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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 December 31, 2021
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number: 001-35955
Vuzix Corporation
( Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter )
Delaware
(State of incorporation)
25 Hendrix Road
West Henrietta, New York
(Address of principal executive office)
04-3392453
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
14586
(Zip code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(585) 359-5900
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
Title of each class:
Common Stock, par value $0.001
Trading Symbol(s)
VUZI
Name of each exchange on which registered
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 þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ◻ No þ
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
þ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer ◻
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial
accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☑ No
◻
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 voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2021 was approximately $ 1,082,000,000
(based on the closing price of the common stock of $18.35 per share on that date, as reported on the NASDAQ Capital Market and, for purposes of this computation only, the
assumption that all of the registrant’s directors and executive officers are affiliates and that beneficial holders of 10% or more of the outstanding common stock are affiliates).
As of March 2, 2022, there were 63,672,268 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for its 2022 annual meeting of stockholders.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1
Item 1A
Item 1B
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
Item 5
Item 6
Item 7
Item 7A
Item 8
Item 9
Item 9A
Item 9B
Item 9C
Item 10
Item 11
Item 12
Item 13
Item 14
Item 15
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
[Reserved]
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently
available to our management. The forward-looking statements are contained principally under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Business.” Forward-looking statements contained in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K include, but are not limited to, statements concerning:
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trends in our operating expenses, including personnel costs, research and development expense, sales and marketing expense, and
general and administrative expense;
the effect of competitors and competition in our markets;
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and our response to it;
our wearable display products and their market acceptance and future potential;
our ability to develop, timely introduce and effectively manage the introduction of new products and services or improve our
existing products and services;
expected technological advances by us or by third parties and our ability to leverage them;
our ability to attract and retain customers;
our ability to accurately forecast demand and adequately manage inventory;
our ability to deliver an adequate supply of product to meet demand;
our ability to maintain and promote our brand and expand brand awareness;
our ability to detect, prevent, or fix defects in our products;
our reliance on third-party suppliers, contract manufacturers and logistics providers and our limited control over such parties;
trends in revenue, costs of revenue, and gross margin and our possible or assumed future results of operations;
our ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees;
the impact of foreign currency exchange rates;
the effect of future regulations;
the sufficiency of our existing cash and cash equivalent balances and cash flow from operations to meet our working capital and
capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months; and
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general market, political, economic and business conditions.
All statements in this annual report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. We may, in some cases, use terms
such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,”
“will,” “would” or similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made
and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should
change, except as may be required by applicable law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements
are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.
Table of Contents
Item 1. Business
Company Overview
PART I
We are engaged in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of augmented reality wearable display and computing devices, also
referred to as head mounted displays (or HMDs, but also known as near-eye displays), in the form of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality
(AR) glasses. Our wearable display devices are worn like eyeglasses or attach to a head worn mount. These devices typically include a
built-in computer, cameras, and sensors that enable the user to view, record and interact with video and digital content, such as computer
data, the Internet, enterprise data, social media or entertainment applications effectively connecting the metaverse to the real world. Our
wearable display products integrate micro-display technology with our advanced optics to produce compact high-resolution display
engines, less than half an inch diagonally, which when viewed through our Smart Glasses and AR glasses create virtual images that appear
comparable in size to that of a computer monitor or a large-screen television. This includes the representative forms such as augmented
reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) and the areas interpolated to all real-and-virtual
combined environments. Our solutions are proven to help our customers improve their operational efficiency.
Today’s virtual reality (VR) products are large goggles which seal off their view of the outside world. These VR devices are
focused on gaming and training use cases because they occlude the user’s field of vision from the real world. For AR glasses, historically,
see-through HMDs displayed the real world using semi-transparent optics placed in front of the user’s eyes. Both types of these HMDs
were large and bulky and as a result, they had little mass-market appeal. We have developed thin optics, called waveguides, that are fully
see-through and enable miniature display engines to be mounted in the temples of the HMD which allows the form factor of the Smart
Glasses to be comparable to conventional eyeglasses. Our Smart Glasses and AR glasses are designed for all day use cases and are small
enough to fit in a user’s pocket or purse.
We believe that our waveguide optics and display engines offer a number of significant advantages over other wearable display
solutions, including higher contrast, greater power efficiency, less weight, more compact size, and high brightness images for use outdoors.
We also believe that our waveguide optics give us a substantial advantage over competitors’ optics, including other waveguides, because
our solution allows us to produce optics that are fully transparent when off while also delivering the high brightness required for AR and
enterprise Smart Glasses applications.
We believe that our waveguides and compact display engine technologies are a key differentiator for enabling next generation AR
and Smart Glasses hardware for the enterprise and broader market segments because they will ultimately allow us to make HMDs nearly
indistinguishable from regular eyeglasses. We believe that key growth areas for us are the enterprise, medical, defense, and security
markets. We are addressing most of these markets by developing and selling our own finished products and building a growing eco-system
of software and services internally and with our value-added resellers, or VARs, developers and end customers. Another potential channel
to these markets we are developing includes selling to OEMs where we intend to supply mass production of our waveguide optics and
display engines to select third parties to use in their products.
We have developed our own intellectual property portfolio that includes patents, over 24 years of manufacturing know-how,
software, proprietary processes, materials, and equipment to create high performance waveguides, and near-eye display products. We
believe our technology, intellectual property portfolio and position in the marketplace give us a leadership position in AR and Smart
Glasses products and waveguide optics and display engine technology.
Our History
Historically, we have focused on three markets: the consumer markets for entertainment and mobile video; Smart Glasses products
for enterprise; and night-vision display electronics and rugged mobile displays for defense
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markets. We introduced our first HMD products over 23 years ago and we have offered numerous product models and versions with ever
advancing features and capabilities that have served the three markets. In June 2012, we sold the assets that produced products and provided
services to military organizations and defense organizations, but effective October 2018, we renegotiated the exclusivity agreement with the
company we sold our defense division to and, as a result, we have resumed marketing and sale initiatives directly into the defense and
homeland security markets. All market restrictions in the defense space for the Company will expire in June 2022.
Overall Strategy
Our goal is to establish and maintain a leadership position as a worldwide supplier of wearable displays and computers including
AR glasses and Smart Glasses solutions. In 2020, we began to offer and intend to continue to expand our offerings of hardware solutions
with complementary suites of software solutions, including offerings from our VARs, focused across major markets, platforms, and
applications, thus delivering end-to-end solutions to our customers. We strive to be an innovator in designing wearable display devices that
can enable enterprise productivity hands-free applications, mobile video viewing, general entertainment, social media, and most
importantly, AR applications. We seek to generate revenue growth through the continued introduction of new AR Smart Glasses,
accessories, and software applications and solutions.
In July 2021, we also started an internal Vuzix Custom Solutions group (formerly Integrated Solutions Business Unit (ISBU)),
which is focused on the acceleration of enterprise-centric solutions in both new and underserved market verticals. The group will support
current and future partners by assisting in developing and implementing innovative SaaS-based solutions around specific use cases in
various industries. The core team is streamlined and focused, with a strong background in building such solutions. The group has already
been engaging with a number of organizations to drive requirements around solving problems and enabling integration into complex
enterprise environments using Vuzix' existing smart glasses hardware enhanced by custom software.
To broaden our position as a leading provider of wearable display and computing products for AR and hands-free computing, we
seek to:
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develop innovative products based on our unique technology for both specialized and large enterprise and medical markets, as
well as defense and security;
develop a suite of software applications that can take advantage of our products, offering these solutions bundled with our
hardware and through our “app store”;
sell our products or license our technology to third-party companies that would incorporate and sell them as a new product with
their own brand name (OEM partners);
promote and enhance the development of third-party software that can take advantage of our products, including offering apps
and software through our own “app store”;
build our own internal capabilities to deliver SaaS-based solutions directly to our customers;
extend our innovative and proprietary technology leadership;
enhance and protect our intellectual property portfolio;
broaden and develop strategic relationships and partnerships;
establish multiple revenue sources;
improve brand recognition;
provide excellent products and service; and
attract and retain highly qualified personnel.
Our strategy is also to create a leadership position as a worldwide supplier of waveguide optics and near-eye display technology
solutions for applications in high growth segments of the enterprise and consumer electronics industry by capitalizing on our experience
and expertise in wearable displays and computers. We aim to provide waveguides, display engines and complementary optics to enable
OEM customers to serve a variety of markets with new enhanced display electronic products. Some key elements of our OEM strategy to
achieve these objectives include:
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strengthening our technology leadership;
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optimizing waveguide manufacturing efficiencies while protecting proprietary processes;
developing OEM and mass production partnerships in the AR Smart Glasses market; and
leveraging technology and marketing strategic relationships with third parties.
The Market
The wireless, IT, and entertainment industries have evolved considerably and continue to do so. The mobile phone has evolved
into a ubiquitous, location-aware, smart mobile computing device. Mobile technology is redefining the way people interact with their world,
both at work and play, and it has become an essential lifestyle management and entertainment tool personalized to users’ unique needs. We
believe that interactive AR content, AI, Edge Computing, internet of things (IoT), and speech-based cloud services will significantly change
the way mobile computing devices are used and how content is delivered to the user, including by enabling new experiences that cannot be
experienced in any other way. We believe head-worn displays that are hands-free can connect the digital world to the real world and have
the ability to change the future of the computing industry.
Current mobile display technology is almost universally based on direct view screens. These displays are designed to be handheld
and small to make portability easy. Our products provide hands-free virtual large screens that are interactive and fit into eyeglass form
factors. VR-based head-worn displays block out surroundings for a fully immersive experience. AR-based displays are designed to be "see-
through" or "see-around" and allow the user to still see and interact with their surroundings. They may contain one (monocular) or two
(binocular) displays.
Our business for the last five years has primarily focused on enterprise, industrial and medical markets. We believe the demand for
head-worn displays in these markets is being driven by such factors and expectations as:
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the continued growth of mobile computing devices;
an increasing number of “ready to go” hands-free enterprise, commercial and medical applications for which our products are
well suited;
increasing demand for Internet, and cloud services’ access “anywhere, anytime”;
the expansion of IoT that enables the exchange of information amongst smart connected devices to improve timeliness and
visibility;
the need for better efficiencies from training and on boarding to the ROI created by having hands-free mobile computing
allowing frontline workers to work more efficiently and accurately;
the need to solve complex problems remotely from medical technologists and doctors in a surgery to equipment in factories
around the world; and
the growing use of AR/XR applications that will drive the need for head-worn display solutions to replace the need to hold up
handheld devices to use the applications.
As a result, we believe that our near-eye display technologies can significantly increase user satisfaction and allow for widespread
AR adoption and applications.
Target Markets
We offer smart wearable display and computing products that enable development and deployment of AR applications. AR Smart
Glasses enable the wearer to see computer-generated information, graphics or images projected into the real-world environment or upon an
object that the user is observing.
Our target markets and applications by major sector are:
Enterprise
Our Smart Glasses products are currently focused on the enterprise market, including sectors such as industrial and medical. These
Smart Glasses products run native Android applications within the glasses that, for example, allow them to stream video in real-time, scan
bar codes, share visuals that are related to the work at hand and much more, all of
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which are highly useful for many enterprise applications. We believe that increasing demand for easy and instant data accessibility in a wide
variety of commercial and industrial markets offer significant opportunities for our products. The benefit of hands-free mobile displays and
computers over a handheld device or laptop on a cart is significant. Most mobile workers need the use of their hands while working and
having access to the information required while being hands-free can significantly improve their work performance, enhance safety, and
reduce errors. Our Smart Glasses are being used for numerous applications including: remote service video support, wearable computer
displays, viewing of wireless sensor data, quality assurance, hands-free access to work instructions such as assembly check lists and
manuals, in-the-field maintenance, warehouse pick and pack, real-time viewing of remote images, and training and education. There are
many reasons why enterprise users are adopting Smart Glasses, such as for:
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Increasing productivity;
Eliminating travel costs;
Improving worker safety;
Lowering carbon footprint;
Reducing worker errors; and
Protecting worker health
Medical
The healthcare industry continues to be an early adopter of Smart Glasses to deliver a variety of benefits in and outside of the
operating room. Our Smart Glasses are being used in operating rooms to enable MedTech experts, assisting surgeons, medical student
training, patient care, and other healthcare professionals to see and communicate with surgeons in real-time. This unique solution empowers
surgeons, medical device specialists, and other experts to work together remotely without incurring costly expenses to commute on-sight for
consultations and surgeries. Our Smart Glasses are also being used in telemedicine for remote calls made to provide a virtual presence
within hospitals and senior care facilities that are video broadcast securely. Further our Smart Glasses provide virtual training, health care
for patients in the ICU and the operating room, and assistance in performing virtual patient rounds.
Security and First Responders
Our Smart Glasses, particularly the versions that have a sunglasses look, have the potential to become disruptive and market
changing products for security providers and first responders such as police and firefighters. We believe there are significant business
opportunities in having the Vuzix Blade’s unique form factor assist law enforcement and security personnel in keeping people safe or
identifying suspicious persons or those associated with unlawful activities. The ability to deliver video feeds and real-time facial recognition
and weapons detection alerts in a covert fashion to a Blade wearer literally provides security personnel and first responders with eyes in the
back of their heads, allowing them to view and interact with their immediate surroundings while also staying remotely connected and
informed.
Waveguide Optics and Display Engines
We believe our waveguide and display engine technology addresses the critical performance parameters for next generation AR
products, including higher brightness, sharper resolution, true see-through capabilities, compact size, lower power consumption and longer
life. As we manufacture our waveguides and display engines in higher volumes at reduced costs and capitalize on our waveguide
manufacturing expertise, we believe that our products will be increasingly well-positioned to compete with other see-through optics and
displays, particularly as demand expands for sophisticated mobile computing devices offering higher resolution and better image quality for
AR/XR and Smart Glasses applications. We believe our waveguide and display engine technology addresses the critical performance
parameters for next generation AR products, including higher brightness, sharper resolution, true see-through capabilities, compact size,
lower power consumption and longer life.
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Broader Markets
We believe that the most significant driver of longer-term wearable display market adoption will be the growing consumer
demand for mobile access to ever larger volumes of information and entertainment content in smaller and wearable packages.
We also believe that augmentation of the real world with cloud-based information will change the future of computing and will
result in broad adoption of AR smart glasses. This capability will allow smart phone users to be able to keep their phones in their pocket and
at the same time still receive location-aware content overlaid with their real-world view. For example, while a user walks down the street,
they could get directions and a Yelp score for the restaurant they are looking at or they could chase Pokemon Go game characters as if they
were actually in the real world; all within the view of their smart glasses while leaving the phone in their pocket.
Products
We produce and sell AR Smart Glasses for a variety of applications. Our products are available with varying features and are
currently offered as both monocular and binocular display systems.
Our current products include:
M400 and M4000 Smart Glasses (M series)
The M400 and M4000 (the current “M series”) products are our monocular smart glasses designed for enterprise, industrial,
commercial, and medical markets. The M400 is Vuzix’ work-horse Smart Glasses offering with its enhanced capabilities and is our fourth
model in this family. This product began commercial production in September 2019 and the M4000 was introduced to the market and
entered volume production in September 2020. The M400 is equipped with an occluded nHD OLED display and the M4000 employs our
latest see-through waveguide optics with a WVGA DMD display. These two products include an Android-based wearable computer
similar in performance to a modern smart phone, enhanced with a wearable monocular display, speech control, camera, sensors and wireless
connectivity capabilities. These Smart Glasses serve up the digital world “hands-free”, offering access to information to augment the real
world, data collection and more. Monocular products, due to their single eye display, are best used for push notifications and “information
snacking”. Integrated head tracking, camera, touchpad, buttons and speech recognition gives versatility to navigate and use these M-series
Smart Glasses in almost any environment. These products include pre-installed apps that can be used to record and playback still pictures
and broadcast quality video, track timed events, manage a user’s calendar, link to a phone, scan barcodes and much more. We offer
connector applications, with annual subscriptions, that allows the smart glasses to join the most popular video conferencing applications
including Microsoft Team, Zoom, Blue Jeans, WebEx Teams and others. These products can provide enhancements to existing workflows
and open new opportunities in industrial, medical, retail, supply chain, remote help desk, and many more aspects of our customers’
businesses.
The M4000 offers all the performance and functionality of the M400, and features Vuzix’ proprietary waveguide optics to provide
a non-occluded, see-through, heads-up display with higher display resolution.
Vuzix Blade® Smart Glasses
We introduced the Blade Smart Glasses as a monocular system at CES 2018. Blade 1.5, an upgraded replacement version entered
mass production in the second half of 2020, which added stereo audio and an autofocus camera. We believe the Vuzix Blade is the natural
evolution of AR smart glasses providing the user with a wide range of features and capabilities in a natural glasses form factor. The display
imagery is projected visually out in front of the user like the heads-up display in a car. Current applications range from basic text messaging
and answering the phone to overlaying mapping directions, menus, work instructions, documentation, biometrics and much more. The
intuitive and feature packed Vuzix Blade OS allows the user to simply and intuitively navigate via simple swipes and taps, or leverage voice
controls and external AI systems. This allows users to leave their phones in their pockets for most functions and adds the ability to connect
the information being presented to the real world, including that from cloud-based speech AI
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platforms such as Amazon Alexa. The Blade also has connector applications, with annual subscriptions, that allows the glasses to join the
most popular video conferencing applications including Microsoft Team, Zoom, Blue Jeans, WebEx Teams and others. We believe the
Blade Smart Glasses is the first natural step to replacing the smart phone with a ubiquitous wearable device for all.
Vuzix Shield™ Smart Glasses
We introduced the Vuzix Shield Smart Glasses, which we believe is a revolutionary leap for enterprise AR smart glasses, as our
first binocular AR system utilizing microLED displays at CES January 2022. The Vuzix Shield Smart Glasses offer all the computing
power and performance of our M400 series platform and its related enhanced AR capabilities coupled with Vuzix' proprietary waveguide
optics driven by miniature uLED stereo displays to provide a completely non-occluded see-through heads-up display. Housed inside
lightweight, stylish, prescription-ready safety glasses combined with stereo HD cameras, the Vuzix Shield delivers a singular wearable AR
experience. The Shield when commercially released will also have connector applications, with annual subscriptions, that allows the glasses
to join the most popular video conferencing applications including Microsoft Team, Zoom, Blue Jeans, WebEx Teams and others.
Applications for Smart Glasses
Dozens of standard applications that are optimized for use with the growing lineup of Vuzix AR Smart Glasses are included on the
devices and available for download from the Vuzix App Store. Many of these applications are similar to what is available to the customer
with modern smart phones. These standard applications are designed to be simple to get started and easy to use, and we believe can
immediately provide the fundamental benefits of Smart Glasses to novice and expert users alike.
Vuzix also resells a variety of other applications, including TeamViewer Frontline and Vuzix Remote Assist (VRA), which
provide remote telepresence capabilities, otherwise known as “see-what-I-see” video collaboration and work instructions, among other
features. VRA enables an operator, mechanic, field technician or consultant to communicate in a hands-free manner with a remote expert to
drive “just in time” video support of a process or repair. These applications increase productivity and customer satisfaction by sharing
information between field technicians and remote support experts. The VRA app enables Vuzix Smart Glasses customers to multiply their
expert workforce, eliminate the high costs of travel, improve customer service levels and equipment operation and accelerate knowledge
transfer and training. We are offering the VRA app on a monthly or one-year subscription basis. We have also developed “connector”
applications to enable third party applications like Zoom, Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams, BlueJeans and others, for use with our smart
glasses. In some cases these applications will be free to the user and in others we will charge annual fees.
Vuzix’ position as a Smart Glasses supplier fills a market need that can be long lasting and could be the basis of the future of
computing if the glasses are developed into a much larger integration within current and future technology ecosystems. The idea that the
Smart Glasses alone will lead to major innovations and use cases is a typical “chicken and egg scenario” that has played out in almost every
technology advancement. The “build it and they will come” mentality works only when you build the “whole thing” or if you have a large
enough ecosystem. Vuzix’ Smart Glasses have all the features and benefits consumers expect of a modern tablet or smart phone with the
added benefit of being worn ergonomically on your head, allowing for hands-free operation, and at the same time connecting the visuals in
the glasses to the real world. The steady advances in the Smart Glasses hardware are impressive but this alone is not what is driving market
adoption to date. The “whole thing” is the solution to solve the customer pain point, problems and/or inefficiencies or creates a toolbox that
allows for new innovations or products.
We believe Vuzix is gaining market awareness and has the opportunity to move up the value chain, increase market share and
create a sustainable higher software subscription margin business by:
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Properly implementing a digital solution strategy that retains more of the customer relationship across a wide range of
industries; and
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Improving Vuzix’ participation in more areas of the customer relationship and having less reliance on VARs to deliver the full
solution. When VARs are heavily involved in the middle of the relationship, Vuzix is primarily relegated to being only a
product manufacturer and seller. There is significant customer value that can be captured by adopting a solutions model
including recurring revenue opportunities.
App Store for Smart Glasses
We also have an app store on our website where users can download and purchase Smart Glasses applications, including third-
party apps. We continue to foster the development of an ecosystem of third-party developers to offer applications and trials for their smart
glasses apps, many of which will be sold on an industry common revenue share model, with the publisher receiving approximately 70% of
the subscriptions collected. Supported by Vuzix’ new App Store, developers can offer or sell their applications to all Vuzix Smart Glasses
users, expanding into an ecosystem of AR applications for real world use today. The app store supports free, onetime fee, and paid
subscription monetization models. The Vuzix third-party developer community is able to leverage the open Android platform of the Vuzix
M-Series and the Vuzix Blade to bring new and creative ideas to life.
Waveguide Optics and Design Reference Kits
We selectively offer waveguide optics and related coupling optics combined with our compact proprietary display engine to form
a see-through display module. We sell limited numbers of our waveguide optic design reference kits to select qualified potential
OEMs/ODMs, which include a projector, waveguide optics and associated electronics, to help these customers evaluate our technologies
and to assist their efforts to build and test new products incorporating our proprietary solutions.
Our strategy for addressing the broader mass market includes developing partnerships with both select consumer companies,
including wireless communications carriers, and select high volume production manufacturing companies.
Custom Solutions and Engineering Solutions
We have in the past provided fully integrated wearable display systems, including head mounted displays, human computer
interface devices, near-eye display-related engineering services and wearable computers to commercial, industrial and defense customers.
As a result of the sale of our defense division in June 2012, we were precluded from pursuing general engineering services work with
defense or security organizations. However, in October 2018, we signed an amendment to our agreement with the purchaser of our defense
division that now allows us to sell our products to defense and security organizations, including business customers and governmental
entity customers that primarily provide security and defense services. Such potential customers include police, fire fighters, EMTs, other
first responders, and homeland and border security.
We have an outward facing section of our website dedicated to offering our OEM and engineering services around our
waveguides and display technology. Waveguides require a display engine built for the purpose of the intended design. Vuzix is able to
address most of these design specifications regardless of size, light coupling, power consumption, or resolution.
Defense and Security Products
As noted above, in early October 2018, we amended the 10-year non-compete restrictions with the buyer of our former defense
division, TDG Acquisition LLC (DBA – Six15 Technologies (“Six15”)). This amendment allows us to pursue opportunities related to the
Company’s smart glasses and waveguide optics technologies into these expanded market opportunities related to first responders, US
Department of Defense, Security Organizations and the Military. Vuzix is now permitted to perform contract work with and sell its
waveguide optics and display engines to the largest third-party defense suppliers around the world who wish to incorporate Vuzix near-eye
display or HMD technologies into the products and systems that they sell to Military Organizations. All these non-compete restrictions will
expire on June 15, 2022 and we can directly pursue opportunities with no further requirement to pay commissions to Six15.
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Product Development
We believe that the continued introduction of new products in our target markets is essential to our growth. Our products tend to
have two to three-year life cycles. We have assembled a group of highly skilled engineers who work internally as well as with external
consultants to continue our product development efforts. Our primary development efforts are focused on waveguide optics (and their
manufacture), projection engines, new micro-display technologies, low-power electronic designs, firmware and wearable computing
software, and the design and ergonomics of wearable displays. Our display product development efforts are focused towards continually
enhancing the resolution, performance and manufacturability of our display products. We expect to increase our research and development
expenditures in the future and as our revenues grow. We have also acquired and licensed technologies developed by third parties and we
may continue to do so in the future.
Technology
We believe that it is important to make substantial investments in research and development to maintain our competitive
advantage. The development and procurement of intellectual property rights relating to our technologies is a key aspect of our business
strategy. We believe that it is now technologically feasible to improve upon the weight, ergonomics, optical performance, see-through
capabilities, luminance, power efficiency, compactness, field-of-view and resolution of the current generation of virtual displays and display
components. “Early technology adopters” and “prosumer” consumers have comprised the majority of the purchasers of our wearable
display and computing products to date and similarly within the enterprise customer base for our Smart Glasses. We expect to continue to
improve our products through our ongoing research and development and advancements made by our third-party suppliers of key
components.
We believe that the range of our proprietary technologies gives us a significant competitive advantage. Our technologies relate to
advanced optics systems including passive and active see-through imaging waveguides, micro-projection display engines, and specialized
software drivers and applications for wearable displays and computers. We also have a portfolio of trade secrets and expertise in nano-
imprinting using quartz mold substrates, nano structure embossing, and engineering tool-sets for the design and manufacturing of
diffractive waveguide optics. We are also performing research and development work on laser-based engines to drive scanned images into
holograms, with the goal of such systems to offer next generation waveguides capable of 100 plus degree fields-of-view.
We believe that display engines are also important for commercializing wearable displays. We have developed a proprietary micro
digital light processing (DLP) based engines and are working on microLED engines designed specifically for our waveguide optics
solutions. We are currently working with multiple partners in the microLED arena and have unveiled our first binocular AR Smart Glasses
called the Shield at CES 2022. These next generation waveguides and display engines have allowed us to shrink the entire assembly to fit in
the space available in a typical off-the-shelf pair of sports sunglasses.
We entered into a technology license agreement with Nokia Corporation in August 2011 for their Exit Pupil Expanding (EPE)
optics technology. This agreement was amended in October 2017 to allow us greater flexibility with sub-licensing and preferable royalty
terms. EPE technology is an important foundation of our diffraction-based waveguide optics technology.
In October 2017 and June 2021, we acquired certain IP and patent applications from the inventor/seller related to holographic
optics and display engines for “image and wave field projection through a diffusive media”. This technology is still in active development
and we are making progress towards our first functional solution.
Major technologies that we employ in our products include:
Micro-display Optics: Optical components represent a significant cost of goods for both us and our competitors. This cost is a
function of the physical size of the micro-display and the cost of the supporting optics. We have developed thin and lightweight optics that
can be integrated with very small micro-displays where we can more closely match
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conventional eyewear frames in size and weight. These new optics and displays provide what we believe are significantly improved
ergonomics compared to competing wearable display solutions.
See-Through Waveguides: We have developed a range of patents and patents pending around our see-through waveguides, as well
as passive, dynamic and diffractive optics-based waveguides that are the basis for some of our future slim wearable display AR and smart
glasses products. We are striving to develop ultra-compact micro-display engines to magnify and focus the light from a display into a user’s
eye. Our development goal with these waveguides is to create AR-based wearable displays that will appear to others as practically
indistinguishable from today’s conventional sunglasses by most measures, including comfort, size, weight and ergonomics.
Nanoimprinting: We continue to develop a portfolio of trade secrets and expertise in nanoimprinting for use in our waveguide
optics. We believe these technologies are essential to the production of our approximately 1.2 mm thick see-through lenses which we
believe are the cornerstone to making fashionable eyeglass-styled Smart Glasses. We have developed technology for waveguide design and
production, including: tool design and creation, custom designed software for grating structures and layout, lithography processes, high
index low shrinkage polymers and other materials, mold treatments, automation equipment and test/QA processes and procedures, to name
a few.
Custom Display Engines: We have patents and patents pending on intellectual property around micro DLP display engines. We are
also working on laser modulated and microLED engines designed specifically for our waveguide optics solutions. We are currently working
with multiple partners on microLED engines and have demonstration systems that we have begun showing confidentially to select partners
and potential OEM customers. We are also performing research and development work on laser-based engines to drive scanned images into
holograms, with the goal of such systems to offer next generation waveguides capable of 100 plus degree fields-of-view.
Patents and other Intellectual Property
We have an intellectual property policy which has as its objectives: (i) the development of new intellectual property to further our
intellectual property position in relation to personal display technology; and (ii) the maintenance and protection of our valuable trade secrets
and know-how. We seek to achieve these objectives through the education and training of our engineering staff and the adoption of
appropriate systems, policies and procedures for the creation, identification, and protection of intellectual property.
Our general practice is to file patent applications for our technology in the United States, Europe, Japan, and in additional
countries, including Canada and China for inventions which we believe have the greatest potential. We file and prosecute our patent
applications in pursuit of the most extensive fields of protection possible including, where appropriate, the application of the relevant
technology to the broader display industry.
We believe that our intellectual property portfolio, coupled with our supplier relationships and accumulated experience in the
near-eye display field, gives us an advantage over potential competitors. We also believe our copyrights, trademarks, and patents are critical
to our success and we intend to maintain and protect these. We also rely on proprietary technology, trade secrets, and know-how, including
manufacturing processes and procedures, which are not patented. To protect our rights in these areas, we require all employees and, where
appropriate, contractors, consultants, advisors and collaborators, to enter into confidentiality, invention assignment and non-competition
agreements with us.
Our technologies enable us to provide low-cost, small form factor, high-resolution wearable display products. To protect our
technologies, we have developed a patent portfolio which currently consists of 125 issued U.S. and foreign patents and 116 pending U.S.
and foreign patent applications. We are also currently preparing several invention disclosures for the purposes of submitting design and
utility patent applications. Our U.S. and foreign patents expire on various dates to June 13, 2037. In addition, in connection with the sale of
our defense division in 2012, we received a worldwide, royalty-free, assignable grant-back license to all the patents and other intellectual
property sold for use in the manufacture and sale of products in the consumer markets.
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In addition to our various patents, we have 7 registered U.S. trademarks and 73 trademark registrations worldwide.
Competitors
The near-eye wearable computer or personal display and mobile device industry in which we operate is highly competitive and
evolving rapidly. We compete against both direct view display technology in smart phones and tablets and wearable display technology. We
believe that the principal competitive factors in the personal display industry include image size, image quality, image resolution, power
efficiency, manufacturing cost, weight and dimension, feature implementation, AR capabilities, ergonomics, style, hands-free capabilities
and, finally, the interactive capabilities of the overall display system.
Aside from direct view displays, we also have competitors who produce near-eye personal displays or wearable displays. For the
past decade, most of these products were mainly low-resolution, bulky in size, ergonomically deficient, costly, and heavy in their power
requirements.
Competition – Binocular Wearable Display Products
Vuzix AR Smart Glasses competitors include binocular wearable displays and virtual reality systems, using micro-displays or
smaller flat panels. Examples of such companies include or have included Carl Zeiss, Seiko Epson (Epson), Sony Corporation, Microsoft
Corporation, Avegant Corp., Meta/Oculus/Facebook, HTC Corporation, Razer Inc. and many others. Some of these firms have
discontinued their efforts while others have introduced VR viewers themselves such as HTC, HP and Lenovo. We believe these competitive
products have received limited customer acceptance due to their being bulky and having non-user-friendly designs. Despite their size, VR
headsets from companies like Facebook/Meta and Sony have been selling in the millions of units, primarily for game applications. VR
systems are either standalone devices or require a wire to be connected to a PC to operate. Other companies that have stated their intention
to enter this market when their product development is complete with either finished products or components with optics and display
engines are Lumus, WaveOptics (acquired by Snap), and Digilens.
Competition – AR Glasses
In the AR markets, there are currently few competitors with most of this market currently aimed at the high-end and research
markets. Companies that have offered or are offering products or intend to do so in this area include Microsoft Corporation, Sony
Corporation, Epson, Atheer, Inc., DAQRI, Magic Leap, ODG, Nreal and CastAR. Further, industry watchers have speculated that
companies such as Apple, Google, Snap, and Oculus/Facebook/Meta may offer or support AR wearable display products in the future, but
to date, no specific product launch details have been officially announced. Today many of these products are fairly bulky and are typically
tethered to an external controller. Many are being sold as AR Smart Glasses and are currently targeted at enterprise and academic
researchers. The most complete and functional systems today are the Microsoft Hololens II and the Magic Leap One, both of which cost
$2,295 - $3,500 per unit.
Competition – Monocular Smart Glasses and Wearable Display Products
Although several companies produce monocular wearable displays, we believe that sales of their products have been limited. To
date, the market opportunity for monocular products other than night vision products has been limited primarily to trial tests and smaller
rollouts in enterprise markets rather than broad commercial volume purchases. Competitors in these markets include or have included:
Google/Alphabet, Lenovo, RealWear, Iristick, Liteye Systems, Inc., Lumus, Zebra Technologies (inclusive of the business unit formerly
part of Motorola), Six-15 Technologies, LLC (the purchaser of our defense division), Optinvent, Shimadzu Corporation, Sony Corporation,
Kopin Corporation, Tooz, Creative Display Systems, Brother, Garmin, BAE Systems, Focals by North (acquired by Google), and Rockwell
Collins.
Several Japanese electronics companies including Hitachi, Murata Manufacturing Co., Sony Corporation, WESTUNITIS, and
Olympus have or had announced monocular smart glasses systems for industry and many have
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exited the business over the last two years. There are also several Chinese based companies that have been showing monocular smart
glasses products, including Lenovo but their sales activities thus far have been somewhat limited and focused on Asia. We expect that we
will encounter competition in the future from major consumer electronics companies and suppliers of imaging and information products for
defense applications.
There is competition in all types of products we manufacture, from both large and small companies. The principal points of
competition for these products include, among other factors: price, product performance, the availability of supporting applications, and the
experience and brand name of the particular company and history of its dealings in such products. We believe that our monocular products
match or exceed the display products currently offered by our competitors.
Competition – Waveguides and Display Engines
There are a limited number of manufacturers of waveguide optics, all targeted at OEM producers of AR and smart glasses.
Competitors to our waveguide products include Lumus, WaveOptics (acquired recently by Snap), Digilens, Dispelix, Optinvent and several
others. In addition, several new waveguide manufacturers from China have begun demonstrating their solutions at recent trade shows. Snap
Inc. recently purchased WaveOptics and it appears that Snap is planning to use such waveguides for their own internal solutions and likely
no longer will be potentially competitive as a waveguide component supplier.
Sales and Marketing
Sales
Our strategy is to sell our products and components both directly and through distributors and value-added resellers (VARs – also
referred to as Vuzix Integration Partners or VIPs), and on a select basis to OEMs. As a result, we have distinct strategies for the sales of our
products.
In the Smart Glasses and AR markets, we are currently focused on the enterprise space and as such are building strategic
marketing relationships with software firms to address and support enterprise customers. We are, in parallel, developing a VAR network
with leading companies in various vertical markets from warehousing to field service to medical. As these VARs finish their value-added
software and services offerings, we expect them to roll-out their finished solutions to their respective customer bases. Some VARs, after
qualification, are being designated as a Vuzix Integration Partner or VIP. Such VIP partners gain early access to our new Smart Glasses
hardware, receive first access to the initial commercial shipments, and get access to co-marketing support, discounts and more. We are also
supporting select larger key accounts with our in-house direct sales team. For our Smart Glasses, we are also developing an ecosystem with
application developers from around the world. We have introduced our own hosted application store where our Smart Glasses customers
can download and purchase applications and software developer kits.
We currently sell our products internationally through resellers, distributors, direct to commercial customers, and via online stores
and various Vuzix operated web stores in Europe and Japan. Our international focus is currently on Japan and the European Union
(including the UK, the “EU”). In Japan, we have a branch sales and service office and a small warehouse in Tokyo. We employ two full-
time staff in Japan. We have a wholly-owned subsidiary, Vuzix (Europe) Limited, through which we conduct our business in the EU and
Middle Eastern markets. We maintain a small European sales office in Oxford, England that is staffed by full time sales consultants. For
warehousing, we have contracted with a third-party fulfillment center based in the UK to service our customers in the EU. In Q1-2022, post
Brexit, we established a third-party logistics fulfillment center relationship in the Netherlands to better serve our EU customers. We also
currently serve other APAC customers through a North American West Coast sales office.
For customer support for the Americas and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), we have contracted with a third-party end
user technical support firm that provides 16 hours of customer and technical support daily.
We intend to primarily provide our waveguide and miniature display engine modules and optics components to select OEMs to
incorporate into their branded products and sell through their own well-established distribution channels.
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An OEM/ODM design cycle typically requires between 6 and 24 months, depending upon the uniqueness of the market, and the complexity
of the end product. Because our waveguides and display engines are the main functional component that defines the imaging as well as
look and feel of many of our potential OEM customers' end products, we intend to work closely with these customers to provide technical
assistance throughout their product evaluation and any eventual integration process.
We believe that the technical nature of our potential OEM products such as waveguides and display projectors with micro-
displays, demands close relationships with such customers. Our sales and marketing staff, assisted by our technical staff and senior
management, visit prospective and existing customers worldwide on a regular basis. We believe these contacts are vital to the development
of a close, long-term working relationship with our OEM customers, and in obtaining regular forecasts, market updates and information
regarding technical and market trends. We also participate in industry specific trade shows and conferences.
Marketing
Our marketing and sales group in conjunction with external firms is responsible for product management, planning, advertising,
marketing communications, and public relations. We have both internal and external public relations efforts in the U.S. and UK. We also
employ marketing firms to help prepare brochures, packaging, tradeshow messaging and advertising campaigns, focused on either the
enterprise or consumer end markets. Most of our products are currently sold under the Vuzix brand name. We seek to have Vuzix become
known as one of the premier suppliers of wearable display products for enterprise applications and AR smart glasses. We currently
undertake specific marketing activities as needed, including, but not limited to:
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product reviews, case studies and promotions in trade publications;
case studies on successful enterprise uses of Smart Glasses and AR;
product and technology views for our website and social media;
internet and search engine advertising and targeted emails;
public relations; and
trade shows and event sponsorships.
We engage in select marketing efforts that are intended to drive customers to our products and to grow awareness of our AR Smart
Glasses and wearable displays in general. Public relations and product videos are an important aspect of our marketing and we intend to
continue to distribute samples of our products to key industry participants. We intend to focus our marketing efforts for the next 12 months
on:
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distinguishing our AR Smart Glasses products from current competitors and by offering products with superior performance
and advanced optics relative to those of our competitors;
● working with third-party software developers to support the unique capabilities of our new products; and
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creating brand awareness with the press and general public of Vuzix and our products, with particular emphasis on our new
forthcoming waveguide-based products.
Our Smart Glasses are sold through valued-added resellers, direct to end customers, through our webstore and through a limited
number of third party online stores, such as Amazon. Our website, www.vuzix.com, is an important part of our direct sales efforts.
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Engineering Services and OEM Products
We primarily respond to sales inquiries for our engineering services programs and OEM component requests directly and usually
in response to inbound inquiries. We do not offer “works for hire” services at Vuzix but rather offer our services to opportunities that could
result in advancing our technology or end up in a long-term supply or OEM relationship. We believe we have established a strong
reputation for quality, performance, and innovation for wearable near-eye display systems that will be attractive to many types of
commercial users who want to leverage our services and products within their businesses. Our design and engineering staff are actively
involved with customers during all phases of prototype design through production by providing engineering data, up-to-date product
application notes, regular follow-up and technical assistance.
We continue to receive inbound requests for engagement related to our proprietary waveguide optics and miniature display
engines from some of the world’s largest consumer and mobile electronics firms. Our business strategy is to commercialize our waveguide
and display engine technologies and products to permit select ODMs and OEMs to integrate and embed our technologies and products in a
way that best matches their unique capabilities and timeline for bringing their products to market. We now formally offer these solutions
actively on our website.
Manufacturing
We purchase product components from our suppliers, engage third-party contract manufacturing firms to perform electronic circuit
board and cable assemblies, and now do the final assembly of our products primarily in our West Henrietta, New York facility. From 2016
to the summer of 2019, we used primarily contract manufacturers in China to assemble our products. We are experienced in the successful
production of our products in moderate volumes. Our current facilities are capable of tens of thousands of finished products in total
annually, and we believe producing out of these facilities at these levels is more economical and easier to manage than through third
parties. We also manufacture all our waveguide optics in our cleanroom environments at our West Henrietta, New York facility. We
evaluate contract manufacturers and component suppliers on an ongoing basis, including whether or not to utilize new or alternative
contract manufacturers or component suppliers. However, we also expect to manufacture all our waveguide optics only at our West
Henrietta, New York facility.
We currently purchase almost all of the micro-displays used in our products from Sony Corporation and Texas Instruments. Our
relationship with these micro-display suppliers is generally on a purchase order basis and none have a contractual obligation to provide
adequate supply or acceptable pricing to us on a long-term basis, nor do we have any contractual obligation to purchase micro-displays
from them. We have operated this way for over a decade with these suppliers. Our Cobra II display engine is based on our proprietary
design and is exclusively manufactured for us by a firm in Asia and it incorporates a DLP engine from Texas Instruments. We generally
procure our other non-micro-display components and products from our vendors on a purchase order basis without any long-term
commitments. Many of the raw materials used in our components are standard to the consumer electronics and computer industry. We
provide forecasts that allow our contract manufacturers to stock component parts and other materials and plan capacity. Our contract
manufacturers procure raw materials in volumes consistent with our forecasts, manufacture and/or assemble the products and perform tests
according to our specifications. In some cases, we procure specific components and either sell them or consign them to our contract
manufacturers. Products are either shipped to our customers or shipped to our West Henrietta, New York headquarters to be inventoried as
finished goods. We currently use several manufacturing sources in Asia where we have located some of our tooling.
While we do not manufacture our components, other than waveguides, we own the tooling that is used to make our custom
components. Some of our accessory products are sourced from third parties as finished goods. We typically have them print our Vuzix
brand name on these products if they are co-branded. Such third-party products represented less than 5% of our sales in last three fiscal
years.
Our manufacturing is not currently subject to seasonal variations, but in the future, depending upon our customers' product mix,
we may be affected by seasonal fluctuations which could affect working capital demands.
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We work with third-party fulfillment partners in the UK and EU that deliver our products to customers in Europe, the Middle East,
and Africa, which allows us to reduce order fulfillment time, reduce shipping costs, and improve inventory flexibility.
Backlog
There is a relatively short cycle between order and shipment of our product sales. Most purchase orders we receive are subject to
rescheduling or cancellation by the customer with no or limited penalties. In regard to sales of custom products and waveguides to our OEM
customers, we believe that the backlog metric is of limited utility in predicting future sales because all these OEM customers operate on a
ship-to-order basis. Therefore, we believe at this time that backlog information is not material to the understanding of our business.
Employees
As of March 2, 2022, we had 106 full-time employees in North America, of which 45 are in research and development and
engineering services support. In Japan we have 2 full-time employees to manage our Asian sales activities. In England we have 2 full-time
contractors to manage our European sales and marketing activities.
Available Information
We make available free of charge through our website, www.vuzix.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q and our proxy statements and other reports that we file or furnish with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after they are
filed or furnished, as well as certain of our corporate governance policies, including the charters for the Board of Directors’ audit,
compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees and our code of ethics, corporate governance guidelines and
whistleblower policy. We will also provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of any of the foregoing materials. Any such
request must be made in writing to us, c/o Investor Relations, Vuzix Corporation, 25 Hendrix Road, West Henrietta, NY, 14586.
Information about Geographic Revenue
Information about geographic revenue is described in Note 18, “Geographic and Other Financial Information” in the notes to our
consolidated financial statements.
History - Corporate
We were incorporated in Delaware in 1997 as VR Acquisition Corp. In 1997, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Forte
Technologies, Inc. (Forte), which was engaged in the manufacture and sale of Virtual Reality headsets and the development of related
technologies. Forte was originally owned and controlled by Kopin Corporation, one of our prior micro-display suppliers. Most of the
technologies developed by Forte are now owned and used by us.
Reference in this report to “Vuzix”, the “Company”, “we,” “us,” “our” and similar words refer to Vuzix Corporation and its
wholly-owned subsidiary.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. An investor should carefully consider the risks described below,
together with all of the other information included in this annual report, before making an investment decision. Our business, financial
condition or results of operations could suffer as a result of these risks. In that case, the market value of our securities could decline, and an
investor may lose all or part of his or her investment.
Summary of Risk Factors:
● We have incurred net losses since our inception and may continue to incur losses.
● We operate in a highly competitive market and the size, resources and brand name of some of our competitors may allow them to
compete more effectively than we can, which could result in a loss of our market share and a decrease in our revenue and
profitability.
● We depend on advances in technology by other companies and if those advances do not materialize, some of our anticipated new
products could be delayed or cancelled.
● Our products could infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
●
If we lose our rights under our third-party technology licenses, our operations could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have incurred net losses since our inception and may continue to incur losses.
We reported a net loss of $40,377,160 for the year ended December 31, 2021, a net loss of $17,952,172 for the year ended
December 31, 2020, and a net loss of $26,476,370 for the year ended December 31, 2019. We have an accumulated deficit of $203,072,143
as of December 31, 2021.
We may not achieve or maintain profitability in the future. We will need to increase sales in order to achieve and maintain
profitability. In addition, we expect that our expenses relating to product development and research, sales and marketing, as well as our
general and administrative costs, may increase as our business grows. If we do not achieve and maintain profitability, our financial
condition will ultimately be materially and adversely affected and we would eventually be required to raise additional capital. We may not
be able to raise any necessary capital on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we fail to achieve or maintain profitability on a
quarterly or annual basis within the timeframe expected by investors, the market price of our common stock may decline.
We operate in a highly competitive market and the size, resources and brand name of some of our competitors may allow them to
compete more effectively than we can, which could result in a loss of our market share and a decrease in our revenue and profitability.
The market for head-worn display devices, including AR and Smart Glasses, is highly competitive. Further, we expect competition
to intensify in the future as existing competitors introduce new and more competitive offerings alongside their existing products, and as new
market entrants introduce new products into our markets. We compete against established, well-known diversified consumer electronics
manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Corporation, LG Electronics (LGE), HTC, Lenovo, and large software and other
products companies such as Alphabet Inc. (Google), Microsoft Corporation, Meta (Facebook) and Snap. Many of our current competitors
have substantial market share, diversified product lines, well-established supply and distribution systems, strong worldwide brand
recognition and greater financial, marketing, research and development and other resources than we do. In addition, many of our existing
and potential competitors enjoy substantial competitive advantages, such as:
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longer operating histories;
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the capacity to leverage their sales efforts and marketing expenditures across a broader portfolio of products;
broader distribution and established relationships with channel partners;
access to larger established customer bases and known branding;
greater resources to fund research and development and to make acquisitions;
larger intellectual property portfolios; and
the ability to bundle competitive offerings with other products and services.
Moreover, smartphones, tablets, and new wearable devices with ever growing larger video display screens, including foldable and
expandable screens, and ever increasing computing power have significantly improved the mobile personal computing experience. In the
future, the manufacturers of these devices, such as Apple Inc., Samsung, LGE, Lenovo, Fitbit, Google, Snap, Garmin, Meta/Facebook,
Microsoft and others may design or develop products similar to ours. In addition to competition or potential competition from large,
established companies, new companies may emerge and offer competitive products. Further, our current and prospective competitors may
consolidate with each other or acquire companies that will allow them to develop products that better compete with our products, which
would intensify the competition that we face and may also disrupt or lead to termination of our distribution, technology and content
partnerships. Increased competition may result in pricing pressures and reduced profit margins and may impede our ability to increase the
sales of our products, any one of which could substantially harm our business and results of operations.
Our lack of long-term purchase orders and commitments from our customers may lead to a rapid decline in our sales.
All of our customers issue purchase orders solely at their own discretion, often shortly before the requested date of shipment. Our
customers are generally able to cancel orders (without penalty) or delay the delivery of products on relatively short notice. In addition, our
current customers may decide not to purchase products from us for any reason. If those customers do not continue to purchase our products,
our sales volume could decline rapidly with little or no warning.
We cannot currently rely on long-term purchase orders or commitments to protect us from the negative financial effects of a
decline in demand for our products. We typically plan our production and inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer demand,
which are highly unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. Historically, our OEM customers are required to give us rolling forecasts
and issue non-cancellable purchase orders but they have options to reschedule or pay cancellation fees. The uncertainty of product orders
makes it difficult for us to forecast our sales and allocate our resources in a manner consistent with our actual sales. Moreover, our expense
levels and the amounts we invest in capital equipment and new product development costs are based in part on our expectations of future
sales and, if our expectations regarding future sales are inaccurate, we may be unable to reduce costs in a timely manner to adjust for sales
shortfalls. As a result of our lack of long-term purchase orders and purchase commitments, we may experience a rapid decline in our sales.
As a result of these and other factors, investors should not rely on our revenues and our operating results for any one quarter or
year as an indication of our future revenues or operating results. If our quarterly revenues or results of operations fall below expectations of
investors or public market analysts, the price of our common stock could fall substantially.
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If we do not effectively maintain and further develop our sales channels for our products, including developing and supporting our
value added resellers (VARs), distributors and retail sales channels, our business could be harmed.
We depend upon effective sales channels to assist us in reaching the customers who are the ultimate purchasers of our Smart Glass
and AR products. We primarily sell our products either from our in-house sales team directly to enterprise, medical and end users or
through our website and VARs.
Our distributors, third-party online resellers and VARs generally offer products from several different manufacturers.
Accordingly, we are at risk that these distributors, resellers and VARs may give higher priority to selling other companies’ products. If we
were to lose the services of a distributor, online reseller or VAR, we might need to find another in that area, and there can be no assurance
of our ability to do so in a timely manner or on favorable terms. Further, our resellers and distributors can at times build inventories in
anticipation of future sales, and if such sales do not occur as rapidly as they anticipate, our resellers and distributors will decrease the size of
their future product orders. We are also subject to the risks of our distributors, resellers and VARs encountering financial difficulties, which
could impede their effectiveness and also expose us to financial risk if they are unable to pay for the products they purchase from us. Any
reduction in sales by our current distributors or VARs, loss of key distributors and VARs or decrease in revenue from our distributors and
VARs could adversely affect our revenue, operating results and financial condition.
Our products require ongoing research and development and we may experience technical problems or delays, which could lead our
business to fail.
Our research and development efforts remain subject to all of the risks associated with the development of new products based on
emerging and innovative technologies, including, for example, unexpected technical problems or the possible insufficiency of funds for
completing development of these products. If we experience technical problems or delays, further improvements in our products and the
introduction of future products could be adversely impacted, and we could incur significant additional expenses and our business may fail.
We depend on advances in technology by other companies and if those advances do not materialize, some of our anticipated new
products could be delayed or cancelled.
We rely on and will continue to rely on technologies (including micro-displays, mobile computing electronics and operating
systems) that are developed and produced by other companies. The commercial success of certain of our planned future products will
depend in part on advances in these and other technologies by other companies. We may, from time to time, contract with and support
companies developing key technologies in order to accelerate the development of them for our specific uses. Such activities might not result
in useful technologies or components for us. We are attempting to mitigate this risk by exploring ways to develop our own micro-display
technologies using LED, microLED and laser scanning displays, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
If micro-display-based personal or near-eye displays do not gain greater acceptance in the market for mobile displays, our business
strategy may fail.
The mobile display market is dominated by displays larger than one-inch, most of which are based on direct view liquid crystal
display, or LCD and organic light emitting display, or OLED technology. A number of companies have made and continue to make
substantial investments in, and are conducting research to improve characteristics of, handheld direct view LCDs and OLED displays.
Many of the leading manufacturers of these larger direct view LCDs, including LG Electronics, Royal Philips Electronics, Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation, HiMax, Omnivision, Citizen, and Sharp Corporation, are large, established companies with global
marketing capabilities, widespread brand recognition and extensive financial resources. Advances in direct view LCD and OLED
technology, microLED or other technologies, including foldable and stretchable displays may overcome their current market limitations and
permit them to remain or become more attractive technologies for personal viewing applications, which could limit the potential market for
our near-eye display and computing technology and cause our business strategy to fail.
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It is difficult to assess or predict with any certainty the potential size, timing and viability of market opportunities for our micro-
display-based AR Smart Glasses products or their level of market acceptance. Market acceptance of AR and Smart Glasses technology will
depend, in part, upon end-user acceptance of near-to-eye displays and upon micro-display technology providing benefits comparable to or
greater than those provided by alternative direct view display technology at a competitive price. Smart Glasses and AR products work best
when used close to the eye, which may not be acceptable to consumers. Such acceptance may depend on the relative complexity, reliability,
usefulness and cost-effectiveness of our near-eye display products compared to other display products available in the market or that may
be developed by our competitors. In addition, our products are not designed for a shared experience amongst multiple viewers at the same
time. Potential customers may be reluctant to adopt our Smart Glasses and AR products because of concerns surrounding perceived risks
relating to use and the fact that it is a new technology. Further, over half the world’s adult population needs some level of vision correction
which adds complexities in the design and ergonomics of any AR Smart Glasses products. If end-users fail to accept near-to-eye displays in
the numbers we anticipate or as soon as we anticipate, the sales of our Smart Glasses and AR products and our results of operations would
be adversely affected and our business strategy may fail.
There are a number of competing providers of micro-display-based personal display technology, including smart glasses, and we may
fail to capture a substantial portion of the personal wearable display market.
In addition to competing with direct view displays, we also compete with micro-display-based personal display technologies that
have been developed by other companies. Our primary personal display competitors are or have included Carl Zeiss, Inc., Sony, Epson,
Alphabet (Google), Brother International, 5DT Inc., eMagin Corporation, Meta/Facebook (Oculus), Avegant, Kopin Corporation, Magic
Leap, Lenovo, Microsoft, HTC, MicroVision, Inc., Lumus Ltd., Kaiser Electro Optics Inc., Garmin, Optinvent, HTC Valve, LGE, N-Real,
Epson, Zebra and Accupix of Korea. Numerous other start-up companies have announced their intentions to offer smart glasses and AR
products and developer kits in the near future. Further, industry blogs have speculated that companies such as Apple may offer AR glasses
in the near future.
Most of our competitors have greater financial, marketing, distribution and technical resources than we do. Moreover, our
competitors may succeed in developing new micro-display-based personal display technologies and near-eye products that are more
affordable or have more desirable features than our technology. If our products are unable to capture a reasonable portion of the smart
wearable display market, our business strategy may fail.
Product quality issues and a higher-than-expected number of warranty claims or returns could harm our business and operating
results.
The products that we sell could contain defects in design or manufacture. Defects could also occur in the products or components
that are supplied to us. There can be no assurance we will be able to detect and remedy all defects in the hardware and software we sell,
which could result in product recalls, product redesign efforts, loss of revenue, reputational damage and significant warranty and other
remediation expenses. Similar to other mobile and consumer electronics, our products have a risk of overheating in the course of usage or
upon malfunction. Any such defect could result in harm to property or in personal injury. If we determine that a product does not meet
product quality standards or may contain a defect, the launch of such product could be delayed until we remedy the quality issue or defect.
The costs associated with any protracted delay necessary to remedy a quality issue or defect in a new product could be substantial.
We generally provide a one-year warranty on all of our products, except in certain European countries where it can be two years if
it is deemed a consumer-focused product. The occurrence of any material defects in our products could expose us to liability for damages
and warranty claims in excess of our current reserves, and we could incur significant costs to correct any defects, warranty claims or other
problems. In addition, if any of our product designs are defective or are alleged to be defective, we may be required to participate in a recall
campaign. In part due to the terms of our warranty policy, any failure rate of our products that exceeds our expectations may result in
unanticipated losses. Any negative publicity related to the perceived quality of our products could affect our brand image and decrease
retailer, VAR, distributor and consumer confidence and demand, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Further, accidental damage coverage and extended warranties are regulated in the United States at
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the state level and are treated differently within each state. Additionally, outside of the United States, regulations for extended warranties
and accidental damage vary from country to country. Changes in interpretation of the regulations concerning extended warranties and
accidental damage coverage on a federal, state, local or international level may cause us to incur costs or have additional regulatory
requirements to meet in the future in order to continue to offer our support services. Our failure to comply with past, present and future
similar laws could result in reduced sales of our products, reputational damage, penalties and other sanctions, which could harm our
business and financial condition.
Our products could likely experience declining unit prices and we may not be able to offset that decline with production cost decreases
or higher unit sales.
In the markets in which we compete, prices of established consumer electronics displays, personal computers, and mobile products
tend to decline significantly over time or as new enhanced versions are introduced, frequently every 12 to 24 months. In order to maintain
adequate product profit margins over the long term, we believe that we will need to continuously develop product enhancements and new
technologies that will either slow price declines of our products or reduce the cost of producing and delivering our products. While we
anticipate many opportunities to reduce production costs over time, we may not be able to reduce our component costs. We expect to
attempt to offset the anticipated decrease in our average selling price by introducing new products, increasing our sales volumes or
adjusting our product mix. If we fail to do so, our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
Our products could infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
Companies in the consumer electronics, wireless communications, semiconductor, IT and display industries steadfastly pursue and
protect intellectual property rights, often times resulting in considerable and costly litigation to determine the validity of patents and claims
by third parties of infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights. Our products could be found to infringe on the intellectual
property rights of others. Other companies may hold or obtain patents or inventions or other proprietary rights in technology necessary for
our business. Periodically, other companies inquire about our products and technology in their attempts to assess whether we violate their
intellectual property rights. If we are forced to defend against infringement claims, we may face costly litigation, diversion of technical and
management personnel, and product shipment delays, even if the allegations of infringement are unwarranted. If there is a successful claim
of infringement against us and we are unable to develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely
basis, or if we are required to cease using one or more of our business or product names due to a successful trademark infringement claim
against us, it could adversely affect our business.
Our intellectual property rights and proprietary rights may not adequately protect our products.
Our commercial success will depend substantially on our ability to obtain patents and other intellectual property rights and
maintain adequate legal protection for our products in the United States and other countries. We will be able to protect our intellectual
property from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that these assets are covered by valid and enforceable patents, trademarks,
copyrights or other intellectual property rights, or are effectively maintained as trade secrets. As of the date of this filing, we have 125
issued U.S. and foreign patents and 116 pending U.S. and foreign patent applications. We apply for patents covering our products, services,
technologies and designs, as we deem appropriate. We may fail to apply for patents on important products, services, technologies or designs
in a timely fashion, or at all. We do not know whether any of our patent applications will result in the issuance of any patents. Even if
patents are issued, they may not be sufficient to protect our products, services, technologies, or designs. Our existing and future patents may
not be sufficiently broad to prevent others from developing competing products, services technologies, or designs. Intellectual property
protection and patent rights outside of the United States are even less predictable. As a result, the validity and enforceability of patents
cannot be predicted with certainty. Moreover, we cannot be certain whether:
● we were the first to conceive, reduce to practice, invent, or file the inventions covered by each of our issued patents and
pending patent applications;
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●
others will independently develop similar or alternative products, technologies, services or designs or duplicate any of our
products, technologies, services or designs;
●
any patents issued to us will provide us with any competitive advantages, or will be challenged by third parties;
● we will develop additional proprietary products, services, technologies or designs that are patentable; or
●
the patents of others will have an adverse effect on our business.
The patents we own or license and those that may be issued to us in the future may be challenged, invalidated, rendered
unenforceable or circumvented, and the rights granted under any issued patents may not provide us with proprietary protection or
competitive advantages. Moreover, third parties could replicate our inventions in territories where we do not have patent protection or in
territories where they could obtain a compulsory license to our technology where patented. Such third parties may then try to import
products made using our inventions into the United States or other territories. We cannot ensure that any of our pending patent applications
will result in issued patents, or even if issued, predict the breadth, validity and enforceability of the claims upheld in our and other
companies’ patents.
Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise use aspects of our processes and products that we regard as proprietary.
Policing unauthorized use of our proprietary information and technology is difficult and can be costly, and our efforts to do so may not
prevent misappropriation of our technologies. We may become engaged in litigation to protect or enforce our patent and other intellectual
property rights or in International Trade Commission proceedings to abate the importation of goods that would compete unfairly with our
products and, if unsuccessful, these actions could result in the loss of patent or other intellectual property rights protection for the key
technologies on which our business strategy depends.
We rely in part on unpatented proprietary technology, and others may independently develop the same or similar technology or
otherwise obtain access to our unpatented technology. We require employees, contractors, consultants, financial advisors, suppliers and
strategic partners to enter into confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements (as appropriate), but these agreements may
not provide sufficient protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information.
The laws of certain countries do not protect intellectual property and proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United
States and, therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our products, services, technologies and designs adequately
against unauthorized third-party copying, infringement or use, which could adversely affect our competitive position. To protect or enforce
our intellectual property rights, we may initiate proceedings or litigation against third parties. Such proceedings or litigation may be
necessary to protect our trade secrets or know-how, products, technologies, designs, brands, reputation, likeness, authorship works or other
intellectual property rights. Such proceedings or litigation may also be necessary to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the
proprietary rights of others. Any proceedings or lawsuits that we initiate could be expensive, take significant time and divert management’s
attention from other business concerns. Additionally, we may provoke third parties to assert claims against us, which could invalidate or
narrow the scope of our own intellectual property rights. We may not prevail in any proceedings or lawsuits that we initiate and the
damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may be commercially valuable. The occurrence of any of these events may adversely affect our
business, financial condition and operating results.
We have registered and applied to register certain of our trademarks in several jurisdictions worldwide. In some jurisdictions
where we have applied to register our trademarks, other applications or registrations exist for the same, similar or otherwise related products
or services. If we are not successful in arguing that there is no likelihood of confusion between our marks and the marks that are the subject
of the other applications or registrations owned by third parties, our applications may be denied, preventing us from obtaining trademark
registrations and adequate protection for our marks in the relevant jurisdictions, which could impact our ability to build our brand identity
and market our products and services in those jurisdictions. Whether or not our application is denied, third parties may claim that our
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trademarks infringe their rights. As a result, we could be forced to pay significant settlement costs or cease the use of these trademarks and
associated elements of our brand in the United States or other jurisdictions.
Even in those jurisdictions where we are able to register our trademarks, competitors may adopt or apply to register similar
trademarks to ours, may register domain names that mimic ours or incorporate our trademarks, or may purchase keywords that are identical
or confusingly similar to our brand names as terms in Internet search engine advertising programs, which could impede our ability to build
our brand identity and lead to confusion among potential customers of our products and services. If we are not successful in proving that we
have prior rights in our marks and arguing that there is a likelihood of confusion between our marks and the marks of these third parties,
our inability to prevent these third parties from using such may negatively impact the strength, value and effectiveness of our brand names
and our ability to market our products and prevent consumer confusion.
If we lose our rights under our third-party technology licenses, our operations could be adversely affected.
Our business depends in part on technology rights and software licensed from third parties. We could lose our exclusivity or other
rights to use the technology under our licenses if we fail to comply with the terms and performance requirements of the licenses. In
addition, certain licensors may terminate a license upon our breach and have the right to consent to sublicense arrangements. If we were to
lose our rights under any of these licenses, or if we were unable to obtain required consents to future sublicenses, we could lose a
competitive advantage in the market, and may even lose the ability to commercialize certain products or technologies completely. Either of
these results could substantially decrease our revenues.
Our business depends in part on access to third-party platforms or technologies, and if the access is withdrawn, denied, or is not
available on terms acceptable to us, or if the platforms or technologies change without notice to us, our business and operating results
could be adversely affected.
With the growth of mobile devices and personal voice assistants, cloud services and AI, the number of supporting platforms has
grown, and with it the complexity and increased need for us to have business and contractual relationships with the platform owners in order
to produce products compatible with these platforms and enable access to and use of these platforms with our products. Our product strategy
includes current and future products designed for use with third-party platforms or software, such as iPhone, Android phones, Google
Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Our business in these categories relies on our access to the platforms of third parties, some of whom are our
competitors. Platform owners that are competitors may limit or decline access to their platforms, and in any case have a competitive
advantage in designing products for their own platforms and may produce products that work better, or are perceived to work better, than
our products in connection with those platforms. As we expand the number of platforms and software applications with which our products
are compatible, we may not be successful in launching products for those platforms or software applications and/or we may not be
successful in establishing strong relationships with the new platform or software owners, which could negatively impact our ability to
develop and produce high-quality products on a timely basis for those platforms and software applications. We may otherwise fail to
navigate various new relationships, which could adversely affect our relationships with existing platform or software owners.
Our access to third-party platforms may also require paying a royalty or licensing fee, which lowers our product margins or may
otherwise be on terms that are not acceptable to us. In addition, the third-party platforms or technologies used to interact with our product
portfolio can be delayed in production or can change without prior notice to us, which can result in our having excess inventory, lower
margins, or customer support issues.
If we are unable to access third-party platforms or technologies, or if our access is withdrawn, denied, or is not available on terms
acceptable to us, or if the platforms or technologies are delayed or change without notice to us, our business and operating results could be
adversely affected.
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Our use of open source software could negatively affect our ability to sell our products and could subject us to possible litigation.
We incorporate open source software into our products. Open source software is generally licensed by its authors or other third
parties under open source licenses. Some of these licenses contain requirements that we make available source code for modifications or
derivative works we create based upon the open source software, and that we license such modifications or derivative works under the terms
of a particular open source license or other license granting third parties certain rights of further use. Additionally, if a third-party software
provider has incorporated open source software into software that we license from such provider, we could be required to disclose any of
our source code that incorporates or is a modification of our licensed software. If an author or other third-party that distributes open source
software that we use or license were to allege that we had not complied with the conditions of the applicable license, we could be required
to incur significant legal expenses defending against those allegations and could be subject to significant damages, enjoined from offering
or selling our products that contained the open source software and be required to comply with the foregoing conditions. Any of the
foregoing could disrupt and harm our business and financial condition.
Our dependence on sales to VARs, resellers, and distributors increases the risks of managing our supply chain and may result in excess
inventory or inventory shortages.
Many of our various reseller relationships for our Smart Glasses and AR products and their accessories could involve them taking
inventory positions and reselling to multiple customers. Under some distributor relationships, we would not recognize revenue until the
distributors sell the product to their end user customers and receive payment thereon; however, at this time we do not currently enter into
these types of arrangements. Our distributor and VAR relationships may reduce our ability to forecast sales and increase risks to our
business. Since our distributors and VARs would act as intermediaries between us and the end user customers or resellers, we would be
required to rely on our distributors to accurately report inventory levels and production forecasts. This may require us to manage a more
complex supply chain and monitor the financial condition and credit worthiness of our distributors and VARs and their major end user
customers. Our failure to manage one or more of these risks could result in excess inventory or shortages that could adversely impact our
operating results and financial condition.
We may lose the services of key management personnel and may not be able to attract and retain other necessary personnel.
Changes in our management could have an adverse effect on our business, and in particular, while our staff is relatively small with
just over 100 employees and full-time foreign contractors globally, we are dependent upon the active participation of several key
management personnel, including Paul Travers, our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Travers is critical to the strategic direction
and overall management of our company as well as our research and development process. The loss of Mr. Travers could adversely affect
our business, financial condition and operating results. We do not carry key person life insurance on any of our senior management or other
key personnel other than our CEO. Our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Grant Russell, a Canadian citizen, currently
has his principal residence in Vancouver, Canada and a second residence in West Henrietta, New York. If he becomes unable to legally or
efficiently travel to and work in the United States, his ability to perform some of his duties could be materially adversely affected.
We will need to hire and retain highly skilled technical personnel as employees and as independent contractors in order to develop
our products and grow our business. The competition for highly skilled technical, managerial and other personnel is at times intense. Our
recruiting and retention success is substantially dependent upon our ability to offer competitive salaries and benefits to our employees. We
must compete with companies that possess greater financial and other resources than we do and that may be more attractive to potential
employees and contractors. To be competitive, we may have to increase the compensation, bonuses, stock options and other fringe benefits
we offer to employees in order to attract and retain such personnel. Further, due to COVID-19, many employees have worked remotely and
some want to make it a permanent arrangement, which can further complicate their management. The costs of retaining or attracting new
personnel may have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. If we
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fail to attract and retain the technical and managerial personnel required to be successful, our business, operating results and financial
condition could be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to Manufacturing
The manufacture of waveguides encompasses several complex processes and several steps of our production processes are dependent
upon certain critical machines and tools which could result in delivery interruptions, which could adversely affect our operating results.
Our product technology and manufacturing processes are evolving which can result in production challenges and difficulties. We
may be unable to produce our products in sufficient quantity and quality to maintain existing customers and attract new customers. In
addition, we may experience manufacturing problems which could result in delays in delivery of orders or product introductions. We
currently do not have full equipment redundancy in our manufacturing facility. If we experience any significant disruption in the operation
of our manufacturing facility or a serious failure of a critical piece of equipment, we may be unable to supply products to our customers in a
timely manner. Interruptions in our manufacturing could be caused by equipment problems, the introduction of new equipment into the
manufacturing process or delays in the delivery of new manufacturing equipment. Lead-time for delivery, installation, testing, repair and
maintenance of manufacturing equipment can be extensive. We have experienced production interruptions in the past and no assurance can
be given that we will not lose potential sales or be able to meet production orders due to future production interruptions in our
manufacturing lines.
Our waveguide and display engine products are subject to lengthy OEM development periods.
We intend to sell some of our waveguide and display engines with micro-displays to OEMs with the objective that they then
incorporate them into products they sell. To date this business has not been a material contributor to our overall revenues, but it could
become so in the future. OEMs determine during their product development phase whether they will incorporate our products. The time
elapsed between initial sampling of our products by OEMs, the custom design of our products to meet specific OEM product requirements,
and the ultimate incorporation of our products into OEM products is significant, often with a duration of between one to two years or even
longer. If our products fail to meet our eventual OEM customers’ cost, performance or technical requirements or if unexpected technical
challenges arise in the integration of our products into OEM consumer products, our operating results could be significantly and adversely
affected. Long delays in achieving customer qualification and incorporation of our products also could adversely affect our business.
We depend on third parties to provide integrated circuit chip sets and other critical components for use in our products.
We do not manufacture the integrated circuit chip sets, microprocessors, wireless chips, optics, micro-displays, backlights,
projection engines, printed circuit boards or other electronic components which are used in our products. Instead, we purchase them from
third-party suppliers or rely on third-party independent contractors for these integrated circuit chip sets and other critical components, some
of which are customized or custom made for us. We also may use third parties to assemble all or portions of our products. Some of these
third-party contractors and suppliers are small companies with limited financial resources. In addition, any partial or full government-
mandated shutdowns resulting from COVID-19 may cause supply chain disruptions. If any of these third-party contractors or suppliers
were unable or unwilling to supply these integrated circuit chip sets or other critical components to us, we would be unable to manufacture
and sell our products until a suitable replacement supplier could be found. We may be unable to find, if and when needed, a replacement
third-party contractor or supplier on reasonable terms or in a timely manner. Any interruption in our ability to manufacture and distribute
our products could cause our business to be unsuccessful.
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Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The rights of holders of common stock may be impaired by the possible future issuance of preferred stock.
Our Board of Directors has the right, without approval of the holders of our common stock (subject to the rules of any exchange
on which our securities are then listed), to issue additional preferred stock with voting, dividend, conversion, liquidation and other rights
which could adversely affect the voting power and equity interest of the holders of common stock, which could be issued with the right to
more than one vote per share, and could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change-of-control. The possible
negative impact on takeover attempts could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Although we have no present intention to issue
any shares of preferred stock, we may issue these shares in the future.
We have not paid dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in the future on our common stock.
We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend on earnings, financial condition, and other business and economic factors
affecting us at such time as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. If we do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less
valuable because a return on a stockholders’ investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
Our stock price may be volatile in the future.
The trading price of our common stock has been subject to wide fluctuations in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in results
of operations, announcements of technological innovations or new products introduced by us or our competitors, general conditions in the
wireless communications, consumer electronics, semiconductor and display markets, changes in earnings estimates by analysts or other
events or factors. In addition, the public stock markets recently have experienced extreme price and trading volatility. This volatility has
significantly affected the market prices of securities of many technology companies for reasons frequently unrelated to the operating
performance of the specific companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
There is uncertainty regarding the exclusive forum clause in our amended and restated bylaws.
Our amended and restated bylaws include a clause that provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the
exclusive forum for certain types of actions that may be brought against us. There is uncertainty as to whether we would seek to, or whether
we could successfully, apply this exclusive forum provision to any actions that may be brought against us under the Securities Act.
Additional stock offerings in the future may dilute then existing stockholders’ percentage ownership of our company.
Given our capital plans, needs and expectations, we may issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible or
exercisable for shares of common stock, including convertible preferred stock, convertible notes, stock options or warrants. The issuance of
additional securities in the future will dilute the percentage ownership of then existing stockholders.
General Risk Factors
Our future growth and profitability may be adversely affected if our marketing initiatives are not effective in generating sufficient levels
of our product and brand awareness.
Our future growth and profitability from our enterprise, industrial and medical markets focused products will depend in large part
upon the effectiveness and efficiency of our marketing efforts, including our ability to:
●
create awareness of our brand and products;
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●
●
●
convert customer awareness into actual product purchases;
effectively manage marketing costs (including creative and media) in order to maintain acceptable operating margins and return
on marketing investment; and
successfully offer to sell our products or license our technology to third-party companies for sale under their own brand name
as OEM partners.
Our planned marketing expenditures may not result in increased total sales or generate sufficient levels of product and brand name
awareness. We may not be able to manage our marketing expenditures on a cost-effective basis.
If we fail to keep pace with changing technologies or are unable to anticipate customer preferences, our business and results of
operations may be materially adversely affected.
Rapidly changing customer requirements, evolving technologies and industry standards characterize the consumer electronics, IT,
mobile devices, smart phone, wearables and display industries. To achieve our goals, we need to enhance our existing products and develop
and market new products that keep pace with continuing changes in industry standards, requirements and customer preferences.
Our success depends on our ability to originate new products and to identify product trends as well as to anticipate and react to
changing customer demands in a timely manner. If we are unable to introduce new products or novel technologies in a timely manner or our
new products or technologies are not accepted by customers, our competitors may introduce more attractive products, which could hurt our
competitive position. Our new products might not receive customer acceptance if customer preferences shift to other products, and our
future success depends in part on our ability to anticipate and respond to these changes. Failure to anticipate and respond in a timely manner
to changing customer preferences could lead to, among other things, lower revenue and excess inventory levels.
Our business and products are subject to government regulation and we may incur additional compliance costs or, if we fail to comply
with applicable regulations, may incur fines or be forced to suspend or cease operations.
In our current business and as we expand into new markets and product categories, we must comply with a wide variety of laws,
regulations, standards and other requirements governing, among other things, electrical safety, wireless emissions, health and safety, e-
commerce, consumer protection, export and import requirements, hazardous materials usage, product-related energy consumption,
packaging, recycling and environmental matters. Compliance with these laws, regulations, standards and other requirements may be
onerous and expensive, and they may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction (including from country to country), further
increasing the cost of compliance and doing business. Our products may require regulatory approvals or satisfaction of other regulatory
concerns in the various jurisdictions in which they are manufactured, sold or both. These requirements create procurement and design
challenges that require us to incur additional costs identifying suppliers and manufacturers who can obtain and produce compliant materials,
parts and products. Failure to comply with such requirements can subject us to liability, additional costs and reputational harm and, in
extreme cases, force us to recall products or prevent us from selling our products in certain jurisdictions. If there is a new regulation, or
change to an existing regulation, that significantly increases our costs of manufacturing or causes us to significantly alter the way that we
manufacture our products, this would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, while we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations,
there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors and agents will not violate such laws and regulations or our policies and
procedures.
Our products must comply with certain requirements of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulating
electromagnetic radiation in order to be sold in the United States and with comparable requirements of the regulatory authorities of the EU,
Japan, China and other jurisdictions in order to be sold in those jurisdictions. Our AR smart glasses products include wireless radios and
receivers which require additional emission testing. We are also subject to various environmental laws and governmental regulations related
to toxic, volatile, and other hazardous chemicals used in the third-party components incorporated into our products, including the Restriction
of Certain Hazardous Substances Directive, or RoHS and the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, or the
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WEEE Directive, as well as the implementing legislation of the EU member states. This directive restricts the distribution of products
within the EU that exceed very low maximum concentration amounts of certain substances, including lead. Similar laws and regulations
have been passed or are pending in China, Japan, and numerous countries around the world and may be enacted in other regions, including
in the United States, and we are, or may in the future be, subject to these laws and regulations.
From time to time, our products are subject to new domestic and international requirements. Compliance with regulations enacted
in the future could substantially increase our cost of doing business or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and our business. Any inability by us to comply with regulations in the future could result in the imposition of fines or in the suspension or
cessation of our operations or sales in the applicable jurisdictions. Any such inability by us to comply with regulations may also result in
our not being permitted, or limit our ability, to ship our products which would adversely affect our revenue and ability to achieve or
maintain profitability.
Although we have policies and procedures in place requiring our contract manufacturers and major component suppliers to
comply with the supply chain transparency requirements, such as RoHS Directive, we cannot provide assurance that our manufacturers and
suppliers consistently comply with these requirements. In addition, if there are changes to these or other laws (or their interpretation) or if
new related laws are passed in other jurisdictions, we may be required to re-engineer our products to use components compatible with these
regulations. This re-engineering and component substitution could result in additional costs to us or disrupt our operations or logistics.
The WEEE Directive requires electronic goods producers to be responsible for the collection, recycling and treatment of such
products. Changes in interpretation of the directive may cause us to incur costs or have additional regulatory requirements to meet in the
future in order to comply with this directive, or with any similar laws adopted in other jurisdictions. Our failure to comply with past, present
and future similar laws could result in reduced sales of our products, substantial product inventory write-offs, reputational damage, penalties
and other sanctions, which could harm our business and financial condition. We also expect that our products will be affected by new
environmental laws and regulations on an ongoing basis. To date, our expenditures for environmental compliance have not had a material
impact on our results of operations or cash flows and, although we cannot predict the future impact of such laws or regulations, they will
likely result in additional costs and may increase penalties associated with violations or require us to change the content of our products or
how they are manufactured, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Regulations related to conflict minerals may cause us to incur additional expenses and could limit the supply and increase the costs of
certain materials used in the manufacturing of our products.
As a public company, we are subject to requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of
2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, that require us to determine, disclose and report whether or not our products contain conflict minerals. These
requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of the materials used in the manufacture of components used in
our products. In addition, we have and will continue to incur additional costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including costs
related to conducting diligence procedures to determine the sources of conflict minerals that may be used in, or necessary for the production
of our products and, if applicable, potential changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification
activities. We also may face reputational harm if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict
free or if we are unable to alter our products, processes or sources of supply to avoid such materials.
If our customers are not satisfied with our technical support, firmware or software updates on some of our products, they may choose
not to purchase our products, which would adversely impact our business and operating results.
Our business relies, in part, on our customers’ satisfaction with the technical support, firmware, software and security updates we
provide to support our products. If we fail to provide technical support services and necessary updates that are responsive, satisfy our
customers’ expectations and resolve issues that they encounter with our products, customers may choose not to purchase additional products
and we may face brand and reputational harm, which could adversely affect our operating results.
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Our operating results may be adversely impacted by worldwide political, economic, public health uncertainties, wars and specific
conditions in the markets we address.
Any worsening of global economic, financial, or public health conditions, including global pandemics, such as COVID-19, could
materially adversely affect (i) our ability to raise, or the terms of needed capital; (ii) demand for our current and future products; and (iii)
the supply of components for our products. We cannot predict the timing, strength, or duration of any economic slowdown or subsequent
economic recovery, worldwide, or in the display industry.
Our results of operations may suffer if we are not able to successfully manage our increasing exposure to foreign exchange rate risks.
A substantial majority of our sales and cost of components are denominated in U.S. dollars. As our business grows, both our sales
and production costs may increasingly be denominated in other currencies. Where such sales or production costs are denominated in other
currencies, they are converted to U.S. dollars for the purpose of calculating any sales or costs to us. Our sales may decrease as a result of any
appreciation of the U.S. dollar against these other currencies.
The majority of our current expenditures are incurred in U.S. dollars and many of our components come from countries that
currently peg their currency against the U.S. dollar. If the pegged exchange rates change adversely or are allowed to float up, additional
U.S. dollars will be required to fund our purchases of these components.
Although we do not currently enter into currency option contracts or engage in other hedging activities, we may do so in the future.
There is no assurance that we will undertake any such hedging activities or that, if we do so, they will be successful in reducing the risks to
us of our exposure to foreign currency fluctuations.
Due to our significant level of international operations, including the use of foreign suppliers and contract manufactures, we are
subject to international operational, financial, legal, political and public health risks which could harm our operating results.
We purchase product components from our suppliers and engage third-party contract manufacturing firms to perform electronic
circuit board and cable assemblies. We moved the assembly of our finished products to our plant in West Henrietta, New York in late
summer 2019. Additionally, we use our West Henrietta, New York facility for the production of waveguides and their related display
engines and intend to do so for some time. In the future, our mature products could have their final assembly performed outside the United
States. Accordingly, a substantial part of our operations, including manufacturing of certain components used in our products, are outside of
the United States and many of our customers and suppliers have some or all of their operations in countries other than the United States.
Risks associated with our doing business outside of the United States include:
●
●
●
●
compliance burdens and costs with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations, particularly labor, environmental and other
laws and regulations that govern our operations in those countries;
legal uncertainties regarding foreign taxes, tariffs, border taxes, quotas, export controls, export licenses, import controls and
other trade barriers;
economic instability and high levels of inflation in the countries of our suppliers and customers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific
region, causing delays or reductions in orders for their products and therefore our sales;
political or public health instability, including global pandemics, such as COVID-19, in the countries in which our suppliers
operate;
●
changes or volatility in currency exchange rates; and
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difficulties in collecting accounts receivable and longer accounts receivable payment cycles.
Any of these factors could harm our own, our suppliers’ and our customers’ international operations and businesses and impair our
and/or their ability to continue expanding into international markets.
We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act or similar anti-bribery laws
in other jurisdictions in which we operate.
The global nature of our business and the significance of our international revenue create various domestic and local regulatory
challenges and subject us to risks associated with our international operations. We operate in areas of the world that experience corruption
by government officials to some degree and, in certain circumstances, compliance with anti-bribery and anticorruption laws may conflict
with local customs and practices. Our global operations require us to import and export to and from several countries, which geographically
expands our compliance obligations. In addition, changes in such laws could result in increased regulatory requirements and compliance
costs which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (U.K. Bribery Act), and similar anti-bribery and
anticorruption laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit U.S.-based companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments
to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, directing business to another, or securing an advantage. In addition,
U.S. public companies are required to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent their transactions and have an adequate system
of internal accounting controls. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for the corrupt actions taken by directors, officers,
employees, agents, or other strategic or local partners or representatives. As such, if we or our intermediaries fail to comply with the
requirements of the FCPA or similar legislation, governmental authorities in the United States and elsewhere could seek to impose
substantial civil and/or criminal fines and penalties which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, operating results
and financial condition.
We are subject to governmental export and import controls and economic sanctions laws that could subject us to liability and impair our
ability to compete in international markets.
The U.S. and various foreign governments have imposed controls, export license requirements and restrictions on the import or
export of some technologies. Our products are subject to U.S. export controls, including the Commerce Department’s Export Administration
Regulations and various economic and trade sanctions regulations established by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets
Controls, and exports of our products must be made in compliance with these laws. Furthermore, U.S. export control laws and economic
sanctions prohibit the provision of products and services to countries, governments, and persons targeted by U.S. sanctions. Even though we
take precautions to prevent our products from being provided to targets of U.S. sanctions, our products, including our firmware updates,
could be provided to those targets or provided by our customers despite such precautions. Any such provision could have negative
consequences, including government investigations, penalties and reputational harm. Our failure to obtain required import or export
approval for our products could harm our international and domestic sales and adversely affect our revenue.
If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed and maintained on Chinese imports or any related counter-measures are taken by
China, our revenue and results of operations may be materially harmed.
If significant tariffs or other restrictions are placed on Chinese imports or any related counter-measures are taken by China, our
revenue and results of operations may be materially harmed. In July 2018, the Trump Administration introduced a list of thousands of
categories of goods that began facing tariffs of up to 25%, inclusive of many components and services we have sourced or performed for us
in China by suppliers there. These tariffs currently affect most of our products and we may be required to raise our prices on those products
due to the tariffs, which may result in a loss of customers and harm our operating performance. If the existing tariffs are expanded or
interpreted by a court or governmental agency to apply to any of our other products, we may be required to raise our prices on those
products also, which may further result in a loss of customers and harm our operating performance. It is possible further tariffs will be
imposed on imports of our products, or that our business will be impacted by retaliatory trade measures
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taken by China or other countries in response to existing or future tariffs, causing us to raise prices or make changes to our operations, any
of which could materially harm our revenue or operating results.
Changes in trade policy in the United States and other countries, including changes in trade agreements and the imposition of tariffs
and the resulting consequences, may have adverse impacts on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The U.S. government has indicated and demonstrated its intent to alter its approach to international trade policy through the
renegotiation, and potential termination, of certain existing bilateral or multilateral trade agreements and treaties with, and the imposition of
tariffs on a wide range of products and other goods from China, countries in EMEA and other countries. Given our manufacturing in those
countries, and our lack of manufacturing elsewhere, policy changes in the United States or other countries, such as the tariffs already
proposed, implemented and threatened, present particular risks for us. Tariffs already implemented are having an adverse effect on certain
of our products and threatened additional tariffs could adversely affect more or all of our products. There are also risks associated with
retaliatory tariffs and resulting trade wars. We cannot predict future trade policy, the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements or treaties,
or tariffs and their impact on our business. A trade war could have a significant adverse effect on world trade and the world economy. To
the extent that trade tariffs and other restrictions imposed by the United States or other countries increase the price of, or limit the amount
of, our products or components or materials used in our products imported into the United States or other countries, or create adverse tax
consequences, the sales, cost or gross margin of our products may be adversely affected and the demand from our customers for products
and services may be diminished. Uncertainty surrounding international trade policy and disputes and protectionist measures could also have
an adverse effect on consumer confidence and spending. If we deem it necessary to alter all or a portion of our activities or operations in
response to such policies, agreements or tariffs, our capital and operating costs may increase. Our ongoing efforts to address these risks may
not be effective and may have long-term adverse effects on our operations and operating results that we may not be able to reverse. Such
efforts may also take time to implement or to have an effect, and may result in adverse quarterly financial results or fluctuations in our
quarterly financial results. As a result, changes in international trade policy, changes in trade agreements and tariffs could adversely affect
our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Any significant disruption to our ecommerce business could result in lost sales.
Our sales through our ecommerce channel have been growing. Sales through vuzix.com and our related EU, UK and Japanese
web stores generally have higher profit margins than sales through resellers, VARs and distributors. Online sales are subject to a number of
risks. System interruptions or delays could cause potential customers to fail to purchase our products and could harm our brand. The
operation of our direct-to-consumer ecommerce business through vuzix.com depends on our ability to maintain the efficient and
uninterrupted operation of online order-taking and fulfillment operations. Our ecommerce operations subject us to certain risks that could
have an adverse effect on our operating results, including risks related to the computer systems that operate our website and related support
systems, such as system failures, viruses, identity information thefts, denial-of-services attacks, computer hackers and similar disruptions. If
we are unable to continually add software and hardware, effectively upgrade our systems and network infrastructure and take other steps to
improve the efficiency of our systems, system interruptions or delays could occur that would adversely affect our operating results.
We utilize third-party vendors for our customer-facing ecommerce technology, portions of our order management system and
fulfillment internationally. We depend on our technology vendors to manage “up-time” of the front-end ecommerce store, manage the
intake of our orders, and export orders for fulfillment. Any failure on the part of our third-party ecommerce vendors or in our ability to
transition third-party services effectively could result in lost sales and harm our business.
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We collect, store, process and use portions of our customers’ personally identifiable information and other data, which subjects us to
governmental regulation and other legal obligations related to privacy, information security and data protection. Any cybersecurity
breaches or our actual or perceived failure to comply with such legal obligations by us, or by our third-party service providers or
partners, could harm our business.
We collect, store, process and use our customers’ personally identifiable information and other data in our transactions with them,
and we rely on third parties that are not directly under our control to do so as well. While we take reasonable measures intended to protect
the security, integrity and confidentiality of the personal information and other sensitive information we collect, store or transmit, we
cannot guarantee that inadvertent or unauthorized use or disclosure will not occur, or that third parties will not gain unauthorized access to
this information. While our privacy policies currently prohibit such activities, our third-party service providers or partners may engage in
such activity without our knowledge or consent. If we or our third-party service providers were to experience a breach, disruption or failure
of systems compromising our customers’ data, or if one of our third-party service providers or partners were to access our customers’
personal data without our authorization, our brand and reputation could be adversely affected, use of our products could decrease and we
could be exposed to a risk of loss, litigation and regulatory proceedings.
Regulatory scrutiny of privacy, data collection, use of data and data protection is intensifying globally, and the personal
information and other data we collect, store, process and use is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions
around the world, especially in Europe. These laws often develop in ways we cannot predict and may materially increase our cost of doing
business, particularly as we expand the nature and types of products we offer. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (the
"GDPR"), which came into effect in the EU and the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the "CCPA"),
which went into effect on January 1, 2020, imposes more stringent data protection requirements and provides for greater penalties for
noncompliance. These regulations require companies that process information to make new disclosures to consumers about their data
collection, use and sharing practices, and allows consumers to opt out of certain data sharing with third parties while providing a new cause
of action for data breaches. Further, data protection legislation is also becoming increasingly common in the United States at both the
federal and state level. The burdens imposed by these and other similar laws that may be enacted at the federal and state level may require
us to modify our data processing practices and policies and/or to incur substantial expenditures in order to comply.
Cybersecurity risks could adversely affect our business and disrupt our operations.
The threats to network and data security are increasingly diverse and sophisticated. Despite our efforts and processes to prevent
breaches, our devices, as well as our servers, computer systems, and those of third parties that we use in our operations are vulnerable to
cybersecurity risks, including cyber-attacks such as viruses and worms, phishing attacks, denial-of-service attacks, physical or electronic
break-ins, employee theft or misuse, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our servers and computer systems or those
of third parties that we use in our operations, which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of critical data, unauthorized access to user data,
and loss of consumer confidence. In addition, we may be the target of email scams that attempt to acquire personal information or company
assets. Despite our efforts to create security barriers to such threats, we may not be able to entirely mitigate these risks. Any cyber-attack
that attempts to obtain our or our users’ data and assets, disrupt our service, or otherwise access our systems, or those of third parties we
use, if successful, could adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition, be expensive to remedy, and damage our
reputation. In addition, any such breaches may result in negative publicity, adversely affect our brand, decrease demand for our products
and services, and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Our failure to effectively manage growth could harm our business.
We intend to expand the number and types of products we sell. We will need to replace and regularly introduce on a timely basis
new products and technologies, enhance existing products, and effectively stimulate customer demand for new products and upgraded or
enhanced versions of our existing products.
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The replacement and expansion of our products places a significant strain on our management, operations and engineering
resources. Specifically, the areas that are strained most by these activities include the following:
● New Product Launches: With the changes in and growth of our product portfolio, we will experience increased complexity in
coordinating product development, manufacturing, and shipping. As this complexity increases, it places a strain on our ability
to accurately coordinate the commercial launch of our products with adequate supply to meet anticipated customer demand and
effectively market to stimulate demand and market acceptance. We have experienced delays in the past. If we are unable to
scale and improve our product launch coordination, we could frustrate our customers and lose possible retail shelf space and
product sales;
● Existing Products Impacted by New Introductions: The introduction of new products or product enhancements may shorten
the life cycle of our existing products, or replace sales of some of our current products, thereby offsetting the benefit of even a
successful product introduction and may cause customers to defer purchasing our existing products in anticipation of the new
products and potentially lead to challenges in managing inventory of existing products. We may also provide price protection to
some of our retailers as a result of our new product introductions and reduce the prices of existing products. If we fail to
effectively manage new product introductions, our revenue and profitability may be harmed; and
●
Forecasting, Planning and Supply Chain Logistics: With the changes in and growth of our product portfolio, we will
experience increased complexity in forecasting customer demand, in planning for production, and in transportation and logistics
management. If we are unable to scale and improve our forecasting, planning, production, and logistics management, we could
frustrate our customers, lose product sales or accumulate excess inventory.
Our facilities and information systems and those of our key suppliers could be damaged as a result of disasters or unpredictable events,
which could have an adverse effect on our business operations.
We operate the majority of our business from one location in West Henrietta, New York (a suburb of Rochester). We also rely on
third-party manufacturing plants in the US and Asia and third-party logistics, sales and marketing facilities in Japan and Europe, and in
other parts of the world to provide key components for our products and services. If major disasters such as earthquakes, pandemics, fires,
floods, wars, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, transportation disasters or other events occur in any of these locations, or our information
systems or communications network or those of any of our key component suppliers breaks down or operates improperly as a result of such
events, our facilities or those of our key suppliers may be seriously damaged, and we may have to stop or delay production and shipment of
our products. We may also incur expenses relating to such damages. If production or shipment of our products or components is stopped or
delayed or if we incur any increased expenses as a result of damage to our facilities, our business, operating results and financial condition
could be materially adversely affected.
We do not control our component suppliers, service providers and contract manufacturers or currently require them to comply with a
formal code of conduct, and actions that they might take could harm our reputation and sales.
We do not control our component suppliers, service providers and contract manufacturers, including their labor, environmental or
other practices, or require them to comply with a formal code of conduct. Though we conduct periodic visits to some of our contract
manufacturers and suppliers, these visits are not frequent or thorough enough to detect non-compliance with applicable laws and good
industry practices. A violation of labor, environmental or other laws by our contract manufacturers or suppliers, or a failure of these parties
to follow ethical business practices, could lead to negative publicity and harm our reputation. In addition, we may choose to seek alternative
manufacturers or suppliers if these violations or failures were to occur. Identifying and qualifying new manufacturers or suppliers can be
time consuming and we might not be able to substitute suitable alternatives in a timely manner or at an acceptable cost. Other consumer
products companies have faced significant criticism for the actions of their manufacturers and suppliers, and we could face such criticism
ourselves. Any of these events could adversely affect our brand, harm our reputation, reduce demand for our products and harm our ability
to meet demand if we need to identify alternative manufacturers or suppliers.
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We rely on third-party suppliers, some of which are sole-source suppliers, to provide components for our products which may lead to
supply shortages, long lead times for components, and supply changes, any of which could disrupt our supply chain, may increase our
costs, and we may be unable to meet the demands of our customers and end-users on a timely basis.
Our ability to meet customer demand depends, in part, on our ability to obtain timely and adequate delivery of components for our
products. All of the components that go into the manufacturing of our smart glasses products and accessories, other than waveguide optics,
are sourced from third-party suppliers. The availability of certain of the components that we require to produce our AR Smart Glasses and
other near-eye display products may decrease.
Some of the key components used to manufacture our products come from a limited or single source of supply, or by a supplier
that could potentially become a competitor. Our contract manufacturers generally purchase these components on our behalf from approved
suppliers. We are subject to the risk of shortages and long lead times in the supply of these components and the risk that our suppliers
discontinue or modify components used in our products. The potential of partial or full government mandated shutdowns resulting from
COVID-19 or other pandemics may increase these risks. In addition, the lead times associated with certain components are lengthy and
preclude rapid changes in quantities and delivery schedules. Further the electronic components we utilize can go end-of-life due to
technological changes, which can require us to invest in implementing costs and the potential for the forced obsolescence of other related
items. We have in the past experienced end-of-life issues and expect to see more shortages in the future. As such the availability of these
components may be unpredictable.
As the availability of components decreases, the cost of acquiring those components ordinarily increases. High growth product
categories such as the consumer electronics and mobile phone markets have experienced chronic shortages of components during periods of
exceptionally high demand. If we do not properly anticipate the need for or procure critical components, we may pay higher prices for those
components, our gross margins may decrease and we may be unable to meet the demands of our customers and end-users, which could
reduce our competitiveness, cause a decline in our market share and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
If we lose access to components from a particular supplier or experience a significant disruption in the supply of products and
components from a current supplier, we may be unable to locate alternative suppliers of comparable quality at an acceptable price, or at all,
and our business could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if we experience a significant increase in demand for our products,
our suppliers might not have the capacity or elect not to meet our needs as they allocate components to other customers. Developing
suitable alternate sources of supply for these components may be time-consuming, difficult and costly, and we may not be able to source
these components on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all, which may adversely affect our ability to meet our development requirements
or to fill our orders in a timely or cost-effective manner. Identifying a suitable supplier is an involved process that requires us to become
satisfied with the supplier’s quality control, responsiveness and service, financial stability, labor and other ethical practices, and if we seek
to source materials from new suppliers, there can be no assurance that we could do so in a manner that does not disrupt the manufacture and
sale of our products.
Our reliance on single source, or a small number of suppliers involves a number of additional risks, including risks related to
supplier capacity constraints, price increases, timely delivery, component quality, failure of a key supplier to remain in business and adjust
to market conditions, delays in, or the inability to execute on, a supplier roadmap for components and technologies; and natural disasters,
fire, wars, acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events, including global pandemics.
We do not currently own or operate any manufacturing facilities for any types of micro-displays, one of the key components in our
products. Certain other components and services necessary for the manufacture of our products are available from only a limited number of
sources, and other components and services are only available from a single source. We currently purchase almost all of the micro-displays
used in our Smart Glasses products from Sony Corporation and Texas Instruments. Our relationship with these companies generally is on a
purchase order basis and these firms do not have a contractual obligation to provide adequate supply or acceptable pricing to us on a long-
term basis. These firms could discontinue sourcing components for us at any time. If any of these firms were to discontinue its relationship
with us, or discontinue providing specific products to us, and we are unable to contract with a new supplier
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that can meet our requirements, or if they or such other supplier were to suffer a disruption in their production, we could experience
disruption of our inventory flow, a decrease in sales and the possible need to re-design our products. Any such event could disrupt our
operations and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Several new LCOS, alternative OLED,
as well as micro-LED suppliers have begun offering micro-displays suitable for use in our products. With new tooling and electronics, any
one of these alternative displays could be incorporated into our products but our costs of production could be higher, they may offer less
performance, and, as a result, may make our products too costly and less desirable.
If our estimates or judgments relating to our critical accounting policies prove to be incorrect, our operating results could be adversely
affected.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical
experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, as provided in “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of these
estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities, and equity, and the amount of revenue and
expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant assumptions and estimates used in preparing our consolidated
financial statements include those related to revenue recognition, inventories, product warranty reserves, accounting for income taxes, and
stock-based compensation expense. Our operating results may be adversely affected if our assumptions change or if actual circumstances
differ from those in our assumptions, which could cause our operating results to fall below the expectations of securities analysts and
investors, resulting in a decline in the price of our common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
We lease approximately 39,000 square feet as our main facility at 25 Hendrix Road, West Henrietta, New York, 14586 (a suburb
of Rochester). This facility houses our office, R&D and manufacturing space under an operating lease for the facility that we began
occupying in October 2015. The base rent contractual payment obligations under this operating lease is currently $547,000 per year. The
lease has an original five-year term with an option by the Company to renew for two additional three-year terms at pre-agreed to lease rates.
As of June 25, 2020, the Company exercised the first of the two renewal terms, extending our current lease expiration date to January 31,
2024. We believe that our West Henrietta facility is in good operating condition and currently adequately serves our needs.
In Oxford, England, we rent 400 square feet of office space at a cost of approximately $9,700 per year. The lease for this location
expired on September 30, 2021 and is currently on a month-to-month basis.
In Tokyo, Japan, we rent 577 square feet of office space at a cost of approximately $85,000 per year. We lease this location
pursuant to a renewable one-year lease which was scheduled to expire on February 28, 2022. We are currently negotiating a new lease for
this location.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are not currently involved in any actual or pending material legal proceedings or litigation, and we are not aware of any such
proceedings contemplated by or against us or our property.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
PART II
Market for our Common Stock
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “VUZI”.
Company Stock Performance
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total shareholder return for the Company, the NASDAQ US
Benchmark TR Index and the S&P 500 Information Technology index. The graph assumes $100 was invested in each of the Company’s
common stock, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the S&P 500 Information Technology index on December 31, 2016. Data points on the
graph are annual. Note that historical price performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
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Holders of Record
As of March 2, 2022, there were 65 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have not historically and currently do not pay dividends on our outstanding common stock. The declaration of any future
dividends and, if declared, the amount of any such dividends, will be subject to our actual future earnings, capital requirements, regulatory
restrictions, any applicable contractual restrictions and at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors may take into
account such matters as general business conditions, our financial condition and results of operations, our capital requirements, our
prospects and such other factors as our Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Shares of Series A Preferred stock were entitled to receive dividends at a rate of 6% per year, compounded quarterly and payable
in cash or in kind, at our discretion. On January 28, 2021, the holder converted all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 4,962,600
shares of common stock. The shares of Series A Preferred were retired and cannot be reissued. On the same date, the Company and the
holder entered into a Dividend Settlement Agreement pursuant to which the holder agreed to accept $10,000,000 in cash in full payment of
all accrued Series A Preferred Stock dividends in the approximate amount of $10,800,000.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We did not purchase equity securities that are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the year ended December
31, 2021.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and use of Proceeds
Sales of Unregistered Securities:
– On June 8, 2021, the Company issued 75,000 shares of common stock related to an amendment of a technology purchase and
royalty agreement. In connection with the foregoing, the Company relied upon the exemption from registration provided by
Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for transactions not involving a public offering.
-
On July 28, 2021, the Company issued 300,000 shares of restricted common stock to the new managing director of its newly
established VCS business unit. These restricted shares are subject to vesting, including 50,000 shares that may be earned over 3
years based upon continued employment with the Company, and 250,000 shares that are being held in escrow, and which may
be earned upon achievement of revenue and EBITDA operational milestones for VCR within specified periods of time over 5
years. In connection with the foregoing, we relied upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for transactions not involving a public offering.
Purchase of Equity Securities – none
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information about our equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2021.
Number of
Securities to
be Issued
Upon Exercise
of Outstanding
Options,
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
of
Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and Warrants and
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total
Rights
8,607,634
8,607,634
$
—
$
Rights
15.28
—
15.28
Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future Issuance
(1)
1,550,004
—
1,550,004
(1) The amount appearing under “Number of securities remaining available for future issuance” includes shares available under our 2014
Equity Incentive Plan. The 2014 Plan (as amended) has an “evergreen provision”, under which the maximum number of shares of
common stock that may be issued under the 2014 Plan automatically increases each time the Company issues additional shares of
common stock so that the total number of shares issuable thereunder at all times equals 20% of the then outstanding shares of common
stock, unless in any case the Board of Directors adopts a resolution providing that the number of shares issuable under the 2014 Plan not
be so increased. Refer to Note 13 for further details.
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our
financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report. In addition to historical information, the following
discussion and analysis includes forward looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the
timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors,
including those discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report. See the discussion under “Forward Looking Statements”
beginning on page 1 of this annual report.
Overview
We are engaged in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of augmented reality wearable display devices also referred to as
head mounted displays (or HMDs, but also known as Video Eyewear or near-eye displays), in the form of Smart Glasses and Augmented
Reality (AR) glasses. Our AR wearable display devices are worn like eyeglasses or attach to a head worn mount. These devices typically
include cameras, sensors, and a computer that enable the user to view, record and interact with video and digital content, such as computer
data, the Internet, social media or entertainment applications. Our wearable display products integrate micro-display technology with our
advanced optics to produce compact high-resolution display engines, less than half an inch diagonally, which when viewed through our
smart glasses products create virtual images that appear comparable in size to that of a computer monitor or a large-screen television.
With respect to our Smart Glasses and AR products, we are focused on the enterprise, industrial, medical and commercial markets.
All of the mobile display and mobile electronics markets in which we compete have been subject to rapid technological change over the last
decade including the rapid adoption of tablets, larger screen sizes and display resolutions along with declining prices on mobile phones and
other computing devices, and as a result we must continue to improve our products’ performance and lower our costs. We believe our
intellectual property portfolio gives us a leadership position in micro-display projection engines, waveguides, ergonomics, packaging, and
optical systems.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Developments and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements
and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report. The preparation of these statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires the appropriate application of certain accounting policies, many of which require us to make estimates and
assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements, including the statement of
operations, balance sheet, cash flow and related notes. We continually evaluate our estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated
financial statements, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, inventories, warranty reserves, product warranty, carrying
value of long-lived assets, derivatives, valuation of stock compensation awards, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical
experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis
for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not apparent from other sources. Since we cannot determine
future events and their impact with certainty, the actual results may differ from our estimates. Such differences could be material to the
consolidated financial statements.
We believe that our application of accounting policies, and the estimates inherently required therein, are reasonable. We
periodically reevaluate these accounting policies and estimates and make adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate a change.
Historically, we have found our application of accounting policies to be appropriate, and actual results have not differed materially from
those determined using necessary estimates.
Our accounting policies are more fully described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual
report on Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates that we believe have the most significant effect on our
financial statements are:
● Valuation of inventories;
● Carrying value of long-lived assets;
●
Software development costs;
● Revenue recognition;
●
●
●
Product warranty;
Stock-based compensation; and
Income taxes.
Valuation of Inventories
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on a weighted average first-in, first-out
method. Inventory includes purchased parts and components, work in process and finished goods. Provisions for excess, obsolete or slow-
moving inventory are recorded after periodic evaluation of historical sales, current economic trends, forecasted sales, estimated product life
cycles and estimated inventory levels. Purchasing practices, electronic component obsolescence, accuracy of sales and production forecasts,
introduction of new products, product life cycles, product support and foreign regulations governing hazardous materials are factors that
contribute to inventory valuation risks. Exposure to inventory valuation risks is managed by maintaining safety stocks, minimum purchase
lots, managing product and end-of-life issues brought on by aging components or new product introductions, and by utilizing certain
inventory minimization strategies such as vendor-managed inventories. The accounting estimate related to valuation of inventories is
considered a “critical accounting estimate” because it is susceptible to changes from period-to-period due to the requirement for
management to make estimates relative to each of the underlying factors, ranging from purchasing to sales, production, and after-sale
support. If actual demand, market conditions or product life cycles differ from
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estimates, inventory adjustments to net realizable values would result in a reduction to the carrying value of inventory, an increase in
inventory write-offs and a decrease to gross margins.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reserved for (i) an additional twenty-five percent of its remaining
M300XL finished goods and related accessory inventory on-hand as of December 31, 2021and (ii) all of its Blade 1.5 excess components
that will not be used in current planned builds of the Blade in 2022, due to end-of-life availability of some required components. The total
reserve write-down recorded at December 31, 2021 was $519,950. The write-down and obsolescence provision for finished goods and
components totaled $1,273,835 and $4,572,659 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These provisions are
included in Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets
If facts and circumstances indicate that a long-lived asset, including a products’ mold tooling and equipment, may be impaired, the
carrying value is reviewed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360-10 Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.
If this review indicates that the carrying value of the asset will not be recovered as determined based on projected undiscounted cash flows
related to the asset over its remaining life, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Impairment losses are
dependent on a number of factors such as general economic trends and major technology advances, and thus could be significantly different
from historical results. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded a loss on fixed asset disposal of $183,614 upon the retirement
of certain tooling and manufacturing equipment assets no longer in use. No loss on fixed asset disposal charges on tooling and equipment
were recorded in 2020 or 2019.
We perform a valuation of our patents and trademark assets when events or circumstances indicate their carrying amounts may be
unrecoverable. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was an impairment charge of $80,163 and $73,532, respectively,
and nil in 2019. The value of the remaining intellectual property, such as patents and trademarks, were valued (net of accumulated
amortization) at $1,988,370 as of December 31, 2021, because management believes that this value is recoverable.
Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes the costs of obtaining and developing its software once technological feasibility has been determined by
management or of purchased software solutions when placed into service. Such costs are accumulated and capitalized. These projects could
take several years to complete. The capitalized costs are then amortized over 3 years on a straight-line basis. Unsuccessful or discontinued
software projects are written off and expensed in the fiscal period where the application is abandoned or discontinued. The unamortized
software development costs remaining were valued (net of accumulated amortization) at $541,666 as of December 31, 2021, because
management believes that this value is recoverable.
Revenue Recognition
The Company adopted the new guidance on Revenue from Contracts with Customers under FASB ASC Topic 606, “Revenue
from Contracts with Customers”, as of January 1, 2018. Product sales represent the majority of the Company’s revenue. The Company
recognizes revenue from these product sales as performance obligations are satisfied and transfer of control to the customer has occurred,
typically upon physical shipment. Revenue is recognized in the amount that the Company expects to receive in exchange from the sale of
our products. FOB shipping point is our standard shipping terms and revenue is recognized as our products ship to customers, as control is
transferred at that point in time. All of our standard product sales include a 30-day money back guarantee and expected returns are
estimated at each reporting period date and a portion of revenue is deferred for all estimated returns. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020,
deferred revenue associated with our expected returns was immaterial. The Company collects and remits sales taxes in certain jurisdictions
and reports revenue net of any associated sales taxes.
Revenue from engineering consulting and other services is recognized at the time the services are rendered. The Company
accounts for its longer-term development contracts, which to date have all been firm fixed-priced contracts, on
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the percentage-of-completion method, whereby income is recognized as work on contracts progresses, but estimated losses on contracts in
progress are charged to operations immediately. The percentage-of-completion is determined using the cost-to-cost method. To date, all
such contracts have been less than one calendar year in duration.
Product Warranty
Warranty obligations are generally incurred in connection with the sale of our products. The warranty period for these products is
generally one year except in certain European countries where it can be two years for some consumer-focused products. Warranty costs are
accrued, to the extent that they are not recoverable from third-party manufacturers, for the estimated cost to repair or replace products for
the balance of the warranty periods. We provide for the costs of expected future warranty claims at the time of product shipment or over-
builds to cover replacements. The adequacy of the provision is assessed at each quarter end and is based on historical experience of
warranty claims and costs. The costs incurred to provide for these warranty obligations are estimated and recorded as an accrued liability at
the time of sale. Future warranty costs are estimated based on historical performance rates and related costs to repair given products. The
accounting estimate related to product warranty is considered a “critical accounting estimate” because judgment is exercised in determining
future estimated warranty costs. Should actual performance rates or repair costs differ from estimates, revision to the estimated warranty
liability would be required.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Our Board of Directors approves grants of stock awards and options to employees to purchase our common stock. Stock-based
compensation expense is recorded based upon the estimated fair value of the stock option or stock award at the date of grant. The Company
uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted pursuant to ASC Topic 718. The
application of this pricing model involves assumptions that are judgmental and sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The
fair market value of our common stock on the date of each option grant is determined based on the most recent quoted sales price on our
primary trading stock exchange, currently the NASDAQ Capital Market. For stock options awards under the Company's LTIP (Long-term
Incentive Plan), options vest upon the achievement of certain equity market conditions and performance-based milestones. The fair value of
options granted under this program were calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation for the equity market condition tranches and the
Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing method for the performance-based tranches. The equity market condition awards are expensed over
their derived service periods, which is an output of the Monte Carlo model. Upon the achievement of any market condition milestone, any
unrecognized expense to-date would be expensed immediately. The performance-based options, that are currently considered probable of
achievement, are expensed over their respective implicit service periods. We may experience significant catch-up or reversal of expense in
the future in a period when any performance-based milestones first are determined to be probable of achievement or when any that are
currently deemed probable are considered no longer probable.
Income Taxes
We have historically incurred domestic operating losses from both a financial reporting and tax return standpoint. We provide
deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial and tax bases of
assets and liabilities based upon currently enacted tax laws. Any future recorded value of our deferred tax assets will be dependent upon our
ability to generate taxable income in the jurisdictions in which we operate. These assets consist primarily of credit carry-forwards and net
operating loss carry-forwards and the future tax effects of temporary differences between balances recorded for financial statement purposes
and for tax return purposes. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets in amounts for which realization is not considered
more likely than not to occur. The accounting estimate related to income taxes is considered a “critical accounting estimate” because
judgment is exercised in estimating future taxable income, including prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, and in assessing the need
for any valuation allowance. To date, we have determined a 100% valuation allowance is required and accordingly no deferred tax asset
has been reflected in our consolidated financial statements. In the event that it should be determined that all or part of a deferred tax asset in
the future is more likely than not to be realized, an adjustment (reduction) of the valuation allowance would increase income to be
recognized in the period such determination was made.
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In addition, the calculation of our deferred taxes involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations.
As a result, we recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on the two-step process prescribed by GAAP. The first step is to
evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the
position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to
estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. It is
inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as this requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes.
We re-evaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes
in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or
measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision in the period. The Company
currently has no uncertain tax positions.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on our financial
condition, financial statements, revenues or expenses.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1
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Results of Operations for Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
The following table compares the Company’s consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2021
and 2020.
Sales:
Sales of Products
Sales of Engineering Services
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2020
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
$
12,784,600
380,333
$
10,081,209
1,500,287
$
2,703,391
(1,119,954)
27 %
(75)%
Total Sales
13,164,933
11,581,496
1,583,437
14 %
Cost of Sales:
Cost of Sales - Products Sold
Cost of Sales - Inventory Reserve for Obsolescence
Cost of Sales - Engineering Services
10,148,380
519,950
45,758
8,098,014
1,273,835
282,038
2,050,366
(753,885)
(236,280)
25 %
(59)%
(84)%
Total Cost of Sales
10,714,088
9,653,887
1,060,201
11 %
Gross Profit (Loss) (exclusive of depreciation shown
separately below)
Gross Profit %
2,450,845
1,927,609
523,236
27 %
19 %
17 %
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development
Selling and Marketing
General and Administrative
Depreciation and Amortization
Impairment of Patents and Trademarks
Loss on Fixed Asset Disposal
11,674,954
6,118,929
22,502,833
1,870,459
80,163
183,614
7,568,074
4,039,772
6,915,213
2,458,482
73,532
—
4,106,880
2,079,157
15,587,620
(588,023)
6,631
183,614
54 %
51 %
225 %
(24)%
9 %
N/M
Loss from Operations
(39,980,107)
(19,127,464)
(20,852,643)
109 %
Other Income (Expense):
Investment Income
Income and Other Taxes
Foreign Exchange Loss
Gain on Debt Extinguishment, net of Loss on Note Receivable
53,511
(307,368)
(143,196)
—
41,120
(103,833)
(67,895)
1,305,900
12,391
(203,535)
(75,301)
(1,305,900)
30 %
196 %
111 %
Total Other Income (Expense), Net
(397,053)
1,175,292
(1,572,345)
(134)%
Net Loss
$ (40,377,160)
$ (17,952,172)
$ (22,424,988)
125 %
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Sales. There was an increase in total sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 from those in 2020 of $1,583,437 or 14%. The
following table reflects the major components of our sales:
Sales of Smart Glasses
Sales Freight out
Sales of Engineering Services
Total Sales
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2021 Total Sales
$
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
12,670,874
113,726
380,333
13,164,933
96 % $
1 %
3 %
100 % $
9,948,554
132,655
1,500,287
11,581,496
86 % $
1 %
13 %
100 % $
$
Dollar
Change
2,722,320
(18,929)
(1,119,954)
1,583,437
% Increase
(Decrease)
27 %
(14)%
(75)%
14 %
Sales of Smart Glasses products rose by $2,722,320 or 27% in the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of
continued growth of our M400 model and M4000 Smart Glasses sales, as compared to the same period in 2020. Sales revenues from our M-
Series Smart Glasses were $10,254,905, a 22% increase of $1,848,282 over the prior year. Revenues of Blade Smart Glasses decreased by
$395,529 or 23% in the year ended December 31, 2021 versus the comparable period in 2020 primarily driven by component shortages
required to make Blade projector engines in the second half of 2021 and higher unit sales in the prior year’s comparable quarter when we
offered lower selling prices on the previous Blade model, which we discontinued in the fall of 2020
Sales of Engineering Services for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $380,333 as compared to $1,500,287 in the 2020
comparable period. The revenue recognized in the year ended December 31, 2021 for engineering services was primarily a result of
waveguide and display engine development projects which commenced in 2020 and were completed in the first quarter of 2021. We believe
that ongoing and new engineering services programs have been deferred to give customers time to evaluate and present to their end
customers the solutions we helped to design and delivered in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, which has been made more difficult by the
ongoing disruptions caused by COVID-19.
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Cost of Sales and Gross Profit (Loss). Cost of product revenues and engineering services are comprised of materials, components,
labor, warranty costs, freight costs, manufacturing overhead, software royalties, and the non-cash amortization of software development
costs related to the production of our products and rendering of engineering services. The following table reflects the components of our
cost of goods sold for products:
Product Cost of Sales
Freight Costs
Manufacturing Overhead
Warranty Costs
Amortization of Software
Development Costs
Software Royalties
Year Ended
As % Related
December 31, 2021 Product Sales
$
6,224,604
797,442
2,396,821
44,526
Year Ended
As % Related
December 31, 2020 Product Sales
49 % $
6 %
19 %
0 %
5,401,077
696,340
1,614,964
45,005
54 % $
7 %
16 %
0 %
Dollar
Change
823,527
101,102
781,857
(479)
% Increase
(Decrease)
15 %
15 %
48 %
(1)%
439,122
245,865
3 %
2 %
271,667
68,961
3 %
1 %
167,455
176,904
62 %
257 %
Total Cost of Sales - Products Sold
10,148,380
79 %
8,098,014
80 %
2,050,366
25 %
Gross Profit – Before Reserve for
Obsolescence
Cost of Sales - Inventory Reserve for
Obsolescence
2,636,220
21 %
1,983,195
20 %
653,025
33 %
519,950
1,273,835
(753,885)
(59)%
Gross Profit - Products Total
2,116,270
17 %
709,360
7 %
1,406,910
198 %
Gross Profit - Engineering Services
334,575
1,218,249
(883,674)
(73)%
Total Gross Profit
$
2,450,845
$
1,927,609
$
523,236
27 %
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we reported an overall gross profit from product sales, before inventory obsolescence, of
$2,636,220 as compared to $1,983,195 in 2020. On a product cost of sales basis only, product direct costs were 49% of sales in 2021, as
compared to 54% in 2020.
Manufacturing overhead costs increased $781,857 or 48% for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 2020, to 19%
from 16% as a percentage of total product sales, primarily due to manufacturing supply chain additional personnel and increased non-cash
stock-based compensation expense.
In addition to its normal Reserve for Obsolescence provision, the Company reserved for (i) an additional twenty-five percent of its
remaining M300XL finished goods and related accessory inventory on-hand as of December 31, 2021and (ii) all of its Blade 1.5 excess
components that will not be used in current planned builds of the Blade in 2022, due to end-of-life availability of some required
components. The total reserve write-down recorded at December 31, 2021 was $519,950. The write-down and obsolescence provision for
finished goods and components totaled $1,273,835 and $4,572,659 for the years ended December 31, 2020.
Costs for engineering services for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $45,758 as compared to $282,038 in 2020. The
majority of the 2021 period amounts represented the reclassification of our internal R&D wage costs associated with waveguide
development projects. There was a gross profit of $334,575 from engineering services for the year ended December 31, 2021 versus
$1,218,249 in 2020.
Research and Development. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation costs for personnel,
related stock-based compensation expenses, third-party services, purchase of research supplies and
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materials, and consulting fees related to research and development. Software development expenses to determine technical feasibility before
final development and ongoing maintenance are not capitalized and are included in research and development costs.
Research and Development
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2021 Total Sales
$
11,674,954
89 % $
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
7,568,074
65 % $ 4,106,880
54 %
Research and development costs for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $4,106,880 or 54% as compared to 2020.
This increase was largely due to a $2,532,628 increase in salary and salary benefits related expenses, of which $944,065 was related to non-
cash stock-based compensation; an increase of $1,173,817 in external development expenses primarily related to our Next Generation
Smart Glasses; an increase of $296,748 in other research and development consulting fees; and an increase of $99,947 in research and
development supplies.
Selling and Marketing. Selling and marketing costs consist of trade show costs, advertising, sales samples, travel costs, sales staff
compensation costs including stock-based compensation expense, consulting fees, public relations agency fees, website costs and sales
commissions paid to full-time staff and outside consultants.
Selling and Marketing
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2021 Total Sales
$
6,118,929
46 % $
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
4,039,772
35 % $ 2,079,157
51 %
Selling and marketing costs for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $2,079,157 or 51% as compared to 2020. This.
increase was largely due to a $1,089,571 increase in salary and salary benefits related expenses, of which $420,661 was related to non-cash
stock-based compensation; an increase of $578,621 in sales consulting and marketing fees, primarily for foreign full-time contractors; a
$595,263 increase in advertising costs; an increase of $242,570 in website development and maintenance costs; partially offset by decreases
of $316,319 in trade show expenses; a decrease of $102,215 in commissions largely due to a reduction in commissions payable to TDG (as
described in Note 7 of the financial statements) for defense related engineering services; and a decrease of $35,670 in travel related
expenses.
General and Administrative. General and administrative costs include professional fees, investor relations (IR) costs, salaries and
related stock compensation, travel costs, office and rental costs.
General and Administrative
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2021 Total Sales
$
22,502,833
171 % $
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
6,915,213
60 % $ 15,587,620
225 %
General and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $15,587,620 or 225% as compared 2020.
This increase was largely due to a $13,471,358 increase in salary and salary benefits related expenses, of which $12,668,230 was related to
non-cash stock-based compensation, primarily related to the Company’s LTIP, which was implemented in the first quarter of 2021 and
unlike traditional time vesting options, option awards under the LTIP vest only upon the achievement of predetermined market equity
capitalization, revenue and EBITDA milestones and if participants are currently employed by the Company when the milestones are
achieved; an increase of $875,230 in legal expenses; an increase of $357,444 in insurance premiums; an increase of $217,433 in audit and
tax advisory fees; an increase of $205,329 in recruitment and hiring fees; an increase in shareholder related expenses of $151,524; an
increase of $109,846 in regulatory filing fees; and an increase of $100,228 in software subscription expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1,870,459 as
compared to $2,458,482 in the same period in 2020, a decrease of $588,023. The decrease in depreciation expense is primarily due to
leasehold improvements in our West Henrietta, New York location, which became fully amortized in October 2020.
Other Income (Expense), Net. Total other expense, net was $397,053 for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to
income of $1,175,292 in the period in 2020. The overall decrease of $1,572,345 in other income was
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primarily the result of no gain from debt extinguishment in the year ended December 31, 2021, whereas we had a net gain on debt
extinguishment of $1,305,900 in 2020; an increase of $203,535 in income, foreign enterprise and other taxes; and an increase of $75,301 in
foreign exchange losses.
Provision for Income Taxes. There were no provisions for income taxes in 2021 or 2020.
Results of Operations for Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
The following table compares the Company’s consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020
and 2019.
Sales:
Sales of Products
Sales of Engineering Services
Total Sales
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
$
10,081,209
1,500,287
$
5,997,453
673,151
$
4,083,756
827,136
68 %
123 %
11,581,496
6,670,604
4,910,892
74 %
Cost of Sales:
Cost of Sales - Products Sold
Cost of Sales - Inventory Reserve for Obsolescence
Cost of Sales - Engineering Services
8,098,014
1,273,835
282,038
6,334,333
4,572,659
171,733
1,763,681
(3,298,824)
110,305
28 %
(72)%
64 %
Total Cost of Sales
9,653,887
11,078,725
(1,424,838)
(13)%
Gross Profit (Loss) (exclusive of depreciation shown
separately below)
Gross Profit (Loss) %
1,927,609
(4,408,121)
6,335,730
NM
17 %
(66)%
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development
Selling and Marketing
General and Administrative
Depreciation and Amortization
Impairment of Patents and Trademarks
7,568,074
4,039,772
6,915,213
2,458,482
73,532
8,900,837
4,215,611
6,600,092
2,441,581
—
(1,332,763)
(175,839)
315,121
16,901
73,532
(15)%
(4)%
5 %
1 %
NM %
Loss from Operations
(19,127,464)
(26,566,242)
7,438,778
(28)%
Other Income (Expense):
Investment Income
Other Taxes
Foreign Exchange Loss
Gain on Debt Extinguishment, net of Loss on Note Receivable
41,120
(103,833)
(67,895)
1,305,900
252,416
(110,269)
(52,275)
—
(211,296)
6,436
(15,620)
1,305,900
(84)%
(6)%
30 %
NM
Total Other Income, Net
1,175,292
89,872
1,085,420
1,208 %
Net Loss
$ (17,952,172)
$ (26,476,370)
$
8,524,198
(32)%
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Sales. There was an increase in total sales for the year ended December 31, 2020 from those in 2019 of $4,910,892 or 74%. The
following table reflects the major components of our sales:
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
$
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2019 Total Sales
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
Sales of Smart Glasses
Sales of OEM Products
Sales of Waveguides & Display Engines
Sales Freight out
Sales of Engineering Services
Total Sales
$
9,948,554
—
—
132,655
1,500,287
11,581,496
86 % $
— %
— %
1 %
13 %
100 % $
4,798,910
951,570
152,499
94,474
673,151
6,670,604
72 % $ 5,149,644
(951,570)
14 %
(152,499)
2 %
38,181
2 %
827,136
10 %
100 % $ 4,910,892
107 %
(100)%
(100)%
40 %
123 %
74 %
Sales of Smart Glasses products for the year ended December 31, 2020 rose by 107% over the same period in 2019, primarily the
result of stronger customer demand for our new M-Series models, which were not available for sale for the entire comparable period in
2019. Sales revenues from our M-Series Smart Glasses were $8,406,623, a 112% increase of $4,432,628 over the prior year’s comparable
period. Total M-Series unit sales increased by 109% for the year ended December 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019. Revenues of
Blade Smart Glasses decreased by $240,747 or 14%, primarily driven by lower average sales price as compared to 2019.
Sales of OEM Products were nil for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $951,570 in the 2019 period. No new
further customer orders for those particular OEM products have been received since the Spring of 2019 and none are currently
contemplated from that customer going forward.
Sales of Standalone Waveguides and Display Engines for the year ended December 31, 2020 were nil versus $152,499 in the
prior year’s comparable period. These are made-to-order products and no new orders were received in the 2020 period, outside of small
deliveries under our current engineering services programs.
Sales of Engineering Services for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $1,500,287 as compared to $673,151 in the 2019
comparable period. The revenue recognized in the year ended December 31, 2020 for engineering services was primarily a result of several
waveguide and display engine development projects which commenced in the first and second quarters of 2020. The majority, all but two,
of these projects were completed and delivered in 2020.
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Cost of Sales and Gross Profit (Loss). Cost of product revenues and engineering services are comprised of materials, components,
labor, warranty costs, freight costs, manufacturing overhead, software royalties, and the non-cash amortization of software development
costs related to the production of our products and rendering of engineering services. The following table reflects the components of our
cost of goods sold for products:
Product Cost of Sales
Freight Costs
Manufacturing Overhead
Warranty Costs
Amortization of Software
Development Costs
Software Royalties
Total Cost of Sales - Products
Sold
Gross Profit (Loss) – Before
Reserve for Obsolescence
Year Ended
As % Related
December 31, 2020 Product Sales
$
5,401,077
696,340
1,614,964
45,005
Year Ended
As % Related
December 31, 2019 Product Sales
54 % $
7 %
16 %
0 %
3,817,689
666,115
1,744,517
(119,154)
64 % $
11 %
29 %
(2)%
Dollar
Change
1,583,388
30,225
(129,553)
164,159
% Increase
(Decrease)
41 %
5 %
(7)%
(138)%
271,667
68,961
3 %
1 %
100,000
125,166
2 %
2 %
171,667
(56,205)
172 %
(45)%
8,098,014
80 %
6,334,333
106 %
1,763,681
28 %
1,983,195
20 %
(336,880)
(6)%
2,320,075
689 %
Cost of Sales - Inventory Reserve
for Obsolescence
1,273,835
Gross Profit (Loss) - Products
Total
Gross Profit - Engineering
Services
709,360
1,218,249
4,572,659
(3,298,824)
(72 )%
(4,909,539)
5,618,899
114 %
501,418
716,831
143 %
Total Gross Profit (Loss)
$
1,927,609
$
(4,408,121)
$
6,335,730
144 %
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we reported an overall gross profit from product sales, before inventory obsolescence, of
$1,983,195 as compared to a gross loss of $336,880 in the same period in 2019. On a product cost of sales basis only, product direct costs
were 54% of sales in the 2020 period as compared to 64% in 2019, primarily driven by higher margins earned on the M400 in 2020 versus
that of the M300 series in the same period in 2019, a period when the M400 was not yet available for sale until the fourth quarter. Product
margin was also positively impacted by the sales of some older M-series products that were fully reserved for obsolescence in prior periods.
Manufacturing overhead costs for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $129,533 or 7% and, as a percentage of total
product sales, decreased to 16% from 29% over the same period in 2019. There was warranty expense of $45,005 for the year ended
December 31, 2020 as compared to a gain of $119,154 in the same period in 2019, as in 2019 warranty returns were substantially less than
the amounts that had been previously provisioned for.
In addition to its normal Reserve for Obsolescence provision, for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reserved for (i)
fifty percent of its finished goods inventory and all of its component parts related to its M300XL Smart Glasses product, as they are at a
disadvantaged selling position against our newer, improved M400 product introduced in September 2019 and our new M4000 product
introduced in the fourth quarter of 2020 and (ii) all of its finished goods inventory related to its Smart Swim product, as sales of this product
have been negligible largely due to decreased venues for its use due to the current pandemic. The total reserve write-down recorded for the
fourth quarter ending December 31, 2020 was $773,235. In addition, the Company had previously written-down $500,600 through the third
quarter of 2020 for the component parts related to its original Blade and Smart Swim products. The
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write-down and obsolescence provision totaled $1,273,835 and $4,572,659 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
These provisions were included in Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Costs for engineering services for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $282,038 as compared to $171,733 in 2019. The
majority of the 2020 period amounts represented the reclassification of our internal R&D wage costs associated with several waveguide
development projects. There was a gross profit of $1,218,249 from engineering services for the year ended December 31, 2020 versus
$501,418 in the same period in 2019.
Research and Development. Our research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation costs for personnel,
related stock-based compensation expenses, third-party services, purchase of research supplies and materials, and consulting fees related to
research and development. Software development expenses to determine technical feasibility before final development and ongoing
maintenance are not capitalized and are included in research and development costs.
Research and Development
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
$
7,568,074
65 % $
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2019 Total Sales
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
8,900,837
133 % $ (1,332,763)
(15)%
Research and development costs for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $1,332,763 or 15% as compared to the same
period in 2019. This reduction was largely driven by decreases of $1,074,669 in external consulting fees related to our M400 Smart Glasses
development work in 2019 and Blade software development, which was completed in 2019; $157,232 in net salary, stock-based
compensation and hiring costs as a result of reclassifying research and development wages to engineering services costs of sales; $86,794 in
research and development supplies expenses; $83,297 in travel related expenses; $56,916 in rental expenses; partially offset by an increase
in external consulting fees of $160,494 related our M4000 development as we brought that product to market in the fourth quarter.
Selling and Marketing. Selling and marketing costs consist of trade show costs, advertising, sales samples, travel costs, sales staff
compensation costs including stock-based compensation expense, consulting fees, public relations agency fees, website costs and sales
commissions paid to full-time staff and outside consultants.
Selling and Marketing
Year Ended
% of
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
$
4,039,772
35 % $
December 31, 2019 Total Sales
4,215,611
63 % $ (175,839)
(4)%
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
Selling and marketing costs for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $175,839 or 4% as compared to the same period
in 2019. This reduction in costs was due to the following factors: a decrease in trade shows of $387,459; a $232,607 decrease in external
consulting fees paid to foreign sales staff, which were terminated in 2019; a $149,219 decrease in travel related expenses due to 2020
pandemic conditions, partially offset by a $276,007 increase in salary and stock-based compensation expenses; a $192,751 increase in
commissions largely due to commissions payable to TDG pursuant to our non-compete agreement amendment (as described in Note 7 of the
financial statements); a $59,844 increase in advertising costs; and a $93,399 increase in computer software subscriptions.
General and Administrative. General and administrative costs include professional fees, investor relations (IR) costs, salaries and
related stock compensation, travel costs, office and rental costs.
General and Administrative
Year Ended
% of
Year Ended
% of
December 31, 2020 Total Sales
$
6,915,213
60 % $
December 31, 2019 Total Sales
6,600,092
99 % $ 315,121
5 %
Dollar
Change
% Increase
(Decrease)
General and administrative costs for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased by $315,121 or 5% as compared to the same
period in 2019. This increase in costs was due to a: net increase in salary and stock-based compensation expenses of $616,466. The net
increase was due to a reduction in cash salaries paid of $230,598, offset by an increase of $847,064 in stock-based compensation, which
resulted from the voluntary salary reduction program that the Company implemented in May 2020; an increase in IR and shareholder
related expenses of $184,468; an increase in insurance premiums of $87,106; and an increase of $32,628 in computer and software related
expenses; partially offset
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by a decrease in legal fees of $319,831; a decrease in IT and security consulting fees of $150,000; and a decrease in travel related expenses
of $184,300 due to 2020 pandemic conditions.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $2,458,482 as
compared to $2,441,581 in the same period in 2019, an increase of $16,901. The increase in depreciation expense is due to new investments
in depreciable assets, including manufacturing equipment and molds placed into service from construction-in-progress, largely offset by a
reduction in depreciation expense related to our leasehold improvements in our West Henrietta, New York location, which became fully
amortized in October 2020.
Other Income (Expense), Net. Total other income, net was $1,175,292 for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to
income of $89,872 in the comparable period in 2019. The overall increase of $1,085,420 in other income was primarily the result of a net
increase in Gain on Debt Extinguishment, net of Loss on Note Receivable of $1,305,900. This net gain resulted from our $1,555,900 gain
realized on the forgiveness of our Paycheck Protection Program Loan by the SBA, partially offset by our $250,000 loss on a term note we
purchased in 2019; an increase of $15,620 in foreign exchange losses; and a decrease of $211,296 in investment interest income, as interest
rates decreased significantly in 2020, as compared to interest rates in 2019.
Provision for Income Taxes. There were no provisions for income taxes in 2020 or 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources. As of December 31, 2021, we had a cash and cash equivalents balance of $120,203,873, an increase of
$84,134,365 from $36,069,508 as of December 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2021, we had current assets of $137,150,154 as compared to current liabilities of $4,155,965, which resulted
in a positive working capital position of $132,994,189. As of December 31, 2020, we had a working capital position of $41,959,763. Our
current liabilities are comprised principally of accounts payable, accrued expenses and operating lease right-of-use liabilities.
Summary of Cash Flows:
The following table summarizes our select cash flows for the periods indicated:
Net Cash Provided by (used in)
Net Loss less Non-Cash Operating Expenses
Operating Activities
Investing Activities
Financing Activities
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
$
$
(19,981,029)
(26,980,411)
(4,852,452)
115,967,228
$
(12,463,053)
(13,964,053)
(1,485,513)
40,912,983
(17,863,773)
(22,355,020)
(3,157,539)
18,855,007
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we used $26,980,411 of cash for operating activities as compared to $13,964,053 in
2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021 we incurred a net loss of $40,377,160, partially offset by non-cash operating expenses of
$20,396,131, for a net cash loss of $19,981,029. Net changes in working capital items were $6,999,382 for 2021, which included (i)
$6,590,127 of investments in inventory and vendor prepayments for M400 components; (ii) a $853,547 increase in customer receivables
and (iii) a $526,825 increase in other prepaid expenses, partially offset by an increase in trade payables and accrued expenses of $973,883.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the net loss after adding back non-cash operating expenses, such as depreciation and
amortization, stock-based compensation, inventory reserve for obsolescence and net gain on debt extinguishment, was $19,981,029 versus
$12,463,053 in the same period of 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we used $4,852,452 of cash for investing activities, which includes $3,809,268 for
purchases of manufacturing equipment, product mold tooling, and chip design and tooling fees, $593,184
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of investments in patents and trademarks, $250,000 in the purchase of software operating system license upgrades for our smart glasses
platform, and a $200,000 equity investment in a strategic business partner. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we used a total of
$1,485,513 in cash for investing activities.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we received $115,967,228 in net cash from financing activities, which included: (i)
$91,613,587 in net proceeds from our sales of equity securities that closed on March 30, 2021 and April 1, 2021, (ii) $34,715,728 in
proceeds from the exercise of warrants, and (iii) $782,277 in proceeds from the exercise of stock options. The proceeds were partially offset
by a: (i) $10,000,000 payment to Intel for the settlement of our accrued Series A Preferred Stock dividends, and (ii) a $1,144,364 payment
for tax withholdings related to our employee stock awards in 2020 that were granted as part of our salary reduction program, which vested
in January 2021, whereby the Company paid tax withholding amounts on behalf of the employees in exchange for shares withheld to cover
the amounts paid. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we received $40,912,983 in proceeds from financing activities, primarily from
sales of our equity securities and the exercise of stock warrants.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company does not have any current or long-term debt obligations outstanding.
We incurred a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $40,377,160 and annual net losses of $17,952,172 in 2020 and
$26,476,370 in 2019. The Company has an accumulated deficit of $203,072,143 as of December 31, 2021.
The Company’s cash requirements are primarily for funding operating losses, working capital, research and development, and
capital expenditures. Our operations are financed primarily through the net proceeds from the sale of our equity securities. As of December
31, 2021, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $120,203,873.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19 and its impact on supply chain time lines and component shortages, we increased the
pace of the Company’s investment in inventory in 2021. We anticipate that rate of growth to moderate or decline in 2022 and beyond.
On January 28, 2021, the sole holder converted all of its 49,626 shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 4,962,600 shares of
common stock and the shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been retired and cannot be reissued. The Company and holder also entered
into an agreement on the conversion date pursuant to which the holder agreed to accept $10,000,000 in full payment of all accrued Series A
Preferred Share dividends in the approximate amount of $10,800,000.
The Company needs to grow its business significantly to become profitable and self-sustaining on a cash flow basis or it will be
required to raise new capital. Our cash requirements related to funding operating losses depend on numerous factors, including new product
development activities, our ability to commercialize our products, our products’ timely market acceptance, selling prices and gross margins,
and other factors.
We believe our existing cash and cash equivalent balances will be sufficient to meet our long-term working capital and capital
expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months. We intend to increase our levels of investing activities for our 2022 fiscal year as
compared to 2021, primarily on new product development as well as increase our R&D spending over that of 2021. Our future capital
requirements may vary materially from those currently planned and will depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth, the
timing and extent of spending on research and development efforts and other business initiatives, our planned sales and marketing activities,
the timing of new product introductions, market acceptance of our products and overall economic conditions.
To the extent that current and anticipated sources of liquidity are insufficient to fund our future business activities and
requirements, we may be required to seek additional equity financing. The sale of additional equity would result in increased dilution to our
stockholders. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise capital in the future or that if we raise additional capital it will
be sufficient to execute our business plan in place at the time
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Contractual Obligations
The following is a summary of our contractual payment obligations for operating leases as of December 31, 2021:
Contractual Obligations
Operating Lease Obligations
Software License Obligations
Open Purchase Obligations
Total
$ 1,152,408 $
Less than
1 Year
—
1-3 Years
$ 1,152,408
566,316
6,035,000
566,316
6,035,000
—
—
3-5 Years
—
—
—
More than
5 Years
—
—
—
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
We invest our excess cash in short-term highly rated corporate debt instruments or commercial paper, which bear lower levels of
relative risk. We believe that the effect, if any, of reasonably possible near-term changes in interest rates on our financial position, results of
operations and cash flows should not be material to our cash flows or income. It is possible that interest rate movements would increase our
unrecognized gain or loss on interest rate securities. Our portfolio of marketable debt securities is subject to interest rate risk although our
intent is to hold securities until maturity. The credit rating of our investments may be affected by the underlying financial health of the
guarantors of our investments. Our investment policy generally directs our investment managers to select investments to achieve the
following goals: principal preservation, adequate liquidity, and return.
We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates primarily through the translation of our foreign subsidiary’s
financial positions, results of operations, and transaction gains and losses as a result of non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows related to
business activities in Asia and the United Kingdom, and remeasurement of U.S. dollars to the functional currency of our foreign
subsidiaries. We are also exposed to the effects of exchange rates in the purchase of certain raw materials whose price is in U.S. dollars but
the price on future purchases is subject to change based on the relationship of the Japanese Yen to the U.S. Dollar. We do not currently
hedge our foreign currency exchange rate risk. We estimate that any market risk associated with our international operations is unlikely to
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to pages F-1 through F-29 of this annual report and is
indexed under Item 15(a)(1) and (2).
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
The information contained in this section covers management’s evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures and our
assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure
controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Disclosure controls and procedures are those controls and other procedures that are
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is properly recorded,
processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified by the rules and forms promulgated by the SEC. Disclosure controls
and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is properly
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accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As a result of this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
concluded that as of December 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weakness in
internal control over financial reporting described below.
(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate “internal control over financial reporting,” as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our system of internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for
external reporting purposes in accordance with US GAAP.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (a) pertain to the maintenance of records
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (b) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, and that our
receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and Board of Directors; and (c)
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized use, acquisition, or disposition of our assets that
could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of
our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, and they concluded that our internal control over financial reporting
was not effective as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, we utilized the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013).
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is
a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a
timely basis.
Management identified the following deficiency in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021:
Management in performing ongoing reviews of its valuation methodology, identified an error with respect to its initial determination of the
fair market value of the Long Term Incentive Plan stock options issued in March 2021 for the achievement of certain equity market
capitalization milestones which it identified, revised and corrected in the consolidated financial statements in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The impact of this change, is further described in Note 14.
Because there was material error noted impacting current year interim periods that material misstatement of the consolidated
financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis, we concluded the deficiency represents a material weakness in our
internal control over financial reporting and our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2021. The
attestation report of Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C., our independent registered public accounting firm, on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting is provided under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C., who audited the consolidated financial
statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an adverse opinion of its attestation report on the effectiveness of the
management’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
Remediation Activities
We take this material weakness seriously. We have already taken steps to remediate this material weakness and will continue to take
further steps until such remediation is complete. These steps include the following:
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a) Retaining additional resources, including third-party resources, with the appropriate technical accounting expertise and
valuation expertise to be able to assist us in identifying and addressing any complex technical accounting issues that affect our
consolidated financial statements.
b) We will report regularly to the Company’s Audit Committee on the progress and results of our remediation plan.
As we work to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may modify our remediation plan and may implement
additional measures as we continue to review, optimize and enhance our financial reporting controls and procedures in the ordinary course.
The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the remediated controls have been operating for a sufficient period of time
and can be evidenced through testing that they are operating effectively.
(c) Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well-conceived or operated, can only
provide reasonable assurance, not absolute assurance, that the objectives of the control system are met. Such controls may not prevent or
detect every misstatement. 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.
(d) Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act)
during the three months ended December 31, 2021 that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Vuzix Corporation
Opinion on the Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Vuzix Corporation's (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission in 2013. In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness described below on the achievement of the objectives
of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based
on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission in 2013.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and our report dated
March 2, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a
reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected
on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management's assessment:
The Company failed to execute its responsibilities with respect to internal control over financial reporting relating to its initial
determination of the fair market value of the Long-term Incentive Plan stock options issued in March 2021 for the achievement of certain
equity market capitalization milestones. As a consequence, an error was identified in the
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consolidated financial statements in fourth quarter of 2021. The Company identified, revised and corrected the error in the fourth quarter of
2021.
This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2021 financial
statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 2, 2022 on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our
audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in
accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our
audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company's 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. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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.
/s/ Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.
Buffalo, New York
March 2, 2022
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C.
Not applicable.
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Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
The information required by this item will be presented in our definitive proxy statement not later than 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year covered by this annual report and is incorporated in this annual report by reference thereto.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be presented in our definitive proxy statement not later than 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year covered by this annual report and is incorporated in this annual report by reference thereto, except, however, the section
entitled “Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item will be presented in our definitive proxy statement not later than 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year covered by this annual report and is incorporated in this annual report by reference thereto.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be presented in our definitive proxy statement not later than 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year covered by this annual report and is incorporated in this annual report by reference thereto.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be presented in our definitive proxy statement not later than 120 days after the end of
the fiscal year covered by this annual report and is incorporated in this annual report by reference thereto.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
The following documents are filed as part of this report
(1) Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 317)
Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Changes In Stockholders’ Equity — For The Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations — For the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
F-2
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedules other than the one listed above have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or
because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
A list of exhibits filed with this annual report is set forth in the Exhibit Index and is incorporated in this Item 15(a)(3) by reference.
56
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VUZIX CORPORATION
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Changes In Stockholders’ Equity — For The Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and
2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations — For the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
F-2
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-1
Table of Contents
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Vuzix Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vuzix Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December
31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements and schedules (collectively, the
financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company
as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the
Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated March 2,
2022 expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Restatement of Previously Issued Unaudited Quarterly Financial Statements
As discussed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, Management identified a correction of an error which impacted stock-
based compensation in the 2021 unaudited quarterly financial information.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud,
and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were
communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the
financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit
matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical
audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Estimate for excess, obsolete and slow-moving inventory reserve
Critical Audit Matter Description
As discussed in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value
using the weighted average first-in, first-out method. The Company records provisions for excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventory based
on changes in customer demand, technology developments or other economic factors. The Company’s products have product life cycles
that range on average from two to three years. At both the product
F-2
Table of Contents
introduction and product discontinuation stage, there is a higher degree of risk of inventory obsolescence. The excess, obsolete or slow-
moving reserve serves to reduce the Company’s inventory balance through a charge to cost of sales – products sold.
The Company’s reserve for excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventory is based upon estimates on the evaluation of historical sales, current
economic trends and expected future product sales, which can be difficult to forecast. If the actual realization of excess, obsolete, and slow-
moving inventory does not meet the Company’s assumptions future inventory adjustments would result in a decrease in gross profit. Due to
the magnitude of the inventory, and the subjectivity involved in estimating the reserve we identified the evaluation of the reserve as a
critical audit matter, which required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Addressing the matter involved performing subjective procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall
opinion on the financial statements. The primary procedures we performed included, performing a retrospective review of prior year-
estimates used to identify potential bias of management judgments; obtaining an understanding of the process and assumptions used by
management to develop the reserve for excess, obsolete and slow-moving inventory; testing the effectiveness of controls over
management’s estimate of reserves for excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory; and testing management’s calculation of the reserve
for excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory by: testing the completeness and accuracy of the source information used, testing the
mathematical accuracy of management’s calculations, and evaluating the reasonableness and consistency of methodology and assumptions
applied by management.
Valuation of market condition options
Critical Audit Matter Description
As discussed in Notes 1 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company granted options to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer and certain members of its management team that vest upon achievement of specified market capitalization targets
through March 16, 2031. The grant date fair value of the market-based options was approximately $33.6 million. The market conditions are
included in the determination of the estimated fair value of the market-based options. With the assistance of valuation specialists, the
Company estimated the fair value of the market-based options using the Monte Carlo simulation model that utilizes various assumptions,
including the time until the specified market capitalization target is achieved, the estimated life of the option, as well as volatility. Due to
the magnitude of the option grant, and the subjectivity involved in estimating the valuation we identified the valuation as a critical audit
matter, which required a high degree of complex auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Auditing the valuation of the Company's market-based options was complex due to the use of the Monte Carlo simulation model and
involved the use of valuation specialists. Also, auditing the valuation of the market-based options is highly judgmental due to the
significant estimation required to determine the assumptions used in the valuation model, including the time until the specified market
capitalization target is achieved, the estimated life of the option, as well as volatility. To test the fair value of the Company's market-based
options, our audit procedures included, among others, assessing the appropriateness of the use of the Monte Carlo simulation model and the
underlying calculations, as well as testing the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of market-based options. To test the volatility
assumption, we compared the historical volatility of the Company to the volatility used to value the market-based options. We involved
valuation specialists to assist us with evaluating the Monte Carlo simulation model and the assumptions used in the model, as well as to
perform comparative calculations.
/s/ Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2014.
Buffalo, New York
March 2, 2022
F-3
VUZIX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
Table of Contents
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Accounts Receivable
Inventories, Net
Licenses, Net
Manufacturing Vendor Prepayments
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Total Current Assets
Long-Term Assets
Fixed Assets, Net
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Asset
Patents and Trademarks, Net
Licenses, Net
Intangible Asset, Net
Other Assets, Net
Total Assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Unearned Revenue
Accrued Expenses
Income and Other Taxes Payable
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Liability
Total Current Liabilities
Long-Term Liabilities
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Liability
Total Liabilities
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock - $0.001 Par Value, 5,000,000 Shares Authorized; zero and 49,626 Shares Issued and
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Common Stock - $0.001 Par Value, 100,000,000 Shares Authorized; 63,672,268 and 45,645,166 Shares Issued
and Outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Additional Paid-in Capital
Accumulated Deficit
Total Stockholders' Equity
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
$
$
120,203,873
2,242,429
12,151,982
—
504,051
2,047,819
36,069,508
1,388,882
6,100,824
272,444
485,032
738,561
137,150,154
45,055,251
5,190,438
1,117,022
1,988,370
1,389,936
147,548
1,483,589
2,837,402
1,517,306
1,593,049
193,687
566,456
708,333
$
148,467,057
$
52,471,484
$
$
2,054,762
27,797
1,419,308
120,242
534,146
1,517,155
41,152
983,033
109,653
444,495
4,156,255
3,095,488
582,876
1,072,811
4,739,131
4,168,299
—
50
63,672
346,736,397
(203,072,143)
45,645
210,952,473
(162,694,983)
143,727,926
48,303,185
$
148,467,057
$
52,471,484
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Table of Contents
VUZIX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Balance - December 31, 2018
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Proceeds from Common Stock Offerings
Direct Costs of Common Stock Offerings
2019 Net Loss
Balance - December 31, 2019
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Proceeds from Common Stock Offerings
Direct Costs of Common Stock Offerings
Stock Warrant Exercises
Stock Option Exercises
2020 Net Loss
Balance - December 31, 2020
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock Option Exercises
Stock Warrant Exercises
Proceeds from Common Stock Offerings
Direct Costs of Common Stock Offerings
Shares Redeemed to Cover Employee Tax
Withholdings
Stock Issued for Technology License Purchase
Preferred Stock Converted
2021 Net Loss
Balance - December 31, 2021
Preferred Stock
Shares Amount
Common Stock
Additional
Amount Paid-In Capital
49,626
49,626
$
—
—
—
—
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
—
—
—
—
—
49,626
50
—
—
—
—
50
—
—
—
—
—
—
50
—
—
—
—
—
Shares
27,591,670
57,496
5,479,454
$
$ 27,591
58
5,479
—
—
$
—
—
33,128,620
942,986
8,647,059
$ 33,128
943
8,647
—
—
2,882,647
43,854
—
2,883
44
—
$
45,645,166
368,047
659,398
7,276,928
4,768,293
$ 45,645
368
659
7,277
4,768
—
—
—
—
(49,626)
—
— $
—
—
(50)
—
—
(83,164)
75,000
4,962,600
—
(83)
75
4,963
63,672,268
$ 63,672
148,695,775
1,404,773
19,994,528
(1,145,000)
168,950,076
2,656,888
26,741,355
(1,550,666)
14,125,644
29,176
210,952,473
18,429,556
781,618
34,708,451
97,745,239
(6,136,420)
(1,144,282)
1,404,675
(10,004,913)
Accumulated
Deficit
$ (118,266,441)
$
—
—
—
—
(26,476,370)
$ (144,742,811)
—
(17,952,172)
$ (162,694,983)
Total
30,456,975
1,404,831
20,000,007
(1,145,000)
(26,476,370)
24,240,443
2,657,831
26,750,002
(1,550,666)
14,128,527
29,220
(17,952,172)
48,303,185
18,429,924
782,277
34,715,728
97,750,007
(6,136,420)
(1,144,365)
1,404,750
(10,000,000)
(40,377,160)
143,727,926
$
—
—
—
—
—
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
346,736,397
—
(40,377,160)
$ (203,072,143)
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Table of Contents
VUZIX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Sales:
Sales of Products
Sales of Engineering Services
Total Sales
Cost of Sales:
Cost of Sales - Products Sold
Cost of Sales - Inventory Reserve for Obsolescence
Cost of Sales - Engineering Services
For Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
$
12,784,600
380,333
$
10,081,209
1,500,287
$
5,997,453
673,151
13,164,933
11,581,496
6,670,604
10,148,380
519,950
45,758
8,098,014
1,273,835
282,038
6,334,333
4,572,659
171,733
Total Cost of Sales
10,714,088
9,653,887
11,078,725
Gross Profit (Loss) (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)
2,450,845
1,927,609
(4,408,121)
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development
Selling and Marketing
General and Administrative
Depreciation and Amortization
Loss on Fixed Asset Disposal
Impairment of Patents and Trademarks
Total Operating Expenses
Loss From Operations
Other Income (Expense):
Investment Income
Income and Other Taxes
Foreign Exchange Loss
Gain on Debt Extinguishment, net of Loss on Note Receivable
11,674,954
6,118,929
22,502,833
1,870,459
183,614
80,163
7,568,074
4,039,772
6,915,213
2,458,482
—
73,532
8,900,837
4,215,611
6,600,092
2,441,581
—
—
42,430,952
21,055,073
22,158,121
(39,980,107)
(19,127,464)
(26,566,242)
53,511
(307,368)
(143,196)
—
41,120
(103,833)
(67,895)
1,305,900
252,416
(110,269)
(52,275)
—
Total Other Income (Expense), Net
(397,053)
1,175,292
89,872
Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for Income Taxes
Net Loss
Preferred Stock Dividends - Accrued not Paid
Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders
Basic and Diluted Loss per Common Share
Weighted-average Shares Outstanding - Basic and Diluted
(40,377,160)
(17,952,172)
—
—
(26,476,370)
—
(40,377,160)
—
(40,377,160) $
(17,952,172)
(2,056,150)
(20,008,322) $
(26,476,370)
(1,931,860)
(28,408,230)
(0.66) $
(0.53) $
61,125,215
38,109,765
(0.94)
30,348,452
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Table of Contents
VUZIX CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Loss
Non-Cash Adjustments
Depreciation and Amortization
Amortization of Software Development Costs and Prepaid Licenses in Cost of Sales - Products
Stock-Based Compensation
Impairment of Patents and Trademarks
Loss on Fixed Asset Disposal
Gain on Debt Extinguishment, net of Loss on Note Receivable
Inventory Reserve for Obsolescence
(Increase) Decrease in Operating Assets
Accounts Receivable
Inventories
Manufacturing Vendor Prepayments
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Accrued Expenses
Customer Deposits
Unearned Revenue
Income and Other Taxes
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
$
(40,377,160)
$ (17,952,172)
$ (26,476,370)
1,870,459
439,112
17,302,833
80,163
183,614
2,458,482
183,328
2,805,842
73,532
—
—
519,950
(1,305,900)
1,273,835
(853,547)
(6,571,108)
(19,019)
(526,825)
537,607
436,276
(289,413)
(1,666,792)
(242,493)
156,537
454,370
97,136
—
—
(13,355)
10,589
(101,311)
90,966
2,441,581
100,000
1,498,357
—
—
—
4,572,659
(599,577)
(2,998,724)
512,680
414,997
(1,605,456)
21,819
(152,362)
(69,263)
(15,361)
Net Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities
(26,980,411)
(13,964,053)
(22,355,020)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of Fixed Assets
Investments in Patents and Trademarks
Investments in Licenses, Intangible and Other Assets
Notes Receivable
Investments in Software Development
(3,809,268)
(593,184)
(450,000)
—
—
(496,629)
(488,884)
—
—
(500,000)
(1,898,771)
(250,304)
(758,464)
(250,000)
—
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
(4,852,452)
(1,485,513)
(3,157,539)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from Exercise of Warrants
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options
Proceeds from Common Stock Offering, Net
Preferred Dividend Settlement Payment
Employee Tax Withholdings Payment
Proceeds from Term Note
34,715,728
782,277
91,613,587
(10,000,000)
(1,144,364)
—
14,128,527
29,220
25,199,336
—
—
1,555,900
—
—
18,855,007
—
—
Net Cash Flows Provided from Financing Activities
115,967,228
40,912,983
18,855,007
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period
84,134,365
36,069,508
25,463,417
10,606,091
(6,657,552)
17,263,643
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period
$
120,203,873
$
36,069,508
$
10,606,091
Supplemental Disclosures
Unamortized Common Stock Expense included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Non-Cash Investment in Licenses
Stock-Based Compensation Expense - Expensed less Previously Issued
$
$
1,365,242
1,294,262
(1,127,091)
$
219,051
272,444
148,011
83,475
—
93,587
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
Table of Contents
VUZIX CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Operations
Vuzix Corporation (the Company) was formed in 1997 under the laws of the State of Delaware and maintains its corporate offices
in West Henrietta, New York (a suburb of Rochester). We are engaged in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of augmented reality
wearable display and computing devices also referred to as head mounted displays (or HMDs, but also known as near-eye displays), in the
form of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) glasses. Our AR wearable display devices are worn like eyeglasses or attach to a head
worn mount. These devices typically include cameras, sensors, and a computer that enable the user to view, record and interact with video
and digital content, such as computer data, the Internet, social media or entertainment applications. Our wearable display products integrate
micro-display technology with our advanced optics to produce compact high-resolution display engines, less than half an inch diagonally,
which when viewed through our smart glasses products create virtual images that appear comparable in size to that of a computer monitor
or a large-screen television. The wearable display products we produce can be used for a variety of enterprise, commercial and medical uses
and applications, including AR for on-the-go users and as mobile displays and remote service support. Our products are available with
varying features and are offered as monocular and binocular display systems.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned UK subsidiary, Vuzix (Europe)
Limited. All significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated.
Segment Data, Geographic Information and Significant Customers
The Company is not organized by market and is managed and operated as one business. A single management team that reports to
the chief operating decision maker comprehensively manages the entire business. The Company does not operate any material separate
lines of business or separate business entities. Accordingly, the Company does not accumulate discrete information, other than product
revenue and material costs, with respect to separate product lines and does not have separately reportable segments as defined by FASB
ASC Topic 280, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”.
Refer to Note 18 — Geographic and Other Financial Information (Unaudited).
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Company considers the US dollar as the functional currency of the Company’s UK Subsidiary. The Company’s UK
Subsidiary transacts in Euros and British pounds. All transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in US dollars at the then current
exchange rate(s). Upon settlement of the underlying transaction, all amounts are re-measured to US dollars at the current exchange rate on
date of settlement. All unsettled foreign currency transactions that remain in accounts receivable and trade account payables are re-
measured to US dollars at the period end exchange rates. All re-measurement gains and losses are recorded in the current period net income.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at year-end and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
F-8
Table of Contents
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts, which at times may exceed federally insured limits.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents can include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable,
accounts payable, unearned revenue, accrued expenses, and income taxes payable. As of the consolidated balance sheet dates, the estimated
fair values of the financial instruments were not materially different from their carrying values as presented due to the short maturities of
these instruments.
Accounts Receivable
The Company carries its trade accounts receivable at the invoice amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company
establishes an allowance for uncollectible trade accounts receivable based on the age of outstanding invoices and management’s evaluation
of collectability of outstanding balances. These provisions are established when the aging of outstanding amounts exceeds allowable terms
and are re-evaluated at each quarter end for adequacy. In determining the adequacy of the provision, the Company considers known
uncollectible or at-risk receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was nil. The Company
does not accrue interest on any past due accounts receivable unless such receivable goes into collection.
Customer and Supplier Concentrations
One customer represented 10% of total product revenue and four customers represented 39%, 28%, 16% and 12%, respectively, of
our engineering services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. No one customer represented more than 10% of total product
revenue and two customers represented 48% and 26%, respectively, of our engineering services revenue for the year ended December 31,
2020. One customer represented 16% of total product revenue and one customer represented 100% of engineering services revenue for the
year ended December 31, 2019
Three customers represented 27%, 20% and 10%, respectively, of accounts receivable at December 31, 2021. Two customers
represented 21% and 14%, respectively, of accounts receivable at December 31, 2020. Three customers represented 32%, 26% and 13%,
respectively, of accounts receivable at December 31, 2019.
Two third-party vendors represented 38% and 24%, respectively, of material purchases for the year ended December 31, 2021. As
of December 31, 2021, the net amount due to these vendors was $504,073.
Accrued Project Revenue
The Company carries accrued project revenue based on the percentage of completion on the project measured using the input
method based upon costs incurred to-date as a percentage of total expected costs to complete the project less amounts invoiced, if any. As of
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we had nil in accrued project revenue.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the weighted average first-in, first-out method. The
Company includes labor and overhead costs in its inventory valuation costing. The Company records provisions for excess, obsolete or
slow-moving inventory based on changes in customer demand, technology developments or other economic factors. The Company’s
products have product life cycles that range on average from two to three years currently. At both the product introduction and product
discontinuation stage, there is a higher degree
F-9
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of risk of inventory obsolescence. The provision for obsolete and excess inventory is evaluated for adequacy at each quarter end. The
estimate of the provision for obsolete and excess inventory is partially based on expected future product sales, which are difficult to forecast
for certain products.
Revenue Recognition
The Company adopted the new guidance on Revenue from Contracts with Customers under FASB ASC Topic 606, "Revenue
from Contracts with Customers", as of January 1, 2018. Product sales represent the majority of the Company’s revenue. The Company
recognizes revenue from these product sales as performance obligations are satisfied and transfer of control and ownership to the customer
has occurred, typically upon physical shipment. Revenue is recognized in the amount that the Company expects to receive in exchange from
the sale of our products. FOB shipping point is our standard shipping term and revenue is recognized as our products ship to customers, as
control and ownership are transferred at this point in time. All of our standard product sales include a 30-day money back guarantee and
expected returns are estimated at each reporting period date and a portion of revenue is deferred for all estimated returns. As of December
31, 2021 and 2020, deferred revenue associated with our expected returns were immaterial. The Company collects and remits sales taxes in
certain jurisdictions and reports revenue net of any associated sales taxes.
Revenue from any engineering consulting and other services is recognized at the time the services are rendered. The Company
accounts for its longer-term development contracts, which to date have all been firm fixed-priced contracts, on the percentage-of-completion
method, whereby income is recognized as work on contracts progresses, but estimated losses on contracts in progress are charged to
operations immediately. The percentage-of-completion is determined using the cost-to-cost method. To date, all such contracts have been
less than one calendar year in duration.
Unearned Revenue
These amounts represent deferred revenue against our expected product sales returns for all December 2021 products sales that are
subject to the Company’s 30-day money back guarantee return policy.
Cost of Product Sales
Cost of product sales includes the direct and allocated indirect costs of products sold to customers. Direct costs include labor,
materials, reserves for estimated warranty expenses, and other costs incurred directly, or charged to us by our contract manufacturers in the
manufacture of these products. Indirect costs include labor, manufacturing overhead, and other costs associated with operating our
manufacturing facility and capacity. Manufacturing overhead includes the costs of procuring, inspecting and storing material, facility and
other costs, and is allocated to cost of product revenue based on the proportion of indirect labor which supported production activities.
Depreciation on manufacturing tools and equipment is included in Operating Expenses in our consolidated statement of operations. The cost
of product sales can fluctuate significantly from period to period, depending on the product mix and volume, the level of manufacturing
overhead expense and the volume of direct cost of materials.
Cost of Engineering Services Sales
Cost of engineering services revenues includes both the direct and allocated indirect costs of performing on contracts and
producing prototype units. Direct costs include labor, materials and other costs incurred directly in performing under the contract. Direct
costs also include labor and other costs associated with operating our research and development department based on the level of effort
supporting the development activity. Cost of engineering sales is determined by the level of direct and indirect costs incurred, which can
fluctuate substantially from period to period.
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Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost. Depreciation of fixed assets is provided for using the straight-line method over the following
estimated useful lives:
Computers and Purchased Software
Leasehold Improvements
Manufacturing Equipment
Tooling
Furniture and Equipment
3 years
Lesser of expected life or lease term
5 years
3 years
5 years
Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Asset betterments are capitalized and depreciated over their expected
useful life.
Patents and Trademarks
The Company capitalizes the costs of obtaining its patents and registration of trademarks. Such costs are accumulated and
capitalized during the filing periods, which can take several years to complete. Successful applications that result in the granting of a patent
or trademark are then amortized over 15 years on a straight-line basis. Unsuccessful applications are written off and expensed in the fiscal
period where the application is abandoned or discontinued. Ongoing maintenance and legal fees for issued patents and trademarks are
expensed as incurred.
Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes the costs of obtaining or developing its software once technological feasibility has been determined by
management or of purchased software solutions when placed into service. Such costs are accumulated and capitalized. Projects can take
several years to complete. Unsuccessful or discontinued software projects are written off and expensed in the fiscal period when the
software development effort is abandoned or discontinued. Costs incurred internally in researching and developing a computer software
product are charged to expense until technological feasibility has been established for the product. Once technological feasibility is
established, all software costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers. Judgment is required in
determining when technological feasibility of a product is established. Once the product is available for general release, accumulated costs
are amortized over the life of the asset. The amortization of these costs is included in cost of product sales over the estimated life of the
products, which currently is estimated as three years using a straight-line basis. As of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we had
$541,666, $458,333 and $100,000, respectively, of net software development costs included in Other Assets. For the years ended December
31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there was nil in impairment of software development costs.
Licenses
The Company capitalizes the costs of acquiring licenses and prepaid royalties. They are amortized on either a per unit basis or
straight line over the life of the license. In some cases, future royalties are subject to annual limits.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company at least annually assesses all of its long-lived assets for impairment and when events or circumstances indicate their
carrying amounts may not be recoverable, in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360-10, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets.” For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was an impairment charge of $80,163 and $73,532,
respectively, to Patents and Trademarks and nil in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded a loss on fixed asset disposal
of $183,614 upon the retirement of certain tooling and manufacturing equipment assets no longer in use. No loss on fixed asset disposal
charges on tooling and equipment were recorded in 2020 or 2019.
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Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred consistent with the guidance of FASB ASC Topic 730, “Research and
Development,” and include employee related costs, office expenses, third-party design and engineering services, and new product
prototyping costs. Costs incurred internally in researching and developing a computer software product are charged to expense until
technological feasibility has been established for the product.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Amounts charged to customers and costs incurred by the Company related to shipping and handling are included in net sales and
cost of sales, respectively.
Provision for Future Warranty Costs
The Company provides for the estimated returns under warranty and the costs of fulfilling our obligations under product warranties
at the time the related revenue is recognized. The Company estimates the costs based on historical and projected product failure rates,
historical and projected repair costs, and knowledge of specific product failures (if any). The specific warranty terms and conditions vary
depending upon the country in which we do business, but generally include parts and labor over a period generally ranging from one to
two years from the date of product shipment. The Company provides a reserve for expected future warranty returns at the time of product
shipment or produces over-builds to cover replacements. We regularly reevaluate our estimates to assess the adequacy of the recorded
warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary each quarter end, based upon historical experience of warranty claims and costs.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in “Selling and Marketing” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $1,263,897, $974,461 and $1,302,120, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740-10, “Income Taxes.” Accordingly, the
Company provides deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial
and tax bases of assets and liabilities based on currently enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets in
amounts for which realization is not considered more likely than not to occur.
The Company reports any interest and penalties accrued relating to uncertain income tax positions as a component of the income
tax provision.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) less accrued dividends on any outstanding preferred stock
by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share calculations reflect the assumed
exercise of all dilutive employee stock options and warrants applying the treasury stock method promulgated by FASB ASC Topic 260,
“Earnings Per Share” and the conversion of any outstanding convertible preferred shares or notes payable that are-in-the-money, applying
the as-if-converted method. However, if the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants and the conversion of any preferred shares or
convertible notes payable are anti-dilutive, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for all periods. As a result of the net losses
generated in 2021, 2020 and 2019, all outstanding instruments would be antidilutive. As of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were
8,606,062, 14,872,703 and 12,858,707 common stock share equivalents, respectively, that were potentially issuable under stock options,
conversion of preferred shares (excluding accrued dividends), and stock warrants that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in
the future.
F-12
Table of Contents
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation to employees and directors in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718
“Compensation - Stock Compensation,” which requires that compensation expense be recognized in the consolidated financial statements
for stock-based awards based on the grant date fair value. For stock option awards, the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model was
used to estimate the fair value of share-based awards under FASB ASC Topic 718. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model
incorporates various and highly subjective assumptions, including expected term and share price volatility. The expected term of options
granted was estimated to be the average of the vesting term, historical exercise and forfeiture rates, and the contractual life of the option.
The share price volatility at the grant date is estimated using historical stock prices based upon the expected term of the options granted.
The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with maturities similar to those of
the expected term of the award being valued.
For common stock awards, the Company uses the fair market value of our common stock on the date of each stock-based award
based on the market price of the Company’s common shares and the expense related to these awards is recognized over the requisite service
period of the awards on a straight-line or graded vesting basis, which is generally commensurate with the vesting term. Stock-based
compensation expense associated with stock awards and stock option grants for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was
$4,047,444, $2,805,842 and $1,498,357, respectively, excluding awards under the Company’s Long-term Incentive Plan (LTIP). The
Company issues new shares upon stock option exercises.
For stock options awarded under the Company's LTIP, options vest only upon the achievement of certain equity market conditions
or performance-based milestones. The fair value of options granted under this program were calculated by using a Monte Carlo simulation
for the equity market condition tranches and the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing method on the performance-based tranches. Stock-
based compensation expense associated with the Company's LTIP for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $13,255,388 and nil for the
years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Our lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease
components. Historically, non-lease components such as utilities have been immaterial. Payments under our lease arrangements are
primarily fixed. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement
date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the
interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate
on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments, and in economic environments where the leased asset is located. Our lease terms
include periods under options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.
As of December 31, 2021, all of our leases are considered operating leases. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities were
included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets beginning January 1, 2019. The Company does not have any finance leases as of December
31, 2021.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit
Losses” (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 provides for a new impairment model which requires measurement and recognition of expected credit
losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including but not limited to accounts receivable. ASU 2016-13 will become
effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance and its
impact to the financial statements.
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Note 2 – Revenue Recognition and Contracts with Customers
Disaggregated Revenue
The Company’s total revenue was comprised of four major product lines: Smart Glasses, OEM Product Sales, Waveguide and
Display Engine Sales, and Engineering Services. The following table summarizes the revenue recognized by major product line:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
Revenues
Smart Glasses Sales
OEM Product Sales
Waveguide and Display Engine Sales
Engineering Services
Total Revenue
Significant Judgments
$
12,784,600
$
—
—
10,081,209
$
—
—
380,333
1,500,287
4,893,384
951,570
152,499
673,151
$
13,164,933
$
11,581,496
$
6,670,604
Under Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, we use judgments that could potentially impact both the timing of
our satisfaction of performance obligations and our determination of transaction prices used in determining revenue recognized by major
product line. Such judgments include considerations in determining our transaction prices and when our performance obligations are
satisfied for our standard product sales that include an end-user 30-day right to return if not satisfied with product and general payment
terms that are between Net 30 and 60 days. For our Engineering Services, performance obligations are recognized over time using the input
method and the estimated costs to complete each project are considered significant judgments.
Performance Obligations
Revenues from our performance obligations are typically satisfied at a point in time for Smart Glasses, Waveguides and Display
Engines, and our OEM Products, which are recognized when the customer obtains control and ownership, which is generally upon
shipment. The Company considers shipping and handling activities performed to be fulfillment activities and not a separate performance
obligation. The Company also records revenue for performance obligations relating to our Engineering Services over time by using the input
method measuring progress toward satisfying the performance obligations. Satisfaction of our performance obligations related to our
Engineering Services is measured by the Company’s costs incurred as a percentage of total expected costs to project completion as the
inputs of actual costs incurred by the Company are directly correlated with progress toward completing the contract. As such, the Company
believes that our methodologies for recognizing revenue over time for our Engineering Services correlate directly with the transfer of
control of the underlying assets to our customers.
Our standard product sales include a twelve (12) month assurance-type product warranty. In the case of certain of our OEM
products and waveguide sales, some include a standard product warranty of up to eighteen (18) months to allow distribution channels to
offer the end customer a full twelve (12) months of coverage. We offer extended warranties to customers, which extend the standard product
warranty on product sales for an additional twelve (12) month period. All revenue related to extended product warranty sales is deferred and
recognized over the extended warranty period. Our Engineering Services contracts vary from contract to contract but typically include
payment terms of Net 30 days from date of billing, subject to an agreed upon customer acceptance period.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was no outstanding performance obligations remaining for extended warranties.
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Table of Contents
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s net sales by revenue recognition method as a percentage of total net
sales:
Point-in-Time
Over Time – Input Method
Total
Remaining Performance Obligations
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
2019
97 %
3 %
100 %
87 %
13 %
100 %
90 %
10 %
100 %
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no outstanding performance obligations under its engineering services and
waveguide development projects, as all projects were completed and delivered in 2021. In addition, the Company had no material
outstanding performance obligations related to product sales, other than its standard product warranty.
Note 3 — Inventories, Net
Inventories consisted of the following:
Purchased Parts and Components
Work-in-Process
Finished Goods
Less: Reserve for Obsolescence
Inventories, Net
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
$
$
11,580,766
226,126
1,472,534
(1,127,444)
5,252,709
1,381,677
3,352,057
(3,885,619)
$
12,151,982
$
6,100,824
In addition to its normal Reserve for Obsolescence provision, the Company reserved for (i) an additional twenty-five percent of its
remaining M300XL finished goods and related accessory inventory on-hand as of December 31, 2021 and (ii) all of its Blade 1.5 excess
components that will not be used in current planned builds of the Blade 1.5 and the new Blade 2.0 in 2022, due to end-of-life availability of
some required components. The total reserve write-down recorded at December 31, 2021 was $519,950. The write-down and obsolescence
provision for finished goods and components totaled $1,273,835 and $4,572,659 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. These provisions were included in Cost of Sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Note 4 — Fixed Assets, Net
Fixed Assets consisted of the following:
Tooling and Manufacturing Equipment
Leaseholds
Computers and Purchased Software
Furniture and Equipment
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
Fixed Assets, Net
F-15
December 31,
2021
6,612,811
797,059
980,561
2,661,346
11,051,777
(5,861,339)
5,190,438
$
$
December 31,
2020
5,494,491
773,734
798,881
2,134,788
9,201,894
(6,364,492)
2,837,402
$
$
Table of Contents
Total depreciation expense for fixed assets for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $1,306,479, $1,904,282
and $1,913,409, respectively.
Note 5 — Patents and Trademarks, Net
Patents and Trademarks
Less: Accumulated Amortization
Patents and Trademarks, Net
December 31,
2021
2,854,521
(866,151)
1,988,370
$
$
December 31,
2020
2,330,720
(737,671)
1,593,049
$
$
Total amortization expense for patents and trademarks for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $145,072,
$130,656 and $120,172, respectively. The estimated aggregate annual amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years is
approximately $190,000. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded $80,163 and $73,532, respectively, in patent
impairment charges and nil in 2019.
Note 6 — Licenses, Net
Licenses
Additions
Less: Accumulated Amortization / Expensed
Less: Current Portion
Licenses, Net
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
$
$
1,038,606
1,404,750
(1,053,420)
1,389,936
—
493,717
544,889
(572,475)
466,131
(272,444)
$
1,389,936
$
193,687
The Company acquired two licenses in 2017. The first related to the renegotiation of an existing license at a cost of $114,967,
which resulted in lower royalty rates being paid by the Company over the next 10 years. This license went into effect as of January 1, 2018.
The second license was a result of the Company entering into a Technology Purchase and Royalty Agreement where it acquired all the
seller’s right, title and interest in certain Transferred Intellectual Property (IP). Pursuant to the agreement, the Company paid approximately
$75,702 as reimbursement of related patent application costs incurred by the seller to date, which are included in Patents and Trademarks.
The Company also issued 25,000 shares of common stock, valued at $128,750, upon the original closing in October 2017 and agreed to
certain further issuances of 75,000 shares based upon the achievement of certain development milestones as well as per unit royalties once
the technology was commercialized for the life of the related patents. In June 2021, the Company assumed or purchased outright the
obligations for ongoing royalties under the original license agreement and certain other intellectual property rights in connection with
consulting services by the original seller in exchange for the issuance of 75,000 shares with an assigned market value of $18.73 per share or
a total of $1,404,750. The underlying technology is not yet ready for commercialization, but the Company intends to proceed with further
research and development work relating to such underlying technology.
Total amortization expense related to licenses in the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $480,945, $393,174, and
$122,704, respectively.
F-16
Table of Contents
Note 7 — Intangible Asset, Net
Intangible Asset
Less: Accumulated Amortization
Intangible Asset, Net
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
$
$
1,500,000
(1,352,452)
147,548
$
$
1,500,000
(933,544)
566,456
On October 4, 2018, the Company entered into amendment No. 1 to agreements (the “TDG Amendment”) with TDG Acquisition
Company, LLC (“TDG”), aka Six15 Technologies, LLC. The TDG Amendment amends certain provisions of prior agreements between
Vuzix and TDG, including an asset purchase agreement dated June 15, 2012, and an authorized reseller agreement dated June 15, 2012.
Pursuant to the TDG Amendment, the Company is permitted to engage in sales of heads-up display components or subsystems
(and any services to support such sale) for incorporation into a finished good or system for sale to military organizations, subject to certain
conditions. The Company is also permitted to sell its products to defense and security organizations that include business customers and
governmental entity customers that primarily provide security and defense services, including police, fire fighters, EMTs, other first
responders, and homeland and border security. The Company will owe TDG commissions with respect to all such sales until June 15, 2022,
when the amendment and original non-compete agreements expire, after which the Company will be permitted to sell any product to any
customer world-wide without owing any commission to TDG.
Total commissions expense under this agreement for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $70,860, $243,273
and $116,469, respectively.
Total amortization expense for this intangible asset for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $418,908,
$423,544 and $408,000, respectively. Future monthly amortization expense for the next 5 months is approximately $30,000 per month.
Note 8 – Other Assets
The Company’s other assets consists of the following:
Private Corporation Investments
Software Development Costs
Less: Accumulated Amortization
Software Development Costs, Net
December 31,
2021
$
450,000
December 31,
2020
250,000
$
750,000
(208,334)
541,666
500,000
(41,667)
458,333
Unamortized Common Stock Expense included in Long-Term Prepaid Expenses
491,923
—
Total Other Assets
$
1,483,589
$
708,333
In the second quarter of 2018, the Company acquired, for a purchase price of $250,000, approximately a 1% ownership interest, in
the form of preferred stock, in a private corporation in the low vision near eye display market. In the first quarter of 2021, the Company
acquired, for a purchase price of $200,000, approximately a 3% ownership interest, in the form of preferred stock, in a private corporation
developing smart glasses software for use by retailers in their stock keeping. These investments were recorded at cost as its fair value is not
readily determinable. The Company has reviewed these investments and concluded that there were no indicators of impairment or
unrealized gain present as of December 31, 2021.
F-17
Table of Contents
During 2020, the Company invested $500,000 in Android operating systems upgrades for its CPU platform used on its M400 and
M4000 products. This upgrade was finished and placed into service in the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2020. This capitalized asset
will be amortized on a straight-line over its expected product life cycle of 36 months, which began on October 1, 2020. In October 2021,
the Company invested $250,000 for further Android operating systems version upgrades to the CPU platform it uses on its M400 and
M4000 products. This development work has not yet been completed and will ultimately be amortized once placed into service which is
expected by early 2023.
Total amortization expense for capitalized software development costs for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was
$240,395, $183,328 and $100,000, respectively, and are included in Cost of Sales – Products in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Note 9 — Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
Accrued Wages and Related Costs
Accrued Professional Services
Accrued Warranty Obligations
Other Accrued Expenses
Total
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
$
$
683,044
551,220
185,044
—
582,924
187,323
143,898
68,888
$
1,419,308
$
983,033
The Company has warranty obligations in connection with the sale of certain of its products. The warranty period for its products
is generally twelve (12) months. The costs incurred to provide for these warranty obligations are estimated and recorded as an accrued
liability at the time of sale. The Company estimates its future warranty costs based upon product-based historical performance rates and
related costs to repair.
The changes in the Company’s accrued warranty obligations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as
follows:
Accrued Warranty Obligations at December 31, 2018
Reductions for Settling Warranties
Warranty Issued During Year
Accrued Warranty Obligations at December 31, 2019
Reductions for Settling Warranties
Warranty Issued During Year
Accrued Warranty Obligations at December 31, 2020
Reductions for Settling Warranties
Warranties Issued During Year
Accrued Warranty Obligations at December 31, 2021
F-18
$
218,047
(204,583)
85,429
98,893
(193,503)
238,508
143,898
(342,392)
383,538
$
185,044
Table of Contents
Note 10 — Income Taxes
The Company files U.S. federal and various state and foreign tax returns.
Pre-tax earnings consisted of the following for the years ended:
Pre-Tax Income (Loss)
U.S.
Outside the U.S.
Total Pre-Tax Income (Loss)
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
$
$
(39,906,101) $
(471,059)
(40,377,160) $
(18,238,773) $
286,601
(17,952,172) $
(26,482,033)
5,663
(26,476,370)
The provision expense/(benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
U.S. Income Taxes:
Current Provision
Deferred Provision
Valuation Allowance
Income Taxes Outside the U.S.:
Current Provision
Deferred Provision
Valuation Allowance
State Income Taxes:
Current Provision
Deferred Provision
Valuation Allowance
Total Provision
2021
2020
2019
$
— $
— $
(8,924,947)
8,924,947
(3,897,293)
3,897,293
—
(5,382,746)
5,382,746
—
—
(341,181)
341,181
7,916
(7,916)
—
—
(636,401)
636,401
(94,324)
94,324
$
— $
— $
—
(511,672)
511,672
—
(189,200)
189,200
—
A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the effective rates for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020
and 2019 is as follows:
Federal Income Tax at Statutory Rate
State Tax Provision, Net of Federal Benefit
Permanent Differences
Forgiveness of PPP Loan
Federal Tax Credits
Stock Compensation
Foreign Tax Provision
Expiration of NOL, Credits, Charitable Contribution
Other
Effective Tax Rate
Change in Valuation Allowance
Net Effective Tax Rate
F-19
2021
%
2020
%
2019
%
21.0
1.6
—
—
0.2
1.5
0.6
(0.7)
0.3
24.5
(24.5)
—
21.0
0.3
(0.4)
1.8
1.1
(2.1)
0.3
0.1
0.1
22.2
(22.2)
—
21.0
0.3
(0.1)
—
1.3
(1.9)
1.9
—
0.5
23.0
(23.0)
—
Table of Contents
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net Operating Loss Carry-forwards
Tax Credit Carry-forwards
Inventory Valuation Adjustment
Stock-Based Compensation
Lease Obligation Liability
Other
Total Deferred Tax Assets
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Income from Foreign Operations
Lease Right of Use Asset
Other
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities
Net Deferred Tax Assets Before Valuation Allowance
Valuation Allowance
Net Deferred Tax Assets
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
$
$
$
$
36,705,377
3,924,660
290,713
2,989,427
240,741
425,737
44,576,655
29,264,829
3,778,001
847,441
208,803
323,186
368,243
34,790,503
—
240,741
4,057
244,798
44,331,857
(44,331,857)
$
10,727
323,186
27,262
361,175
34,429,328
(34,429,328)
$
$
— $
— $
25,678,591
3,535,863
982,160
—
446,488
263,348
30,906,450
—
446,488
14,335
460,823
30,445,627
(30,445,627)
—
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has approximately $167.1 million in US federal net operating loss (NOL) carry-forwards
and $2.2 million of Japanese NOL carryforwards. The federal NOL carryforwards generated in tax years prior to 2018 will began to expire
in 2022. The federal NOL carryforwards generated in tax years after 2017 have no expiration. The Company has state NOL carryforwards
of approximately $6.8 million available in various jurisdictions in which it files that will begin to expire in 2034. The Company also has
approximately $3.9 million of federal and state credit carry-forwards. The federal and state credit carryforwards began to expire in 2022.
Utilization of the NOL and credit carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation in the case of sufficient equity ownership changes
under Section 382 of the tax law or the carryforwards may expire unutilized.
As the result of the assessment of the FASB ASC 740-10 (Prior Authoritative Literature: FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”),
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109), the Company has no unrecognized tax
benefits.
The Company’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for the years 2018 through 2021 remain subject to examination by the respective
tax authorities.
FASB ASC 740 (Prior Authoritative Literature: SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes), requires recognition of deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax
returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differing treatment of items for financial reporting
and income tax reporting purposes. The deferred tax balances are adjusted to reflect tax rates by tax jurisdiction, based on currently enacted
tax laws, which will be in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. In light of the historic losses of the
Company, a 100% valuation allowance has been recorded to fully offset any benefit associated with the net deferred tax assets, for which
realization is not considered more likely than not to occur.
Note 11 — Capital Stock
Preferred stock
The Board of Directors are authorized to establish and designate different series of preferred stock and to fix and determine their
voting powers and other special rights and terms. A total of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 are authorized as
of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Of this total, 49,626 shares are
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Table of Contents
designated as Series A Preferred Stock. There were nil and 49,626 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding on December
31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
On January 28, 2021, Intel Corporation (“Intel”) (which was the holder of all of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred
Stock) converted all of its 49,626 shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 4,962,600 shares of common stock and the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock have been retired and cannot be reissued. In connection with the foregoing, Intel and the Company entered into an
agreement pursuant to which Intel agreed to accept $10,000,000 in full payment of all accrued Series A Preferred Stock dividends in the
approximate amount of $10,800,000.
Common Stock
The Company’s authorized common stock consists of 100,000,000 shares, par value of $0.001 as of December 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2020. There were 63,672,268 and 45,645,166 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2020, respectively.
On March 25, 2021, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with BTIG, LLC for the sale of the Company’s
common stock in an underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $20.50 per share. The Company closed on this public offering
(including the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters), receiving total gross proceeds of $97,750,007 from the
sale of 4,768,293 shares. The Company received net proceeds after the underwriting discount and issuance costs and expenses of
$91,613,587.
Note 12 — Stock Warrants
The following table shows the various changes in warrants for the years ended:
Warrants Outstanding at December 31, 2020
Exercised During the Period
Issued During the Period
Expired During the Period
Warrants Outstanding at December 31, 2021
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
7,276,928
(7,276,928)
—
—
6,512,516
(2,882,647)
3,647,059
—
December 31,
2019
2,233,062
—
5,479,454
(1,200,000)
—
7,276,928
6,512,516
During the year ended December 31, 2021, a total of 7,276,928 warrants were exercised on a cash basis resulting in the issuance of
7,276,928 shares of common stock and proceeds of $34,715,728. During the year ended December 31, 2020, a total of 2,882,647 warrants
were exercised on a cash basis resulting in the issuance of 2,882,647 shares of common stock and proceeds of $14,128,527. During the year
ended December 31, 2019 there were no warrants exercised.
As of December 31, 2021, there were no outstanding warrants remaining.
Note 13 — Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has the following Stock Option Plans (“Plans”) that allow for the granting of both incentive stock options or ISOs,
which can result in potentially favorable tax treatment to the participant, and non-statutory stock options. The Company’s 2014 Equity
Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) was approved by the stockholders of the Company on June 26, 2014. The Company no longer issues any
options under its prior 2009 Plan. The 2014 Plan has an “evergreen provision”, under which the maximum number of shares of common
stock that may be issued under the 2014 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders to increase the number of shares available for
issuance thereunder to 20% of the outstanding shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2021, the authorized shares of common stock
under the 2014 Plan, as amended, were 12,734,454.
F-21
Table of Contents
The exercise price per share subject to an option is determined by the administrator, but in the case of an ISO must not be less
than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant and in the case of a non-statutory stock option must not be
less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant.
Under the 2014 Plan, the Company may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards of stock and/or cash,
and stock awards of restricted stock.
Options issued or outstanding under the Stock Options Plans are as follows:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019
Available for future issuance under plan
Total authorized by plan
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020
Available for future issuance under plan
Totals authorized by plan
Outstanding as of December 31, 2021
Available for future issuance under plan
Totals authorized by plan
2009
Plan
85,498
—
85,498
85,498
—
85,498
2014
Plan
1,298,093
5,329,309
6,627,402
2,547,677
6,583,033
9,130,710
Total
1,383,591
5,329,309
6,712,900
2,633,175
6,583,033
9,216,208
—
—
—
11,184,450
1,550,004
12,734,454
11,184,450
1,550,004
12,734,454
The 2014 Plan gives the Board of Directors of the Company the ability to determine vesting periods for all stock incentives
granted under the 2014 Plan and allows option terms to be up to ten years from the original grant date. Employees’ incentive stock options
typically vest at a minimum rate of 25% per year over a four-year period, commencing on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes stock option activity related to the Company’s standard employee incentive plan, excluding
options awarded under the Long-term Incentive Plan (LTIP), for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019:
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
Granted
Exercised
Expired or Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
Granted
Exercised
Expired or Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
Granted
Exercised
Expired or Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
Number of
Options
1,546,521
73,500
$
—
$
$
(236,430)
1,383,591
1,481,000
(82,083)
(149,333)
2,633,175
1,100,500
(739,956)
(170,085)
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Average
Remaining Life
(years)
7.19
6.25
6.53
5.11
2.36
—
6.21
4.77
1.66
4.67
3.68
3.09
17.23
3.36
8.58
2,823,634
$
7.67
7.95
As of December 31, 2021, there were 1,069,639 options that were fully vested and exercisable at a weighted average exercise
price of $5.70 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual term on the vested options is
F-22
Table of Contents
6.58 years. The unvested balance of 1,753,995 options as of December 31, 2021 are exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of
$9.62 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual term on the unvested options is 8.8 years.
As of December 31, 2020, there were 1,251,241 options that were fully vested and exercisable at a weighted average exercise
price of $4.17 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual term on the vested options is 4.58 years. The unvested balance of
1,381,934 options as of December 31, 2020 were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $2.16 per share. The weighted average
remaining contractual term on the vested options was 9.3 years.
As of December 31, 2019, there were 1,015,019 options that were fully vested and exercisable at a weighted average exercise
price of $4.63 per share. The weighted average remaining contractual term on the vested options is 5.4 years. The unvested balance of
368,572 options as of December 31, 2019 were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $5.17 per share. The weighted average
remaining contractual term on the vested options was 8.5 years.
The aggregate intrinsic value of the options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was
approximately $13,697,906, $869,177 and $493,500, respectively.
The aggregate intrinsic value of the options outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $9,314,887,
$16,444,695 and nil, respectively.
The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model was used to estimate the fair value of share-based awards under FASB ASC
Topic 718. The Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model incorporates various and highly subjective assumptions, including expected
term and share price volatility.
The expected term of options granted was estimated to be the average of the vesting term, historical exercise and forfeiture rates,
and the contractual life of the option. The share price volatility at the grant date is estimated using historical stock prices based upon the
expected term of the options granted. The risk-free interest rate assumption is determined using the rates for U.S. Treasury zero-coupon
bonds with maturities similar to those of the expected term of the award being valued. We have never paid cash dividends on our common
stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the assumed expected
dividend yield is zero.
The following summary table shows the assumptions used to compute the fair value of stock options granted, excluding LTIP,
during 2021, 2020 and 2019 and their estimated value:
December 31,
Assumptions for Black-Scholes:
Expected term in years
Expected Volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected annual dividends
Value of options granted:
Number of options granted
Weighted average fair value per share
Fair value of options granted
2021
2020
2019
6.1 to 6.5
82.8% to 86.0 %
0.96% to 1.25 %
None
6.2 to 6.6
73.3% to 76.8 %
0.41% to 0.55 %
None
$
$
1,100,500
12.40
13,642,976
$
$
1,481,000
1.08
1,602,267
$
$
6.2 to 6.3
79.4% to 89.4 %
1.63% to 1.68 %
None
73,500
1.71
125,814
Under FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, the Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they
occur.
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense was $9,355,603 as of December 31, 2021, relating to a total of 1,753,995
unvested stock options under the Company’s stock option plans. This stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized over
a weighted average period of approximately 3.2 years.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued 68,047 shares of common stock to its independent board
members as part of their annual retainer for services covering the period of July 2021 to June 2022 and for the onboarding of the 3 new
directors. The fair market value on the date of award of the stock issued was $16.90,
F-23
Table of Contents
resulting in an aggregate fair value of approximately $1,150,000. The unamortized portion is included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
on our consolidated balance sheet. The fair market value of these awards is expensed over twelve (12) months for 59,170 shares and
twenty-four (24) months for 8,877 shares beginning on July 1, 2021.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company awarded 300,000 shares of restricted common stock to the new
managing director of its newly established Vuzix Custom Solutions (VCS) business unit, also formerly referred to as Integrated Solutions
Business Unit. This equity award was granted pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) inducement grant exception as a component of
Mr. Spiliotis’s employment compensation and was granted as an inducement material to his acceptance of employment with Vuzix. These
restricted shares are subject to vesting, including 50,000 shares that may be earned over 3 years based upon continued employment with the
Company, and 250,000 shares that are being held in escrow, and which may be earned upon achievement of revenue and EBITDA
operational milestones for VCS within specified periods of time over 5 years. Any such milestone shares will be cancelled if not earned
within the appropriate milestone time period. The fair market value on the date of award of the restricted stock issued was $15.58, resulting
in an aggregate fair value of approximately $4,674,000, of which, $779,000 has been recorded in short-term and long-term Prepaid
Expenses and Other Assets associated with the time vesting option, to be amortized over 36 months beginning October 1, 2021. The
balance of shares held in escrow related to the performance-based milestones, representing a fair market value of $3,895,000, is not being
amortized until such time as the performance milestones are considered probable to be achieved or have been achieved in accordance with
ASC 718.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded total stock-based compensation expense,
including stock awards but excluding awards under the Company’s LTIP, of $4,047,444, $2,805,842, and $1,498,357, respectively.
Note 14 – Long-term Incentive Plan
On March 17, 2021, the Company granted options to purchase a total of 5,784,000 shares of common stock to its officers and
certain other members of its management team. The options were granted under the Company’s existing 2014 Incentive Stock Plan. The
options have an exercise price of $19.00, with 375,000 options vesting immediately and the remaining portion vesting upon the
achievement of certain equity market capitalization milestones, and revenue and EBITDA operational milestones. For the year ended
December 31, 2021, the Company recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $13,255,388 for options that vested or are
probable to vest. There was no stock-based compensation expense related to the Company’s LTIP in the year ended December 31, 2020 and
2019.
The fair value of option grants was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation on the equity market capitalization tranches and the
Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing method on the operational milestone tranches. As of December 31, 2021, we had $28,340,458 of total
unrecognized stock-based compensation expense for the portion of options tied to equity market capitalization milestones and the portion of
options tied to operational milestones that were considered probable of achievement, all of which will be recognized over a service period
of up to 6 years. The probabilities of the milestone achievements are subject to catch-adjustments in each instance where an equity market
capitalization milestone is achieved or when an operational milestone becomes probable to be achieved or is achieved. Compensation costs
could be reversed in subsequent periods if an awardee leave the Company prior to the expiration of the option life for market capitalization
milestone or performance ward vesting of a performance award no longer determined to be probable. If such milestones are achieved earlier
in their expected service periods, the remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to that particular milestone would be
accelerated and recognized in full during the period where that achievement is affirmed by the Board of Directors. As of December 31,
2021, and going forward, should all of the operational milestones which are currently not yet deemed probable of achievement become
probable of achievement or are achieved, then the Company could ultimately recognize up to an additional $34.1 million in non-cash stock-
based compensation expense at such time.
F-24
Table of Contents
The following summary table shows the assumptions used to compute the fair value of the equity market capitalization awards and
their estimated value:
December 31, 2021
Assumptions for Monte Carlo:
Expected term in years
Volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected annual dividends
Value of options granted:
Number of options granted
Weighted average fair value per share
Fair value of options granted
1.4 to 5.2
70.58 %
0.07 % to 1.28 %
None
3,079,500
10.92
33,623,423
$
$
The following summary table shows the assumptions used to compute the fair value of the performance-based awards and their
estimated value:
December 31, 2021
Assumptions for Black-Scholes:
Expected term in years
Expected Volatility
Risk-free interest rate
Expected annual dividends
Value of options granted:
Number of options granted
Weighted average fair value per share
Fair value of options granted
6.0 to 10.0
84.67 % to 116.39 %
1.03 % to 1.63 %
None
$
$
2,704,500
15.54
42,040,151
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company reviewed its estimate for future expenses related to its Long-Term Incentive Plan
for the potential achievement of market capitalization awards, which resulted in increased fair market values on this portion of the new
LTIP, first put into place in March 2021. As a result, the total fair market value under of the market capitalization awards at that time of
grant increased to approximately $33.6 million from $12.1 million as of March 31, 2021. This change was a result of management’s
determination that the initial fair market value model’s inputs that were utilized were ultimately considered unacceptable according to U.S.
GAAP guidance and as a result were revised by management and subsequently updated in its current model for determining the fair market
of these market capitalization awards. This error correction was made in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The effect of these changes on actual stock-based compensation expense including in 2021 unaudited quarterly operating expenses
was as follows:
Additional Paid-in
Capital
Research and
Development Expense
Sales and Marketing
General and
Administrative
Net Loss
Loss per Share
Q1-2021
Q2-2021
Q3-2021
Q4-2021
Increase of $2,512,007
Increase of $466,015
Increase of $2,541,482
Decrease of $5,519,504
Increase of $125,391
Increase of $62,696
Increase of $23,262
Increase of $11,631
Increase of $126,863
Increase of $63,431
Decrease of $275,516
Decrease of $137,758
Increase of $2,323,920
Increase of $2,512,007
Increase of $0.05
Increase of $431,122
Increase of $466,015
Increase of $0.01
Increase of $2,351,188
Increase of $2,541,482
Increase of $0.04
Decrease of $5,106,230
Decrease of $5,519,504
Decrease of $0.10
The unvested remaining equity market and operational milestones under the LTIP with their total related option grants and criteria
achievement weightings of the options available for meeting a target are shown in the following table. Of the total 5,409,000 unvested
options outstanding as of December 31, 2021, there are 2,704,500 options unvested for
F-25
Table of Contents
the achievement of Equity Market Capitalization targets, 1,893,150 unvested options for the achievement of annual Revenue targets, and
811,350 unvested options for the achievement of annual EBITDA Margins Before Non-Cash Charges targets.
Award Potential
Options Available
(Subject to Vesting)
50% of Options Available
Equity Market
Capitalization
Target
Criteria Achievement Weighting
35% of Options Available
LTM Revenue
Target
15% of Options Available
LTM EBITDA
Margin before
Non-Cash
Charges Target
686,000
686,000
686,000
686,000
586,000
586,000
561,000
491,000
441,000
5,409,000
$ 2,000,000,000
3,000,000,000
4,000,000,000
5,000,000,000
6,000,000,000
7,000,000,000
8,000,000,000
9,000,000,000
10,000,000,000
$ 25,000,000
50,000,000
100,000,000
200,000,000
300,000,000
450,000,000
675,000,000
1,000,000,000
1,500,000,000
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
Note 15 — Right-of-Use Assets and Liabilities
The Company has signed lease agreements, with the largest being for its office and manufacturing facility in the West Henrietta,
New York area under an operating lease that commenced October 3, 2015 and was set to expire on October 3, 2020. This lease has an
original five-year term with an option by the Company to renew for two additional three-year terms at pre-agreed to lease rates. On June 25,
2020, the Company exercised the first of two renewal terms, extending our current lease term to January 31, 2024. Operating lease costs
under the operating leases totaled $630,085, $559,975 and $572,767 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Certain leases provide for increases in future minimum annual rental payments as defined in the lease agreements. The leases
generally also include real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges in the annual rental payments. Short-term leases are leases
having a term of twelve (12) months or less. The Company recognizes short-term leases on an as incurred basis and does not record a
related lease asset or liability for such leases.
As none of our leases provide an implicit interest rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate to determine our discount rate at
lease inception based upon the information available at commencement in determining the present value of lease payments. As of
December 31, 2021, the weighted average discount rate was 4.5% and the weighted average remaining lease term was 2.1 years.
Future lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
2022
2023
2024
Total Future Lease Payments
Less: Imputed Interest
Total Lease Liability Balance
Note 16 — Employee Benefit Plans
$
$
559,916
546,916
45,576
1,152,408
(35,386)
1,117,022
The Company has a Section 401(k) Savings Plan which covers employees who meet certain age and length of service
requirements. Effective July 1, 2018, the Company’s Plan was amended to include a 100% match by the Company on all eligible employee
salary deferrals. The Company’s matching contribution is limited to 3% of covered
F-26
Table of Contents
employee’s annual salary. Total 401(k) matching expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 totaled $280,660,
$148,131 and $142,414, respectively.
Note 17 — Litigation
We are not currently involved in any actual or pending material legal proceedings or litigation, and we are not aware of any such
proceedings contemplated by or against us or our property.
Note 18 — Geographic and Other Financial Information (Unaudited)
Geographic Financial Information (Unaudited)
Geographical revenue information, based on ship-to destination of the customers for the three years ended December 31, 2021,
2020 and 2019 is as follows (in thousands):
By Continent and Region:
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Others
Total Revenues
By Country:
US
Japan
China
Germany
Others
Total Revenues
2021
Fiscal Year
2020
2019
Revenue % of Total
Revenue % of Total
Revenue % of Total
$
5,003
4,683
2,960
519
$ 13,165
38 % $
36 %
22 %
4 %
4,531
3,290
3,383
377
100 % $ 11,581
40 % $ 2,781
2,058
28 %
1,656
29 %
176
3 %
100 % $ 6,671
42 %
31 %
25 %
2 %
100 %
2021
Fiscal Year
2020
2019
Revenue % of Total
Revenue % of Total
Revenue % of Total
$
4,767
2,078
205
322
5,793
$ 13,165
4,364
2,502
36 % $
16 %
68
2 %
378
2 %
4,269
44 %
100 % $ 11,581
38 % $ 2,673
873
22 %
972
1 %
3 %
769
36 % 1,384
100 % $ 6,671
40 %
13 %
15 %
12 %
20 %
100 %
The Company does not maintain significant amounts of long-lived assets outside of the United States.
Note 19 — Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The following table summarizes our unaudited quarterly financial information for the periods shown below (in thousands, except
per share data):
Fiscal Year 2021
Revenue
Gross profit
Net loss
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
Refer to Note 14 for adjusted quarterly amounts.
F-27
$
$
December 31, September 30, June 30,
2,917
579
(9,245)
(0.15)
(9,245)
3,019
583
(10,487)
(0.17)
(10,487)
3,314
209
(11,494)
(0.17)
(11,494)
$
$
March 31,
3,915
1,080
(9,151)
(0.17)
(9,151)
Table of Contents
Revenue
Gross profit
Net loss
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
Revenue
Gross profit (loss)
Net loss
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
F-28
Fiscal Year 2020
$
$
December 31, September 30, June 30,
3,037
796
(4,239)
(0.13)
(4,746)
4,233
703
(3,590)
(0.09)
(4,120)
2,779
348
(4,761)
(0.13)
(5,281)
$
Fiscal Year 2019
$
$
December 31, September 30, June 30,
2,186
152
(5,056)
(0.20)
(5,534)
1,953
(4,369)
(9,583)
(0.31)
(10,081)
1,159
(231)
(5,477)
(0.18)
(5,967)
$
$
March 31,
1,532
81
(5,362)
(0.18)
(5,861)
$
March 31,
1,373
40
(6,360)
(0.25)
(6,826)
Table of Contents
VUZIX CORPORATION
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in thousands)
Description
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
Charged to
Expenses
Deductions
Balance at End
of Period
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Allowances deducted from assets
Doubtful Accounts
Inventory
Total allowances deducted from assets
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Allowances deducted from assets
Doubtful Accounts
Inventory
Total allowances deducted from assets
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Allowances deducted from assets
Doubtful Accounts
Inventory
Total allowances deducted from assets
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
7
364
371
$
$
4,573
4,566
(7)(a) $
— $
(149)
(149)
$
— $
4,788
4,788
$
—
1,274
1,274
— $
3,886
3,886
$
—
520
520
— $
(2,176)(b)
$
$ (2,176)
$
— $
(3,279)(c)
$
$ (3,279)
—
4,788
4,788
—
3,886
3,886
—
1,127
1,127
(a) Recovery of amounts previously written off.
(b) Deductions in 2020 primarily related to the disposal of raw components related to the discontinuance of production of our original
M300, all of which was fully provisioned for as of December 31, 2019.
(c) Deductions in 2021 primarily related to the disposal of finished goods related to the discontinuance of sales and marketing activities
related to our M300 series products, which had been previously provisioned for.
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Table of Contents
Exhibit Index
*
3.1(1)
3.2(12)
3.3(2)
3.4(3)
3.5(4)
4.1 (10)
10.1(5)**
10.2(5)**
10.3(5)**
10.4(6)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Amended and Restated Bylaws
Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock
Description of the Registrant’s Securities
Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between the registrant and each director and executive officer
Employment Agreement dated as of August 1, 2007 by and between the registrant and Paul Travers
Employment Agreement dated as of August 1, 2007 by and between the registrant and Grant Russell
Shared Services Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2012, by and between Vuzix Corporation and TDG Acquisition
Company LLC
10.5(6)
10.6(6)
Reseller Agreement, dated as June 15, 2012, by and between Vuzix Corporation and TDG Acquisition Company LLC.
Restrictive Covenants Agreement, dated as June 15, 2012, by and between Paul Travers and TDG Acquisition Company
LLC
10.7(7)
10.9 (11) †
14.1(8)
21.1(9)
23.1*
31.1*
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
Amendment No. 1 to agreements with TDG Acquisition Company, LLC
Code of Ethics
Subsidiaries
Consent of Freed Maxick, CPAs, P.C.
Certification of CEO as required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*
Certification of CFO as required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1***
32.2***
101*
Section 1350 CEO Certification
Section 1350 CFO Certification
The following materials, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets,
(ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
104
† Confidential treatment granted as to certain portion
* Filed herewith.
** Indicates management contract or compensatory arrangement.
*** Furnished herewith.
(1) Filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed October 16, 2009 and incorporated herein
by reference.
(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 7, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 2, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Filed as an exhibit to the S-1 filed July 2, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference.
(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 21, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Filed with Definitive Proxy Statement on April 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Filed as exhibit to 10-K filed March 30, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
58
Table of Contents
(9) Filed as exhibit to S-1 filed December 21, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
(10) Filed as exhibit to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
(11) Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K filed October 10, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.
(12) Filed as exhibit to Form 8-K filed April 30, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference.
59
Table of Contents
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, on the 2nd day of March, 2022.
SIGNATURES
VUZIX CORPORATION
/s/ Paul Travers
Paul Travers
Chief Executive Officer
60
Table of Contents
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
jointly and severally, Paul Travers and Grant Russell, and each one of them, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution,
for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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:
Signature
/s/ Paul Travers
Paul Travers
/s/ Grant Russell
Grant Russell
/s/ Edward Kay
Edward Kay
/s/ Timothy Harned
Timothy Harned
/s/ Azita Arvani
Azita Arvani
/s/ Emily Nagle Green
Emily Nagle Green
/s/ Raj Rajgopal
Raj Rajgopal
Title
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Chief Financial Officer,
Executive Vice-President and Director
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
61
Date
March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
March 2, 2022
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-252673, 333-231932, 333-209304, and
333-202045) and on Form S-8 (No. 333-252959) of our report dated March 2, 2022, relating to the consolidated financial statements and
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Vuzix Corporation appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2021.
Our report dated March 2, 2022 on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, expressed an
opinion that Vuzix Corporation had not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on
criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission in 2013.
Exhibit 23.1
/s/ Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C.
Buffalo, New York
March 2, 2022
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Paul Travers, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Vuzix Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for
the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
Date: March 2, 2022
/s/ Paul Travers
Paul Travers
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Grant Russell, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Vuzix Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for
the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our
supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
Date: March 2, 2022
/s/ Grant Russell
Grant Russell
Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
In connection with the Annual Report of Vuzix Corporation (“Vuzix”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Paul Travers, Chief Executive Officer of Vuzix, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §
1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vuzix.
Date: March 2, 2022
/s/ Paul Travers
Paul Travers
Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
In connection with the Annual Report of Vuzix Corporation (“Vuzix”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Grant Russell, Chief Financial Officer of Vuzix, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §
1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vuzix.
Date: March 2, 2022
/s/ Grant Russell
Grant Russell
Chief Financial Officer