Transforming the World
Through Innovative
Ocean Energy Solutions
Annual Report
Year Ended April 30, 2016
Oil & Gas
Applications:
• Communications
• Equipment monitoring
• Wellhead sensing
• Pipeline trace heating
• Weather forecasting
• Ocean currents
• Remote data centers
• Seismic mapping:
Early exploration and
reservoir management
Defense & Security
Applications:
• Remote sensors: High frequency radar & sonar
• Autonomous unmanned vehicles (also used in O&G)
• Self positioning (“station keeping”) systems
• Network and communication systems
• Additional disruptive applications under consideration
OCEAN POWER
• 70% of the Earth’s surface
is covered by oceans
• 1 out of 6 U.S. jobs
is marine-related
• >1,300 U.S. ocean
observing stations are
deployed
• 45% of borders and
maritime security
expenditures are maritime
• 33% of oil and gas
comes from offshore:
~7,500 rigs
• $7B U.S. revenues in 2014
from ocean enterprise
Ocean Observing
Applications:
• Weather forecasting
• Climate change
monitoring
• “Ocean Health”
• Toxicity and radiation
detection
• Ocean floor
seismometry
monitoring
• Biological processes
Communications
Applications:
• Maritime Picket Fence
• Detection and early warning systems
• Ocean current measurements
• Military or civilian remote cellular
communications
• Range extension for marine and coastal airways
• Voice and data relay stations
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
Fiscal 2016 has been a year of continued evolution and progress at OPT. The company completed the final stages of a
strategic pivot, first outlined in July 2014, which entailed primary focus on initial commercialization of its PB3 remote, offshore
autonomous PowerBuoy. As a result of our strategic pivot towards commercialization of smaller scale autonomous devices,
fiscal 2016 also marked the wrap-up of our large utility-scale projects. Without question, it was a year marked by a number of
tremendous achievements by the company such as the addition of new leadership and expertise, alignment with new strategic
relationships, and the realignment with one of our existing strategic partners.
Looking back on fiscal 2016, allow me to summarize a number of our noteworthy accomplishments:
Commercialization
Fiscal 2016 was about validation and commercial launch of our redesigned (and renamed) APB350…the PB3. We continued
to aggressively drive demand creation for our technology across our target markets: oil & gas, ocean observing, security &
defense, communications and offshore wind.
We spent significant time in understanding our markets and their applications in order to solidify our value proposition. One
way that we did this was through the creation of a technical advisory panel, or “TAP”. The TAP consists of industry stakeholders
such as oil and gas operators, a marine certification organization, academia, and marine sensor manufacturers. The panel
meets telephonically every two to three months to discuss progress in advancing the technology, provide market feedback, and
to vet potential applications that require remote, offshore power and data communications. This “voice of the market” has been
invaluable to our development of our commercial product and in the betterment of our understanding of our markets.
We also focused on developing new and existing strategic relationships with industry stakeholders. One example of advancement
of an existing relationship is with Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, or “MES”. In March 2016, we announced a letter of intent
and subsequently we announced a contract for our first commercial PB3 PowerBuoy agreement with MES. The agreement
includes engineering and logistics support, and a six-month PB3 PowerBuoy lease agreement. We anticipate deployment off
of Kozu Island in Japan in calendar year 2017. We are very excited to continue working with MES, and we’re optimistic about
where our collaboration might lead in the future.
One of the TAP members, Gardline Environmental, entered into an agreement with us to jointly develop metocean monitoring
and maritime security systems for prospective customers. We continue to advance demand for such systems by identifying
applications where a joint OPT/Gardline solution could deliver significant value to end-users.
In March 2016, we entered into an agreement with the National Data Buoy Center, or the “NDBC”, to integrate and test a self-
contained ocean observing payload as an initial step to determine the PowerBuoy’s ability to provide the payload with persistent
power and communications. Wind and weather data are communicated directly to the NDBC website as part of its integrated
ocean observing system which is used by industries all over the world.
Additionally, we are also supporting the Wildlife Conservation Society, or “WCS”, through an agreement to evaluate the integration
of acoustic sensors with our PB3 PowerBuoy. These acoustic sensors monitor the migration habits of marine mammals along
the New York coastline. WCS’ sensor is currently deployed off of the coast of New Jersey on our prototype PB3 PowerBuoy.
Technical Excellence
During fiscal 2016, we focused on developing our commercial PB3 PowerBuoy, making what we believe are significant
improvements as compared to earlier iterations. Technical improvements were focused on market requirements derived
from our stakeholder discussions, such as reliability, survivability, and cost to operate and maintain the PowerBuoy. Our team
also focused on manufacturability of the PB3 product to ensure quality and cost competitiveness as we seek to ramp-up
manufacturing.
In order to address these market requirements, we implemented accelerated life testing at our facility. Accelerated life testing
of our next-generation power take-off (or, “PTO”) assists us in shortening the time to validate system design and reliability and
ultimately the time that it takes to bring our product to market. To date, our fleet of PTO systems, including those undergoing
accelerated life testing, has exceeded 14 million total cumulative cycles. This achievement simulates the equivalent of about two
years of ocean operation for our PTO fleet.
In June 2016, we announced the redeployment of our prototype PB3 PowerBuoy, and in July 2016, we announced the
deployment of our first commercially designed PB3 PowerBuoy. This commercial design incorporates multiple enhancements
over earlier prototypes including our next generation PTO, a higher-capacity, modular energy storage system, a higher-efficiency
power management and distribution system, and several other important elements that make this design easier to manufacture,
deploy, and maintain.
With two PB3 PowerBuoys operating simultaneously off the coast of New Jersey with client payloads attached, and when
combined with our accelerated life testing data, we’re receiving a constant stream of performance data which can be shared
with prospective customers and partners.
People
We significantly strengthened our Board through the addition of three new Directors. Robert Burger was appointed to the
Board of Directors in May 2015, and Steve Fludder and Robert Winters were appointed in May 2016. Each new Director brings
a unique skill set which augments our Board in areas such as global marine operations, new product introduction, sales and
marketing, and finance.
Additionally, we made strategic hires in areas such as engineering and supply chain management which will aid in accelerating
our product to market. We continue to position our employee bench to deliver on a burgeoning market demand.
Additional activities of strategic significance
In August 2015, we completed the PB40 deployment as one of our final steps toward completing the strategic pivot toward
smaller, autonomous PowerBuoys which began in 2014. We were also successful in scrapping the steel PowerBuoy structure
from the Reedsport project, leaving what remains of the anchor system to be disposed of in calendar year 2017.
We were able to secure approximately $1.7 million through the State of New Jersey’s Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program.
We were also pleased to bring to settlement the class-action lawsuit which was initiated in 2014. We hope to receive a final
approval by the court within the coming months.
Moving forward in fiscal 2017
We are continuing to focus on delivering shareholder value through a focus on commercialization and speed to market with
our PB3 PowerBuoy product. We will do this by focusing on driving demand within our target markets, leveraging existing and
seeking new strategic partnerships, and driving cost out of both our products and our operations. We continue to strongly
believe in the value of our solutions for all of our stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, and our society in general.
We appreciate your support and we look forward to sharing more successes over the coming year.
Sincerely yours,
Terence J. Cryan
Chairman of the Board
George H. Kirby
President and Chief Executive Officer
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form 10-K
☑
☐
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016
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 001-33417
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
22-2535818
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1590 REED ROAD, PENNINGTON, NJ 08534
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (609) 730-0400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, par value $0.001
Name of Exchange on Which Registered
The Nasdaq Capital Market
Securities registered pursuant to 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 Section 15(d) of the 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 Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 (§229.405 of this chapter) 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, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting 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 common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates as of October 31, 2015, the last business day of
the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $4.1 million based on the closing sale price of the registrant's common
stock on that date as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of June 30, 2016 was 2,511,850 (excluding 380,000 shares issuable
under a pending litigation settlement).
Portions of the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Company’s Annual
Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
This page left blank intentionally.
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Page
PART I
Business ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 1A: Risk Factors ................................................................................................................................................ 15
Item 1B: Unresolved Staff Comments ....................................................................................................................... 30
Properties .................................................................................................................................................... 30
Item 2:
Item 3:
Legal Proceedings ....................................................................................................................................... 31
Mine Safety Disclosures ............................................................................................................................. 33
Item 4:
Item 5:
PART II
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities .................................................................................................................................................... 34
Item 6:
Selected Financial Data .............................................................................................................................. 35
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...................... 35
Item 7:
Item 7A: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .................................................................... 51
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ........................................................................................... 51
Item 8:
Item 9:
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure .................... 51
Item 9A: Controls and Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 51
Item 9B: Other Information ....................................................................................................................................... 52
Item 10:
Item 11:
Item 12:
Item 13:
Item 14:
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ......................................................................... 53
Executive Compensation ........................................................................................................................... 53
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters .. 53
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ........................................... 53
Principal Accountant Fees and Services .................................................................................................... 53
PART III
Item 15:
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules .................................................................................................... 54
PART IV
PowerBuoy® is a registered trademark of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and the Ocean Power Technologies logo
is a trademark of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks appearing in this annual report are the property of
their respective holders.
i
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
We have made statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Annual Report") in, among other sections,
Item 1 — "Business," Item 1A — "Risk Factors," Item 3 — "Legal Proceedings," and Item 7 — "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" that are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements convey our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements
regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs, plans and objectives of management for
future operations. The words "may," "continue," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "will," "believe," "project," "expect,"
"anticipate" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not
necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this Annual Report may turn out to be inaccurate. We have based
these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we
believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. They may be affected
by inaccurate assumptions we might make or unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risks, uncertainties and
assumptions described in Item 1A — "Risk Factors." In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-
looking events and circumstances discussed in this Annual Report may not occur as contemplated and actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing.
Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
new information or future events or otherwise.
Our fiscal year ends on April 30. References to fiscal 2016 are to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.
Special Note regarding Reverse Stock Split
At the annual meeting of stockholders of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (the “Company,” “we” or “us”) on
October 22, 2015, our stockholders approved a proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse split of
our common stock, par value $0.001 (“common stock”), at a ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors
within a specific range and a reduction in the authorized number of shares of our common stock. On October 27, 2015, we
filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to affect a one-for-10 reverse stock split of our common
stock and to decrease the number of authorized shares of our Common Stock to 50,000,000 shares (the “Reverse Stock Split”).
As of the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, every 10 shares of issued and outstanding common stock were combined
into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, without any change in the par value per share. No fractional shares
were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Total cash payments made by the Company to stockholders in lieu
of fractional shares were not material. The common stock began trading on a reverse stock split-adjusted basis on the
NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) on October 29, 2015. On November 12, 2015, NASDAQ notified the Company that
our Common Stock had regained compliance with the NASDAQ listed company closing bid price requirement. All share and
per share data included in this report has been retroactively restated to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.
ii
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Approximately 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, with approximately 44% of the world’s population
living within approximately 150 miles of a coast. Thousands of systems are deployed in the oceans today to increase our
understanding of weather, climate change, biological processes, and marine mammal patterns and to support exploration and
operations for industries such as oil and gas. Most of these systems are powered by battery, solar, wind, fuel cell, or fossil
fuel generators that are expensive to operate while also limited in their electric power delivery. Most of these systems require
significant tradeoffs in sensor accuracy, data processing and data communications bandwidth and frequency in order to
operate within the available power. More persistent power systems requiring less maintenance may have the ability to save
costs over current operating systems. Just as importantly, increases in available power may allow for better sensors, and
shorter data sampling and data communication intervals which could as a result improve scientific and economic returns.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Pennington, NJ, Ocean Power Technologies seeks to become a leader in
ocean wave power. We are developing and seeking to commercialize our proprietary systems that generate electricity by
harnessing the renewable energy of ocean waves. Our PowerBuoy® systems use proprietary technologies that convert the
mechanical energy created by the heaving motion of ocean waves into electricity. We currently have designed and are seeking
to commercialize and continue to develop our PowerBuoy product line which is based on modular, ocean-going buoys, which
we have been periodically ocean testing since 1997.
We have designed our autonomous PowerBuoy to generate power for use in remote locations, independent of an
existing power grid. Our current product offering, an autonomous PowerBuoy, incorporates a unique power take-off (“PTO”)
and onboard system for energy storage and management, and is significantly smaller than our previous iteration utility scale
PowerBuoy. We are continuing to develop and test our PowerBuoys, which we believe could be utilized in a variety of
applications. While we believe that we have validated our autonomous PowerBuoy and subsystems through factory and in-
ocean tests, we are continuing to develop our PowerBuoy and product offerings, and only beginning to seek to commercialize
our products and therefore, we cannot assure you that our products will operate as designed or provide our potential customers
with a cost-effective alternative source of in-ocean power for all applications. In our current PowerBuoy design, we are
leveraging portions of earlier designs and features that we do not believe require further validation prior to implementation
in our current products. Currently, our product development and engineering efforts are focusing primarily on developing
technologies that will increase the energy output and reliability of our product, while also seeking to ensure design scalability
to meet the power demands in our targeted markets. Our marketing and development efforts are targeting applications that
require reliable, persistent, and sustainable power sources operating independently of the utility grid. We also seek to supply
electric power to payloads that are integrated directly in our PowerBuoy and/or located in its vicinity when deployed in the
ocean, including on the seabed. Based on our market research and available public data, our management believes that there
is the potential for us to pursue business opportunities in multiple markets that would have a direct need for our PowerBuoys
including oil and gas, ocean observing, defense and security, communications, offshore wind, and ocean aquaculture.
Depending on power needs, sensor types and other considerations, we believe our PowerBuoy could have the ability to satisfy
several application requirements within these markets. We believe that our current PowerBuoy product, the PB3, generates
sufficient persistent power to meet the application needs of many of the potential customers within our target markets, but
we also believe that we will need to increase the energy output of the PowerBuoy to generate the power required for other
applications within these markets and are seeking to do so with our continued research and development efforts. We cannot
assure you that we will be successful in our efforts to seek commercial adoption of our PowerBuoy and related services.
Since fiscal 2002, government agencies have accounted for a significant portion of our revenues. These revenues
were largely for the support of our development efforts relating to our technology and development of our PowerBuoys. Our
goal is that an increased portion of our revenues be from the sale or lease of our products and sales of services, as compared
to revenue from grants to support our business operations. As we continue to develop and commercialize our products, we
expect to have a net loss of cash from operating activities unless and until we achieve positive cash flow from the
commercialization of our products and services. During fiscal 2015 and 2016, we continued work on projects with the U.S.
Department of Energy (“DOE”), and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (“MES”), and we continued our efforts
to increase the reliability and power output of our PowerBuoys.
1
telephone number
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in April 1984 and began commercial operations in
1994. On April 23, 2007, we reincorporated in Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 1590 Reed Road,
is
Pennington, New Jersey 08534, and our
www.oceanpowertechnologies.com. We make available free of charge on our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably
practicable after such material is filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information
on our website is not a part of this Annual Report. Our common stock has been listed on NASDAQ since April 24, 2007, the
date on which we completed our initial public offering in the United States, and since July 2015, our common stock has been
listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Our fiscal year begins on May 1 and ends on April 30. When we refer to a particular
fiscal year, we are referring to the fiscal year ending on April 30 of that year. For example, fiscal 2016 refers to the fiscal
year beginning on May 1, 2015 and ending on April 30, 2016. Other fiscal years follow similarly.
is (609) 730-0400. Our website address
Competitive Advantages
We are currently seeking to commercialize our PowerBuoy by targeting customers principally in six markets (as
discussed in further detail below) that require reliable, persistent, and sustainable power sources operating independently of
the utility grid. We believe that our technology for generating electricity from wave energy and our commercial relationships
may offer the following potential competitive advantages in the markets we are targeting for commercial sales and leases of
our PowerBuoy and related products and services.
● Ocean-tested technology to generate electricity. We have conducted a number of ocean tests of our PowerBuoy since
1997 seeking to test and demonstrate the viability of our technology. Several ocean trials of our larger scale prototype
PowerBuoys were conducted between 2005 and 2011, and we conducted an ocean test of our autonomous PowerBuoy,
a previous iteration of our current autonomous PowerBuoy, under a contract with the U.S. Navy. We believe that these
tests support the use of our technology as a potential persistent power source for systems requiring remote power at sea.
Our PowerBuoy structure is designed to be durable and has survived hurricanes and winter storms while deployed in the
ocean.
● Efficient design in harnessing wave energy. We have designed our PowerBuoys to optimize the power generated for a
given location through efficient mechanical to electrical wave energy conversion. We have designed the onboard energy
storage system (“ESS”) to provide several days of continuous rated power during low or no wave periods. Our
PowerBuoy is equipped with a variety of communication capabilities including satellite, cellular, and Wi-Fi, and can
also accommodate other capabilities such as high frequency communication. Our PowerBuoy is capable of transmitting
real-time data, which is collected by its various payloads (e.g., sensors or equipment that require power and
communications capabilities).
● Numerous applications within multiple, major market segments. We have designed our PowerBuoy systems to work in
multiple offshore applications around the world. In particular, we are targeting our marketing to customers with potential
applications in the oil and gas, ocean observing, defense and security, offshore wind, communications, and ocean
aquaculture industries.
● Prior commercial relationships enabled the development of our technology. Our prior relationships with the U.S. Navy,
DOE, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security have allowed us to develop our PowerBuoys, which we believe
enhances our market visibility and attractiveness to our prospective customers. We believe that our projects with the
DOE, the U.S. Navy, MES, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided us with an initial opportunity to
develop our PowerBuoys and we are seeking to leverage these relationships in our efforts to commercialize our
PowerBuoys for use where autonomous power could potentially improve existing applications and enable new ones.
● Greater power compared to certain existing, incumbent solutions. We believe that our PowerBuoy may provide more
power than certain existing battery, solar, and other powered systems, enabling additional sensors to be employed or a
higher rate of data transmission, and/or extend the period during which the application can be employed on the ocean.
● Potentially considerable life cycle cost savings over incumbent solutions. Our PowerBuoy systems are designed to
operate over extended intervals between required servicing as compared to battery-powered or other systems which we
believe generally require more frequent recharging or replacement. We have developed several case studies around
various ocean observing applications which, in our opinion, illustrate that our PowerBuoy system may reduce costs over
multi-year operation of an application as compared with incumbent solutions, mostly due to lower vessel and personnel
servicing costs associated with the retrieval and redeployment of current battery-powered solutions. We also believe that
2
our enhanced communication capabilities may provide further value to potential end users by enabling proactive mission
critical-decision making based on data transmitted in real-time. We believe that longer operating intervals between
servicing has the potential to provide life cycle savings for certain applications.
● Modular and scalable designs. Our PowerBuoy systems are designed with a modular energy storage system (“ESS”)
which we believe will allow us to tailor the PowerBuoy configuration to the specific needs of the end-user and therefore
offer a cost effective solution, while also allowing us to expand the energy storage capacity within the PowerBuoy
depending on the power requirements of specific applications. We believe this could be accomplished by integrating
energy storage modules into the PowerBuoy, potentially eliminating the need for alterations or customization and
providing both flexibility and cost-effectiveness to the end-user. We also believe that our PowerBuoys might also be
installed in an array in order to achieve higher levels of aggregate power generation, although we have not done so to
date. Additionally, we believe that our PowerBuoy technology and designs may be scalable to higher power levels.
● Real-time data communications. Some incumbent solutions which have less available power than our PowerBuoy may
have limited communication capabilities or may be able to communicate data only over shorter periods due to data
transmission power requirements. Some incumbent solutions may only make data accessible upon physical retrieval of
or from the sensor. Our PowerBuoys can be equipped with a variety of communications equipment, which enables the
transmission of data on a more frequent basis than many incumbent solutions or even on a real-time basis and on-demand.
We believe that more frequent data communication could enable an end-user to make data-driven decisions more quickly.
● Flexible electrical, mechanical and communication interfaces for sensors. Our PowerBuoys can be equipped with sensor
packages and also provide capability for the addition of sensors, either mounted directly on or within the PowerBuoy, or
tethered to the PowerBuoy. Our PowerBuoys have mechanical and electrical interfaces which may allow for simplified
integration of sensors by us, the end-user, or a third party.
● Standard transportation and deployment. The size and weight of our autonomous PowerBuoy allows for transportation
and handling using conventional means. Our autonomous PowerBuoy can fit in a standard 40 foot shipping container
which may result in significantly lower transportation and deployment costs compared to earlier iterations of our utility
scale PowerBuoy. Our autonomous PowerBuoy can be transported using conventional vessels, and can be lifted using
conventional marine cranes.
● Environmentally benign and aesthetically non-intrusive system design. We believe that our PowerBuoy does not present
significant risks to marine life, or emit significant levels of pollutants, and therefore has minimal environmental impact.
For example, in connection with our project at the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Hawaii in 2003, the U.S. Navy obtained
an independent environmental assessment of our PowerBuoy prior to installation, as required by the National
Environmental Policy Act. This assessment resulted in a “Finding of No Significant Impact,” the highest rating obtainable
by the assessor. In addition, in 2011, we received a “Finding of No Significant Impact” from the DOE after an
environmental assessment in connection with our Reedsport, Oregon project. Since our PowerBuoys are typically located
far offshore, they are usually not visible from land. We believe that our PowerBuoy has only a minimal visual and audible
impact, where only a small portion of the unit is visible at close range, with the bulk of the unit being hidden below the
surface of the water. We believe there is no significant audible impact and such systems have not been shown to have a
negative effect on marine life.
Business Strategy
As part of our strategic pivot in operations initiated in fiscal 2015, we are currently focused on developing and
commercializing our PowerBuoy products and services for use in autonomous power applications. Generally, these
applications are independent of the power grid and are located in remote offshore locations. We have incorporated our prior
knowledge and best practices into our product design and validation processes, some of which were gained during the
development of utility scale buoys. Based on market research and available public data, we believe considerable business
opportunity could exist in markets which require autonomous offshore power.
Our business strategy is to commercialize our autonomous PowerBuoy systems. In order to achieve this goal, we
are pursuing the following business objectives:
● Sell and/or Lease PowerBuoys. We believe the PowerBuoy addresses power requirements in remote offshore
applications and locations. Since we believe our autonomous PowerBuoy is well suited for many of these
applications, we do not expect the need for continued subsidies or other price incentives for longer-term market
3
adoption. Our fundamental long-term business plan for our selected markets is to sell and lease PowerBuoys, and
provide services associated with product sales and leases such as maintenance, application engineering, planning,
training, and logistics support required for the PowerBuoy life-cycle.
● Concentrate sales and marketing efforts in specific geographic markets. We are currently focusing our sales and
marketing efforts in North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia, including Japan. We believe that each of
these areas represents a potential market for our autonomous PowerBuoys given appropriate wave conditions,
political and economic stability, the existence of selected market applications, and high levels of industrialization
and economic development.
● Expand our relationships in key market areas. We believe that an important element of our business strategy is to
collaborate with other organizations to leverage our combined expertise, market presence and access, and core
competences across key markets. We have formed such a relationship with MES in Japan, and we continue to seek
other opportunities to collaborate with application experts from within our selected markets. We continue to engage
market stakeholders who we believe may be critical to gaining market entry and speeding adoption of our products
and services during our commercialization process. We cannot make assurances that we will be successful in our
commercialization efforts. We continue to receive stakeholder interest in participating in future in-ocean trials to
ensure that relevant application objectives are met.
● Outsource most of the equipment fabrication and deployment. We outsource all fabrication, anchoring, mooring,
cabling supply, and, in most cases, deployment, of our PowerBuoy in order to minimize our capital requirements as
we scale our business. However, our PTO is a proprietary subsystem and is assembled and tested at our facility. The
buoy hull of our PowerBuoy may be shipped to our facility for integration of the PTO, or integration may occur
closer to the expected deployment site. We believe this distributed manufacturing and assembly approach enables
us to focus on our value-adding core competencies while also enabling the cost effectiveness of our PowerBuoy
through the leverage of a larger more qualified supply base. We believe the use of suppliers that are in close proximity
to our potential customers will reduce shipping costs and risk, and will provide direct visibility to our potential
customers, which may improve our credibility and competitiveness.
● Continue to increase PowerBuoy output. Our product development and engineering efforts are focused on increasing
the energy output, reliability, and expected operating life of our PowerBuoys, as well as optimizing manufacturability
of our designs with a focus on cost competitiveness. We believe that by increasing the energy output we will be able
to address larger segments of our target markets. By improving our design and manufacturing, we intend to
simultaneously remove cost from our PowerBuoys through further design iterations and manufacturing ramp-up. In
so doing, we expect to be able to improve customer value, displace more incumbent solutions, and become a viable
power source for additional applications in our target market segments.
● Maximize customer funding of technology development. We actively seek to obtain external funding for the
continued development of our technology, including cost-sharing obligations, under our customer contracts. In April
2010, we were awarded $1.5 million from the DOE for the development of our utility scale PowerBuoy technology.
In fiscal 2011, we were awarded an additional $2.4 million from the DOE and $2.3 million from the United Kingdom
(“U.K.”) Government’s Technology Strategy Board for utility scale technology development. In fiscal 2014, the
DOE amended our contract to provide funding for the development of an optimized PTO system, and our work under
this contract was successfully completed in fiscal 2016.
Market Opportunities
We are targeting our sales and marketing efforts in the following six markets, which we believe present market
opportunities for our Company as we seek to commercialize our products and services.
Oil and Gas
We believe the oil and gas industry is undergoing a significant transformation. In light of industry consolidation due
to relatively low oil prices, the industry continues to invest in new technologies which enable cost savings as well as the
digitization of operations. We believe that minor improvements in oil field management can equate to significant additional
revenues or cost savings for the operator and is driving the industry to search for new and enabling technologies. We believe
that the addition of increased offshore power sources could enable activities like powering seafloor processes and/or
augmenting associated power systems. We also believe that cost savings, potential increased revenues, and risk management
are key drivers for the oil and gas industry. We also believe that applications such as charging stations for autonomous
4
underwater vehicles, equipment monitoring, communications, reservoir management, weather forecasting, ocean current
predictions, and seismic mapping are all significant customer market opportunities for our products.
Ocean Observing
Ocean observing provides information for the entire ocean enterprise, consisting of for-profit and not-for-profit
businesses which support ocean measurement, observation and forecasting, and is an important provider of information to
maritime commerce and the entire “blue economy.” Maritime commerce and the scientific community depend on information
about areas such as weather, climate change, ocean seismometry and biological processes in order to inform operations and
development. The instruments used to collect maritime data and environmental intelligence require a power and
communications solution in remote offshore locations. We believe that our PowerBuoy may provide savings over the project
life-cycle of incumbent solutions, and the increased power provided by the PowerBuoy may allow for additional sensors and
enhanced data communications and/or may enable brand new and critical sensing missions that may have been prohibited
due to the lack of sufficient offshore power as provided by incumbent solutions.
Security and Defense
In 2011, we deployed a prototype autonomous PowerBuoy off the coast of New Jersey, which we designed and
manufactured for the U.S. Navy for coastal security and maritime surveillance (described more fully below under “Customers
– Historical Projects – U.S. Navy”). Our PowerBuoy provided persistent power to an integrated radar system for nearly three
months, and the system successfully extended the U.S. Navy’s surveillance range by a significant amount. Two years later,
we redeployed the system, powering both radar and sonar. We believe there is the potential for the U.S. Navy to seek to
incorporate this type of surveillance capability in major ports throughout the U.S.
We believe that a PowerBuoy can be used to provide power and communications for multiple applications, while
appearing the same regardless of the application. This may be an attractive feature for defense and security, as their systems
can hide in plain sight. An example of such would be an array of PowerBuoys providing surveillance across an inlet or harbor,
with communications back to a remote base which could be used to help protect critical and high-value infrastructure.
Forward deployed energy and communications outposts, above and below sea surface, early detection and warning systems,
remote sensing stations, high frequency radar and sonar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, network communications
systems and unmanned underwater vehicle docking stations are all applications for domestic and international defense
departments and defense contractors.
Other Markets
We believe that opportunities also exist in markets such as offshore wind, communications, and aquaculture. For
example, the addition of nearshore and offshore cellular and WiFi platforms with persistent power could decrease
communications costs for the marine and airline industries. Continuous power and data communications for the aquaculture
industry could potentially transform location requirements of the industry.
Offshore wind requires meteorological and environmental data to permit, finance and build wind turbine
installations. Currently two methods of data collection are used for offshore wind: (1) meteorological masts, which are a
significant cost to install on the ocean floor and can take more than 12 months for permitting and construction; and (2)
floating, which uses a Light Detection and Ranging device (“LiDAR”) and which is gaining acceptance in the industry.
Current power and communications platforms for floating LiDAR exist but may not be adequate for continuous data
collection. We believe that our PowerBuoy solution may be able to decrease life cycle costs compared to these incumbent
solutions. Global wind farm development market data suggest that hundreds of offshore wind sites are in the initial planning
stages or beyond, with more being added each year.
Product and Technologies
The following is a summary of the development and history of our current PowerBuoy product and our technologies.
Wave Energy
The energy contained in ocean waves is a form of renewable energy that can be harnessed to generate electricity.
Ocean waves are created when wind moves across the ocean surface. The interaction between the wind and the ocean surface
causes energy to be exchanged. At first, small waves occur on the ocean surface. As this process continues, the waves become
larger and the distance between the top of the waves becomes longer. Wave size, and the amount of kinetic wave energy,
5
depends on wind speed, the duration the wind blows across the waves and the distance covered. The vertical motion of the
waves moves the float component of our PowerBuoy, creating mechanical energy which our proprietary technologies convert
into usable electricity.
We believe that there are the following potential benefits to using wave energy for electricity generation, compared
to existing incumbent solutions.
● Scalability within a small site area. Due to the dense energy in ocean waves, we believe that multiple PowerBuoys
may be aggregated in an array that would occupy a reasonably small area to supply electricity to larger payloads.
We believe the aggregation of a larger number of appropriately sized PowerBuoys could offer end users a variety of
advantages in availability, reliability and scalability. To date, we have not deployed an array of PowerBuoys to test
and validate our hypothesis, and we cannot assure that a PowerBuoy array would generate the energy required to
meet the needs of prospective customers.
● Predictability. The generation of power from wave energy can be forecasted several days in advance. Wave energy
can be calculated with a high degree of accuracy based on satellite images and meteorological data, even when the
wave is hundreds of miles away and days from reaching a PowerBuoy. Therefore, we believe end-users relying on
PowerBuoys for power may be able to plan their logistics, payload scheduling and other operational activities based
on such data and proactively, although we have not tested this theory.
● Constant source of energy. The annual flow of waves at certain specific sites can be relatively constant and defined
with relatively high accuracy. Based on our studies and analyses of various sites of interest, we believe that, at some
point in the future, we will be able to deploy our PowerBuoys in locations where the waves could produce usable
electricity for the majority of all hours during a year.
Methods for generating electricity from wave energy can be divided into two general categories: onshore systems
and offshore systems. Our PowerBuoys are the offshore type. Many offshore systems, including our PowerBuoy, utilize a
floatation device to harness wave energy. The heaving or pitching of the floatation device due to the force of the waves
creates mechanical energy, which is converted into electricity by various technologies. Onshore and near shore systems are
often located on a shore cliff or a breakwater, or a short distance at sea from the shore line, and typically must concentrate
the wave energy before using it to drive an electrical generator. Although maintenance costs of onshore systems may be less
than those associated with offshore systems, we believe there are a variety of disadvantages to the former. As waves approach
the shore, their energy decreases, therefore, onshore and near shore wave power stations are not capable of exploiting the
same amount of energy produced by waves in deeper water. In addition, suitable sites for onshore and near shore systems are
limited and potential environmental and aesthetic issues may impede development of these systems due to wave power station
size and proximity of communities.
Our principal product is our autonomous PowerBuoy, which is designed to generate power for use independent of
the power grid in remote offshore locations. It consists of a main hull structure surrounded by a floating buoy-like device.
The hull is loosely moored to the seabed so that floating buoy can freely move up and down in response to the rising and
falling of the waves. The PTO device that includes an electrical generator, a power electronics system, our control system,
and our ESS are sealed within the hull. As ocean waves pass the PowerBuoy, the mechanical stroke action created by the
waves is converted into rotational mechanical energy by the PTO, which in turn, drives the electrical generator. The power
electronics system then conditions the electrical output which is collected within an ESS. The operation of the PowerBuoy is
controlled by our customized, proprietary control system.
The control system uses sensors and an onboard computer to continuously monitor the PowerBuoy subsystems as
well as the characteristics of the waves which interact with the PowerBuoy. The control system collects data from the sensors
and the payloads, and uses proprietary algorithms to electronically adjust the performance of the PowerBuoy. We believe
that this ability to optimize and manage the electric power output of the PowerBuoy is a significant advantage of our
technology.
In the event of large storm waves, the control system automatically locks the PowerBuoy and electricity generation
is suspended. However, the load center (either the on-board payload or that in the vicinity of the PowerBuoy) may continue
to receive power from the on-board ESS. When wave heights return to normal operating conditions, the control system
automatically unlocks the PowerBuoy and electricity generation and ESS replenishment recommence. This safety feature
helps to prevent the PowerBuoy from being damaged by storm wave impacts.
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In March 2016, we announced a rebranding of our PowerBuoy systems as part of our commercialization efforts and
to closely align our PowerBuoy products with the perceived best practices of analogous industries based on power generation
and on-board energy storage capabilities. Under our new naming conventions, our current PowerBuoy is referred to as the
“PB3,” corresponding to “PowerBuoy with a peak power rating of three kilowatts.” This naming convention is based upon
the ideal yet achievable ocean conditions that would result in a net AC peak power delivered by the PB3 PowerBuoy to a
payload over a 20 minute period after converting the incoming wave energy into useful AC electricity. References on our
website, and in our SEC filings and this Annual Report to the “APB350” refers to earlier prototype PowerBuoys containing
earlier generation PTOs and other earlier technologies.
The PB3 has undergone a design iteration from our immediate prior design focusing on improving its reliability and
survivability in the anticipated operating ocean environment, and will continue to undergo further enhancements through
customary product life cycle management. The PB3-A1 was an initial prototype that has now undergone in-ocean and
accelerated life testing, and we believe that the PB3 will achieve a maturity level for use by early adopters in fiscal 2017, but
we are in the early stages of seeking to commercialize our product and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in
our efforts to do so. We believe that the PB3 will generate and store sufficient power to address some application requirements
in our target markets. Our product development and engineering efforts are focused, in part, on increasing the energy output
and efficiency of our PowerBuoys and, if we are able to do so, we believe the PowerBuoy would be useful for additional
applications where cost savings and additional power are required by our potential customers. We have only begun to explore
opportunities in these target markets, and we have not yet developed any integrated solutions and product offerings in these
potential markets. We believe that by increasing the energy output of our PowerBuoys we may be able to address larger
segments of our target markets. By improving our design and manufacturing, we also seek to reduce the cost of our
PowerBuoys through further design iterations and manufacturing ramp-up. In so doing, we seek to improve customer value,
displace more incumbent solutions, and become a viable power source for additional applications in our target market
segments.
Research and Development
Our research and development team has a broad range of experience in mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, hydrodynamics and systems engineering. We have engaged in extensive research and development efforts to
develop the PowerBuoy, improve PowerBuoy efficiency, reliability and power output, and to improve manufacturability
while reducing cost and complexity. Our research and development efforts have been focused recently on optimizing the size
of our PowerBuoys in order to achieve the most competitive overall cost (both operating and capital expenditures) in our
target markets. Such efforts included in recent years reducing overall product size and weight by considering the use of
materials other than steel for the external structure of our PowerBuoys. Other recent efforts included the development of
scalable, higher efficiency, lower cost, higher reliability and less customized PTO systems, and the use of higher energy
density and lower weight energy storage technologies. We continue to seek to increase the capabilities of our PowerBuoy
systems by designing flexible interfaces and rendering them sensor and payload agnostic.
Other areas of research and development focus have included the development and implementation of accelerated
testing regimens and techniques known as accelerated life testing. Such methods accelerate failures in a laboratory
environment, as compared to more lengthy and expensive full scale ocean deployments during normal use conditions. This
testing allows us to quantify the life characteristics of critical components and subsystems which would normally require
several years of operation in ocean conditions to achieve similar levels of wear and tear. Accelerated life testing is used
successfully in other industries such as automotive and aerospace, and is a critical enabler for rapid product and technology
development and maturation. We believe that the combination of laboratory and ocean test regimens coupled with carefully
planned PowerBuoy ocean tests will help us to improve our effectiveness in commercializing our products.
It is our intent to fund the majority of our research and development expenses over the next several years with
sources of external funding, including cost sharing obligations under customer contracts. However, we cannot assure you
that we will be successful in our efforts to secure additional contracts. If we are unable to obtain external funding, we may
curtail our research and development expenses or reduce the scope of our operations as necessary to lower our operating
costs.
Deployments
We continue to receive important feedback from in-ocean deployments of our PowerBuoys, as is customary in the
marine industry for new vessels and products prior to final acceptance by their customers. If we are able to increase
PowerBuoy production, we anticipate that the need for in-ocean trials of our mature products will diminish. Deployment sites
7
are selected based on minimum ocean depth, appropriate wave activity for power generation requirements of associated
deployment payloads, and proximity to end-user operations. The PB3 can be transported over land to the deployment port
using a standard 40 foot “low-boy” trailer. Once at port, the PB3 can be lifted into the water or onboard a vessel using a
readily available crane of appropriate capacity. The PB3 may then be towed to site using a standard vessel (if the location is
within an appropriate distance from the port), or the PB3 may be carried aboard a vessel to its offshore location, and craned
into the water at site. The PB3 is then attached to the mooring system, which is installed during a separate operation, after
which a brief commissioning process places the PB3 into operation. Recent deployments include the PB3-A1 in August and
October of 2015, and again in June 2016. In July 2016, we deployed our first commercial PB3 PowerBuoy, approximately
four miles off of the coast of New Jersey. The Company currently anticipates that this deployment will be the final validation
of the PB3 prior to the anticipated March 2017 six-month lease of the PB3 PowerBuoy under a previously announced
customer agreement.
Product Insurance. We currently have a property loss and liability insurance policy underwritten by Lloyd's
Underwriters that covers the deployment and storage of our PowerBuoys.
Site Approval. In the U.S., federal agencies regulate the siting of long-term renewable energy projects and related-
uses located on the outer continental shelf (“OCS”), which is generally more than three miles offshore. OCS projects longer
than one-year in duration are regulated by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”). For projects located
within three miles of the U.S. shore regardless of duration, the adjacent state would be responsible for issuing a lease and
other required authorizations for the location of the project. In either case, an assessment of the potential environmental
impact of the project would be conducted in addition to other requirements. Generally, the same process applies to foreign
sites where site approval is contingent on meeting both national and local regulatory and environmental requirements. In
connection with issuing permits or leases enabling project use, the respective government agency often requires site
restoration or other activities at the conclusion of the permit or lease period.
Environmental Approval and Compliance. We are subject to various foreign, federal, state and local environmental
protection and health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things: the generation, storage, handling, use
and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water;
and the health and safety of our employees. In addition, in the U.S., the construction and operation of PowerBuoys offshore
would require permits and approvals from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other governmental
authorities. These required permits and approvals evaluate, among other things, whether a project is in the public interest and
ensure that the project would not create a hazard to navigation. Other foreign and international laws may require similar
approvals. We provide you with additional information under “Regulation” below.
Customers
Current Customers
The table below shows the percentage of our revenue we derived from significant customers for the periods
indicated:
EU (WavePort project) ....................................................
US Department of Energy ...............................................
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding ................................
UK Government's Technical Strategy Board ..................
58%
28%
14%
-
23%
37%
40%
-
15%
34%
38%
12%
2016
2015
2014
We currently have one revenue producing contract, which is our agreement with MES. The MES agreement is a
$975,587 contract for engineering services and a six-month lease of our PB3 PowerBuoy off the coast of Japan. The lease
portion of this contract is currently expected to commence in March 2017 and run through August 2017. MES has the right
to cancel all or any separable part of the MES contract for convenience upon 30 days written notice to us, and the contract
contains other customary terms and conditions.
In order to be successful, we must expand our customer base and obtain commercial contracts for us to lease or sell
our PowerBuoy and related services to customers. Our potential customer base for our PowerBuoys includes various public
and private entities, and agencies that require autonomous offshore power. To date, substantially all of our revenue producing
contracts have been with a small number of customers under contracts to fund a portion of the costs of our operational efforts
to develop and improve our technology, validate our product through ocean and laboratory testing, and business development
8
activities with potential commercial customers. Most of our revenues to date have been cost-reimbursement contracts with
customers funding our product development efforts. Our goal in the future is that an increased portion of our revenues will
be from the lease or sale of our products and related maintenance and other services. Our significant customers and contracts
to date are summarized below.
● We have worked with MES (2010 to current) to develop several PowerBuoy projects in Japan. Historically, our
agreements with MES have provided for MES to reimburse us for specific costs associated with research,
development and deployment of our PowerBuoy product. In March 2016, we entered into a letter of intent (“LOI”)
with MES to conduct funded pre-work tasks and to negotiate a definitive agreement that would allow for the lease
of the PB3 PowerBuoy for a project off the coast of Kozushima Island, Japan following a planned stage gate review.
Stage-gate reviews are used in product development to gather key information needed to advance the project to the
next gate or decision point. This process is a generally accepted industry practice and has been utilized by other
customers such as the DOE.
In June 2016, as described above, we announced a definitive agreement with MES for engineering and other services
and a six-month lease of our PB3 PowerBuoy, which is anticipated to commence in March 2017, and currently
expected to extend through August 2017.
● We have worked with the DOE (2008 to current) and the U.K. government’s Technology Strategy Board (2010 to
2014) under contracts to help fund technology improvements to increase the power output of our prototype
PowerBuoys. Two DOE contracts concluded in fiscal 2016.
Strategic Relationships
We also have developed some strategic relationships with companies seeking to validate our PowerBuoy as a source
of energy for specific applications. These strategic relationships generally require us to provide services and/or products to,
or in conjunction with, our strategic partners, seeking to jointly develop an application. We generally bear our own costs
associated with the performance of these strategic arrangements and these relationships generally do not generate any
revenues for us. Our current strategic relationships are described below.
●
●
●
In 2015, we entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with Gardline Environmental to jointly develop
and market innovative metocean monitoring and maritime security systems for prospective customers in the oil and
gas, ocean observing, and security and defense markets. We are currently working with Gardline Environmental to
finalize phase one of the MOU in order to advance to the next phase.
In 2016, we entered into a cooperative research and development agreement (“CRADA”) with the National Data
Buoy Center (“NBDC”) to conduct ocean demonstrations of its innovative Self-Contained Ocean Observing Payload
(“SCOOP”) monitoring system integrated into our PB3-A1 PowerBuoy. NDBC operates a large network of buoys
and stations which provide critical meteorological and oceanic observations that are utilized by government,
industry, and academia throughout the world. Under the CRADA, an initial ocean demonstration will be conducted
off the coast of New Jersey. Site-specific measurements of meteorological and ocean conditions, as well as system
performance and maintenance data collection, will be carried out. We have integrated the SCOOP onto our PB3
PowerBuoy and in June 2016 we deployed the system off of the coast of New Jersey. The SCOOP is powered by
the PB3, and is providing metocean data to us and to NDBC. We expect this deployment to continue for
approximately three months before retrieval of the PB3-A1.
In May 2016, we entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with the Wildlife Conservation Society
(“WCS”) to explore the use of our PowerBuoys in conjunction with ocean life monitoring sensors to collect ocean
mammal migration data. The MOA includes the exploration and assessment of the use of the PB3 as an integration
platform to provide power and communications to sensors that monitor marine life migrations. An initial effort
consisting of a battery powered sensor mounted to the PB3-A1 is deployed off of the coast of New Jersey and will
seek to establish a baseline acoustic survey. We expect this integration and deployment to continue for approximately
three months before retrieval of the PB3-A1.
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Historic Projects
Our relationships and projects during recent years include, but are not limited to, the following:
● The U.S. Navy and Department of Homeland Security.
o From 2009 to 2011, we ocean-tested our utility-scale PowerBuoy at the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Hawaii at
Kaneohe Bay. The PowerBuoy was launched under our program with the U.S. Navy for ocean testing and
demonstration of a prior iteration of our PowerBuoy, including connection to the Oahu power grid.
o From 2007 to 2013, we worked on two separate contracts to fabricate and deploy two autonomous
PowerBuoys, which were subsequently deemed obsolete, as an alternate power source for the U.S. Navy's
Deep Water Active Detection System (“DWADS”).
o
In 2009 and 2010, we were awarded $2.4 million and $2.75 million, respectively, from the U.S. Navy to
develop a Littoral Expeditionary Autonomous PowerBuoy (“LEAP”) prototype. The LEAP contract was
developed to enhance the U.S. Navy's territorial protection capability by providing potential persistent
power at sea for port maritime surveillance in the near coast, harbor, piers and offshore areas. During the
LEAP contract, we designed, built and deployed in 2011 a PowerBuoy structure incorporating a new PTO
system. The system was deployed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and was ocean-tested approximately 20
miles off of the coast of New Jersey. It was integrated with a Rutgers University-operated land-based radar
network that provided ocean current mapping data for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (“NOAA”) and U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (“SAR”) operations. The ocean test
of the LEAP vessel detection system demonstrated dual-use capability of the radar network and helped to
verify our technology as a potential persistent power source for systems requiring remote power at sea.
During the ocean testing under these contracts, our PowerBuoy withstood the high storm waves of Hurricane
Irene.
o
In 2012, we executed a CRADA with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to collaborate and
demonstrate persistent maritime vessel detection. The vessel detection ocean demonstration in 2013 utilized
the same PowerBuoy under the LEAP contract with additional sensors. This additional deployment provided
critical data which informed our next design iteration, and which incorporated major modifications to
address critical operations and reliability improvements. This project concluded in 2013.
● Lockheed Martin. From 2004 to 2014, we had several project teaming agreements and license agreements with
Lockheed Martin.
● Australia. In 2008, we announced a Joint Development Agreement with Leighton Contractors Pty. Ltd. (“Leighton”)
for the development of wave power projects off the coast of Australia. In 2009, Leighton formed Victorian Wave
Partners Pty Ltd (“VWP”), a special purpose company for the development of a wave power project off the coast of
Victoria, Australia. In 2010, VWP and the Commonwealth of Australia entered into an Energy Demonstration
Program Funding Deed (“Funding Deed”), wherein VWP was awarded an A$66.5 million (approximately US$62
million) grant for the wave power project. However, receipt of funds under the grant was subject to certain terms,
including achievement of future significant external funding milestones. The grant was expected to be used towards
the A$232 million proposed cost of building and deploying a wave power station off the coast of Australia (the
“Project”). In March 2012, our Australian subsidiary Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty. Ltd acquired
100% ownership of VWP from Leighton. In January 2014, VWP signed a Deed of Variation with the Australian
Renewable Energy Agency (“ARENA”) that amended the Funding Deed, and, in March 2014, received the initial
portion of the grant from ARENA in the amount of approximately A$5.6 million (approximately US$5.2 million)
(the “Initial Funding”). The Initial Funding was subject to claw-back provisions if certain contractual requirements,
including performance criteria, were not satisfied. In light of the claw-back provisions, we determined to classify the
Initial Funding as an advance payment, hold the funds as restricted cash and defer recognition of the funds as revenue.
In July 2014, the VWP Board of Directors determined that the project contemplated by the Funding Deed was no
longer commercially viable and terminated the Funding Deed. The Initial Funding was returned to ARENA. We do
not currently have any projects in Australia.
●
Japan. In fiscal 2014, 2015 and 2016, we worked with MES under several contracts to enhance our PowerBuoy
technology for Japanese sea conditions for both utility scale and autonomous applications. Under these contracts and
leveraging prior work with MES, we analyzed methods to maximize buoy power capture, performed modeling and
10
wave tank testing, evaluated novel mooring strategies and conducted design reviews. Currently, the utility scale
effort with MES has been suspended and our current efforts with MES are focused on autonomous applications. We
billed and were paid for all eligible costs incurred under the previous utility scale project with MES in fiscal 2015.
Our revenue recorded in fiscal 2015 reflects the total amount paid on these MES contracts. See above under “—
Current Customers” for a description of our current contract with MES.
● Reedsport, Oregon Project. We obtained a permit in 2007 from the Federal Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) for
a multi-stage wave power project off the coast of Reedsport, Oregon. In addition, we received two cost-sharing
contracts with the DOE for approximately $4.4 million to construct and deploy a single PowerBuoy off the coast of
Reedsport. We subsequently obtained a license from FERC in August 2012 that authorized installation and operation
of a 10-buoy grid connected wave energy array (the “License”). Due to the complexity of the FERC regulations for
the single buoy, higher than anticipated project costs, unanticipated technical risks, and uncertainty surrounding
permitting, we made the decision not to proceed with the project. Accordingly, we announced in March 2014 our
surrender of the permit for one phase of the project and announced in April 2014 that we were taking the steps
necessary to close out this project with the DOE. In May 2014, we filed an application to surrender the FERC permit
for the remaining phases. In August 2014, in cooperation with the State of Oregon Department of State Lands, we
removed anchoring and mooring equipment from the seabed off of the coast of Oregon and are taking steps to dispose
of or repurpose equipment acquired for the project. In fiscal 2016, we dispositioned the PowerBuoy.
● The EU WavePort Project. In 2010, we were awarded €2.2 million under the European Commission's Seventh
Framework Programme (“FP7”) by the European Commission's Directorate (“EC”) responsible for new and
renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency and innovation. This grant was part of a total award of €4.5 million
to a consortium of companies, including us, to deliver a PowerBuoy wave energy device, referred to as the PB40 (a
legacy utility scale buoy), under a project entitled WavePort. We commenced work under this grant in fiscal 2012,
and this cost-sharing contract expired on July 31, 2014. Due to a variety of factors, in October 2014, we shipped the
PB40 back to New Jersey in order to undertake to deploy it off of the coast of New Jersey using our own funding.
The legacy utility scale buoy was deployed in July 2015 and retrieved in August 2015, due to failure of a component
part. We do not intend to redeploy the PB40. Following a project audit, final payment under the WavePort Project
was received and recognized as revenue in fiscal 2016.
● PowerBuoy Development Projects. In April 2010, we received a $1.5 million award from the DOE for a feasibility
study of a PowerBuoy with the ability to produce up to 500kW of power (referred to as the “PB500”). In fiscal 2011,
we received additional awards totaling $4.7 million for the PB500 structure and PTO optimization study, $2.3 million
from the U.K. Government’s Technology Strategy Board and $2.4 million from the DOE. In fiscal 2014, upon
completion of the concept design and associated trade studies that included detailed mechanical analyses,
manufacturability and overall projected performance, the study concluded that a PB500 would not be technically
feasible or economically viable. Our development efforts since that time have focused on further optimization of our
modular and optimized PTO technology. In March 2015, we successfully completed a stage gate review and a review
of project deliverables with the DOE where advancements related to PTO design aspects such as reliability, cost take
out, manufacturability and scalability were reviewed. Following a stage gate review, the project was successfully
completed in fiscal 2016.
Manufacturing
We engage in two types of manufacturing activities: 1) the manufacturing of the high value-added PTO components
for systems control, power generation and conversion, and energy storage for each PowerBuoy; and 2) contracting with
outside companies for the fabrication of the buoy structure, anchoring, mooring, and cabling.
Our core in-house manufacturing activity is the assembly, final systems integration and testing of the PTO and its
components, which is conducted at our Pennington, New Jersey facility. The power generation system consists of electro-
mechanical components, and the control modules include the critical electrical and electronic systems that convert the
mechanical energy into usable electricity. The sensors and control systems use sophisticated technology to optimize the
performance of the PowerBuoy in response to changing operating conditions and payload power demand. We maintain a
portfolio of patents, including those that cover our power generation, power conversion and control technologies.
We purchase the remaining components and materials for each PowerBuoy from various vendors. We provide
specifications to each vendor, and they are responsible for performing quality analysis and quality control over the course of
construction, subject to our review of the quality and test procedure results. After the vendor completes the testing of the
11
buoy structure, it is transported to our facility for final integration of the PTO. After each vendor completes testing of the
remaining components, they are transported ready-to-install to the project site. We do not believe that we are dependent on
any single vendor for manufacturing the components of and materials for our PowerBuoy, and we believe that there are many
available manufacturers for our component parts if a particular manufacturing partner should become unavailable or
expensive. However, we have only manufactured our PowerBuoys in limited quantities for use in development and testing
and have limited commercial manufacturing experience, and our work with our vendors has not included work on multiple
orders on time-critical deadlines. Moreover, we do not have long-term contracts with our third-party manufacturers or
vendors. In order to be successful in our efforts to commercialize our PowerBuoys, we will need to secure stable relationships
with a variety of manufacturers and vendors that can supply component parts and materials for our PowerBuoy products.
Marketing and Sales
We are enhancing our marketing capabilities and have begun marketing our autonomous PowerBuoys. We currently
use a direct sales force consisting of employees and consultants. Because our autonomous PowerBuoys use technology which
is not yet considered mature by our target markets, we expect that the customer decision process could require us to spend
substantial time educating end-users and stakeholders, which may result in a lengthy sales cycle for our PowerBuoys.
We market our PowerBuoys to companies and entities requiring remote power applications; for example, oil and
gas companies for potential applications such as remote sensing, trace heating, or autonomous underwater vehicle charging
stations. We also see opportunities for security and defense applications using active sensors such as high frequency radar
and acoustic systems with significant processing and communications requirements.
Additionally, we continue to seek to enter into strategic relationships to develop application solutions with
commercial and military sensor and equipment manufacturers, where we might grant licenses to manufacture, market or
operate PowerBuoys or PowerBuoy subsystems.
Backlog
As of April 30, 2016, our backlog was negligible. As of April 30, 2015, our prior negotiated backlog was $0.9
million. In 2016, a utility project with MES was suspended and is excluded from backlog because we do not expect work
under that contract to continue as we shift focus to the new autonomous PowerBuoy project with MES. Subsequently, on
May 31, 2016, we entered into a contract with MES totaling $975,587, a portion of which was performed in fiscal 2016 as
agreed under a LOI signed in March 2016. Our backlog at April 30, 2016 and April 30, 2015 included cost-sharing contracts
as described in the Financial Operations Overview section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis in this Annual Report.
Our backlog can include both funded amounts, which are unfilled firm orders for our products and services for which funding
has been both authorized and appropriated by the customer (U.S. Congress, in the case of U.S. Government agencies), and
unfunded amounts, which are unfilled firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated. If any of our contracts were
to be terminated, our backlog would be reduced by the expected value of the remaining terms of such contract. Our backlog
was fully funded at April 30, 2016.
The amount of contract backlog is not necessarily indicative of future revenue because modifications to or
terminations of present contracts and production delays can provide additional revenue or reduce anticipated revenue. A
substantial portion of our revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method, and changes in estimates from
time to time may have a significant effect on revenue and backlog. Our backlog is also typically subject to large variations
from time to time due to the timing of new awards.
For fiscal 2016, we generated revenues of $0.7 million and incurred a net loss attributable to Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. of $13.1 million, and for fiscal 2015, we generated revenues of $4.1 million and incurred a net loss
attributable to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. of $13.1 million. As of April 30, 2016, our accumulated deficit was
$177.9 million. We have not been profitable since inception, and we do not know whether or when we will become profitable
because of the significant uncertainties with respect to our ability to successfully commercialize our PowerBuoys.
Competition
We expect to compete with other providers of in-ocean autonomous energy sources, including battery, solar and
fossil-fuel providers, most of which are substantially larger than OPT and have access to greater financial resources.
Incumbent sources of in-ocean energy also represent established and reliable sources of energy and already have gained
customer acceptance. Our ability to compete and compete successfully for business from applications seeking in-ocean
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energy will depend on our ability to produce and store energy reliably in-ocean and at a total cost that is competitive with or
lower than that of other providers. In addition, our ability to compete successfully will depend on the reliability of our product
and our potential customers’ perceived impressions regarding our company. Our ability to compete effectively may be
adversely affected by our current need for additional financing and our potential customers’ concerns about our long-term
viability.
We also may compete against other renewable wave generated energy providers. As of April 2016, there were more
than 250 companies, some with institutional funding, listed in the DOE’s Marine and Hydrokinetic (“MHK”) Technology
Database. This DOE database provides up-to-date information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies
and companies, both in the U.S. and around the world. Many of these companies are located in the U.K., continental Europe,
Japan, Israel, the U.S. and Australia, and many of those companies are pursuing the utility, grid-connected energy market.
The MHK industry is both highly competitive and continually evolving as participants strive to differentiate themselves by
promoting their specific technology focusing on cost and efficiency. The companies are subdivided by implementation: wave
power, current power, tidal and ocean thermal energy conversion. Within wave power, the technologies are classified as point
absorber, oscillating wave column, overtopping device, attenuator and oscillating wave surge converter. Our PowerBuoy
wave energy converter is classified as a point absorber.
The vast majority of the companies in the DOE’s database are small, start-up type companies with a small number
of employees and in early stage development who do not have our in-ocean validation experience. Only a few of these
companies have conducted accelerated life testing and have also conducted extensive wave tank testing on reduced scale
models of their devices. We believe our in-ocean experience is critical in proving the reliability, survivability and performance
of any wave energy system, which we believe our potential customers will require before adopting any wave generated energy
solution. We believe our experience gained through full scale in-ocean deployments, coupled with other types of testing, and
our resulting understanding of risks and failure modes may provide us with an advantage compared to other wave energy
potential competitors.
OPT's analysis of the DOE database indicates that approximately twenty wave energy technologies were selected
for further evaluation primarily based on company financial capability, type of system and potential to compete in
autonomous (non-grid connected) markets. Of these, there are three companies that we believe may have the technical
capability and financial viability to compete in the autonomous market; however, their technologies are still in early stage
development with limited ocean testing. We believe that none of these technologies are at the maturity level of our current
PB3 PowerBuoy, and because of this we may have a first mover advantage as compared with these wave energy providers.
Intellectual Property
We believe that our technology differentiates us from other providers of wave technologies. As a result, our success
depends in part on our ability to obtain and maintain proprietary protection for our products, technology and know-how, to
operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others and to prevent others from infringing our proprietary rights. Our
policy is to seek to protect our proprietary position by, among other methods, filing U.S. and foreign patent applications
related to our proprietary technology, inventions and improvements that are important to the development of our business.
We also rely on trade secrets, know-how, and continuing technological innovation and may rely on licensing opportunities
to develop and maintain our proprietary position.
As of April 2016, we have been issued 62 U.S. patents, of which 48 are active and 14 have expired. We have filed
for two additional U.S. patents. A total of 22 of the active U.S. patents have been issued foreign patent protection. An
additional four active patents have been filed for foreign patent protection. Our patent portfolio includes patents and patent
applications with claims directed to:
●
system design;
●
control systems;
● power conversion;
●
anchoring and mooring; and
● wave farm architecture.
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The expiration dates for our issued U.S. patents range from 2018 to 2032. We do not consider any single patent or
patent application that we hold to be material to our business. The patent positions of companies like ours are generally
uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions. Our ability to maintain and solidify our proprietary position for
our technology will depend on our success in continuing to obtain effective patent claims and enforcing those claims once
granted. In addition, certain technologies that we developed with U.S. federal government funding are subject to certain
government rights as described in "Risk Factors — Risks Related to Intellectual Property."
We use trademarks on nearly all of our products and believe that having distinctive marks is an important factor in
marketing our products. We have registered our PowerBuoy®, PBView®, Talk on Water®, CellBuoy® and PowerTower®
marks and our Making Waves in Power® service mark in the United States. Trademark ownership is generally of indefinite
duration when marks are properly maintained in commercial use.
Regulation
Our PowerBuoys are subject to regulation in the U.S. and in foreign jurisdictions concerning, among other areas,
site approval and environmental approval and compliance. In order to encourage the adoption of offshore power solutions,
many governments offer subsidies and other financial incentives and have mandated renewable energy targets which some
of our customers may be able to leverage. However, these subsidies, incentives and targets may not be applicable to our
technology and therefore may not be available to our customers.
The renewable energy industry has also been subject to increasing regulation. As the renewable energy industry
continues to evolve and as the wave energy industry continues to evolve, we anticipate that wave energy technology and our
PowerBuoys and their deployment will be subject to increased oversight and regulation in accordance with international,
national and local regulations relating to safety, sites, and environmental protection.
Site Approval, Environmental Approval and Compliance
We present additional information regarding the regulatory requirements relating to our in-ocean deployments
above, under “Product and Technologies – Deployments.”
Subsidies and Incentives
Renewable energy subsidies and incentives are generally applicable only to electric generation and supply to the
utility grid. However, our autonomous applications may permit a customer to reduce its carbon emissions, which our potential
customers may be able to publicize in their environmental stewardship reports.
Employees
As of April 30, 2016, we had 29 full-time employees and one part-time employee. Of these employees, 28 are
located in Pennington, New Jersey and one is located in the U.K. We believe that our future success will depend in part on
our continued ability to attract, hire and retain qualified personnel. None of our employees is represented by a labor union,
and we believe our employee relations are good.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors together with the other information contained in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and in prior reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and our registration
statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any of the following risks actually occur, they may materially
harm our business and our financial condition and results of operations. In this event, the market price of our Common Stock
could decline and your investment could be lost.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our auditors have raised substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. We have experienced
substantial and recurring losses from operations, which losses have caused an accumulated deficit of $177.9 million at April
30, 2016. At April 30, 2016, we had approximately $6.7 million in cash on hand. We generated revenues of only $.7 million
in fiscal 2016, and $4.1 million in fiscal 2015. Based on the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities
balances as of April 30, 2016, the Company believes that it will be able to finance its capital requirements and operations
into at least the quarter ending January 31, 2017. We continue to experience operating losses and currently have only one
primary revenue producing contract, which is an agreement with MES (the “MES Agreement”) to, among other things, lease
and deploy our PB3 PowerBuoy off Kozushima Island, Japan and to provide certain engineering and other services. The total
value of the lease and other services to be provided by us under the MES Agreement is $975,587. We currently expect the
term of the lease to commence in March 2017, and the term of the MES Agreement to extend through August 2017. During
the final three months of fiscal 2016, our net burn rate (cash used in operations less cash generated by operations) including
product development spending was approximately $900,000 per month.
We have been funding our business principally through sales of our securities, and we expect to continue to fund
our business with sales of our securities and, to a limited extent, with our revenues until, if ever, we generate sufficient cash
flow to internally fund our business. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a
going concern. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of
this uncertainty. We anticipate that our operating expenses will be approximately $12 million in fiscal 2017 including product
development spending of more than $5 million. However, we may choose to reduce our operating expenses through personnel
reductions, and reductions in our research and development and other operating costs during fiscal year 2017, if we are not
successful in our efforts to raise additional capital. We cannot assure you that we will be able to increase our revenues and
cash flow to a level which would support our operations and provide sufficient funds to pay our obligations for the foreseeable
future. Further, we cannot assure you that we will be able to secure additional financing or raise additional capital or, if we
are successful in our efforts to raise additional capital, of the terms and conditions upon which any such financing would be
extended. If we are unable to meet our obligations, we would be forced to cease operations, in which event investors would
lose their entire investment in our company.
We may not be able to raise sufficient capital to continue to operate our business.
Historically, we have funded our business operations through sales of equity securities. We do not know whether
we will be able to secure additional equity funding or, if secured, whether the terms will be favorable to us or our investors.
Our ability to obtain additional funding will be subject to a number of factors, including market conditions, our operating
performance, pending litigation and investor sentiment. These factors may make additional funding unavailable, or the
timing, amount, terms and conditions of additional funding unattractive. If we issue additional equity securities to raise
capital, our existing stockholders would experience dilution or may be subordinated to any rights, preferences or privileges
granted to the new equity holders. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We have filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC registering the sale of up to $15,000,000 of
debt, equity and other securities (the “Shelf Registration Statement”), which was declared effective on April 26, 2016. Under
the Shelf Registration Statement and our previous shelf registration statement on Form S-3 effective February 15, 2013 (the
“2013 Form S-3 Shelf”), we offered and sold $293,343 in value of our Common Stock in an “at the market” offering facility
(“ATM Facility”) during the period from October 2015 through April 2016. We paid H.C. Wainwright & Co., our sales agent
in the ATM Facility, a sales commission of approximately $4,400 related to those shares. We terminated the ATM Facility
in June 2016 and will not offer additional securities under the ATM Facility.
Sales under our current Shelf Registration Statement or other sales of equity or convertible securities could be
dilutive to our stockholders. We cannot assure you that we will be able to issue any such securities or, if issued, what the
15
terms of those securities would be. In particular, any new securities issued could have rights senior to those associated with
our Common Stock and could contain covenants that would restrict our operations. Should the financing we require to sustain
our working capital needs be unavailable or prohibitively expensive when we require it, our business, operating results,
financial condition and prospects could be materially and adversely affected and we may be unable to continue our operations.
These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We depend on a limited number of customers for substantially all of our revenues. The loss of, or a significant reduction
in revenues from, any of these customers could significantly reduce our revenues and harm our operating results.
Historically, a small number of customers have provided substantially all of our revenues, and these revenues have
been generated under development and cost reimbursement agreements rather than commercial contracts. The EU accounted
for 58%, the DOE accounted for 28% and MES accounted for 14% of our revenues during fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2015, revenues
from the EU accounted for 23%, revenues from the DOE accounted for 37% and revenues from MES accounted for 40% of
our total revenues. Our existing contracts with the DOE were completed in fiscal 2016. In order to receive future funding
from the DOE, we are required to enter into additional contracts with the DOE, which would require appropriation by the
U.S. Congress. Additional funding for projects may not be approved or we may not be able to negotiate future agreements
on acceptable terms, if at all.
Generally, we recognize revenue using the percentage-of-completion method based on the ratio of costs incurred to
total estimated costs at completion. In certain circumstances, revenue under contracts that have specified milestones or other
performance criteria may be recognized only when our customer acknowledges that such criteria have been satisfied. In
addition, recognition of revenue (and the related costs) may be deferred for fixed-price contracts until contract completion if
we are unable to reasonably estimate the total costs of the project prior to completion. Because we currently have a small
number of customers and contracts, problems with a single contract would adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
We currently only have one revenue producing contract, which is our agreement with MES. Historically, we have
relied on a small group of customers for substantially all of our revenue, and we expect that such concentration will continue
for the foreseeable future. A customer’s payment default, or the loss of a customer as a result of competition, creditworthiness,
our failure to perform, our inability to negotiate extensions or replacements of contracts, or otherwise, would adversely affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in our efforts to
secure additional commercial customers, or additional revenue-generating contracts.
If sufficient demand for our PowerBuoys does not develop or takes longer to develop than we anticipate, our revenue
generation will be limited, and it is unlikely that we will be able to achieve and, if achieved, then sustain profitability.
Even if wave energy technology achieves broad commercial acceptance, our PowerBuoys may not prove to be a
commercially viable technology for generating electricity from ocean waves. We have invested a significant portion of our
time and financial resources since our inception in the development of our PowerBuoys, but have not yet achieved successful
commercialization of our PowerBuoys. As we seek to begin to manufacture, market, sell and deploy our PowerBuoys in
greater quantities, we may encounter unforeseen hurdles that would limit the commercial viability of our PowerBuoys,
including unanticipated manufacturing, deployment, operating, maintenance and other costs. Our target customers and we
may also encounter technical obstacles to deploying, operating and maintaining PowerBuoys.
If demand for our PowerBuoys fails to develop sufficiently, it is unlikely that we will be able to grow our business
or generate sufficient revenues to achieve and then sustain profitability. In addition, demand for PowerBuoys in our presently
targeted markets, including coastal North America, Europe, Australia and Japan, may not develop or may develop to a lesser
extent than we anticipate.
If we are not successful in commercializing our PowerBuoy, or are significantly delayed in doing so, our business,
financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
If we are unable to obtain or maintain intellectual property rights relating to our technology and products, the commercial
value of our technology and products may be adversely affected, which could in turn adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Our success and ability to compete depends in part upon our ability to obtain protection in the United States and
other countries for our products by establishing and maintaining intellectual property rights relating to or incorporated into
our technology and products. We own a variety of patents and patent applications in the U.S. and corresponding patents and
16
patent applications in several foreign jurisdictions. However, we have not obtained patent protection in each market in which
we plan to compete. In addition, we do not know how successful we would be should we choose to assert our patents against
suspected infringers and we do not know what the cost to do so would be. Our pending and future patent applications may
not issue as patents or, if issued, may not issue in a form that will be advantageous to us. Even if issued, patents may be
challenged, narrowed, invalidated or circumvented, which could limit our ability to stop competitors from marketing similar
products or limit the length of term of patent protection we may have for our products. Changes in either patent laws or in
interpretations of patent laws in the U.S. and other countries may diminish the value of our intellectual property or narrow
the scope of our patent protection, which could in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We are the subject of pending and threatened securities and other litigation, which is costly and time-consuming to defend,
and if decided against us, could require us to pay substantial judgments or settlements. We may be the subject of future
securities or other litigation, which could adversely affect our company, our business and our liquidity.
We and our former Chief Executive Officer, Charles Dunleavy, are defendants in the Securities Class Action
discussed elsewhere in the Annual Report. On May 5, 2016, the parties entered into the Stipulation in which they agreed to
a settlement of the Securities Class Action, subject to Court approval after notice to class members. The Stipulation provides,
among other things, for a settlement payment by or on behalf of us of $3,000,000 in cash, of which we will pay $500,000
and our insurer will pay $2,500,000, and the issuance by the Company of 380,000 shares of its Common Stock to the class
members. In connection with the proposed settlement, the parties have agreed to execute mutually agreeable releases. On
June 7, 2016, the Court entered an Order Granting Preliminary Approval of Settlement. The Court has scheduled a hearing
for November 14, 2016 to determine, among other things, whether to grant final approval of the proposed settlement. The
amounts agreed in the Stipulation agreement, including the amount to be contributed by our insurance carrier, have been
reflected in our financial statements as of April 30, 2016. The Stipulation is subject to approval by the Court following notice
to all class members. We cannot assure you that the Court will approve the Stipulation or that this pending litigation will be
settled on such terms or at all.
We are the subject of certain other pending and threatened litigation, some of which arises, in part, from the securities
offering that we conducted in April 2014 and other activities. This litigation is costly and time consuming to defend and may
distract our management from the daily operations of our business. We may be the subject of additional future securities
litigation, which could adversely affect our company, our business and our liquidity. Although we maintain directors’ and
officers’ insurance coverage, we cannot assure you that this insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover the substantial fees
of lawyers and other professionals advisors relating to these pending lawsuits or any future litigation, our obligations to
indemnify our officers and directors who may become parties to such pending and future actions, or the amount of any
judgments or settlements that we may be obligated to pay in connection with these lawsuits. In addition, these actions have
caused our insurance premiums and retention amounts to increase, and we may be subject to additional increases in the future
or be subjected to other changes in our insurance coverages. Further, given the volatility of the market price of our Common
Stock, we may be subject to further class action securities and other litigation. Accordingly, we have incurred and may
continue to incur substantial legal expenses, judgments and/or settlements relating to pending, threatened and future litigation
and our management’s time and attention may be diverted from the operation of our business, which could materially and
adversely affect the Company.
If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our proprietary information and know-how, the value of our technology
and products could be adversely affected, which could in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
In addition to patented technology, we rely upon unpatented proprietary technology, processes and know-how,
particularly with respect to our PowerBuoy control and electricity generating systems. We generally seek to protect this
information in part by confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties. These agreements may
be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise
become known or be independently developed by competitors.
17
We have a pending SEC investigation that has caused us to incur significant costs and expenses and has diverted our
management time, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations,
cash flow and our ability to raise capital in the future.
We have received two subpoenas from the SEC arising out of public disclosures related to a now-terminated
agreement between VWP and ARENA, and related to our April 4, 2014 public offering. We have provided information to
the SEC in response to that subpoena, and we continue to respond and cooperate with the SEC in this investigation. We have
incurred and expect to continue to incur significant professional fees and other costs related to the SEC investigation. We are
unable to predict what action, if any, might be taken by the SEC or its staff as a result of this investigation or what impact, if
any, the cost of responding to the SEC’s investigation or its ultimate outcome might have on our financial position, results of
operations or liquidity. We have not established any provision for losses relating to this matter. If the SEC were to conclude
that enforcement action is appropriate, we could be required to pay civil penalties and fines, and the SEC could impose other
sanctions against us or against our current and former officers and directors. In addition, our Board of Directors, management
and employees may expend a substantial amount of time on the SEC investigation, diverting resources and attention that
would otherwise be directed toward our operations and implementation of our business strategy, all of which could materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
If we are unable to attract and retain management and other qualified personnel, we may not be able to achieve our
business objectives.
Our success depends on the skills, experience and efforts of our senior management and other key product
development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing employees. We have limited financial resources and cannot be certain
that we will be able to attract, retain and motivate such employees. The loss of the services of one or more of these employees
could have a material adverse effect on our business. There is a risk that we will not be able to retain or replace these key
employees. Implementation of our business plans will be highly dependent upon our ability to hire and retain senior
executives as well as talented staff in various fields of expertise.
In January 2015, we hired a new President and Chief Executive Officer. Following the resignation of a Director in
March 2016, we added two new Directors in May 2016 for a total of six Directors. As of July 2016, only three of our six
Directors have served on our Board of Directors for 18 months or longer.
Changes in senior management are inherently disruptive, and efforts to implement any new strategic or operating
goals may not succeed in the absence of a long-term management team. Changes to strategic or operating goals with the
appointment of new executives may themselves prove to be disruptive. Periods of transition in senior management leadership
are often difficult as the new executives gain detailed knowledge of our operations and due to cultural differences that may
result from changes in strategy and style. Without consistent and experienced leadership, customers, employees, creditors,
stockholders and others may lose confidence in us.
To be successful, we need to retain key personnel. Qualified individuals, including engineers and project managers,
are in high demand, and we may incur significant costs to attract and retain them. With the exception of our President and
Chief Executive Officer, all of our officers and other employees are at-will employees, which means they can terminate their
employment relationship with us at any time, and their knowledge of our business and industry would be difficult to replace.
If we lose the services of key personnel, or do not hire or retain other personnel for key positions, our business, results of
operations and stock price could be adversely affected.
If we are unable to effectively manage our growth, this could adversely affect our business and operations.
The scope of our operations to date has been limited, and we do not have experience operating on the scale that we
believe may be necessary to achieve profitable operations. Our current personnel, facilities, systems and internal procedures
and controls may not be adequate to support future growth. This factor, when combined with the technical complexity of
some of our development efforts, may result in our inability to meet certain customer expectations or deadlines and could
result in the amendment to, or termination of, customer contracts or relationships. To realize our desired growth, we may
need to add sales, marketing and engineering offices in our existing and/or additional locations, which may include Australia,
Japan, and continental Europe, and which may result in additional organizational complexity.
To manage the expansion of our operations, we may be required to improve our operational and financial systems,
procedures and controls, increase our manufacturing capacity and throughput and expand, train and manage our employee
base, which may need to increase significantly if we are to be able to fulfill our current manufacturing and growth plans. Our
management may also be required to maintain and expand our relationships with customers, suppliers and other third parties,
18
as well as attract new customers and suppliers. If we do not meet these challenges, we may be unable to take advantage of
market opportunities, execute our business strategies or respond to competitive pressures.
We have only manufactured a limited number of PowerBuoys to date over a 15 year period and to date we have not
produced PowerBuoys in any significant quantity or for commercial production. Our PowerBuoys have been used for
testing and development and may not have a sufficient operating history to confirm how they will perform over their
estimated useful life.
We began developing and testing wave energy technology over 15 years ago. However, to date, we have only
manufactured a limited number of PowerBuoys for use in ocean testing and development. The longest continuous in-ocean
deployment of our PowerBuoy was from December 2009 to January 2012 and was an earlier iteration of our PowerBuoy. As
a result, our PowerBuoys may not have a sufficient operating history to confirm how they will perform over their estimated
useful life. Our technology may not yet have demonstrated that our engineering and test results can be duplicated in volume
or in commercial production. We have conducted and plan to continue to conduct practical testing of our PowerBuoy. If our
PowerBuoy ultimately proves ineffective or unfeasible, we may not be able to engage in commercial production of our
products or we may become liable to our customers for quantities we are obligated but are unable to produce. If our
PowerBuoys perform below expectations, we could lose customers and face substantial repair and replacement expenses
which could in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have a history of operating losses and may not achieve or maintain profitability and positive cash flow.
We have incurred net losses since we began operations in 1994, including net losses attributable to Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. of $13.1 million in fiscal 2016 and $13.1 million in fiscal 2015. As of April 30, 2016, we had an
accumulated deficit of $177.9 million. To date, our activities have consisted primarily of activities related to the development
and testing of our technologies and our PowerBuoy. Thus, our losses to date have resulted primarily from costs incurred in
our research and development programs and from our selling, general and administrative costs. As we continue to develop
our proprietary technologies, we expect to continue to have a net use of cash from operating activities unless or until we
achieve positive cash flow from the commercialization of our products and services.
We do not know whether we will be able to successfully commercialize our PowerBuoys, or whether we can achieve
profitability. There is significant uncertainty about our ability to successfully commercialize our PowerBuoys in our targeted
markets. Even if we do achieve commercialization of our PowerBuoy and become profitable, we may not be able to achieve
or, if achieved, sustain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
We face numerous accident and safety risks and hazards, including extreme environmental hazards, which are inherent
in offshore operations.
Portions of our operations are subject to hazards and risks inherent in the building, testing, deploying and
maintenance of our PowerBuoys. These hazards and risks could result in personal injuries, loss of life, liberation of a
PowerBuoy from its moorings due to extreme environmental conditions and damage caused by its drifting, and other
damages, which may include damage to our properties, including our PowerBuoy, and the properties of others and other
consequential damages, and could lead to the suspension of certain of our operations, large damage claims, damage to our
safety reputation and a loss of business. Some of these risks may be uninsurable and some claims may exceed our insurance
coverage. Therefore, the occurrence of a significant accident or other risk event or hazard that is not fully covered by insurance
could materially and adversely affect our business and financial results and, even if fully covered by insurance, could
materially and adversely affect our business due to the impact on our reputation for safety. In addition, the risks inherent in
our business are such that we cannot assure that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at reasonable
rates.
We anticipate that our contracts with our customers will generally include cancellation for convenience clauses that
permit our customers to terminate the contract for their convenience; if a customer were to terminate its contract with us
for convenience, this could materially adversely affect our business.
We anticipate that our contracts with our customers will be structured as capital equipment contracts or capital
equipment leases, and could include a cancellation for convenience clause, which we believe is relatively standard in these
types of contracts. Cancellation for convenience clauses allow the customer to cancel the contract or lease at their option
without cause prior to defined points in time, generally subject to a reasonable notice period. Our agreement with MES
includes a cancellation for convenience clause. If MES or any of our future customers were to cancel their contracts with us
for convenience, such cancellation could adversely affect our business.
19
Our relationships with our strategic partners may not be successful, and we may not be successful in establishing
additional relationships, either of which could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our products and services.
An important element of our business strategy is to enter into application development agreements and strategic
alliances with companies committed to providing products and services which require in-ocean energy sources. Generally,
these types of relationships obligate us to provide certain services or perform certain tasks in connection with the relationship
with the alliance partner, and we are generally responsible for paying the costs we incur relating to such services or tasks.
These relationships generally are not expected to provide us with any revenues or sources of financing. We currently have
strategic arrangements with WCS, Gardline and National Buoy Data Center. If we are unable to reach agreements with
suitable alliance partners, we may fail to meet our business objectives for the commercialization of our PowerBuoys. We
may face significant competition in seeking appropriate alliance partners. Moreover, these development agreements and
strategic alliances are complex to negotiate and time consuming to document. We may not be successful in our efforts to
establish additional strategic relationships or other alternative arrangements. The terms of any additional strategic
relationships or other arrangements that we establish may not be favorable to us. Furthermore, even if we are able to find,
negotiate and enter into these relationships, such arrangements may be conditional upon our receipt of additional funding.
There can be no assurance that we will receive such additional funding. In addition, strategic relationships may not be
successful, and we may be unable to sell and market our PowerBuoys to these companies and their affiliates and customers
in the future, or growth opportunities may not materialize, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We are and may become the target of additional securities litigation, which is costly and time-consuming to defend.
In the past, companies that experience significant volatility in the market price of their publicly-traded securities
have become subject to class action securities litigation. Our stock price has been volatile, and class action securities litigation
and derivative lawsuits have been filed against us and it is possible that additional lawsuits could be brought against us in the
future. The results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. These lawsuits assert types of claims that, if resolved
against us, could give rise to substantial damages, and an unfavorable outcome or settlement of these lawsuits, or any future
lawsuits, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or stock price.
Even if these lawsuits, or any future lawsuits, are not resolved against us, the costs of defending such lawsuits may be material
to our business and our operations. Moreover, these lawsuits may divert our management’s attention from the operation of
our business. For more information on our legal proceedings, see Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report and Note
13 “Commitments and Contingencies – Litigation” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2016.
Our future success in our selected markets depends in part on our ability to achieve cost savings over existing and
incumbent solutions. If we are unable to achieve cost savings relating to our PowerBuoy, the commercial prospects for
our PowerBuoy may be adversely affected.
Our goal is to commercialize our PowerBuoy. Our success in meeting this objective depends, in part, on our ability
to provide energy to our prospective customers at a cost savings over existing and incumbent power solutions already being
utilized by our customers and potential customers. We have experienced problems and delays in the development and
deployment of our PowerBuoy in the past, and could experience similar delays or other difficulties in the future. If we are
unable to demonstrate to our prospective customers that our PowerBuoy is cost competitive with existing alternative power
sources, or if it takes us longer to do so than we anticipate, we may be unable to continue our business, achieve
commercialization of our PowerBuoy, achieve a competitive position, satisfy our contractual obligations, or become
profitable. In addition, if the costs associated with these development efforts exceed our projections, our results of operations
will be materially and adversely affected.
Problems with the quality or performance of our PowerBuoys would adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Our agreements with customers will generally include guarantees with respect to the quality and performance of our
PowerBuoys. Because of the limited operating history of our PowerBuoys, we have been required to make analytical
assumptions regarding the durability, reliability and performance of the systems, and we may not be able to predict whether
and to what extent we may be required to perform under the guarantees that we expect to give our customers. Our assumptions
could prove to be materially different from the actual performance of our PowerBuoys, causing us to incur substantial expense
to repair or replace defective systems in the future. We will bear the risk of claims long after we have sold our PowerBuoys
and recognized revenue. Moreover, any widespread product failures could adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
20
In the event we are unable to satisfy regulatory requirements relating to internal control over financial reporting, or if
our internal controls are not effective, our business and financial results may suffer.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports
and to effectively prevent fraud. In fiscal 2016, our controller voluntarily resigned from our company to accept another
position of employment, and we have not replaced her with a full-time employee, but rather have delegated most of her duties
to other personnel, including outsourcing a portion of these responsibilities. If we cannot provide reasonable assurance with
respect to the integrity of our financial reports and effectively prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be
harmed. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to furnish a report by management on internal control
over financial reporting, including management's assessment of the effectiveness of such control. Internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of
human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide
only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. In addition, projections
of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that
the control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement
new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and operating results could
be harmed, we could fail to meet our reporting obligations, and there could also be a material adverse effect on our stock
price.
Any joint venture or other collaborative projects that we enter into, or any failure to identify appropriate joint venture
candidates, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
It is part of our strategy to co-invest in some of our wave power projects with third parties through joint ventures by
acquiring non-controlling interests in special purpose entities, or to engage with third parties in other similar collaborative
projects. We may not be able to identify appropriate strategic partners, or successfully negotiate, finance or operate any joint
ventures or other collaborative projects. Even if an appropriate strategic partner has been identified and engaged, such
relationships with third parties could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary
information, loss of sole decision-making authority and control of operations and that are material to our business, and the
possibility that a strategic partner might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Strategic
alliances may be expensive to implement and there is the associated risk that a strategic partner may have economic or other
business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals and may be in a position to take actions
that are contrary to our policies or objectives. Moreover, disputes between us and a strategic partner may result in litigation
or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and/or directors from focusing their time and effort
on our business. Consequently, both a strategic alliance itself and the failure to identify appropriate potential opportunities
could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have not yet deployed a wave power array of two or more PowerBuoys in a single geographic location. If we are unable
to successfully deploy a multiple-system wave power array, our capability to generate revenues may be limited, and we
may be unable to achieve and then maintain profitability.
We have not yet deployed a wave power array of two or more PowerBuoys. Whether we are able to do so is
contingent upon, among other things, our ability to manufacture and produce multiple PowerBuoys in a short period of time,
receipt of required governmental permits, obtaining adequate financing, successful array design and implementation and,
finally, successful deployment and connection of the PowerBuoys.
We have not yet conducted ocean testing or otherwise installed in the ocean a multiple-system wave power array.
In particular, unlike single-system wave power arrays, multiple-system wave power arrays may require the use of an
underwater substation to connect the power transmission cables from, and collect the electricity generated by, each
PowerBuoy in the array. We have not yet deployed an underwater substation connected to multiple PowerBuoys. In addition,
unanticipated issues may arise with the logistics and mechanics of deploying and maintaining multiple PowerBuoys at a
single site and the additional equipment associated with these multiple-system wave power arrays.
The development and deployment of an array of PowerBuoys could require us to incur significant expenses for
preliminary engineering, permitting and other expenses before we can determine whether a project is feasible, economically
attractive or capable of being financed. We may be unsuccessful in accomplishing any of these tasks or doing so on a timely
basis.
21
Failure by third parties to supply or manufacture components of our products or to deploy our systems timely or properly
could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have been and expect to continue to be highly dependent on third parties to supply or manufacture components
of our PowerBuoys. If, for any reason, our third-party manufacturers or vendors are not willing or able to provide us with
components or supplies in a timely fashion, or at all, our ability to manufacture and sell many of our products could be
impaired.
We do not have long-term contracts with our third-party manufacturers or vendors. If we do not develop ongoing
relationships with vendors located in different regions, we may not be successful at controlling unit costs as our manufacturing
volume increases. We may not be able to negotiate new arrangements with these third parties on acceptable terms, or at all.
In addition, we rely on third parties, under our oversight, for the deployment and mooring of our PowerBuoys. We
have utilized several different deployment methods, including towing the PowerBuoy to the deployment location and
transporting the PowerBuoy to the deployment location by barge or ocean workboat. If these third parties do not properly
deploy our systems, cannot effectively deploy the PowerBuoy on a large, commercial scale, or otherwise do not perform
adequately, or if we fail to recruit and retain third parties to deploy our systems in particular geographic areas, our business,
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We have limited manufacturing experience. If we are unable to increase our manufacturing capacity in a cost-effective
manner, our business will be materially harmed.
We plan to manufacture key components of our PowerBuoys, including the PTO advanced control and generation
systems, while outsourcing the manufacturing for other components of our PowerBuoys, including the structure itself.
However, we have only manufactured our PowerBuoys in limited quantities for use in development and testing and have
limited commercial manufacturing experience, and our work with our vendors has not included work on multiple orders on
time-critical deadlines. Our future success depends on our ability to significantly increase both our manufacturing capacity
and production throughput in a cost-effective and efficient manner, and to manage multiple vendors with several orders on
specific deadlines. In order to meet our growth objectives, we will need to increase our engineering, contract management,
and manufacturing staff. There is intense competition for hiring qualified technical and engineering personnel, and we have
limited funding available to retain such additional staff. Therefore, we may not be able to hire a sufficient number of qualified
personnel to allow us to meet our growth objectives.
We may be unable to develop efficient, low-cost manufacturing capabilities and processes that enable us to meet
the quality, price, engineering, design and production standards or production volumes necessary to successfully
commercialize our PowerBuoys. If we cannot do so, we may be unable to expand our business, satisfy our contractual
obligations or become profitable. Even if we are successful in developing our manufacturing capabilities and processes, we
may not be able to do so in time to meet our commercialization schedule or satisfy the requirements of our customers.
Our investments in joint ventures could be adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority, our reliance
on a co-venture’s financial condition and disputes between us and our co-ventures.
It is part of our strategy we may co-invest with third parties through joint ventures or by acquiring non-controlling
interests in special purpose entities. In these situations, we will not be in a position to exercise sole decision-making authority
regarding the joint venture. Investments in joint ventures involve risks that would not be present were a third party not
involved, including the possibility that our co-ventures might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital
contributions. Our co-ventures may have economic or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business
interests or goals and may be in a position to take actions that are contrary to our policies or objectives. Disputes between us
and our co-ventures may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and/or
directors from focusing their time and effort on our business. Consequently, actions by, or disputes with, partners or co-
ventures might result in additional risk.
If we infringe or are alleged to have infringed upon intellectual property rights of third parties, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our products may infringe, or be claimed to infringe, upon patents or patent applications under which we do not
hold licenses or other rights. Third parties may own or control these patents and patent applications in the United States and
abroad. From time to time, we receive correspondence from third parties offering to license patents to us. Correspondence of
22
this nature might be used to establish that we received notice of certain patents in the event of subsequent patent infringement
litigation. Third parties could bring claims against us that would cause us to incur substantial expenses and, if successfully
asserted against us, could cause us to pay substantial damages. Further, if a patent infringement suit were brought against us,
we could be forced to stop or delay manufacturing or sales of the product or component that is the subject of the suit.
As a result of patent infringement claims, or in order to avoid potential claims, we may choose or be required to
seek a license from the third party and be required to pay license fees, royalties or both. These licenses may not be available
on acceptable terms, or at all. Even if we were able to obtain a license, the rights may be non-exclusive, which could result
in our competitors gaining access to the same intellectual property. Ultimately, we could be forced to cease some aspect of
our business operations if, as a result of actual or threatened patent infringement claims, we are unable to enter into licenses
on acceptable terms. This could significantly and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition to infringement claims against us, we may become a party to other types of patent litigation and other
proceedings, including interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and opposition
proceedings in the European Patent Office, regarding intellectual property rights with respect to our products and technology.
The cost to us of any patent litigation or other proceeding, even if resolved in our favor, could be substantial. In addition, if
we were to license our intellectual property to others, we may be required to indemnify our licensee if the licensed intellectual
property is found to be infringing on a third party’s rights. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such
litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources.
Our targeted markets are highly competitive. We compete against incumbent solutions already being utilized by our
customers and potential customers. If we are unable to compete effectively, we may be unable to increase our revenues
and achieve or maintain profitability.
In our targeted markets, which are highly competitive, we compete against incumbent power solutions already being
utilized by our customers and potential customers. If we are unable to demonstrate to our customers and our potential
customers that our PowerBuoy is cost competitive to their existing alternative power solutions, or if it takes us longer to do
so than we anticipate, we may be unable to expand our business, maintain our competitive position, satisfy our contractual
obligations, continue to commercialize our PowerBuoy, or become profitable. In addition, if the cost associated with these
development efforts exceeds our projections, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, competition may arise from other companies manufacturing similar products, developing different
products that produce energy more efficiently than our products, or making improvements to traditional energy-producing
methods or technologies, any of which could make our products less attractive or render them obsolete. If we are not
successful in manufacturing systems that generate competitively priced power, we may not be able to respond effectively to
competitive pressures from other renewable energy technologies or improvements to existing technologies.
If we are unable to respond effectively to such competitive forces, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be adversely affected. Our targeted markets are subject to their own inherent risks, and if those risks should
materialize then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our product development costs are substantial and may increase in the future.
Our product development costs primarily relate to our efforts to increase the output, durability and commercial
viability of our PowerBuoy. Our product development costs were $7.0 million in fiscal 2016 and $4.1 million in fiscal 2015.
It is our goal to fund the majority of our product development expenses, including cost sharing obligations under some of our
customer contracts, over the next several years with sources of external funding, but we do not currently have any such
committed sources of funding, and we may not be able to secure any such funding in the future. If we are unable to obtain
external funding, our operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we may be required to curtail our product
development expenses, among other consequences.
We may be subject to additional litigation and other regulatory proceedings that may negatively impact our results of
operations.
From time to time, we may be subject to additional litigation and/or regulatory actions relating to our business. The
initiation or defense of litigation or regulatory actions would require us to make certain expenditures and divert the attention
of our management away from operating our business. In addition, an unfavorable decision or outcome could result in further,
potentially significant, expenditures.
23
Our PowerBuoys have been subject to periodic in-ocean testing and are reliant in part on the results of computer modeling
and simulation.
Our PowerBuoy systems have been subject to periodic ocean testing since 1997. However, not all PowerBuoys have
been subject to extensive ocean testing and may rely on computer modeling and simulation that attempt to predict
performance under various ocean wave conditions and other parameters in a deployment environment. Use of accelerated
life testing, as well as computer simulation models, has inherent risks and performance could be substantially different than
predicted. We have conducted limited operational testing, accelerated life testing and periodic in-ocean testing, and we may
later discover one or more significant defects requiring redesign and retrofit into existing systems, which may have a material
adverse impact on our operations and revenues.
We market and plan to market our products in multiple international markets. If we are unable to manage our
international operations effectively, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We market and plan to market our products in multiple global regions, including Europe, Australia, North America
and parts of Asia, and we are therefore subject to risks associated with having international operations. Revenues from
customers who are based outside of the U.S. accounted for 72% of our revenues in fiscal 2016 and 63% of our revenues in
fiscal 2015. Risks inherent in international operations include, but are not limited to, the following:
●
changes in general economic and political conditions in the countries in which we operate;
● unexpected adverse changes in foreign laws or regulatory requirements, including those with respect to renewable
energy, environmental protection, permitting, export duties and quotas;
●
●
trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses, which could increase
the prices of our PowerBuoys and make us less competitive in some countries;
fluctuations in exchange rates may affect demand for our PowerBuoys and may adversely affect our profitability in
U.S. dollars to the extent the price of our PowerBuoys and cost of raw materials and labor are denominated in a
foreign currency;
● difficulty with staffing and managing widespread operations;
●
complexity of, and costs relating to compliance with, the different commercial and legal requirements of the overseas
markets in which we offer and sell our PowerBuoys;
●
inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights; and
● difficulty in enforcing agreements in foreign legal systems.
Our business in foreign markets requires us to respond to rapid changes in market conditions in these countries. Our
overall success as a global business depends, in part, on our ability to succeed in differing legal, regulatory, economic, social
and political conditions. We may not be able to develop and implement policies and strategies that will be effective in each
location where we do business, which in turn could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The current economic environment, particularly the macroeconomic pressures in certain European countries, may increase
these risks.
Our financial results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, which may make it difficult to predict our future performance.
Our financial results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. For
these reasons, comparing our financial results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and our past results should
not be relied on as an indication of our future performance. Our future quarterly and annual expenses as a percentage of our
revenues may be significantly different from those we have recorded in the past or which we expect for the future. Our
financial results in some quarters may fall below expectations. Any of these events could cause our stock price to fall. Each
of the risk factors listed in this "Risk Factors" section, including the following factors, may adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations:
● delays in permitting or acquiring necessary regulatory consents;
24
● delays in the timing of contract awards and determinations of work scope;
● delays in funding for or deployment of wave energy projects;
●
changes in cost estimates relating to wave energy project completion, which under percentage-of-completion
accounting principles could lead to significant fluctuations in revenue or to changes in the timing of our recognition
of revenue from those projects;
● delays in meeting, or the failure to meet, specified contractual milestones or other performance criteria under project
contracts or in completing project contracts that could delay or prevent the recognition of revenue that would
otherwise be earned;
●
reductions in the availability or level of subsidies and incentives for renewable energy sources;
● decisions made by parties with whom we have commercial relationships not to proceed with anticipated projects;
●
increases in the length of our sales cycle; and
●
inherent uncertainties in our manufacturing processes.
If we become ineligible for or are otherwise unable to replace our contract with U.S. or foreign governments, our business,
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Historically we have derived a significant portion of our revenue from U.S. federal government contracts, which are
subject to special funding restrictions, regulatory requirements and eligibility standards and which the government may
terminate at any time or determine not to extend after their scheduled expiration. During fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, we
derived 28% and 37%, respectively, of our total revenue from contracts with the U.S. federal government and 72% and 63%,
respectively, from contracts with foreign entities. We may not be successful in securing any additional contracts with the
U.S. federal government in the future. Any such contracts are dependent on, among other things, appropriate funding by the
U.S. Congress. If we are unable to replace these contracts, our business, financial condition and our results of operations
could be adversely affected.
Government contracts are also subject to contractual and regulatory requirements that may increase our costs of
doing business and could expose us to substantial contractual damages, civil fines and criminal penalties for noncompliance.
These requirements include business ethics, equal employment opportunity, environmental, foreign purchasing, most-favored
pricing and accounting provisions, among others. Payments that we receive under government contracts are subject to audit
and potential refunds after the final contract payment is received.
Currency translation and transaction risk may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, and we conduct our business and incur costs in the local currency of most
countries in which we operate. As a result, we are subject to currency translation risk. A large percentage of our revenues
may be generated outside the United States and denominated in foreign currencies in the future. Changes in exchange rates
between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar could affect our revenues and cost of revenues, and could result in exchange
losses. In addition, we incur currency transaction risk whenever one of our operating subsidiaries enters into either a purchase
or sale transaction using a different currency from our reporting currency. We cannot accurately predict the impact of future
exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations. Currently, we do not engage in any exchange rate hedging activities
and, as a result, any volatility in currency exchange rates may have an immediate adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
If we are unable to successfully negotiate and enter into service contracts with our customers on terms that are acceptable
to us, our ability to diversify our revenue stream will be impaired.
An important element of our business strategy is to enter into service contracts with our customers under which we
would be paid fees for services related to the maintenance and operation of the PowerBuoys purchased from us. In addition,
we may offer to lease PowerBuoys, sell power generated by PowerBuoys or sell data gathered by sensors on our PowerBuoys.
Even if customers purchase or lease our PowerBuoys, they may not enter into service contracts with us. We may not be able
25
to negotiate service, power sale or other contracts that provide us with any additional profit opportunities. Even if we
successfully negotiate and enter into such service contracts, our customers may terminate them prematurely or they may not
be profitable for a variety of reasons, including the presence of unforeseen hurdles or costs. In addition, if we were unable to
perform adequately under such service contracts our efforts to successfully market the PowerBuoys could be impaired. Any
one of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since our PowerBuoys can only be deployed in certain geographic locations, our ability to grow our business could be
adversely affected.
Not all coastal areas worldwide have appropriate natural resources for our PowerBuoys to harness wave energy.
Seasonal and local variations, water depth and the effect of particular locations of islands and other geographical features
may limit our ability to deploy our PowerBuoys in certain coastal areas. If we are unable to identify and deploy PowerBuoys
at sufficient sites with appropriate natural resources to permit our PowerBuoys to capture wave energy, our ability to grow
our business could be adversely affected.
Our contracts with governmental entities could negatively affect our intellectual property rights, and our ability to
commercialize our products could be impaired.
Our agreements with government agencies in large part fund the research and development of our PowerBuoy.
When new technologies are developed with U.S. government funding, the government obtains certain rights in any resulting
patents, technical data and software, generally including, at a minimum, a non-exclusive license authorizing the government
to use the invention, technical data or software for non-commercial purposes. These rights may permit the government to
disclose our confidential information to third parties and to exercise "march-in" rights. March-in rights refer to the right of
the U.S. government to require us to grant a license to the technology to a responsible applicant or, if we refuse, the
government may grant the license itself. U.S. government-funded inventions must be reported to the government and U.S.
government funding must be disclosed in any resulting patent applications; our rights in such inventions will normally be
subject to government license rights, periodic post-contract utilization reporting, foreign manufacturing restrictions and
march-in rights.
The government can exercise its march-in rights if it determines that action is necessary because we fail to achieve
practical application of the technology or because action is necessary to alleviate health or safety needs, to meet requirements
of federal regulations or to give preference to U.S. industry. Our government-sponsored research contracts are subject to
audit and require that we provide regular written technical updates on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, and, at the
conclusion of the research contract, a final report on the results of our technical research. Because these reports are generally
available to the public, third parties may obtain some aspects of our sensitive confidential information. Moreover, if we fail
to provide these reports or to provide accurate or complete reports, the government may obtain rights to any intellectual
property arising from the related research. Funding from government contracts also may limit when and how we can deploy
our technology developed under those contracts. Foreign governments with which we contract to provide funding for our
research and development may seek similar rights.
If we are unable to obtain all necessary regulatory permits and approvals, we will not be able to implement our planned
projects or business plan.
Offshore deployment of our PowerBuoy is heavily regulated. Each of our deployments is subject to multiple
permitting and approval requirements. We are dependent on state, federal and regional government agencies for such permits
and approvals. Due to the unique nature of in-ocean power generation and the associated environmental impact of PowerBuoy
deployment, we expect our projects to receive close scrutiny by permitting agencies, approval authorities and the public,
which could result in substantial delay in the permitting process. Successful challenges by any parties opposed to our
deployments could result in increased costs, or in the denial of necessary permits and approvals.
If we are unable to obtain necessary permits and approvals in connection with any or all of our projects, those
projects would not be implemented and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely
affected. Further, we cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with all such permits
and approvals. If we violate or fail to comply with these permits and approvals, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned
by regulators.
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Risk Relating to the Referendum on the U.K.’s Membership in the European Union
The announcement of the U.K.’s advisory referendum vote to exit from the European Union (“BREXIT”) could
cause disruptions to and create uncertainty surrounding our business, including affecting our relationships with existing and
potential customers, suppliers and employees. The referendum is non-binding; however, if passed into law, negotiations
would then commence to determine the terms of the U.K’s future relationship with the E.U., including the terms of trade
between the U.K. and the E.U. The effects of BREXIT will depend on any agreements the U.K. makes to retain access to
E.U. markets either during a transitional period or more permanently. The measures could potentially disrupt some of our
target markets and jurisdictions in which we operate, and adversely change tax benefits or liabilities in these or other
jurisdictions. In addition, BREXIT could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as
the U.K. determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate. In addition, the announcement of BREXIT has caused significant
volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations, including the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
against foreign currencies. The announcement of BREXIT also may create global economic uncertainty, which may cause
our customers and potential customers to monitor their costs and reduce their budgets for our products and services. Any of
these effects of BREXIT, among others, could materially adversely affect our business, business opportunities, results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Business activities conducted by our third-party contractors and us involve the use of hazardous materials, which require
compliance with environmental and occupational safety laws regulating the use of such materials. If we violate these laws,
we could be subject to significant fines, liabilities or other adverse consequences.
Our manufacturing operations, particularly some of the activities undertaken by our third-party suppliers and
manufacturers, involve the controlled use of hazardous materials. Accordingly, our third-party contractors and we are subject
to foreign, federal, state and local laws governing the protection of the environment and human health and safety, including
those relating to the use, handling and disposal of these materials. We cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental
contamination or injury from these hazardous materials. In the event of an accident or failure to comply with environmental
or health and safety laws and regulations, we could be held liable for resulting damages, including damages to natural
resources, fines and penalties, and any such liability could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over
time. While we have budgeted for future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance, we cannot assure you
that environmental laws and regulations will not change or become more stringent in the future. Therefore, we cannot assure
you that our costs of complying with current and future environmental and health and safety laws, and any liabilities arising
from past or future releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances will not adversely affect our business, financial condition
or results of operations.
Wave energy technology may not gain broad commercial acceptance and, therefore, our revenues may not increase and
we may be unable to achieve and, even if achieved, sustain profitability.
Wave energy technology is at an early stage of development, and the extent to which wave energy power generation
will be commercially viable is uncertain. Many factors may affect the commercial acceptance of wave energy technology,
including the following:
● performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness of wave energy technology compared to conventional and other
renewable energy sources and products;
● developments relating to other renewable energy generation technologies;
●
fluctuations in economic and market conditions that affect the cost or viability of conventional and renewable energy
sources, such as increases or decreases in the prices of oil and other fossil fuels;
● overall growth in the renewable energy equipment market;
●
availability and terms of government subsidies and incentives to support the development of renewable energy
sources, including wave energy;
27
●
●
fluctuations in capital expenditures by independent power producers, which tend to decrease when the economy
slows and interest rates increase; and
the development of new and profitable applications requiring the type of remote electric power provided by our
autonomous wave energy systems.
If wave energy technology does not gain broad commercial acceptance, it is unlikely that we will be able to
commercialize our PowerBuoy and our business will be materially harmed, in which case, we may curtail or cease operations.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
If we issue additional shares of our equity securities in the future, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution
in the value of their investment or their ownership interest.
Our certificate of incorporation currently authorizes us to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of our Common Stock and
to issue and designate the rights of, without stockholder approval, up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. In the future, in
order to raise additional capital, we may offer additional shares of our Common Stock or other securities convertible into or
exchangeable for our Common Stock at prices that may not be the same as the price per share paid by other investors, and
dilution to our stockholders in the value of their investment and their ownership and voting interest in the Company could
result. We may sell shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share
paid by existing investors, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to
existing stockholders.
As discussed below, we have entered into a Stipulation to settle certain pending securities class action litigation
under which, if approved by the court following notice to class members, we are obligated to issue an additional 380,000
shares of our Common Stock to class members as partial consideration for the settlement. The issuance of such shares
pursuant to the Settlement would be dilutive to our existing stockholders. In addition, we have a significant number of stock
options and warrants outstanding. To the extent that outstanding stock options or warrants have been or may be exercised or
other shares issued, current stockholders and future investors who have purchased our Common Stock will experience further
dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if
we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that we issue new securities, or
raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result
in further dilution to our stockholders or result in downward pressure on the price of our Common Stock.
We may issue or sell shares of our Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for our Common Stock in the
future and this may depress our stock price.
Our certificate of incorporation currently authorizes us to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and to
issue and designate the rights of without stockholder approval, up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Future sales of our
Common Stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock, may depress the market price of our
Common Stock.
Also, we have entered into a Stipulation to settle certain securities class action litigation captioned In re Ocean
Power Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 14-3799 (FLW) (LHG) (District of New Jersey) (the “Securities
Class Action”), which is pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. If approved by the Court,
the Stipulation will resolve the claims asserted in the Securities Class Action against us, the underwriter of our April 4, 2014
public offering, and one of our former officers and directors, by a class consisting of investors in the Company from January
14, 2014 through July 29, 2014, and investors who purchased our securities pursuant to and/or traceable to our April 4, 2014
offering of shares of our Common Stock. The Stipulation provides, among other things, for the issuance by the Company of
an additional 380,000 shares of our Common Stock (the “Settlement Shares”) to the class members. On June 7, 2016, the
Court entered an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement. The terms of the Stipulation, including the settlement
payment and the issuance of the Settlement Shares, are subject to approval by the Court following notice to all class members.
We cannot assure you that the Court will approve the Stipulation or that this pending litigation will be settled on such terms
or at all.
28
Historically, our stock price has been volatile and this is likely to continue; purchasers of our Common Stock could incur
substantial losses as a result.
Historically, the market price of our Common Stock has fluctuated significantly, and we expect that this will
continue. Purchasers of our Common Stock could incur substantial losses relating to their investment in our stock as a result.
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, the 52-week high and low prices for our Common Stock were $8.50 and $0.95,
respectively. Also, the stock market in general has recently experienced volatility that has often been unrelated or
disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations could result in
fluctuations in the price of our Common Stock, which could cause purchasers of our Common Stock to incur substantial
losses. The market price for our Common Stock may be influenced by many factors, including:
● developments in our business or with respect to our projects;
●
the success of competitive products or technologies;
●
regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries;
● developments or disputes concerning patents or other proprietary rights;
●
the recruitment or departure of key personnel;
● quarterly or annual variations in our financial results or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;
● market conditions in the conventional and renewable energy industries and issuance of new or changed securities
analysts' reports or recommendations;
●
the failure of securities analysts to cover our Common Stock or changes in financial estimates by analysts;
●
the inability to meet the financial estimates of analysts who follow our Common Stock;
●
investor perception of our company and of our targeted markets; and
● general economic, political and market conditions.
Provisions in our corporate charter documents and under Delaware law may delay or prevent attempts by our stockholders
to change our management and hinder efforts to acquire a controlling interest in us.
As a result of our reincorporation in Delaware in April 2007, provisions of our certificate of incorporation and
bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition or other change in control that stockholders may consider
favorable, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. These
provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. These provisions
include:
●
advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations;
●
the inability of stockholders to act by written consent or to call special meetings; and
●
the ability of our Board of Directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of preferred stock without
stockholder approval, which could be used to institute a "poison pill" that would work to dilute the stock ownership
of a potential hostile acquirer, effectively preventing acquisitions that have not been approved by our Board of
Directors.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our shares of capital stock entitled to vote is necessary to
amend or repeal the above provisions of our certificate of incorporation. In addition, absent the approval of our Board of
Directors, our bylaws may only be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our shares
of capital stock entitled to vote.
29
In addition, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation
from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder, which is generally a person who together with its
affiliates owns or within the last three years has owned 15% of our voting stock, for a period of three years after the date of
the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a
prescribed manner. Accordingly, Section 203 may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company.
If securities or industry analysts fail to cover us, or do not publish research or publish unfavorable or inaccurate research
about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Common Stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities
analysts may publish about us, our business or our industry from time to time. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage
of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could
cause the price or trading volume of our Common Stock to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our
company downgrade our Common Stock or release a negative report, or if our operating results do not meet analyst
expectations, the price of our Common Stock could decline.
We have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the
foreseeable future.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock to date. We currently intend to retain our future
earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, the terms of any future debt agreements
may preclude us from paying dividends. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our Common Stock will be the sole source
of gain for our stockholders for the foreseeable future.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters are located in Pennington, New Jersey, where we occupy approximately 22,000 square
feet under a lease expiring on December 31, 2017. We use these facilities for administration, research and development, as
well as assembly and testing of the generators and control models for our PowerBuoy systems.
30
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Shareholder Litigation and Demands:
We and our former Chief Executive Officer, Charles Dunleavy, are defendants in consolidated securities class
action lawsuits pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey captioned In Re: Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 14-3799 (FLW) (LHG). The consolidated actions are Roby v. Ocean
Power Technologies, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:14-cv-03799-FLW-LHG (filed June 13, 2014); Chew, et al. v. Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. et. al., Case No 3:14-cv-03815 (filed June 13, 2014); Konstantinidis v. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.,
et al., Case No. 3:14-cv-04015 (filed June 23, 2014); and Turner v. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:14-
cv-04592 (filed July 22, 2014). On March 17, 2015, the court entered an order appointing Five More Special Situation Fund
Ltd. as the lead plaintiff.
On October 9, 2015, the lead plaintiff filed a third amended class action complaint which alleges claims for
violations of sections 12(a) (2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and for violations of §10(b) and §20(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 arising out of public statements relating to our technology and a now terminated agreement between
VWP and ARENA for the VWP Project. The third amended class action complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and
other relief. On November 5, 2015, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the third amended class action complaint. The lead
plaintiff filed a brief in opposition to the motion on December 7, 2015, and defendants filed a reply in support of the motion
on December 21, 2015. The Court has not yet ruled on the motion. On May 5, 2016, the parties entered into a Stipulation and
Agreement of Class Settlement (“Stipulation”) in which they agreed to a settlement of the consolidated securities class action
lawsuits, subject to Court approval. The Stipulation provides, among other things, for a settlement payment by or on behalf
of the Company of $3,000,000 in cash, of which the Company will pay $500,000 and the Company’s insurer will pay
$2,500,000, and the issuance by the Company of 380,000 shares (valued at $596,000 on the date the Stipulation was signed
by the parties) of its Common Stock to the class members. In connection with the settlement, the parties have agreed to
execute mutually agreeable releases. On June 7, 2016, the Court entered an Order Granting Preliminary Approval of
Settlement. The Stipulation is subject to, among other requirements, final approval by the Court following notice to all class
members. The Court has scheduled a hearing for November 14, 2016 to determine, among other things, whether to grant final
approval of the settlement. The amounts agreed in the Stipulation agreement, including the amount to be contributed by our
insurance carrier, have been reflected in the financial statements as of April 30, 2016.
On July 10, 2014, we received a demand letter ("Demand Letter") from an attorney claiming to represent a
shareholder demanding that the Company's Board of Directors establish an independent committee to investigate and remedy
alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by the Board of Directors and management relating to the VWP Project. We invited the
attorney to participate in the Section 220 Demand process discussed below. On February 6, 2015, we produced documents
to the attorney pursuant to a confidentiality agreement in connection with the Section 220 Demand process.
We also received a letter, dated August 19, 2014, (the "Section 220 Demand") from another attorney claiming to
represent a shareholder demanding, pursuant to 8 Del. C. §220, to inspect certain books and records of the Company relating
to the VWP Project and the termination of Charles Dunleavy as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. We have received
two additional Section 220 Demands relating to the same subject matter from attorneys claiming to represent two different
shareholders. We have responded in writing to the three Section 220 Demands and on February 6, 2015 produced documents
to each of the attorneys pursuant to confidentiality agreements.
We and certain of our current and former directors and officers are defendants in a derivative lawsuit filed on March
18, 2015 in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey captioned Labare v. Dunleavy, et al., Case No.
3:15-cv-01980-FLW-LHG. The derivative complaint alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross
mismanagement and unjust enrichment relating to the now terminated agreement between VWP and ARENA referred to
above. The derivative complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and other relief. On May 18, 2015, the plaintiff and all
the defendants agreed to stay the derivative lawsuit pending action in the consolidated class action securities litigation
discussed above (namely, a court order denying any motions to dismiss the commencement of discovery, a joint request to
lift the stay, or further order of the court).
On July 10, 2015, a second derivative lawsuit, captioned Rywolt v. Dunleavy, et al., Case No. 3:15-cv-05469, was
filed by another shareholder against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
alleging similar claims for breach of fiduciary duty, gross mismanagement, abuse of control, and unjust enrichment relating
to the now terminated agreement between VWP and ARENA. The Rywolt complaint also seeks unspecified monetary
damages and other relief. On September 2, 2015, the plaintiff and all the defendants agreed to stay the Rywolt derivative
31
lawsuit pending action in the consolidated class action securities litigation discussed above (namely, a court order denying
any motions to dismiss the commencement of discovery, a joint request to lift the stay, or further order of the court). In
addition, on September 2, 2015, the plaintiffs in the Labare and Rywolt derivative lawsuits filed an unopposed motion to
consolidate the two actions. On February 8, 2016, the Court entered an order (i) consolidating the Labare and Rywolt actions;
(ii) appointing Labare and Rywolt as co-lead plaintiffs; (iii) appointing The Rosen Law Firm P.C. as lead counsel; and (iv)
directing the co-lead plaintiffs to file a consolidated amended complaint within 30 days of the order. The co-lead plaintiffs
filed a consolidated complaint on March 9, 2016. Defendants have not responded to the consolidated complaint because of
the pending stay.
On April 21, 2016, a third derivative lawsuit, captioned LaCalamito v. Dunleavy, et al., Case No. 3:16-cv-02249,
was filed by another shareholder against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company in the United States
District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging similar claims for breach of fiduciary duty relating to the now terminated
agreement between VWP and ARENA. The LaCalamito complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and other relief. We
have not been formally served and have not yet responded to the complaint.
On June 9, 2016, a fourth derivative lawsuit, captioned Pucillo v. Dunleavy, et al., was filed by another shareholder
against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company in the United States District Court for the District
of New Jersey alleging similar claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and abuse of control relating to the
now terminated agreement between VWP and ARENA. The Pucillo complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and
other relief. The Company has not been formally served and has not yet responded to the complaint.
We and certain of our current and former directors are defendants in a lawsuit filed by an alleged shareholder in the
Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County Chancery Division on January 25, 2016, captioned Stern v. Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. C-5-16. The complaint alleges that certain provisions of our Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws providing that the Company’s directors may be removed only for cause and only by an affirmative
vote of at least 75% of the votes which all the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors are
invalid under Section 141(k) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Complaint asserts a breach of fiduciary claim
against the director defendants and a declaratory judgment claim against all defendants seeking, among other things, to
invalidate the current provisions and declare that the Company’s directors may be removed and replaced without cause and
by a simple majority vote. The Complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief as well as unspecified costs and attorneys’
fees. Defendants have not yet responded to the Complaint. By Unanimous Written Consent dated June 17, 2016, the
Company’s Board of Directors amended the Company’s By-laws to delete the “only for cause” requirement, thereby allowing
for removal of directors with or without cause by the Company’s stockholders. In addition, the Board proposed, subject to
approval by the Company’s stockholders at the next annual general meeting of stockholders, a similar amendment to the
director removal provision in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. On June 22, 2016, the parties to this lawsuit
submitted a Stipulation and Proposed Order Staying Proceedings that (1) stays the case pending the stockholder vote on the
proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; (2) provides for dismissal of the action with prejudice
if the stockholders approve the amendment, subject to plaintiff’s right to make a fee application to the court and defendants’
right to oppose any such application; and (3) provides for the stay to be lifted and the action to resume, without waiver of
any parties’ rights, if the stockholders do not approve the amendment. The court approved the stipulation on June 30, 2016.
Employment Litigation:
On June 10, 2014, the Company announced that it had terminated Charles Dunleavy as its Chief Executive Officer
and as an employee of the Company for cause, effective June 9, 2014, and that Mr. Dunleavy had also been removed from
his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors. On June 17, 2014, Mr. Dunleavy wrote to the Company stating that he
had retained counsel to represent him in connection with an alleged wrongful termination of his employment. On July 28,
2014, Mr. Dunleavy resigned from the Board and the boards of directors of the Company's subsidiaries. The Company and
Mr. Dunleavy have agreed to suspend his alleged employment claims pending resolution of the shareholder litigation.
Except for the Stipulation agreement noted previously, we have not established any provision for losses relating to
these claims and pending litigation. Due to the stages of these proceedings, and considering the inherent uncertainty of these
claims and litigation, at this time we are not able to predict or reasonably estimate whether we have any possible loss exposure
or the ultimate outcome of these claims.
32
Regulatory Matters:
SEC Subpoena
On February 4, 2015, we received a subpoena from the SEC requesting information related to the VWP Project. We
have provided information to the SEC in response to that subpoena. As part of the same investigation, on July 12, 2016, the
SEC issued a second subpoena requesting information related to the Company’s April 4, 2014 public offering and we are
working to respond to that subpoena. The SEC investigation is ongoing and we continue to cooperate with the SEC in its
investigation. We are unable to predict what action, if any, might be taken by the SEC or its staff as a result of this
investigation or what impact, if any, the cost of responding to the SEC’s investigation or its ultimate outcome might have on
our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We have not established any provision for losses relating to this
matter.
Spain IVA (sales tax)
In June 2012, we received notice that the Spanish tax authorities are inquiring into our 2010 IVA (value-added tax)
filing for which the Company benefitted from the offset of approximately $250,000 of input tax. We believe that the inquiry
will find that the tax credit was properly claimed and, therefore, no liability has been recorded. We have issued two letters of
credit in the amount of €218,059 ($249,543) at the request of the Spanish tax authorities. This is a customary request during
the inquiry period. In November 2014, March 2015 and September 2015, we received partial refunds of the amount under
dispute and continue to expect that this matter will be resolved in our favor.
Spain Income Tax Audit
We are currently undergoing an income tax audit in Spain for the period from 2008 to 2014, when our Spanish
branch was closed. The branch reported net operating losses for each of the years reported. We have not established any
provision for losses related to this matter.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
33
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Stock Price Information and Stockholders
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, under the symbol "OPTT." As of June 30, 2016, there
were 213 holders of record for shares of our common stock. Since a portion of our common stock is held in "street" or
nominee name, we are unable to determine the exact number of beneficial holders.
The following table sets forth the high and the low sale prices of our common stock as quoted by the NASDAQ
Stock Market for the period indicated.
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2016(1)
First quarter ended July 31, 2015 .................................................................................... $
Second quarter ended October 31, 2015...........................................................................
Third quarter ended January 31, 2016 .............................................................................
Fourth quarter ended April 30, 2016 ................................................................................
Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2015 (1)
First quarter ended July 31, 2014 ..................................................................................... $
Second quarter ended October 31, 2014...........................................................................
Third quarter ended January 31, 2015 ..............................................................................
Fourth quarter ended April 30, 2015 ................................................................................
NASDAQ Stock Market
Low
High
8.50 $
5.61
3.68
2.86
30.50 $
15.40
13.10
7.00
4.90
2.31
0.95
1.25
10.30
9.10
3.90
3.90
(1) Share price has been adjusted retroactively to reflect a one-for-10 reverse stock split effective October 27, 2015.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not currently anticipate
declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all of our
future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination relating to our
dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including
future earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions, future prospects, contractual restrictions and covenants and other
factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
Transfer Agent Information
Our transfer agent is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Computershare is located at 250 Royall Street, Canton,
MA 02021-1011. Its contact information is: United States and Canada: (800) 662 – 7232, International (781) 575 – 4238
and its website is located at www.computershare.com.
34
Purchases Of Equity Securities By The Issuer
The following table details our share repurchases during fiscal 2016:
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
(1)
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans
Approximate
Dollar
Value of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plan
Period
Month beginning February 1 and ending Feb. 29, 2016 .....
Month beginning March 1 and ending March 31, 2016 ......
Month beginning April 1 and ending April 30, 2016 .........
1,189 $
$
$
1.54
—
—
—
—
—
—
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information with respect to this item will be set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with
the SEC for the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") under the headings “Security
Ownership Beneficial Owners and Management – Equity Compensation Plan Information” and is incorporated herein by
reference. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this
Form 10-K.
Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities And Use Of Proceeds
There have been no unregistered sales of equity securities or purchases of equity securities that are required to be
disclosed.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not Applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together
with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business and related
financing, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the "Risk Factors"
section of this Annual Report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Our
fiscal year ends on April 30. References to fiscal 2016 are to the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.
Overview
We are developing and are seeking to commercialize proprietary systems that generate electricity by harnessing the
renewable energy of ocean waves. Our PowerBuoy® systems use proprietary technologies to convert the mechanical energy
created by the rising and falling of ocean waves into electricity. We currently have and continue to develop our autonomous
PowerBuoy. Since fiscal 2002, government agencies have accounted for a significant portion of our revenues, which were
largely for the support of our product development efforts. Our goal is that an increased portion of our revenues will be from
the sale of products and maintenance services, as compared to revenue from grants to support our product development
efforts. As we continue to advance our proprietary technologies, we expect to have a net use of cash in operating activities
unless or until we achieve positive cash flow from the planned commercialization of our products and services.
35
We plan to market our autonomous PowerBuoy, which is designed to generate power for use independent of the
power grid, to customers that require electricity in remote locations. We believe there are a variety of potential applications
for our autonomous PowerBuoy, including oil and gas, ocean observing, security and defense and as well as other markets,
which we refer to collectively as autonomous application markets.
We were incorporated in New Jersey in 1984, began business operations in 1994, and were re-incorporated in
Delaware in 2007. We currently have five wholly-owned subsidiaries: Ocean Power Technologies Ltd., organized under the
laws of the United Kingdom, Reedsport OPT Wave Park LLC, organized under the laws of Oregon, and Oregon Wave Energy
Partners I, LLC, organized under the laws of Delaware, Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd (“OPTA”),
organized under the laws of Australia. OPTA owns 100% of Victorian Wave Partners Pty. Ltd. (“VWP”), which is also
organized under the laws of Australia. We acquired the remaining 12% of OPTA which we did not previously own in
September 2015.
The development of our technology has been funded by capital we raised and by development engineering contracts
we received starting in fiscal 1995, including projects with the DOE, the U.S. Navy, the Department of Homeland Security
and MES. Please see Item 1 of this Annual Report– "Business – Customers” and “Historic Projects” for more information.
Through these historic projects, we also continued development of our PowerBuoy technology as well as our next
generation PowerBuoy technology. We are continuing to focus on developing and commercializing our PowerBuoy products
and services for use in autonomous power applications.
During fiscal 2016, we continued work under our contract with the DOE and continued to seek to implement the
strategic pivot in our business plan initiated in fiscal 2015, focusing on the autonomous applications markets. Our contract
with the DOE was for development efforts that focused on further optimization of our modular PTO technology. In March
2015, we successfully completed a stage gate review during which the DOE reviewed advancements related to PTO design
aspects such as reliability, cost take out, manufacturability and scalability and completed the final stage of the contract during
fiscal 2016. We also deployed the PB40 PowerBuoy off the coast of New Jersey in late July 2015 and subsequently retrieved
it approximately three weeks later. We were permitted to operate the PB40 at this location for a period of up to one year, but
retrieved the PB40 sooner than expected to repair a component part. Although the PB40 produced power throughout its
deployment period, it began reporting unexpected performance data. This performance data indicated likely failures of
components associated with the float braking system which would be activated during severe storm periods in order to prevent
damage to the float. As a result, we retrieved the PB40 to avoid potential physical damage to the buoy structure in the event
of a severe storm. During the limited deployment period, we were able to obtain performance data, which we will use to
further understand the PB40’s system performance and power generation in varying wave states. In addition, we were also
able to use the deployment and retrieval of the PB40, 30 miles off of the coast of New Jersey, to validate our logistical
processes associated with permitting, staging, towing and installation of the PB40 at its moored location. Because the PB40
is a legacy utility prototype device, we do not consider it to be a critical part of our current business plan focusing on the
autonomous applications market. Based on our review to date, we currently believe that the failed components are unique to
the PB40, and therefore, we do not believe that these component failures will materially impact the functionality of any of
our other autonomous PowerBuoys. Costs associated with the retrieval of the PB40 buoy were reflected in our product
development expenses. The PB40 was subsequently dismantled and disposed of. Costs related to the retrieval of anchors and
mooring line will be expensed as incurred. We retained sections of the PB40 and plan to investigate, analyze and asses the
component failures of the PB40.
We also deployed our PB3-A1 PowerBuoy off the coast of New Jersey in August 2015. The PB3-A1 contains an
improved PTO system compared to the APB350 that was deployed in 2011 in connection with the U.S. Navy's LEAP Program
and then redeployed in 2013 in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The PB3-A1 features an
advanced PTO design with a focus on reliability, manufacturability, and cost and efficiency improvement. In its final
configuration, the PB3 uses a modular ESS to provide continuous power to the payload even when the PowerBuoy is not
generating new power due to calm sea states. In a calm sea state (i.e., no waves to generate power), we believe the ESS will
have enough storage capacity to provide up to seven days of continuous power (or longer, depending on payload, continuous
power rating and on-board modular ESS configuration) to the majority of ocean sensors when starting from a fully charged
state. When the PB3 is deployed in the ocean, real-time performance and weather data is collected and transmitted to the
Company’s monitoring and analysis center at its corporate headquarters in Pennington, NJ. Subsequent to its initial August
deployment, the PB3-A1 was retrieved for maintenance and repairs and redeployed in October 2015. In January 2016, we
again retrieved the PB3 for additional maintenance and repair. Costs related to the retrieval are reflected in our product
development costs. After repair and upgrades, we redeployed the PB3-A1 in June 2016.
36
We also are continuing to work to develop solutions seeking to improve our products’ durability and reliability and
to reduce their cost. For example, the original APB350 utilized a rack and pinion PTO and successfully powered U.S. Navy
and U.S. Homeland Security equipment off the coast of New Jersey for nearly three months. The redesigned PB3 leverages
our knowledge base from that design to incorporate new design features which we believe will improve its reliability and
efficiency, including a redesigned PTO and a higher efficiency and higher voltage ESS. In July 2016, we deployed our first
commercial PB3 PowerBuoy, approximately four miles off of the coast of New Jersey. The Company currently anticipates
that this deployment will be the final validation of the PB3 prior to the anticipated March 2017 six-month lease of the PB3
PowerBuoy under a previously announced customer agreement.
In January 2013, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “2013 Form S-3”), which was declared
effective by the SEC in February 2013. Under the 2013 Form S-3, in June 2013, the Company established an At the Market
Offering Facility (the “2013 ATM Facility”) with Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC (“Ascendiant”) via an At the Market
Offering Agreement (the “2013 ATM Agreement”). Under the 2013 ATM Agreement, we offered and sold shares of our
common stock from time to time through Ascendiant, acting as sales agent, in ordinary brokerage transactions at prevailing
market prices. Under the 2013 ATM Facility, during fiscal 2014, we issued 330,633 shares of our common stock at an average
price to the public of $30.20 per share, receiving net proceeds from the 2013 ATM Facility of approximately $9,698,000.
Also in fiscal 2014, we entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC on April 4, 2014,
(the “2014 Underwriting Agreement”) with respect to the issuance and sale in an underwritten public offering of an aggregate
of 380,000 shares of our Common Stock at a price of $31.00 per share (the “2014 Public Offering”) under the 2013 Form S-
3. The Underwriting Agreement contained customary representations, warranties and agreements by us, customary conditions
to closing, indemnification obligations, and a 90-day lock-up period that limited transactions in our Common Stock by us.
Net proceeds from the 2014 Public Offering, which was completed in early April 2014, were approximately $10,828,000.
Form S-3 limits the aggregate market value of securities that we are permitted to offer in any 12-month period to
one-third of our public float. In 2014, we fully utilized our available transaction capacity to sell securities under the 2013
Form S-3. However, we regained the ability to utilize the 2013 Form S-3 as we entered fiscal 2016. Under the SEC’s
regulations, the securities registered under our 2013 Form S-3 may only be offered and sold if not more than three years have
elapsed from the initial effective date of the Form S-3, except that if a new shelf registration statement is filed then we are
permitted to continue to offer and sell securities under the Form S-3 until the earlier of the effective date of the new shelf
registration statement or 180 days after the third anniversary of the initial effective date. On February 12, 2016, we filed a
new Form S-3 shelf registration statement (the “2016 Form S-3”) to register the offering and sale of up to $15 million of our
securities. The 2016 Form S-3 registration was declared effective by the SEC on April 26, 2016.
In October 2015, we entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement (the “2015 Offering Agreement”) with
Rodman & Renshaw, a unit of H. C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (the “Manager”) under which we offered shares of our common
stock, from time to time through or to the Manager, acting as sales agent and/or principal, (the “2015 ATM Offering”). Under
the 2015 Offering Agreement, during the year ended April 30, 2016, we sold 144,571 shares of Common Stock with an
aggregate market value of $293,343 under the Offering Agreement and paid the Manager a sales commission of
approximately $4,400 related to those shares.
On June 2, 2016, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, which was amended on June 7, 2016 (as amended,
the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional purchasers (the “Purchasers”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase
Agreement, we sold an aggregate of 417,000 shares of common stock together with warrants to purchase up to an aggregate
of 145,952 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock was sold together with a warrant to purchase 0.35 of a
share of common stock at a combined purchase price of $4.60. The net proceeds from the offering to us were approximately
$1.6 million, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, but excluding the proceeds,
if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in the offering. The warrants have an exercise price of $6.08 per share, will
be exercisable on December 8, 2016, and will expire five years following the date of issuance.
The sale of additional equity or convertible securities could result in dilution to our stockholders. If additional funds
are raised through the issuance of debt securities or preferred stock, these securities could have rights senior to those
associated with our common stock and could contain covenants that would restrict our operations. We do not have any
committed sources of debt or equity financing and we cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on
terms acceptable to us when needed, or at all. If we are unable to obtain required financing when needed, we may be required
to reduce the scope of our operations, including our planned product development and marketing efforts, which could
materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. If we are unable to secure additional financing,
we may be forced to cease our operations.
37
During fiscal 2014, our subsidiary VWP received approximately A$5.6 million ($5.2 million) in initial grant funding
from ARENA. The Company recorded this payment as an advance payment within the consolidated balance sheet. We
classified the initial grant funding received from ARENA, of A$5,595,723 ($5,179,960), which included GST, as restricted
cash. In July 2014, the VWP Board of Directors determined that the project contemplated by the grant was no longer
commercially viable and subsequently terminated the Funding Deed and returned to ARENA the grant funds received.
During fiscal 2015, the Company remitted the GST in the amount of A$508,702 ($470,905) to the Australian Tax
Office (“ATO”) in accordance with local tax laws and reclaimed this amount from the ATO during such fiscal period. In
August 2014, the Company returned the initial grant funding received of A$5,595,723 ($5,179,960) and interest of A$109,051
($102,061) to ARENA in accordance with the Deed of Variation and Termination of Funding Deed executed between the
parties in August 2014.
As of April 30, 2016, our backlog was negligible. As of April 30, 2015, our negotiated backlog was $0.9 million. In
2016, we have excluded from backlog the suspended utility project with MES as we do not expect work under that contract
to continue due to the shift in focus to an autonomous project. Subsequently, on May 31, 2016, we entered into a contract
with MES totaling $975,587, a portion of which was performed in fiscal 2016 as agreed under a LOI signed in March 2016.
Our backlog can include both funded amounts, which are unfilled firm orders for our products and services for which funding
has been both authorized and appropriated by the customer (U.S. Congress, in the case of U.S. Government agencies), and
unfunded amounts, which are unfilled firm orders for which funding has not been appropriated. If any of our contracts were
to be terminated, our backlog would be reduced by the expected value of the remaining terms of such contract. Our backlog
was fully funded at April 30, 2016.
The amount of contract backlog is not necessarily indicative of future revenue because modifications to, or
terminations of present contracts and production delays can provide additional revenue or reduce anticipated revenue. A
substantial portion of our revenue has been for the support of our product development efforts. These revenues are recognized
using the percentage-of-completion method, and changes in estimates from time to time may have a significant effect on
revenue and backlog. Our backlog is also typically subject to large variations from time to time due to the timing of new
awards.
We are also seeking to develop strategic alliances with other companies that have developed or are developing in-
ocean applications requiring a persistent source of power to address identified needs of potential customers. As announced
in October 2015, we signed a MOU with Gardline Environmental, Ltd. to jointly investigate innovative metocean monitoring
and maritime security systems for prospective customers using both companies’ technologies. The MOU can be terminated
by either party, and each party will bear its own respective costs associated with the MOU.
In June 2016, we announced a definitive agreement with MES for certain engineering and other services, and a six-
month lease of our PB3 PowerBuoy, anticipated to commence in March 2017, and currently expected to extend through
August 2017. The total value of this agreement is $975,587, and is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including
MES’ right to terminate the contract for convenience, provisions relating to inspection and testing, packing and deliveries,
warranties, indemnity, limits of liability, and risk of loss and insurance.
For fiscal 2016, we generated revenues of approximately $0.7 million and incurred a net loss attributable to Ocean
Power Technologies, Inc. of $13.1 million, and for fiscal 2015, we generated revenues of $4.1 million and incurred a net loss
attributable to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. of $13.1 million. As of April 30, 2016, our accumulated deficit was $177.9
million. We have not been profitable since inception, and we do not know whether or when we will become profitable because
of the significant uncertainties with respect to our ability to successfully commercialize our PowerBuoys in the autonomous
(grid independent) applications markets.
As part of our strategic pivot in business operations initiated in fiscal 2015, we are focused on developing the
PowerBuoy technology for use in the autonomous applications markets. Such applications require remote ocean power
sources that operate independently of the utility grid by supplying electric power to payloads that are integrated directly in
the PowerBuoy and/or located in its vicinity. Based on market research and available public data, we believe opportunity
exists in six markets that could have a direct need for our autonomous PowerBuoys: oil and gas, ocean observing, security
and defense, offshore wind, communications, and ocean aquaculture.
The PB3 has undergone a design iteration from our immediate prior design focusing on improving its reliability and
survivability in the anticipated operating ocean environment, and will continue to undergo further enhancements through
customary product life cycle management. The PB3-A1 was an initial prototype that has now undergone in-ocean and
accelerated life testing, and we believe that the PB3 will achieve a maturity level for use by early adopters in fiscal 2017, but
38
we are in the early stages of seeking to commercialize our product and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in
our efforts to do so. We believe that the PB3 will generate and store sufficient power to address some application requirements
in our target markets. Our product development and engineering efforts are focused, in part, on increasing the energy output
and efficiency of our PowerBuoys and, if we are able to do so, we believe the PowerBuoy would be useful for additional
applications where cost savings and additional power are required by our potential customers. We have only begun to explore
opportunities in these target markets, and we have not yet developed any integrated solutions and product offerings in these
potential markets. We believe that by increasing the energy output of our PowerBuoys we may be able to address larger
segments of our target markets.
We also are seeking to enter into strategic relationships to seek to validate our PowerBuoy as a source of in-ocean
power. We have entered into a CRADA agreement with the NDBC under a CRADA under which we integrated the NDBC’s
SCOOP monitoring system integrated into our PB3 PowerBuoy deployed off the coast of New Jersey in June 2016. In May
2016, we entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with the WCS to explore the use of our PowerBuoys in
conjunction with ocean life monitoring sensors to collect ocean mammal migrations data. We typically bear our own costs
associated with these types of strategic relationships and these generally do not produce any revenues for us. In June 2016,
we redeployed the PB3-A1 with both the NDBC SCOOP and the WCS sensor included as payloads.
Going Concern
Our financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. We have experienced
substantial and recurring losses from operations, which losses have caused an accumulated deficit of $177.9 million at April
30, 2016. At April 30, 2016, we have approximately $6.7 million in cash on hand. We generated revenues of only $0.7 million
in fiscal 2016, and $4.1 million in fiscal 2015. Based on the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities
balances as of April 30, 2016, the Company believes that it will be able to finance its capital requirements and operations
into at least the quarter ending January 31, 2017. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our
consolidated financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2016, contains an explanatory paragraph regarding our ability
to continue as a going concern, based on, among other factors, that our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent
upon our ability to raise additional external capital and increase revenues. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt
about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that
might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in our efforts to generate
revenues, become profitable, raise additional outside capital or to continue as a going concern. If we are not successful in our
efforts to raise additional capital sufficient to support our operations, we would be forced to cease operations, in which event
investors would lose their entire investment in our company.
Financial Operations Overview
The following describes certain line items in our statement of operations and some of the factors that affect our
operating results.
Revenues
Generally, we recognize revenue using the percentage-of-completion method based on the ratio of costs incurred to
total estimated costs at completion. In certain circumstances, revenue under contracts that have specified milestones or other
performance criteria may be recognized only when our customer acknowledges that such criteria have been satisfied. In
addition, recognition of revenue (and the related costs) may be deferred for fixed-price contracts until contract completion if
we are unable to reasonably estimate the total costs of the project prior to completion. Some revenue contracts may contain
complex criteria or uncertainty surrounding the terms of performance and customer acceptance. These contracts are subject
to interpretation, and management may make a judgment as to the amount of revenue earned and recorded. Because we have
a small number of contracts, revisions to the percentage-of-completion determination, management interpretation or delays
in meeting performance and contractual criteria or in completing projects may have a significant effect on our revenue for
the periods involved. Upon anticipating a loss on a contract, we recognize the full amount of the anticipated loss in the current
period.
Generally, our contracts are either cost-plus or fixed-price contracts. Under cost plus contracts, we bill the customer
for actual expenses incurred plus an agreed-upon fee. Revenue is typically recorded using the percentage-of-completion
method based on the maximum awarded contract amount. In certain cases, we may choose to incur costs in excess of the
maximum awarded contract amounts resulting in a loss on the contract. Currently, we have two types of fixed-price contracts,
firm-fixed price and cost-sharing. Under firm fixed-price contracts, we receive an agreed-upon amount for providing product
development and services that are specified in the contract. Revenue is typically recorded using the percentage-of-completion
39
method based on the contract amount. Depending on whether actual costs are more or less than the agreed-upon amount,
there is a profit or loss on the project. Under cost-sharing contracts, the fixed amount agreed upon with the customer is only
intended to fund a portion of the costs on a specific project. We fund the remainder of the costs as part of our product
development efforts. Revenue is typically recorded using the percentage-of-completion method based on the amount agreed
upon with the customer. An amount corresponding to the revenue is recorded in cost of revenues resulting in gross profit on
these contracts of zero. Our share of the costs is recorded as product development expense. Some of our revenue for fiscal
2016 and 2015 was from cost-sharing contracts.
The following table provides information regarding the breakdown of our revenues by customer for fiscal years
2016 and 2015:
Years Ended April 30,
($ millions)
2016
2015
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding ..................................................................... $
US Department of Energy ....................................................................................
European Union (WavePort project) ....................................................................
$
0.1 $
0.2
0.4
0.7 $
1.6
1.5
1.0
4.1
We currently focus our sales and marketing efforts on North America, Europe, Australia and Japan. The following
table shows the percentage of our revenues by geographical location of our customers for fiscal 2016 and 2015:
Asia and Australia ...............................................................................................
United States .......................................................................................................
Europe .................................................................................................................
Years Ended April 30,
2016
2015
14%
28%
58%
100%
40%
37%
23%
100%
Cost of revenues
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of incurred material, labor and manufacturing overhead expenses, such as
engineering expense, equipment depreciation and maintenance and facility related expenses, and includes the cost of
PowerBuoy parts and services supplied by third-party suppliers. Cost of revenues also includes PowerBuoy system delivery
and deployment expenses and may include anticipated losses at completion on certain contracts.
Some of our revenue recorded for fiscal 2016 was generated from cost-sharing contracts, which result in zero gross
profit. In fiscal 2015, our firm fixed-price contract with MES recorded under the percentage-of-completion method had an
increase in estimated total costs of the project. This increase in estimated project costs resulted in a gross loss and we recorded
an accrual for the future anticipated loss on the contract.
Our ability to generate a gross profit will depend on the nature of future contracts, our success at generating revenues
through sales of our PowerBuoy systems, the nature of our contracts generating revenues to fund our product development
efforts, and our ability to manage costs incurred on fixed price commercial contracts.
Product development costs
Our product development costs consist of salaries and other personnel-related costs and the costs of products,
materials and outside services used in our product development and unfunded research activities. Our product development
costs relate primarily to our efforts to increase the power output and reliability of our PowerBuoy system, and to development
of new products, product applications and complementary technologies. We expense all of our product development costs as
incurred. Over the next several years, it is our goal to fund the majority of our product development efforts with sources from
commercial relationships, including cost-sharing agreements. If we are unable to obtain commercial relationships or cost-
sharing arrangements, we may be forced to curtail our development expenses and scope to reduce our overall expenses. We
recently narrowed our development focus to the PB3 to drive toward commercialization of that product and to reduce our
40
overall expenses. In the future, we also may continue to develop the PB15 (formerly known as PB10) if we determine that
future relationships warrant incurring the costs associated with such product development.
Selling, general and administrative costs
Our selling, general and administrative costs consist primarily of professional fees, salaries and other personnel-
related costs for employees and consultants engaged in sales and marketing and support of our PowerBuoy systems and costs
for executive, accounting and administrative personnel, professional fees and other general corporate expenses.
Interest (expense) income, net
Interest income consists of interest received on cash and cash equivalents, investments in commercial bank-issued
certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury bills and notes and interest expense paid on certain obligations to third parties. Total
cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities were $7.1 million as of April 30, 2016, compared to $17.9
million as of April 30, 2015.
Interest income in fiscal 2016 reflects interest income on cash, equivalent restricted cash and marketable securities.
Interest expense in fiscal 2015 reflects interest paid in connection with the return of funds associated with the ARENA project.
Foreign exchange loss
We transact business in various countries and have exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Foreign exchange gains and losses arise in the translation of foreign-denominated assets and liabilities, which may result in
realized and unrealized gains or losses from exchange rate fluctuations. Since we conduct our business in US dollars and our
functional currency is the US dollar, our main foreign exchange exposure, if any, results from changes in the exchange rate
between the US dollar and the British pounds sterling, the Euro and the Australian dollar. Due to the macroeconomic pressures
in certain European countries, foreign exchange rates may become more volatile in the future.
We may invest our foreign cash reserves in certificates of deposit, and we maintain cash accounts that are
denominated in British pounds sterling, Euros and Australian dollars. These foreign denominated certificates of deposit and
cash accounts had a balance of $1.2 million as of April 30, 2016 and $1.4 million as of April 30, 2015, compared to our total
cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities balances of $7.1 million as of April 30, 2016 and $17.9
million as of April 30, 2015. These foreign currency balances are translated at each month end to our functional currency,
the US dollar, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in our results of operations.
In addition, a portion of our operations is conducted through our subsidiaries in countries other than the United
States, specifically Ocean Power Technologies Ltd. in the United Kingdom, the functional currency of which is the British
pound sterling, and Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd. in Australia, the functional currency of which is the
Australian dollar. Both of these subsidiaries have foreign exchange exposure that results from changes in the exchange rate
between their functional currency and other foreign currencies in which they conduct business. All of our international
revenues for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were recorded in Euros or British pounds sterling.
We currently do not hedge our exchange rate exposure. However, we assess the anticipated foreign currency working
capital requirements and capital asset acquisitions of our foreign operations and attempt to maintain a portion of our cash and
cash equivalents denominated in foreign currencies sufficient to satisfy these anticipated requirements. We also assess the
need and cost to utilize financial instruments to hedge currency exposures on an ongoing basis and may hedge against
exchange rate exposure in the future.
Income taxes
As of April 30, 2016, we had federal and foreign net operating loss carry forwards of $119.2 million and $19.7
million, respectively, and federal research and development tax credits of $2.6 million, which may be used to offset future
taxable income. As of April 30, 2016, we had state net operating loss carry forwards of $24.0 million. If not utilized, the net
operating loss carry forwards and credit carry forwards will expire at various dates through 2035. We may not achieve
profitability in time to utilize the tax credit and net operating loss carry forwards in full or at all. In addition, we have
determined that the future utilization of our net operating loss carry forwards is subject to limitations based upon changes in
ownership including changes resulting from our initial public offering in April 2007, pursuant to regulations promulgated
under the Internal Revenue Code. As discussed in Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual
41
Report, we have established a valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets, which were $52.6 million as of April 30,
2016 and $50.8 million as of April 30, 2015.
During the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, we sold New Jersey State net operating tax losses in the amount
of $19.7 million and $14.0 million, respectively, resulting in the recognition of income tax benefits of $1.7 million and $1.1
million, respectively.
Results of Operations
This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Fiscal Years Ended April 30, 2016 and 2015
The following table contains selected statement of operations information, which serves as the basis of the discussion
of our results of operations for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015:
Fiscal Year Ended
April 30, 2016
Fiscal Year Ended
April 30, 2015
Amount
As a % of
Revenues (1) Amount
% Change
2016
Period to
2015
As a % of
Revenues (1) Period
100 %
114
(14)
(83)%
(86)
(107)
Revenues .............................................................. $
Cost of revenues ...................................................
Gross (loss) profit ..................................
704,820
667,869
36,951
Operating expenses:
100% $ 4,105,424
4,671,403
(565,979)
95
5
Product development costs ............................ 7,050,828
Selling, general and administrative costs ...... 6,747,506
Litigation Settlement ..................................... 1,096,600
Total operating expenses ........................ 14,894,934
Operating loss....................................................... (14,857,983)
7,542
Interest (expense) income, net ..............................
240,637
Other income ........................................................
(148,674)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain ................................
Loss before income taxes ..................................... (14,758,478)
Income tax benefit ................................................ 1,674,862
Net loss ................................................................. (13,083,616)
1,000
957
156
2,113
(2,108)
1
34
(21)
(2,094)
238
(1,856)
4,149,388
9,571,193
—
13,720,581
(14,286,560)
(31,634)
419,432
(462,777)
(14,361,539)
1,137,872
(13,223,667)
101
233
—
334
(348)
(1)
10
(11)
(350)
28
(322)
70
(30)
100
9
4
(124)
(43 )
(68 )
3
47
(1 )
Less: Net loss attributable to the
noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power
Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd ............
Net loss attributable to Ocean Power
(45,340)
(6)
109,115
3
(142)
Technologies, Inc. .............................................. $ (13,128,956)
(1,863)% $(13,114,552)
(319)%
0 %
(1) Certain subtotals may not add due to rounding.
Revenues
Revenues decreased by $3.4 million, or 83%, to $0.7 million in fiscal 2016, as compared to $4.1 million in fiscal
2015. The decrease in revenue is due to the billable work completed on existing contracts in the 2015 period, with no
associated billable work in the 2016 period. Also, our billable work under our letter of intent with MES during the fiscal 2016
period was lower than our billable work in the prior period under our prior MES contract. With the exception of the MES
letter of intent, we did not add revenue-producing contracts or contracts to fund our product development costs during fiscal
2016.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues decreased by approximately $4.0 million, or 86%, to $0.7 million in fiscal 2016, as compared to
$4.7 million in fiscal 2015. The decrease in cost of revenue is related to lower costs incurred during the 2016 period as a
result of decreased billable work on contracts performed in the 2016 period, decreased billable work related to the completion
42
of our WavePort contract with the EU in fiscal 2015, and the decrease in billable work under the project with MES. This is
discussed more fully above in “Overview.” During the year ended April 30, 2015, our firm-fixed price contract with MES
recorded under the percentage-of-completion method had an increase in estimated total costs of the project. This increase in
estimated project costs resulted in us incurring a gross loss on this contract and we recorded an accrual for the future
anticipated loss on the contract.
Some of our projects in fiscal 2016 and 2015 were under cost-sharing contracts. Under cost-sharing contracts, we
receive a fixed amount agreed upon with the customer that is only intended to fund a portion of the costs on a specific project.
We fund the remainder of the costs primarily as part of our product development efforts. Revenue is typically recorded using
the percentage-of-completion method applied to the contractual amount agreed upon with the customer. An equal amount
corresponding to the revenue is recorded in cost of revenues resulting in gross profit on these contracts of zero. Our share of
the costs is considered to be product development expense. Our ability to generate a gross profit will depend on the nature of
future contracts, our success generating revenues through sales of our PowerBuoy systems, the nature of contracts for our
development efforts, and our ability to manage costs incurred on our fixed price contracts.
Product Development Costs
Product development costs increased by approximately $2.9 million, or 70%, to $7.0 million in fiscal 2016 as
compared to $4.1 million in fiscal 2015. The increase in product development costs was related primarily to increased costs
associated with the deployment and retrieval costs of our legacy PB40 and PB3-A1 PowerBuoys, in addition to development
costs associated with our investigation of the potential use of our PowerBuoys in autonomous market applications. Over the
next several years, it is our goal to fund the majority of our product development efforts with external funding from
commercial relationships, including cost-sharing arrangements. If we are unable to obtain commercial relationships or cost-
sharing arrangements, we may curtail our development expenses and scope as necessary. We recently narrowed our
development focus to the PB3 to seek to commercialize our PowerBuoy and related products and services.
Selling, general and administrative costs
Selling, general and administrative costs decreased by approximately $2.8 million, or 30%, to $6.7 million for fiscal
2016 as compared to $9.6 million for fiscal 2015. The decrease was related to site development expenses related to our project
in Australia incurred in fiscal 2015 with no corresponding costs in fiscal 2016, lower patent costs as our patents were fully
amortized in 2015, and lower recruiting and third party consultant fees in the 2016 period. These decreases were partially
offset by increased employee-related costs.
Litigation settlement
The litigation settlement costs relate to the settlement of the Securities Class Action, described elsewhere in this
Annual Report. The net charge of $1.1 million expensed in fiscal 2016 consist of a settlement payment to be made by us in
connection with the proposed settlement of certain pending securities class action litigation, which is comprised of $500,000
in cash, and the issuance by us of 380,000 shares of our Common Stock with a fair value of $596,600 on the date of the
Stipulation, which is May 5, 2016. Settlement of the class action litigation is subject to approval by the Court after notice to
class members and cannot be assured. For more information, see Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report and Note
13 “Commitments and Contingencies – Litigation” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2016.
Interest (expense) income, net
Interest income, net increased to approximately $8,000 for fiscal 2016, as compared to interest expense, net of
approximately $32,000 in fiscal 2015. Fiscal 2015 included interest expense recorded for the repayment of funds received in
March 2014 from ARENA of $5.2 million.
Foreign exchange loss
Foreign exchange loss was approximately $0.1 million for fiscal 2016, compared to a foreign exchange loss of
approximately $0.5 million for fiscal 2015. The difference was attributable primarily to the relative change in value of the
British pound sterling, Euro and Australian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar during the two periods.
43
Other income
During fiscal 2016, other income was approximately $0.2 million compared to approximately $0.4 million for fiscal
2015. Fiscal 2016 other income consisted primarily of a refund of approximately $0.2 million we received related to research
and development expenditures in Australia. During fiscal 2015, we reached a favorable settlement with a vendor regarding a
disputed transaction in the amount of approximately $0.2 million. In fiscal 2015, we also received a refund of approximately
$0.2 million related to research and development expenditures in Australia.
Income tax benefit
During the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, we sold New Jersey State net operating losses in the amount of
$19.7 million and $14.0 million, respectively, resulting in the recognition of income tax benefits of $1.7 million and $1.1
million, respectively. The Company has a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.
Net Loss Outlook
We have incurred net losses since we began operations in 1994. To achieve profitability, we will need to increase
revenue and gross profit, control our fixed costs and/or possibly reduce our expenses, including our unfunded product
development expenditures.
We do not know whether or when we will become profitable because of the significant uncertainties with respect to
our ability to successfully commercialize our PowerBuoys in our target markets. Even if we do achieve profitability at some
point in the future, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception, the cash flows from customer revenues have not been sufficient to fund our operations and
provide the capital resources for our business. For the two years ended April 30, 2016, our aggregate revenues were $4.8
million, our aggregate net losses were $26.3 million and our aggregate net cash used in operating activities was $28.1 million.
Years Ended April 30,
2016
2015
Net loss .................................................................................................................
(13,083,616) $
(13,223,667)
Adjustments for noncash operating items ............................................................
1,195,215
1,764,229
Net cash operating loss .........................................................................................
(11,888,401)
(11,459,438)
Net change in operating assets and liabilities .......................................................
958,122
(5,714,790)
Net cash used in operating activities ....................................................................
(10,930,279) $
(17,174,228)
Net cash provided by investing activities .............................................................
114,874 $
21,171,387
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities .............................................
220,672 $
(100,659)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents ........................................
(11,187) $
(419,425 )
44
Net cash used in operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $10.9 million and $17.2 million for fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The change was the result of an decrease in net loss of $0.1 million and an increase in cash used by the net change in operating
assets and liabilities of $6.7 million primarily due to the return of the advance payment of $4.7 million related to the former
ARENA contract in fiscal 2015, offset in part by higher non-cash operating items of $0.5 million.
The decrease in our net loss for fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 is the result of our recording a gross profit in
fiscal 2016 of approximately $37,000 compared to loss of $0.6 million in 2015. The 2015 gross loss related primarily to our
project with MES of $0.5 million, a decrease in selling, general and administrative costs of $2.8 million relating $0.8 million
to fully amortized patents in 2015, $0.6 million of site development costs from the MES terminated contract incurred in fiscal
2015, and a $1.4 million decrease in legal, consulting and recruiting fees in fiscal 2016. These amounts were offset by an
increase in product development costs of $2.9 million associated with the deployment and retrieval costs of our PB40 and
PB3-A1 PowerBuoys, and litigation settlement of $1.1 million recorded in fiscal 2016 relating to the Stipulation to resolve
certain pending securities class action litigation. See Note 13 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere
in this Annual Report.
The decrease in noncash operating items in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015, reflects a decrease in amortization
expense for patents of $0.8 million and a decrease in foreign exchange loss of $0.3 million offset by settlement of a lawsuit
in common stock of $0.6 million
The increase in operating assets and liabilities in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 is due to a reduction in
advanced payments received from customers of $4.7 million (relating to the return of the initial grant funding on the ARENA
project in fiscal 2015), a net increase of $1.0 million in unearned revenues, other assets of $0.3 million, and other net changes
in operating assets and liabilities of $0.7 million.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was approximately $0.1 million for fiscal 2016 versus $21.1 million for
fiscal 2015. The change was primarily the result of a net decrease of $14.4 million in maturities of marketable securities and
restricted cash of $6.7 million in fiscal 2016.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $0.2 million in fiscal 2016, and net cash used by
financing activities was approximately $0.1 million for fiscal 2015. The net cash provided in fiscal 2016 was from the sale
of our common stock, net of issuance costs, offset in part by the repayment of long-term debt and capital lease principal. The
fiscal 2015 net cash used was primarily related to the repayment of long-term debt.
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
The effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents was approximately a decrease of $11,000 and a decrease
of approximately $0.4 million in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
results primarily from gains or losses on consolidation of foreign subsidiaries and foreign denominated cash and cash
equivalents.
Liquidity Outlook
Our financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. We have experienced
substantial and recurring losses from operations, which losses have caused an accumulated deficit of $177.9 million at April
30, 2016. At April 30, 2016, we had approximately $6.7 million in cash on hand. We generated revenues of only $.7 million
in fiscal 2016, and $4.1 million in fiscal 2015. Based on the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities
balances as of April 30, 2016, the Company believes that it will be able to finance its capital requirements and operations
into at least the quarter ending January 31, 2017.
These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Management recognizes
that in order for us to meet our capital requirements, and continue to operate, additional financing will be necessary. We
expect to raise additional funds through private or public equity investment in order to maintain and/or expand the range and
scope of our business operations. However, we cannot assure you that any such additional funds will be available for us on
45
acceptable terms, when needed, or at all. If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed or generate positive cash
flow, it is unlikely that we will be able to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We expect to devote substantial resources to continue our development efforts for our PowerBuoys and to expand
our sales, marketing and manufacturing programs associated with the planned commercialization of the PowerBuoys. Our
future capital requirements will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
● our success in developing commercial relationships with customers;
● our ability to establish and maintain additional customer relationships;
●
●
the cost of manufacturing activities;
the ability to obtain project-specific financing, grants, subsidies and other sources of funding for some of our
projects;
the cost of shareholder and other litigation and regulatory inquiries;
the cost of development efforts for our PowerBuoys;
the cost and success rate of commercialization activities, including demonstration projects, product marketing
and sales;
the implementation of our expansion plans, including the hiring of new employees as our business increases;
the cost of potential acquisitions of other products or technologies; and
the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent claims and other patent-
related costs; and
●
●
●
●
●
●
We have incurred negative operating cash flows since our inception. As of April 30, 2016, our cash and cash
equivalents and marketable securities balance was approximately $6.8 million. Based upon our cash and cash equivalents
and marketable securities balance as of April 30, 2016, we believe that we will be able to finance our capital requirements
and operations into at least the quarter ending January 31, 2017. In addition, as of April 30, 2016 and 2015, our restricted
cash balance was approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million respectively.
During fiscal year 2015, we received a deficiency notice form the Listing Qualifications Department of the
NASDAQ Stock Market notifying us that the minimum bid price of our common stock had failed to meet the requirements
for continued inclusion of our common stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market. In October 2015, at our annual meeting of
stockholders, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effectuate a reverse stock split
of our common stock. Subsequently, we filed a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effectuate a
one-for-10 reverse stock split of our common stock. Our common stock began trading on a post-reverse stock split-adjusted
basis on the NASDAQ Capital Market on October 29, 2015. Subsequently, on November 12, 2015, the NASDAQ notified
us that our common stock had regained compliance with the NASDAQ listed company closing bid price requirement. All
common stock per share information in this Annual Report has been adjusted to give effect to the one-for-10 reverse stock
split of our common stock.
During fiscal 2016 and 2015, we have continued to make investments in ongoing product development efforts in
anticipation of future growth. Our future results of operations involve significant risks and uncertainties. Factors that could
affect our future operating results and cause actual results to vary materially from expectations include, but are not limited
to, risks from insufficient capital, technology development, scalability of technology and production, ability to secure
customers and revenue-producing contracts, our ability to settle or have dismissed pending litigation, dependence on skills
of key personnel, concentration of customers and suppliers, performance of PowerBuoy, deployment risks and laws,
regulations and permitting. In order to complete our future growth strategy, we will require additional financing. There is no
assurance that additional financing will be available to us as needed on terms acceptable to us or at all. Historically, we have
raised proceeds through sales of our equity securities in the public capital markets. If sufficient financing is not obtained, we
will be required to further curtail or limit our operations, including our product development costs, and/or selling, general
and administrative activities in order to reduce our cash expenditures and may be required to cease operations.
Historically, we have funded our operations principally through public sales of our equity securities. In January
2013, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC in February 2013 (“2013
Form S-3”). We offered and sold 330,633 shares of our common stock at an average price to the public of $30.20 per share
through an at the market facility (“2013 ATM Facility”) with Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC (“Ascendiant”) via an At the
Market Offering Agreement under our 2013 Form S-3. We received net proceeds of approximately $9,698,000 from the 2013
ATM Facility.
46
In fiscal 2014, we also offered and sold 380,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $31.00 per share in an
underwritten public offering under the 2013 Form S-3 through Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) pursuant to an
underwriting agreement dated April 4, 2014 (the “2014 Underwritten Offering”). We completed the 2014 Underwritten
Offering in April 2014, with net proceeds to us of approximately $10,828,000.
In October 2015, we entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement (“2015 ATM Agreement”) with H.C.
Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Manager”), under which we offered from time to time in an at the market offering (the “2015
ATM Facility”) shares of our common stock under the Form S-3 and under a subsequent shelf registration statement on Form
S-3 (the “2016 Form S-3”) declared effective by the SEC in April 2016. The 2016 Form S-3 registers for sale up to $15
million in securities by us in a public offering, although we are limited by Instruction I.B.6 in the amount that we may sell
under Form S-3 in any 12 calendar month period to one third of our public float. Under the 2015 ATM Facility, between
October 2015 and April 2016, we issued and sold 144,571 shares of our common stock with an aggregate market value of
$293,343 under the 2015 ATM Agreement at an average price of $2.03 per share. We paid the Manager of the 2015 ATM
Facility a sales commission of approximately $4,400 related to those shares. We terminated the 2015 ATM Agreement on
June 2, 2016, effective immediately, and the 2015 ATM Facility is no longer available for use by us.
On June 2, 2016, we entered into a securities purchase agreement, which was amended on June 7, 2016 (as amended,
the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional purchasers (the “Purchasers”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase
Agreement, we sold an aggregate of 417,000 shares of common stock together with warrants to purchase up to an aggregate
of 145,952 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock was sold together with a warrant to purchase 0.35 of a
share of common stock at a combined purchase price of $4.60. The net proceeds to us from the offering were approximately
$1.6 million, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, but excluding
the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in the offering. The warrants have an exercise price of $6.08
per share, will be exercisable beginning in December 2016, and will expire five years following the date of issuance. We paid
the placement agents approximately $116,000 as placement agent fees in connection with the sale of securities in the offering.
We also reimbursed the placement agents $35,000 for their out of pocket and legal expenses in connection with the offering
The sale of additional equity or convertible securities could result in dilution to our stockholders. If additional funds
are raised through the issuance of debt securities or preferred stock, these securities could have rights senior to those
associated with our Common Stock and could contain covenants that would restrict our operations. We do not have any
committed sources of debt or equity financing and we cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on
terms acceptable to us when needed, or at all. If we are unable to obtain required financing when needed, we may be required
to reduce the scope of our operations, including our planned product development and marketing efforts, which could
materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. If we are unable to secure additional financing,
we may be forced to cease our operations.
We require additional capital to fund our operations. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be
available to us when needed on acceptable terms, or at all.
During fiscal 2015, we remitted the GST in the amount of A$508,702 (US$470,905) to the Australian Tax Office
(ATO) in accordance with local tax laws and reclaimed this amount from the ATO during such fiscal period. In August 2014,
we returned the initial grant funding received of A$5,595,723 (US$5,179,960) and interest of A$109,051 (US$102,061) to
ARENA in accordance with the Deed of Variation and Termination of Funding Deed executed between the parties in August
2014.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Since inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet financing activities.
47
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations set forth above are based on our
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and
judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our
estimates and judgments, including those described below. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various
other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions form the basis
for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.
Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following accounting policies require significant judgment and estimates by us in the preparation of
our consolidated financial statements.
Legal Contingencies
As discussed in Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report under the heading “Legal Proceedings” and in Note 13,
“Commitments and Contingencies,” in Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is currently subject to
various legal proceedings and claims. The Company records a contingent liability when it is probable that a loss has been
incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”. There is
a significant judgment required in both the probability determination and as to whether an exposure can be reasonably
estimated since the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company are subject to significant
uncertainty. In management’s opinion, any reasonable possible losses in addition to the amounts accrued for litigation would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or operating results. Should the
Company fail to prevail in any of these legal matters or should several of these legal matters be resolved against the Company
in the same reporting period, the operating results of a particular reporting period could be materially adversely affected.
Revenue recognition and unearned revenues
Our contracts are either cost plus or fixed price contracts. Under cost plus contracts, customers are billed for actual
expenses incurred plus an agreed-upon fee. Currently, we have two types of fixed price contracts, firm fixed price and cost-
sharing. Under firm fixed price contracts, we receive an agreed-upon amount for providing product development and services
specified in the contract. Under cost-sharing contracts, the fixed amount agreed upon with the customer is only intended to
fund a portion of the costs on a specific project.
Generally, we recognize revenue using the percentage-of-completion method based on the ratio of costs incurred to
total estimated costs at completion. In certain circumstances, revenue under contracts that have specified milestones or other
performance criteria may be recognized only when the customer acknowledges that such criteria have been satisfied. In
addition, recognition of revenue (and the related costs) may be deferred for fixed-price contracts until contract completion if
we are unable to reasonably estimate the total costs of the project prior to completion. Some revenue contracts may contain
complex criteria or uncertainty surrounding the terms of performance and customer acceptance. These contracts are subject
to interpretation and management may make a judgment as to the amount of revenue earned and recorded. Because we have
a small number of contracts, revisions to the percentage-of-completion determination, management interpretation or delays
in meeting performance and contractual criteria or in completing projects may have a significant effect on revenue for the
periods involved.
Under cost plus and firm fixed price contracts there is a profit or loss on the project depending on whether actual
costs are more or less than the agreed upon amount. Under cost-sharing contracts, an amount corresponding to the revenue
is recorded in cost of revenues, resulting in gross profit on these contracts of zero. Our share of the costs is recorded as
product development expense.
Unbilled receivables represent expenditures on contracts, plus applicable profit margin, not yet billed. Unbilled
receivables are normally billed and collected within one year. Billings made on contracts are recorded as a reduction in
unbilled receivables, and to the extent that those billings exceed costs incurred plus applicable profit margin, they are recorded
as unearned revenues.
48
Stock-based compensation
Costs resulting from all share-based payment transactions are recognized in the consolidated financial statements at
their fair values.
Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards at the date of
grant using any valuation model requires judgment. We may use a Monte Carlo simulation model for performance-based
stock awards, if applicable, and use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of employee stock
options. Option pricing models, including the Black-Scholes model, require the use of input assumptions, including expected
volatility, expected term and the expected dividend rate. Beginning in fiscal 2014, expected volatility for 2015 was based on
the Company’s historical volatility. In prior years, we estimated our expected volatility based on that of what we considered
to be similar publicly-traded companies because our stock had been publicly traded in the U.S. only since April 2007, so we
did not have significant observable share-price volatility for the U.S. capital markets. We did not estimate our expected
volatility based on the price of our common stock on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, on which our shares
traded from October 2003 until we voluntarily delisted in January 2011, because we did not believe, based on the historically
low trading volume of our shares on that market, that the volatility of our common stock on the AIM market was an
appropriate indicator of the expected volatility of our common stock. We estimate the expected term using the average
midpoint between the vesting terms and the contractual terms of our options as permitted by the SEC's Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment. If we determine another method to estimate expected term is more reasonable than
our current method, or if another method for calculating this input assumption is prescribed by authoritative guidance, the
fair value calculated for future stock-based awards could change significantly. Longer expected terms have a significant
impact on the value of stock-based compensation determined at the date of grant. The expected dividend rate is not significant
to the calculation of the fair value of our stock-based awards.
In addition, we are required to develop an estimate of the number of stock-based awards that will be forfeited due
to employee turnover.
Quarterly changes in the estimated forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on reported stock-based
compensation. If the actual forfeiture rate is higher than the estimated forfeiture rate, then an adjustment is made to increase
the estimated forfeiture rate, which will result in a decrease to the expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements
during the quarter of the change. If the actual forfeiture rate is lower than the estimated forfeiture rate, then an adjustment is
made to decrease the estimated forfeiture rate, which will result in an increase to the expense recognized in the consolidated
financial statements. These adjustments affect our cost of revenues, product development costs and selling, general and
administrative costs. To date, the effect of forfeiture adjustments on our consolidated financial statements has been
insignificant. The expense we recognize in future periods could differ significantly from the current period and/or our
forecasts due to adjustments in the assumed forfeiture rates.
The aggregate share-based compensation expense related to all share-based transactions related to employees was
approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Income taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, we determine deferred tax
assets and liabilities based upon the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets
and liabilities, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in
which such items are expected to affect taxable income. The tax consequences of most events recognized in the current year's
financial statements are included in determining income taxes currently payable. However, because tax laws and financial
accounting standards differ in their recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, expenses, gains and
losses, differences arise between the amount of taxable income and pretax financial income for a year and between the tax
bases of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Because we assume that the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities will be recovered and settled, respectively, a difference between the tax basis of an asset or
a liability and its reported amount in the balance sheet will result in a taxable or a deductible amount in some future years
when the related liabilities are settled or the reported amounts of the assets are recovered, giving rise to a deferred tax asset
or deferred tax liability. We then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable
income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. As discussed in Note 12
to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, we have established a valuation allowance
for our net deferred tax assets, which was $52.6 million and $50.8 million as of April 30, 2016 and April 30, 2015,
respectively. During the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, we sold New Jersey State net operating losses in the amount
49
of $19.7 million and $14.0 million, respectively, resulting in the recognition of income tax benefits of $1.7 million and $1.1
million, respectively, recorded in our Statement of Operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This guidance
requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that
reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance
also requires an entity to disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature,
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Qualitative and quantitative
information is required about:
● Contracts with customers—including revenue and impairments recognized, disaggregation of revenue and
information about contract balances and performance obligations (including the transaction price allocated to the
remaining performance obligations).
● Significant judgments and changes in judgments—determining the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations
(over time or at a point in time), and determining the transaction price and amounts allocated to performance
obligations.
● Certain assets—assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract.
In August 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance deferring the effective date of the revenue recognition
standard. In March and April 2016, the FASB issued additional updated guidance, which clarifies certain aspects of the ASU
and the related implementation guidance issued by the FASB-IASB Joint Transition Resource Group for Revenue
Recognition. This guidance is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on our results of operations, financial position and cash
flows.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue
as a Going Concern,” which describes how an entity should assess its ability to meet obligations and sets rules for how this
information should be disclosed in the financial statements. The standard provides accounting guidance that will be used
along with existing auditing standards. The new standard applies to all entities for the first annual period ending after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. We are evaluating the effect ASU 2014-
15 will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures and have not yet determined the effect of the standard
on our ongoing financial reporting at this time.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which intends
to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Currently, ASU 2015-03, would not have an effect
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. We will evaluate the effect of ASU 2015-03 for future
periods, as applicable.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” which will
require entities to present all deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) as non-current on the balance
sheet. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, and entities may choose whether to adopt this update prospectively or
retrospectively. On January 31, 2016, we elected to adopt ASU 2015-17 and changed our method of classifying DTAs and
DTLs as either current or non-current to classifying all DTAs and DTLs as non-current, using a prospective method. Prior
balance sheets were not retrospectively adjusted. The adoption did not have a material effect on our financial position.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities,” which makes limited amendments to the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement
of financial instruments. The update significantly revises an entity's accounting related to the classification and measurement
of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair
value. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The update will
take effect for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those
fiscal years. We will evaluate the effect of ASU 2016-01 for future periods as applicable.
50
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. The new standard establishes a right-
of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with
terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern
of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective
transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of
the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are
evaluating the effect ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures and have not yet
determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting at this time.
In March 2016, the FASB issues ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)”, or ASU
No. 2016-09. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-09 were issues as part of the FASB's Simplification initiative focused on
improving areas of GAAP for which cost and complexity may be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of
information disclosed within the financial statements. The amendments focused on simplification specifically with regard to
share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities and
classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will evaluate
the effect of ASU 2016-09 for future periods as applicable.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and supplementary data required by this item are listed in Item 15 — "Exhibits and
Financial Statement Schedules" of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the” Exchange
Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b).
Based upon that evaluation, as of April 30, 2016, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The annual report of management on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is provided under
“Reports of Management” on page F-2, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. As described
therein, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30,
2016.
51
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended April 30, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
52
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information with respect to this item will be set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with
the SEC for the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") under the headings "Election of
Directors," "Executive Officers," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," "Code of Ethics" and
"Corporate Governance" and is incorporated herein by reference. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within
120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information with respect to this item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings "Executive
Compensation" and "Director Compensation," and is incorporated herein by reference. The Proxy Statement will be filed
with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information with respect to this item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings "Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and "Executive Compensation," and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Information with respect to this item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the headings "Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions" and "Corporate Governance" and is incorporated herein by reference. The
Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Information with respect to this item will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading "Ratification of the
Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm," and is incorporated herein by reference. The Proxy Statement
will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
53
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) (1) Financial Statements: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1.
(3) Exhibits: See Exhibit Index on pages 49 to 50.
54
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Date: July 15, 2016
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
/s/ George H. Kirby
By: George H. Kirby
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
SIGNATURE
GEORGE H. KIRBY
George H. Kirby
MARK A. FEATHERSTONE
Mark A. Featherstone
TERENCE J. CRYAN
Terence J. Cryan
ROBERT J. BURGER
Robert J. Burger
STEVEN M. FLUDDER
Steven M. Fludder
DEAN J. GLOVER
Dean J. Glover
ROBERT K. WINTERS
Robert K. Winters
TITLE
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Director
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
DATE
July 15, 2016
July 15, 2016
July 15, 2016
July 15, 2016
July 15, 2016
July 15, 2016
July 15, 2016
55
Exhibit
Number
Exhibits Index
Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to our
Quarterly Report on on Form 10-Q filed September 14, 2007)
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. dated October 27,
2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2015)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the registrant (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2016)
Specimen certificate of Common Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Form S-1/A filed March
19, 2007)
Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K/A filed on June 7, 2016)
Option Agreement for Purchase of Emissions Credits, dated November 24, 2000 between Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and Woodside Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty. Ltd. (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.4 to Form S-1 filed November 13, 2006)
2001 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to Form S-1 filed November 13, 2006)*
Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit A to Proxy
Statement filed August 28, 2013)*
Lease Agreement, dated August 30, 2005 between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and Reed Road Industrial
Park LLC #1, as amended on January 27, 2006 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16 to Form S-1 filed
November 13, 2006)
Agreement for Renewable Energy Economic Development Grants, dated November 3, 2003, between State of
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10.18 to Form S-1/A filed March 19, 2007)
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed March
14, 2011)*
Amended Option Agreement for Purchase of Emissions Credits, dated December 4, 2012, between Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates and Metasource Pty Ltd (formerly known as Woodside Sustainable Energy
Solutions Pty Ltd) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.23 to Form 10-K filed July 12, 2013)
Second Addendum to Lease Agreement, dated June 1, 2008, between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and Reed
Road Industrial Park LLC #1 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.24 to Form 10-K filed July 12, 2013)
Third Addendum to Lease Agreement, dated March 11, 2013, between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and
Reed Road Industrial Park LLC #1 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.25 to Form 10-K filed July 12,
2013)
Employment Agreement, dated December 2, 2013, between Mark A. Featherstone and Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed March 14, 2014)*
Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 2013, between David R. Heinz and Ocean Power Technologies,
Inc.*(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.37 to Form 10-K filed July 29, 2014)
Employment Agreement, dated June 9, 2014, between David L. Keller and Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.*
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.38 to Form 10-K filed July 29, 2014)
Employment Agreement, dated December 29, 2014, between George H. Kirby and Ocean Power Technologies,
Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q filed March 11, 2015)*
Fourth Addendum to Lease Agreement, dated January 13, 2015, between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and
Reed Road Industrial Part LLC #1 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed July 6, 2015)
At the Market Offering Agreement, dated October 19, 2015, between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and
Rodman & Renshaw, a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on October 20, 2015)
Placement Agency Agreement dated June 2, 2016, by and among Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., Roth Capital
Partners, LLC and Rodman & Renshaw, a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2016)
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 2, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2016)
Form of Amendment No. 1 to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 7, 2016 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on June 7, 2016)
56
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
21.1
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101
2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan* (incorporated by reference to Annex A to Proxy Statement filed on September 3,
2015)
Letter agreement with David R. Heinz dated December 18, 2015* (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
Current Report of Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2015)
Stipulation and Agreement of Class Settlement dated as of May 5, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2016)
Agreement by and between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd
dated May 31, 2016 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on
June 6, 2016)
Subsidiaries of the registrant
Consent of KPMG LLP
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
The following materials formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) from Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2015 and 2014: (i)
Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss and (v) Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
+ Indicates that confidential treatment has been requested for this exhibit.
57
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Management ...................................................................................................................................
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ...........................................................................
Consolidated Balance Sheets, April 30, 2016 and 2015 ...................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Operations, Years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 ..............................................
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, Years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 ..............................
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, Years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 ..............................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 .............................................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ....................................................................................................
Page
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-9
F-1
Management's Report on Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Management
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the management of Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. (the Company) in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles to reflect the financial position
of the Company and its operating results. The financial information appearing throughout this Annual Report is consistent
with the consolidated financial statements. Management is responsible for the information and representations in such
consolidated financial statements, including the estimates and judgments required for their preparation. The consolidated
financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their
report, which appears herein.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed entirely of directors who are not officers or
employees of the Company, meets regularly with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The
independent registered public accounting firm has had, and continues to have, direct access to the Audit Committee without
the presence of other management personnel, and have been directed to discuss the results of their audit work and any matters
they believe should be brought to the Committee's attention. The independent registered public accounting firm reports
directly to the Audit Committee.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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 in the United States. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that:
• pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the Company;
• provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
• provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition
of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting
as of April 30, 2016. In making this assessment, 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 this
assessment using those criteria, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was
effective as of April 30, 2016.
/s/ GEORGE H. KIRBY
George H. Kirby
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ MARK A. FEATHERSTONE
Mark A. Featherstone
Chief Financial Officer
F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of April 30, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders'
equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended April 30, 2016. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries as of April 30, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended April 30, 2016, in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue
as a going concern. As discussed in note 1 (b) to the consolidated financial statements, as of April 30, 2016 the Company
has cash and cash equivalents of $6.7 million, and the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has an
accumulated deficit. These factors raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s
plans in regard to these matters are described in note 1 (b). The consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 15, 2016
F-3
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
ASSETS
April 30,
2016
2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ............................................................................................ $
Marketable securities ....................................................................................................
Restricted cash ..............................................................................................................
Accounts receivable ......................................................................................................
Unbilled receivables .....................................................................................................
Litigation receiveable ...................................................................................................
Other current assets ......................................................................................................
Total current assets .........................................................................................
Property and equipment, net .............................................................................................
Restricted cash .................................................................................................................
Other noncurrent assets ....................................................................................................
Total assets ..................................................................................................... $
6,729,814 $
75,000
299,543
—
37,465
2,500,000
116,805
9,758,627
273,049
—
319,450
10,351,126 $
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable .......................................................................................................... $
Accrued expenses .........................................................................................................
Litigation payable .........................................................................................................
Unearned revenue .........................................................................................................
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligation ...................................
Total current liabilities ...................................................................................
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations ...................................................................
Deferred credits payable-noncurrent ................................................................................
Total liabilities ................................................................................................
372,700 $
2,674,841
3,000,000
39,146
81,541
6,168,228
54,567
600,000
6,822,795
17,335,734
75,000
438,561
103,470
81,658
—
186,641
18,221,064
263,898
50,000
335,924
18,870,886
352,827
2,507,119
—
—
100,000
2,959,946
50,000
600,000
3,609,946
Commitments and contingencies (note 13)
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. Stockholders’ equity1:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares, none issued or
outstanding ............................................................................................................
—
—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 2,352,100
1,839
and 1,838,720 shares, respectively ........................................................................
Treasury stock, at cost; 6,894 and 3,865 shares, respectively .......................................
(132,016)
Additional paid-in capital ............................................................................................. 181,670,121 180,803,339
Accumulated deficit ...................................................................................................... (177,884,011 ) (164,755,055)
(229,915)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss .......................................................................
15,688,192
Total Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. stockholders’ equity .........................
(427,252)
Noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd ..................
15,260,940
Total equity ...................................................................................................................
18,870,886
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity ........................................................ $
(122,365 )
3,528,331
—
3,528,331
10,351,126 $
2,352
(137,766 )
(1) Common Stock, Treasury Stock, Additional Paid-In Capital and share data at April 30, 2015, has been adjusted
retroactively to reflect a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective October 27, 2015.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues ..................................................................................................................... $
Cost of revenues ..........................................................................................................
Gross profit (loss) .........................................................................................
Operating expenses:
Product development costs ...................................................................................
Selling, general and administrative costs .............................................................
Litigation settlement ...........................................................................................
Total operating expenses ...............................................................................
Operating loss..............................................................................................................
Interest income (expense), net .....................................................................................
Other income ...............................................................................................................
Foreign exchange loss .................................................................................................
Loss before income taxes ............................................................................................
Income tax benefit .......................................................................................................
Net loss ........................................................................................................................
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power
Year Ended April 30,
2015
2016
4,105,424
4,671,403
(565,979)
704,820 $
667,869
36,951
7,050,828
6,747,506
1,096,600
14,894,934
(14,857,983)
7,542
240,637
(148,674)
(14,758,478)
1,674,862
(13,083,616)
4,149,388
9,571,193
-
13,720,581
(14,286,560)
(31,634)
419,432
(462,777)
(14,361,539)
1,137,872
(13,223,667)
Technologies (Australasia) Pty Ltd. .............................................................
Net loss attributable to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc ............................................. $
Basic and diluted net loss per share ............................................................................. $
Weighted average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share1 ........
(45,340)
(13,128,956) $
(7.25) $
1,810,173
109,115
(13,114,552)
(7.50)
1,749,055
(1) Common Stock and share data at April 30, 2015, has been adjusted retroactively to reflect a 1-for-10 reverse
stock split effective October 27, 2015.
F-5
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Year Ended April 30,
2015
2016
Net loss ............................................................................................................................. $
(13,083,616 ) $
(13,223,667)
Foreign currency translation adjustment ..........................................................................
134,873
51,976
Total comprehensive loss .................................................................................................
(12,948,743 )
(13,171,691)
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Ocean Power
Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd. ..................................................................................
(72,664 )
52,957
Comprehensive loss attributable to Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. .............................. $
(13,021,407 ) $
(13,118,734)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Additional
Paid-In
Common Shares Treasury Shares
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total
Ocean
Power
Technologies,
Inc,
Stockholders
Equity
Noncontrolling Total
Equity
Interest
Balance, April 30, 2014
(1) ............................... 1,759,307 $ 1,760 (3,785) $(130,707) 180,470,175 (151,640,503 )
(225,733) 28,474,992
(374,295 ) 28,100,697
Net loss .........................
—
—
—
(13,114,552 )
— (13,114,552)
(109,115 ) (13,223,667)
Stock based
compensation ..............
—
—
179,468
—
—
179,468
179,468
Issuance of restricted
stock, net (1) ...............
79,413
79
153,046
—
—
153,125
153,125
Stock issued upon
exercise of stock
options ........................
Acquisition of treasury
—
— —
—
—
-
stock ............................
—
—
(80)
(1,309)
—
—
—
(1,309)
Sale of stock ...................
—
— —
—
650
650
0
(1,309)
650
Other comprehensive
loss ..............................
—
— —
—
—
(4,182)
(4,182)
56,158
51,976
Balance, April 30, 2015 . 1,838,720 $ 1,839 (3,865) $(132,016) 180,803,339 (164,755,055 )
(229,915) 15,688,192
(427,252 ) 15,260,940
Net loss .........................
—
—
—
(13,128,956 )
— (13,128,956)
45,340 (13,083,616)
Stock based
compensation ..............
—
—
142,083
—
—
142,083
142,083
Issuance of restricted
stock, net .....................
(11,191 )
(11)
194,270
—
—
194,259
194,259
Acquisition of treasury
stock ............................
—
— (3,029)
(5,750)
—
—
—
(5,750)
(5,750)
Additional investment in
subsidiary ....................
(354,588)
(354,588)
354,588
0
Sale of stock ................... 144,571
144 —
—
288,797
** Legal Settlement (1) . 380,000
380
-
-
596,220
288,941
596,600
288,941
596,600
Other comprehensive
loss ..............................
—
— —
—
—
107,550
107,550
27,324
134,874
Balance, April 30, 2016 . 2,352,100 $ 2,352 (6,894) $(137,766) 181,670,121 (177,884,011 )
(122,365)
3,528,331
0 3,528,331
(1) Common Stock, Treasury Stock, Additional Paid-In Capital and share data at April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2014 have
been adjusted retroactively to reflect a 1-for-10 reverse stock split effective October 27, 2015.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-7
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Year Ended April 30,
2015
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss ......................................................................................................................... $
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
(13,083,616 ) $
(13,223,667)
Foreign exchange loss ...........................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ...............................................................................
Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment ..............................................
Compensation expense related to stock option grants and restricted stock ...........
Common Stock Issuance in settlement of lawsuit .................................................
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
148,674
111,714
1,885
336,342
596,600
Accounts receivable ...........................................................................................
Litigation receivable .........................................................................................
Unbilled receivables...........................................................................................
Other assets ........................................................................................................
Accounts payable ...............................................................................................
Litigation payable ..............................................................................................
Accrued expenses ..............................................................................................
Advance payment received from customer ........................................................
Unearned revenues .............................................................................................
Net cash used in operating activities ..............................................................
103,470
(2,500,000 )
44,193
74,641
21,745
3,000,000
174,927
—
39,146
(10,930,279 )
462,777
965,156
3,703
332,593
—
205,261
(44,248)
339,460
(144,791)
—
(368,970)
(4,709,055)
(992,447)
(17,174,228)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities ...............................................................................
Maturities of marketable securities ...............................................................................
Restricted cash ..............................................................................................................
Purchases of equipment ...............................................................................................
Net cash provided by investing activities .......................................................
—
—
139,018
(24,144 )
114,874
(13,821,959)
28,240,840
6,828,896
(76,390)
21,171,387
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt ........................................................................................................
Proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of costs .................................................
Acquisition of treasury stock ........................................................................................
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities ........................................
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents ........................................
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents .....................................
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ..............................................................
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ......................................................................... $
(62,519 )
288,941
(5,750 )
220,672
(11,187 )
(10,605,920 )
17,335,734
6,729,814 $
(100,000)
650
(1,309)
(100,659)
(419,425)
3,477,075
13,858,659
17,335,734
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Capitalized purchases of equipment financed through accounts payable and accrued
expenses ..................................................................................................................... $
98,627
11,200
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
F-8
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) Background and Liquidity
(a) Background
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in 1984 in New Jersey, commenced business
operations in 1994 and re-incorporated in Delaware in 2007. The Company is developing and is seeking to commercialize
proprietary systems that generate electricity by harnessing the renewable energy of ocean waves. The Company markets its
PowerBuoys in the United States and internationally. Since fiscal 2002, government agencies have accounted for a significant
portion of the Company’s revenues. These revenues were largely for the support of product development efforts. The
Company’s goal is that an increased portion of its revenues be from the sale or lease of products and maintenance services,
as compared to revenue to support its product development efforts. As the Company continues to advance its proprietary
technologies, it expects to continue to have a net decrease in cash from operating activities unless and until it achieves positive
cash flow from the planned commercialization of its products and services.
(b) Liquidity/Going Concern
Our financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company
has experienced substantial and recurring losses from operations, which losses have caused an accumulated deficit of $177.9
million at April 30, 2016. At April 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $6.7 million in cash on hand. The Company
generated revenues of only $0.7 million in fiscal 2016, and $4.1 million in fiscal 2015. Based on the Company’s cash and
cash equivalents and marketable securities as of April 30, 2016, the Company believes that it will be able to finance its capital
requirements and operations into at least the quarter ending January 31, 2017. The Company will require additional equity
and/or debt financing to continue its operations. The Company cannot assure you that it will be able to secure additional
funding when needed or at all, or, if secured, that such funding would be on favorable terms. These factors raise substantial
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the
realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do
not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets amounts or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Management is evaluating different strategies to obtain the required additional funding for future operations. These
strategies may include, but are not limited to, additional funding from current or new investors, officers and directors;
borrowings of debt; a public offering of the Company’s equity or debt securities; partnerships and/or collaborations. There
can be no assurance that any of these future-funding efforts will be successful.
In fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company continued to make investments in ongoing product development efforts in
anticipation of future growth. The Company’s future results of operations involve significant risks and uncertainties. Factors
that could affect the Company’s future operating results and cause actual results to vary materially from expectations include,
but are not limited to, risks from lack of available financing and insufficient capital, performance of PowerBuoys, its inability
to market and commercialize its PowerBuoys, technology development, scalability of technology and production, dependence
on skills of key personnel, concentration of customers and suppliers, deployment risks and laws, regulations and permitting
In order to continue to implement our business strategy, the Company requires additional equity and/or debt financing. The
Company does not currently have any committed sources of debt or equity financing, and the Company cannot assure that
additional equity and/or debt financing will be available to the Company as needed on acceptable terms, or at all. Historically,
the Company has raised capital through securities sales in the public capital markets. If sufficient additional financing is not
obtained when needed, the Company may be required to further curtail or limit operations, product development costs, and/or
selling, general and administrative activities in order to reduce our cash expenditures. This could cause the Company to be
unable to execute its business plan, take advantage of future opportunities and may cause it to scale back, delay or eliminate
some or all of its product development activities and/or reduce the scope of or cease its operations.
Historically, the Company has funded its operations principally through public and private sales of our equity. In
January 2013, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC in
February 2013 (the “2013 Form S-3”). During fiscal 2014, the Company offered and sold 330,633 shares of our Common
Stock at an average price to the public of $30.20 per share through an at the market facility (“2013 ATM Facility”) with
F-9
Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC (“Ascendiant”) via an At the Market Offering Agreement under the 2013 Form S-3. The
Company received net proceeds of approximately $9,698,000 from the 2013 ATM Facility.
In fiscal 2014, the Company also offered and sold 380,000 shares of our Common Stock at a price of $31.00 per
share in an underwritten public offering under the 2013 Form S-3 through Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth”) pursuant to
an underwriting agreement dated April 4, 2014 (the “2014 Underwritten Offering”). The Company completed the 2014
Underwritten Offering in April 2014, with net proceeds to it of approximately $10,828,000.
During fiscal 2015, the Company did not sell any securities under or receive any proceeds from the sale of securities
under the 2013 Form S-3 Shelf.
In October 2015, the Company entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement (“2015 ATM Agreement”) with
H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Manager”), under which the Company offered from time to time in an at the market offering
(the “2015 ATM Facility”) shares of our Common Stock under the Form S-3 and under a subsequent shelf registration
statement on Form S-3 (the “2016 Form S-3”) filed with the SEC in February 2016 and declared effective by the SEC in
April 2016. The 2016 Form S-3 registers for sale up to $15 million in securities by the Company in a public offering, although
the Company is limited by Instruction I.B.6 in the amount that we may sell under Form S-3 in any 12 calendar month period
to one third of our public float. Under the 2015 ATM Facility, between October 2015 and April 2016, the Company issued
and sold 144,571 shares of its Common Stock with an aggregate market value of $293,343 under the 2015 ATM Agreement
at an average price of $2.03 per share and paid the Manager of the 2015 ATM Facility a sales commission of approximately
$4,400 related to those shares. The 2015 ATM Agreement was terminated on June 2, 2016, effective immediately, and the
2015 ATM Facility is no longer available for use by the Company.
Form S-3 limits the aggregate market value of securities that the Company is permitted to offer in any 12-month
period under its 2013 Form S-3 Shelf, whether under the ATM Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement or otherwise, to
one-third of its public float. In 2014, the Company fully utilized its available transaction capacity to sell securities using the
2013 Form S-3 Shelf in the ATM offering. However, the Company regained the ability to utilize the 2013 Form S-3 Shelf as
the Company entered fiscal 2016. Under the SEC’s regulations, the securities registered under its 2013 Form S-3 Shelf may
only be offered and sold if not more than three years have elapsed from the initial effective date of the Form S-3, except that
if a new shelf registration statement is filed then the Company is permitted to continue to offer and sell securities under the
Form S-3 until the earlier of the effective date of the new shelf registration statement or 180 days after the third anniversary
of the initial effective date. On February 12, 2016, the Company filed a new Form S-3 shelf registration statement (the “2016
Form S-3”) to register the offering and sale of up to $15 million in securities. The 2016 Form S-3 registration was declared
effective by the SEC on April 26, 2016.
On June 2, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, which was amended on June 7, 2016 (as
amended, the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional purchasers (the “Purchasers”). Pursuant to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement, the Company sold an aggregate of 417,000 shares of Common Stock together with warrants to purchase
up to an aggregate of 145,952 shares of Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock was sold together with a warrant to
purchase 0.35 of a share of Common Stock at a combined purchase price of $4.60. The net proceeds to the Company from
the offering are approximately $1.6 million, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable
by the Company, but excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in the offering. The warrants
have an exercise price of $6.08 per share, will be exercisable beginning in December 2016, and will expire five years
following the date of issuance. The Company paid the placement agents approximately $116,000 as placement agent fees in
connection with the sale of securities in the offering. The Company also reimbursed the Placement Agents $35,000 for their
out of pocket and legal expenses in connection with the offering.
The sale of additional equity or convertible securities could result in dilution to stockholders. If additional funds are
raised through the issuance of debt securities, these securities could have rights senior to those associated with the Company’s
Common Stock and could contain covenants that would restrict our operations. Financing may not be available in amounts
or on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. If the Company is unable to obtain required financing, it may be required
to reduce the scope of its operations, including its planned product development and marketing efforts, which could materially
and adversely harm its financial condition and operating results. If the Company is unable to secure additional financing, it
may be forced to cease operations.
F-10
(c) Reverse Stock Split
At the annual meeting of stockholders on October 22, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved a proposal to
amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company to effect a reverse split of its Common Stock, at a ratio to be
determined by the Company’s Board of Directors within a specific range and a reduction in the authorized number of shares
of its Common Stock. On October 27, 2015, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation
to effect a one-for-10 reverse stock split of its Common Stock and to decrease the number of authorized shares of its Common
Stock to 50,000,000 shares (the “Reverse Stock Split”). As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, as of the effective date of the
Reverse Stock Split, every 10 shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock were combined into one issued and
outstanding share of Common Stock, without any change in the par value per share. No fractional shares were issued in
connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Total cash payments made by the Company to stockholders in lieu of fractional
shares were not material. The Common Stock began trading on a reverse stock split-adjusted basis on the NASDAQ Stock
Market (“NASDAQ”) on October 29, 2015. On November 12, 2015, NASDAQ notified the Company that its Common Stock
had regained compliance with the NASDAQ listed company closing bid price requirement.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Participation of
stockholders other than the Company in the net assets and in the earnings or losses of a consolidated subsidiary is reflected
as a non-controlling interest in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations, which adjusts the
Company's consolidated results of operations to reflect only the Company's share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated
subsidiary. As of April 30, 2016, there were no non-controlling interests. As of April 30, 2015, there was one noncontrolling
interest, consisting of 11.8% of the Company's Australian subsidiary, Ocean Power Technologies (Australasia) Pty. Ltd.
(“OPTA”). OPTA owns 100% of Victorian Wave Partners Pty. Ltd. (“VWP”), which is also organized under the laws of
Australia.
In September 2015, the Company re-purchased the non-controlling interest (consisting of 11.8%) of the Company's
Australian subsidiary, OPTA for nominal consideration and now has 100% ownership of OPTA. OPTA owns 100% of VWP,
which is also organized under the laws of Australia. The Company also periodically evaluates its relationships with other
entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities, and to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary of such
entities. If the determination is made that the Company is the primary beneficiary, then that entity is included in the
consolidated financial statements. As of April 30, 2016, there were no such entities.
(b) Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number
of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the recoverability of the carrying amount of
property and equipment; valuation allowances for receivables and deferred income tax assets; and percentage of completion
of customer contracts for purposes of revenue recognition. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The current
economic environment, particularly the macroeconomic pressures in certain European countries, has increased the degree of
uncertainty inherent in those estimates and assumptions.
(c) Revenue Recognition
The Company’s contracts are either cost plus or fixed price contracts. Under cost plus contracts, customers are billed
for actual expenses incurred plus an agreed-upon fee. Currently, the Company has two types of fixed price contracts, firm
fixed price and cost-sharing. Under firm fixed price contracts, the Company receives an agreed-upon amount for providing
product development and services specified in the contract. Under cost-sharing contracts, the fixed amount agreed upon with
the customer is only intended to fund a portion of the costs on a specific project.
Generally, the Company recognizes revenue using the percentage-of-completion method based on the ratio of costs
incurred to total estimated costs at completion. In certain circumstances, revenue under contracts that have specified
milestones or other performance criteria may be recognized only when the customer acknowledges that such criteria have
F-11
been satisfied. In addition, recognition of revenue (and the related costs) may be deferred for fixed-price contracts until
contract completion if the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the total costs of the project prior to completion. Some
revenue contracts may contain complex criteria or uncertainty surrounding the terms of performance and customer
acceptance. These contracts are subject to interpretation and management may make a judgment as to the amount of revenue
earned and recorded. Because the Company has a small number of contracts, revisions to the percentage-of-completion
determination, management interpretation or delays in meeting performance and contractual criteria or in completing projects
may have a significant effect on revenue for the periods involved. Upon anticipating a loss on a contract, the Company
recognizes the full amount of the anticipated loss in the current period.
Under cost plus and firm fixed price contracts, there is a profit or loss on the project depending on whether actual
costs are more or less than the agreed upon amount. Under cost-sharing contracts, an amount corresponding to the revenue
is recorded in cost of revenues, resulting in gross profit on these contracts of zero. The Company’s share of the costs is
recorded as product development expense.
Unbilled receivables represent expenditures on contracts, plus applicable profit margin, not yet billed. Unbilled
receivables are normally billed and collected within one year. Billings made on contracts are recorded as a reduction in
unbilled receivables, and to the extent that those billings exceed costs incurred plus applicable profit margin, they are recorded
as unearned revenues.
Some of the Company’s projects in fiscal year 2016 were under cost-sharing contracts.
(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be
cash equivalents. The Company invests excess cash in an overnight U.S. government securities repurchase bank account and
a money market account. In accordance with the terms of the repurchase agreement, the Company does not take possession
of the related securities. The agreement contains provisions to ensure that the market value of the underlying assets remain
sufficient to protect the Company in the event of default by the bank by requiring that the underlying securities have a total
market value of at least 100% of the bank’s total obligations under the agreement.
April 30, 2016
April 30, 2015
Checking and savings accounts ............................................................................ $
Overnight repurchase account ..............................................................................
$
4,534,671 $
2,195,143
6,729,814 $
4,614,400
12,721,334
17,335,734
(e) Marketable Securities
Marketable securities with original maturities longer than three months but that mature in less than one year from
the balance sheet date are classified as current assets. Marketable securities that the Company has the intent and ability to
hold to maturity are classified as investments held-to-maturity and are reported at amortized cost. The difference between the
acquisition cost and face values of held-to-maturity investments is amortized over the remaining term of the investments and
added to or subtracted from the acquisition cost and interest income. As of April 30, 2016 and, 2015, all of the Company’s
investments were classified as held-to-maturity.
(f) Restricted Cash and Credit Facility
A portion of the Company’s cash is restricted under the terms of two security agreements.
One agreement is between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and Barclays Bank. Under this agreement, the cash is
on deposit at Barclays Bank and serves as security for letters of credit and bank guarantees that are expected to be issued by
Barclays Bank on behalf of OPT LTD, one of the Company's subsidiaries, under a credit facility established by Barclays
Bank for OPT LTD. The credit facility carries a fee of 1% per annum of the amount of any such obligations issued by Barclays
Bank. The credit facility does not have an expiration date, but is cancelable at the discretion of the bank. During fiscal 2015,
the Company reduced the credit facility from €800,000 ($964,656) to approximately €307,000 ($338,561). As of April 30,
2016 and 2015, there was €218,059 ($249,543) and €278,828 ($307,492) in letters of credit outstanding under this agreement,
respectively.
F-12
The second agreement is between Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
(NJBPU). The Company received a $500,000 recoverable grant award from the NJBPU of which $50,000 and $150,000 is
outstanding at April 30, 2016 and April 30, 2015, respectively. Under this arrangement, the Company annually assigns to the
NJBPU a certificate of deposit in an amount equal to the outstanding grant balance. See Note 7.
The Company had classified the initial grant funding received from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(“ARENA”) of A$5,595,723 ($5,179,960), which includes an amount required to be submitted as goods and services tax
(GST), as restricted cash as of April 30, 2014, which was returned during fiscal 2015.
During fiscal 2015, the Company remitted the GST in the amount of A$508,702 ($470,905) to the Australian Tax
Office (ATO) in accordance with local tax laws and also reclaimed this amount from the ATO during the fiscal period. The
Company also returned the initial grant funding received of A$5,595,723 ($5,179,960) and interest of A$109,051 ($102,061)
to ARENA in accordance with the Deed of Variation and Termination of Funding Deed executed between the parties in
August 2014. The Company had accrued this amount in accrued expenses and recorded this amount as restricted cash at April
30, 2014.
Restricted cash includes the following:
April 30, 2016
April 30, 2015
NJBPU agreement ................................................................................................ $
Barclay's Bank Agreement ...................................................................................
$
50,000 $
249,543
299,543 $
100,000
338,561
438,561
Long Term:
NJBPU agreement ................................................................................................
$
—
— $
50,000
50,000
April 30, 2016
April 30, 2015
(g) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives (three to seven years) of the assets.
Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset
or the remaining lease term. Expenses for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Property and
equipment is also reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying
amount of the asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount
of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, then an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the
carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
(h) Foreign Exchange Gains and Losses
The Company has invested in certain certificates of deposit and has maintained cash accounts that are denominated
in British pounds sterling, Euros and Australian dollars. These amounts are included in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash
and marketable securities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Such positions may result in realized and
unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses from exchange rate fluctuations, which gains and losses are included in foreign
exchange loss in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
(i) Patents
External costs related to the filing of patents, including legal and filing fees, are capitalized if expenses related to
the filing of a patent are significant. The Company continually re-assesses the remaining useful lives of its long-lived assets
and costs are expensed when it is no longer probable that such technology will be utilized. Patents are also reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the patent may not be
recoverable. Amortization expense was approximately $0 and $828,000 for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015,
F-13
respectively. The decrease in amortization during fiscal 2016 is reflective of the company’s decision to reduce the estimated
remaining useful lives, for the purpose of amortizing capitalized external patent costs, from approximately five years to one
year, effective in fiscal 2015. No new patents were granted in 2016.
(j) Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash
balances, bank certificates of deposit and trade receivables. The Company invests its excess cash in highly liquid investments
(principally, short-term bank deposits, Treasury bills, Treasury notes and money market funds) and does not believe that it is
exposed to any significant risks related to its cash accounts, money market funds or certificates of deposit.
The table below shows the percentage of the Company's revenues derived from customers whose revenues
accounted for at least 10% of the Company's consolidated revenues for at least one of the periods indicated:
Years Ended April 30,
2016
2015
European Union ..................................................................................................
US Department of Energy ...................................................................................
Mitsui Shipbuilding & Engineering ....................................................................
UK Government's Technology Strategy Board ...................................................
58%
28%
14%
—
23%
37%
40%
12%
The loss of, or a significant reduction in revenues from, any of the current customers could significantly impact the
Company's financial position or results of operations. The Company does not require its customers to post collateral.
(k) Net Loss per Common Share
Basic and diluted net loss per share for all periods presented is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted
average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Due to the Company's net losses, potentially
dilutive securities, consisting of outstanding stock options and non-vested performance-based shares, were excluded from
the diluted loss per share calculation because of their anti-dilutive effect.
In computing diluted net loss per share, options to purchase shares of Common Stock and non-vested restricted stock
issued to employees and non-employee directors, totaling 129,311 and 192,479 for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015,
respectively, were excluded from the computations as the effect would be anti-dilutive due to the Company's losses.
(l) Stock-Based Compensation
Costs resulting from all share-based payment transactions are recognized in the consolidated financial statements at
their fair values. The aggregate share-based compensation expense recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for
the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $336,000 and $333,000, respectively.
Valuation Assumptions for Restricted Stock and Options Granted During the Years Ended April 30, 2016 and 2015
Restricted Stock
Compensation expense for non-vested restricted stock can be recorded based on its market value on the date of grant
and recognized over the associated service and performance period. If the vesting requirement of performance-based grants
is tied to the Company's total shareholder return (TSR) relative to the total shareholder return of alternative energy Exchange
Traded Funds as measured over a specific performance period then the compensation expense for these awards with market-
based vesting is calculated based on the estimated fair value as of the grant date utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation model
and is recognized over the service period on a straight-line basis.
F-14
Options
The fair value of each stock option granted during the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 was estimated at the
date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, assuming no dividends and using the weighted average valuation
assumptions noted in the following table. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of
grant. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of the stock options granted was estimated using the
"simplified" method as permitted by the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment. Expected volatility
was based on the Company’s historical volatility for fiscal 2016 and for fiscal 2015.
Risk-free interest rate ...................................................................................
Expected dividend yield ...............................................................................
Expected life (in years) ................................................................................
Expected volatility .......................................................................................
1.6%
0.0%
5.5
85.74%
1.6%
0.0%
5.5
85.49%
The above assumptions were used to determine the weighted average per share fair value of $0.58 and $0.72 for
stock options granted during the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Years Ended April 30,
2015
2016
(m) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences
and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are expected to be recovered, settled or utilized. The effect on deferred tax
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being
sustained upon examination. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50%
likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment
occurs. The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in selling, general,
and administrative expenses, to the extent incurred.
(n) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The functional currency for the Company's foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The translation from
the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using the exchange rates in effect at
the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using an average exchange rate during the period. The unrealized
gains or losses resulting from such translation are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders'
equity.
(o) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This guidance
requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that
reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance
also requires an entity to disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature,
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Qualitative and quantitative
information is required about:
● Contracts with customers—including revenue and impairments recognized, disaggregation of revenue and
information about contract balances and performance obligations (including the transaction price allocated to the
remaining performance obligations).
● Significant judgments and changes in judgments—determining the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations
(over time or at a point in time), and determining the transaction price and amounts allocated to performance
obligations.
F-15
● Certain assets—assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract.
In August 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance deferring the effective date of the revenue recognition
standard. In March and April 2016, the FASB issued additional updated guidance, which clarifies certain aspects of the ASU
and the related implementation guidance issued by the FASB-IASB Joint Transition Resource Group for Revenue
Recognition. This guidance is effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its results of operations, financial position
and cash flows.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue
as a Going Concern”, which describes how an entity should assess its ability to meet obligations and sets rules for how this
information should be disclosed in the financial statements. The standard provides accounting guidance that will be used
along with existing auditing standards. The new standard applies to all entities for the first annual period ending after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect ASU
2014-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures and have not yet determined the effect of the
standard on our ongoing financial reporting at this time.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”, which intends
to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Currently, ASU 2015-03, would not have an effect
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company will evaluate the effect of ASU 2015-03
for future periods, as applicable.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which will
require entities to present all deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”) as non-current on the balance
sheet. This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning
after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, and entities may choose whether to adopt this update prospectively or
retrospectively. On January 31, 2016, we elected to adopt ASU 2015-17 and changed our method of classifying DTAs and
DTLs as either current or non-current to classifying all DTAs and DTLs as non-current, using a prospective method. Prior
balance sheets were not retrospectively adjusted. The adoption did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial
position.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities”, which makes limited amendments to the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement
of financial instruments. The update significantly revises an entity's accounting related to the classification and measurement
of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair
value. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The update will
take effect for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those
fiscal years. The Company will evaluate the effect of ASU 2016-01 for future periods as applicable.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. The new standard establishes a right-
of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with
terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern
of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15,
2018, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective
transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of
the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The
Company is evaluating the effect ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures and have
not yet determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting at this time.
In March 2016, the FASB issues ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)”, or ASU
No. 2016-09. The amendments of ASU No. 2016-09 were issues as part of the FASB's Simplification initiative focused on
improving areas of GAAP for which cost and complexity may be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of
information disclosed within the financial statements. The amendments focused on simplification specifically with regard
to share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as equity or liabilities and
classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance in ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will
evaluate the effect of ASU 2016-09 for future periods as applicable.
F-16
(3) Marketable Securities
Certificates of Deposit ..................................................................................... $
75,000 $
75,000
April 30, 2016
April 30, 2015
(4) Property and Equipment
The components of property and equipment are as follows:
Life (in years)
2016
2015
April 30,
Computers and software ...................................................
3
$
629,577 $
527,070
Equipment ........................................................................
Office furniture and equipment ........................................
3 to 7
3 to 7
Leasehold improvements ..................................................
2
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization .............
710,708
249,960
182,285
1,772,530
(1,499,481)
725,555
249,960
182,285
1,684,870
(1,420,972)
$
273,049 $
263,898
Depreciation expense was $111,714 and $136,858 for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
At April 30, 2016, computer equipment and software under capital leases was $98,627. The Company had no capital
leases at April 30, 2015. The term of the lease is 36 months, bearing an effective interest rate of 6.86% and a bargain purchase
option. At April 30, 2016, the asset had not been placed into service. Accordingly, no accumulated depreciation related to
this lease has been recognized.
2017 ............................................................................................................................................................. $
2018 .............................................................................................................................................................
2019 .............................................................................................................................................................
$
Less: amounts representing interest ............................................................................................................
Less: current portion ...................................................................................................................................
Capital lease obligations, excluding current portion ................................................................................... $
36,466
36,466
21,271
94,203
(8,095)
(31,541)
54,567
(5) Balance Sheet Detail
Accrued expenses
April 30
2016
2015
Project costs ......................................................................................................... $
Contract loss reserve ............................................................................................
Employee incentive payments ..............................................................................
Accrued salary and benefits .................................................................................
Legal and accounting fees ...................................................................................
Other.....................................................................................................................
$
817,509 $
198,819
688,389
456,077
240,466
273,581
2,674,841 $
867,771
198,819
529,274
468,366
274,656
168,233
2,507,119
F-17
(6) Related Party Transactions
Related party consulting expense ..................................................................... $
52,667 $
494,188
April 30,
2016
2015
In April 2014, the Company entered into an Executive Transition Agreement with George W. Taylor, who was
formerly employed by the Company as Executive Vice Chairman and served on the Company’s Board of Directors prior to
that date. Under this agreement, Dr. Taylor will receive up to fifteen months of consulting fees at a monthly rate of $20,000.
During fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $52,667 and $240,000, respectfully in expense relating to this agreement.
In June 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with David L. Keller, who had served as a non-executive
director of the Company since October 2013. Under this agreement, Mr. Keller served as Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Effective with the June 9, 2014 termination of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Charles F. Dunleavy, Mr.
Keller received a consulting fee of $1,500 per day for services provided. Effective January 20, 2015, Mr. George H. Kirby
was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company and Mr. Keller resigned as Interim CEO.
During fiscal 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $0 and $254,188, respectively in expense relating to Mr. Keller’s
agreement.
(7) Debt
The Company was awarded a recoverable grant totaling $500,000, between April 2009 and June 2010, from the
NJBPU under the Renewable Energy Business Venture Assistance Program. Under the terms of this agreement, the amount
to be repaid is a fixed monthly amount of principal only, repayable over a five-year period beginning in November 2011. The
terms also required the Company to assign to the NJBPU a certificate of deposit in an amount equal to the outstanding grant
balance. See Note 2(f).
April 30,
2016
2015
Total debt ......................................................................................................... $
Current portion of long-term debt ....................................................................
Long-term debt ................................................................................................. $
50,000 $
(50,000)
- $
150,000
(100,000)
50,000
(8) Deferred Credits Payable
During the year ended April 30, 2001, in connection with the sale of Common Stock to an investor, the Company
received $600,000 from the investor in exchange for an option to purchase up to 500,000 metric tons of carbon emissions
credits generated by the Company during the years 2008 through 2012, at a 30% discount from the then-prevailing market
rate. If the Company received emission credits under applicable laws and failed to sell to the investor the credits up to the
full amount of emission credits covered by the option, the investor was entitled to liquidated damages equal to 30% of the
aggregate market value of the shortfall in emission credits (subject to a limit on the market price of emission credits). Under
the terms of the agreement, if the Company did not become entitled under applicable laws to the full amount of emission
credits covered by the option by December 31, 2012, the Company was obligated to return the option fee of $600,000, less
the aggregate discount on any emission credits sold to the investor prior to such date. In December 2012, the Company and
the investor agreed to extend the period for the sale of emission credits until December 31, 2017. As of April 30, 2016, the
Company has not generated any emissions credits eligible for purchase under the agreement. The $600,000 has been classified
as a noncurrent liability as of April 30, 2016 and 2015.
F-18
(9) Common Stock
In October 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved and the Board of Directors authorized a reverse stock split
in which every 10 shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock were combined into one issued and outstanding share of
Common Stock, with no fractional shares being issued. All shares and per-share information has been retroactively restated
to give effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented.
(10) Preferred Stock
The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.
As of April 30, 2016, and 2015, no shares of preferred stock had been issued.
(11) Share-Based Compensation Plans
In 2001, the Company approved the 2001 Stock Plan, which provides for the grant of incentive stock options and
nonqualified stock options. A total of 100,000 shares were authorized for issuance under the 2001 Stock Plan. As of April 30,
2016, the Company had 570 shares outstanding under the 2001 Stock Plan. No further options or other awards have been or
will be granted under the 2001 Stock Plan.
In 2007, the Company's 2006 Stock Incentive Plan became effective. A total of 80,321 shares were authorized for
issuance under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. In 2009, an amendment to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the
Company’s stockholders, increasing the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance by 85,000 shares to 165,321. On
October 2, 2013, a further amendment to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders,
increasing the aggregate number of shares authorized for issuance by an additional 80,000 shares to 245,321. As of April 30,
2016, the Company had outstanding share-based awards for 130,405 shares of Common Stock under the 2006 Stock Incentive
Plan. The Company's employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors were eligible to receive awards under the 2006
Stock Incentive Plan; however, incentive stock options may only be granted to employees. The maximum number of shares
of Common Stock with respect to which awards may be granted to any participant under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was
20,000 per calendar year. Vesting provisions of stock options are determined by the board of directors. The contractual term
of these stock options is up to ten years. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was administered by the Company's board of directors,
who were authorized to delegate authority to one or more committees or subcommittees of the board of directors or to the
Company's officers. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was terminated in December 2015 and unused shares in that Plan were
transferred to the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
In 2015, upon approval by the Company’s stockholders, the Company’s 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2015
Plan”) became effective. A total of 240,703 shares were authorized for issuance under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan,
including shares available for awards under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan remaining at the time that plan terminated, or that
were subject to awards under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan that thereafter terminated by reason of expiration, forfeiture,
cancellation or otherwise. If any award under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan or 2015 Plan expires, is cancelled, terminates
unexercised or is forfeited, those shares become again available for grant under the 2015 Plan. As of April 30, 2016 the
Company has 260,680 shares available for future issuance under the 2015 plan.
The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, SARs, restricted stock awards, stock unit awards and
unrestricted stock awards, dividend equivalent rights, performance share awards or other performance-based awards, other
equity-based awards or cash to eligible employees, officers and non-employee directors of the Company or any affiliate of
the Company, or any consultant or adviser to the Company. The maximum number of shares of stock subject to Awards that
can be granted under the 2015 Plan in any one calendar year to any person, other than a non-employee director, is 75,000.
However, incentive stock options may only be granted to employees. The limitation on the amount of shares of stock issuable
under the 2015 Plan is subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in the Company’s capital stock, such as
recapitalizations, reclassifications, stock splits, reverse stock splits, spin-offs, combinations of our stock, exchanges of the
Company’s stock and other increases or decreases in the Company’s stock without receipt of consideration.
The 2015 Plan will terminate ten years after its effective date, in October 2025, but is subject to earlier termination
as provided in the 2015 Plan.
A dividend equivalent right is an award entitling the recipient to receive credits based on cash distributions that
would have been paid to the recipient on the shares of Common Stock specified in the dividend equivalent right if such shares
had been issued to and held by the recipient of the dividend equivalent right as of the record date. A dividend equivalent right
may be granted to any grantee under the 2015 Plan, but may not be granted in connection with or related to an award of
F-19
options or SARs under the 2015 Plan. The terms and conditions of any dividend equivalent right shall be as set forth in the
award agreement relating to such right. Unless the committee administering the 2015 Plan otherwise provides in an award
agreement, a grantee’s rights in all dividend equivalent rights will automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of
service with the Company.
Performance-based awards may be granted by the committee administering the 2015 Plan in such amounts and upon
such terms as the committee administering the 2015 Plan determines. Generally, performance-based awards will have an
actual or target number of shares of Common Stock or initial value that is set by the committee at the time of grant. The
committee administering the 2015 Plan has the discretion to set performance goals which, depending on the extent to which
they are achieved, will determine the value and/or the number of shares of Common stock subject to a performance-based
award that will be paid out to the grantee. The right of a grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any
performance-based award, and the timing thereof, will be subject to the performance conditions specified by the committee,
and will entitle the grantee to receive cash or shares of our Common Stock upon the attainment of the specified performance
goals over a specified performance period.
Except in connection with a corporate transaction in which the Company is involved, without obtaining stockholder
approval, the 2015 Plan may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding options or SARs, cancel
outstanding options or SARs in exchange for or in substitution of options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the
exercise price of the original options or SARs, or cancel outstanding options or SARs with an exercise price above the current
stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.
(a) Stock Options
A summary of stock options under the plans described above is as follows:
Shares
Under
Option
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(In Years)
Outstanding April 30, 2014 ................................................................
Exercised ............................................................................................
Forfeited .............................................................................................
Granted ...............................................................................................
Outstanding April 30, 2015 ................................................................
Forfeited .............................................................................................
Granted ...............................................................................................
147,229 $
0
(50,425)
11,591
108,395
(24,230)
5,138
55.30
0.00
71.10
10.20
43.20
29.41
4.05
Outstanding April 30, 2016 ................................................................
89,303
31.46
Exercisable April 30, 2016 .................................................................
75,133 $
35.25
5.9
5.7
3.6
2.9
F-20
As of April 30, 2016, the total intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options was $0. As of April 30, 2016,
approximately 13,000 additional options were unvested, which options had no intrinsic value and a weighted-average
remaining contractual term of 7.8 years. There was approximately $96,000 and $74,000 of total recognized compensation
cost related to employees for stock options during the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of April 30,
2016, there was approximately $47,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted
under the plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The Company typically
issues newly authorized but unissued shares to satisfy option exercises under these plans.
Certain options were granted to non-employee directors and consultants during the years ended April 30, 2016 and
2015. The Company has charged compensation expense of approximately $46,000 and $106,000 related to these option
grants, respectively, the majority of which relates to non-employee directors. These expenses have been included in selling,
general and administrative costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended April 30,
2016 and 2015, respectively.
During fiscal year 2015, the Company terminated the employment of Chief Executive Officer Charles F. Dunleavy.
All outstanding vested and unvested options were forfeited upon termination.
(b) Restricted Stock
Compensation expense for non- restricted stock is generally recorded based on its market value on the date of grant
and recognized ratably over the associated service and performance period. During fiscal 2016, the Company granted 4,050
shares subject to service-based vesting requirements and no shares subject to performance-based vesting requirements. The
achievement or vesting requirement of the performance-based grants is tied to the Company’s total shareholder return (TSR)
relative to the total shareholder return of three alternative energy Exchange Traded Funds as measured over a specific
performance period. No vesting of the relevant shares will occur in instances where the Company’s TSR for the relevant
period is below 80% of the peer group. However, additional opportunities to vest some or all of a portion of the shares in a
subsequent period may occur. Compensation expense for these awards with market-based vesting is calculated based on the
estimated fair value as of the grant date utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation model and is recognized over the service period
on a straight-line basis. In January 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a modification to certain outstanding restricted
stock grants, which converted certain grants with performance-based grants to service based grants. The modification of the
restricted stock grants did not have a material impact on the Company’s statement of operations for the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2016. Restricted stock issued and unvested at April 30, 2016 included 12,000 shares of unvested restricted stock
subjected to performance-based vesting requirements.
A summary of unvested restricted stock under the plans described above is as follows:
Number
of Shares
Weighted
Average
Price per
Share
Issued and unvested at April 30, 2014 .............................................................................
9,761 $
22.30
Granted .............................................................................................................................
Forfeited ...........................................................................................................................
Vested...............................................................................................................................
80,901
(1,488 )
(5,090 )
Issued and unvested at April 30, 2015 .............................................................................
84,084
Granted .............................................................................................................................
Forfeited ...........................................................................................................................
Vested...............................................................................................................................
Issued and unvested at April 30, 2016 .............................................................................
4,050
(15,419 )
(28,693 )
44,022 $
6.50
17.10
21.30
7.30
3.70
8.00
7.70
6.51
F-21
There was approximately $115,000 and $57,000 of total recognized compensation cost relating to restricted stock
granted to employees during the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Certain shares of restricted stock were
granted to non-employee directors during the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, with respect to which the Company
recorded compensation expenses of approximately $79,000 and $96,000 in 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of April 30,
2016, there was approximately $138,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock granted
under the plans. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year.
(c) Treasury Stock
During the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, 3,029 and 80 shares of Common Stock, respectively, were
purchased by the Company from employees to pay taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock.
(12) Income Taxes
Loss before income taxes for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 consisted of the following components:
April 30,
2016
2015
Domestic .......................................................................................................... $
Foreign .............................................................................................................
Total loss before income taxes ..................................................................... $
(14,223,191) $
(535,287)
(14,758,478) $
(12,403,155)
(1,958,384)
(14,361,539)
The components of income taxes (benefit) for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Current:
Federal .......................................................................................................... $
State ..............................................................................................................
Foreign ..........................................................................................................
Total current ..............................................................................................
Deferred:
Federal ..........................................................................................................
State ..............................................................................................................
Foreign ..........................................................................................................
Total deferred ............................................................................................
Total income tax benefit ........................................................................... $
April 30,
2016
2015
− $
(1,674,862)
−
(1,674,862)
−
−
−
-
(1,674,862) $
−
(1,137,872)
−
(1,137,872)
−
−
−
-
(1,137,872)
F-22
Tax Rate Reconciliation
The effective income tax rate differed from the percentages computed by applying the US federal income tax rate
of 34% to loss before income taxes as a result of the following:
April 30
2016
2015
Computed expected tax benefit ...................................................................................
Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal benefits ...............................................................
Federal research and development tax credits .........................................................
Foreign rate differential ...........................................................................................
Other non-deductible expenses ................................................................................
Proceeds of sale of New Jersey tax benefits ............................................................
Others ......................................................................................................................
Increase in valuation allowance ...............................................................................
Income tax benefit ...................................................................................................
(34)%
6
(3)
1
5
(11)
13
12
(11)%
(34 )%
(5 )
(1 )
1
3
(8 )
8
28
(8 )%
Significant Components of Deferred Taxes
The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to the Company's deferred tax assets and
deferred tax liabilities are presented below.
April 30,
2016
2015
Defered tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards ..................................................................... $
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards .....................................................................
State operating loss carryforwards ...............................................................................
Federal and New Jersey research and development tax credits ....................................
Stock compensation .....................................................................................................
Unrealized foreign exchange loss .................................................................................
Accrued expenses .........................................................................................................
Other.............................................................................................................................
40,540,000 $
4,393,000
1,375,000
2,708,000
732,000
536,000
1,324,000
945,000
37,135,000
5,952,000
2,175,000
2,392,000
799,000
518,000
730,000
1,087,000
Gross Deferred tax assets .............................................................................................
52,553,000
50,788,000
Valuation allowance .....................................................................................................
(52,553,000)
(50,788,000)
Net deferred tax assets.................................................................................................. $
- $
-
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that
some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent
upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforwards
become deductible or are utilized. As of April 30, 2016 and 2015, based upon the level of historical taxable losses, valuation
allowances of $52,553,000 and $50,788,000, respectively, were recorded to fully offset deferred tax assets. The valuation
allowance increased $1,765,000 and $4,032,000 during the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
As of April 30, 2016, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of
approximately $119,235,000, which begin to expire in fiscal 2019. The Company also had federal research and development
tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2,640,000 as of April 30, 2016, which begin to expire in 2019. The Tax Reform
Act of 1986 contains provisions that limit the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards if there has been
an ownership change, as defined. The Company has determined that such an ownership change, as described in Section 382
of the Internal Revenue Code, occurred in conjunction with the Company's U.S. initial public offering in April 2007. The
Company's annual Section 382 limitation is approximately $3,300,000. The Section 382 limitation is cumulative from year
F-23
to year, and thus, to the extent net operating loss or other credit carryforwards are not utilized up to the amount of the available
annual limitation, the limitation is carried forward and added to the following year's available limitation. Such limitation only
applies to net operating losses incurred in periods prior to the ownership change. The Company has not performed additional
analysis on ownership changes that may have occurred subsequently to further limit the ability to utilize net tax attributes.
As of April 30, 2016, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $24,034,000 which begin to
expire in 2025, which also may be limited to utilization limitations. As of April 30, 2016, the Company had foreign net
operating loss carryforwards of approximately $19,703,000. The ability to utilize these carryforwards may also be limited in
the event of a significant change to ownership.
During the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company sold New Jersey State net operating losses in the
amount of $19,705,000 and $14,004,000, respectively, resulting in the recognition of income tax benefits of $1,675,000 and
$1,138,000, respectively, recorded in the Company’s Statement of Operations.
The Company applies the guidance issued by the FASB for the accounting and reporting of uncertain tax positions.
The guidance requires the Company to recognize in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position if that
position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. At April 30,
2016 and 2015, the Company had no unrecognized tax positions. The Company does not expect any material increase or
decrease in its income tax expense in the next twelve months, related to examinations or uncertain tax positions. U.S. federal
and state income tax returns were audited through fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2010 respectively. Net operating loss and credit
carryforwards since inception remain open to examination by taxing authorities, and will continue to remain open for a period
of time after utilization.
Initial grant funding, net of GST, of approximately A$5,087,000 ($4,709,000) received from ARENA was estimated
by the Company to be non-taxable in fiscal 2014, the year of receipt, due to claw-back provisions in the grant that apply if
certain contractual requirements, including performance criteria, are not satisfied. During fiscal 2015, the Company returned
the initial grant funding to ARENA in accordance with the Deed of Variation and Termination of Funding Deed executed
between the parties in August 2014.
The Company does not have any interest or penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions as it does not have
any unrecognized tax benefits.
(13) Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Operating Lease Commitments
The Company leases office, laboratory, manufacturing and other space in Pennington, New Jersey under an
operating lease that expires on December 31, 2017. Rent expense under operating leases was approximately $253,000 and
$295,000 for the years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under this operating
lease as of April 30, 2015 are as follows:
Year ending April 30,
2017 ...................................................................................................................................... $
2018 ......................................................................................................................................
$
244,000
163,000
407,000
Shareholder Litigation and Demands
The Company and its former Chief Executive Officer Charles Dunleavy are defendants in consolidated securities
class action lawsuits pending in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey captioned In Re: Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 14-3799 (FLW) (LHG). The consolidated actions are Roby v. Ocean
Power Technologies, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:14-cv-03799-FLW-LHG (filed June 13, 2014); Chew, et al. v. Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc. et. al., Case No 3:14-cv-03815 (filed June 13, 2014); Konstantinidis v. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.,
et al., Case No. 3:14-cv-04015 (filed June 23, 2014); and Turner v. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:14-
cv-04592 (filed July 22, 2014). On March 17, 2015, the court entered an order appointing Five More Special Situation Fund
Ltd. as the lead plaintiff.
On October 9, 2015, the lead plaintiff filed a third amended class action complaint which alleges claims for
violations of sections 12(a) (2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 and for violations of §10(b) and §20(a) of the Securities
F-24
Exchange Act of 1934 arising out of public statements relating to the Company’s technology and a now terminated agreement
between Victorian Wave Partners Pty. Ltd. (VWP) and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for the
development of a wave power station (the "VWP Project"). The third amended class action complaint seeks unspecified
monetary damages and other relief. On November 5, 2015, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the third amended class
action complaint. The lead plaintiff filed a brief in opposition to the motion on December 7, 2015, and defendants filed a
reply in support of the motion on December 21, 2015. The Court has not yet ruled on the motion. On May 5, 2016, the parties
entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Class Settlement (“Stipulation”) in which they agreed to a settlement of the
consolidated securities class action lawsuits, subject to Court approval. The Stipulation provides, among other things, for a
settlement payment by or on behalf of the Company of $3,000,000 in cash, of which the Company will pay $500,000 and the
Company’s insurer will pay $2,500,000, and the issuance by the Company of 380,000 shares (valued at $596,000 on the date
the Stipulation was signed by the parties) of its Common Stock to the class members. In connection with the settlement, the
parties have agreed to execute mutually agreeable releases. On June 7, 2016, the Court entered an Order Granting Preliminary
Approval of Settlement. The Court has scheduled a hearing for November 14, 2016 to determine, among other things, whether
to grant final approval of the settlement. The amounts agreed in the Stipulation agreement, including the amount to be
contributed by our insurance carrier, have been reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of April 30,
2016.
On July 10, 2014, the Company received a demand letter ("Demand Letter") from an attorney claiming to represent
a shareholder demanding that the Company's Board of Directors establish an independent committee to investigate and
remedy alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by the Board of Directors and management relating to the VWP Project. The
Company invited the attorney to participate in the Section 220 Demand process discussed below. On February 6, 2015, the
Company produced documents to the attorney pursuant to a confidentiality agreement in connection with the Section 220
Demand process.
The Company also received a letter, dated August 19, 2014, (the "Section 220 Demand") from another attorney
claiming to represent a shareholder demanding, pursuant to 8 Del. C. §220, to inspect certain books and records of the
Company relating to the VWP Project and the termination of Charles Dunleavy as the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
The Company has received two additional Section 220 Demands relating to the same subject matter from attorneys claiming
to represent two different shareholders. The Company has responded in writing to the three Section 220 Demands and on
February 6, 2015 produced documents to each of the attorneys pursuant to confidentiality agreements.
The Company and certain of its current and former directors and officers are defendants in a derivative lawsuit filed
on March 18, 2015 in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey captioned Labare v. Dunleavy, et. al.,
Case No. 3:15-cv-01980-FLW-LHG. The derivative complaint alleges claims for breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control,
gross mismanagement and unjust enrichment relating to the now terminated agreement between VWP and ARENA referred
to above. The derivative complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and other relief. On May 18, 2015, the plaintiff and
all the defendants agreed to stay the derivative lawsuit pending action in the consolidated class action securities litigation
discussed above (namely, a court order denying any motions to dismiss the commencement of discovery, a joint request to
lift the stay, or further order of the court).
On July 10, 2015, a second derivative lawsuit, captioned Rywolt v. Dunleavy, et al., Case No. 3:15-cv-05469, was
filed by another shareholder against the same defendants in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
alleging similar claims for breach of fiduciary duty, gross mismanagement, abuse of control, and unjust enrichment relating
to the now terminated agreement between VWP and ARENA. The Rywolt complaint also seeks unspecified monetary
damages and other relief. On September 2, 2015, the plaintiff and all the defendants agreed to stay the Rywolt derivative
lawsuit pending action in the consolidated class action securities litigation discussed above (namely, a court order denying
any motions to dismiss the commencement of discovery, a joint request to lift the stay, or further order of the court). In
addition, on September 2, 2015, the plaintiffs in the Labare and Rywolt derivative lawsuits filed an unopposed motion to
consolidate the two actions. On February 8, 2016, the Court entered an order (i) consolidating the Labare and Rywolt actions;
(ii) appointing Labare and Rywolt as co-lead plaintiffs; (iii) appointing The Rosen Law Firm P.C. as lead counsel; and (iv)
directing the co-lead plaintiffs to file a consolidated amended complaint within 30 days of the order. The co-lead plaintiffs
filed a consolidated complaint on March 9, 2016. Defendants have not responded to the consolidated complaint because of
the pending stay.
On April 21, 2016, a third derivative lawsuit, captioned LaCalamito v. Dunleavy, et al., Case No. 3:16-cv-02249,
was filed by another shareholder against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company in the United States
District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging similar claims for breach of fiduciary duty relating to the now terminated
agreement between VWP and ARENA. The LaCalamito complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and other relief.
The Company has not been formally served and has not yet responded to the complaint.
F-25
On June 9, 2016, a fourth derivative lawsuit, captioned Pucillo v. Dunleavy, et al., was filed by another shareholder
against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company in the United States District Court for the District
of New Jersey alleging similar claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and abuse of control relating to the
now terminated agreement between VWP and ARENA. The Pucillo complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and
other relief. The Company has not been formally served and has not yet responded to the complaint.
The Company and certain of its current directors are defendants in a lawsuit filed by an alleged shareholder in the
Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County Chancery Division on January 25, 2016, captioned Stern v. Ocean Power
Technologies, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. C-5-16. The complaint alleges that certain provisions of the Company’s Certificate
of Incorporation and By-laws providing that the Company’s directors may be removed only for cause and only by an
affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes which all the stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of
directors are invalid under Section 141(k) of the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Complaint asserts a breach of
fiduciary claim against the director defendants and a declaratory judgment claim against all defendants seeking, among other
things, to invalidate the current provisions and declare that the Company’s directors may be removed and replaced without
cause and by a simple majority vote. The Complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief as well as unspecified costs and
attorneys’ fees. Defendants have not yet responded to the Complaint. By Unanimous Written Consent dated June 17, 2016,
the Company’s Board of Directors amended the Company’s By-laws to delete the “only for cause” requirement, thereby
allowing for removal of directors with or without cause by the Company’s stockholders. In addition, the Board proposed,
subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders at the next annual general meeting of stockholders, a similar amendment
to the director removal provision in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation. On June 22, 2016, the parties to this lawsuit
submitted a Stipulation and Proposed Order Staying Proceedings that (1) stays the case pending the stockholder vote on the
proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation; (2) provides for dismissal of the action with prejudice
if the stockholders approve the amendment, subject to plaintiff’s right to make a fee application to the court and defendants’
right to oppose any such application; and (3) provides for the stay to be lifted and the action to resume, without waiver of
any parties’ rights, if the stockholders do not approve the amendment. The Court approved the Stipulation on June 30, 2016.
Employment Litigation
On June 10, 2014, the Company announced that it had terminated Charles Dunleavy as its Chief Executive Officer
and as an employee of the Company for cause, effective June 9, 2014, and that Mr. Dunleavy had also been removed from
his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors. On June 17, 2014, Mr. Dunleavy wrote to the Company stating that he
had retained counsel to represent him in connection with an alleged wrongful termination of his employment. On July 28,
2014, Mr. Dunleavy resigned from the Board and the boards of directors of the Company's subsidiaries. The Company and
Mr. Dunleavy have agreed to suspend his alleged employment claims pending resolution of the shareholder litigation.
Except for the Stipulation agreement noted previously, we have not established any provision for losses relating to
these claims and pending litigation. Due to the stages of these proceedings, and considering the inherent uncertainty of these
claims and litigation, at this time we are not able to predict or reasonably estimate whether we have any possible loss exposure
or the ultimate outcome of these claims.
SEC Subpoena
On February 4, 2015, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC requesting information related to the VWP
Project. The Company has provided information to the SEC in response to that subpoena. As part of the same investigation,
on July 12, 2016, the SEC issued a second subpoena requesting information related to the Company’s April 4, 2014 public
offering and we are working to respond to that subpoena. The SEC investigation is ongoing and the Company continues to
cooperate with the SEC in its investigation. We are unable to predict what action, if any, might be taken by the SEC or its
staff as a result of this investigation or what impact, if any, the cost of responding to the SEC’s investigation or its ultimate
outcome might have on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We have not established any provision for
losses relating to this matter.
Spain IVA (sales tax)
In June 2012, the Company received notice that the Spanish tax authorities are inquiring into its 2010 IVA (value-
added tax) filing for which the Company benefitted from the offset of approximately $250,000 of input tax. The Company
believes that the inquiry will find that the tax credit was properly claimed and, therefore, no liability has been recorded. The
Company issued letters of credit in the amount of €218,059 ($249,543) and €278,828 ($307,492) in 2016 and 2015
respectively, at the request of the Spanish tax authorities. This is a customary request during the inquiry period. In November
F-26
2014, March 2015 and September 2015, the Company received partial refunds of the amount under dispute and continues to
expect that this matter will be resolved in the Company’s favor.
Spain Income Tax Audit
We are currently undergoing an income tax audit in Spain for the period from 2008 to 2014, when our Spanish
branch was closed. The branch reported net operating losses for each of the years reported. We have not established any
provision for losses related to this matter.
(14) Operating Segments and Geographic Information
The Company's business consists of one segment as this represents management's view of the Company's operations.
The Company operates on a worldwide basis with one operating company in the US and operating subsidiaries in the UK
and in Australia. Revenues and expenses are generally attributed to the operating unit that bills the customers.
Geographic information is as follows:
Year Ended April 30, 2016
North
America
Europe
Asia and
Australia
Total
Revenues from external customers ....................................... $
704,820 $
Operating loss....................................................................... (14,401,553)
Long-lived assets ..................................................................
273,049
Total assets ........................................................................... $ 9,553,033 $
- $
(295,518)
-
395,389 $
- $
704,820
(160,912) (14,857,983 )
273,049
402,704 $ 10,351,126
-
Year Ended April 30, 2015
North
America
Europe
Asia and
Australia
Total
Revenues from external customers ....................................... $ 4,105,424 $
- $
Operating loss....................................................................... (12,294,263) (1,126,109)
913
262,985
Long-lived assets ..................................................................
597,796 $
Total assets ........................................................................... $ 17,899,273 $
- $ 4,105,424
(866,188) (14,286,560 )
263,898
373,817 $ 18,870,886
-
(15) Subsequent Event
On June 2, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement, which was amended on June 7, 2016 (as
amended, the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional purchasers (the “Purchasers”). Pursuant to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell an aggregate of 417,000 shares of Common Stock together with
warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 145,952 shares of Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock was sold together
with a warrant to purchase 0.35 of a share of Common Stock at a combined purchase price of $4.60. The net proceeds to the
Company from the offering were approximately $1.6 million, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering
expenses payable by the Company, but excluding the proceeds, if any, from the exercise of the warrants issued in the offering.
The warrants have an exercise price of $6.08 per share, will be exercisable on the date that is six months and one day from
the date of issuance, and will expire five years following the date of issuance.
Pursuant to an agreement dated June 2, 2016 (the “Placement Agency Agreement”), the Company engaged Roth
Capital Partners, LLC and Rodman & Renshaw, a unit of H. C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (the “Placement Agents”) to act as
placement agents in connection with the issuance and sale of the shares and warrants. The Company paid the Placement
Agents approximately $116,000 as placement agent fees in connection with the sale of securities in the offering. The
Company also reimbursed the Placement Agents $35,000 for their out of pocket and legal expenses in connection with the
offering.
F-27
Form 10-K/A
This page left blank intentionally.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016
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 001-33417
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
22-2535818
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1590 REED ROAD
PENNINGTON, NJ 08534
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (609) 730-0400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, par value $0.001
Name of Exchange on Which Registered
The Nasdaq Capital Market
Securities registered pursuant to 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 Section 15(d) of the 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 (§229.405 of this chapter) 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, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☒
(Do not check if a smaller reporting 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 common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates as of October 31, 2015, the last business day of the registrant’s most
recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $4.1 million based on the closing sale price of the registrant’s common stock on that date as reported on the
NASDAQ Capital Market.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of June 30, 2016 was 2,511,850 (excluding 380,000 shares issuable under a pending
litigation settlement).
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (the “Form 10-K/A”) hereby amends the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2016, which Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”“ “we” or “us”) previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on July 15, 2016 (the “Original Form 10-K”). We are filing this amendment
to include the information required in Part III, Items 10 through 14, that was previously omitted from the Original Form
10-K and to amend Part IV, Item 15 of the Original Form 10-K, with the only change being the filing of new certifications
pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by our principal executive officer and principal financial and
accounting officer. Except as expressly set forth herein, this Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after the date of
the original filing of the Original Form 10-K or modify or update any of the other disclosures contained therein in any way.
Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with the Original Form 10-K and the Company’s other filings
with the SEC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE .........................................
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ....................................................................................................................
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS .......................................................................................................................
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE ............................................................................................................................................................
Page
2
8
18
20
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES ...................................................................................
21
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES ..............................................................................
22
SIGNATURES
PART IV
i
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
PART III
DIRECTORS
All of our directors bring to our Board of Directors executive leadership experience from their service as executives
and/or directors of our Company and/or other entities. The biography of each of the directors below contains information
regarding the person’s service as a director, business experience, director positions held currently or at any time during the
last five years, and the experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills that caused the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and our Board of Directors to determine that the person should serve as a director, given our business and
structure.
Name
Age
Position(s) with Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
Served as
Director From
Terence J. Cryan ....................
Dean J. Glover .......................
George H. Kirby ....................
Robert J. Burger ....................
Steven M. Fludder .................
Robert K. Winters .................
53
50
46
52
56
48
Chairman of the Board
Vice Chairman and Independent Director
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
Independent Director
2012
2014
2015
2015
2016
2016
Terence J. Cryan has been a member of the OPT Board of Directors since October 2012. Mr. Cryan was our lead
independent director from October 2013 to June 2014 when he became Chairman of the Board. Since September 2001, Mr.
Cryan has been Co-founder and Managing Director of Concert Energy Partners, LLC, an investment and private equity firm
with a focus on the traditional and alternative energy, power and natural resources industries. In addition to his responsibilities
at Concert Energy Partners, Mr. Cryan has served on the boards of directors of a number of publically traded companies
including, Uranium Resources, Inc., from 2006 to 2016; Global Power Equipment Group Inc., since 2008; Superior Drilling
Products, since May 2014; Gryphon Gold Corporation from 2009 to 2012; and The Providence Service Corporation from
2009 to 2011. Mr. Cryan previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Medical Acoustics, LLC from 2007
through 2010. From September 2012 until April 2013, Mr. Cryan also served as interim President and CEO of Uranium
Resources, Inc., and was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uranium Resources, Inc. in June 2014 and served
until March 2016. Mr. Cryan has been President and CEO of Global Power Equipment Group Inc., since March 2015.
Between 1990 and 2001, Mr. Cryan was a Senior Managing Director in the investment banking department at Bear Stearns
& Co. Inc. in New York City and a Managing Director at Paine Webber/Kidder Peabody in both New York City and London.
Prior to joining our Board of Directors, Mr. Cryan was a member of our Board of Advisors. Mr. Cryan earned his Bachelor
of Arts degree from Tufts University in 1983 and a Master’s of Science degree in Economics from The London School of
Economics in 1984. In December 2014, Terence Cryan was named a Board Leadership Fellow by the National Association
of Corporate Directors. We believe Mr. Cryan’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his significant
experience in financial matters, his prior board and executive experience at other companies, his broad energy industry
background and his extensive expertise in financings, mergers and acquisitions.
2
Dean J. Glover became a member of the Board of Directors in October 2014, replacing the retired Mr. Preston, and
he was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board in July 2016. Mr. Glover has been the President & CEO of MIRATECH Group
since 2014. Prior to this, he was Senior Vice President and President of the Products Division of Global Power Equipment
Group Inc. Mr. Glover joined Global Power in December 2005 as Chief Operating Officer of Braden Manufacturing. Prior
to joining Global Power, Mr. Glover led the global supply chain and manufacturing for Diebold Inc. Prior to this Mr. Glover
spent 13 years with General Electric in various managerial and technical roles and is a certified Six Sigma Master Black belt.
Mr. Glover currently serves as a director of Oklahoma Scholastic Organization, a non-profit organization. Mr. Glover holds
a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg Graduate
School of Management, Northwestern University. Mr. Glover has extensive international experience having lived in various
international locations for most of his career. Mr. Glover has over 25 years of commercial and technical experience in
industry. We believe Mr. Glover’s qualifications to sit on our Board of Directors include his significant managerial,
commercial and technical experience in the energy industry.
George H. Kirby has served as our President, Chief Executive Office and a member of the Board of Directors since
January 20, 2015, replacing Interim Chief Executive Officer David L. Keller. Prior to this, he joined AECOM Technology
Corporation (NYSE: ACM) a leading provider of engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) services in September
2013 as Senior Vice President. In this role, he led their Energy Business Line for the north U.S. region providing services for
utilities, power transmission and generation developers, and large industrial energy efficiency end-users. Prior to AECOM,
he joined SAIC Energy, Environment, & Infrastructure (NYSE: SAIC) in January 2012 a global leader in solutions for
national security, healthcare and engineering, as Managing Director for their Asset Transactions group providing power
generation investors and developers with technical and market consulting and advisory services, and was promoted to Vice
President in 2013 providing EPC services to Investor Owned Utilities. In 2009, he joined American Superconductor
(NASDAQ: AMSC) as Director of Global Sales and was promoted to Managing Director of the Americas and Australia in
2011. From 2000 to 2009, Mr. Kirby held significant leadership roles at General Electric in both GE Energy and GE Capital
(NYSE: GE) in product development, global sales, quality and project finance. In June 2016, Mr. Kirby was elected to the
Board of Trustees of the Sea Research Foundation, a non-profit organization in Mystic, Connecticut. Mr. Kirby previously
served as a director of Blade Dynamics, LLC from April to December 2011, and Schooner, Inc. from June to October 2012.
We believe Mr. Kirby’s significant leadership experience in energy industries qualifies him to serve on our Board of
Directors.
Robert J. Burger became a member of the Board of Directors on May 8, 2015. Mr. Burger has a broad range of
international executive experience in both the alternative and traditional energy industries, and is currently on the Board of
Directors for Victory Energy Operations, LLC, a Saw Mill Capital Company. Victory Energy designs and manufactures
industrial boilers for the power and chemical industries. On June 1, 2016, Mr. Burger became President of Koontz Wagner
Custom Control Holdings. From 2012 through 2015, Mr. Burger served as President and CEO of MAN Diesel & Turbo North
America Inc., based in Houston, TX, a subsidiary of the German multi-national corporation, MAN SE. MAN is the world’s
leading provider of large-bore diesel engines for use in ships and power stations, and a top provider of turbo-machinery for
oil & gas, chemical, and industrial applications. From 2007 to 2012, Mr. Burger was with LM Wind Power, a Danish company
and the world’s largest independent provider of wind turbine blades and service. He served as President of LM’s Service
Americas business, based in Portland, OR, and prior to that as Director of Global Service, based at LM’s corporate
headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Burger led Aerisyn, LLC, a start-up fabricator of wind
turbine towers based in Chattanooga, TN. Mr. Burger’s corporate career began in the energy division of General Electric,
where he rose through the ranks to lead their Gas Turbine Product Service business worldwide, serving in various engineering,
production, quality, and customer service roles along the way. Prior to GE, Mr. Burger was an officer in the U.S. Navy,
driving ships and managing the ship’s power plant for several years, including a three-year tour in Japan, and then specializing
in large-scale shipyard engineering, repair, and modification projects, to include underwater salvage. He was a fully-qualified
U.S. Navy Diving Officer. Mr. Burger holds two graduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering, both an M.S. and a D.Mech.
Eng., from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he did extensive postgraduate work in total ship systems
design. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a B.S. in Ocean Engineering. We believe Mr. Burger’s
qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his broad range of executive experience in both alternative and
traditional energy industries.
3
Steven M. Fludder became a member of the Board of Directors on May 5, 2016. Mr. Fludder brings more than 30
years of global executive leadership in energy and infrastructure markets. He is currently Chief Executive Officer with alpha-
En, a publicly traded innovative clean technology company focused on enabling next generation battery technologies by
developing high purity lithium products. Prior to alpha-En, Mr. Fludder was Chief Executive of AECOM’s global Energy
and Water practice. Prior to AECOM, he was Senior Executive Vice President, Division General Manager and Samsung
group officer where he was head of worldwide sales and marketing for Samsung Engineering, a global engineering,
procurement and construction (EPC) firm serving a broad range of energy industries including power, oil & gas,
petrochemicals, and metallurgy. He was subsequently President of Samsung Techwin Power Systems Division. Prior to
Samsung, Mr. Fludder served as a Vice President and General Electric corporate officer where he led GE’s companywide
environmental business initiative “ecomagination”. Earlier in his career at GE, Mr. Fludder held executive leadership roles
in the Water, Energy Services, Energy China, and Aircraft Engines divisions. He has significant experience scaling and
growing energy related technology businesses through start-ups, acquisitions and turnarounds. Mr. Fludder holds a Master’s
degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical
Engineering from Columbia University, and a second Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College.
Robert K. Winters became a member of the Board of Directors on May 5, 2016. Robert Winters has been a
Executive Vice President and G.M. of Alpha IR Group since September, 2015. He established and is running the NYC office
for Chicago-based firm, which specializes in providing strategic counsel to small- and mid-cap U.S. companies across a broad
range of industries. Prior to this, he was a partner and portfolio manager at Zesiger Capital Group, LLC for 14 years; Zesiger
Capital Group, LLC is an investment advisor based in NYC, catering to both large institutional clients and high net-worth
individuals. Zesiger’s investment strategy during Mr. Winters’ tenure was to take concentrated, long-term investment
positions in small-and mid-cap stocks in the U.S., as well as in select emerging and frontier markets. Additionally, Mr.
Winters managed fixed income investments on behalf of clients at Zesiger, as well as private investments; Mr. Winters sat
on the boards of several private portfolio companies during his time at Zesiger. Prior to his work at Zesiger Capital Group,
LLC, Mr. Winters worked as a Managing Director and Senior Natural Resource analyst for almost 10 years at Bear, Stearns
& Co., Inc., where he focused on energy, metals and mining. Mr. Winters began his finance career at CS First Boston
following his work as an international trade analyst with Kilpatrick & Cody in Washington, D.C. Mr. Winters served as a
director of LRM Industries International from 2009 until 2014 Mr. Winters graduated from Georgetown University in 1990
with a dual major in International Relations and History.
Executive Officers
We have one executive officer who is not a director:
Name
Age
Position with Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
Mark A. Featherstone ........................
54
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Mark A. Featherstone has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 2013. Prior to joining OPT, Mr.
Featherstone worked for a number of publicly-held and privately-owned industrial and consumer manufacturing and
distribution companies. From May 2013 to December 2013, Mr. Featherstone served as Chief Financial Officer of Heat
Transfer Products LLC, a private equity owned commercial refrigeration components manufacturer. From June 2012 to May
2013, Mr. Featherstone was an independent consultant specializing in interim CFO services, financial statement restatements
and debt restructuring. From 2001 to June 2012, Mr. Featherstone was employed by Quaker Chemical Corporation, a NYSE-
listed specialty chemical manufacturer, serving as CFO from 2007 until June 2012. Mr. Featherstone began his career at the
international accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Company. Over his career, Mr. Featherstone has raised both debt and
equity, has overseen mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures as well as been responsible for financial reporting and other
matters. Mr. Featherstone holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree
in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University.
Corporate Governance
Our Board of Directors believes that good corporate governance is important to ensure that the Company is managed
for the long-term benefit of our stockholders. This section describes key corporate governance guidelines and practices that
our Board has adopted. Complete copies of our corporate governance guidelines, committee charters and code of business
conduct and ethics are available on the corporate governance section of our website, www.oceanpowertechnologies.com.
Alternatively, you can request a copy of any of these documents by writing to our Secretary at 1590 Reed Road, Pennington,
NJ 08534.
4
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines to assist in the exercise of its duties and responsibilities and
to serve the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. These guidelines, which provide a framework for the conduct
of the Board’s business, provide that:
●
●
●
●
●
the Board’s principal responsibility is to oversee the management of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.;
a majority of the members of the Board shall be independent directors;
the non-employee directors shall meet regularly in executive session;
directors have full and free access to management and, as necessary and appropriate, independent advisors;
and
the Board and its committees will conduct a self-evaluation as needed to determine whether they are
functioning effectively.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors held twelve meetings during fiscal year 2016. During fiscal year 2016, each director attended
at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of (a) the Board of Directors and (b) the committees on which
such director served.
Our corporate governance guidelines provide that directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. All directors attended the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board of Directors is led by the chairman, and currently Mr. Cryan is serving as the Chairman. Mr. Glover
serves as the Vice Chairman. The Board of Directors has also established the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and
currently Mr. Kirby is serving as CEO. The Board of Directors recognizes that, depending on the circumstances, other
leadership structures might be appropriate. Accordingly, the Board of Directors periodically reviews its leadership structure.
Board Committees
Our Board of Directors has established four standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee,
a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a Health, Safety and Environment Committee. Each committee
operates under a charter that has been approved by the Board. The charters of all Board committees are available on our
website at www.oceanpowertechnologies.com.
Our Board has determined that all of the members of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee are independent as defined under Rules 5605(a)(2) and 5605(d)(2) of the NASDAQ Stock
Market, as applicable. Our Board has also determined that all Audit Committee members meet the independence requirements
contemplated by Rule 5605(c) of the NASDAQ Stock Market and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Audit Committee. The current members of our Audit Committee are Terence J. Cryan, Dean Glover, and Robert
Burger. Mr. Glover served as the chair of the committee since 2015 and he serves as the audit committee financial expert.
Effective September 8, 2016, Messrs. Cryan and Burger will rotate off the committee and Steven Fludder and Robert Winters
will join the committee. The Audit Committee met four times in fiscal year 2016.
5
Our Audit Committee assists our Board of Directors in its oversight of the integrity of our consolidated financial
statements, our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance.
Our Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the
independence of, our independent registered public accounting firm; overseeing the work of our independent registered public
accounting firm, including through the receipt and consideration of reports from our independent registered public accounting
firm; reviewing and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm our annual and
quarterly consolidated financial statements and related disclosures; monitoring our internal control over financial reporting,
disclosure controls and procedures and code of business conduct and ethics; establishing procedures for the receipt and
retention of accounting related complaints and concerns; meeting independently with our independent registered public
accounting firm and management; and preparing the Audit Committee report required by Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) rules.
Compensation Committee. The current members of our Compensation Committee are Terence J. Cryan, Robert
Burger and Steven Fludder. Mr. Burger is the chair of the committee. Our Compensation Committee assists our Board of
Directors in the discharge of its responsibilities relating to the compensation of our executive officers.
Our Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include: reviewing and approving, or making recommendations to
the Board of Directors with respect to, our chief executive officer and other executive officers’ compensation; evaluating the
performance of our executive officers and reviewing and approving, or making recommendations to the Board of Directors
with respect to, overseeing and administering, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to, our
cash and equity incentive plans. The Compensation Committee met six times in fiscal year 2016.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants and other outside advisors to
assist in the evaluation of executive officer compensation. To date, the Compensation Committee has utilized independent
salary surveys and consultants to evaluate executive officer compensation.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee are Terence J. Cryan, Dean Glover and Robert Burger. Mr. Cryan is the chair of the committee.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include: recommending to the Board of
Directors the persons to be nominated for election as directors or to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors and to be
appointed to each of the Board’s committees; overseeing an annual review by the Board of Directors with respect to
management succession planning; developing and recommending to the Board of Directors corporate governance principles
and guidelines; overseeing periodic evaluations of the Board of Directors; and reviewing and making recommendations to
the Board of Directors with respect to director compensation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met
three times in fiscal year 2016.
Health, Safety and Environment Committee. The current members of our Health, Safety and Environment
Committee are Robert Burger, George Kirby and a member of the Company’s senior management team. Mr. Burger is chair
of the committee. The committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by assessing the
effectiveness of the Company’s programs and initiatives that support the health, safety, and environment, sustainability, and
security policies, programs, and practices of the Company. In addition, the HSE Committee advises the Board on matters
impacting the Company’s health, safety and environment responsibilities and the Company’s public reputation. The Health,
Safety and Environment Committee met three times in fiscal year 2016.
6
Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of
the Company’s risks. The Board of Directors regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s financial position and
operations, as well as the risks associated with each. While the Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for risk oversight
at the Company, our Board committees assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas
of risk. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk
management in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The
Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the
management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks
associated with the Board organization, membership and structure of the Board of Directors, succession planning for our
directors and executive officers, and corporate governance. Our Health, Safety and Environment Committee assists the Board
of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Company’s health, safety and environment policies,
program and practices.
Director Nomination Process
The process followed by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to identify and evaluate director
candidates includes requests to Board members and others for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate
biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by
members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board.
In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the Board’s slate of recommended
director nominees, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee applies the criteria set forth in our corporate
governance guidelines. These criteria include the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, knowledge of our business and
industry or of other industries with comparable risks and issues, experience, diligence, potential conflicts of interest and the
ability to act in the interests of all stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the value
of diversity when recommending candidates. The committee views diversity broadly to include diversity of experience, skills
and viewpoint. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not assign specific weights to particular criteria
and no particular criterion is a prerequisite for each prospective nominee. Our Board believes that the backgrounds and
qualifications of its directors, considered as a group, should provide a composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities
that will allow it to fulfill its responsibilities.
Stockholders may recommend individuals to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for
consideration as potential director candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate
stockholder-recommended candidates by following the same process and applying the same criteria as it follows for
candidates submitted by others.
Stockholders may directly nominate a person for election to our Board by complying with the procedures set forth
in Article I, Section 1.10 of our by-laws, and with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Under our by-laws, only persons
nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the by-laws will be eligible to serve as directors. In order to nominate
a candidate for service as a director, you must be a stockholder at the time you give the Board notice of your nomination, and
you must be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting at which your nominee will be considered. In
accordance with our by-laws, director nominations generally must be made pursuant to notice to our Secretary delivered to
or mailed and received at our principal executive offices at 1590 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ 08534, not later than the 90th
day, nor earlier than the 120th day, prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders. Your
notice must set forth (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the nominee, (ii) the principal occupation
or employment of the nominee, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. owned
beneficially or of record by the nominee and (iv) all other information relating to the nominee that is required to be disclosed
in solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case, pursuant
to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated there under. The stockholder making the
nomination must include his or her name and address, a statement as to the class and amount of shares beneficially owned by
the stockholder, a description of any arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and the nominee, a
representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting and a representation as to
whether such stockholder intends, or is part of a group that intends, to deliver a proxy statement/and or solicit proxies.
7
Communicating with the Independent Directors
Our Board will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by stockholders, and will
respond if and as appropriate. The chairman (if an independent director), or the lead independent director (if one is appointed),
or otherwise the chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, is primarily responsible for monitoring
communications from stockholders and for providing copies or summaries to the other directors as he or she considers
appropriate.
Communications are forwarded to all directors if they relate to important substantive matters and include suggestions
or comments considered to be important for the directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate
governance and corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs,
personal grievances and matters as to which we receive repetitive or duplicative communications.
Stockholders who wish to send communications on any topic to our Board should address such communications to
Board of Directors c/o Secretary, Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., 1590 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ 08534.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our employees, officers (including our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer) and directors. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted
on our website at www.oceanpowertechnologies.com and can also be obtained free of charge by sending a request to our
Secretary at 1590 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ 08534. Any changes to or waivers under the Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics as it relates to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, controller or persons performing similar functions
must be approved by our Board of Directors and will be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days
of the change or waiver.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules issued there under, our executive officers and directors
are required to file with the SEC reports of ownership and changes in ownership of Common Stock. Copies of such reports
are required to be furnished to us. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us, or written
representations that no other reports were required, we believe that all required reports were filed in fiscal year 2015 in a
timely manner.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Director Compensation
Each non-employee director annually receives $45,000 and typically is offered a choice of either (a) an option worth
$50,000, based on the Black-Scholes formula, to purchase shares of Common Stock that vests 100% on the first anniversary
of the grant, or (b) Common Stock worth $50,000, which vests in equal installments over three years. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee evaluates these forms and amounts of compensation on an annual basis. Each non-
employee director also receives a per annum supplement ranging from $2,000 to $9,600 for each committee that they chair.
In addition, the Chairman of the Board annually receives an additional $30,000.
8
We reimburse each non-employee director for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending our
Board and Board committee meetings. Compensation for our directors, including cash and equity compensation, is
determined, and remains subject to adjustment, by our Board of Directors.
The following table summarizes compensation paid to our non-employee directors in fiscal year 2016.
Name
Terence J. Cryan .............................................................
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash ($)
Restricted
Stock and
Option
Awards ($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total ($)
82,620
— (1)
—
82,620
David L. Keller ...............................................................
22,500
— (1)
—
22,500
Eileen M. Competti ........................................................
48,778
— (1)
—
48,778
Dean J. Glover ................................................................
52,200
— (1)
—
52,200
Robert J. Burger .............................................................
44,270
20,833 (1)
—
65,103
Steven M. Fludder (2) ....................................................
Robert K. Winters (2) .....................................................
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(1)
The amount of $20,833 for Mr. Burger represents the fair value of shares on May 8, 2015, the date of the
grant, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 718, Compensation – Stock
Compensation (ASC) 718. The stock option award was granted to Mr. Burger in fiscal 2016 for service on
the Board of Directors for the Board service year ended October 2015. Other members of our Board of
Directors received stock options or restricted stock awards in fiscal 2015 for the Board service year ended
October 2015.
(2)
Mr. Fludder and Mr. Winters joined the Board of Directors on May 5, 2016, and did not receive any
compensation for fiscal year 2016.
Restricted
Stock Awards
Option Awards
Total
Mr. Cryan (1) .................................................................. —
Mr. Keller (2) .................................................................. —
Ms. Competti (3) ............................................................. —
Mr. Glover (1) ................................................................. —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Mr. Burger (1) ................................................................. —
5,139
5,139
Mr. Fludder (4) ................................................................ —
Mr. Winters (4) ................................................................ —
—
—
—
—
(1)
No stock options or restricted stock awards were granted to the Board of Directors in fiscal year 2016 for
the Board service year ending October 2016.
9
(2)
(3)
(4)
Mr. Keller served on the Board of Directors during fiscal year 2016 until October 22, 2015.
Ms. Competti service on the Board of Directors during fiscal year 2016 until March 3, 2016.
Mr. Fludder and Mr. Winters joined the Board of Directors on May 5, 2016, and did not receive any
restricted stock awards or option awards for fiscal year 2016.
Executive Compensation
Overview of Executive Compensation
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the compensation of all of our executive officers. In
this capacity, the Compensation Committee designs, implements, reviews and approves all compensation for our named
executive officers. The goal of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that our compensation programs are aligned with
our business goals and objectives and that the total compensation paid to each of our named executive officers is fair,
reasonable and competitive.
Compensation Objectives and Philosophy
Our compensation programs are designed to attract and retain qualified and talented executives, motivating them to
achieve our business goals and rewarding them for superior short- and long-term performance. In particular, our
compensation programs are intended to reward the achievement of specified predetermined quantitative and qualitative goals
and to align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders in order to attain the ultimate objective of increasing
stockholder value.
Elements of Total Compensation and Relationship to Performance
Key elements of these programs include:
●
●
●
base salary compensation designed to reward annual achievements, with consideration given to the
executive’s qualifications, scope of responsibility, leadership abilities and management experience and
effectiveness;
cash bonus awards designed to align executive compensation with business objectives and performance;
and
equity-based incentive compensation, primarily in the form of stock options and restricted stock, the value
of which is dependent upon the performance of our Common Stock, and which is subject to multi-year
vesting that requires continued service and/or the attainment of certain performance goals.
Determining and Setting Executive Compensation
Working with the Compensation Committee, our management develops our compensation plans by utilizing
publicly available compensation and on-line survey data for a broad selection of national and regional companies, which we
believe are generally comparable to the Company in terms of public ownership, organization structure, size and stage of
development, and against which we believe we may compete for executive talent. The results of these analyses are reviewed
with and approved by the Compensation Committee annually. We believe that these compensation practices provide us with
appropriate compensation guidelines. The Compensation Committee generally targets compensation for our executives near
the median range of compensation paid to similarly situated executives in comparable companies covered by the on-line
survey data. Other considerations, including market factors, the unique nature of our business and the experience level of an
executive, may dictate variations to this general target.
10
Our business is characterized by a long product development cycle, including a lengthy engineering and product-
testing period. Because of this, many of the traditional benchmarking metrics, such as product sales, revenues and profits are
inappropriate for our company at this time. Instead, the specific factors the Compensation Committee considers when
determining our named executive officers’ compensation include:
●
●
●
●
●
●
key product development initiatives;
technology advancements;
achievement of regulatory and other commercial milestones;
establishment and maintenance of key strategic relationships;
implementation of appropriate financing strategies; and
financial and operating performance.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued to our named executive officers, as set forth below,
during each of our two last completed fiscal years which ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.
Name and
Principal
Position
Year
Salary
($)
(a)
Bonus
($)
(b)
Option
Awards
($)
(c)
Restricted
Stock
Awards
($)
(d)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
George H. Kirby ................... 2016 360,000 55,000 (e)
Chief Executive Officer
2015 102,414
—
Mark A. Featherstone ........... 2016 283,587 68,000 (e)
Chief Financial Officer
2015 274,388
—
David R. Heinz ..................... 2016 211,789 97,062 (e)
Chief Operating Officer
2015 304,553
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
85,800 (d)
-
57,300 (d)
57,300 (d)
447,409
32,409 (f)
58,315 (f)(g) 246,529
6,801 (h)
3,430 (h)
358,388
335,118
95,965 (h)(i) 404,816
28,028 (h)(i) 389,881
(a)
(b)
Salary represents actual salary earned during each fiscal year. The amounts in this column may be different
from the amounts listed below under description of employment agreements, due to increases in salary
levels and payments for unused vacation during each fiscal year.
The amounts in this column reflect cash bonuses earned by the named executive officers for performance
during the applicable fiscal year. All bonuses for named executive officers are entirely discretionary and
have not been determined as of the date of this filing for fiscal year 2016.
11
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
The entries in the option awards column reflect the grant date fair value of the awards for fiscal years 2016
and 2015, as applicable, for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (ASC) No. 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation , excluding forfeiture
assumptions, and utilizing the Black-Scholes method. See Note 2(l) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used to determine the valuation of our stock options
for accounting purposes.
The amounts in this column reflect grant date fair value of the awards for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, as
applicable, for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with Accounting Standards
Codification (ASC) No. 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation . See Notes 2(l) and 11 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements, for a discussion regarding the valuation of our restricted stock for
accounting purposes.
This amount represent bonuses paid by the Company to the named executive officers in fiscal year 2016
relating to fiscal year 2015. The bonuses paid with respect to fiscal year 2015 were not previously reported
in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2015.
This amount of $8,315 and $32,409 for fiscal year 2015 and 2016, respectively, is for eligible relocation
expenses in accordance with Mr. Kirby’s Employment Agreement.
This amount includes a one-time starting bonus of $50,000.
In each case, reflects Company 401(k) plan matching contributions.
This amount includes $24,964 in fiscal year 2015 for eligible relocation expenses in accordance with Mr.
Heinz’s Employment Agreement, and $89,376 in severance payments in fiscal year 2016, which includes
$1,609 in relocation expenses as per severance agreement.
Employment Agreements
George H. Kirby — Chief Executive Officer and Director
Under an agreement entered into on December 29, 2014, Mr. Kirby is entitled to an annual base salary of $360,000
subject to adjustment upon annual review by our Board of Directors. Mr. Kirby’s is also eligible to earn discretionary
incentive bonuses and incentive compensation. The Company also reimbursed Mr. Kirby for his eligible relocation costs.
Upon the termination of his employment other than for cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason,
Mr. Kirby has the right to receive severance payments. If such termination occurs before the first year of employment, Mr.
Kirby will receive six months of his base salary. If such termination occurs after the first year of employment, Mr. Kirby will
receive twelve months of his base salary then in effect. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Kirby is prohibited from competing
with us and soliciting our customers, prospective customers or employees during the term of his employment and for a period
of one year after the termination or expiration of his employment.
Mark A. Featherstone — Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Under an agreement entered into on November 26, 2013, Mr. Featherstone is entitled to an annual base salary of
$270,000 subject to adjustment upon annual review by our Board of Directors. Mr. Featherstone’s base salary has been
adjusted by our Board of Directors and was increased to $274,388 effective May 1, 2014. Mr. Featherstone is also eligible to
earn discretionary incentive bonuses and incentive compensation.
Upon the termination of his employment other than for cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason,
Mr. Featherstone has the right to receive severance payments equal to twelve months of his base salary then in effect. Pursuant
to this agreement, Mr. Featherstone is prohibited from competing with us and soliciting our customers, prospective customers
or employees during the term of his employment and for a period of one year after the termination or expiration of his
employment.
12
David R. Heinz — Former Chief Operating Officer
On December 21, 2015, the Company terminated the employment of Mr. Heinz effective January 15, 2016. Under
the terms of his agreement with the Company dated December 30, 2013, as amended by agreement dated December 18, 2015,
Mr. Heinz was entitled to receive six months of severance pay and certain other benefits conditioned upon the execution and
delivery of a Separation Agreement and General Release (“Release”) with the Company containing customary terms and
conditions. Mr. Heinz executed the Release and the Company has made the required payments to Mr. Heinz.
Charles F. Dunleavy — Former Chief Executive Officer
On June 9, 2014, Mr. Dunleavy was terminated for cause as an employee of the Company. Mr. Dunleavy did not
receive any severance payments under his employment agreement with the Company. Mr. Dunleavy forfeited all vested and
unvested stock options upon termination.
Stock Option and Other Compensation Plans
2001 Stock Plan
Our 2001 Stock Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors and approved by our stockholders on August 24, 2001.
The 2001 Stock Plan provided for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory options, restricted stock awards and
stock awards. A maximum of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance under our 2001 Stock Plan.
Our employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors were eligible to receive awards under our 2001 Stock Plan;
however, incentive stock options could only be granted to our employees.
Our Board of Directors administered our 2001 Stock Plan. Pursuant to the terms of our 2001 Stock Plan, and to the
extent permitted by law, our Board could delegate administrative authority to a committee composed of two or more of our
non-executive directors. Our Board of Directors, or a committee to whom the Board of Directors delegates authority, selected
the recipients of awards and determined:
●
●
●
●
the number of shares of Common Stock covered by options and the dates upon which the options become
exercisable;
the exercise price of options;
the duration of the options; and
the terms and conditions of awards, including transfer restrictions, conditions for repurchase and rights of
first refusal.
The 2001 Stock Plan provided that outstanding options shall become fully exercisable if we underwent a
fundamental transaction, as defined in the 2001 Stock Plan, and the successor entity did not assume the options under the
2001 Stock Plan or substitute equivalent options.
As of April 30, 2016, options to purchase 570 shares of our Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price of
$138.00 were outstanding under our 2001 Stock Plan. No further stock options or other awards have been granted under the
2001 Stock Plan since the effective date of our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan described below.
13
2006 Stock Incentive Plan
Our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was adopted by our Board of Directors on December 7, 2006, was approved by our
stockholders on January 12, 2007 and became effective on April 24, 2007. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan provided for the
grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and other stock-unit awards. On October
2, 2009, an amendment to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was approved, increasing the aggregate number of shares authorized
for issuance by 85,000 shares to 165,321 shares. In 2010, our Board of Directors approved amending and restating the 2006
Stock Incentive Plan to make certain adjustments, including imposing minimum performance periods for performance awards
and minimum vesting periods for time-based awards, a requirement that we obtain stockholder approval prior to certain
option and stock appreciation right repricing actions, and limiting the situations in which vesting periods may be waived or
accelerated. This amendment and restatement did not require the approval of our stockholders. On October 2, 2013, a further
amendment to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the Company’s Stockholders, increasing the aggregate number
of shares authorized for issuance by an additional 80,000 shares to 245,321.
Our employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors were eligible to receive awards under our 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan; however, incentive stock options could only be granted to our employees. The maximum number of shares
of Common Stock with respect to which awards could be granted to any participant under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was
200,000 per calendar year.
Our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was administered by our Board of Directors. Pursuant to the terms of our 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan, and to the extent permitted by law, our Board of Directors could delegate authority to one or more committees
or subcommittees of the Board of Directors or to our officers. Our Board of Directors or any committee to whom the Board
of Directors delegates authority selected the recipients of awards and determined:
●
●
●
●
the number of shares of Common Stock covered by options and the dates upon which the options become
exercisable;
the exercise price of options; provided, however, that the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the
fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date the option is granted;
the duration of the options; and
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any restricted stock or other stock-unit awards and the
terms and conditions of such awards, including conditions for repurchase, issue price and repurchase price.
If our Board of Directors delegated authority to an officer, the officer had the power to make awards to all of our
employees, except to executive officers. Our Board of Directors fixed the terms of the awards to be granted by such officer,
including the exercise price of such awards, and the maximum number of shares subject to awards that such officer could
make.
If a merger or other reorganization event occurred, our Board of Directors could provide that all of our outstanding
options are to be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation. Our Board of Directors could also provide that, in the
event the succeeding corporation did not agree to assume, or substitute for, outstanding options, then all unexercised options
would become exercisable in full prior to the completion of the event and that these options would terminate immediately
prior to the completion of the merger or other reorganization event if not previously exercised. Our Board of Directors could
also provide for cash out of the value of any outstanding options.
No awards could be granted under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan after December 6, 2016, but the vesting and
effectiveness of awards granted before that date could extend beyond that date. Our Board of Directors could amend, suspend
or terminate our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan at any time, except that stockholder approval would be required for any revision
that would materially increase the number of shares reserved for issuance, expand the types of awards available under the
plan, materially modify plan eligibility requirements, extend the term of the plan or materially modify the method of
determining the exercise price of options granted under the plan, or otherwise as required to comply with applicable law or
stock market requirements.
14
As of April 30, 2016, options to purchase 88,733 shares of our Common Stock at a weighted average exercise price
of $42.29 were outstanding under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
As of April 30, 2016, we had granted 120,019 shares of restricted Common Stock under our 2006 Stock Incentive
Plan, of which 41,672 remain outstanding.
Once the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (discussed below) was approved by the stockholder on October 22, 2015,
no further stock options or other awards were awarded under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
On August 17, 2015, the Board of Directors approved, subject to the receipt of stockholder approval, the Ocean
Power Technologies, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). On October 22, 2015, the stockholders approved
the 2015 Plan and the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was terminated.
The 2015 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 200,000 shares of our Common Stock (this number of shares
reflects the reverse stock split of 1-for-10 that became effective after October 28, 2015), plus (i) the number of shares of
Common Stock available for issuance under our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, as of the date on which the 2015
Plan was approved by our stockholders (ii) plus the number of shares of our Common Stock related to awards under the 2006
Plan which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares. At inception,
the total number of shares of our Common Stock for issuance under our 2016 Plan was 240,703, of which 76,318 shares were
available for issuance as of June 30, 2016. The purpose of the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to provide our eligible
employees, officers, directors, consultants, advisers and other eligible persons with an incentive to contribute to the success
of the Company and to operate and manage the Company’s business in a manner that will provide for the long-term growth
and profitability of the Company to benefit our stockholders and other important stakeholders, including our employees and
customers, and to provide a means of attracting, rewarding and retaining key personnel.
The 2015 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, The Compensation
Committee has full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the
2015 Plan, any award under the 2015 Plan or any award agreement under the 2015 Plan, not inconsistent with the specific
terms and conditions of the 2015 Plan, which the Compensation Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the
administration of the 2015 Plan. The Compensation Committee may amend, modify or supplement the terms of any
outstanding award, provided that no amendment, modification or supplement of the terms of any outstanding award shall
impair a grantee’s rights under an award without the consent of the grantee. The Compensation Committee is also authorized
to construe the award agreements, and may prescribe rules relating to the 2015 Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our full
Board of Directors will conduct the general administration of the 2015 Plan with respect to all awards granted to our non-
employee directors. In addition, in its sole discretion, our Board of Directors may at any time and from time to time exercise
any and all rights and duties of the Compensation Committee except with respect to matters which are required to be
determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m)
of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder.
15
The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock awards,
stock unit awards and unrestricted stock awards, dividend equivalent rights, performance share awards or other performance-
based awards, other equity-based awards or cash to eligible employees, officers and non-employee directors of the Company
or any affiliate of the Company, or any consultant or adviser to the Company or an affiliate who is currently providing
services to the Company or an affiliate, or to any other individual whose participation in the 2015 Plan is determined to be in
the best interests of the Company by the Compensation Committee. We have reserved a total of 200,000 shares of Common
Stock for issuance as or under awards to be made under the 2015 Plan, plus (i) the number of shares of Common Stock
available for issuance under our 2006 Plan as of the Effective Date of the 2015 Plan, plus (ii) the number of shares of our
Common Stock related to awards under the 2006 Plan as of the Effective Date which thereafter terminate by expiration,
forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares. If any award expires, is cancelled, or terminates
unexercised or is forfeited, the number of shares subject thereto is again available for grant under the 2015 Plan. The
maximum number of shares of stock subject to Awards that can be granted under the 2015 Plan in any one calendar year to
any person, other than a non-employee director, is seventy-five thousand (75,000). The maximum fair market value of shares
of stock that may be granted under the 2015 Plan in any one calendar year to any non-employee director is twenty thousand
dollars ($20,000). The limitations on the amount of shares of stock issuable under the 2015 Plan is subject to adjustment in
the event of certain changes in our capital stock, such as recapitalizations, reclassifications, stock splits, reverse stock splits,
spin-offs, combinations of our stock, exchanges of our stock and other increases or decreases in our stock without receipt of
consideration.
As of April 30, 2016, no options to purchase shares of our Common Stock were outstanding under 2015 Omnibus
Incentive Plan.
As of April 30, 2016, we had granted 2,750 shares of Restricted Common Stock under our 2015 Omnibus Incentive
Plan, of which 2,350 remain outstanding.
The 2015 Plan will terminate automatically on October 22, 2025, which is ten years after the date on which
stockholders approve the 2015 Plan.
Except in connection with a corporate transaction in which the Company is involved, without obtaining stockholder
approval we may not amend the terms of any outstanding options or SARs under the 2015 Plan to reduce the exercise price
of such outstanding options or SARs, cancel outstanding options or SARs in exchange for or in substitution of options or
SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or SARs, or cancel outstanding options
or SARs with an exercise price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.
In the event of a change in control in which the acquirer does not assume awards granted under the 2015 Plan, all
outstanding restricted stock, stock units and all dividend equivalent rights awarded under the 2015 Plan will be deemed to
have vested and the shares of Common Stock subject thereto will be delivered, immediately prior to the occurrence of such
change-in-control, in each case with the exception of performance-based awards which will be treated as described below.
In the case of a change in control, the 2015 Plan provides that performance-based awards will be treated as follows. For
performance-based awards denominated in shares of Common Stock, the 2015 Plan provides that if less than half of the
performance period has lapsed, such awards will be treated as if the target performance has been achieved. If at least half of
the performance period has lapsed, then the actual performance to date will be determined as of a date reasonably close to
the date of consummation of the change in control (as determined by the committee administering the 2015 Plan) and that
level of performance will be treated as achieved immediately prior to the occurrence of the change in control. If actual
performance is not determinable, then the performance-based awards will be treated as if target achievement has been
achieved.
The Compensation Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as to any shares of Common Stock as to
which awards have not been made. The effectiveness of any amendment to the 2015 Plan will be contingent on approval of
such amendment by our stockholders to the extent provided by our Board and required by applicable law (including the rules
of any stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed), provided that no amendment may be made to the repricing
provisions or the option pricing provisions of the 2015 Plan without stockholder approval. No amendment, suspension or
termination of the Plan may impair the rights or obligations of any award made under the 2015 Plan without the grantee’s
consent.
16
2016 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table
The following table contains certain information regarding equity awards held by the named executive officers as
of April 30, 2016:
Option Awards
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Name
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have
Not Vested
($)
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested #
Mark A. Featherstone .
2,591 (a)
1,667 (a)
24.90
1/20/2024
David R. Heinz ...........
—
—
George H. Kirby .........
Total ...........................
2,591
1,667
—
833 (b)
2,000 (c)
4,000 (d)
—
—
4,665 (b)
11,200 (c)
22,400 (d)
—
4,000 (e)
12,000 (f)
22,833
22,400 (e)
67,200 (f)
127,865
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
These options were granted on January 20, 2014 and vest over a three-year period based on performance criteria
determined by the Compensation Committee.
These shares were granted on January 20, 2014 and vest over a three-year period based on performance criteria
determined by the Compensation Committee. In January 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a modification to
certain outstanding restricted stock grants with performance-based grants changing to service-based grants. These
grants will vest in October 2016.
These shares were granted on October 22, 2014 and vest over a three-year period based on service requirements. In
January 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a modification to certain outstanding restricted stock grants with
service-based grants. These grants will vest in October 2016.
These shares were granted on December 19, 2014 and vest over a three-year performance-based period tied to the
Company’s total shareholder return (TSR) relative to the shareholder return of three alternative energy Exchange
Traded Funds as measured over a specific performance period. In January 2016, the Board of Directors authorized
a modification to certain outstanding restricted stock grants with performance-based grants changing to service-
based grants. These grants will vest in October 2016.
These shares were granted on January 20, 2015 and vest over a three-year period based on service requirements.
These shares were granted on January 20, 2015 and vest over a three-year performance-based period tied to the
Company’s total shareholder return (TSR) relative to the shareholder return of three alternative energy Exchange
Traded Funds as measured over a specific performance period.
Potential Payments upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control
The following information sets forth the terms of potential payments to each of our named executive officers in the
event of a termination of employment.
17
Termination by Company without Cause; Termination by Executive for Good Reason. Our employment agreement
with Mr. Kirby provides for severance pay equal to one-half (1/2) of a year of base salary in a lump sum within 30 days in
the event that employment is terminated by the Company, other than for cause, upon Mr. Kirby’s disability or by the executive
with good reason, each occurring during the first year of employment (i.e., prior to January 20, 2016). After the first year of
employment, the amount of severance pay increases to one (1) year of base salary. In both instances, Mr. Kirby would also
be entitled to receive any other payments owed such as a short-term bonus, long-term compensation, benefits and expenses
reimbursements to the degree such payments are owed for service provided up to the date of termination. Finally, the
expiration date of any other options held by Mr. Kirby would be extended to a date 90 days after the date of termination.
Our employment contract with Mr. Featherstone provides for severance pay equal to one year of base salary payable
as salary continuation in accordance with regular payroll practices and the continuation of health care benefits for 12 months
in the event that employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause or by the executive with good reason.
Termination by Company for Cause; Termination by Executive without Good Reason. Under our employment
contracts with Mr. Kirby and Mr. Featherstone upon termination for cause or at the executive’s election without good reason,
the executive is entitled to the base salary and benefits due and owing to the executive as of the date of termination.
Change in Control. Our employment agreement with Mr. Kirby provides for severance pay equal to one (1) year of
base salary if a change of control occurs and Mr. Kirby is terminated by the Company or Mr. Kirby terminates the agreement,
each occurring within 90 days of the change of control. Mr. Kirby would also be entitled to receive any other payments owed
such as a short-term bonus, long-term compensation, benefits and expenses reimbursements to the degree such payments are
owed for service provided up to the date of termination. Finally, the expiration date of any other options held by Mr. Kirby
would be extended to a date 90 days after the date of termination. In addition, to the extent that Mr. Kirby has not previously
vested in rights and interests held by, Mr. Kirby under the Company’s stock and other equity plans (including stock options,
restricted stock, RSU’s, performance units or performance shares) such rights and interest will become 100% vested.
The employment agreement for Mr. Featherstone does not contain change of control provisions; therefore, payments
for cash severance and continued healthcare benefits are the same as for termination without cause. The restricted stock
agreement provides for accelerated stock vesting upon a change in control.
Termination upon Failure to Renew by the Company. In the event that our employment agreement with Mr. Kirby
terminates the end of the term and is not renewed as a result of a decision by the Company not to renew, prior to a decision
by Executive not to renew, the Company will pay Mr. Kirby a severance payment in the amount of one (1) year base salary
in a lump sum within 30 days after the termination date.
The employment agreement for Mr. Featherstone does not contain similar provisions.
Qualifying retirement. Under our restricted stock agreements with the named executive officers, upon a Qualifying
Retirement 50% of unvested restricted shares will vest immediately. A “Qualifying Retirement” means retirement by the
recipient after satisfaction of the conditions in either clause (A) or clause (B): (A) the recipient has both (1) attained the age
of 55 and (2) completed at least ten years of employment with the Company; or (B) the sum of the recipient’s age plus the
number of years he or she has been employed by the Company equals or exceeds 75 years.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of June
30, 2016 by (a) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, (b) each named executive officer identified in the Summary Compensation Table above, (c) each director and nominee
for director, and (d) all executive officers and directors as a group.
18
The Percentage of Common Stock outstanding is based on 2,511,850 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as
of June 30, 2016. For purposes of the table below, and in accordance with the rules of the SEC, we deem shares of Common
Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within sixty days of June 30, 2016 and restricted stock
that is currently vested or that will vest within sixty days of June 30, 2016, to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by
the person holding the options or restricted stock for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but
we do not treat them as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as
otherwise noted, each of the persons or entities in this table has sole voting and investing power with respect to all of the
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable. The street
address of each beneficial owner is c/o Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., 1590 Reed Road, Pennington, NJ 08534.
Name
Executive Officers and Directors
Amount
Percentage
George H. Kirby(5) ..............................................................................................
Mark A. Featherstone(1) ......................................................................................
David R. Heinz(2) ................................................................................................
Robert J. Burger(3) ...............................................................................................
Terence J. Cryan(4) ..............................................................................................
Dean J. Glover ......................................................................................................
2,250
7,830
---
5,139
7,209
1,650
David L. Keller .....................................................................................................
12,050
Eileen M. Competti ..............................................................................................
—
All current and former executive officers and directors as group
(8 individuals) (5) ...............................................................................................
36,128
*
Represents a beneficial ownership of less than one percent of our outstanding Common Stock.
*
*
*
—
*
*
*
—
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Includes 4,258 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within sixty days of June 30, 2016.
Information not available.
Includes 5,139 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within sixty days of June 30, 2016.
Includes 5,509 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within sixty days of June 30, 2016. Mr. Cryan received 900 of these options for his service
as a member of the Company’s Board of Advisors.
Excludes vesting performance based stock awards for fiscal year 2016. These are awards that have not been
determined as of the date of this filing.
19
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes the total number of outstanding options and shares available for other future
issuances of options under all of our equity compensation plans as of April 30, 2016.
Number of
Shares
Remaining
Available
for Future
Issuance
Under the
Equity
Compensation
Plan
(Excluding
Shares in
First Column)
Number of
Shares to
be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders(1) ............
89,303 $
42.90
260,680
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders ...........
—
—
—
(1)
Consists of our 2001 Stock Plan, our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan and our 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Board Determination of Independence
Under applicable NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if they are not an
executive officer or employee of the Company, and, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, that person does not have a
relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
Our Board has determined that none of Mr. Cryan, Mr. Glover, Mr. Burger, Mr. Fludder or Mr. Winters has a
relationship that would interfere, or has interfered, with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the
responsibilities of a director, and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under Rule 5605(a) (2)
of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
The Audit Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and approving all related person transactions
(as defined in SEC regulations), and periodically reassessing any related person transaction entered into by the Company to
ensure continued appropriateness. This responsibility is set forth in our Audit Committee charter. A related party transaction
will only be approved if the members of the Audit Committee determine that the transaction is in the best interests of the
Company. If a director is involved in the transaction, he or she will recuse himself or herself from all decisions regarding the
transaction.
20
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table summarizes the fees of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, billed
to us for each of the last two fiscal years.
Fee Category
Fiscal Year 2016 Fiscal Year 2015
Audit Fees(1) ............................................................................................................ $
250,000 $
249,320
Audit-Related Fees(2) ..............................................................................................
115,000
Tax Fees(3) ..............................................................................................................
29,300
All Other Fees(4) ......................................................................................................
—
15,000
24,294
—
Total Fees ................................................................................................................. $
394,300 $
288,614
(1)
(2)
(3)
Audit fees consist of fees for the audit and quarterly reviews of our consolidated financial statements and
other professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-related fees in 2016 consist of fees for various consents and comfort letters.
Tax fees for fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2015 include fees for tax return preparation assistance and
review. In addition, fiscal year 2015 included consulting services related to our subsidiary, Ocean Power
Technologies, Ltd. in the United Kingdom.
(4)
We were not billed any “Other Fees” in fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee’s policy is that all audit services and all non-audit services to be provided to us by our
independent registered public accounting firm must be approved in advance by our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s
approval procedures include the review and approval of a description of the services that documents the fees for all audit
services and non-audit services, primarily tax advice and tax return preparation and review.
All audit services and all non-audit services in fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were pre-approved by the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the non-audit services for which these fees were
rendered is compatible with maintaining the independent auditor’s independence.
21
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) (3) Exhibits:
PART IV
The exhibits listed in Item 15(b) of the Original Form 10-K and the exhibits listed in Item 15(b) of this Form 10-
K/A below are filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this report.
(b) Exhibits Index: See Exhibits Index on page 25.
22
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Date: July 22, 2016
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
/s/ George H. Kirby
By: George H. Kirby
Chief Executive Officer
23
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this amendment has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
/s/
SIGNATURE
GEORGE H. KIRBY
George H. Kirby
MARK A. FEATHERSTONE
Mark A. Featherstone
TERENCE J. CRYAN
Terence J. Cryan
ROBERT J. BURGER
Robert J. Burger
STEVEN M. FLUDDER
Steven M. Fludder
DEAN J. GLOVER
Dean J. Glover
ROBERT K. WINTERS
Robert K. Winters
TITLE
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Director
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
DATE
July 22 , 2016
July 22, 2016
July 22, 2016
July 22 , 2016
July 22 , 2016
July 22, 2016
July 22, 2016
24
Exhibit
Number
31 .3 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31 .4 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibits Index
Description
25
OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Directors
Senior Management Team
Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
250 Royall Street
Canton, MA 02021-1011
US & Canada: 800-662-7232
International: 781-575-4238
www.computershare.com
Terence J. Cryan
Chairman of Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Global Power Equipment Group, Inc.
Dean J. Glover
Vice Chairman of
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.,
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Miratech Group
Robert J. Burger
Independent Director of
Victory Energy Operations, LLC,
President, Koontz-Wagner Custom
Controls, LLC
Steven M. Fludder
Chief Executive Officer of
alpha-En Corporation
Robert K. Winters
Executive Vice President and General
Manager of Alpha IR Group
George H. Kirby*†
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Matthew T. Shafer*
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of
Finance and Treasurer
Mike M. Mekhiche*
Executive Vice President, Engineering and
Operations
Deborah A. Montagna
Vice President, Business Development
John W. Lawrence
General Counsel and Secretary
*Denotes Executive Officers
† Also serves as a Director
Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
1601 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2499
USA
Legal Advisor
Bankers
Porter Hedges LLP
1000 Main Street, 36th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Santander Bank
2583 Pennington Road
Pennington, NJ 08534
USA
Barclays Bank Plc
1 Churchill Place
London E14 5HP
UK
Share Price Information
The Company’s share price is quoted on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol OPTT. Go to www.nasdaq.com to access the
Company’s share price information. In addition, the share price and other publicly released information are available at OPT’s website
under the Investor Relations tab.
Contact Us
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
1590 Reed Road
Pennington, NJ 08534
USA
Website Address: www.oceanpowertechnologies.com
TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP
VALUE PROPOSITION
9
1
0
2
Y
6 - F
1
0
2
PB15-Gen1
PBX
Y
n F
a ti o
e r c ia liz
m
m
o
n & C
y M a t u r a ti o
PB3-Gen2
g
o l o
n
h
c
e
T
PB3-Gen1
Updated
PTO with
new
modular
high-
efficiency
energy
storage
system
Over 3kW
peak payload
power
available
using new
PTO
PB3-Gen3
Gen2 PTO
and energy
storage
system with
advanced,
lighter hull
design for
improved
power
generation
More than
15kW peak
payload
power with
relatively
small
increase in
size/weight
over PB3
Next-gen
power levels;
advanced
hydro-
dynamics,
energy
storage
and controls
Our Mission
We will deliver durable,
reliable, cost-effective
ocean energy solutions
that enable new capabilities
for our customers and
partners, value to our
shareholders, inspire our
employees, and enhance
the environment.
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
1590 Reed Road
Pennington, NJ 08534 USA
www.oceanpowertechnologies.com