UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________________ to ____________________
Commission file number: 001-38029
AKOUSTIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
9805 Northcross Center Court, Suite H
Huntersville, NC
(Address of principal executive offices)
33-1229046
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
28078
(Postal Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-704-997-5735
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class:
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Name of each exchange on which registered:
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(NASDAQ Capital Market)
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting
company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ☐
Non-Accelerated Filer ☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Accelerated Filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), held by non-affiliates on
December 31, 2016 was approximately $52,512,000. For purposes of this computation, shares of Common Stock held by all officers,
directors, and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock were excluded because such persons may be deemed to
be affiliates of the registrant. Such determination should not be deemed an admission that such persons are, in fact, affiliates of the
registrant.
As of September 8, 2017, there were 19,084,583 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item Number and Caption
Explanatory Note
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
PART I
1.
1A.
1B.
2.
3.
4.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
5.
6.
7.
7A.
8.
9.
9A.
9B.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplemental Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
PART III
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statements
i
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F-1
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, in the sections
captioned “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and
elsewhere. Any and all statements contained in this Report that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking
statements. Terms such as “may,” “might,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “strategy,”
“anticipate,” “attempt,” “develop,” “plan,” “help,” “believe,” “continue,” “intend,” “expect,” “future,” and terms of similar import
(including the negative of any of the foregoing) may be intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking
statements may contain one or more of these identifying terms. Forward-looking statements in this Report may include, without limitation,
statements regarding (i) the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including plans or objectives relating to the
development of commercially viable radio frequency filters, (ii) a projection of income (including income/loss), earnings (including
earnings/loss) per share, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial items, (iii) our future financial performance,
including any such statement contained in a discussion and analysis of financial condition by management or in the results of operations
included pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, and (iv) the assumptions underlying or relating to any statement described in
points (i), (ii) or (iii) above.
The forward-looking statements are not meant to predict or guarantee actual results, performance, events or circumstances and may not be
realized because they are based upon our current projections, plans, objectives, beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions and are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and other influences, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results and the timing of
certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks
and uncertainties. Factors that may influence or contribute to the inaccuracy of the forward-looking statements or cause actual results to
differ materially from expected or desired results may include, without limitation, our inability to obtain adequate financing, our limited
operating history, our inability to generate revenues or achieve profitability, the results of our research and development (R&D) activities,
our inability to achieve acceptance of our products in the market, general economic conditions, including upturns and downturns in the
industry, our limited number of patents, failure to obtain, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights, our inability to attract and
retain qualified personnel, our reliance on third parties to complete certain processes in connection with the manufacture of our products,
product quality and defects, existing or increased competition, our ability to market and sell our products, our inability to successfully
integrate our STC-MEMS Business (as defined below under “Business — Recent Developments — Business Developments”) in our
business, our failure to innovate or adapt to new or emerging technologies, our failure to comply with regulatory requirements, results of
any arbitration or litigation that may arise, stock volatility and illiquidity, our failure to implement our business plans or strategies, our
failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, and our failure to maintain the Trusted Foundry accreditation of our
New York fabrication facility. A description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those
described by the forward-looking statements in this Report appears in the section captioned “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because of the risks and uncertainties related to them and
to the risk factors. Except as may be required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements
contained in this Report to reflect any new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
When used in this Report, the terms, “we,” “Akoustis,” the “Company,” “our,” and “us” refers to Akoustis Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and its wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries, Akoustis, Inc. and Akoustis Manufacturing New York, Inc., each of which are
Delaware corporations.
DEFINITIONS
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
PART I
Akoustis is an early stage company focused on developing, designing and manufacturing innovative radio frequency (RF) filter products
for the mobile wireless device industry. We use a patented fundamentally new piezoelectric resonator technology that we call BulkONE®
in the manufacturing of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonators, the building blocks of high selectivity “RF” filters required to route signals
in a smartphone or other mobile or wearable device, cellular infrastructure and WiFi routers. Filters are a critical component of the RF
front-end (RFFE), and their use has multiplied with the launch and licensing of 4G/LTE, emerging 5G and WiFi frequency bands. They are
used to define the range of frequencies of radio signals that are transmitted (the “passband”) and simultaneously reject unwanted signals.
We plan to use single-crystal piezoelectric materials to develop a new class of BAW RF filters with a fundamental advantage to reduce
losses over existing thin film RF filter technologies. We believe our technology will be disruptive to the RFFE market through the
following expected advantages:
● Wider bandwidth coverage,
● Smaller filter supports higher level of integration and lower manufacturing costs,
● Lower insertion loss,
● Improved power compression and linearity,
● Reduced power amplifier cost, for the ultimate purpose of manufacturing our BAW RF filters,
● Reduced heat generation and reduced battery loading, and
● Reduced guard band between adjacent frequency bands.
Once our technology is qualified for mass production, we expect to design and sell single-crystal BAW RF filter products using our
BulkONE® technology. Our product focus is on innovative single-band filter products for the growing smartphone and RFFE module
market, which can be used to make duplexer or multiplexer filter products necessary for the mobile market. These products present the
greatest near-term potential for commercialization of our technology. According to a Mobile Experts May 2016 report, the mobile filter
market is expected to grow from $8.2 billion in 2017 to greater than $12 billion by 2021.
Recent Developments
Business Developments
In August 2016, we announced our first customer engagement when we entered into multiple non-exclusive agreements with a Chinese tier
one RFFE module manufacturer to supply it with our premium RF filter products for next-generation high-band RFFE modules for 4G,
emerging 4.5G and 5G mobile - targeting the China and India OEM markets. In December 2016, we announced our second customer
engagement, this time for the development of a band-specific, high-frequency (above 3.5 GHz) BAW RF filter for a non-mobile
commercial application with a well-established OEM, specializing in non-mobile defense systems, with annual revenues of more than $1
billion. In May 2017, we announced our third customer engagement, this time for the development of high-performance BAW duplexers
for non-mobile communication systems with a multi-billion dollar U.S. Fortune 500 company that provides systems, products and solutions
to government and commercial customers worldwide.
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On March 23, 2017, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and a Real Property Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “STC-MEMS
Agreements”) with The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (“RF-SUNY”) and Fuller Road Management
Corporation (“FRMC”), an affiliate of RF-SUNY (collectively, “Sellers”), respectively, to acquire certain specified assets, including STC-
MEMS, a semiconductor wafer-manufacturing and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) operation with associated wafer-
manufacturing tools, and the associated real estate and improvements located in Canandaigua, New York used in the operation of STC-
MEMS (the assets and real estate and improvements referred to together herein as the “STC-MEMS Business”). Pursuant to the STC-
MEMS Agreements, the Company also agreed to assume post acquisition date substantially all of the ongoing obligations of the STC-
MEMS Business incurred in the ordinary course of business.
We completed the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Akoustis Manufacturing New York, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation formed in connection with the acquisition, on June 26, 2017 for an aggregate purchase price of $2.8 million in cash.
The Company recorded net assets acquired of $6.3 million for purchase consideration of $4.6 million (includes $2.85 million of cash paid
at closing plus $1.7m real estate contingent liability), which resulted in the recording of a bargain purchase gain of $1.7 million. The
Company reviewed what factors might contribute to a bargain purchase to determine if it was reasonable for a bargain purchase to occur.
We determined the factors that contributed to the bargain purchase price were:
● The transaction was completed with a motivated seller who the Company believed was very hesitant to liquidate assets and lay-off
employees in the current political environment.
● The cash burn of the facility (approximately $3.0 million annually) was an economic burden to the sellers.
● The Company, the County and State were motivated to approve the transaction without significant price negotiation, as they
believed it would insure the employment of the headcount and provide the opportunity for increased headcount and increased
investment in the facility that would add to the tax base.
Based upon these factors, the Company concluded that the occurrence of a bargain purchase was reasonable.
The STC-MEMs acquisition allows the Company to internalize manufacturing, increase capacity and control its wafer supply chain for
single crystal BAW RF filters. We have now successfully transferred our R&D resonator filter process flow into the facility, and we plan
to utilize the facility to optimize our BulkONE® technology and to consolidate all aspects of wafer manufacturing for our disruptive and
patented high band BAW RF filters targeting the multi-billion dollar mobile and other wireless markets. This planned consolidation of the
Company’s supply chain into the STC-MEMS Business started on June 26, 2017 and is expected to shorten time-to-market for our RF
products, greatly enhancing our ability to service customers upon completion of development and design specifications. Furthermore, we
believe that shorter time-to-market cycles provide us with the opportunity to increase the number of our potential customers.
In August 2017, we announced our first shipment of premium high-band BAW RF filter prototypes manufactured using our patented
single-crystal BulkONE® technology to the aforementioned Chinese tier one customer. The shipment included high performance, LTE-
TDD Band 41, 2.6 GHz BAW RF filters that we believe will satisfy the challenging filter requirements in the high growth 4G LTE mobile
market in China. Shortly thereafter, we announced our first 3.5GHz RF filter shipments to our second customer for a key Radar application.
Organizational Developments
On August 11, 2016, we changed our fiscal year from a fiscal year ending on March 31 of each year to one ending on June 30 of each year,
effective for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. On October 31, 2016, we filed a transition report on Form 10-K for the transition period
from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016.
Following stockholder approval at our 2016 annual stockholders’ meeting, we changed our state of incorporation from the State of Nevada
to the State of Delaware on December 15, 2016.
Glossary
The following is a glossary of technical terms used herein:
● Acoustic wave — a mechanical wave that vibrates in the same direction as its direction of travel.
● AlGaN — Aluminum Gallium Nitride.
● AlN — Aluminum Nitride.
● Acoustic wave filter — an electromechanical device that provides radio frequency control and selection, in which an electrical
signal is converted into a mechanical wave in a device constructed of a piezoelectric material and then back to an electrical signal.
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● Band, channel or frequency band — a designated range of radio wave frequencies used to communicate with a mobile device.
● B u l k acoustic wave (BAW) — an acoustic wave traveling through a material exhibiting elasticity, typically vertical or
perpendicular to the surface of a piezoelectric material.
● Digital baseband — the digital transceiver, which includes the main processor for the communication device.
● Duplexer — a bi-directional device that connects the antenna to the transmitter and receiver of a wireless device and simultaneously
filters both the transmit signal and receive signal.
● Filter — a series of interconnected resonators designed to pass (or select) a desired radio frequency signal and block unwanted
signals.
● Group III element nitrides — a dielectric material comprised of group IIIA element, such as boron (B), aluminum (Al) or gallium
(Ga), combined with group 5A (or VA nitrogen to form a compound semiconductor nitride such as BN, AlN, or GaN. For
resonators, the dielectric is typically chosen based upon the piezoelectric constant of the material in order to generate the highest
electromechanical coupling.
● Insertion Loss —The power losses associated with inserting a BAW filter into a circuit.
● K-Squared — electromechanical coupling factor that determines the effective bandwidth of a filter.
● Lossy — resistive losses that result in heat generation.
● Metrology — techniques used to evaluate materials, devices and circuits.
● Monolithic topology — a description of an electrical circuit whereby all the elements of the circuit are fabricated at the same time
using the same process flow.
● Power Amplifier Duplexer (PAD) — an RF module containing a power amplifier and duplex filter components for the RFFE of a
smartphone.
● Piezoelectric materials — certain solid materials (such as crystals and certain ceramics) that produce a voltage in response to
applied mechanical stress, or that deform when a voltage is applied to them.
● Quality factor, or Q — energy stored divided by the energy dissipated per cycle. Higher Q represents a higher caliber of
resonance, and implies mechanical and electrical factors responsible for energy dissipation are minimal. For a given amount of
energy stored in a resonator, Q represents the number of cycles resonance will continue without additional input of energy into the
system.
● Resonator — a device whose impedance sharply changes over a narrow frequency range and is characterized by one or more
‘resonance frequency’ due to a standing wave across the resonator’s electrodes. The vibrations in a resonator can be characterized
by mechanical “acoustic” waves which travel without a characteristic sound velocity. Resonators are the building blocks for RF
filters used in mobile wireless devices.
● RF — radio frequency.
● RF front-end (RFFE) — the circuitries in a mobile device responsible for processing the analog radio signals; located between the
device’s antenna and the digital baseband.
● RF spectrum — a defined range of frequencies.
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● Surface acoustic wave (SAW) — an acoustic sound wave traveling horizontally along the surface of a piezoelectric material.
● TDD LTE — Time Division Duplex- Long-Term Evolution or a wireless standard which shares the bandwidth between transmit
and receive.
● Tier one — a supplier or OEM with dominant market share.
● Tier two — a supplier or OEM with an established but not dominant market share.
● Trusted Foundry— The Trusted Foundry Program was initiated by the Department of Defense in 2004 to ensure mission-critical
national defense systems access to leading-edge integrated circuits from secure, domestic sources. Defense Microelectronics
Activity (DMEA) is the manager of the Trusted Foundry Program for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It is a joint DoD /
National Security Agency (NSA) program and is administered by the NSA’s Trusted Access Program Office (TAPO).
● Wafer — a thin slice of semiconductor material used in electronics for the fabrication of integrated circuits.
Our Technology
Current RF filters utilize a technology that is limited by the material properties of the base filter component. Existing BAW filters use an
“acoustic wave ladder” that is based on a monolithic topology approach using lossy polycrystalline materials. By contrast, our BulkONE®
technology uses a single-crystal material, which provides 30% higher piezoelectric properties, compared to conventional polycrystalline
materials used in the industry today. We have fabricated R&D resonators that demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and believe our
technology will yield a new generation of filter products.
BulkONE® technology consists of novel single-crystal piezoelectric materials, which are fabricated into bulk-mode, acoustic wave
resonators and RF filters. Our patented piezoelectric materials contain high-purity Group III element nitride materials and possess a unique
signature, which can be detected by conventional material metrology tools. We utilize analytical modeling techniques to aid in the design of
our materials, and our raw material specifications are typically outsourced to a third party for manufacturing. Once our materials are ready
for processing, we supply our NY fabrication facility raw materials, a mask design file, and unique process sequence in order to fabricate
our resonators and filters. Our wafer process flow is compatible with wafer level packaging (WLP) that allows for low profile, cost effective
filters to be produced.
Challenges Facing the Mobile Device Industry
Rising consumer demand for always-on wireless broadband connectivity is creating an unprecedented need for high performance RFFE for
mobile devices. Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are quickly becoming the primary means of accessing the Internet, thereby
driving the Internet of Things (IoT). The rapid growth in mobile data traffic is testing the limits of existing wireless bandwidth. Carriers and
regulators have responded by opening new spectrums of RF frequencies, driving up the number of frequency bands in mobile devices. This
substantial increase in frequency bands has created a demand for more filters, as well as a demand for filters with higher selectivity. The
global transition to LTE and adoption of LTE-Advanced with more sophisticated carrier aggregation and multiple-input, multiple-output
(MIMO) techniques will continue to push the requirements for increased supply of high performance filters.
Furthermore, the new spectrum introduced by 4G/LTE and emerging 5G is driving spectrum licensing at higher frequencies than previous
3G smartphone models. For example, new TDD LTE frequencies allocated for 4G wireless cover frequencies nearly twice as high as those
covered in previous generation phones. As a result, the demand for filters represents the single largest growth opportunity in the RFFE
industry according to a Mobile Experts May 2016 report. For traditional “low band” frequencies, SAW filters have been the primary
choice, while high band solutions have utilized BAW filters due to their performance and yield. While there are multiple sources of supply
for SAW technology, the source of supply for BAW filters is more limited and essentially dominated by two manufacturers worldwide. See
“Competition” below.
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In addition, signal loss of current generation acoustic wave filters is excessively high, and up to half of the transmit power is wasted as heat,
which ultimately constrains battery life. Another challenge is that the allocated spectrum for mobile communication bands requires high
bandwidth RF filters, which, in turn, requires wide bandwidth core resonator technology. In addition, filters with inferior selectivity either
reduce the available operating bands the mobile device can support or increase the noise in the operating bands. Each of these problems
negatively impacts the end-user’s experience when using the mobile device.
The RFFE must meet growing data demands while reducing cost and improving battery life. Our solution involves a new approach to
RFFE component manufacturing, enabled by BulkONE® technology. We expect our technology to produce filters that will reduce the
overall system cost and improve performance of the RFFE.
Our Solutions
Our immediate focus is on the commercialization of wide bandwidth RF filters operating in the high frequency portion of the RFFE (called
high band). Using our BulkONE® technology, we believe these filters enable new PAD module or RFFE competition for high band
modules as well as performance-driven low band applications. Initially, we expect to target select strategic RFFE market leaders as well as
tier two mobile phone original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and/or RFFE module suppliers. Longer term, our focus will be to
expand our market share by engaging with multiple mobile phone OEMs and RFFE module manufacturers. We have transitioned our
technology to our Canandaigua, NY facility and continue to focus on the commercialization of our filters using our BulkONE® technology.
This will be the first in a series of R&D activities that will set the foundation for filter products that we believe can disrupt the high band
filter market. We will develop a series of filter designs to be used in the manufacturing of duplexers or more complex multiplexers targeting
the 4G/LTE and emerging 5G frequency bands. We believe our filter designs will create an alternative for, and replace, filters currently
manufactured using materials with fundamentally inferior performance. Figure 1 below illustrates characterization plots that represent the
high power, high bandwidth and high frequency capability of our single crystal materials.
Figure 1-Characteristics of our single crystal materials used to fabricate our BAW RF filters.
Single-Band Designs for Duplexers and Multiplexers
SAW filters have been preferred in modern RFFE because of their high performance, small size and low cost. However, traditional SAW
ladder designs do not perform well in high frequency bands or bands with closely spaced receive and transmit channels, typical of many
new bands. Therefore, BAW filters are needed for these bands. We have demonstrated in a development environment our ability to
fabricate BAW resonators, the building block of BAW filters, that are more efficient than existing available BAW resonators, and we
believe the improved efficiency will reduce the total cost of RFFE as well as reduce the battery demand for mobile devices. Additionally,
we believe that our BulkONE® filters will allow for a single manufacturing method that will support all of the BAW filter band range and
a significant portion of the SAW band range. Figure 2 below illustrates what we believe will be the frequency range of our BulkONE®
technology.
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Figure 2- The potential range of our technology
Pure-Play Filter Provider Enables New Module Competition
Given the high sound velocity in our piezoelectric materials, our technology allows for a wide range of frequency coverage, and we plan to
supply filters that will support 4G/LTE, emerging 5G and WiFi bands. We have successfully demonstrated resonators that will support the
design and fabrication of 4G/LTE filters, and our current focus is on completing the development required to transition this single-crystal
BAW technology to high volume manufacturing. We will be a pure-play filter supplier that will address the increasing RF complexity
placed on RFFE manufacturers supporting 4G/LTE and WiFi. Figure 3 illustrates the historical growth in RF complexity.
Figure 3- Increase in Filter content in Mobile Phone Front End Modules (FEMs) from 2015 - 2021 (Source: Ericsson 2016)
Commercialization
Our immediate focus is on the commercialization of wide bandwidth RF filters to address the RFFE with innovative single-band designs
using our BulkONE® high band spectrum technology. We are currently developing our first commercial single-band filter through our
STC-MEMS Business wafer fabrication facility. We are focused on developing fixed-band filters because we believe these designs present
the greatest near-term potential for commercialization of our technology, and that once demonstrated, the STC-MEMS facility can be more
efficiently readied for production compared to alternative technologies.
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Our development plan contains the following milestones:
● Milestone 1 (Manufacturing Gap Analysis) - Validate required materials, people, process and equipment are present for volume
manufacturing.
● Milestone 2 (Process Transfer to STC-MEMS Business) - Design of filters, technology transfer and fabrication on high-volume
manufacturing equipment, achieve fully tested wafers, and delivery of RF filter product prototypes.
● Milestone 3 (Complete Filter Process Capability) - Update RF filter design including process improvements, fabricate and test
multiple wafers using the approved manufacturing process flow, calculate yields, and complete delivery of initial product prototypes.
● Milestone 4 (Production-Ready Filter Design) - Filter design complete and manufacturing process locked.
● Milestone 5 (Product Packaging and Ramp) - Product fully packaged and ready for production, focus shift to revenue generation from
filter sales.
Milestones 1, 2 and 3 are complete. We continue to make progress on Milestones 4 and 5. We expect to generate revenues from the sale of
our filters in the first half of the 2018 calendar year, after completion of Milestones 4 and 5.
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Research and Development
Since inception, the Company’s focus has been on developing an innovative mobile-wireless filter technology with a compelling value
proposition to our potential customers and a significant and noticeable impact to the end user. Whereas today’s polycrystalline material
(used to manufacture RF resonators and filters) is sputtered on a metal-coated carrier, our patented BulkONE® technology employs high
quality, single-crystal resonator films, which are used as the enabler to create high performance BAW RF filters. This single-crystal
material is a key differentiator when compared to the incumbent amorphous thin-film technologies because it increases the acoustic
velocity and the electromechanical coupling coefficient in the resonator, which results in higher filter efficiencies and lower power
consumption, leading to simplified RFFEs, longer battery life, reduced tissue heating, and ultimately lower manufacturing costs. Research
and development expense totaled $ 4,425,778 for the year ended June 30, 2017 and $1,758,701 for the year ended June 30, 2016. These
R&D activities focused on single-crystal material development and resonator demonstration. Current R&D investments include single-
crystal materials advancement, technology transfer to our manufacturing partner and resonator development and filter design.
As a result of our efforts, we developed and recently published a measured filter designed for 3.5GHz to 3.9GHz applications. Our focus is
now on improving the electromechanical coupling and quality factor of our resonator technology and the performance of our fabricated
filters through design improvements and process optimization experiments.
In addition, we are developing technology for filters applications at frequencies greater than 5GHz. The performance of early work on
resonators resonating at 5.798GHz was presented at a technical conference showing an electromechanical coupling coefficient (k2eff ) of
6.5%, obtained after de-embedding resonator characteristics from measured data.
Figure 4- Akoustis’ single crystal undoped AIN piezoelectric technology based 3.7GHz filter performance. The plot shows measured
narrow band S21 and S11 for the fabricated 3.7GHz filter, showing minimum insertion loss of approximately 2.dB.
Raw Materials
Within its internal manufacturing operation, Akoustis sources raw materials, process gases, metals and other miscellaneous supplies to
fabricate its BAW RF filter circuits. Materials range from substrates (used to deposit key piezoelectric materials) to standard dielectric-
based laminates (used for packaging of the RF filter circuits). The Company sources at least two types of substrate materials for its BAW
process and the Company has more than one supplier for each material type. Multiple process gases are used for material synthesis, process
etching and wafer treatment. While there is more than one supplier for most process gases, the purity levels of such gases may change by
source. Hence, either purification or process requalification may be required, as purchase from a second source is required. Akoustis
sources various high purity metals for electrode formation and interconnect layers for its RF circuits. Such metals are available in various
purity levels and are available from more than one supplier. Other process handling hardware common to the semiconductor industry is
available in abundance from multiple suppliers. Consistent with other semiconductor manufacturers, the Company may have to work with
all its suppliers to ensure adequate supply of raw materials, process gases and metals as the Company ramps from R&D into high volume
manufacturing.
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Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents and trade secrets, along with copyrights, trademarks and
contractual obligations and restrictions to protect our core technology and business.
In the United States and internationally we have fourteen (14) patents, of which three (3) patents are the subject to a license agreement
requiring further negotiation, in addition to sixteen (16) pending patent applications. Our intellectual property relates directly to our single-
crystal BAW technology, including materials and device designs, methods of manufacture, integrated circuit designs, wafer packaging, and
point of use (to include mobile applications). Our patents expire between 2031 and 2033. We intend to continue to innovate and expand our
patent portfolio, and when appropriate, we will look to purchase license(s) that grant access to additional intellectual property that enables,
enhances or further expands our technical capabilities and/or product.
We believe that it is likely that Akoustis will have competitive advantages from rights granted under our patent applications. Some
applications, however, may not result in the issuance of any patents. In addition, any future patent may be opposed, contested, circumvented
or designed around by a third party or found to be unenforceable or invalidated. Others may develop technologies that are similar or
superior to our proprietary technologies, duplicate our proprietary technologies or design around patents owned or licensed by us.
We generally control access to, and use of, our confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, including
contractual protections with employees, contractors and customers. We rely in part on the United States and international copyright laws to
protect our intellectual property. All employees and consultants are required to execute confidentiality agreements in connection with their
employment and consulting relationships with us. We also require them to agree to disclose and assign to us all inventions conceived or
made in connection with the employment or consulting relationship.
Akoustis and BulkONE are trademarks of Akoustis, Inc.
Competition
The RF filter market is controlled by a relatively small number of RF component suppliers. These companies include, among others,
Broadcom (previously known as Avago Technologies Ltd.), Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Qorvo, Inc., Skyworks Solutions Inc., Taiyo
Yuden, and TDK Epcos. Broadcom and Qorvo, Inc. dominate the high band BAW filter market, controlling a significant portion of the
customer base and are increasing capacity to meet the growing RF filter demand of the 4G/LTE market.
Upon completion of our product development, we will compete directly with these companies to secure design slots inside RFFE modules
- targeting companies that procure filters or internally source filters. While many of our competitors have more resources than we have, we
believe that our filter designs will be superior in performance, and we will approach prospective customers as a pure-play filter supplier,
offering advantages in performance over the full frequency range at competitive costs. Our challenge will be to convince our customers
that we have a strong intellectual property position, we will be able to deliver in volume, that we will meet their price targets, and that we
can satisfy reliability and other requirements. For a list of other competitive factors, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors — We are still developing
our products, and they may not be accepted in the market.”
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Employees
We place an emphasis on hiring the best talent at the right time to enable our core technology and business growth. This includes
establishing a competitive compensation and benefits package, thereby enhancing our ability to recruit experienced personnel and key
technologists. We currently have a total of 58 full-time employees plus 5 part-time employees, including 33 full-time employees located in
the Canandaigua NY facility and 25 full-time and 5 part-time employees in our North Carolina facility. We will continue to hire specific
and targeted positions to further enable our technology and manufacturing capabilities as and when appropriate.
Government Regulations
Our business and products in development are subject to regulation by various federal and state governmental agencies, including the radio
frequency emission regulatory activities of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), the consumer protection laws of the
Federal Trade Commission, the import/export regulatory activities of the Department of Commerce, the product safety regulatory activities
of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, and the environmental regulatory activities of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The rules and regulations of the FCC limit the RF used by, and level of power emitting from, electronic equipment. Our RF filters, as a key
element enabling consumer electronic smartphone equipment, are required to comply with these FCC rules and may require certification,
verification or registration of our RF filters with the FCC. Certification and verification of new equipment requires testing to ensure the
equipment’s compliance with the FCC’s rules. The equipment must be labeled according to the FCC’s rules to show compliance with these
rules. Testing, processing of the FCC’s equipment certificate or FCC registration and labeling may increase development and production
costs and could delay the implementation of our BulkONE® acoustic wave resonator technology for our RF filters and the launch and
commercial productions of our filters into the U.S. market. Electronic equipment permitted or authorized to be used by us through FCC
certification or verification procedures must not cause harmful interference to licensed FCC users, and may be subject to RF interference
from licensed FCC users. Selling, leasing or importing non-compliant equipment is considered a violation of FCC rules and federal law,
and violators may be subject to an enforcement action by the FCC. Any failure to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the
FCC could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition by increasing our compliance costs and/or
limiting our sales in the United States.
The semiconductor and electronics industries also have been subject to increasing environmental regulations. A number of domestic and
foreign jurisdictions seek to restrict the use of various substances, a number of which have been used in our products in development or
processes. While we have implemented a compliance program to ensure our product offering meets these regulations, there may be
instances where alternative substances will not be available or commercially feasible, or may only be available from a single source, or may
be significantly more expensive than their restricted counterparts. Additionally, if we were found to be non-compliant with any such rule or
regulation, we could be subject to fines, penalties and/or restrictions imposed by government agencies that could adversely affect our
operating results. Our cost to maintain compliance with existing environmental regulations is expected to be nominal based on our structure
in which we outsource a majority of our operations to suppliers that are responsible for meeting environmental regulations. We will
continue to monitor our quality program and expand as required to maintain compliance and ability to audit our supply chain.
Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could subject us to investigations, sanctions, mandatory product recalls,
enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, fines, damages, civil and criminal penalties, or injunctions. An adverse outcome in any such
litigation could require us to pay contractual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. These
enforcement actions could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or
if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources
and an increase in professional fees.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in shares of our Common Stock is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. We face a variety of risks that may
affect our operations or financial results, and many of those risks are driven by factors that we cannot control or predict. Before investing
in our Common Stock, you should carefully consider the following risks, together with the financial and other information contained in this
Report. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our Common Stock would likely decline and you may lose all or a part of
your investment. Only those investors who can bear the risk of loss of their entire investment should invest in our Common Stock.
Prospective investors should consider carefully whether an investment in the Company is suitable for them in light of the information
contained in this Report and the financial resources available to them. The risks described below do not purport to be all the risks to which
the Company or the Company could be exposed. This section is a summary of the risks that we presently believe are material to the
operations of the Company. Additional risks of which we are not presently aware or which we presently deem immaterial may also impair
the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to our Business and the Industry in Which We Operate
We have a limited operating history upon which investors can evaluate our business and future prospects.
We are an early stage company that has not yet begun any commercial operations. Historically, we were a shell company with no operating
history and no assets other than cash. Upon consummation of a merger with Akoustis, Inc. in May 2015, we redirected our business focus
towards the development of advanced single-crystal BAW filter products for RFFEs for use in the mobile wireless device industry.
Although Akoustis since its inception focused its activity on R&D of high efficiency acoustic wave resonator technology utilizing single-
crystal piezoelectric materials, this technology has not yet obtained marketing approval or been verified in commercial manufacturing, and
its RF filters have not generated any material level of sales.
Since our expectations of potential customers and future demand for our products are based on estimates of planned operations rather than
experience, it is difficult for our management and our investors to accurately forecast and evaluate our future prospects and our revenues.
Our proposed operations are therefore subject to all of the risks inherent in light of the expenses, difficulties, complications and delays
frequently encountered in connection with the formation of any new business and the development of a product, as well as those risks that
are specific to our business in particular. An investment in an early stage company such as ours involves a degree of risk, including the
possibility that your entire investment may be lost. The risks include, but are not limited to, our reliance on third parties to complete some
processes for the manufacturing of our product, the possibility that we will not be able to develop functional and scalable products, or that
although functional and scalable, our products and/or services will not be accepted in the market. To successfully introduce and market our
products at a profit, we must establish brand name recognition and competitive advantages for our products. There are no assurances that
the Company can successfully address these challenges. If it is unsuccessful, the Company and its business, financial condition and
operating results will be materially and adversely affected.
We may not generate revenues or achieve profitability.
We have incurred operating losses since our inception and expect to continue to have negative cash flow from operations. We have only
generated minimal revenues from shipment of product while our primary sources of funds have been R&D grants, private placements of
our equity, and debt. We have experienced net losses of approximately $15.8 million for the period from May 12, 2014 (inception) to June
30, 2017. Our future profitability will depend on our ability to create a sustainable business model and generate revenues, which is subject
to a number of factors, including our ability to successfully implement our strategies and execute our R&D plan, our ability to implement
our improved design and cost reductions into manufacturing of our RF filters, the availability of funding, market acceptance of our
products, consumer demand for end products incorporating our products, our ability to compete effectively in a crowded field, our ability to
respond effectively to technological advances by timely introducing our new technologies and products, and global economic and political
conditions.
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Our future profitability also depends on our expense levels, which are influenced by a number of factors, including the resources we devote
to developing and supporting our projects and potential products, the continued progress of our research and development of potential
products, our ability to improve R&D efficiencies, license fees or royalties we may be required to pay, and the potential need to acquire
licenses to new technology, the availability of intellectual property for licensing or acquisition, or the use of our technology in new markets,
which could require us to pay unanticipated license fees and royalties in connection with these licenses.
Our development and commercialization efforts may prove more expensive than we currently anticipate, and we may not succeed in
increasing our revenues to offset higher expenses. These expenses, among other things, may cause our net income and working capital to
decrease. If we fail to generate revenue and manage our expenses, we may never achieve profitability, which would adversely and
materially affect our ability to provide a return to our investors.
The industry and the markets in which the Company operates are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change.
The markets in which we intend to compete are intensely competitive. We will operate primarily in the industry that designs and produces
semiconductor components for wireless communications and other wireless devices, which is subject to rapid changes in both product and
process technologies based on demand and evolving industry standards. The intended markets for our products are characterized by:
● rapid technological developments and product evolution,
● rapid changes in customer requirements,
● frequent new product introductions and enhancements,
● continuous demand for higher levels of integration, decreased size and decreased power consumption,
● short product life cycles with declining prices over the life cycle of the product, and
● evolving industry standards.
The continuous evolutions of these technologies and frequent introduction of new products and enhancements have generally resulted in
short product life cycles for wireless semiconductor products, in general, and for RFFEs, in particular. Our R&D activity and resulting
products could become obsolete or less competitive sooner than anticipated because of a faster than anticipated change in one or more of
the above-noted factors. Therefore, in order for our RF filters to be competitive and achieve market acceptance, we need to keep pace with
rapid development of new process technologies, which requires us to:
● respond effectively to technological advances by timely introducing new technologies and products,
● successfully implement our strategies and execute our R&D plan in practice,
● improve the efficiency of our technology, and
● implement our improved design and cost reductions into manufacturing of our RF filters.
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We are still developing our products, and they may not be accepted in the market.
Although we believe that our BulkONE® acoustic wave resonator technology that utilizes single-crystal piezoelectric materials will
provide material advantages over existing RF filters and are currently developing various methods of integration suitable for
implementation of this technology to RF filters, we cannot be certain that our RF filters will be able to achieve or maintain market
acceptance. While we have fabricated R&D resonators that demonstrate the feasibility of our BulkONE® technology, we are still in the
process of stabilizing this technology into our NY fabrication facility for manufacturing of our RF filters, and this technology is not verified
yet in practice or on a commercial scale. There are also no records that can demonstrate our ability to successfully overcome many of the
risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in new and rapidly evolving fields. In addition to our limited operating history,
we will depend on a limited number of manufacturers and customers for a significant portion of our revenue in the future and we cannot
guarantee their acceptance of our products. Each of these factors may adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy and
achieve our business goals.
The successful development of our BulkONE® technology and market acceptance of our RF filters will be highly complex and will depend
on the following principal competitive factors, including our ability to:
● comply with industry standards and effectively compete against current technology for producing RF acoustic wave filters,
● differentiate our products from offerings of our competitors by delivering RF filters that are higher in quality, reliability and
technical performance,
● anticipate customer and market requirements, changes in technology and industry standards and timely develop improved
technologies that meet high levels of satisfaction of our potential customers,
● maintain, grow and manage our internal teams to the extent we increase our operations and develop new segments of our business,
● develop and maintain successful collaborative, strategic, and other relationships with manufacturers, customers and contractors,
● protect, develop or otherwise obtain adequate intellectual property for our technology and our filters; and
● obtain strong financial, sales, marketing, technical and other resources necessary to develop, test, manufacture, commercialize and
market our filters.
If we are unsuccessful in accomplishing these objectives, we may not be able to compete successfully against current and potential
competitors. As a result, our BulkONE® technology and our RF filters may not be accepted in the market and we may never attain
profitability.
We will face intense competition, which may cause pricing pressures, decreased gross margins and loss of potential market share and
may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We will compete with U.S. and international semiconductor manufacturers and mobile semiconductor companies of all sizes in terms of
resources and market share, some of whom have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing and marketing resources than we
do. We expect competition in our markets to intensify as new competitors enter the RF component market, existing competitors merge or
form alliances, and new technologies emerge. Our competitors may introduce new solutions and technologies that are superior to our BAW
technology, are verified on a commercial scale, and have achieved widespread market acceptance. Certain of our competitors may be able
to adapt more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements or may be able to devote greater
resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we can. This implementation may require us to modify the
manufacturing process for our filters, design new products to more stringent standards, and redesign some existing products, which may
prove difficult for us and result in delays in product deliveries and increased expenses.
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Increased competition could also result in pricing pressures, declining average selling prices for our RF filters, decreased gross margins and
loss of potential market share. We will need to make substantial investments to develop these enhancements and technologies, and we
cannot assure investors that we will have funds available for these investments or that these enhancements and technologies will be
successful. If a competing technology emerges that is, or is perceived to be, superior to our existing technology and we are unable to adapt
to these changes and to compete effectively, our market share and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected, and our
business, revenue, and results of operations could be harmed.
Changes in general economic conditions, together with other factors, cause significant upturns and downturns in the industry, and our
business, therefore, may also experience cyclical fluctuations in the future.
From time to time, changes in general economic conditions, together with other factors, may cause significant upturns and downturns in the
semiconductor industry. These fluctuations are due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
● levels of inventory in our end markets,
● availability and cost of supply for manufacturing of our RF filters using our design,
● changes in end-user demand for the products manufactured with our technology and sold by our prospective customers,
● industry production capacity levels and fluctuations in industry manufacturing yields,
● market acceptance of our future customers’ products that incorporate our RF filters,
● the gain or loss of significant customers,
● the effects of competitive pricing pressures, including decreases in average selling prices of our RF filters,
● new product and technology introductions by competitors,
● changes in the mix of products produced and sold, and
● intellectual property disputes.
As a result, the demand for our products can change quickly and in ways we may not anticipate, and our business, therefore, may also
experience cyclical fluctuations in future operating results. In addition, future downturns in the electronic systems industry could adversely
impact our revenue and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel to contribute to the development, manufacture and sale of our products, we
may not be able to effectively operate our business.
As the source of our technological and product innovations, our key technical personnel represent a significant asset. We believe that our
future success is highly dependent on the continued services of our current key officers, employees, and Board members, as well as our
ability to attract and retain highly skilled and experienced technical personnel. The loss of their services could have a detrimental effect on
our operations. Specifically, the loss of the services of Jeffrey Shealy, our President and Chief Executive Officer, John Kurtzweil, our
Chief Financial Officer, David Aichele, our Vice President of Business Development, Richard Ogawa, our Special Legal Advisor, any
major change in our Board or management, or our inability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to operate our business. The competition for management and technical personnel is intense in the wireless
semiconductor industry, and therefore, we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and retain qualified management and other
personnel necessary for the design, development, manufacture and sale of our products.
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Product defects could adversely affect the results of our operations and may expose us to product liability claims.
The fabrication of RF filters is a complex and precise process. If we or any of our manufacturers fails to successfully manufacture wafers
that conform to our design specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FCC, it may result in substantial risk of undetected
flaws in components or other materials used by our manufacturers during fabrication of our filters and could lead to product defects and
costs to repair or replace these parts or materials. Any such failure would significantly impact our ability to develop and implement our
technology and to improve performance of our RF filters. Our inability to comply with such requirements could result in significant costs,
as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products.
We also could be subject to product liability lawsuits if the wireless devices containing our RF filters cause injury. Recently interest groups
have requested that the FCC investigate claims that wireless communications technologies pose health concerns and cause interference with
airbags, hearing aids and medical devices. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in
design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product or inadequate disclosure of risks related to the use of our product, negligence,
strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts.
If we are unable to establish effective marketing and sales capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to market and sell our
RF filters, we may not be able to effectively generate product revenues.
We have limited experience selling, marketing or distributing products and currently have a small internal marketing and sales force. In
order to launch and commercialize our technology and our RF filters, we must build on a territory-by-territory basis marketing, sales,
distribution, managerial and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services, and we may
not be successful in doing so. Therefore, we may choose to collaborate, either globally or on a territory-by-territory basis, with third parties
that have direct sales forces and established distribution systems, either to augment our own sales force and distribution systems or in lieu of
our own sales force and distribution systems. If so, our success will depend, in part, on our ability to enter into and maintain collaborative
relationships for such capabilities, such collaborator’s strategic interest in the products under development and such collaborator’s ability to
successfully market and sell any such products.
If we are unable to enter into such arrangements when needed on acceptable terms or at all, we may not be able to successfully
commercialize our filters. Further, to the extent that we depend on third parties for marketing and distribution, any revenues we receive will
depend upon the efforts of such third parties, and there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful. If we decide in the future to
establish an internal sales and marketing team with technical expertise and supporting distribution capabilities to commercialize our RF
filters, it could be expensive and time consuming and would require significant attention of our executive officers to manage. We may also
not have sufficient resources to allocate to the sales and marketing of our filters. Any failure or delay in the development of sales, marketing
and distribution capabilities, either through collaboration with one or more third parties or through internal efforts, would adversely impact
the commercialization of any of our products that we obtain approval to market. As a result, our future product revenue would suffer and
we may incur significant additional losses.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property
If we fail to obtain, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights, we may not be able to prevent third parties from using our
proprietary technologies.
Our long-term success largely depends on our ability to market technologically competitive products which, in turn, largely depends on our
ability to obtain and maintain adequate intellectual property protection and to enforce our proprietary rights without infringing the
proprietary rights of third parties. While we rely upon a combination of our patent applications currently pending with the United State
Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), our trademarks, copyrights, trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect the
intellectual property related to our technologies, there can be no assurance that
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● our currently pending or future patent applications will result in issued patents,
● our limited patent portfolio will provide adequate protection to our core technology,
● we will succeed in protecting our technology adequately in all key jurisdictions, or
● we can prevent third parties from disclosure or misappropriation of our proprietary information which could enable competitors to
quickly duplicate or surpass our technological achievements, thus eroding any competitive advantage we may derive from the
proprietary information.
In addition, we intend to expand our international presence, and effective patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protection may not
be available or may be limited in foreign countries.
We have a limited number of patent applications, which may not result in issued patents or patents that fully protect our intellectual
property.
In the United States and internationally we have sixteen (16) pending patent applications; however, there is no assurance that any of the
pending applications or our future patent applications will result in patents being issued, or that any patents that may be issued as a result of
existing or future applications will provide meaningful protection or commercial advantage to us.
The process of seeking patent protection in the United States and abroad can be long and expensive. Since patent applications in the United
States and most other countries are confidential for a period of time after filing, we cannot be certain at the time of filing that we are the
first to file any patent application related to our single-crystal acoustic wave filter technology. In addition, patent applications are often
published as part of the patent application process, even if such applications do not issue as patents. When published, such applications will
become publicly available, and proprietary information disclosed in the application will become available to others. While at present we are
unaware of competing patent applications, competing applications could potentially surface.
Even if all of our pending patent applications are granted and result in registration of our patents, we cannot predict the breadth of claims
that may be allowed or enforced, or that the scope of any patent rights could provide a sufficient degree of protection that could permit us to
gain or keep our competitive advantage with respect to these products and technologies. For example, we cannot predict:
● the degree and range of protection any patents will afford us against competitors, including whether third parties will find ways to
make, use, sell, offer to sell or import competitive products without infringing our patents;
● if and when patents will be issued;
● if third parties will obtain patents claiming inventions similar to those covered by our patents and patent applications;
● if third parties have blocking patents that could be used to prevent us from marketing our own patented products and practicing our
own technology; or
● whether we will need to initiate litigation or administrative proceedings (e.g. at the USPTO) in connection with patent rights, which
may be costly whether we win or lose.
As a result, the patent applications we own may fail to result in issued patents in the United States. Third parties may challenge the
validity, enforceability or scope of any issued patents or patents issued to us in the future, which may result in those patents being
narrowed, invalidated or held unenforceable. Even if they are unchallenged, our patents and patent applications may not adequately protect
our intellectual property or prevent others from developing similar products that do not infringe the claims made in our patents. If the
breadth or strength of protection provided by the patents we hold or pursue is threatened, we may not be able to prevent others from
offering similar technology and products in the RFFE mobile market and our ability to commercialize our RF filters with technology
protected by those patents could be threatened.
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If we fail to obtain issued patents outside of the United States, our ability to prevent misappropriation of our proprietary information or
infringement of our intellectual property rights in countries outside of the United States where our filters may be sold in the future may be
significantly limited. If we file foreign patent applications related to our pending U.S. patent applications or to our issued patents in the
United States, these applications may be contested and fail to result in issued patents outside of the United States or we may be required to
narrow our claims. Even if some or all of our patent applications are granted outside of the United States and result in issued patents,
effective enforcement of rights granted by these patents in some countries may not be available due to the differences in foreign patent and
other laws concerning intellectual property rights, a relatively weak legal regime protecting intellectual property rights in these countries,
and because it is difficult, expensive and time-consuming to police unauthorized use of our intellectual property when infringers are
overseas. This failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights outside of the United States could have a
materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents, which could be expensive, time-consuming and unsuccessful.
Competitors may infringe our patents or the patents of our potential licensors. To attempt to stop infringement or unauthorized use, we may
need to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time consuming and distract management.
If we pursue any infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours or our licensors is not valid or is unenforceable, or may
refuse to stop the other party from using the relevant technology on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question.
Additionally, any enforcement of our patents may provoke third parties to assert counterclaims against us. Some of our current and
potential competitors have the ability to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforcing their intellectual property rights than we have.
Moreover, the legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, which
could reduce the likelihood of success of, or the amount of damages that could be awarded resulting from, any infringement proceeding we
pursue in any such jurisdiction. An adverse result in any infringement litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of our
patents at risk of being invalidated, held unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing,
which could limit the ability of our filters to compete in those jurisdictions.
Interference proceedings could be provoked by third parties or brought by the USPTO to determine the priority of inventions with respect
to our patents or patent applications. An unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license
rights to use it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially
reasonable terms, or at all.
We need to protect our trademark rights and disclosure of our trade secrets to prevent competitors from taking advantage of our
goodwill.
We believe that the protection of our trademark rights is an important factor in product recognition, protecting our brand, maintaining
goodwill, and maintaining or increasing market share. We currently have two trademarks that we have filed to register with the USPTO —
the Akoustis and BulkONE® marks — and we may expend substantial cost and effort in an attempt to register new trademarks and
maintain and enforce our trademark rights. If we do not adequately protect our rights in our trademarks from infringement, any goodwill
that we have developed in those trademarks could be lost or impaired.
Third parties may claim that the sale or promotion of our products, when and if we have any, may infringe on the trademark rights of
others. Trademark infringement problems occur frequently in connection with the sale and marketing of products in the RFFE mobile
industry. If we become involved in any dispute regarding our trademark rights, regardless of whether we prevail, we could be required to
engage in costly, distracting and time-consuming litigation that could harm our business. If the trademarks we use are found to infringe
upon the trademark of another company, we could be liable for damages and be forced to stop using those trademarks, and as result, we
could lose all the goodwill that has been developed in those trademarks.
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In addition to the protection afforded by patents and trademarks, we seek to rely on copyright, trade secret protection and confidentiality
agreements to protect proprietary know-how that is not patentable, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and any other
elements of our processes that involve proprietary know-how, information or technology that is not covered by patents. For Akoustis, this
includes chip layouts, circuit designs, resonator layouts and implementation, and membrane definition. Although we require all of our
employees and certain consultants and advisors to assign inventions to us, and all of our employees, consultants, advisors and any third
parties who have access to our proprietary know-how, information or technology to enter into confidentiality agreements, our trade secrets
and other proprietary information may be disclosed or competitors may otherwise gain access to such information or independently
develop substantially equivalent information. If we are unable to prevent material disclosure of the intellectual property related to our
technologies to third parties, we will not be able to establish or maintain the competitive advantage that we believe is provided by such
intellectual property, which would weaken our competitive market position, and materially adversely affect our business and operational
results.
Development of certain technologies with our manufacturers may result in restrictions on jointly-developed intellectual property.
In order to maintain and expand our strategic relationship with manufacturers of our filters, we may, from time to time, develop certain
technologies jointly with these manufacturers and file for further intellectual property protection and/or seek to commercialize such
technologies. We may enter into joint development agreements with manufacturers to provide for joint development works and joint
intellectual property rights by us and by such manufacturer. Such agreements may restrict our commercial use of such intellectual property,
or may require written consent from, or a separate agreement with, that manufacturer. In other cases, we may not have any rights to use
intellectual property solely developed and owned by such manufacturer or another third party. If we cannot obtain commercial use rights
for such jointly-owned intellectual property or intellectual property solely owned by these manufacturers, our future product development
and commercialization plans may be adversely affected.
We may be subject to claims of infringement, misappropriation or misuse of third party intellectual property that, regardless of merit,
could result in significant expense and loss of our intellectual property rights.
The semiconductor industry is characterized by the vigorous pursuit and protection of intellectual property rights. We have not undertaken
a comprehensive review of the rights of third parties in our field. From time to time, we may receive notices or inquiries from third parties
regarding our products or the manner in which we conduct our business suggesting that we may be infringing, misappropriating or
otherwise misusing patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property rights. Any claims that our technology
infringes, misappropriates or otherwise misuses the rights of third parties, regardless of their merit or resolution, could be expensive to
litigate or settle and could divert the efforts and attention of our management and technical personnel, cause significant delays and
materially disrupt the conduct of our business. We may not prevail in such proceedings given the complex technical issues and inherent
uncertainties in intellectual property litigation. If such proceedings result in an adverse outcome, we could be required to:
● pay substantial damages, including treble damages if we were held to have willfully infringed;
● cease the manufacture, offering for sale or sale of the infringing technology or processes;
● expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology or processes;
● obtain a license from a third party, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or may not be available at all; or
● lose the opportunity to license our technology to others or to collect royalty payments based upon successful protection and assertion
of our intellectual property against others.
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In addition, our agreements with prospective customers and manufacturing partners may require us to indemnify such customers and
manufacturing partners for third party intellectual property infringement claims. Pursuant to such agreements, we may be required to
defend such customers and manufacturing partners against certain claims that could cause us to incur additional costs. While we endeavor
to include as part of such indemnification obligations a provision permitting us to assume the defense of any indemnification claim, not all
of our current agreements contain such a provision and we cannot provide any assurance that our future agreements will contain such a
provision, which could result in increased exposure to us in the case of an indemnification claim.
Defense of any intellectual property infringement claims against us, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense
and would be a significant diversion of resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may
have to pay substantial damages, obtain one or more licenses from third parties, limit our business to avoid the infringing activities, pay
royalties and/or redesign our infringing technology or alter related formulations, processes, methods or other technologies, any or all of
which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure. The occurrence of any of the above events could prevent us
from continuing to develop and commercialize our filters and our business could materially suffer.
Risks Related to our Financial Condition
We have a history of losses, will need substantial additional funding to continue our operations and may not achieve or sustain
profitability in the future.
Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. We have incurred losses since our incorporation and formation
in 2014. Although our newly acquired STC-MEMS Business has a potential revenue stream estimation of $1.5 million in the current fiscal
year, (which are not guaranteed), and although we plan to apply for additional grants in the calendar years 2017 and 2018, we do not expect
meaningful revenues from our resonator technology until at least the first half of the calendar year 2018. There is no guarantee that the
grants we apply for will be awarded to us, and if our forecasts for the Company prove incorrect, the business, operating results and
financial condition of the Company will be materially and adversely affected. We anticipate that our operating expenses will increase in the
foreseeable future as we continue to pursue the development of our patent-pending single-crystal acoustic wave filter technology, invest in
marketing, sales and distribution of our RF filters to grow our business, acquire customers, commercialize our technology in the mobile
wireless market and continue the transition of our manufacturing to our STC-MEMS Business. These efforts may prove more expensive
than we currently anticipate, and we may not succeed in generating sufficient revenues to offset these higher expenses. In addition, we
expect to incur significant expenses related to regulatory requirements and our ability to obtain, protect, and defend our intellectual property
rights.
We may also encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may increase our capital
needs and/or cause us to spend our cash resources faster than we expect. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding
in order to continue our operations.
To date, we have financed our operations through a mix of investments from private investors, the incurrence of debt, and grant funding,
and we expect to continue to utilize such means of financing for the foreseeable future. Additional funding from those or other sources may
not be available when or in the amounts needed, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we raise capital through the sale of equity, or securities
convertible into equity, it would result in dilution to our then existing stockholders, which could be significant depending on the price at
which we may be able to sell our securities. If we raise additional capital through the incurrence of indebtedness, we would likely become
subject to covenants restricting our business activities, and holders of debt instruments may have rights and privileges senior to those of our
equity investors. In addition, servicing the interest and principal repayment obligations under debt facilities could divert funds that would
otherwise be available to support research and development, or commercialization activities. If we are unable to raise capital when needed
or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our R&D programs for our acoustic wave filter technology or any
future commercialization efforts. Any of these events could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects,
and could cause our business to fail.
20
Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company’s historical financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern. Our
independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report that included an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring net
losses and accumulated deficit and expressing substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a
going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity financing or other capital, attain further operating efficiencies,
reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, to generate revenue. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from
the outcome of this uncertainty. However, if adequate funds are not available to us when we need them, and we are unable to
commercialize our products giving us access to additional cash resources, we will be required to curtail our operations, which would, in
turn, further raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Risk Related to Managing Any Growth We May Experience
We may engage in future acquisitions that could disrupt our business, cause dilution to our shareholders and harm our financial
condition and operating results.
While we currently have no specific plans to acquire any other businesses, we may, in the future, make acquisitions of, or investments in,
companies that we believe have products or capabilities that are a strategic or commercial fit with our current business or otherwise offer
opportunities for our company. In connection with these acquisitions or investments, we may:
● issue Common Stock or other forms of equity that would dilute our existing shareholders’ percentage of ownership,
● incur debt and assume liabilities, and
● incur amortization expenses related to intangible assets or incur large and immediate write-offs.
We may not be able to complete acquisitions on favorable terms, if at all. If we do complete an acquisition, we cannot assure you that it
will ultimately strengthen our competitive position or that it will be viewed positively by customers, financial markets or investors.
Furthermore, future acquisitions could pose numerous additional risks to our expected operations, including:
● problems integrating the purchased business, products or technologies,
● challenges in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other anticipated benefits,
● increases to our expenses,
● the assumption of significant liabilities that exceed the limitations of any applicable indemnification provisions or the financial
resources of any indemnifying party,
● inability to maintain relationships with prospective key customers, vendors and other business partners of the acquired businesses,
● diversion of management’s attention from its day-to-day responsibilities,
21
● difficulty in maintaining controls, procedures and policies during the transition and integration,
● entrance into marketplaces where we have no or limited prior experience and where competitors have stronger marketplace
positions,
● potential loss of key employees, particularly those of the acquired entity, and
● historical financial information may not be representative or indicative of our results as a combined company.
Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures, and our operations are vulnerable to interruption by natural
disasters, terrorist activity, power loss and other events beyond our control, the occurrence of which could materially harm our business.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our contractors and consultants are vulnerable
to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access as well as telecommunication and electrical failures. While we have not experienced
any such system failure, accident or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could
result in a material disruption of our R&D. If any disruption or security breach resulted in a loss of or damage to our data or applications, or
inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and/or the further development of our
technology for RF filters could be delayed.
We are also vulnerable to accidents, electrical blackouts, labor strikes, terrorist activities, war and other natural disasters and other events
beyond our control, and we have not undertaken a systematic analysis of the potential consequences to our business as a result of any such
events and do not have an applicable recovery plan in place. We currently do not carry other business interruption insurance that would
compensate us for actual losses from interruptions of our business that may occur, and any losses or damages incurred by us could cause
our business to materially suffer.
We may be unable to successfully integrate the STC-MEMS Business with our current operations and strategic business plan.
We will be required to devote significant management attention and resources, including expenses to integrating the STC-MEMS Business
with our current operations and to developing the integrated operations in accordance with our strategic business plan. There is no
guarantee that we will maintain existing customer/other relationships or the revenue stream of the STC-MEMS Business. We may fail to
realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business if the integration and development process
takes longer than expected or is costlier than expected. Such failure may have a material adverse effect on our stock price, business, plan
of operation, and results of operations.
Risks Related to Regulatory Requirements
We could fail to maintain our Trusted Foundry accreditation in our New York Fabrication Facility.
Although our New York fabrication facility has not generated any revenue to date from its Trusted Foundry accreditation, a failure to
maintain that accreditation in the future could hamper our ability to generate product and foundry services revenue related to potential
Aerospace and Defense customers.
22
We may incur substantial expenses in connection with regulatory requirements, and any regulatory compliance failure could cause our
business to suffer.
The wireless communications industry is subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and review. See “Business — Government Regulations”
above. Maintaining compliance with these requirements may result in significant additional expense to us, and any failure to maintain such
compliance could cause our business to suffer.
Noncompliance with applicable regulations or requirements could also subject us to investigations, sanctions, mandatory product recalls,
enforcement actions, disgorgement of profits, fines, damages, civil and criminal penalties, or injunctions. An adverse outcome in any such
litigation could require us to pay contractual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. These
enforcement actions could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any governmental sanctions are imposed, or
if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal litigation, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected. In addition, responding to any action will likely result in a significant diversion of management’s attention and resources
and an increase in professional fees.
Compliance with regulations regarding the use of “conflict minerals” could limit the supply and increase the cost of certain metals used
in manufacturing our products.
Regulations in the United States require that we determine whether certain materials used in our products, referred to as conflict minerals,
originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries, or originated from recycled or scrap sources. We anticipate that
we will first be required to comply with the SEC’s conflict minerals rules for the 2017 calendar year, and we expect to incur costs
associated with implementing policies and procedures to comply with the applicable rules and due diligence procedures. In addition, the
verification and reporting requirements could affect the sourcing and availability of minerals that are used in the manufacture of our
products, and we may face reputational and competitive challenges if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins of all conflict minerals
used in our products. We may also face challenges with government regulators, potential customers, suppliers and manufacturers if we are
unable to sufficiently verify that the metals used in our products are conflict free.
There could be an adverse change or increase in the laws and/or regulations governing our business.
We and our operating subsidiary are subject to various laws and regulations in different jurisdictions, and the interpretation and enforcement
of laws and regulations are subject to change. We also will be subject to different tax regulations in each of the jurisdictions where we will
conduct our business or where our management or the management of our operating subsidiary is located. We expect that the scope and
extent of regulation in these jurisdictions, as well as regulatory oversight and supervision, will generally continue to increase. There can be
no assurance that future regulatory, judicial and legislative changes in any jurisdiction will not have a material adverse effect on us or
hinder us in the operation of our business. In addition, we may incur substantial costs in order to comply with current or future
environmental, health and safety laws and regulations applicable to us.
These current or future laws and regulations may impair our research, development or production efforts or impact the research activities
we pursue. Our failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in substantial fines, penalties or other sanctions, which
could cause our financial condition to suffer.
23
Investment Risks
You could lose all of your investment.
An investment in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Potential investors should be aware that the value of an
investment in the Company may go down as well as up. In addition, there can be no certainty that the market value of an investment in the
Company will fully reflect its underlying value. You could lose your entire investment.
Our stock trades in low volumes, which may make it more difficult for investors to sell their shares quickly.
Our Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market, but it trades in low volumes, which may make it more difficult for investors to
sell their shares quickly. This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including but not limited to the fact that we are a
development-stage company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors, and others in the investor
community. In addition, investors may be risk averse to investments in development-stage companies. As a consequence, it may be more
difficult for investors to sell their shares quickly and our stock price may be more sensitive to sales of our Common Stock in the market.
The low trading volume is outside of our control and may not increase or, if it increases, may not be maintained.
You may experience dilution of your ownership interests because of the future issuance of additional shares of our common or
preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common or preferred stock, including as a result of
triggering price protection rights held by certain investors.
In the future, we may issue our authorized but previously unissued equity securities, resulting in the dilution of the ownership interests of
our stockholders. The Company is authorized to issue an aggregate of 45,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock. We may issue additional shares of our Common Stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our
Common Stock in connection with hiring or retaining employees, future acquisitions, future sales of our securities for capital raising
purposes, or for other business purposes. In addition, as of September 8, 2017, warrants and options to purchase 602,632 and 160,000
shares, respectively, of our Common Stock remained outstanding. In addition, investors in the 2017 Offering (as defined under
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Financing Activities” below) have certain price protection
rights. Pursuant to such rights, if we issue shares of our Common Stock (subject to customary exceptions, including issuances of awards
under Company employee stock incentive programs and certain issuances in connection with credit arrangements) at a price less than $9.00
per share, investors in the 2017 Offering will be entitled to receive (for no additional consideration) additional shares of our Common Stock
in an amount such that, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock they initially purchased in the 2017 Offering, will equal the
number of shares of Common Stock that their investment in the 2017 Offering would have purchased at the lower purchase price. The
future issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock may create downward pressure on the trading price of the Common Stock. We
will need to raise additional capital in the near future to meet our working capital needs, and there can be no assurance that we will not be
required to issue additional shares, warrants or other convertible securities in the future in conjunction with these capital raising efforts,
including at a price (or exercise prices) below the price you paid for your stock.
The ability of our Board of Directors to issue additional stock may prevent or make more difficult certain transactions, including a sale
or merger of the Company.
Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with powers, rights and preferences designated by it.
Shares of voting or convertible preferred stock could be issued, or rights to purchase such shares could be issued, to create voting
impediments or to frustrate persons seeking to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control of the Company. The ability of the Board to issue
such additional shares of preferred stock, with rights and preferences it deems advisable, could discourage an attempt by a party to acquire
control of the Company by tender offer or other means. Such issuances could therefore deprive stockholders of benefits that could result
from such an attempt, such as the realization of a premium over the market price for their shares in a tender offer or the temporary increase
in market price that such an attempt could cause. Moreover, the issuance of such additional shares of preferred stock to persons friendly to
the Board of Directors could make it more difficult to remove incumbent managers and directors from office even if such change were to
be favorable to stockholders generally.
We do not anticipate paying dividends on our Common Stock.
Cash dividends have never been declared or paid on our Common Stock, and we do not anticipate such a declaration or payment for the
foreseeable future. We expect to use future earnings, if any, to fund business growth. Therefore, stockholders will not receive any funds
absent a sale of their shares of Common Stock. If we do not pay dividends, our Common Stock may be less valuable because a return on
your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates. We cannot assure stockholders that our stock price will appreciate or that
they will receive a positive return on their investment if and when they sell their shares.
24
We are an emerging growth company, and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make
our Common Stock less attractive to investors.
We are an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we intend to
take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies including, but not
limited to, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, exemptions from
the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments not
previously approved, exemption from the requirement of auditor attestation in the assessment of our internal control over financial
reporting and exemption from any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. If we do, the
information that we provide stockholders may be different than what is available with respect to other public companies. We cannot predict
if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our Common
Stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those
standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected to take advantage of this extended transition period. Since we will not
be required to comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for
other public companies, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of companies that comply with the
effective dates of those accounting standards.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (1) the end of the fiscal year in which the market value of our Common
Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the second fiscal quarter, (2) the end of the fiscal year in which we
have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more during such fiscal year, (3) the date on which we issue more than $1 billion in
non-convertible debt in a three-year period or (4) June 30, 2019, the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the
first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”). Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as an “emerging growth company” may make it harder for
investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects.
Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company,” which would
allow us to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements, including not being required to comply with the
auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive
compensation. Some investors may find our Common Stock less attractive because we rely on these exemptions, there may be a less active
trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
Being a public company is expensive and administratively burdensome.
As a public reporting company, we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other federal securities laws, rules and regulations related thereto, including compliance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Complying with these laws and regulations requires the time and attention of our Board of Directors and management,
and increases our expenses. Among other things, we are required to:
● maintain and evaluate a system of internal control over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
● maintain policies relating to disclosure controls and procedures;
● prepare and distribute periodic reports in compliance with our obligations under federal securities laws;
● institute a more comprehensive compliance function, including with respect to corporate governance; and
25
● involve, to a greater degree, our outside legal counsel and accountants in the above activities.
The costs of preparing and filing annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC and furnishing audited
reports to stockholders is expensive and much greater than that of a privately-held company, and compliance with these rules and
regulations may require us to hire additional financial reporting, internal controls and other finance personnel, and will involve a material
increase in regulatory, legal and accounting expenses and the attention of management. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
comply with the applicable regulations in a timely manner, if at all. In addition, being a public company makes it more expensive for us to
obtain director and officer liability insurance. In the future, we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher
costs to obtain this coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified executives and members
of our Board of Directors, particularly directors willing to serve on the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
If we fail to remediate the identified material weakness and maintain effective controls and procedures, we may not be able to
accurately report our financial results, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, and the price
of our Common Stock.
We are required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to include in our annual reports on Form 10-K an assessment by management of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting. As disclosed in Item 9A of this Report, our management identified a material weakness in our
internal control over financial reporting, causing our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting to
be ineffective as of June 30, 2017. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, such that there is a reasonable
possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Remediation of the material weakness will require management attention and cause the Company to incur additional expenses. If we fail to
remediate the material weakness, or if we are unable to maintain effective controls and procedures in the future, our ability to record,
process, summarize, and report financial information accurately and within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC
could be adversely affected, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, and we may be
subject to investigation or sanctions by the SEC. Any such consequence or other negative effect could adversely affect our operations,
financial condition, and the price of our Common Stock.
In addition, at such time, if any, as we are no longer a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company, our independent
registered public accounting firm will have to attest to and report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control
over financial reporting. If and when we are required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to management’s
assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, if our independent registered public accounting firm is not
satisfied with the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, or if the independent auditors interpret the requirements, rules,
or regulations differently than we do, then they may decline to attest to management’s assessment or may issue a report that is qualified.
Any of these events could result in a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could negatively affect
the price of our Common Stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our current headquarters in Huntersville, NC, is a 4,800-square foot facility that we lease for base rent of $4,700 per month, with a term
expiring in April 2018; however, due to increased headcount hired to support business operations in North Carolina, we have executed a
new 60-month lease for an adjoining facility which is expected to commence on or about November 1, 2017. The new facility is 10,400
square feet, and its base rent is $9,800 per month. The current 4,800-square foot facility will be vacated at the commencement of the new
lease. On June 26, 2017, the Company acquired a 120,000 square foot MEMS fabrication facility in Canandaigua, New York. The current
NY facility houses approx. 35 employees and is only 15% utilized. The Company believes the new 10,400-square foot facility in
Huntersville, NC, once occupied, along with the recently acquired facility in New York will be suitable and sufficient to meet the
Company’s needs for the next three to five years.
26
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.
Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in any such matters may arise from time to time that may have an
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are currently not aware of any material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or of which any of our property is the
subject, nor are we aware of any such proceedings that are contemplated by any governmental authority.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information and Holders
Our Common Stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “AKTS.” Prior to March 13, 2017, our Common
Stock was quoted on the OTC Market (OTCQB) under the same symbol. There has been limited trading in our Common Stock to date.
As of September 8, 2017, 19,084,583 shares of our Common Stock were issued and outstanding and were held by approximately 151
stockholders of record.
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices (or closing bid prices with respect to periods prior to March 13, 2017) for our
Common Stock for the fiscal quarters indicated, as reported on NASDAQ (or on OTC Markets with respect to closing bids for periods prior
to March 13, 2017). OTC Market quotations for periods prior to March 13, 2017 reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-
down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
Period
Quarter ended September 30, 2015
Quarter ended December 31, 2015
Quarter ended March 31, 2016
Quarter ended June 30, 2016
Quarter ended September 30, 2016
Quarter ended December 31, 2016
Quarter ended March 31, 2017
Quarter ended June 30, 2017
Dividends
$
High
Low
5.00 $
4.15
2.00
4.40
4.49
5.85
12.90
12.21
2.75
1.55
1.50
1.90
3.50
3.91
5.44
8.40
We have never paid any dividends on our capital stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the
foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital requirements. Any future
determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon financial condition, results of
operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
27
Warrants and Options
As of June 30, 2017, there were outstanding warrants and options to purchase 612,165 shares of our Common Stock and 160,000 shares of
our Common Stock, respectively. There are no other outstanding convertible securities of the Company.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of June 30, 2017, relating to our equity compensation plans, under which grants of options,
restricted stock, and other equity awards may be made from time to time:
Plan category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security
holders
Total
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(a)
Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
(b)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a)
(c)
160,000(1) $
—
160,000(1)
1.50
—
2,728,000(2)
—
2,728,000(2)
(1) The 160,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options are issuable under the Company’s 2015
Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”).
(2) As of June 30, 2017, 2,728,000 additional shares of Common Stock remained available for future issuance under the Company’s 2016
Stock Incentive Plan. No additional grants will be made under the Company’s 2014 Stock Plan (the “2014 Plan”) or the 2015 Plan.
Recent sales of unregistered securities
We have not sold any equity securities during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 that were not registered under the Securities Act, other
than as previously reported in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.
Purchases of Equity Securities
Unvested restricted stock grants awarded under the 2014 Plan and the 2015 Plan are subject to Company repurchase options upon certain
terminations of the recipient’s service with the Company. As of June 30, 2017, 1,352,265, shares of restricted stock remained subject to
repurchase options, which are scheduled to expire between January 2018 and December 2020. We did not repurchase any of our equity
securities pursuant to these repurchase options or otherwise during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent for our Common Stock is Globex Transfer, LLC. The transfer agent’s address is 780 Deltona Blvd., Suite 202, Deltona,
FL 32725 and its telephone number is 813-344-4490.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable to a smaller reporting company.
28
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and the related
notes thereto contained in this Report. See also the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” on page 1 of this Report.
The following discussion highlights the results of operations and the principal factors that have affected our financial condition, as well as
our liquidity and capital resources for the periods described, and provides information that management believes is relevant for an
assessment and understanding of the statements of financial condition and results of operations presented herein. The following discussion
and analysis are based on the audited financial statements contained in this Report, which we have prepared in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles. You should read the discussion and analysis together with such financial statements and
the related notes thereto.
29
Overview
Akoustis is an early-stage company focused on developing, designing and manufacturing innovative RF filter products for the mobile
wireless device industry, including for products such as smartphones and tablets, cellular infrastructure equipment and WiFi premise
equipment. Located between the device’s antenna and its digital backend, the RFFE is the circuitry that performs the analog signal
processing and contains components such as amplifiers, filters and switches. To construct the resonators that are the building blocks for the
RF filter, we have developed a fundamentally new single-crystal acoustic materials and device technology that we refer to as BulkONE®.
Filters are critical in selecting and rejecting signals, and their performance enables differentiation in the modules defining the RFFE.
We believe owning the core resonator technology and manufacturing our designs is the most direct and effective means of delivering our
solutions to the market. Furthermore, our technology is based upon bulk-mode resonance, which is superior to surface-mode resonance for
high band applications 4G/LTE, emerging 5G and WiFi 5GHz frequency bands. While our target customers utilize or make the RFFE
module, several customers lack access to critical high band technology to compete in high band applications and other traditional surface-
mode solutions where higher power performance is required. We intend to design, manufacture and market our RF filter products to
multiple mobile phone OEM, cellular infrastructure and WiFi router customers and enable broader competition among the front-end
module manufacturers. We plan to operate as a “pure-play” RF filter supplier and align with the front-end module manufacturers who seek
to acquire high performance filters to grow their module business.
We have built prototype resonators using our proprietary single-crystal materials. We are currently optimizing our BulkONE® technology
in our 120,000 sq. ft. wafer-manufacturing plant located in Canandaigua, New York. We leverage both federal and state level, non-dilutive
R&D grants to support development and commercialization of our technology. We are developing resonators for 4G/LTE, emerging 5G and
WiFi bands and the associated proprietary models and design kits required to design our RF filters. Once we have stabilized the wafer
process technology, we plan to engage with strategic customers to evaluate first our resonators and then our filter prototypes. Our initial
designs will target high band 4G/LTE, emerging 5G and WiFi frequency bands. Since Akoustis owns its core technology and controls
access to its intellectual property, we can offer several ways to engage with potential customers. First, we can engage with the mobile
wireless market, providing filters that we design and offer as a standard catalog component to multiple customers. Second, we can start with
a customer-supplied filter specification, which we design and fabricate for a specific customer. Finally, we can offer our models and design
kits for our customers to design their own filter into our proprietary technology.
In December 2014, Akoustis, Inc. was awarded its first small business innovative research (“SBIR”) R&D grant with the National Science
Foundation (“NSF”). The NSF program, which increases the incentive and opportunity for startups and small businesses to undertake
cutting-edge, high-quality scientific research and development, requires that the grantee have full responsibility for the conduct of the
project or activity supported and the adherence to the award conditions. Total funds received from the NSF and matching funds from North
Carolina Science, Technology & Innovation Department of Commerce since inception through September 8, 2017 total $892,000.
Our partnership with NSF has strengthened since the start of our engagement, and its support has accelerated our technology
commercialization as well as funded technical jobs. We have additional opportunities for new grants and matching funds from our current
small business program partnership with NSF including the Phase IIb award.
We have earned minimal revenue from operations since inception, and our operations have been funded with capital contributions, grants
and debt. We have incurred losses totaling approximately $15.8 million from inception through June 30, 2017. These losses are primarily
the result of material and material processing costs associated with developing and commercializing our technology as well as personnel
costs, professional fees (primarily accounting and legal) as well as other general and administrative expenses offset by the $1.7 million gain
from the bargain acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business in June 2017. We expect to continue to incur substantial costs for
commercialization of our technology on a continuous basis because our business model involves materials and solid-state device
technology development as well as engineering of catalog and custom filter designs.
As of September 8, 2017, the Company had $6.7 million of cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes this is sufficient to cover our
cost of operations including anticipated capital expenditures through December 31, 2017. As a result, we will need to obtain additional
capital through the sale of additional equity securities, debt and additional grants, or otherwise, to fund operations past that date. There is
no assurance that the Company’s projections and estimates are accurate. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability
to continue as a going concern.
30
Plan of Operation
We plan to commercialize our technology by designing and manufacturing single-band and multi-band BAW RF filter from our NY wafer
fabrication facility. Our filter solutions address problems (such as loss, bandwidth, power handling and isolation) created by the growing
number of frequency bands in the RFFE of mobile devices to support 4G/LTE, emerging 5G and WiFi. We have prototyped our first
single-band low-loss BAW filter designs for 4G/LTE frequency bands, which are dominated by competitive BAW solutions and
historically cannot be addressed with low band, lower power handling SAW technology. During the second half of calendar 2017, we plan
to sample filter product prototypes to prospective customers that cover LTE-Band 41, Radar, and 5GHz WiFi frequency bands.
In order to succeed, we must convince mobile phone OEMs, RFFE module manufacturers, cellular infrastructure OEMs and WiFi router
OEMs to use our BulkONE® technology in their systems and modules. However, since there are only two dominant BAW filter suppliers
in the industry that have high band technology, and both utilize such technology as a competitive advantage at the module level, we expect
customers that lack access to high band filter technology will be open to engage with our pure-play filter company.
Once we complete customer validation of our technology, we expect to complete qualification of our BulkONE® process technology in the
second half of calendar 2017 to support a product family of 4G/LTE filter solutions. Once we have stabilized our process technology in a
manufacturing environment, we will complete a production release of our high band filter products in the frequency range from 2.5GHz to
6.0GHz. The target frequency bands will be prioritized based upon customer priority. We expect this will require recruiting and hiring
additional personnel and capital investments.
We plan to pursue filter design and R&D development agreements and potentially joint ventures with target customers and other strategic
partners. These types of arrangements may subsidize technology development costs and qualification, filter design costs, as well as offer
complementary technology and market intelligence and other avenues to revenue. However, we intend to retain ownership of our core
technology, intellectual property, designs and related improvements. We expect to pursue development of catalog designs for multiple
customers, and offer such catalog products in multiple sales
We have successfully transferred our BulkONE® wafer process to our STC-MEMS Business. The BulkONE® process uses a range of
single-crystal group III-nitride piezoelectric materials, which were fabricated into BAW resonators and characterized at cellular
communication frequencies to determine their bandwidth. On May 23, 2016, we announced an experimental, 3.4 GHz BAW two-port
series-configured resonator device with a high K-squared of 12.5%, which was modeled near resonance frequency and was constructed
from single-crystal undoped aluminum nitride (AlN) material. On August 8, 2016, we announced improvements to our single-crystal BAW
resonator design and process technology to achieve a quality factor (Q) of 2090, which is suitable for BAW RF filters targeting 4G/LTE,
WIFI and emerging 5G and 5G WIFI mobile wireless applications. These resonators, which are the core building blocks enabling BAW RF
filters, were fabricated using our patented BulkONE® process. Technology development efforts continue on wafer and process
optimization, specifically, through targeted activities for Q-factor improvements.
As referenced in the Business section, in August 2016, Akoustis announced its first customer engagement signing multiple non-exclusive
agreements with a Chinese tier one RF front end (RFFE) module manufacturer to supply the Company’s premium RF filter products for
next-generation high-band RFFE modules for 4G, emerging 4.5G and 5G mobile - targeting the China and India OEM markets. In
December 2016, the Company announced its second customer engagement, for the development of a band-specific, high-frequency (above
3.5 GHz) BAW RF filter for a non-mobile commercial application with a well-established OEM specializing in non-mobile communication
systems with annual revenue of more than $1 Billion. In May 2017, the Company announced its third customer engagement for the
development of high-performance BAW diplexers for non-mobile communication systems with a multi-billion dollar, Fortune 500 U.S.
company, which provides systems, products and solutions to government and commercial customers worldwide.
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In August 2017, the Company announced its first shipment of premium high-band BAW RF filter prototypes manufactured using its
patented single-crystal BulkONE® technology to the aforementioned Chinese tier one customer. The shipment included high performance,
LTE-TDD Band 41, 2.6 GHz BAW RF filters that will satisfy the challenging filter requirements in the high growth 4G LTE mobile
market in China.
We will continue discussions with additional prospective customers, although these discussions may not result in any agreements. We
expect to proceed with our plan to develop a family of standard catalog filter designs regardless of the outcome of these discussions.
As of September 8, 2017, we had approximately $6.7 million of cash and cash equivalents to fund a majority of the foregoing milestones,
for product development to commercialize our technology, research and development, the development of our patent strategy and
expansion of our patent portfolio, as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes. These funds are expected to be
sufficient to fund our activities through December 2017. However, there is no assurance that the Company’s projections and estimates are
accurate. Our anticipated costs include employee salaries and benefits, compensation paid to consultants, capital costs for research and
other equipment, costs associated with development activities including travel and administration, legal expenses, sales and marketing costs,
general and administrative expenses, and other costs associated with an early stage, publicly-traded technology company. We anticipate
increasing the number of employees by approximately 15 to 20 employees in the next twelve months; however, this is highly dependent on
the nature of our development efforts, our success in commercialization, and our ability to raise additional funding. We anticipate adding
employees for research and development in both our New York and North Carolina facilities, as well as general and administrative
functions, to support our efforts. We expect to incur consulting expenses related to technology development and other efforts as well as
legal and related expenses to protect our intellectual property. We expect capital expenditures to be approximately $7.5 million for the
purchase of equipment and software during the next 12 months and are currently investigating the feasibility of using debt facilities,
equipment leases, or government grants to fund all or part of the purchase of the equipment.
The amounts we actually spend for any specific purpose may vary significantly and will depend on a number of factors including, but not
limited to, the pace of progress of our commercialization and development efforts, actual needs with respect to product testing, R&D,
market conditions, and changes in or revisions to our marketing strategies. In addition, we may use a portion of any net proceeds to acquire
complementary products, technologies or businesses; however, we do not have plans for any acquisitions at this time.
Commercial development of new technology is, by its nature, unpredictable. Although we will undertake development efforts with
commercially reasonable diligence, there can be no assurance that our current cash position will be sufficient to enable us to commercialize
our technology to the extent needed to create future sales to sustain operations as contemplated herein. If our current cash is insufficient for
these purposes, or the Company does not receive anticipated proceeds from research grants or such grant payments are delayed, or the
Company experiences costs in excess of estimates to continue its research and development plan, it is possible that the Company would not
have sufficient resources to continue as a going concern for the next year, and we will consider other options to continue our path to
commercialization, including, but not limited to, additional financing through follow-on stock offerings, debt financing, co-development
agreements, curtailment of operations, suspension of operations, sale or licensing of developed intellectual or other property, or other
alternatives.
If we are unable to obtain the funds that we believe are needed to develop our technology and enable future sales, we may be required to
scale back our development plans by reducing expenditures for employees, consultants, business development and marketing efforts, and
other envisioned expenditures. This could reduce our ability to commercialize our technology or require us to seek further funding earlier,
or on less favorable terms.
We cannot assure you that our technology will be accepted, that we will ever generate revenues sufficient to support our operations, or that
we will ever be profitable. Furthermore, since we have no committed source of financing, there is no assurance that we will be able to
obtain sufficient capital as and when we need it to continue our operations. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital as and when we need it,
we may be required to severely curtail, or even to cease, our operations.
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Critical Accounting Policies
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which
have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Certain
accounting policies and estimates are particularly important to the understanding of our financial position and results of operations and
require the application of significant judgment by our management or can be materially affected by changes from period to period in
economic factors or conditions that are outside of our control. As a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying
these policies, our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain
estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical operations, our future business plans and projected financial results, the terms of
existing contracts, our observance of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other
outside sources, as appropriate.
Derivative Liability
The Company evaluates its options, warrants and other contracts, if any, to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those
contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for in accordance with paragraph 815-10-05-4 and Section 815-40-25 of the
FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the embedded derivative is
marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as either an asset or a liability. The change in fair value is recorded in the
consolidated statement of operations as other income or expense. Upon conversion, exercise or cancellation of a derivative instrument, the
instrument is marked to fair value at the date of conversion, exercise or cancellation and then the related fair value is reclassified to equity.
In circumstances where the embedded conversion option in a convertible instrument is required to be bifurcated and there are also other
embedded derivative instruments in the convertible instrument that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are
accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.
The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed
at the end of each reporting period. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification are
reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Derivative instrument liabilities will be classified in
the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument is expected within 12
months of the balance sheet date.
The Company adopted Section 815-40-15 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Section 815-40-15”) to determine whether an
instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to the Company’s own stock. Section 815-40-15 provides that an entity should use a two-
step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including
evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions.
The Company utilizes a binomial option pricing model to compute the fair value of the derivative and to mark to market the fair value of
the derivative at each balance sheet date. The Company records the change in the fair value of the derivative as other income or expense in
the consolidated statements of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these
instruments.
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements.
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the
principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement
date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the
use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
33
Fair value measurements are categorized using a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure fair value, which prioritize
the inputs into three broad levels:
Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in
which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable
as of the reported date, and include those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.
Level 3 - Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with
internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
Equity-based compensation
The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity–based payments in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock
Compensation". Under fair value recognition provisions, the Company recognizes equity–based compensation net of an estimated
forfeiture rate and recognizes compensation cost only for those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award.
Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the Company. These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and
generally vest over the requisite service periods, typically over a four-year period (vesting on a straight–line basis). The fair value of a stock
award is equal to the fair market value of a share of Company stock on the grant date.
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes
option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the value of the
underlying share, the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the
underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is benchmarked against similar companies in a similar industry over
the expected option life and other appropriate factors. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free
rates for the appropriate term. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on
its Common Stock and does not intend to pay dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The expected forfeiture rate is
estimated based on management’s best estimate.
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards requires the input of the
subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent
management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors
change and the Company uses different assumptions, our equity–based compensation could be materially different in the future. In
addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest. If
the Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, the equity–based compensation could be significantly different
from what the Company has recorded in the current period.
The Company accounts for share–based payments granted to non–employees in accordance with ASC 505-40, “Equity Based Payments to
Non–Employees”. The Company determines the fair value of the stock–based payment as either the fair value of the consideration received
or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. If the fair value of the equity instruments issued
is used, it is measured using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of either (1) the date at which a
commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, or (2) the date at which the counterparty’s
performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instruments is re-measured each reporting period over the requisite service period.
34
Results of Operations
Our results of operations are presented for the year ended June 30, 2017 compared to the year ended June 30, 2016. Our results of
operations for the year ended June 30, 2017 include five days of operations of our STC-MEMS Business, which we acquired on June 26,
2017.
Year Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to Year Ended June 30, 2016
The Company recorded revenue of $486,000 for the year-ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $255,000 for the year ended June 30, 2016.
The revenue for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 was made up primarily of grant revenue from the National Science Foundation for the
Phase II grant. The revenue recorded in the comparative fiscal year was also made up primarily of grant revenue from the National Science
Foundation ($50,000 from Phase I and $192,000 for Phase II).
R&D expenses consist of costs for technical and engineering personnel, travel expense for R&D personnel and costs to develop and
commercialize our technology including materials, material processing, and contractors. R&D expenses were $4.4 million for the year-
ended June 30, 2017 and were $2.7 million, or 151.6%, higher than the prior year. The year-over-year increase was due to the ramp up of
R&D activity in the Company’s third year of operations. The increased expenditures occurred primarily in areas of R&D personnel, stock-
based compensation, and material costs. Personnel costs were $1.4 million compared to $717,000 in the comparative period, an increase of
$654,000 or 91%. The increase included five days of costs associated with the New York foundry personnel (approximately $ 127,000),
costs for the addition of technical and engineering hires in the North Carolina facility in the 2017 fiscal year, and the full year effect of N.C.
new hires made in the prior fiscal year. Stock-based compensation of $1.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2017 was $1.1 million, or
566%, higher than the year ended June 30, 2016 due to new restricted stock awards made to R&D personnel and the change in the fair
market value of awards made to technical and engineering contractors in prior periods. In addition, material and material process costs were
$1.4 million as compared to $670,000 in the comparative period ended June 30, 2016 which was an increase of $681,000, or 102.0%. The
year-over-year cost increase was due to the ramp of raw material purchases and material processing costs for product development
activities.
General and administrative (“G&A”) costs include salaries and wages for executive and administrative staff, stock-based compensation,
professional fees, insurance costs and other general costs associated with the administration of our business. General and administrative
expenses for the year ended June 30, 2017 were $6.0 million versus $2.9 million for the comparative period. The increase of $3.1 million,
or 105.0%, was associated mainly with increases in personnel costs, professional fees, insurance expense, stock-based compensation and
travel. Personnel costs of $1.4 million were higher by $231,000, or 20.1%, due to the increase in the number of administrative personnel,
while professional fees of $1.2 million, associated with legal, accounting and investor relations, were higher by $645,000, or 113%. The
legal, accounting and investor relations fees incurred in the year ended June 30, 2017 ramped up as the result of Company’s second year of
being a public reporting company; first on the OTC Market and then on NASDAQ. Stock-based compensation for the year ended June 30,
2017 was $2.6 million and higher by $1.9 million, or 295%, as a result of the issuance of new awards for G&A personnel granted after
June 2016 and the recording of the change in the fair market value of stock grants issued to investor relations consultants.
Other income and expense for the year ended June 30, 2017 was $850,000 and included a $1.7 million gain on bargain purchase related to
the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business, offset by an $877,000 loss on the fair value of derivatives for placement agent warrants issued
in connection with private placements in 2015 and 2016. These warrants were amended in December 2016 and January 2017 to remove the
derivative feature and are now classified as equity. Other expense was $967,000 for the year ended June 30, 2016 and was primarily related
to the loss on fair value of derivatives recorded for the placement agent warrants referenced above.
The Company recorded a net loss of $9.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, compared to a net loss of $5.4 million for the year
ended June 30, 2016. The year-over-year incremental loss of $3.7 million, or 68%, was driven by higher material costs due to the ramp up
of research and development activities, higher professional fees due to the costs associated with the Company’s second year of being a
public reporting company, higher personnel costs for both R&D and administrative headcount, including increased costs for stock-based
compensation, offset by the $1.7 million gain on bargain purchase price recorded due to the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business.
35
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financing Activities
We have earned minimal revenue from operations since inception, and our operations have been funded with capital contributions, private
placements of stock, grants and debt.
36
On March 10, 2016, we held a closing of a private placement offering (the “March 2016 Offering”) in which we sold 494,125 shares of our
Common Stock to accredited investors at a fixed purchase price of $1.60 per share (the “2016 Offering Price”), for aggregate gross
proceeds of $790,600 (before deducting expenses of the March 2016 Offering). On April 14, 2016, we held a closing of a private placement
offering (the “April 2016 Offering,” and together with the March 2016 Offering, the “2016 Offering”) in which we sold 1,741,185 shares of
our Common Stock at the “2016 Offering Price, for aggregate gross proceeds of $2.8 million (before deducting expenses of the April 2016
Offering).
With closings in each of November and December 2016 and January and February 2017, the Company sold a total of 2,142,000 shares of
Common Stock in a private placement offering (the “2016-2017 Offering”) at a fixed purchase price of $5.00 per share (the “2016-2017
Offering Price”). Aggregate gross proceeds were $10.7 million (before deducting commissions and expenses of the offering).
In May 2017, the Company held a closing of a private placement offering (the “2017 Offering”) in which it sold an aggregate of 663,000
shares of Common Stock at a fixed purchase price of $9.00 per share to accredited investors, for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,967,000
(before deducting commissions and expenses of the offering).
Since inception through June 2017, we received $892,000 in funds from NSF/SBIR grants and NC matching funds.
The Company estimates the $6.7 million of cash on hand as of September 8, 2017 will fund its operations, including current capital
expense commitments through December 2017. As a result, we will need to obtain additional capital through the sale of additional equity
securities, debt and additional grants, or otherwise, to fund operations past that date. There is no assurance that the Company’s projections
and estimates are accurate. Although the Company is actively managing and controlling the Company’s cash outflows to mitigate these
risks, these matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Balance Sheet and Working Capital
June 30, 2017 Compared to June 30, 2016
As of June 30, 2017, the Company had current assets of $10.0 million made up primarily of cash on hand of $9.6 million. As of June 30,
2016, current assets were $4.3 million comprised primarily of cash on hand of $4.2 million. The $5.54 million increase in cash year over
year was due to net proceeds from private placement offerings of $15.3 million offset by the cash expended for operations of $5.59 million
and the investment in machinery and equipment of $1.6 million as well as the $2.8 million cash paid at the June 2017 closing of the
acquisition for the STC-MEMS Business. The Company also saw a year over year increase in inventory of $145,000, mainly due to the
purchase of inventory ($96,000) associated with the STC-MEMS acquisition, an increase in prepaid expenses of $103,000 due to the annual
service fee payment for NASDAQ ($35,000) and new license fees for Cornell University for $45,000.
Property, Plant and Equipment was $7.9 million as of June 30, 2017 as compared to a balance of $207,000 as of the year ended June 30,
2016. The approximate $7.6 million year-over-year increase is due to the purchase of equipment, building and land acquired with the STC-
MEMS Business (cumulative recorded value of $6.1 million) as well as an additional investment of $1.7 million in fixed assets, primarily
equipment for research and development.
Total assets as of June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 were $18.1 million and $4.5 million, respectively.
Current liabilities as of June 30, 2017 were $1.4 million and increased year-over-year by $816,000. We saw an increase in accounts payable
and accrued expenses of $793,000 due mainly to the ramp up of both R&D activities and administrative and support costs including
additional personnel, material spend, and professional fees.
Long-term liabilities totaled $1.7 million as of June 30, 2017, compared to $1.3 million for the prior year period. The increase of $408,000
was due to the decrease in the derivative liability recorded for warrants issued to placement agents in connection with private placements in
2015 and the 2016 Offering. During December 2016 and January 2017, the Company amended these warrant agreements to eliminate the
derivative feature, and as a result, the liability was fully reclassed to stockholder’s equity in the year ended June 30, 2017. This decrease in
long-term liability was offset by an increase of $1.7 million, which was a long-term contingent real estate liability associated with the
acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business that closed on June 26, 2017.
37
Stockholders’ equity was $15.0 million as of June 30, 2017, compared to $2.7 million as of June 30, 2016.
Additional paid-in-capital (“APIC”) was $30.8 million as of June 30, 2017 and increased by $21.4 million. The year-over-year increase
was due to: (1) an increase from proceeds of $15.4 million for the issuance of Common Stock in the 2016-2017 Offering and the 2017
Offering, less $992,000 for the fair value of warrants issued to placement agents for a total of 291,000 shares of Common Stock, (2)
increase of $4.8 million of APIC recorded due to the vesting of restricted stock agreements granted to employees and contractors in lieu of
cash compensation, and (3) an increase due to the release of derivative liabilities associated with warrants issued in 2015 and 2016 offering
for $2.2 million after the warrant agreements were amended to eliminate the derivative feature in December and January 2017. The $21.4
million increase in stockholder’s equity was reduced by the $9.1 million net loss recorded for the year ended June 30, 2017.
Working capital as of June 30, 2017 was $8.7 million, compared to $3.7 million as of June 30, 2016.
Cash Flow Analysis
Year Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to the Year Ended June 30, 2016
Operating activities used cash of $5.5 million during the year ended June 30, 2017 and $3.3 million for the 2016 comparative period. The
$2.2 million year-over-year increase in cash used was attributable to higher operating expenses associated with the ramp up of development
and commercialization activities (primarily R&D personnel and material costs), higher spend on G&A costs for support personnel and
professional fees.
Investing activities used cash of $4.5 million for the year ended June 30, 2017 compared to $204,000 for the comparative year ended June
30, 2016. The year-over-year increase was due to the $2.8 million cash paid at closing for the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business, as
well as increased spend on R&D equipment (higher by $1.5 million).
Financing activities provided cash of $15.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2017 versus $3.3 million for the 2016 comparative period.
The $12.3 million increase was from funds raised in the 2016-2017 Offering and the 2017 Offering.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
The Company did not engage in any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as that term is defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K) as
of June 30, 2017.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable to a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 are included beginning
on Page F-1 immediately following the signature page to this Report. See Item 15 for a list of the financial statements included herein.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-
15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we
file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the
Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing
similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial
Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2017. Based on that
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not
effective as of such date due to the material weakness described below with respect to our internal control over financial reporting.
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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Our
management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017. In making this assessment, our
management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal
Control Integrated Framework (2013). Based on that evaluation under this framework, our management concluded that our internal control
over financial reporting was not effective.
During its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management identified a material weakness in the design of controls over
it acquisition accounting and reporting practices as it relates to the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business. The effectiveness of controls
surrounding the acquisition accounting processing, review of external advisors work and subsequent compilation and reporting has the
potential, when taken together, to represent a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement could occur and not be prevented or
detected. Therefore, management has determined this has risen to the level of a material weakness. To remediate this material weakness,
management intends to increase the size and capabilities of its accounting department and place less reliance on external consultants.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness as to future periods are subject to risk that controls
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system
contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.
This Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over
financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company (as a smaller reporting company) to provide only management’s
report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except for the material weakness described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the
quarter ended June 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
Below are the names of, and certain information regarding, our current executive officers and directors.
Name
Age
Position
Date Named to Board
of Directors/as
Executive Officer
Arthur E. Geiss
Jerry D. Neal
Jeffrey B. Shealy
John T. Kurtzweil
David M. Aichele
Cindy C. Payne
Steven P. DenBaars
Jeffrey K. McMahon
Steven P. Miller
Suzanne B. Rudy
64
73
48
61
51
57
55
46
69
62
Co-Chairman of the Board
Co-Chairman of the Board
President and Chief Executive Officer;
Director
Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Accounting Officer
Vice President of Business Development
Vice President of Finance, Corporate
Controller, and Treasurer
Director
Director
Director
Director
40
May 22, 2015
May 22, 2015
May 22, 2015
July 14, 2017
May 22, 2015
May 22, 2015
May 22, 2015
May 22, 2015
July 14, 2017
July 14, 2017
Directors are elected to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the
meeting of stockholders at which they are elected and hold office until the expiration of the term for which he or she was elected or until a
successor has been elected and qualified.
A majority of the authorized number of directors constitutes a quorum of the Board of Directors for the transaction of business. The
directors must be present at the meeting to constitute a quorum. However, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of
Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors individually or collectively consent in writing to the
action.
Executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors and serve at its pleasure.
The principal occupation and business experience during the past five years for our executive officers and directors is as follows:
Arthur E. Geiss, Co-Chairman of the Board, founded AEG Consulting, LLC in 2003 and currently serves as its Owner and CEO. AEG
Consulting offers guidance concerning manufacturing, operations, and process development to technology companies. Prior to establishing
AEG Consulting, Mr. Geiss served as Vice President of Wafer Fab Operations at RF Micro Devices, Inc. (“RFMD”) (now Qorvo, Inc.).
He was responsible for the start-up and operations of Gallium Arsenide epitaxial-growth and wafer-fabrication. Previous to RFMD, Mr.
Geiss held management positions with Alpha Industries, Inc. (purchased by Skyworks Solutions, Inc.) and before that at ITT Gallium
Arsenide Technology Center (purchased by Cobham plc). At both companies, he was responsible for process and device development and
wafer fabrication operations. Prior to these, Mr. Geiss held a research position at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (now PARC, Inc.).
At PARC he investigated the structure of vitreous materials and amorphous thin-films using Raman spectroscopy. Mr. Geiss has served as
a Member of the Executive Committee of the IEEE GaAs IC Symposium (now CSICS) and as a Member of the Executive Committee of
the GaAs Manufacturing Technology Conference (now CS Mantech). He has numerous patents and publications on electronic devices,
processing, and manufacturing. Mr. Geiss earned a B.S. degree at Lafayette College and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at Brown University, all in
physics. We believe that Mr. Geiss adds value to our Board of Directors based on his extensive experience with technology companies, his
executive leadership and management experience and his research background.
Jerry D. Neal, Co-Chairman of the Board, founded RFMD (now, Qorvo, Inc.) in 1991 and served as its Executive Vice President of
Marketing and Strategic Development from January 2002 to May 31, 2012. Dr. Neal served as a Vice President of Marketing of RFMD,
from May 1991 to January 2000 and its Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Strategic Development from January 2000 to
January 2002. Prior to joining RFMD, he was employed for 10 years with Analog Devices, Inc., including as Marketing Engineer,
Marketing Manager and Business Development Manager. Dr. Neal also founded Moisture Control Systems for the production of his
patented electronic sensor for measurement of soil moisture for research, which was later sold to Hancor, Inc. He has been a Director of
Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. since November 2002. Dr. Neal served as a Director of RFMD from February 1992 to July 1993. He also held
various positions at Hewlett-Packard. Dr. Neal received his Associate’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Gaston Technical Institute
and North Carolina State University and his doctor of business management degree from Southern Wesleyan University. We believe that
Dr. Neal adds value to our Board of Directors based on his extensive executive leadership and management experience and his sales,
marketing and product development background.
41
Jeffrey B. Shealy is our President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as one of our directors. He has over 20 years of experience in the
RF/Wireless industry focused on building businesses around solid-state materials and electron device innovation. He held the position of
Vice President and General Manager at RFMD from 2001 until 2014. Mr. Shealy is a Howard Hughes Doctoral Fellow and spent 7 years
with Hughes Electronics at Hughes Research Labs (now HRL Labs) and Hughes Network Systems (now Hughes). He previously founded
RF Nitro, a RF Power Amplifier high-tech venture, which was acquired by RFMD in 2001. Mr. Shealy holds an MBA degree from Wake
Forest University, Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of California at Santa
Barbara (UCSB), and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University
(NCSU). We believe that Mr. Shealy adds value to our Board of Directors based on his intimate knowledge of our business plans and
strategies, his experience with high tech startup ventures and his years of experience in the RF/Wireless industry.
John T. Kurtzweil, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer since July 14, 2017, and he served as a director
on the Board from January 12, 2017 to July 14, 2017. He served as VP Finance of Cree, Inc., a company that develops, manufactures, and
sells lighting-class light emitting diode, lighting, and semiconductor products for power and radio-frequency applications, and Chief
Financial Officer of Wolfspeed, a Cree Company, from 2015 until March 2017. He is currently providing consulting services to a limited
number of businesses. Prior to his employment at Cree, Mr. Kurtzweil was an independent consultant beginning in 2014. From 2012 until
2014, Mr. Kurtzweil served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of
Extreme Networks, Inc., a provider of high-performance, open networking innovations for enterprises, services providers, and Internet
exchanges, and also served as its Chief Accounting Officer. From 2006 to 2012, Mr. Kurtzweil served as Executive Vice President, Finance
and as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Cree, Inc. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Kurtzweil was Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer at Cirrus Logic, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company. Mr. Kurtzweil currently serves as a director of Axcelis
Technology, Inc., and was appointed Chairman of its Audit Committee in February 2017. Mr. Kurtzweil served as a board member for Meru
Networks, Inc. for a portion of 2015 prior to its sale.
David M. Aichele is Vice President of Business Development responsible for leading the sales and marketing efforts of the Company. Mr.
Aichele joined the company in May 2015, bringing over 20 years of international sales, business development, and marketing experience
with him. Prior to Akoustis, Mr. Aichele was EVP Sales & Marketing for T1Visions, a high-tech software startup company ranking among
the 2014 INC 500 fastest growing private companies in the U.S from 2013 to May 2015. Mr. Aichele held director positions at RFMD from
2005 to 2015, where he was responsible for the business development and launch of new RF semiconductor products targeting the cellular
market, and senior management positions at Tessera and TE Connectivity, where he led business development and sales teams. Mr. Aichele
holds a BSEE from Ohio University and an MBA from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado.
Cindy C. Payne has served as our Vice President of Finance, Corporate Controller, and Treasurer since July 14, 2017. Ms. Payne
previously served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 2015 to July 14, 2017. Ms. Payne brings to the Company over 20 years
of experience in financial management. Prior to joining Akoustis, Ms. Payne most recently served as the CFO for Amerock LLC from
2014-2015, a private equity owned hardware distributor in Mooresville, NC. Prior to joining Amerock, Ms. Payne held the position of CFO
for Tolt Service Group, a private equity owned technology services provider, from 2010 until the company’s sale in 2014. Her experience
prior to Tolt included the role of Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in the Soft Trim Division of International Automotive
Components, a Tier I supplier to the automotive industry and the role of Controller of NewBold Corporation. NewBold Corporation,
located in the Roanoke, Virginia area, offers both manufactured products and technology services to retail and healthcare markets. Ms.
Payne graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is a
Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
42
Steven P. DenBaars is a Professor of Materials and Co-Director of the Solid-State Lighting Center at University of California at Santa
Barbara. Professor DenBaars joined UCSB in 1991 and currently holds the Mitsubishi Chemical Chair in Solid State Lighting and Displays.
He is also a co-founder and current board member of two privately held GaN startup companies, Soraa Inc. and Soraa Laser Inc. Dr.
DenBaars has been in the LED business for over 25 years starting with his prior work at Hewlett-Packard Optoelectronics division in 1988
and involvement in more than two LED companies and one laser diode company. Professor DenBaars’ specific research interests include
growth of wide-band gap semiconductors (GaN based), and their application to Blue LEDs and lasers and energy efficient solid-state
lighting. This research has led to over 750 scientific publications and over 160 U.S. patents on electronic materials and devices. He has been
awarded a NSF Young Investigator award, Young Scientist Award of the ISCS, IEEE Aron Kressel Award, and he is an IEEE Fellow and a
Visiting Professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) HKUST. He was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering
(2012), and elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2014). We believe that Professor DenBaars adds value to our Board of
Directors based on his years of experience in the LED industry and his extensive research involving wide-based gap semiconductors and
their application to high power electronic devices.
Jeffrey K. McMahon has been employed by North Highland, a global management consulting firm, since 2003. He has held the position
of Managing Director since 2014 and is the current Market Lead for North Highland’s largest market. He has an extensive background in
business and information technology consulting in the financial services, energy, and telecommunications industries. He has 20 years of
experience helping Fortune 100 companies drive revenue, optimize processes, improve customer experience and manage risk. His areas of
expertise include marketing, strategy articulation and realization, strategic execution, business process management and merger integration.
Prior to joining North Highland, Mr. McMahon was a Manager in Accenture’s process practice area. Mr. McMahon received a Bachelor of
Science degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. We believe that Mr. McMahon adds value to our Board of
Directors based on his extensive experience in business and technology consulting and his marketing and strategizing expertise.
Steven P. Miller served as a Board Advisor to the Board from January 2017 to June 2017. He is the President of Via Capri Inc., the general
partner of Via Capri Investment L.P., a limited partnership formed by Mr. Miller in 1996. Mr. Miller is also the President of Sawmill Inc.,
the general partner of Sawmill Investment L.P., another limited partnership formed by Mr. Miller in 1996. From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Miller
served as a director for TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (TriQuint), then a leading supplier of high-performance components and modules for
communications applications before merging with RFMD to form Qorvo, Inc. in 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Miller held several positions at
Sawtek Inc. from 1979 until his retirement in 1999, including Co-Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Sawtek’s
Board of Directors. Sawtek Inc. merged with TriQuint in 2001. Prior to co-founding Sawtek Inc. in 1979, Mr. Miller was Manager of the
SAW Development Laboratory in the Defense Group at Texas Instruments Incorporated. Mr. Miller brings to the Board familiarity with
the Company, its operations, finances, and strategic plan through his experience as a Board Advisor, as well as industry expertise, public
company leadership experience, and his experience and skills in strategic growth and business development, including capital formation.
Suzanne Rudy most recently served as Vice President of Tax & Corporate Treasurer, Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary of
Qorvo, Inc., a publicly-traded company and leading supplier of semiconductor solutions for the wireless communications market, until
November 2015. In addition to her treasury and compliance duties, Ms. Rudy served as a director for various subsidiaries of Qorvo, Inc.
Prior to joining Qorvo, Inc. predecessor, RMFD, in 1999, Ms. Rudy was the Controller for Precision Fabrics Group, Inc., a textile spin-off
of the Fortune 500 Company, Burlington Industries. In addition, she spent six years as a Certified Public Accountant and Manager for BDO
Seidman, LLP, an international accounting firm. From 2012 to 2016, Ms. Rudy served as a director for Delta Apparel, Inc., a publicly-
traded apparel manufacturer, where she served on the Audit and Compensation Committees. From 2008 to 2011, Ms. Rudy served as a
director for First National Bank United Corporation, serving as Chair of the Audit Committee and the Assets and Liability Committee.
Since 2006, Ms. Rudy has served on the Board of Visitors for Guilford College. She was also a Board Leadership Fellow in 2013, as
designated by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Ms. Rudy brings to our Board extensive expertise in public company
financial, compliance, and related strategic matters.
43
Director Independence
Our Board has determined that Ms. Rudy and Messrs. Geiss, Neal, DenBaars, McMahon, and Miller are independent directors under the
applicable standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market. In reaching this determination, the Board considered Mr. Geiss’ relationship with
AEG Consulting, a firm owned and operated by Mr. Geiss, which provides consulting services to the Company, as discussed below under
“Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions.” After consideration, the Board determined that this relationship did not impact
Mr. Geiss’ ability to serve as an independent director.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of our directors or executive officers has been involved in any of the following events, or any of the other events specified in Item
401(f) of Regulation S-K, during the past ten years:
● any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the
time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
● any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other
minor offenses);
● being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent
jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his or her involvement in any type of
business, securities or banking activities; or
● being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have
violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated.
Board Committees
The Board maintains three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. Each
committee operates under a written charter and reports regularly to the Board. A copy of each of these committee charters is available in the
“Investors” section of our website under the heading “Governance Documents” at http://www.akoustis.com and may also be obtained by
submitting the “Contact Us” form at the website address set forth above. Each member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee and the Nominating Committee must satisfy membership requirements imposed by the applicable committee charter and, where
applicable, NASDAQ listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. Each of the members of the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee and the Nominating Committee has been determined by the Board to be independent under applicable NASDAQ listing
standards and, in the case of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, under the independence requirements established by
the SEC. A brief description of the responsibilities of each of these committees and their current membership follows.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the
Exchange Act. The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in its duty to oversee our accounting, financial reporting
and internal control functions and the audit of our financial statements. The current members of the Audit Committee are Suzanne Rudy
(Chair), Jerry Neal and Jeffrey McMahon, each of whom is independent under existing NASDAQ listing standards and SEC requirements.
The Board has examined the SEC’s definition of “audit committee financial expert” and determined that Ms. Rudy is an audit committee
financial expert.
44
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in overseeing and reviewing information from management
regarding compensation and human capital issues within the Company. The Compensation Committee also has specific responsibilities
regarding performance reviews and compensation of the Company’s executive officers. The Compensation Committee regularly consults
with members of our executive management team regarding our executive compensation program. The current members of the
Compensation Committee are Messrs. McMahon (Chairman) and Neal and Ms. Rudy, each of whom is independent under existing
NASDAQ listing standards, SEC requirements, and the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is appointed by the Board to assist the Board in identifying individuals qualified to become Board and
committee members and to recommend to the Board director nominees. The current members of the Nominating Committee are Messrs.
Neal (Chairman) and DenBaars and Ms. Rudy.
Other Committees
Our Board of Directors may designate from among its members one or more other committees in the future, and in July 2017, our Board
designated a Technology Committee to assist the Board and the Company’s senior management in overseeing technology development
initiatives and to advise the Board regarding new technology development and execution of technology initiatives. The current members of
the Technology Committee are Messrs. Geiss, DenBaars, and Miller.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. McMahon (Chairman) and Neal and Ms. Rudy. Mr. Geiss also served as
a member of the Compensation Committee for a portion of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. No member of the Compensation
Committee has ever served as an officer or employee of Akoustis or had any relationship during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017
required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K, other than consulting fees paid to AEG Consulting, LLC, Mr. Geiss’
consulting firm. No executive officer of the Company has served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee (or other
committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, one of whose executive officers served as director of the Company during
the year ended June 30, 2017.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct that applies to our directors, officers, and employees. A copy of the Code of
Ethics and Conduct is posted on the Company’s website at www.akoustis.com. In the event that we amend any of the provisions of the
Code of Ethics and Conduct that requires disclosure under applicable law or SEC rules, we intend to disclose such amendment on our
website. Any waiver of the Code of Ethics and Conduct must be approved by the Board of Directors. Any waivers granted to our CEO or
CFO will be disclosed on our website within four business days.
Stockholder Communications with the Board
Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors, members of particular committees or individual directors, by sending a letter
to such persons in care of our Chief Executive Officer at our principal executive offices. The Chief Executive Officer has the authority to
disregard any inappropriate communications or to take other appropriate actions with respect to any inappropriate communications. If
deemed an appropriate communication, the Chief Executive Officer will submit the correspondence to the Chairman of the Board or to any
committee or specific director to whom the correspondence is directed. Please note that all such communications must be accompanied by a
statement of the type and amount of our securities that the person holds; any special interest, meaning an interest that is not derived from the
proponent’s capacity as a shareholder, of the person in the subject matter of the communication; and the address, telephone number and e-
mail address, if any, of the person submitting the communication.
45
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16 of the Exchange Act requires the directors, certain officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a class of securities
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to file reports with the SEC indicating their holdings of and transactions in such securities
and to provide copies of such reports to the issuer of such securities. Based solely upon a review of the copies of the reports furnished to the
Company, the Company believes all such reporting persons complied with such reporting obligations during the fiscal year ended June 30,
2017, except for a Form 3 filed on March 13, 2017 by Mark N. Tompkins.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
On August 11, 2016, we changed our fiscal year from a fiscal year ending on March 31 of each year to a fiscal year ending on June 30 of
each year, effective for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. Accordingly, the following table sets forth information concerning the total
compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers during (i) the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017; (ii) the three-
month transition period (“TP”) from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016; and (iii) the year ended March 31, 2016 (our prior fiscal year).
Name and
Principal
Position
Jeffrey Shealy,
CEO
Mark
Boomgarden,
VP of Operations
(5)
Fiscal
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($) (3)
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
Total
($)
2017 (1)
TP 2016
2016 (2)
2017 (1)
TP 2016
154,327
42,484
150,000
139,923
36,615
92,700
—
30,000
42,024
—
151,200
—
—
84,000
—
9,801
2,815
5,077
6,631
2,009
407,938
45,299
185,077
272,578
38,624
2016 (2)
117,692
13,600
67,450
17,653
216,395
2017 (1)
Cindy Payne,
TP 2016
VP of Finance (6) 2016 (2)
149,183
39,038
114,327
44,805
—
13,775
126,000
—
217,500
7,760
2,113
4,462
327,748
41,151
350,064
Dave Aichele,
VP of Business
Development
2017 (1)
TP 2016
2016 (2)
139,923
37,143
121,876
42,024
—
13,600
84,000
—
165,000
7,278
2,009
4,603
273,225
39,152
305,079
(1)
(2)
Bonus amount reflected for FY 2017 was earned during the bonus period of April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 but paid in May 2017.
Bonus amount reflected for FY 2016 was earned during the bonus period of April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 but paid in May 2016.
46
(3)
See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Report for a discussion of the assumptions made in the
valuation of stock awards.
(4)
Other compensation is presented by each executive below:
Fiscal
Year
401K
Contribution
($) (a)
Contractor
Compensation
Total ($)
Jeffrey Shealy,
CEO
Mark Boomgarden,
VP of Operations
Cindy Payne,
VP Finance
David Aichele,
VP of Business
Development
2017
TP 2016
2016
2017
TP 2016
2016
2017
TP 2016
2016
2017
TP 2016
2016
9,801
2,815
5,077
6,631
2,009
4,603
7,760
2,113
4,462
7,278
2,009
4,603
13,050
9,801
2,815
5,077
6,631
2,009
17,653
7,760
2,113
4,462
7,278
2,009
4,603
(a)
Effective June 1, 2015, we established a 401(k)-retirement savings plan, with an employer matching contribution, for all
employees. We have no other plans in place and have never maintained any other plans that provide for the payment of
retirement benefits or benefits that will be paid primarily following retirement including, but not limited to, tax qualified
deferred benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, tax-qualified deferred contribution plans and nonqualified
deferred contribution plans.
(5)
(6)
Mr. Boomgarden served as our Vice President of Operations until his resignation, effective September 15, 2017.
Ms. Payne served as our Chief Financial Officer until July 14, 2017 when she voluntarily resigned and transitioned into the position
of Vice President of Finance. Effective July 14, 2017, John T. Kurtzweil now serves as our Chief Financial Officer.
Except as indicated below under “Employment Agreements,” we have no contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements, whether written or
unwritten, that provide for payments to the named executive officers listed above.
47
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2017 Year-End
We have equity awards outstanding under three compensation plans approved by our stockholders: the 2014 Stock Plan, the 2015 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) and the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan). However, no further grants will be made under the
2014 Plan or the 2015 Plan. The following table provides information about outstanding equity awards held by our named executive
officers as of June 30, 2017.
Name
Jeffrey Shealy, CEO
Mark Boomgarden, VP of Operations (5)
Cindy Payne, VP of Finance (6)
David Aichele, VP of Business Development
Stock Awards
Grant Date
(1)
Number of shares or
units of stock that have
not vested (#)
Market value of shares
or units of stock that
have not vested ($) (2)
8/11/2016 (3)
6/16/2014 (4)
9/9/2014 (4)
10/5/2015 (3)
8/11/2016 (3)
10/5/2015 (3)
8/11/2016 (3)
10/5/2015 (3)
8/11/2016 (3)
36,000
16,204
72,918
38,000
20,000
145,000
30,000
110,000
20,000
314,640
141,623
637,303
332,120
174,800
1,267,300
262,200
961,400
174,800
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
The grant date is determined in accordance with Topic 718.
Based upon the $8.74 closing price of our Common Stock, as reported by NASDAQ on June 30, 2017, multiplied by the number of
shares that had not yet vested.
The shares granted on this date are subject to a repurchase option by the Company if the named executive officer’s employment
with the Company is terminated by the Company without cause, by the named executive officer for good reason, or upon the named
executive officer’s permanent disability. The shares will be released from the repurchase option as follows: 50% on the second
anniversary of the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date.
The shares granted on this date are subject to a repurchase option by the Company if the named executive officer’s employment
with the Company is terminated for any reason. The remaining unvested shares will be released from the repurchase option as
follows: sufficient shares such that an aggregate 75% of the original shares granted shall have vested on the third anniversary of the
grant date and the remaining 25% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.
Mr. Boomgarden served as our Vice President of Operations until his resignation, effective September 15, 2017.
Ms. Payne served as our Chief Financial Officer until July 14, 2017 when she voluntarily resigned and transitioned into the position
of Vice President of Finance. Effective July 14, 2017, John T. Kurtzweil now serves as our Chief Financial Officer.
Employment Agreements
Jeffrey B. Shealy
On June 15, 2015, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with our Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey B. Shealy. After the initial
three-year term, the agreement will be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless terminated by either party on at least
30 days’ written notice prior to the end of the then-current term. Mr. Shealy’s annual base salary was $150,000, subject to increase or
decrease annually as determined by our Board of Directors. Effective July 4, 2016 the Board increased Mr. Shealy’s salary to $154,500.
Mr. Shealy’s base salary was further increased to $163,770, effective September 11, 2017. Mr. Shealy is eligible, at the discretion of our
Board of Directors, to receive an annual cash bonus of up to 100% of his annual base salary, which may be based on us achieving certain
operational, financial or other milestones (the “Milestones”) that may be established by our Board of Directors. Mr. Shealy is entitled to
receive stock options or other equity incentive awards under the 2016 Plan as and when determined by the Board, and is entitled to receive
perquisites and other fringe benefits that may be provided to, and is eligible to participate in any other bonus or incentive program
established by us for, our executives. Mr. Shealy and his dependents are also entitled to participate in any of our employee benefit plans
subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to other employees. Mr. Shealy will be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable
travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred or paid by him in connection with, or related to, the performance of his duties,
responsibilities or services under his employment agreement, in accordance with policies and procedures, and subject to limitations,
adopted by us from time to time.
48
In the event that Mr. Shealy is terminated by us without Cause (as defined in his employment agreement) or he resigns for Good Reason (as
defined in his employment agreement) during the term of his employment, Mr. Shealy would be entitled to (x) an amount equal to his
annual base salary then in effect (payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices) for a period of 24 months
commencing on the effective date of his termination (the “Severance Period”) (in the case of termination by the executive for Good
Reason, reduced by any cash remuneration paid to him because of any other employment or self-employment during the Severance Period),
(y) if and to the extent the Milestones are achieved for the annual bonus for the year in which the Severance Period commences (or, in the
absence of Milestones, our Board of Directors has, in its sole discretion, otherwise determined an amount of Mr. Shealy’s annual bonus for
such year), an amount equal to such annual bonus pro-rated for the portion of the performance year completed before Mr. Shealy’s
employment terminated, and (z) any unvested stock options, restricted stock or similar incentive equity instruments will vest immediately.
For the duration of the Severance Period, Mr. Shealy will also be eligible to participate in our benefit plans or programs, provided Mr.
Shealy was participating in such plan or program immediately prior to the date of employment termination, to the extent permitted under
the terms of such plan or program (collectively, the “Termination Benefits”). If Mr. Shealy’s employment is terminated during the term by
us for Cause, by Mr. Shealy for any reason other than Good Reason or due to his death, then he will not be entitled to receive the
Termination Benefits, and shall only be entitled to the compensation and benefits that shall have accrued as of the date of such termination
(other than with respect to certain benefits that may be available to Mr. Shealy as a result of a Permanent Disability (as defined in his
employment agreement)).
John T. Kurtzweil
On July 14, 2017, the Board named John T. Kurtzweil as our new Chief Financial Officer who would also serve as the Company’s Chief
Accounting Officer, effective as of the same day. In connection with the election of the new Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the
Company entered into an employment agreement, dated July 14, 2017 (the “CFO Agreement”), with the Chief Financial Officer, pursuant
to which Mr. Kurtzweil will receive an annual base salary of $151,000, monthly living expenses of $1,600, three weeks of paid vacation
each year, and reimbursement of all reasonable business, promotional, travel, and entertainment expenses incurred in the performance of
his duties. In addition, Mr. Kurtzweil is also eligible to earn a target annual bonus each fiscal year equal to 70% of his annual base salary,
based on certain Company operation, financial, and other milestones set by the Board and/or its Compensation Committee. Mr. Kurtzweil is
also entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans and programs generally provided by the Company to its senior executives from
time to time. In addition, as an inducement to employment, Mr. Kurtzweil will receive a restricted stock award for 100,000 shares of
Common Stock and options for 75,000 shares of Common Stock during the Company’s next open trading window. These awards will be
granted under the 2016 Plan and will vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date, subject to Mr. Kurtzweil’s continued
employment and the terms and conditions of the 2016 Plan and the applicable award agreements.
The term of the CFO Agreement extends through July 31, 2018, and the CFO Agreement will automatically renew for successive one-year
periods unless either party gives at least 30 days written notice of non-renewal to the other party prior to the end of the then applicable
term.
49
If Mr. Kurtzweil’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Kurtzweil for “good reason” (each as defined in
the CFO Agreement), Mr. Kurtzweil will be entitled to receive: (1) continued payment of his base salary, payable in bi-weekly installments,
for 12 months; (2) his annual bonus for the preceding year, if and to the extent earned and not already paid; (3) any other compensation and
benefits accrued through the date of termination; and (4) reimbursement for one year after the date of termination for the cost of committed
living allowance expenses and any COBRA continuation of health coverage if he elects such coverage. Any unvested stock options,
restricted stock awards, or other equity awards granted by the Company to Mr. Kurtzweil will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the
terms of the applicable award agreement(s).
If Mr. Kurtzweil’s employment is terminated due to his death or “disability” (as defined in the CFO Agreement), if the Company terminates
Mr. Kurtzweil’s employment for “cause,” or if Mr. Kurtzweil voluntarily terminates his employment without “good reason,” Mr.
Kurtzweil, his designated beneficiary, or his estate, as applicable, will be entitled to receive his base salary accrued through the date of
termination. In the case of termination due to “disability” or Mr. Kurtzweil’s voluntary termination of employment, he will also be entitled
to receive his annual bonus for the preceding year, if and to the extent earned and not already paid. Any unvested stock options, restricted
stock awards, or other equity awards granted by the Company to Mr. Kurtzweil will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the
applicable award agreement(s).
Other
On June 15, 2015, the Company also entered into two-year employment agreements with each of the Vice President of Business
Development, the Vice President of Operations, and the then Chief Financial Officer. Each of these employment agreements had
substantially the same terms as that of the CEO described above. These agreements expired on June 15, 2017, and each of these officers
continue to serve in their respective positions, with the exception of Ms. Payne who now serves as Vice President of Finance, effective
upon her voluntary resignation from the Chief Financial Officer position on July 14, 2017.
Each named executive officer’s salary is subject to increase or decrease annually as determined by our Board of Directors. Effective June
15, 2017 the Board increased the salaries of Mr. Aichele, Mr. Boomgarden and Ms. Payne to $141,080, $141,080 and $150,350,
respectively. Effective September 11, 2017, Mr. Aichele’s and Ms. Payne’s base salaries were increased to $148,134 and $154,860.50,
respectively.
Change in Control Arrangements
2015 Plan
In the event of a merger or change in control of the Company, the treatment of each outstanding restricted stock award granted under the
2015 Plan will be determined by the administrator of the 2015 Plan, including whether each such award will be assumed or an equivalent
option or right substituted by the successor corporation. The administrator will not be required to treat all awards similarly in the
transaction. In the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute the awards, all restrictions on the awards will lapse.
2016 Plan
Under the terms of the 2016 Plan, the following provisions will apply to the restricted stock awards granted under the 2016 Plan in the
event of a change of control (except to the extent, if any, otherwise required under Code Section 409A):
● To the extent that the successor or surviving company in the change of control event does not assume or substitute for an award
(or in which the Company is the ultimate parent corporation and does not continue the award) on substantially similar terms or
with substantially equivalent economic benefits as awards outstanding under the 2016 Plan (as determined by the administrator
of the 2016 Plan), any restrictions will be deemed to have been met, and such awards will become fully vested, earned and
payable to the fullest extent of the original grant of the applicable award.
50
● In addition, in the event that an award is substituted, assumed or continued, the award will become vested in full and any
restrictions will be deemed to have been met and such awards will become fully vested, earned and payable to the fullest extent
of the original award, if the employment or service of the participant is terminated within two years after the effective date of a
change of control if such termination of employment or service (i) is by the Company without cause or (ii) is by the participant
for good reason.
● Further, if a named executive officer has entered into an employment agreement or other similar arrangement as of the effective
date of the 2016 Plan, the officer is entitled to the greater of the benefits provided upon a change of control of the Company
under the 2016 Plan or the respective employment agreement or other similar arrangement as in effect on the 2016 Plan’s
effective date, and such employment agreement or other similar arrangement will not be construed to reduce in any way the
benefits otherwise provided to the officer upon a change of control as defined in the 2016 Plan.
Director Compensation
We do not have a formal director compensation program, and our directors have historically received compensation at the discretion of the
Board in the form of equity awards granted under the 2015 Plan and the 2016 Plan. We also reimburse our directors for reasonable out-of-
pocket expenses related to their role on our Board. We intend for our director compensation to align the interests of our non-employee
directors with the interests of our stockholders and plan to implement a formal director compensation program for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2018.
The table below summarizes all compensation received by each of the Company’s non-employee directors for services as a director
performed during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.
Name
Arthur E. Geiss (1)(2)
Jerry D. Neal (1)
Steven P. DenBaars (1)
Jeffrey K. McMahon (1)
John Kurtzweil (3)
Stock
awards
($)(1)
All other
compensation
($)
Total
($)
92,400
16,995
109,395
92,400
—
92,400
92,400
—
92,400
92,400
—
92,400
126,500
—
126,500
(1)
(2)
(3)
Messrs. Geiss, Neal, DenBaars and McMahon each received a restricted stock grant under the 2015 Plan for 22,000 shares of
Common Stock for Board service on August 11, 2016, with 50% of such shares scheduled to vest on the second anniversary of the
grant date and 25% of such shares to vest on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant dates. Valuation is based on the
closing bid price of $4.20 on the grant date.
Mr. Geiss received $15,195 in compensation for consulting services provided by his consulting firm, AEG Consulting, for the year
ended June 30, 2017.
Mr. Kurtzweil received a restricted stock grant under the 2016 Plan for 22,000 shares of common stock for Board service effective
January 25, 2017, with 25% of such shares scheduled to vest on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. The grant is
valued at the closing bid price of $5.65 on the grant date. Mr. Kurtzweil resigned from the Board of Directors on July 14, 2017 in
connection with his transition to the role of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. His restricted stock award will continue to vest
on schedule.
51
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect
to securities. In accordance with SEC rules, shares of our Common Stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options or warrants
that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days after September 8, 2017 (the “Determination Date”) are deemed
beneficially owned by the holders of such options and warrants and are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of
ownership of such person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any other person.
Subject to community property laws, where applicable, the persons or entities named in the tables below have sole voting and investment
power with respect to all shares of our Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by them.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of the Determination Date by
(i) each stockholder known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Common Stock (our only class of voting securities),
(ii) each of our directors and executive officers, and (iii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. To our knowledge, none of
the shares listed below are held under a voting trust or similar agreement, except as noted.
Name and address of beneficial owner
Jeffrey B. Shealy, Chief Executive Officer, Director (4)
David M. Aichele, Vice President of Business Development (5)
Mark Boomgarden, Vice President of Operations (6)
Cindy C. Payne, VP Finance(7)
Steven P. DenBaars, Director(8)(9)
Arthur E. Geiss, Director, Co-Chairman of the Board(8)(10)
Jeffrey K. McMahon, Director(8) (11)
Jerry D. Neal, Director, Co-Chairman of the Board(8) (11)
John T. Kurtzweil, Chief Financial Officer (12)
Suzanne Rudy, Director
Steven Miller, Director
All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)(13)
Mark Tompkins
App 1, Via Guidino 23
Lugano 6900, Switzerland
*Less than 1%
Amount and
nature of
beneficial
ownership (1)
(2)
Percent of
class (3)
3,300,725
134,250
178,441
184,375
285,858
76,306
551,888
367,000
22,000
30,000
50,000
5,180,843
17.3%
*
*
1.0%
1.5%
*
2.9%
1.9%
*
*
*
27.12%
2,349,906
12.3%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated in the table, the address for each person named in the table is c/o Akoustis Technologies, Inc., 9805
Northcross Center Court, Suite H, Huntersville, NC 28078.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated in the table, the shares are held directly by the beneficial owner.
(3) Applicable percentage ownership is based on 19,084,583 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Determination Date, together
with securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock within 60 days after the Determination Date, for each
shareholder.
52
(4)
Includes 36,000 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(5)
Includes 130,000 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(6)
Includes 123,626 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option. Mr. Boomgarden resigned from the Company, effective
September 15, 2017.
(7)
Includes 175,000 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(8)
Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options.
(9)
Includes 38,204 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(10)
Includes 30,914 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(11)
Includes 22,000 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(12)
Includes 22,000 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option.
(13)
Includes 599,744 restricted shares that are subject to a repurchase option
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
SEC rules require us to disclose any transaction or currently proposed transaction in which the Company is a participant and in which any
related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest involving the lesser of $120,000.00 or one percent (1%) of the average
of the Company’s total assets as of the end of last two completed fiscal years. A related person is any executive officer, director, nominee
for director, or holder of 5% or more of the Company’s Common Stock, or an immediate family member of any of those persons. Set forth
below is a description of such related-party transactions that occurred during the transition period.
Certain of our directors and officers participated in the 2016-2017 Offering. Specifically:
●
●
●
●
●
Our CEO, Jeffrey Shealy, purchased 20,000 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000 in the 2016-2017
Offering.
Mark Boomgarden, our Vice President of Operations (until his resignation, effective September 15, 2017), purchased 2,000 shares
of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000 in the 2016-2017 Offering.
Jerry Neal, one of our directors and Co-Chairman of our Board of Directors, purchased 200,000 shares of Common Stock for an
aggregate purchase price of $1,000,000 in the 2016-2017 Offering.
Arthur Geiss, one of our directors and Co-Chairman of our Board of Directors, purchased 2,000 shares of Common Stock for an
aggregate purchase price of $10,000 in the 2016-2017 Offering.
Rohan Houlden, our Divisional Vice President of Product Engineering, purchased 20,000 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $100,000 in the 2016-2017 Offering.
In addition, James R. Shealy, brother of our Chief Executive Officer, purchased 14,000 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase
price of $70,000 in the 2016-2017 Offering. Michael J. Shealy, a second brother of our Chief Executive Officer, purchased 20,000 shares
of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $100,000 in the 2016-2017 Offering.
AEG Consulting, a firm owned and operated by Arthur Geiss, Co-Chairman of the Board, received $15,195 for consulting fees for the year
ended June 30, 2017.
53
Steve Miller, one of our directors, served as a Board Advisor to the Board from January 2017 through June 2017, prior to joining the Board
in July 2017. In connection with his service as a Board Advisor, the Board has approved a restricted stock award for 11,000 shares of
Common Stock to be granted to Mr. Miller during the next open trading window.
The Board of Directors considered the above transactions in reaching its determination regarding the independence of our directors, See
“Director Independence” under “Item 10-Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.”
54
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Fees
The aggregate fees billed to us by Marcum LLP, our independent registered principal accounting firm, for services rendered for (i) the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2017; (ii) the transition period from April 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016; and (iii) our prior fiscal year ended March
31, 2016 are set forth in the table below:
Fee Category
Audit fees (2)
Audit-related fees (3)
Tax fees (4)
All other fees
Total fees
Fiscal Year
ended June 30,
2017
Transition Period
ended June 30,
2016(1)
Fiscal year
ended March 31,
2016
$
121,495 $
40,757
10,341
—
65,611 $
13,692
16,276
—
109,458
26,583
34,037
—
$
172,593 $
95,579 $
170,078
(1)
Fees included in the Transition period ended June 30, 2016 include the fees for the audit of the three-month transition period as well as
the audit of the year ended June 30, 2016.
(2) Audit fees consist of fees incurred for professional services rendered for the audit of consolidated financial statements, for reviews of
our interim consolidated financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and for services that are normally
provided in connection with statutory or regulatory filings or engagements.
(3)
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, audit-related fees are related to the review of the selling stockholder registration statement
related to the 2016-2017 Offering and 2017 Offering and review of the registration statement on Form S-8 for the 2016 Plan. For our
prior fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, audit-related fees are related to the review of the selling stockholder registration statement
related to a private placement in 2015 and review of the Form 8-K filing associated with our May 2015 merger.
(4)
Tax fees consist of fees billed for tax return preparation.
Pre-Approval Practice
The Board established an Audit Committee in February 2017. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include establishing policies and
procedures for the review and pre-approval by the Audit Committee of, and approving or pre-approving, all auditing services and
permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, and any non-audit services to be
performed by any other accounting firm. Our Audit Committee has adopted procedures for the pre-approval of services to be performed by
the independent public accountants. Pursuant to this pre-approval policy, the Audit Committee considers, at least annually, and approves
the terms of the audit engagement. At each regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting, the committee members review both a report
summarizing the services, provided or anticipated to be provided by the auditor and the related fees and costs, and a listing of newly
requested services subject to pre-approval since its last regularly scheduled meeting. Any proposed engagement relating to permissible non-
audit services must be presented to the Audit Committee and pre-approved on a case-by-case basis, prior to the performance of the auditor.
In addition, particular categories of permissible non-audit services that are recurring may be pre-approved by the Audit Committee subject
to preset fee limits. The Audit Committee reviews requests for the provision of audit and non-audit services by the Company’s independent
public accountants and determines if they should be approved. Such requests could be approved either at a meeting of the Audit Committee
or upon approval by an independent director, if such responsibility has been delegated by the Audit Committee and if approval is needed
between Audit Committee meetings. Any such interim approvals must be reported to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
Prior to approving any services, the Audit Committee considers whether the provision of such services is consistent with the SEC’s and the
PCAOB’s rules on auditor independence and is compatible with maintaining the independence of the Company’s public accountants.
55
All fees related to audit, audit-related, tax, and other permitted non-audit services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or the Board
of Directors if prior to the establishment of the Audit Committee).
56
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statement Schedules
PART IV
The consolidated financial statements of Akoustis Technologies, Inc., and its subsidiaries are listed on the Index to Financial Statements on
this annual report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.
All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
57
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Dated: September 19, 2017
AKOUSTIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:
/s/ Jeffrey B. Shealy
Jeffrey B. Shealy
President and Chief Executive Officer
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Jeffrey B. Shealy
Jeffrey B. Shealy
/s/ John T. Kurtzweil
John T. Kurtzweil
/s/ Arthur E. Geiss
Arthur E. Geiss
/s/ Jerry D. Neal
Jerry D. Neal
/s/ Steven P. DenBaars
Steven P. DenBaars
/s/ Jeffrey K. McMahon
Jeffrey K. McMahon
/s/ Steven P. Miller
Steven P. Miller
/s/ Suzanne B. Rudy
Suzanne B. Rudy
Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer), Director
September 19, 2017
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting
Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
September 19, 2017
Co-Chairman of the Board
September 19, 2017
Co-Chairman of the Board
September 19, 2017
Director
Director
Director
Director
58
September 19, 2017
September 19, 2017
September 19, 2017
September 19, 2017
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
Page
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Akoustis Technologies, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Akoustis Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of
June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years
then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Akoustis Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries, as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows
for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As
discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has not generated any revenue, and has incurred losses since
inception. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans
regarding these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result
from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/Marcum llp
Marcum llp
New York, NY
September 19, 2017
F-2
Akoustis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangibles, net
Other assets
Total Assets
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Deferred revenue
Total current liabilities
Long-term Liabilities:
Contingent real estate liability
Derivative liabilities
Total long-term liabilities
Total Liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001: 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 45,000,000 shares authorized; 19,075,050 and 15,375,981 shares
issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively
Additional paid in capital
Accumulated deficit
Total Stockholders' Equity
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
June 30,
2017
June 30,
2016
$
9,631,520 $
188,476
158,457
42,808
10,021,261
4,155,444
43,544
54,818
—
4,253,806
7,853,814
206,985
206,527
71,233
10,715
$ 18,092,317 $
10,715
4,542,739
$
1,336,368 $
14,500
1,350,868
543,646
—
543,646
1,730,542
—
1,730,542
—
1,322,729
1,322,729
3,081,410
1,866,375
—
—
19,075
30,774,885
(15,783,053)
15,010,907
$ 18,092,317 $
15,376
9,335,801
(6,674,813)
2,676,364
4,542,739
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-3
Akoustis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Year
Ended
June 30, 2017
For the Year
Ended
June 30, 2016
Contract research and government grants
$
469,532 $
254,834
Revenue
Total revenue
Operating expenses
Research and development
General and administrative expenses
Total operating expenses
Loss from operations
Other income (expense)
Other income
Interest income
Bargain purchase
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
Total other income (expense)
Net loss
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted
16,964
—
486,496
254,834
4,425,778
6,019,285
10,445,063
1,758,701
2,935,299
4,694,000
(9,958,567)
(4,439,166)
—
1,936
1,725,881
(877,490)
850,327
(9,108,240) $
500
1,339
(968,840)
(967,001)
(5,406,167)
(0.54) $
(0.40)
$
$
Weighted average common shares outstanding -basic and diluted
16,990,536
13,349,482
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-4
Akoustis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the Years Ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016
Common Stock
Additional
Accumulated
Shares
Amount
Paid In
Capital
Deficit
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance, July 1, 2015
12,469,084 $
12,469 $
5,441,260 $
(1,268,646) $
4,185,083
Common stock issued for cash, net
of issuance costs
2,240,000
2,240
3,330,343
Warrants issued to underwriter
—
—
(165,719)
Common stock issued for services
660,231
660
702,950
Common stock issued for exercise
of warrants
Transfer of warrants from liability
to equity classification
Net loss
6,666
7
9,993
—
—
—
—
16,974
—
(5,406,167)
(5,406,167)
Balance, June 30, 2016
15,375,981 $
15,376 $
9,335,801 $
(6,674,813) $
2,676,364
Common stock issued for cash, net
of issuance costs
2,805,000
2,805
15,381,966
Warrants issued to underwriter
—
—
(991,767)
Common stock issued for services
783,000
783
4,242,314
Common stock issued for exercise
of warrants
111,069
Vesting of restricted shares
Transfer of warrants from liability
to equity classification
Net loss
—
—
—
111
—
—
—
171,649
434,703
2,200,219
Balance, June 30, 2017
19,075,050 $
19,075 $
30,774,885 $ (15,783,053) $
15,010,907
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5
—
(9,108,240)
(9,108,240)
—
—
—
—
—
3,332,583
(165,719)
703,610
10,000
16,974
—
—
—
—
—
—
15,384,771
(991,767)
4,243,097
171,760
434,703
2,200,219
Akoustis Technologies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
Amortization of intangibles
Share-based compensation
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities
Bargain purchase
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
Other current asset
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Deferred revenue
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid for machinery and equipment
Cash paid for acquisition of STC-MEMS
Cash paid for intangibles
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Proceeds from exercise of warrants
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash
Cash - Beginning of Period
Cash - End of Period
SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash Paid During the Period for:
Income taxes
Interest
SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Stock compensation payable
Warrants issued for stock issuance costs
Reclassification of derivative liability to additional paid in capital
Contingent liability
For the Year
Ended
June 30, 2017
For the Year
Ended
June 30, 2016
$
(9,108,240) $
(5,406,167)
102,876
7,208
3,906,111
877,490
(1,725,881)
(48,883)
(103,639)
(42,808)
572,644
14,500
(5,548,622)
(1,625,055)
(2,846,049)
(60,729)
(4,531,833)
34,828
3,339
849,625
968,840
—
(43,544)
4,994
—
275,116
—
(3,312,969)
(160,172)
—
(43,495)
(203,667)
15,384,771
171,760
15,556,531
3,332,584
10,000
3,342,584
5,476,076
(174,052)
4,155,444
4,329,496
$
9,631,520 $
4,155,444
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
—
—
654,781 $
991,767 $
2,200,219 $
1,730,542 $
146,016
165,719
—
—
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-6
Note 1. Organization
AKOUSTIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (formerly known as Danlax, Corp.) (“the Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada,
U.S. on April 10, 2013. Effective December 15, 2016, the Company changed its state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State
of Delaware. Through its subsidiaries, Akoustis, Inc. and Akoustis Manufacturing New York, Inc. (each a Delaware corporation), the
Company, headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, is focused on developing, designing and manufacturing innovative radio
frequency filter products for the mobile wireless device industry. The mission of the Company is to commercialize and manufacture its
patented BulkONE® acoustic wave technology to address the critical frequency-selectivity requirements in today’s mobile smartphones -
improving the efficiency and signal quality of mobile wireless devices and enabling the Internet of Things.
On August 11, 2016, the Company changed its fiscal year from the period beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31 of each year to the
period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of each year, effective for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.
On March 10, 2017, the Company announced that its common stock was approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market, effective
March 13, 2017, under the symbol AKTS.
Acquisition of Assets
On June 26, 2017, pursuant to a Definitive Asset Purchase Agreement and Definitive Real Property Purchase Agreement (collectively, the
“Agreements”) with The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (“RF-SUNY”) and Fuller Road Management
Corporation (“FRMC”), an affiliate of RF-SUNY, respectively, the Company completed the acquisition of certain specified assets,
including STC-MEMS, a semiconductor wafer-manufacturing operation and microelectromechanical systems (“MEMS”) business with
associated wafer-manufacturing tools, as well as the real estate and improvements associated with the facility located in Canandaigua, New
York, which is used in the operation of STC-MEMS (the assets and real estate and improvements referred to together herein as the “STC-
MEMS Business”), which was created in 2010 by RF-SUNY as an economic development project. The purpose of the initiative was to
explore different technology opportunities with the goal of being a vertically integrated provider of foundry services that would offer its
customers the capacity, infrastructure and operational capabilities of semiconductor and advanced manufacturing for aerospace,
biomedical, communications, defense, and energy markets. Post-acquisition date, the Company also agreed to assume substantially all the
on-going obligations of STC incurred in the ordinary course of business including with respect to the 29 employees employed by RF-
SUNY.
The Company acquired the STC-MEMS Business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Akoustis Manufacturing New York, Inc.,
(“Akoustis NY”), a Delaware corporation.
See Note 4 for a detailed description of the transaction.
F-7
The 2016-2017 Offering
The Company sold a total of 2,142,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) in a private
placement offering (the “2016-2017 Offering”) at a fixed purchase price of $5.00 per share (the “2016-2017 Offering Price”), with closings
in each of November and December 2016 and January and February 2017. The Company also sold a total of 663,000 shares of Common
Stock in a private placement offering (the “2017 Offering” and together with the 2016-2017 Offering, the “Offerings”) at a fixed purchase
price of $9.00 per share (the “2017 Offering Price”), with closings in May 2017. Aggregate gross proceeds from the Offerings totaled $16.7
million before deducting commissions and expenses of approximately $1.3 million. In connection with the 2016-2017 Offering, the
Company also issued to the placement agents warrants to purchase an aggregate 205,126 shares of Common Stock with a term of five years
and an exercise price of $5.00 per share, and in connection with the 2017 Offering, the Company issued to the placement agents warrants to
purchase an aggregate 46,410 shares of Common Stock with a term of five years and an exercise price of $9.00 per share. In accordance
with the terms of the subscription agreements executed by the Company and each of the investors, if the Company issues additional shares
of Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents (subject to customary exceptions, including but not limited to issuances of awards under
Company employee stock incentive programs and certain issuances in connection with credit arrangements, equipment financings, lease
arrangements, or similar transactions) between November 25, 2016 and September 4, 2017 (with respect to the 2016-2017 Offering), or
between May 1, 2017 and May 1, 2019 (with respect to the 2017 Offering), for a consideration per share less than the 2016-2017 Offering
Price or the 2017 Offering Price, as applicable (as adjusted for any subsequent stock dividend, stock split, distribution, recapitalization,
reclassification, reorganization, or similar event) (the “Lower Price”), each investor will be entitled to receive from the Company additional
shares of Common Stock in an amount such that, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock initially purchased by such
investor, will equal the number of shares of Common Stock that such Investor’s investment in the applicable offering would have
purchased at the Lower Price.
The March 2016 and April 2016 Offerings
On March 10, 2016, the Company held a closing of a private placement offering (the “March 2016 Offering”) in which it sold 494,125
shares of Common Stock at a fixed purchase price of $1.60 per share (the “2016 Offering Price”), for aggregate gross proceeds of $790,600
(before deducting legal expenses of $20,913 for the March 2016 Offering).
On April 14, 2016, the Company held closings of a private placement offering (the “April 2016 Offering”) in which the Company sold
1,741,185 shares of Common Stock at a fixed purchase price of $1.60 per share (the “2016 Offering Price”), for aggregate gross proceeds
of $2,785,896 (before deducting expenses of $223,000 for legal services and agent commissions of the April 2016 Offering).
Investors in the shares were given anti-dilution protection with respect to the shares of Common Stock sold in the April 2016 Offering such
that if, during the period from the closing of the April 2016 Offering until 90 days after the date on which the registration statement that the
Company is required to file under a Registration Rights Agreement with the investors is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall
issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock equivalents (subject to customary exceptions, including but not limited to
issuances of awards under the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and certain issuances of securities in connection with credit
arrangements, equipment financings, lease arrangements or similar transactions) for a consideration per share less than the 2016 Offering
Price (as adjusted for any subsequent stock dividend, stock split, distribution, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization or similar
event) (the “2016 Lower Price”), each such investor will be entitled to receive from the Company additional shares of Common Stock in an
amount such that, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock initially purchased by such investor, will equal the number of
shares of Common Stock that such investor’s Offering subscription amount would have purchased at the 2016 Lower Price. As of mid-
October 2016, the anti-dilution rights expired.
In connection with the April 2016 Offering, the Company agreed to pay the placement agents a cash commission of 8% of the gross
proceeds raised from investors first contacted by the placement agents in the 2016 Offering. In addition, the placement agents received
warrants to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 10% of the number of shares of Common Stock sold in the April 2016
Offering, with a term of five (5) years and an exercise price of $1.60 per share (the “2016 Placement Agent Warrants”). Any sub-agent of
the placement agents that introduced investors to the 2016 April Offering was entitled to share in the cash fees and warrants attributable to
those investors as described above.
F-8
Note 2. Going Concern and Management Plans
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had working
capital of $8.7 million and an accumulated deficit of $15.8 million. Since inception, the Company has recorded approximately $892,000 of
revenue from contract research and government grants. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.6 million
which the Company believes is sufficient to fund its current operations through December 2017. As a result, we will need to obtain
additional capital through the sale of additional equity securities, debt and additional grants, or otherwise, to fund operations past that date.
The Company is actively managing and controlling the Company’s cash outflows to mitigate these risks, these matters raise substantial
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments
relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the
Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company had $6.7 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand as of September
8, 2017 to fund its business.
There is no assurance that the Company’s projections and estimates are accurate. The Company’s primary sources of funds for operations
since inception have been private equity, note financings and grants. The Company needs to obtain additional capital to accomplish its
business plan objectives and will continue its efforts to secure additional funds through issuance of debt or equity instruments and/or
receipts of grants as appropriate. However, the amount of funds raised, if any, may not be sufficient to enable the Company to attain
profitable operations. To the extent that the Company is unsuccessful in obtaining additional financing, the Company may need to curtail or
cease its operations and implement a plan to extend payables or reduce overhead until sufficient additional capital is raised to support
further operations. There can be no assurance that such a plan will be successful.
Note 3. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Akoustis,
Inc. and Akoustis Manufacturing New York, Inc. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Use of estimates and assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date(s) of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period(s).
Critical accounting estimates are estimates for which (a) the nature of the estimate is material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment
necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change and (b) the impact of the estimate on
financial condition or operating performance is material. The Company’s critical accounting estimates and assumptions affecting the
financial statements were:
(1) Fair value of long–lived assets: Fair value is generally determined using the asset’s expected future discounted cash flows or
market value, if readily determinable. If long–lived assets are determined to be recoverable, but the newly determined
remaining estimated useful lives are shorter than originally estimated, the net book values of the long–lived assets are
depreciated over the newly determined remaining estimated useful lives. The Company considers the following to be some
examples of important indicators that may trigger an impairment review: (i) significant under–performance or losses of assets
relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (ii) significant changes in the manner or use of assets or in
the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the manner or use of the acquired assets or changes in the Company’s overall
business strategy; (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends; (iv) increased competitive pressures; (v) a significant
decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time; and (vi) regulatory changes. The Company evaluates
acquired assets for potential impairment indicators at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of such events.
F-9
(2) Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets: Management assumes that the realization of the Company’s net deferred tax assets
resulting from its net operating loss (“NOL”) carry–forwards for Federal income tax purposes that may be offset against future
taxable income was not considered more likely than not and accordingly, the potential tax benefits of the NOL carry–forwards
are offset by a full valuation allowance. Management made this assumption based on (a) the Company’s incurrence of losses,
(b) general economic conditions, and (c) other factors.
(3) Estimates and assumptions used in valuation of equity instruments: Management estimates expected term of share options and
similar instruments, expected volatility of the Company’s common shares and the method used to estimate it, expected annual
rate of quarterly dividends, and risk-free rate(s) to value share options and similar instruments.
(4) Estimates and assumptions used in valuation of derivative liability: Management utilizes a binomial option pricing model to
estimate the fair value of derivative liabilities. The model includes subjective assumptions that can materially affect the fair
value estimates.
(5) Estimates and assumptions used in business combinations: The accounting for business combinations requires estimates and
judgments as to expectations for future cash flows of the acquired business, and the allocation of those cash flows to
identifiable intangible assets, in determining the estimated fair value for assets and liabilities acquired. The fair
value measurement is highly sensitive to significant changes in the unobservable inputs and significant increases (decreases) in
discount rate or decreases (increases) in price/earnings multiples would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair
value measurement. The fair values assigned to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on
management’s estimates and assumptions, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. If
the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these estimates, the amounts recorded in the financial
statements could result in a possible impairment of the acquired assets.
These significant accounting estimates or assumptions bear the risk of change due to the fact that there are uncertainties attached to these
estimates or assumptions, and certain estimates or assumptions are difficult to measure or value.
Management bases its estimates on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable in relation to the financial statements taken as a
whole under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities
that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash
equivalents. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash deposits.
The Company maintains its cash in institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). At times, the Company’s
cash and cash equivalent balances may be uninsured or in amounts that exceed the FDIC insurance limits; as of June 30, 2017
approximately $9.4 million was uninsured.
F-10
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) valuation method. Inventory was comprised of the
following at June 30, 2017 and 2016:
Finished goods held for resale
Raw materials
Property and equipment, net
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2016
$
$
49,374 $
139,102
188,476 $
43,544
—
43,544
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight–line method on the
various asset classes over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to ten years. Expenditures for major renewals
and betterments that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, which do
not extend the economic useful life of the related assets, are charged to operations as incurred.
Intangible assets, net
Intangible assets consist of patents and trademarks. Applicable long–lived assets are amortized or depreciated over the shorter of their
estimated useful lives, the estimated period that the assets will generate revenue, or the statutory or contractual term in the case of patents.
Estimates of useful lives and periods of expected revenue generation are reviewed periodically for appropriateness and are based upon
management’s judgment. Patents are amortized on the straight-line method over their useful lives of 15 years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, when there are indications that the
assets might be impaired. When evaluating assets for potential impairment, the Company compares the carrying value of the asset to its
estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If an asset’s carrying value exceeds such estimated undiscounted cash flows, the Company
records an impairment charge for the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and its fair value.
Based on its assessments, the Company did not record any impairment charges for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these
instruments.
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820, “ Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements.
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the
principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement
date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the
use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
F-11
Fair value measurements are categorized using a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure fair value, which prioritize
the inputs into three broad levels:
Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in
which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable
as of the reported date, and include those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies.
Level 3 - Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with
internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
Derivative Liability
The Company evaluates its options, warrants or other contracts, if any, to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those
contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for in accordance with paragraph 815-10-05-4 and Section 815-40-25 of the
FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the embedded derivative is
marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as either an asset or a liability. The change in fair value is recorded in the
consolidated statement of operations as other income or expense. Upon conversion, exercise or cancellation of a derivative instrument, the
instrument is marked to fair value at the date of conversion, exercise or cancellation and then the related fair value is reclassified to equity.
In circumstances where the embedded conversion option in a convertible instrument is required to be bifurcated and there are also other
embedded derivative instruments in the convertible instrument that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are
accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.
The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed
at the end of each reporting period. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification are
reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Derivative instrument liabilities will be classified in
the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument is expected within 12
months of the balance sheet date.
The Company adopted Section 815-40-15 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Section 815-40-15”) to determine whether an
instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to the Company’s own stock. Section 815-40-15 provides that an entity should use a two-
step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including
evaluating the instrument’s contingent exercise and settlement provisions.
The Company utilizes a binomial option pricing model to compute the fair value of the derivative and to mark to market the fair value of
the derivative at each balance sheet date. The Company records the change in the fair value of the derivative as other income or expense in
the consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition
Change in Accounting Policy for Revenue Recognition
Effective October 1, 2016, the Company changed its accounting policy for the recognition of grant revenue. The Company believes this
change in accounting policy is preferable due to the fact that grant revenue is viewed as an ongoing function of its intended operations. This
change in accounting policy also enhances the comparability of the Company’s financial statements with many of its industry peers. The
adoption of this accounting policy change has been applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-
K and has had no impact on net loss per share.
F-12
Contract Research and Government Grants
The Company may generate revenue from product sales, license agreements, collaborative research and development arrangements, and
government grants. To date the Company’s principal source of revenue consists of government research grants. The Company recognizes
nonrefundable grant revenue when it is received and reports this revenue as “Contract research and government grants” on the condensed
consolidated statements of operations. Contracts executed and monies received prior to the recognition of revenue are recorded as deferred
revenue.
Engineering Review Services
The Company records Engineering Review Services revenue (“ERS”) which is for providing one time design and development services
whereby the Company’s R&D personnel deliver simulations/models and demonstration units (low volume) for evaluation by the customers.
The Company recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the service has been provided to the customer, the
amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable, and the collection of fees is reasonably assured. Total ERS revenue to
date is approximately $14,500.
Revenue Recognition for Facility Rental Income
Effective June 26, 2017, the Company records rental income for the tenants at the Company’s NY fabrication facility. The Company
recognizes rental income in the period the rental services are delivered to the lessee; rent is received on a monthly, straight-line basis.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred.
Equity–based compensation
The Company recognizes compensation expense for all equity–based payments in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock
Compensation”. Under fair value recognition provisions, the Company recognizes equity–based compensation net of an estimated
forfeiture rate and recognizes compensation cost only for those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award.
Restricted stock awards are granted at the discretion of the Company. These awards are restricted as to the transfer of ownership and
generally vest over the requisite service periods, typically over a four-year period (generally vesting either ratably over the first four years
or on a tier basis of 50% on the second anniversary of the effective date and 25% on the third and fourth anniversary dates). The fair value
of a stock award is equal to the fair market value of a share of Company stock on the grant date.
The fair value of an option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option valuation model. The Black–Scholes
option valuation model requires the development of assumptions that are inputs into the model. These assumptions are the value of the
underlying share, the expected stock volatility, the risk–free interest rate, the expected life of the option, the dividend yield on the
underlying stock and the expected forfeiture rate. Expected volatility is benchmarked against similar companies in a similar industry over
the expected option life and other appropriate factors. Risk–free interest rates are calculated based on continuously compounded risk–free
rates for the appropriate term. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero as the Company has never paid or declared any cash dividends on
its Common stock and does not intend to pay dividends on its Common stock in the foreseeable future. The expected forfeiture rate is
estimated based on management’s best estimate.
F-13
Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards requires the input of the
subjective assumptions described above. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of equity–based payment awards represent
management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. As a result, if factors
change and the Company uses different assumptions, equity–based compensation could be materially different in the future. In addition, the
Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest. If the
Company’s actual forfeiture rate is materially different from its estimate, the equity–based compensation could be significantly different
from what the Company has recorded in the current period.
The Company accounts for share–based payments granted to non–employees in accordance with ASC 505-40, “Equity Based Payments to
Non–Employees”. The Company determines the fair value of the stock–based payment as either the fair value of the consideration received
or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. If the fair value of the equity instruments issued
is used, it is measured using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of either (1) the date at which a
commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, or (2) the date at which the counterparty’s
performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instruments is re-measured each reporting period over the requisite service period.
Income taxes
The Company applies the elements of ASC 740–10 “Income Taxes” regarding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. This clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements and requires the impact of a tax position to be recognized in
the financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained by the taxing authority. As of March 31, 2017, no liability
for unrecognized tax benefits was required to be reported. The Company does not expect that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will
significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to tax
matters in the income tax provision on the Statement of Operations. There was no interest and penalties for the years ended June 30, 2017
and 2016.
Deferred taxes are computed based on the tax liability or benefit in future years of the reversal of temporary differences in the recognition
of income or deduction of expenses between financial and tax reporting purposes. The net difference, if any, between the provision for
taxes and taxes currently payable is reflected in the balance sheet as deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and/or liabilities, if any, are
classified as current and non–current based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes, or based on
the expected reversal date for deferred taxes that are not related to an asset or liability. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce
deferred tax assets to that amount which is more likely than not to be realized.
Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of
common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is determined using the weighted-average number of
common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents. In periods when losses are
reported, which is the case for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 presented in these consolidated financial statements, the weighted-
average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
The Company had the following common stock equivalents at June 30, 2017 and 2016:
Options
Warrants
Totals
June 30, 2017
160,000
612,165
772,165
June 30, 2016
160,000
471,697
631,697
F-14
Shares Outstanding
Shares outstanding include shares of restricted stock with respect to which restrictions have not lapsed. Restricted stock included in
reportable shares outstanding was 1,646,965 shares and 1,361,055 shares as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Shares of restricted
stock are included in the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding.
Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. The reclassifications did not have an impact
on net loss as previously reported.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11
“Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (“ASU 2015-11”). The amendments in this Update do not apply to
inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory,
which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. An entity should measure inventory within the
scope of this update at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course
of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for
inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating
the effects of ASU 2015-11 on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “ Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which will require entities to
present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies the current guidance,
which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance
sheet. The ASU may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting
periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted as of the
beginning of an interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of ASU 2015-17 on the consolidated financial
statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “ Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement
of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The update addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and
disclosure of financial instruments. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted only for certain portions of the ASU
related to financial liabilities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of this new standard on the consolidated
financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “ Leases” (Topic 842). The FASB issued this update to increase transparency and
comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information
about leasing arrangements. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim
periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the update is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new
standard.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “ Compensation – Stock Compensation” (Topic 718). The FASB issued this update to
improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their
employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (a) income tax
consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. The updated
guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early
adoption of the update is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard.
F-15
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and
Licensing (Topic 606)”. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus
Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross verses Net) (Topic 606)”. These amendments provide additional clarification and
implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The amendments in ASU
2016-10 provide clarifying guidance on materiality of performance obligations; evaluating distinct performance obligations; treatment of
shipping and handling costs; and determining whether an entity’s promise to grant a license provides a customer with either a right to use an
entity’s intellectual property or a right to access an entity’s intellectual property. The amendments in ASU 2016-08 clarify how an entity
should identify the specified good or service for the principal versus agent evaluation and how it should apply the control principle to
certain types of arrangements. The adoption of ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-08 is to coincide with an entity’s adoption of ASU 2014-09,
which the Company intends to adopt for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is in the
process of evaluating the standard and does not expect the adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements and
disclosures.
In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements
and Practical Expedients”, which narrowly amended the revenue recognition guidance regarding collectability, noncash consideration,
presentation of sales tax and transition and is effective during the same period as ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the
standard and does not expect the adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “ Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” . This update provides
guidance on how to record eight specific cash flow issues. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted and a retrospective transition method to each period should be
presented. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this update on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)”, requiring that the statement of cash flows
explain the change in the total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This
guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption
permitted. The provisions of this guidance are to be applied using a retrospective approach which requires application of the guidance for
all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “ Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting,”
which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply
modification accounting in Topic 718. This standard is required to be adopted in the first quarter of 2018. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, “ Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) and
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; II. Replacement of the
Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception”. Part I of this update addresses the complexity of accounting for certain
financial instruments with down round features. Down round features are features of certain equity-linked instruments (or embedded
features) that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of the pricing of future equity offerings. Current accounting guidance
creates cost and complexity for entities that issue financial instruments (such as warrants and convertible instruments) with down round
features that require fair value measurement of the entire instrument or conversion option. Part II of this update addresses the difficulty of
navigating Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, because of the existence of extensive pending content in the FASB
Accounting Standards Codification. This pending content is the result of the indefinite deferral of accounting requirements about
mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of certain nonpublic entities and certain mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.
The amendments in Part II of this update do not have an accounting effect. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within
those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2017-11 will have on its financial
statements and related disclosures.
F-16
Note 4. Acquisition of STC-MEMS
Acquisition of STC-MEMS
On March 23, 2017, the Company entered into the Agreements with RF-SUNY, a New York State education corporation, on behalf of The
State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, and FRMC, an affiliate of RF-SUNY to acquire the STC-MEMS Business. The
acquisition will allow the Company to internalize manufacturing, increase capacity and control its wafer supply chain for single crystal
BAW RF filters. Akoustis will utilize the NY Facility to consolidate all aspects of wafer manufacturing for its high-band RF filters.
Smart Systems Technology & Commercialization Center (STC-MEMS) was created in 2010 to form a vertically integrated “one-stop-shop”
in smart system and smart-device innovation and manufacturing. The facility was designed to provide its customers the capacity,
infrastructure and operational capabilities in all areas of semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, while covering a diverse number of
markets including aerospace, biomedical, communications, defense, and energy. Located in Canandaigua, New York, just outside of
Rochester, the STC-MEMS facility includes certified cleanroom manufacturing, advanced test and metrology, as well as a MEMS and
optoelectronic packaging facility.
The Company acquired the STC-MEMS Business through its Akoustis NY, a Delaware corporation. Post-acquisition date, the Company
also agreed to assume substantially all the on-going obligations of the STC-MEMS Business incurred in the ordinary course of business,
including with respect to the 29 employees employed by RF-SUNY. The purchase closed on June 26, 2017.
Acquisition Price
The purchase price paid for the transaction was an aggregate of approximately $4.58 million consisting of (i) $2.75 million in cash
consideration, (ii) $96,000 in inventory, and (iii) a contingent real estate liability of approximately $1.73 million.
Recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree
The fair value of the purchase consideration issued to the sellers of the STC-MEMS Business was allocated to the net tangible and
intangible assets acquired. The Company accounted for the STC-MEMS Business acquisition as the purchase of a business under GAAP
under the acquisition method of accounting, as specified in ASC 805 “Business Combinations”, and the assets and liabilities acquired were
recorded as of the acquisition date, at their respective fair values and consolidated with those of the Company. The fair value of the net
assets acquired was approximately $6.3 million. The excess of the aggregate fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets over the
consideration paid has been treated as a gain on bargain purchase in accordance with ASC 805. The purchase price allocation was based, in
part, on management’s knowledge of the STC-MEMS Business and the results of a third-party appraisal commissioned by management.
The Company utilized the services of an independent appraisal company to assist it in assessing the fair value of the assets and liabilities
acquired. This assessment included an evaluation of the fair value of the real estate and fixed assets in addition to the intangibles acquired.
The real estate was valued utilizing a combination of the income and cost approaches. The fixed assets were valued utilizing a combination
of the market and cost approaches. The intangible asset, customer relationships, was valued utilizing the income approach. The valuation
process also included discussion with management regarding the history and business operations of the STC-MEMS Business, a study of
the economic and industry conditions in which the STC-MEMS Business competes and an analysis of the historical and projected financial
statements and other records and documents.
Recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase
Management reviewed the assets and liabilities acquired and the assumptions utilized in estimating their fair values. Further revisions to the
estimates were not deemed necessary and after identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities of the STC-MEMS Business, the Company
concluded that recording a bargain purchase gain was appropriate and required under GAAP.
F-17
Purchase Consideration
Amount of consideration:
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value
Land
Building
STC-MEMS equipment
Inventory
Customer relationships
Net assets acquired
Total net assets acquired
Consideration paid
Gain on bargain purchase
$
4,576,591
$
$
$
$
1,000,000
3,000,000
2,124,650
96,049
81,773
6,302,472
6,302,472
4,576,591
1,725,881
Prior to this transaction, none of the parties negotiating on behalf of the Company had met any of the individuals negotiating on behalf of
the sellers. Further, there were no agreements signed with any individuals negotiating this deal. Additionally, there were no related parties
associated with this transaction.
The following presents the unaudited pro-forma combined results of operations of the Company with the STC-MEMS Business as if the
entities were combined on July 1, 2015.
Revenues, net
Net (loss) allocable to common shareholders
Net (loss) per share
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Year Ended
June 30,
2017
Year Ended
June 30,
2016
4,195,374 $
(13,907,072) $
(0.82) $
16,990,536
5,314,499
(7,613,100)
(0.57)
13,349,482
$
$
$
The unaudited pro-forma results of operations are presented for information purposes only. The unaudited pro-forma results of operations
are not intended to present actual results that would have been attained had the acquisitions been completed as of July 1, 2015 or to project
potential operating results as of any future date or for any future periods.
F-18
The estimated useful life remaining on equipment and building acquired with the STC-MEMS Business is 3 to 5 years and 11 years,
respectively.
The Company consolidated Akoustis NY as of the closing date of the agreement, and the results of operations of the Company include that
of Akoustis NY. The Company recognized net revenues attributable to Akoustis NY of $0 and recognized net losses of $171,000 during
the period June 26, 2017 through June 30, 2017; driven by wages and fringe benefits of $126,000.
F-19
Note 5. Property and equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Land
Research and development equipment
Computer equipment
Furniture and fixtures
STC-MEMS equipment
Building
Leasehold improvements
Less: Accumulated depreciation
Total
Estimated
Useful Life
n/a
3 – 10 years
5 years
5 – 10 years
3 – 5 years
11 years
*
June 30,
2017
June 30,
2016
$
$
1,000,000 $
1,851,427
16,783
3,725
2,124,650
3,000,000
3,240
7,999,825
(146,011)
7,853,814 $
—
226,372
16,783
3,725
—
—
3,240
250,120
(43,135)
206,985
(*) Amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.
The Company recorded depreciation expense of $102,876 and $34,828 for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
As of June 30, 2017, research and development fixed assets totaling $1,062,496 were not placed in service and therefore not depreciated
during the period.
Note 6. Intangible assets
The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:
Patents
Customer relationships
Less: Accumulated amortization
Subtotal
Trademarks
Intangible assets, net
15 years $
14 years
—
$
135,291 $
81,773
(12,097)
204,967
1,560
206,527 $
June 30, 2016
74,562
—
(4,889)
69,673
1,560
71,233
Estimated
useful life
June 30, 2017
The Company recorded amortization expense of $7,208 and $3,339 for the year ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The following table outlines estimated future annual amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter:
June 30,
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total
$
$
14,811
14,811
14,811
14,811
14,811
130,912
204,967
F-20
Note 7. Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016:
June 30, 2017
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries and benefits
Accrued bonuses
Accrued stock-based compensation
Other accrued expenses
Totals
Note 8. Derivative Liabilities
$
$
494,515 $
274,050
—
399,157
168,646
1,336,368 $
June 30, 2016
73,400
21,376
126,575
179,079
143,216
543,646
Upon closing of private placements on May 22, 2015 and June 9, 2015, the Company issued 298,551 and 26,099 warrants, respectively, to
purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.50 and a five-year term to the placement agent. Upon
closing of a private placement in April 2016, the Company issued 153,713 warrants to purchase the same number of shares of Common
Stock with an exercise price of $1.60 and a five-year term to the placement agent. The Company identified certain put features embedded in
the warrants that potentially could result in a net cash settlement, requiring the Company to classify the warrants as a derivative liability.
During the year ended June 30, 2017, the Company amended the existing warrant agreements to eliminate the derivative feature. Upon
execution of the revised agreements, a total of 471,697 warrants with a fair value of $2,200,219 were reclassified from liability to equity.
Level 3 Financial Liabilities – Derivative warrant liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below and disclosed on the consolidated balance
sheet as of June 30, 2017:
Carrying
Value
Fair Value Measurement Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Derivative warrant liabilities
$
$
— $
— $
— $
—
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below and disclosed on the condensed
consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2016:
Carrying
Value
Fair Value Measurement Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Derivative warrant liabilities
$
1,322,729 $
— $
— $
1,322,729 $
1,322,729
F-21
The table below provides a summary of the changes in fair value, including net transfers in and/or out, of all financial assets and liabilities
measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the year ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:
Balance, July 1, 2015
Issuance of derivative warrants
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities
Reclassification of Derivative liability to Additional Paid in Capital
Balance, June 30, 2016
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities
Reclassification of Derivative liability to Additional Paid in Capital
Balance, June 30, 2017
Fair Value
Measurement
Using Level 3
Inputs
Total
$
$
$
205,144
165,719
968,840
(16,974)
1,322,729
877,490
(2,200,219)
—
The fair value of the derivative feature of the warrants on the issuance dates, at the balance sheet date and on the date of reclassification to
equity were calculated using a binomial option model valued with the following weighted average assumptions:
Risk free interest rate
Dividend yield
Expected volatility
Remaining term (years)
April 14,
2016
June 30,
2016
January 19,
2017
1.04%
0.00%
41%
4.15 - 4.19
1.08%
0.00%
44%
5.0
1.01%
0.00%
39%
3.89 - 4.79
Risk-free interest rate: The Company uses the risk-free interest rate of a U.S. Treasury Note with a similar term on the date of the grant.
Dividend yield: The Company uses a 0% expected dividend yield as the Company has not paid dividends to date and does not anticipate
declaring dividends in the near future.
Volatility: The Company calculates the expected volatility of the stock price based on the corresponding volatility of the Company’s peer
group stock price for a period consistent with the warrant’s expected term.
Remaining term: The Company’s remaining term is based on the remaining contractual maturity of the warrants.
During the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company marked the derivative feature of the warrants to fair value and recorded a
loss of $877,490 and $968,840, respectively, relating to the change in fair value.
F-22
Note 9. Concentrations
For the year ended June 30, 2017, one vendor represented 11% of the Company’s purchases. For the year ended June 30, 2016, two
vendors represented 28% and 14% of the Company’s purchases.
Note 10. Stockholders’ Equity
On December 15, 2016, in connection with the Company’s reincorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware, the
Company filed a Certificate of Incorporation with the State of Delaware, which, among other things, reduced the number of authorized
shares of capital stock of the Company from 310,000,000 total shares consisting of (a) 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (b)
10,000,000 of $0.001 par value “blank check” preferred stock to 50,000,000 total shares consisting of (a) 45,000,000 shares of Common
Stock and (b) 5,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock.
As of June 30, 2017 and 2016, there were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for the shares issued to consultants that have vested, which is a component of
operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as follows:
Month of Original Grant
Shares
Issued
Stock-Based Compensation
For the Year Ended
June 30,
2017
June 30,
2016
December 2015
March 2016
August 2016
January 2017
230,000 $
60,000
40,000
50,000
380,000 $
945,189 $
261,214
147,600
194,776
1,548,779 $
342,811
71,786
—
—
414,597
On March 10, 2016, the Company held a closing of a private placement offering (the “March 2016 Offering”) in which it sold 494,125
shares of Common Stock at a fixed purchase price of $1.60 per share (the “2016 Offering Price”), for aggregate gross proceeds of $790,600
(before deducting legal expenses of the March 2016 Offering).
On April 14, 2016, the Company held closings of a private placement offering (the “April 2016 Offering”) in which the Company sold
1,741,185 shares of Common Stock at a fixed purchase price of $1.60 per share (the “2016 Offering Price”), for aggregate gross proceeds
of $2,785,896 (before deducting expenses for legal services and agent commissions of the April 2016 Offering).
The Company sold a total of 2,142,000 shares of its Common Stock at the 2016-2017 Offering Price, with closings in each of November
and December 2016 and January and February 2017, as well as 663,000 shares of Common Stock at the 2017 Offering Price, for aggregate
gross proceeds were $16.7 million before deducting commissions and expenses of approximately $1.3 million.
F-23
Stock incentive plans
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
On May 22, 2015, the Board of Directors adopted, and on the same date the stockholders approved, the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the
“2015 Plan”), which reserved a total of 1,200,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan authorized the
grant to participants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance
grants. No additional shares will be issued under the 2015 Plan. Effective December 15, 2016, equity awards are granted under the
Company’s 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved stockholders on the same date.
In addition, the number of shares of our Common Stock subject to the 2016 Plan, any number of shares subject to any numerical limit in the
2016 Plan, and the number of shares and terms of any incentive award are expected to be adjusted in the event of any change in our
outstanding Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, spin-off, split-up, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation, liquidation, business combination or exchange of shares or similar transaction.
Options granted under the 2015 Plan vest as determined by the Company’s board of directors and expire over varying terms, but not more
than seven years from the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a 10% shareholder on the date of grant,
such Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant. Options for 160,000 shares of Common Stock
were issued under the 2015 Plan to four non-employee directors in May 2015. No options have been awarded under the 2016 Plan.
The fair values of the Company’s options were estimated at the dates of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted average assumptions:
Expected term (years)
Risk-free interest rate
Volatility
Dividend yield
6.25
1.29%
47%
0%
Expected term: The Company’s expected term is based on the period the options are expected to remain outstanding. The Company
estimated this amount utilizing the “Simplified Method” in that the Company does not have sufficient historical experience to provide a
reasonable basis to estimate an expected term.
Risk-free interest rate: The Company uses the risk-free interest rate of a U.S. Treasury Note with a similar term on the date of the grant.
Volatility: The Company calculates the expected volatility of the stock price based on the corresponding volatility of the Company’s peer
group stock price for a period consistent with the options’ expected term.
Dividend yield: The Company uses a 0% expected dividend yield as the Company has not paid dividends to date and does not anticipate
declaring dividends in the near future.
The following is a summary of the option activity:
Outstanding – July 1, 2015
Exercisable – July 1, 2015
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited/Cancelled
Outstanding – June 30, 2016
Exercisable – June 30, 2016
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited/Cancelled
Outstanding – June 30, 2017
Exercisable – June 30, 2017
F-24
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Options
160,000 $
— $
—
—
—
160,000
40,000
—
—
—
160,000 $
80,000 $
1.50
—
—
—
—
1.50
1.50
—
—
—
1.50
1.50
As of June 30, 2017, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $1,158,400 and $579,200, respectively. As of June
30, 2017, the Company has $52,800 in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense attributable to the outstanding options, which will
be amortized over a period of 2.14 years.
For the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $27,932 and $28,008, respectively, in stock-based compensation
related to stock options, which is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Issuance of restricted shares – employees and consultants
Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the time of execution by the Company and the recipient of a restricted stock
agreement, as the stock award holders are entitled to dividend and voting rights. As of June 30, 2017, the number of shares granted for
which the restrictions have not lapsed was 1,352,265 shares.
The Company recognizes the compensation expense for all share-based compensation granted based on the grant date fair value for
directors and employees and the reporting period remeasured fair value for consultants. The fair value of the award is recorded as share–
based compensation expense over the respective restriction period. Any portion of the grant awarded to consultants, directors, employees,
and other service providers as to which the repurchase option has not lapsed is accrued on the Balance Sheet as a component of accounts
payable and accrued expenses. As of June 30, 2017 and 2016, the accrued stock-based compensation was $399,157 and $179,079,
respectively. The Company has the right to repurchase some or all of such shares in certain circumstances upon termination of the
recipient’s service with the Company, for up to 60 months from the date of termination (“repurchase option”). The shares as to which the
repurchase option has not lapsed are subject to forfeiture upon termination of consulting and employment relationships.
In September 2015, the Company amended the original restricted stock agreement for certain award recipients. Pursuant to the amendment,
75% of the shares as to which the repurchase option had not lapsed as of September 30, 2015 will be released from the repurchase option
on the third anniversary of the original effective date of the agreement. The remaining 25% of the shares will be released from the
repurchase option on the fourth anniversary of the original effective date.
The following is a summary of restricted shares:
Grant Date
Shares
Issued
Fair
Value (1)
Shares
Vested
June 2014
July 2014
August 2014
September 2014
March 2015
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015
January 2016
March 2016
June 2016
August 2016
January 2017
February 2017
March 2017
307,876 $
32,408
81,020
129,633
72,918
293,000
36,200
300,000
40,000
60,000
118,000
351,000
192,000
110,000
20,000
2,144,055 $
1,294,029
48,612
326,323
352,282
401,717
439,500
54,300
1,393,000
68,000
333,000
535,809
1,489,247
1,165,122
697,500
135,000
8,733,441
121,530
23,791
8,102
13,667
—
—
—
230,000
—
60,000
—
40,000
—
—
—
497,090
F-25
(1) – The fair value of the restricted stock awards as shown above is based on either the balance sheet date for consultants or grant date
for employees.
In relation to the above restricted stock agreements for the year ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded stock-based
compensation expense for the shares that have vested of $3,223,398 and $821,617, respectively.
As of June 30, 2017, the Company had $3,966,899 in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the unvested shares.
Note 11. Commitments and contingencies
Employment agreements
On June 15, 2015, the Company entered into a three-year employment agreement with the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). After the
initial three-year term, the agreement will be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods unless terminated by either party on at
least 30 days’ written notice prior to the end of the then-current term. The CEO’s annual base salary is $150,000 and is subject to increase
or decrease on each anniversary as determined by the Board of Directors. The CEO is eligible, at the discretion of our Board of Directors,
to receive an annual cash bonus of up to 100% of his annual base salary, which may be based on the Company achieving certain
operational, financial or other milestones (the “Milestones”) that may be established by the Board of Directors. The CEO is entitled to
receive stock options or other equity incentive awards under the 2016 Plan as and when determined by the Board, and is entitled to receive
perquisites and other fringe benefits that may be provided to, and is eligible to participate in any other bonus or incentive program
established by the Company, for the executives. The CEO and his dependents are also entitled to participate in any of the employee benefit
plans subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to other employees. The CEO will be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable
travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred or paid by him in connection with, or related to, the performance of his duties,
responsibilities or services under his employment agreement, in accordance with policies and procedures, and subject to limitations,
adopted by us from time to time. In the event that the CEO is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in his employment
agreement) or he resigns for Good Reason (as defined in his employment agreement) during the term of his employment agreement, the
CEO would be entitled to (x) an amount equal to his annual base salary then in effect (payable in accordance with the Company’s normal
payroll practices) for a period of 24 months commencing on the effective date of his termination (the “Severance Period”) (in the case of
termination by the executive for Good Reason, reduced by any cash remuneration paid to him because of any other employment or self-
employment during the Severance Period), and (y) if and to the extent the Milestones are achieved for the annual bonus for the year in
which the Severance Period commences (or, in the absence of Milestones, the Board of Directors has, in its sole discretion, otherwise
determined an amount of the CEO’s annual bonus for such year), an amount equal to such annual bonus pro-rated for the portion of the
performance year completed before the CEO employment terminated, (z) any unvested stock options, restricted stock or similar incentive
equity instruments will vest immediately. For the duration of the Severance Period, the CEO will also be eligible to participate in our
benefit plans or programs, provided the CEO was participating in such plan or program immediately prior to the date of employment
termination, to the extent permitted under the terms of such plan or program (collectively, the “Termination Benefits”). If the CEO’s
employment is terminated during the term of his employment agreement by the Company for Cause, by the CEO for any reason other than
Good Reason or due to his death, then he will not be entitled to receive the Termination Benefits, and shall only be entitled to the
compensation and benefits which shall have accrued as of the date of such termination (other than with respect to certain benefits that may
be available to the CEO as a result of a Permanent Disability (as defined in his employment agreement).
On June 15, 2015, the Company also entered into two-year employment agreements with each of the Vice President of Business
Development, the Vice President of Operations, and the then Chief Financial Officer. Each of these employment agreements had
substantially the same terms as that of the CEO described above. These employment agreements expired on June 15, 2017.
On July 14, 2017, the Board named a new Chief Financial Officer who would also serve as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer,
effective as of the same date.
F-26
In connection with the election of the new Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company entered into a one-year employment
agreement, dated July 14, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”), with the Chief Financial Officer with essentially the same terms as the
Chief Executive Officer employment agreement described above with the exception of the following:
- Monthly living expenses of $1,600.
-
Target annual bonus each fiscal year equal to 70% of his annual base salary, based on certain Company operation, financial, and
other milestones set by the Board and/or its Compensation Committee.
- A restricted a stock award for 100,000 shares of Common Stock and options for 75,000 shares of Common Stock to be granted
during the Company’s next open trading window. The Awards will be granted under the 2016 Plan and will vest 25% on each of the
first, second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the CFO’s continued employment and the terms and
conditions of the 2016 Plan and the applicable award agreements.
The term of the Employment Agreement extends through July 31, 2018, and the Employment Agreement will automatically renew for
successive one- year periods unless either party gives at least 30 days written notice of non-renewal to the other party prior to the end of the
then applicable term.
Operating leases
The Company leases office space in Huntersville, NC pursuant to a three-year lease agreement. The operating lease provides for annual real
estate tax and cost of living increases and contains predetermined increases in the rentals payable during the term of the lease. The
aggregate rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The total lease rental expense was $56,808 and $55,186
for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The future minimum payments under this lease are $40,314.
The Company leases equipment for its Canandaigua, NY facility pursuant to a three-month lease agreement beginning on June 16, 2017.
The aggregate rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The total lease rental expense was $8,125 and $0 for
the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The future minimum payments under this lease are $44,375. The Company
anticipates renewing the lease for another three months and in process of finalizing terms and conditions.
Real Estate Contingent Liability
In connection with the acquisition of the STC-MEMS Business, the Company agreed to pay to Fuller Road Management Corporation a
penalty, as set forth below, if the Company sells the property subject to the related Definitive Real Property Purchase Agreement within
three (3) years after the date of such agreement for an amount in excess of $1,750,000, subject to certain enumerated exceptions. The
penalty imposed shall be equivalent to the amount that the sales price of the property exceeds $1,750,000 up to the maximum penalty
(“Maximum Penalty”) defined below:
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Maximum Penalty
5,960,000
$
3,973,333
$
1,986,667
$
The fair value of the contingent liability was calculated by an independent third-party appraisal firm, utilizing a present value calculation
based on the probability the Company sells the property triggering the contingent penalty and a discount rate of 14.1%. The 14.1%
discount rate was derived from a weighted average cost of capital, modified to include the effects of the bargain purchase price. As of June
30, 2017, the balance of the contingent liability was $1,730,542.
F-27
Note 12. Related Party Transactions
Consulting Services
AEG Consulting, a firm owned by one of the Company’s Co-Chairmen, received $15,195 and $10,238 for consulting fees for the years
ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company’s CEO and Vice President of Engineering participated in the closing of the 2016-2017 Offering that occurred on November
25, 2016 where they each purchased 20,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $5.00 per share. The Company’s Vice-President of
Operations also purchased 2,000 shares of Common Stock in the closing at an aggregate purchase price of $10,000. One of the Co-
Chairmen of the Company’s Board purchased 200,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $5.00 per share at an aggregate purchase price
of $1,000,000. The brother of the CEO purchased 14,000 shares of Common Stock in the closing at an aggregate purchase price of
$70,000.
The Company’s second Co-Chairman participated in the closing of the 2016-2017 Offering that occurred on December 27, 2016 where he
purchased 2,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $5.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $10,000. A second brother of the
CEO purchased 20,000 shares of Common Stock in the closing at an aggregate purchase price of $100,000.
Inventory Purchase
In March 2016, the Company purchased inventory from Big Red LLC (“Big Red”), a company formed by the CEO, the brother of the
Company’s CEO, the Vice President of Operations and one additional party. The transaction for $43,544 was executed so the Company
could pursue commercialization of the amplifier inventory purchased. The Company will utilize this inventory and related technology to
process and sell the amplifiers. The CEO and Vice President of Operations assigned their interests in Big Red to other parties in March of
2016.
License Agreement
In April 2016, the Company entered into a license agreement with Big Red. The license agreement was executed so that the Company
could pursue commercialization of amplifier inventory purchased from Big Red in March 2016. The Company will utilize this inventory
and related technology to process and sell the amplifiers. Future revenue from sales utilizing the amplifier technology will result in a license
fee paid to Big Red according to the following schedule:
Net Sales
$0 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1,000,000
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000
$2,000,000 – $5,000,000
$5,000,001 and over
Note 13. Income Taxes
Royalty Percentage
5.00%
4.00%
3.50%
3.00%
2.00%
The Company had no income tax expense due to operating losses incurred for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
F-28
The provision for/(benefit from) income tax differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income
before the provision for/(benefit from) income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
Income taxes at Federal statutory rate
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax
benefit
Permanent differences
Other
Change in Valuation Allowance
State tax rate change
Income Tax Provision
For the
Year Ended
June 30,
2017
For the
Year Ended
June 30,
2016
(34.00)%
(34.00)%
(2.63)%
(6.36)%
6.49%
36.50%
0.00%
0.00%
(2.60)%
0.22%
—
36.09%
0.29%
0.00%
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards
Share-based compensation
Derivative liability
Other
Valuation Allowance
Net Deferred Tax Assets
June 30, 2017
5,352,238
406,498
—
(33,028)
5,725,708
(5,725,708)
—
June 30, 2016
1,711,488
396,264
315,205
(22,365)
2,400,592
(2,400,592)
—
$
$
$
$
At June 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $14,600,000 of Federal and state NOL carryovers that may be available to offset future
taxable income.
The NOL carry overs, if not utilized, will expire in stages beginning 2035.
Based on a history of cumulative losses at the Company and the results of operations for the years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the
Company determined that it is more likely than not it will not realize benefits from the deferred tax assets. The Company will not record
income tax benefits in the financial statements until it is determined that it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient
taxable income to realize the deferred income tax assets. As a result of the analysis, the Company determined that a full valuation
allowance against the deferred tax assets is required. The net change in the valuation allowance during the year ended June 30, 2017 was
an increase of approximately $3,325,000.
As a result of the reverse merger that occurred on May 22, 2015, the Company’s previous NOL may be significantly limited. The Company
has not performed a detailed analysis to determine whether an ownership change under IRC Section 382 or similar rules has occurred. The
effect of an ownership change would be the imposition of annual limitation on the use of NOL carryforwards attributable to periods before
the change which total approximately $421,000. Any limitation may result in expiration of a portion of the NOL before utilization. The
Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company
has not identified any uncertain tax positions requiring a reserve as of June 30, 2017.
Note 14. Subsequent Events
In July 2017, 9,533 placement agent warrants issued in connection with the 2016-2017 private placement offering, each having a term of
five years and an exercise price of $5.00, were exercised.
F-29
Exhibit
Number
Description
EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Plan of Conversion, dated December 15, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 16, 2016)
Definitive Asset Purchase Agreement dated March 23, 2017 by and between The Research Foundation for the State University
of New York and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on March 24, 2017)
Definitive Real Property Purchase Agreement dated March 23, 2017, by and between Fuller Road Management Corporation
and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on March 24, 2017)
Articles of Conversion of the Company, as filed with the Nevada Secretary of State on December 15, 2016 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 16, 2016)
Certificate of Conversion of the Company, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 15, 2016 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 15, 2016)
Certificate of Incorporation, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 15, 2016 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 15, 2016)
Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the SEC on December 15, 2016)
10.1.1†
Akoustis, Inc. 2014 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-K
filed with the SEC on October 31, 2016)
10.1.2†
10.1.3†
10.2
10.3
10.4
Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement under the 2014 Stock Plan between the Company (as assignee of Akoustis, Inc.)
and each of Steve DenBaars, Mark Boomgarden and Arthur Geiss (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2015)
Form of Amendment to Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement under the 2014 Stock Plan between the Company and each of
Steve DenBaars and Mark Boomgarden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 2016)
Joint Development Agreement, dated February 27, 2015, between Akoustis, Inc. and Global Communication Semiconductors,
LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May
29, 2015)
Foundry Agreement, dated February 27, 2015, between Akoustis, Inc. and Global Communication Semiconductors,
LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May
29, 2015)
Form of 2015 Placement Agent Warrant for Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Company’s 2015 private
placement offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on May 29, 2015)
59
10.5
Form of 2015 Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2015)
10.6.1†
Akoustis Technologies, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2015)
10.6.2†
Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Akoustis Technologies, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2015)
10.6.3†
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, under the Akoustis Technologies, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, between the
Company and each of Mark Boomgarden, Dave Aichele and Cindy Payne (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 2016)
10.7†
Employment Agreement between the Company and Jeffrey Shealy dated as of June 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 19, 2015)
10.8.1†
Employment Agreement between the Company and David M. Aichele dated as of June 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 19, 2015)
10.8.2†
Offer Letter from the Company to David M. Aichele (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 30, 2017)
10.9.1†
Employment Agreement between the Company and Mark Boomgarden dated as of June 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 19, 2015)
10.9.2†
Offer Letter from the Company to Mark D. Boomgarden (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 30, 2017)
10.10.1†
Employment Agreement between the Company and Cindy C. Payne dated as of June 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 19, 2015)
10.10.2†
Offer Letter from the Company to Cindy C. Payne (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 26, 2017)
10.11
Form of 2016 Subscription Agreement between the Company and the investors party thereto (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 20, 2016)
10.12
Form of 2016 Placement Agent Warrant for Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Company’s 2016 private
placement offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on April 20, 2016)
10.13
Form of 2016 Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2016)
10.14.1
Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2016-2017 Offering
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 25,
2016)
60
10.14.2
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2016-2017 Offering
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28,
2016)
10.15
Form of Placement Agent Warrant in the 2016-2017 Offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2016)
10.16.1
Form of Subscription Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2016-2017 Offering (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
10.16.2
10.17.1
10.17.2
10.18.1
Form of Amended Subscription Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2016-2017 Offering
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February
14, 2017)
Placement Agent Agreement, dated December 8, 2016, by and between the Company and Katalyst Securities LLC in
connection with the 2016-2017 Offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
Amendment to Placement Agent Agreement, dated May 8, 2017, by and between the Company and Katalyst Securities LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-218245)
filed with the SEC on May 25, 2017)
Placement Agent Agreement, dated December 12, 2016, by and between the Company and Drexel Hamilton, LLC in
connection with the 2016-2017 Offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
10.18.2
Amendment to Placement Agent Agreement by and between the Company and Drexel Hamilton LLC (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-218245) filed with the
SEC on May 25, 2017)
10.19
10.20
10.21
Placement Agent Agreement, dated December 14, 2016, by and between the Company and Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC in
connection with the 2016-2017 Offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
Placement Agent Agreement, dated December 19, 2016, by and between the Company and Northland Securities, Inc. in
connection with the 2016-2017 Offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
Form of Amended and Restated Placement Agent Warrant for Common Stock of the Company in connection with the
Company’s 2015 private placement offering and 2016 private placement offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12
to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
10.22.1†
Akoustis Technologies, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 16, 2016)
10.22.2†
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Akoustis Technologies, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017)
10.22.3†
Revised Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Akoustis Technologies, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 23,
2017)
61
10.23.1
10.23.2
10.24
Form of Subscription Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2017 Offering (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-218245) filed with the
SEC on May 25, 2017)
Form of Amended Subscription Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2017 Offering (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-218245) filed with the
SEC on May 25, 2017)
Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company and the investors in the 2017 Offering (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-218245) filed with the
SEC on May 25, 2017)
10.25
Form of Placement Agent Warrant in the 2017 Offering (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC File No. 333-218245) filed with the SEC on May 25, 2017)
10.26
Purchase Order for Deposition Tool (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on June 20, 2017)
10.27.1†
Employment Agreement by and between John T. Kurtzweil and the Company, dated July 14, 2017 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 17, 2017)
10.27.2†
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement to be entered into by and between John T. Kurtzweil and the Company in
connection with Mr. Kurtzweil’s employment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 17, 2017)
10.27.3†
Form of Option Agreement to be entered into by and between John T. Kurtzweil and the Company in connection with Mr.
Kurtzweil’s employment (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July
17, 2017)
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1
(SEC File No. 333-218245) filed with the SEC on May 25, 2017)
31.1*
Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2*
Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
32.1*
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2*
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
62
101§*
Interactive Data Files of Financial Statements and Notes.
101.ins*
Instant Document
101.sch*
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document
101.cal*
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.def*
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.lab*
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.pre*
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
* Filed herewith
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
63
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
I, Jeffrey B. Shealy, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Akoustis Technologies, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the
period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: September 19, 2017
/s/ Jeffrey B. Shealy
Jeffrey B. Shealy
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
I, John T. Kurtzweil, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Akoustis Technologies, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the
period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: September 19, 2017
/s/ John T. Kurtzweil
John T. Kurtzweil
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
In connection with the Annual Report of Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey B. Shealy, Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
the Company.
Date: September 19, 2017
/s/ Jeffrey B. Shealy
Jeffrey B. Shealy
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise
adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
request.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
In connection with the Annual Report of Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John T. Kurtzweil, Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
the Company.
Date: September 19, 2017
/s/ John T. Kurtzweil
John T. Kurtzweil
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise
adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon
request.