience in the development of mmWave technology, 5G mmWave is a logical adjacent and larger market. We have commenced sampling a highly integrated 5G mmWave beamformer IC, which operates from the 24 GHz to 43 GHz frequency range. The device supports dual-stream multiple input, multiple output, or MIMO, with two 16-channel beamforming arrays. In June 2023, we announced a collaboration with pSemi, a Murata company, for the development of a 5G customer premise receiver utilizing our beamformer IC and pSemi’s up-down converter IC. The goals of the collaboration are to reduce the number of components and cost of each RF module to promote faster time to market for more rapid deployment by prospective customers.
mmWave Antenna Modules
In the second half of 2021, we augmented our business model to produce and sell complete mmWave antenna modules for license-free 60 GHz applications. The primary advantage provided by our antenna modules is that our proprietary mmWave ICs and the antenna are integrated into a single device. A differentiating characteristic of mmWave technology is that the RF amplifiers must be as close as possible to the antenna to minimize loss. With our module, we can guarantee the performance of the amplifier/antenna interface and simplify customers’ RF engineering, facilitating more opportunities for customer prospects that have not provided RF-type systems, as well as shortening the time to market for new products. It is possible for third parties to provide competitive module products, but, because we utilize our mmWave ICs and incorporate our proprietary mmWave antenna IP, we can provide a highly-competitive solution based on our internally-owned and developed module components.
During 2022, we launched our PERSPECTUS family of mmWave antenna modules to enable WISPs to offer high-capacity FWA networks in the unlicensed 60-GHz spectrum. The PERSPECTUS product family includes a new generation of integrated 60 GHz mmWave antenna modules and enhanced software for PtMP FWA applications. Our PERSPECTUS products allow rapid development of low-cost network equipment utilizing over 14 GHz of spectrum to provide multi-gigabit access services. Leveraging our integrated phased-array antennas and operating in the upper channels of the band, link ranges from 1.5 kilometers up to extended ranges of 30 kilometers can be achieved using a parabolic reflector.
Additionally, we have established an innovative user arbitration protocol called DUNE that is specifically designed to optimize network performance in dense urban environments using our PERSPECTUS antenna modules. DUNE is a result of our decade-long experience in mmWave technology and in-house development of the intellectual property incorporated in media access control, which controls the hardware, the physical layer, which controls the physical connection and software drivers, as well as novel antenna designs and beamforming algorithms. DUNE takes a multi-level approach to reducing contention and interference by incorporating both physical, e.g. antenna and beamforming, and protocol-level innovations.
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Memory
We acquired a memory product line comprising our Bandwidth Engine IC products. These products integrate our proprietary, 1T-SRAM high-density embedded memory and a highly-efficient serial interface protocol resulting in a monolithic memory IC solution optimized for memory bandwidth and transaction access performance. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, or TSMC, is the sole foundry that manufactures the wafers used to produce our memory IC products. TSMC has informed us that it would be discontinuing the foundry process used to produce wafers, in turn, necessary to manufacture our memory ICs. As a result, in May 2023, we initiated an end-of-life, or EOL, of our memory IC products, and we commenced initial EOL shipments during the quarter ended September 30, 2023. We have requested customers to pay a deposit upon purchase order placement to reserve supply and provide funding for our required inventory purchases. In addition, we have requested customers to accelerate payments to improve our cash flows. Under our EOL plan, we expect shipments of our memory products to continue through March 31, 2025. However, the timing of EOL shipments will be dependent on receipt of purchase orders from customers, deliveries from our suppliers, and the delivery schedules requested by our customers.
We have ceased and do not intend to expend any development efforts or funds to develop new memory products. We believe our Bandwidth Engine IC products will provide us with meaningful revenue and gross margin contributions through at least the end of 2024, as we complete the EOL of these products. We intend to continue to devote substantially all of our research and development efforts toward further expanding our mmWave technology portfolio and expanding our product offerings.
Corporate History and Information
We were formerly known as MoSys, Inc., and we were incorporated in California in 1991 and reincorporated in 2000 in Delaware. On September 14, 2021, we and our subsidiaries, 2864552 Ontario Inc. and 2864555 Ontario Inc., entered into an Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Peraso Technologies Inc. (“Peraso Tech”), a corporation existing under the laws of the province of Ontario, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Peraso Tech (the “Peraso Shares”), including those Peraso Shares to be issued in connection with the conversion or exchange of secured convertible debentures and common share purchase warrants of Peraso Tech, as applicable, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). On December 17, 2021, following the satisfaction of the closing conditions set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, the Arrangement was completed and we changed our name to “Peraso Inc.” and began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “PRSO.”
Our principal corporate offices are located at 2309 Bering Drive, San Jose, California 95131. Our telephone number is (408) 418-7500. The address of our website is www.perasoinc.com. The information provided on or accessible through our website (or any other website referred to in the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part) is not part of the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
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An investment in our securities is risky. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks discussed in our other filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, or otherwise incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business. If any of the risks or uncertainties described in the applicable prospectus supplement or our SEC filings or any such additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you might lose part or all of your investment.
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We intend to use the net proceeds for working capital, general corporate purposes (including research and development and sales and marketing, and capital expenditures) and in furtherance of our corporate strategy, which may include investing in, acquiring businesses or technologies, or other strategic transactions to facilitate our long term growth, increase our revenues, and enhance our technology and product offerings. We have not entered into any definitive agreements with respect to any acquisitions or other strategic transactions as of the date of this prospectus. However, the amount and timing of what we actually spend for these purposes may vary and will depend on a number of factors, including our future revenue and cash generated by operations and the other factors described in “Risk Factors.” Accordingly, our management will have discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. Pending use of the net proceeds as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in money market funds and investment-grade debt securities.
The amounts we plan to spend on each area of our operations, including capital expenditures, as well as the timing of any expenditures, are determined by internal planning and budgeting processes, and may change over time. Pending such uses, the net proceeds of this offering will be invested according to a cash management policy adopted by our board of directors and focused on preservation of capital.
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the following information regarding any material dilution of the equity interests of investors purchasing securities sold by us in a primary offering under this prospectus:
| ● | the net tangible book value per share of our equity securities before and after the offering; | |
| ● | the amount of the increase in such net tangible book value per share attributable to the cash payments made by purchasers in the offering; and | |
| ● | the amount of the immediate dilution from the public offering price which will be absorbed by such purchasers. |
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES THAT MAY BE OFFERED
We may offer and sell, at any time and from time to time:
| ● | shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share; | |
| ● | shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; | |
| ● | warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus; | |
| ● | units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus; | |
| ● | subscription rights to purchase one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus; or |
| ● | any combination of these securities. |
The terms of any securities we offer will be determined at the time of sale. When particular securities are offered, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed with the SEC, which will describe the terms of the offering and sale of the offered securities.
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Description of Capital Stock
General
The following description of our capital stock and provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws is a summary only and not a complete description.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
As of June 30, 2024, there were 2,705,621 shares of common stock outstanding and 1 share of Series A special voting preferred stock outstanding. In addition, as of June 30, 2024, there were outstanding:
| ● | 87,185 shares of common stock issuable upon the exchange of exchangeable shares; |
| ● | 33,886 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, which options have a weighted average exercise price of $125.99 per share; |
| ● | 9,879 shares of common stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units; |
| ● | 41,608 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan; |
| ● | 142,857 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 7,143 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of placement agent warrants dated June 2, 2023 at $28.00 per share; |
| ● | 91,875 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants dated November 30, 2022 at $40.00 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 3,974,520 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series B warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.25 per share; |
| ● | 116,190 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $0.001 per share; and |
| ● | 139,108 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of underwriter warrants dated February 8, 2024 at $2.625 per share; |
Common Stock
At June 30, 2024, 2,705,621 shares of our common stock were outstanding and held of record by 65 stockholders. The actual number of stockholders is significantly greater than this number of record stockholders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of stockholders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
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Each holder of our common stock is entitled to:
| ● | one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders; | |
| ● | dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to the rights of any preferred stock that may be outstanding; and | |
| ● | his, her or its pro rata share in any distribution of our assets after payment or providing for the payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock in the event of liquidation. |
Holders of common stock have no cumulative voting rights, redemption rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any shares of our common stock or other securities. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors has the authority, subject to any limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares constituting any series to be established, without any further vote or action by the stockholders. Any shares of our preferred stock so issued may have priority over our common stock with respect to dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of our preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. Although the issuance of our preferred stock could provide us with flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, under some circumstances, it could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control.
Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock and Exchangeable Shares
We were formerly known as MoSys, Inc. (“MoSys”). On September 14, 2021, we and our subsidiaries, 2864552 Ontario Inc. and 2864555 Ontario Inc., entered into the Arrangement Agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with Peraso Technologies Inc. (“Peraso Tech”), a privately-held corporation existing under the laws of the province of Ontario, to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Peraso Tech (“Peraso Shares”), including those Peraso Shares to be issued in connection with the conversion or exchange of secured convertible debentures and common share purchase warrants of Peraso Tech, as applicable, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”), under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).
Pursuant to the completion of the Arrangement, each Peraso Share that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to December 17, 2021 was converted into the right to receive newly issued shares of common stock of the Company or shares of 2864555 Ontario Inc., which are exchangeable for shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Exchangeable Shares”) at the election of each former Peraso Tech stockholder.
In connection with the Arrangement Agreement, on December 15, 2021, the Company filed the Certificate of Designation of Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock (the “Series A Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to designate Series A Special Voting Preferred Stock (the “Special Voting Share”) in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement in order to enable the holders of Exchangeable Shares to exercise their voting rights.
Each Exchangeable Share is exchangeable for one share of common stock of the Company and while outstanding, the Special Voting Share enables holders of Exchangeable Shares to cast votes on matters for which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote, and by virtue of the share terms relating to the Exchangeable Shares, to receive dividends that are economically equivalent to any dividends declared with respect to the shares of common stock.
A more detailed description of the Exchangeable Shares and the preferences, rights and limitations of the Special Voting Share is set forth in the Definitive Proxy Statement we filed with the SEC on October 18, 2021. The foregoing description of the Series A Certificate of Designation does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2021.
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Antitakeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and of Delaware Law
Certain provisions of our charter documents and Delaware law could have an anti-takeover effect and could delay, discourage or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might otherwise result in a premium being paid over the market price of our common stock.
Bylaws. Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board, our chief executive officer, a majority of the total number of authorized directors or any individual holder of 25% of the outstanding shares of common stock. These provisions could delay consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting. Our bylaws provide for an advance notice procedure for the nomination, other than by or at the direction of our board of directors, of candidates for election as directors, as well as for other stockholder proposals to be considered at annual meetings of stockholders. In addition, under our bylaws newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies in the board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause during a director’s term in office can be filled by the vote of the remaining directors in office, and the board is expressly authorized to amend the bylaws without stockholder consent. Accordingly, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of our company.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, generally prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in an acquisition, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to any person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15.0% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The prohibition continues for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person becomes an owner of 15.0% or more of the corporation’s voting stock, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The statute could prohibit, delay, defer or prevent a change in control with respect to our company.
Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions
There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than our common stock which is traded on Nasdaq. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, any such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing the preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights on any securities exchange or quotation system. Any such listing with respect to our preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials, as the case may be.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC.
Description of Warrants
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and any related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may differ from the terms we describe below.
General
We may issue, together with other securities or separately, warrants to purchase shares of our common stock or our preferred stock. We may issue the warrants directly to the purchasers of the warrants or under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of the series being offered and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
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The prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of warrants that we may offer:
| ● | the title of the warrants; | |
| ● | the designation, amount and terms of the securities for which the warrants are exercisable and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such warrants; | |
| ● | the designation and terms of the other securities, if any, with which the warrants are to be issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; | |
| ● | the aggregate number of warrants; | |
| ● | any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the warrants or the exercise price of the warrants; | |
| ● | the price or prices at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased, including provisions for adjustment of the exercise price of the warrant; | |
| ● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants will be separately transferable; | |
| ● | if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; | |
| ● | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; | |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence, and the date on which the right shall expire; and | |
| ● | the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock at the exercise price as will in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the purchased securities. If less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
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Enforceability of Rights of Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, that holder’s warrants.
Description of Outstanding Warrants
The following description of the material terms of our outstanding warrants is a summary only and not a complete description.
February 2024 Warrants
On February 6, 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., as the sole underwriter (the “Underwriter”), relating to the issuance and sale in a public offering (the “Offering”) of: (i) 480,000 shares of common stock, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,424,760 shares of common stock (the “pre-funded warrants”), (iii) Series A warrants to purchase up to 3,809,520 shares of common stock (the “Series A warrants”), (iv) Series B warrants to purchase up to 3,809,520 shares of common stock (the “Series B warrants,” and together with the Series A warrants, the “common warrants”), and (v) up to 285,714 additional shares of common stock, Series A warrants to purchase up to 571,428 shares of common stock and Series B warrants to purchase up to 571,428 shares of common stock that could be purchased pursuant to a 45-day option to purchase additional securities granted to the Underwriter by the Company. The Underwriter partially exercised this option on February 7, 2024 for 82,500 shares of common stock, Series A warrants to purchase up to 165,000 shares of common stock and Series B warrants to purchase up to 165,000 shares of common stock. The combined public offering price of each share of common stock, together with the accompanying Series A warrants and Series B warrants, was $2.10, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The combined public offering price of each pre-funded warrant, together with the accompanying Series A warrants and Series B warrants, was $2.099, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Offering, including the additional shares of common stock, Series A warrants and Series B warrants sold pursuant to the partial exercise of the Underwriter’s option, closed on February 8, 2024.
Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (“Equiniti”) serves as warrant agent for the Series A warrants, the Series B warrants and the pre-funded warrants pursuant to the terms of a warrant agency agreement, dated February 8, 2024, between us and Equiniti.
On February 8, 2024, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, we issued to the Underwriter Series A warrants to purchase up to 139,108 shares of common stock (the “underwriter warrants”). The material terms of the underwriter warrants are substantially similar to the material terms of the Series A warrants, as described below under “⸺Common Warrants,” except that the exercise price of the underwriter warrants is $2.625, subject to adjustments. The underwriter warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, until one year following the closing date of the Offering, we are prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by us or our subsidiaries of common stock or common stock equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction (as such term is defined in the Underwriting Agreement); provided, however, that, commencing 90 days following the closing date of the Offering, we may enter into or issue shares of our common stock in an “at-the-market” offering with the Underwriter as sales agent.
As of June 30, 2024, all of the Series A warrants, Series B warrants and underwriter warrants were outstanding and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 116,190 shares of common stock were outstanding.
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Common Warrants
Duration and Exercise Price. Each Series A warrant represents the right to purchase two shares of our common stock, has an exercise price of $2.25 per share, was immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires on the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance. Each Series B warrant represents the right to purchase two shares of our common stock, has an exercise price of $2.25 per share, was immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires on the six month anniversary of the date of issuance. The exercise price of the common warrants and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the common warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock.
Exercisability. The common warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the common warrant to the extent that the holder would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or 9.99%, at the holder’s election) of our outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase or decrease the limitation of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s common warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the common warrants, provided that any increase in such limitation shall not be effective until 61 days following notice to us.
Cashless Exercise. If, at the time a holder exercises its common warrants, there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the warrant shares to the holder, then the holder may exercise the common warrants through a cashless exercise, in whole or in part, in which the holder will be entitled to receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the common warrants.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event we consummate a merger or consolidation with or into another person or other reorganization event in which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged for securities, cash or other property, or we sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets or we or another person acquire 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, then following such event, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the common warrants the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property which the holders would have received had they exercised the common warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Any successor to us or surviving entity shall assume the obligations under the common warrants. Additionally, as more fully described in the common warrant, in the event of certain fundamental transactions, the holders of the common warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount equal to the Black Scholes value of the common warrants on the date of consummation of such transaction.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth in the common warrant, the common warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the common warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Exchange Listing. There is no established trading market for the common warrants. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the common warrants on any national securities exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the common warrants will be limited.
Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the common warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the common warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their common warrants.
Waivers and Adjustments. Subject to certain exceptions, any terms of the common warrants may be amended or waived with our written consent and the written consent of the holder.
Pre-Funded Warrants
Duration and Exercise Price. The pre-funded warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per share, were immediately exercisable upon issuance and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price of the pre-funded warrants and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants are subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock.
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Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise. A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of such holder’s pre-funded warrants to the extent that the holder would beneficially own more than 4.99% (or 9.99%, at the holder’s election) of our outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase or decrease the limitation of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants up to 9.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants, provided that any increase in such limitation shall not be effective until 61 days following notice to us.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event we consummate a merger or consolidation with or into another person or other reorganization event in which shares of our common stock are converted or exchanged for securities, cash or other property, or we sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets or we or another person acquire 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, then following such event, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants the same kind and amount of securities, cash or property which the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. Any successor to us or surviving entity shall assume the obligations under the pre-funded warrants.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth in the pre-funded warrant, the pre-funded warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.
Exchange Listing. There is no established trading market for the pre-funded warrants. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
Right as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.
Waivers and Adjustments. Subject to certain exceptions, any terms of the pre-funded warrants may be amended or waived with our written consent and the written consent of the holder.
June 2023 Warrants
On May 31, 2023, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “June 2023 Purchase Agreement”) with an institutional investor, pursuant to which we sold in a registered direct offering, 56,250 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $28.00 per share and pre-funded warrants, which pre-funded warrants have been exercised in full, to purchase up to 86,608 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we also issued to the institutional investor warrants (the “June 2023 Purchase Warrants”) to purchase up to 142,857 shares of common stock, all of which June 2023 Purchase Warrants are outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
We also issued to the placement agent for this offering warrants (the “June 2023 PA Warrants”) to purchase up to 7,143 shares of common stock.
June 2023 Purchase Warrants
The June 2023 Purchase Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $28.00 per share and expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock. The June 2023 Purchase Warrants are also subject to certain other adjustments, including with respect to subsequent rights offerings and pro rata distributions.
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The June 2023 Purchase Warrants are exercisable, at the option of the holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the June 2023 Purchase Warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, the holder may exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in whole or in part, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the June 2023 Purchase Warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a June 2023 Purchase Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.
The holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the June 2023 Purchase Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or on election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the June 2023 Purchase Warrants. However, the holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon notice to us, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until 61 days after such notice to us.
In the case of certain fundamental transactions affecting the Company, the holder, upon exercise of June 2023 Purchase Warrants after such fundamental transaction, will have the right to receive, in lieu of shares of the Company’s common stock, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property that the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the fundamental transaction, had the June 2023 Purchase Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In lieu of such consideration, the holder may instead elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their June 2023 Purchase Warrants.
June 2023 PA Warrants
The June 2023 PA Warrants were immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $28.00 per share and expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock.
The remaining material terms of the June 2023 PA Warrants are substantially similar to those of the June 2023 Purchase Warrants, subject to certain exceptions: the June 2023 PA Warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis at any time; in the event of a fundamental transaction, the holder of the June 2023 PA Warrants cannot elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their warrants; and the June 2023 PA Warrants are not subject to adjustment with respect to subsequent rights offerings and pro rata distributions.
November 2022 Warrants
On November 28, 2022, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with an institutional investor, pursuant to which we sold in a registered direct offering, 32,500 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $40.00 per share and pre-funded warrants, which pre-funded warrants have been exercised in full, to purchase up to 28,750 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.40 per share. In a concurrent private placement, we also issued to the institutional investor warrants (the “November 2022 Warrants”) to purchase up to 91,875 shares of common stock, all of which November 2022 Warrants are outstanding as of June 30, 2024.
The November 2022 Warrants were exercisable beginning six months and one day from the date of the Securities Purchase Agreement at an initial exercise price of $54.40 per share and expire on the five-year anniversary of the initial exercise date. The exercise price was adjusted to $40.00 per share pursuant to an amendment entered into on May 31, 2023. The exercise price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common stock. The November 2022 Warrants are also subject to certain other adjustments, including with respect to subsequent rights offerings and pro rata distributions.
The November 2022 Warrants are exercisable, at the option of the holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the shares of common stock underlying the November 2022 Warrants under the Securities Act is not then effective or available, the holder may exercise the warrant through a cashless exercise, in whole or in part, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of shares of common stock determined according to the formula set forth in the November 2022 Warrant. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a November 2022 Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will either pay the holder an amount in cash equal to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price or round up to the next whole share.
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The holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the November 2022 Warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or on election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the November 2022 Warrants. However, the holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon notice to us, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until 61 days after such notice to us.
In the case of certain fundamental transactions affecting the Company, the holder, upon exercise of November 2022 Warrants after such fundamental transaction, will have the right to receive, in lieu of shares of the Company’s common stock, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property that the holder would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the fundamental transaction, had the November 2022 Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In lieu of such consideration, the holder may instead elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their November 2022 Warrants.
Description of Units
We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination. A prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the units offered under that prospectus supplement, and any special considerations applicable to investing in those units. You must look at the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable unit agreement for a full understanding of the specific terms of any units. We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and incorporated documents. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.
General
We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, warrants or any combination thereof in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement and any incorporated documents the terms of the series of units, including the following:
| ● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; | |
| ● | any unit agreement under which the units will be issued; and | |
| ● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock - Common Stock,” “Description of Capital Stock - Preferred Stock” and “Description of Warrants” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock or warrant included in each unit, respectively.
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Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, may enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
Title
We, the unit agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purposes and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
Description of Subscription Rights
We may issue subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or warrants. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
| ● | the price, if any, for the subscription rights; | |
| ● | the exercise price payable for each security upon the exercise of the subscription rights; | |
| ● | the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder; | |
| ● | the number and terms of the securities that may be purchased pursuant to each subscription right; | |
| ● | the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable; | |
| ● | the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire; | |
| ● | the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and | |
| ● | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights. |
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC, if we offer subscription rights.
We may sell the securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers, including our affiliates, through agents, or through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
| ● | the terms of the offering; | |
| ● | the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; | |
| ● | the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters; |
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| ● | the purchase price of the securities; | |
| ● | the net proceeds from the sale of the securities; | |
| ● | any delayed delivery arrangements; | |
| ● | any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; | |
| ● | any public offering price; | |
| ● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; | |
| ● | any commissions paid to agents; and | |
| ● | any market or securities exchange on which the securities offered in the prospectus supplement may be listed. |
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
If underwriters are used in the sale of any of these securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in any prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell these securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
If dealers are used in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
We may sell the securities directly, and not through underwriters or agents. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
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We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
Issuance Pursuant to Certain Warrant Exercises
We may also offer and sell our common stock or preferred stock upon the exercise of warrants issued by us, pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act, in connection with a settlement of litigation against us. No underwriter would be used in connection with such offer and sale of common stock or preferred stock or the exercise of such warrants. We would issue the shares of our common stock or preferred stock directly to the holders of such warrants, upon the exercise of such warrants, from time to time. We will describe the terms of any such offers, sales and warrants in a prospectus supplement.
General Information
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
The consolidated financial statements of Peraso Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years then ended incorporated in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Weinberg & Company, P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of any securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, New York, New York.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Our website is located at www.peraso.com. Through links on the “Investors” portion of our website, we make available free of charge all reports, any amendments to those reports and other information filed with, or furnished to, the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such material is made available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website does not constitute part of this prospectus, except for reports filed with the SEC that are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. Forms of any indenture or other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or will be filed through an amendment to our registration statement on Form S-3 or under cover of a Current Report on Form 8-K or other filed document and incorporated into this prospectus by reference. Statements in this prospectus about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. The full registration statement, including exhibits thereto, may be obtained from the SEC or us as indicated above.
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The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information that is either incorporated by reference, or contained in, this prospectus and will be considered a part of this prospectus from the date those documents are filed. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
| ● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024; |
| ● | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2024; |
| ● | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 19, 2024, February 9, 2024, April 4, 2024 and June 13, 2024; and |
| ● | the description of our capital stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on June 26, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed on December 22, 2004, Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2010, Amendment No. 3 on Form 8-A/A, filed on July 27, 2011, and Amendment No. 4 on Form 8-A/A, filed on May 24, 2012. |
In addition, all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of filing the registration statement that includes this prospectus and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the registration statement containing this prospectus, which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all of such securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents. However, we are not incorporating by reference, in each case, any information or documents that are deemed to be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:
Peraso Inc.
2309 Bering Dr.
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 418-7500
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
We will not, however, send exhibits to these documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In addition, you may obtain a copy of these filings from the SEC as described above in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.”
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Up to $1,425,000 Shares of Common Stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Ladenburg Thalmann
August 30, 2024
