Note 2 – Liquidity and Management Plans
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company
recorded revenue of $575,368 and $136,364, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded
a net loss of $12,473,140 and $10,796,542, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $10,007,645 and $6,325,595 for
the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company is currently meeting its liquidity requirements through
the sales of shares to three different private investors during August 2016, November 2016 and December 2016, which raised net
proceeds of $34,788,311, and payments received under product development projects.
As of March 31, 2017, the Company had cash
on hand of $21,446,888. The Company expects that cash on hand as of March 31, 2017, together with anticipated revenues, will be
sufficient to fund the Company’s operations through the second quarter of 2018. However, the Company may pursue additional
financing, which could include follow-on equity offerings, debt financing, co-development agreements or other alternatives, depending
upon the market conditions. Should the Company choose to pursue additional financing, there is no assurance that the Company would
be able to do so on terms that it would find acceptable.
Research and development of new technologies
is, by its nature, unpredictable. Although the Company will undertake development efforts with commercially reasonable diligence,
there can be no assurance that its available resources including the net proceeds from investor financings will be sufficient to
enable it to develop and obtain regulatory approval of its technology to the extent needed to create future revenues sufficient
to sustain its operations.
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements are
presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (“US GAAP”), and pursuant to the accounting and disclosure rules and regulations of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
These
unaudited condensed interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and
notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2017. The accounting policies used in preparing these
unaudited condensed interim financial statements are consistent with those described in the Company’s December 31, 2016
audited financial statements
.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US
GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure
of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported expenses during the reporting periods.
The Company’s significant estimates and assumptions include
the valuation of stock-based compensation instruments, recognition of revenue, the useful lives of long-lived assets, and income
tax expense. Some of these judgments can be subjective and complex, and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Although the Company believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available at the
time the estimates and assumptions were made. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments
with an original maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances
that may be uninsured or in deposit accounts that exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. The Company maintains its
cash deposits with major financial institutions.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria
have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, collection of the revenue is reasonably
assured, and the fees are fixed or determinable.
The Company records revenue associated with product development
projects that it enters into with certain customers. In general, these projects are associated with complex technology development,
and as such the Company does not have certainty about its ability to achieve the program milestones. Achievement of the milestone
is dependent on the Company’s performance typically requires acceptance by the customer. The payment associated with achieving
the milestone is generally commensurate with the Company’s effort or the value of the deliverable and is nonrefundable. The
Company records the expenses related to these projects, generally included in research and development expense, in the periods
incurred.
The Company also receives nonrefundable payments, typically
at the beginning of a customer relationship, for which there are no milestones. The Company recognizes this revenue ratably over
the initial engineering product development period. The Company records the expenses related to these projects, generally included
in research and development expense, in the periods incurred.
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,
continued
Research and Development
Research and development expenses are charged to operations
as incurred. For internally developed patents, all patent application costs are expensed as incurred as research and development
expense. Patent application costs, generally legal costs, are expensed as research and development costs until such time as the
future economic benefits of such patents become more certain. The Company incurred research and development costs of $8,353,184
and $7,674,093 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued to employees
in accordance with accounting guidance that requires awards to be recorded at their fair value on the date of grant and are amortized
over the vesting period of the award. The Company recognizes compensation costs on a straight line basis over the requisite service
period of the award, which is typically the vesting term of the equity instrument issued.
On April 10, 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved
the Energous Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), under which 600,000 shares of common stock were
reserved for purchase by the Company’s employees, subject to approval by the stockholders. On May 21, 2015, the Company’s
stockholders approved the ESPP. Under the plan, employees may purchase a limited number of shares of the Company’s common
stock at a 15% discount from the lower of the closing market prices measured on the first and last days of each half-year period.
The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of the purchase options, as measured on the grant date.
Income Taxes
Tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are
more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount
of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement. A liability for “unrecognized tax
benefits” is recorded for any tax benefits claimed in the Company’s tax returns that do not meet these recognition
and measurement standards. As of March 31, 2017, no liability for unrecognized tax benefits was required to be reported. The guidance
also discusses the classification of related interest and penalties on income taxes. The Company’s policy is to record interest
and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. No interest or penalties were recorded during the
three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
Net Loss Per Common Share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss available
to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings
per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding
during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options
and warrants (using the treasury stock method), the vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance stock units
(“PSUs”) and deferred stock units (“DSUs”) and the enrollment of employees in the ESPP. The computation
of diluted loss per share excludes potentially dilutive securities of 7,359,173 and 4,879,841 for the three months ended March
31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,
continued
Net Loss Per Common Share, continued
Potentially dilutive securities outlined in the table below
have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Consulting Warrant to purchase common stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
146,079
|
|
Financing Warrant to purchase common stock
|
|
|
13,889
|
|
|
|
152,778
|
|
IPO Warrants to purchase common stock
|
|
|
11,600
|
|
|
|
460,000
|
|
Investor Relations Consulting Warrant
|
|
|
7,950
|
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
Investor Relations Incentive Warrant
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
Warrant issued to private investors
|
|
|
2,381,675
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Options to purchase common stock
|
|
|
1,301,844
|
|
|
|
1,443,495
|
|
RSUs
|
|
|
2,473,598
|
|
|
|
1,419,691
|
|
PSUs
|
|
|
1,153,617
|
|
|
|
1,191,845
|
|
DSUs
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
14,953
|
|
Total potentially dilutive securities
|
|
|
7,359,173
|
|
|
|
4,879,841
|
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”),
which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASU Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition," and most industry-specific
guidance. ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers
in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising
from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to
obtain or fulfill a contract. Originally, ASU 2014-09 would be effective for the Company starting January 1, 2017 using either
of two methods: (i) retrospective to each prior reporting period presented with the option to elect certain practical expedients
as defined within ASU 2014-09; or (ii) retrospective with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized
at the date of initial application and providing certain additional disclosures as defined per ASU 2014-09. In July 2015, FASB
voted to amend ASU 2014-09 by approving a one-year deferral of the effective date as well as providing the option to early adopt
the standard on the original effective date. The Company will evaluate the effects, if any, that adoption of this guidance will
have on its financial statements.
In August 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of
Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue
as a Going Concern. This standard is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial
doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Under US
GAAP, financial statements are prepared under the presumption that the reporting organization will continue to operate as a going
concern, except in limited circumstances. Financial reporting under this presumption is commonly referred to as the going concern
basis of accounting.
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,
continued
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, continued
The going concern basis of accounting is critical to financial
reporting because it establishes the fundamental basis for measuring and classifying assets and liabilities. Currently, US GAAP
lacks guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the organization’s
ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. This ASU provides guidance to an organization’s
management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that
are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes. The amendments are effective for annual periods
ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted
ASU 2014-15 and management has made the appropriate evaluations and disclosures in Note 2 – Liquidity and Management Plans.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Simplifying
the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." This standard amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance
costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge.
It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has adopted ASU 2015-03, and the adoption
of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, “Presentation
and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements” – Amendments to SEC
Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015, which clarified the SEC staff’s position on presenting and measuring
debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line-of-credit arrangements. ASU 2015-15 should be adopted concurrently with the
adoption of ASU 2015-03. The Company has adopted ASU 2015-15, and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact
on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Balance
Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). The standard requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities
be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years and interim
periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2015-17 may be applied either prospectively,
for all deferred tax assets and liabilities, or retrospectively. The Company has early adopted ASU 2015-17 effective December 31,
2015, retrospectively. The adoption of this standard had no impact on the results of operations.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial
Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”
(“ASU 2016-01”). The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of
financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December
15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this new standard will have on its financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases
(Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). This standard requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that
arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments
(the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases
with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not
to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases
at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal
years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact
the adoption of this new standard will have on its financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) – Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)”
(“ASU 2016-08”). ASU No. 2016-08 maintains the core principles of Topic 606 on revenue recognition, but clarifies whether
an entity is a principal or an agent in a contract and the appropriate revenue recognition principles under each of these circumstances.
The amendments in ASU 2016-08 affect the guidance of ASU 2014-09 which is not yet effective. The Company will evaluate the effects,
if any, that adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements.
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,
continued
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, continued
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation
— Stock Compensation (Topic 718) — Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU No. 2016-09
includes provisions to simplify certain aspects related to the accounting for share-based awards and the related financial statement
presentation. This ASU includes a requirement that the tax effect related to the settlement of share-based awards be recorded in
income tax benefit or expense in the statements of earnings. This change is required to be adopted prospectively in the period
of adoption. In addition, the ASU modifies the classification of certain share-based payment activities within the statements of
cash flows and these changes are required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented, or in certain cases prospectively,
beginning in the period of adoption. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016,
including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. The adoption
of this standard did not have a material impact on the results of operations.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) – Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” ASU No. 2016-10 maintains
the core principles of Topic 606 on revenue recognition, but clarifies identification of performance obligations and licensing
implementation guidance. The amendments in ASU 2016-10 affect the guidance of ASU 2014-09 which is not yet effective. The Company
will evaluate the effects, if any, that adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements.
In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, “Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) – Narrow- Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” ASU No. 2016-12 maintains
the core principles of Topic 606 on revenue recognition, but addresses collectability, sales tax presentation, noncash consideration,
contract modifications at transition and completed contracts at transition. The amendments in ASU 2016-12 affect the guidance of
ASU 2014-09 which is not yet effective. The Company will evaluate the effects, if any, that adoption of this guidance will have
on its financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial
Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU No. 2016-13
provides financial statement reader more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments
and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. It is effective for annual reporting
periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will evaluate the effects, if any, that adoption of this guidance will have
on its financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement
of Cash Flows (Topic 230) – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” ASU No. 2016-15 addresses eight
specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. It is effective for annual reporting
periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial
statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement
of Cash Flows (230) – Restricted Cash.” ASU No. 2016-18 requires an entity to include amounts described as restricted
cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period
total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018.
The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of
operations.
In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, “Technical
Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU No. 2016-20 amends certain aspects
of ASU No. 2014-09 and clarifies, rather than changes, the core revenue recognition principles in ASU No. 2014-09. It is effective
for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,
continued
Management’s Evaluation of Subsequent Events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance
sheet date of March 31, 2017, through the date which the financial statements are issued. Based upon the review, other than events
disclosed in Note 8 – Subsequent Events, the Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment
or disclosure in the financial statements.
Note 4 – Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
On September 10, 2014, the Company entered into a Lease Agreement
(the “Lease”) with Balzer Family Investments, L.P. (the “Landlord”) related to space located at Northpointe
Business Center, 3590 North First Street, San Jose, California. The initial term of the lease is 60 months, with initial monthly
base rent of $36,720 and the lease is subject to certain annual escalations as defined in the agreement. On October 1, 2014, the
Company relocated its headquarters to this new location. The Company issued to the Landlord 41,563 shares of the Company’s
common stock valued at $500,000, of which $400,000 will be applied to reduce the Company’s monthly base rent obligation by
$6,732 per month and of which $100,000 was for certain tenant improvements. The Company recorded $400,000 as prepaid rent on its
balance sheet, which is being amortized over the term of the lease and recorded $100,000 as leasehold improvements.
On February 26, 2015, the Company entered into a sub-lease agreement
for additional space in the San Jose area. The agreement has a term which expires on June 30, 2019 and an initial monthly rent
of $6,109 per month. On August 25, 2015, the Company entered into an additional amended sub-lease agreement for additional space
in San Jose, California. The agreement has a term which expires on June 30, 2019 and an initial monthly rent of $4,314 per month.
These leases are subject to certain annual escalations as defined in the agreements.
On July 9, 2015, the Company entered into a sub-lease agreement
for additional space in Costa Mesa, CA. The agreement has a term which expires on September 30, 2017 and a monthly rent of $6,376
per month.
The future minimum lease payments for leased locations are as
follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
Amount
|
|
2017 (Nine Months)
|
|
$
|
426,005
|
|
2018
|
|
|
530,531
|
|
2019
|
|
|
372,652
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,329,188
|
|
Development
and Licensing Agreements
In 2015, the Company signed a development
and licensing agreement with a consumer electronics company to embed WattUp wire-free charging receiver technology in various
products including, but not limited to, certain mobile consumer electronics and related accessories. On March 31, 2016, the
Company received a payment of $500,000 to begin the second phase of this agreement, of which the Company recognized $74,868 and $136,364 in revenue during the three months
ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company also
recognized revenue of $500,000 and $0, respectively, upon the achievement of project milestones under the second phase of
the agreement.
In 2016, the Company entered into an agreement
with a commercial and industrial supply company, under which the Company will develop wire-free charging solutions. The Company
has $22,275 from this agreement in its deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2017, which will be recognized when the project
is completed.
Note 4 – Commitments and Contingencies, continued
Hosted
Design Solution Agreement
On June 25, 2015, the Company entered into a
three-year agreement to license electronic design automation software in a hosted environment. Pursuant to the agreement, under
which services began July 13, 2015, the Company is required to remit quarterly payments in the amount of $100,568 with the last
payment due March 30, 2018. On December 18, 2015, the agreement was amended to redefine the hardware and software configuration
and the quarterly payments increased to $198,105.
Amended Employee Agreement – Stephen Rizzone
On April 3, 2015, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated
Executive Employment Agreement with Stephen R. Rizzone, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (the “Employment
Agreement”).
The Employment Agreement has an effective date of January 1,
2015 and an initial term of four years (the “Initial Employment Period”). The Employment Agreement provides for an
annual base salary of $365,000, and Mr. Rizzone is eligible to receive quarterly cash bonuses with a total target amount equal
to 100% of his base salary based upon achievement of performance-based objectives established by the Company’s board of directors.
Pursuant to Mr. Rizzone’s prior employment agreement,
on December 12, 2013 Mr. Rizzone was granted a ten year option to purchase 275,689 shares of common stock at an exercise price
of $1.68 vesting over four years in 48 monthly installments beginning October 1, 2013 (the “First Option”). Mr. Rizzone
was also granted a second option award to purchase 496,546 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 (the “Second
Option”). The Second Option vests over the same vesting schedule as the First Option.
Effective May 21, 2015, with the approval by the Company’s
stockholders of its new performance-based equity plan, the Employment Agreement provided and Mr. Rizzone received, a grant of 639,075
Performance Share Units (the “PSUs”). The PSUs, which represent the right to receive shares of common stock, shall
be earned based on the Company’s achievement of market capitalization growth between the effective date of the Employment
Agreement and the end of the Initial Employment Period. If the Company’s market capitalization is $100 million or less, no
PSUs will be earned. If the Company reaches a market capitalization of $1.1 billion or more, 100% of the PSUs will be earned. For
market capitalization between $100 million and $1.1 billion, the percentage of PSUs earned will be determined on a quarterly basis
based on straight line interpolation. PSUs earned as of the end of a calendar quarter will be paid 50% immediately and 50% will
be deferred until the end of the Initial Employment Period subject to Mr. Rizzone’s continued employment with the Company
(See Note 6).
Mr. Rizzone is also eligible to receive all customary and usual
benefits generally available to senior executives of the Company.
The Employment Agreement provides that if Mr. Rizzone’s
employment is terminated due to his death or disability, if Mr. Rizzone’s employment is terminated by the Company without
cause or if he resigns for good reason, twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares subject to the First Option and the Second
Option shall immediately vest and become exercisable, he will have a period of one year post-termination to exercise the First
Option and the Second Option, and if a Liquidation Event (as defined in the Employment Agreement) shall occur prior to the termination
of the First Option and the Second Option, one hundred percent (100%) of the shares subject to the First Option and Second Option
shall immediately vest and become exercisable effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Liquidation Event. In addition,
any outstanding deferred PSUs shall be immediately vested and paid, but any remaining unearned portion of the PSUs shall immediately
be canceled and forfeited.
Strategic Alliance Agreement
In November 2016, the Company and Dialog Semiconductor plc (“Dialog”)
entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement (“Alliance Agreement”) for the manufacture, distribution and commercialization
of products incorporating the Company’s wire-free charging technology (“Licensed Products”). Pursuant to the
terms of the Strategic Alliance Agreement, the Company agreed to engage Dialog as the exclusive supplier of the Licensed Products
for specified fields of use, subject to certain exceptions (the “Company Exclusivity Requirement”). Dialog agreed to
not distribute, sell or work with any third party to develop any competing products without the Company’s approval (the “Dialog
Exclusivity Requirement”). In addition, both parties agreed on a revenue sharing arrangement and will collaborate on the
commercialization of Licensed Products based on a mutually-agreed upon plan. Each party will retain all of its intellectual property.
The Alliance Agreement has an initial term of seven years and
will automatically renew annually thereafter unless terminated by either party upon 180 days’ prior written notice. The Company
may terminate the Alliance Agreement at any time after the third anniversary of the Agreement upon 180 days’ prior written
notice to Dialog, or if Dialog breaches certain exclusivity obligations. Dialog may terminate the Alliance Agreement if sales of
Licensed Products do not meet specified targets. The Company Exclusivity Requirement will terminate upon the earlier of January
1, 2021 or the occurrence of certain events relating to the Company’s pre-existing exclusivity obligations. The Dialog Exclusivity
Requirement will terminate if no Licensed Products have received the necessary Federal Communications Commission approvals within
specified timeframes.
Note 5 – Stockholders’ Equity
Authorized Capital
The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled
to one vote per share. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the
board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of common
stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets of the Company that are legally available for distribution.
Filing of registration statement
On April 24, 2015, the Company filed a “shelf” registration
statement on Form S-3, which became effective on April 30, 2015. The “shelf” registration statement allows the Company
from time to time to sell any combination of debt or equity securities described in the registration statement up to aggregate
proceeds of $75,000,000.
Pursuant to the shelf registration, on November 17, 2015, the
Company consummated an offering of 3,000,005 shares of common stock at $6.90 per share and received from the underwriters’
net proceeds of $19,333,032 (net of underwriters’ discount of $1,242,002 and underwriters’ offering expenses of $125,000).
The Company incurred additional offering expenses of $284,576, yielding net proceeds from the offering under shelf registration
of $19,048,456.
Private Placements
On August 9, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase
agreement with Ascend Legend Master Fund, Ltd. pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Ascend Legend Master Fund, Ltd.,
and its affiliates, 1,618,123 shares of common stock at a price of $12.36 per share and a warrant to purchase up to 1,618,123 shares
of common stock at an exercise price of $23.00 per share. The aggregate proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock was $20,000,000.
On November 7, 2016, the Company and Dialog Semiconductor entered
into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Dialog Semiconductor 763,552 shares of common
stock at a price of $13.0967 per share and a warrant to purchase up to 763,552 shares of common stock that may be exercised only
on a cashless basis at a price of $17.0257 per share, and may be exercised at any time between the date that is six months and
a day after the closing date of the transaction and the three-year anniversary of the Closing Date. The aggregate proceeds from
the sale of shares of common stock was 10,000,011.
On December 30, 2016, the Company and JT Group entered into
a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to JT Group 292,056 shares of common stock at a price
of $17.12 per share. The aggregate proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock was $4,999,975.
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation
Equity Incentive Plans
2013 Equity Incentive Plan
In December 2013, the Company’s
board and stockholders approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, providing for the issuance of equity-based instruments covering
up to an initial total of 1,042,167 shares of common stock.
Effective on March 10, 2014, the Company’s
board of directors and stockholders approved the First Amendment to the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan which provided for an increase
in the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to equal 18% of
the total number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately following the completion of the IPO (assuming for this purpose
the issuance of all shares issuable under the Company’s equity plans, the conversion into common stock of all outstanding
securities that are convertible by their terms into common stock and the exercise of all options and warrants exercisable for shares
of common stock and including shares and warrants issued to the underwriters for such IPO upon exercise of its over-allotment options).
Effective March 27, 2014, the aggregate
total number of shares which may be issued under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan was increased to 2,335,967.
Effective on May 19, 2016, the Company’s
stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved
for issuance thereunder by 2,150,000 shares, bringing the total number of approved shares to 4,485,967 under the 2013 Equity Incentive
Plan.
As of March 31, 2017, 1,234,052 shares
of common stock remain available to be issued through equity-based instruments under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.
2014 Non-Employee
Equity Compensation Plan
On March 6, 2014, the Company’s
board of directors and stockholders approved the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan for the issuance of equity-based instruments
covering up to 250,000 shares of common stock to directors and other non-employees.
Effective on May 19, 2016, the Company’s
stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved
for issuance thereunder by 350,000 shares, bringing the total number of approved shares to 600,000 under the 2014 Non-Employee
Equity Compensation Plan.
As of March 31, 2017, 301,055 shares of common stock remain
available to be issued through equity-based instruments under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan.
2015 Performance Share Unit Plan
On April 10, 2015, the Company’s
board of directors approved the Energous Corporation 2015 Performance Share Unit Plan (the “Performance Share Plan”),
under which 1,310,104 shares of common stock became available for issuance as PSUs to a select group of employees and directors,
subject to approval by the stockholders. On May 21, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the Performance Share Plan.
As of March 31, 2017, 31,951 shares
of common stock remain available to be issued through equity-based instruments under the Performance Share Unit Plan.
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation, continued
Equity Incentive Plans, continued
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On April 10, 2015, the Company’s
board of directors approved the ESPP, under which 600,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for purchase by the Company’s
employees, subject to approval by the stockholders. On May 21, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the ESPP. Employees
may designate an amount not less than 1% but not more than 10% of their annual compensation, but for not more than 7,500 shares
during an offering period. An offering period shall be six months in duration commencing on or about January 1 and July 1 of each
year. The exercise price of the option will be the lesser of 85% of the fair market of the common stock on the first business day
of the offering period and 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the applicable exercise date.
As of March 31, 2017, 468,621 shares
of common stock remain available to be issued under the ESPP. As of March 31, 2017, employees have contributed $245,959 through
payroll withholdings to the ESPP for the current eligibility period. Shares will be deemed delivered on June 30, 2017 for the current
eligibility period.
Stock Option Award Activity
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option
activity during the three months ended March 31, 2017:
|
|
Number of
Options
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life In
Years
|
|
|
Intrinsic
Value
|
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
|
|
|
1,309,444
|
|
|
$
|
4.55
|
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
|
$
|
16,107,929
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(7,600
|
)
|
|
|
3.54
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2017
|
|
|
1,301,844
|
|
|
$
|
4.55
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
|
$
|
14,379,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at January 1, 2017
|
|
|
1,057,187
|
|
|
$
|
4.55
|
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
|
$
|
12,988,601
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
79,568
|
|
|
|
4.53
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(7,600
|
)
|
|
|
3.54
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercisable at March 31, 2017
|
|
|
1,129,155
|
|
|
$
|
4.56
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
|
$
|
12,465,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2017, the unamortized value of options was $432,920.
As of March 31, 2017, the unamortized portion will be expensed over a weighted average period of 0.6 years.
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
On February 23, 2017, the compensation committee of
the board of directors (“Compensation Committee”) granted various directors RSUs under which the holders have the right
to receive an aggregate 23,844 shares of the Company’s common stock. These awards were granted under the 2014 Non-Employee
Equity Compensation Plan. The awards granted vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
John Gaulding, Director and Chairman of the Board, RSUs under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan for which Mr. Gaulding
has the right to receive 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This award was issued to Mr. Gaulding in connection
with his role as an independent director and chairman of the board of directors. The award granted vests fully on the first anniversary
of the grant date.
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation, continued
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), continued
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
employees inducement RSU awards under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate 246,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock. The awards vest over four years beginning on the anniversary of the employee hire dates.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
various employees RSU awards under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate
136,300 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards vest over four years beginning on the anniversary of the grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
various employees RSU awards under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate
15,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards vest 50% immediately, with the remaining 50% vesting on the anniversary
of the grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
an employee an RSU award under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under which the holder has the right to receive an aggregate 20,000
shares of the Company’s common stock. The award vests 100% upon successful completion of a project which is expected to last
no more than one year from the anniversary of the grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
Brian Sereda, Chief Financial Officer, two RSU awards under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the first award, Mr. Sereda has
the right to receive 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award vests 50% immediately, with the remaining 50%
vesting on December 12, 2017. Under the second award, Mr. Sereda has the right to receive 30,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock. The award vests over four years beginning on the anniversary of the grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
Neeraj Sahejpal, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing, two RSU awards under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the first
award, Mr. Sahejpal has the right to receive 7,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award vests 50% immediately,
with the remaining 50% vesting on December 12, 2017. Under the second award, Mr. Sahejpal has the right to receive 30,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock. The award vests over four years beginning on the anniversary of the grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
Michael Leabman, Chief Technology Officer, an RSU award under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under which Mr. Leabman has the right
to receive 77,280 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award vests over four years beginning on the anniversary of the
grant date.
On February 23, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted
Cesar Johnston, Senior Vice President of Engineering, an RSU award under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under which Mr. Johnston
has the right to receive 30,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award vests over four years beginning on the anniversary
of the grant date.
The Company accounts for RSUs granted to consultants
using the accounting guidance included in ASC 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” (“ASC 505-50”).
In accordance with ASC 505-50, the Company estimates the fair value of the unvested portion of the RSU award each reporting period
using the closing price of the Company’s common stock.
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation, continued
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), continued
At March 31, 2017, the unamortized value of the RSUs was $27,239,595.
The unamortized amount will be expensed over a weighted average period of 3.0 years. A summary of the activity related to RSUs
for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is presented below:
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
|
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
|
|
|
2,052,223
|
|
|
$
|
11.58
|
|
RSUs granted
|
|
|
645,924
|
|
|
$
|
15.70
|
|
RSUs forfeited
|
|
|
(39,800
|
)
|
|
$
|
11.70
|
|
RSUs vested
|
|
|
(184,749
|
)
|
|
$
|
10.04
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2017
|
|
|
2,473,598
|
|
|
$
|
12.67
|
|
Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)
Performance share units (“PSUs”) are grants that
vest upon the achievement of certain performance goals. The goals are commonly related to the Company’s market capitalization
or market share price of the common stock.
The PSUs originally issued during 2015 to certain board members
and senior management shall be earned based on the Company’s achievement of market capitalization growth between the effective
date of the Employment Agreement and the end of the Initial Employment Period. If the Company’s market capitalization is
$100 million or less, no PSUs will be earned. If the Company reaches a market capitalization of $1.1 billion or more, 100% of the
PSUs will be earned. For market capitalization between $100 million and $1.1 billion, the percentage of PSUs earned will be determined
on a quarterly basis based on straight line interpolation.
The Company determined that the PSUs were equity awards with
both market and service conditions. The Company utilized a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the fair value of the market condition,
as described below. Grantees of PSUs are required to be employed through December 31, 2018 in order to earn the entire award, if
and when vested. No PSUs were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
|
|
Performance Share Units
(PSUs) Granted During the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
|
|
Market capitalization
|
|
$
|
136,888,114
|
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
0.95
|
%
|
The fair value of the grants of PSUs to
purchase a total of 1,342,061 shares of common stock (including 1,278,153 PSUs granted under the 2015 Performance Share Unit Plan
and 63,908 granted as an inducement) was determined to be approximately $3,218,000, and is amortized over the service period of
May 21, 2015 through December 31, 2018, on a straight-line basis.
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation,
continued
Performance Share Units (“PSUs”), continued
On October 24, 2016, the Compensation Committee
granted Mr. Rizzone a PSU award under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under which Mr. Rizzone has the right to receive 150,000 shares
of the Company’s common stock. The shares of this award vest upon the Company’s stock price meeting specific targets.
For the PSU award grant issued to Stephen
Rizzone, Chief Executive Officer, a Monte Carlo simulation was used to determine the fair value at each of the five target prices
of the Company’s common stock, using a market capitalization of $298,857,000, dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of
75% and a risk-free interest rate of 0.66%.
The fair value of the PSUs granted to Mr.
Rizzone under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan was determined to be $2,332,000, and is amortized over the estimated service period
from October 24, 2016 through October 30, 2017.
Amortization for all PSU awards was $613,860
and $214,465 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
At March 31, 2017, the unamortized value of all PSUs was approximately
$2,160,646. The unamortized amount will be expensed over a weighted average period of 1.4 years. A summary of the activity related
to PSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is presented below:
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
|
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
|
|
|
1,153,617
|
|
|
$
|
3.66
|
|
PSUs granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
PSUs forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
PSUs vested
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2017
|
|
|
1,153,617
|
|
|
$
|
3.66
|
|
Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs”)
On January 4, 2016, the Compensation Committee granted to John
Gaulding, Director and Chairman of the Board, DSUs under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan for which Mr. Gaulding
has the right to receive 14,953 shares of the Company’s common stock. These shares were issued to Mr. Gaulding in lieu of
$125,000 of his anticipated compensation for his services on the board, including $75,000 worth of DSUs and $50,000 of his regular
board stipends. The award granted vests fully on the first anniversary of the grant date. Amortization was $1,362 and $29,974 for
the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
At March 31, 2017, the DSUs were fully amortized. A summary
of the activity related to DSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is presented below:
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
|
|
Outstanding at January 1, 2017
|
|
|
14,953
|
|
|
$
|
8.36
|
|
DSUs granted
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
DSUs forfeited
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
DSUs vested
|
|
|
14,953
|
|
|
$
|
8.36
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2017
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation, continued
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)
The current offering period began on January 1, 2017 and is
scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2016, there were two offering periods for the ESPP.
The first offering period started on January 1, 2016 and concluded on June 30, 2016. The second offering period started on July
1, 2016 and concluded on December 31, 2016.
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the purchase option
for each designated share purchased under this plan was approximately $5.88 and $2.57 for the three months ended March 31, 2017
and 2016, respectively, which represents the fair value of the option, consisting of three main components: (i) the value of the
discount on the enrollment date, (ii) the proportionate value of the call option for 85% of the stock and (iii) the proportionate
value of the put option for 15% of the stock. The Company recognized compensation expense for the plan of $93,811 and $62,937 for
the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company estimated the fair value of options granted during
the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair values of stock options granted
were estimated using the following assumptions:
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
|
Stock price
|
|
$17.59
|
|
$8.36
|
Dividend yield
|
|
0%
|
|
0%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
66%
|
|
56%
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
0.62%
|
|
0.49%
|
Expected life
|
|
6 months
|
|
6 months
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following tables summarize total stock-based compensation
costs recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Stock options
|
|
$
|
226,383
|
|
|
$
|
423,062
|
|
RSUs
|
|
|
2,602,775
|
|
|
|
1,223,096
|
|
PSUs
|
|
|
613,860
|
|
|
|
214,465
|
|
ESPP
|
|
|
93,811
|
|
|
|
62,937
|
|
DSUs
|
|
|
1,362
|
|
|
|
29,974
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,538,191
|
|
|
$
|
1,953,534
|
|
The total amount of stock-based compensation was reflected within
the statements of operations as:
|
|
Three Months Ended
March 31,
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Research and development
|
|
$
|
1,757,902
|
|
|
$
|
910,843
|
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
221,833
|
|
|
|
56,317
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
1,558,456
|
|
|
|
986,374
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,538,191
|
|
|
$
|
1,953,534
|
|
Note 7 – Related Party Transactions
On July 14, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed
Howard Yeaton as the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. On July 13, 2015, the Company appointed Brian Sereda as the
Company’s Chief Financial Officer (See Note 4), replacing Interim Chief Financial Officer Howard Yeaton. Howard Yeaton is
the Managing Principal of Financial Consulting Strategies LLC (“FCS”). During the three months ended March 31, 2017
and 2016, the Company incurred $0 and $10,631, respectively, in fees for other financial advisory and accounting services provided
by FCS. None of these fees were incurred in connection with Mr. Yeaton’s services as Interim Chief Financial Officer.
Note 8 – Subsequent Events
RSU Grants
On April 9, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved
by written consent grants of RSU awards to various employees under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. These RSUs give the holders
the right to receive an aggregate 15,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards vest 50% immediately, with the
remaining 50% vesting on the anniversary of the grant date.
On April 9, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved
by written consent a grant to an employee an inducement RSU award under which the holder has the right to receive an aggregate
10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards vest over four years beginning on the anniversary of the employee’s
hire date.
On April 9, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved
by written consent a grant to Stephen Rizzone, Chief Executive Officer, an RSU award under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan under
which Mr. Rizzone has the right to receive 193,059 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award vests over four years
beginning on the anniversary of the grant date.
On April 9, 2017, the Compensation Committee approved
by written consent grants to various consultants RSU awards under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan under which the
holders have the right to receive an aggregate 7,900 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards have various vesting
periods ranging from one to two years.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
As used in this Form 10-Q, unless the context otherwise requires
the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Energous” refer to Energous Corporation, a Delaware
corporation. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by
the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and
describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as
“believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,”
“seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable
terms. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding our strategies,
prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking
statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expectations for revenues, cash flows and financial performance,
the anticipated results of our development efforts and the timing for receipt of required regulatory approvals and product launches.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our
current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated
events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks
and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and generally outside of our control, so actual results and financial
condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our
actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among
others: our ability to develop a commercially feasible technology, and timing of customer implementations of that technology in
consumer products; timing of regulatory approvals, particularly the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of transmitting
power at a distance; our ability to find and maintain development partners; our ability to protect our intellectual property; competition;
and other risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management's Discussion and Analysis sections of our most
recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including this report. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update any written or oral forward-looking statement that we may make, whether as a result
of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Overview
We have developed a technology called WattUp® that consists
of proprietary semiconductor chipsets, software, hardware designs and antennas that enables RF-based charging for electronic devices,
providing wire-free charging solutions for contact-based charging as well as at a distance charging, ultimately enabling charging
with mobility under full software control. Pursuant to our Strategic Alliance Agreement with Dialog Semiconductor plc (Dialog),
Dialog will manufacture and distribute products (Integrated Circuits or “ICs”) incorporating our RF-based wire-free
charging technology. Dialog will be our exclusive supplier of these ICs for the general market. We believe our proprietary technology
can be utilized in a variety of devices, including wearables, hearing aids, earbuds, Bluetooth headsets, Internet of Things (“IoT”)
devices, smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, keyboards, mice, remote controls, rechargeable lights, cylindrical batteries, medical
devices and any other device with similar charging requirements that would otherwise need a battery or a connection to a power
outlet.
We believe our technology is novel in its approach, in that
we are developing a solution that charges electronic devices by surrounding them with a focused, three-dimensional (“3D”)
radio frequency (“RF”) energy pocket (“RF energy pocket”). We are developing engineering solutions that
we expect to enable the wire-free transmission of energy for contact-based applications and for far field applications in a circular
charging envelope of up to 15 feet in radius. We are also developing our far field transmitter technology to seamlessly mesh (much
like a network of WiFi routers) to form a wire-free charging network that will allow users to charge their devices as they walk
from room-to-room or throughout a large space. To date, we have developed multiple transmitter prototypes in various form factors
and power capabilities, and multiple receiver prototypes, including smartphone battery cases, toys, fitness trackers, Bluetooth
headsets, tracking devices and stand-alone receivers.
When the company was first founded, we recognized the need to
build and design an enterprise-class network management and control system (“NMS”) that was integral to the architecture
and development of our wire-free charging technology. Our NMS system can be scaled up to control an enterprise consisting of thousands
of devices or scaled down to work in a home or IoT environment.
The power, distance and mobility capabilities of the WattUp
technology were validated independently by an internationally recognized independent testing lab in October 2015, and the results
are published on our website.
Our technology solution consists principally of transmitter
and receiver ICs and novel antenna designs driven through innovative algorithms and software applications. We submitted our first
IC design for wafer fabrication in November 2013 and have since been developing multiple generations of transmitter and receiver
ICs, multiple antenna designs, as well as algorithms and software designs that we believe, in the aggregate, will optimize our
technology by reducing size and cost, while increasing performance to a level that will enable our technology to be integrated
into a broad spectrum of devices. We have developed a “building block” approach which allows us to scale our product
implementations by combining multiple transmitter building blocks and/or multiple receiver building blocks to provide the power,
distance, size and cost performance necessary to meet application requirements. While the technology is very scalable, in order
to provide the necessary strategic focus to grow the company effectively, we have defined our market as devices that require 10
watts or less of power to charge. We will continue to invest in IC development as well as in the other components of the WattUp
system to improve product performance, efficiency, cost-performance and miniaturization as required to grow the business and expand
the ecosystem, while also distancing us from any potential competition.
We believe that if our development, regulatory and commercialization
efforts are successful, our transmitter and receiver technology will support a broad spectrum of charging solutions ranging from
contact-based charging or charging at distances of a few millimeters (“near field”) to charging at distances of up
to 15 feet (“far field”).
In January 2015, we signed a Development and License Agreement
with one of the top consumer electronic companies in the world based on total worldwide revenues. The agreement is milestone-based
and while there are no guarantees that the WattUp® technology will ever be integrated into our strategic partner’s consumer
devices, we have achieved some milestones, as reflected in our 2016 Engineering Services revenues. We expect to make continued
progress toward achievement of significant new milestones that we expect will result in additional Engineering Services Revenue.
Ultimately, if the customer chooses to incorporate our technology into one or more of its consumer electronic products, we expect
to recognize significant revenues based on the WattUp® technology.
In February 2016, we delivered evaluation kits to potential
licensees to allow their engineering and product management departments to test and evaluate our technology. We expect that the
testing and evaluation currently taking place will lead to products being shipped to consumers beginning in the second half of
2017.
In November 2016, we entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement
with Dialog, pursuant to which Dialog will manufacture and distribute integrated circuit (“IC”) products incorporating
our wire-free charging technology. Dialog will be our exclusive supplier of these products for the general market. Our WattUp technology
will use Dialog's SmartBond
®
Bluetooth low energy solution as the out-of-band communications channel between the
wireless transmitter and receiver. In most cases Dialog's power management technology will be used to distribute power from the
WattUp receiver IC to the rest of the device while Dialog's AC/DC Rapid Charge™ power conversion technology delivers power
to the wireless transmitter.
We have implemented an aggressive intellectual property strategy
and are continuing to pursue patent protection for new innovations. As of March 15, 2017, we had in excess of 250 pending patent
and provisional patent applications. Additionally, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) has issued 26 patents
and notified us of the allowance of 17 additional patents. In addition to the inventions covered by these patents and patent applications,
we have identified a significant number of additional specific inventions we believe are novel and patentable. We intend to file
for patent protection for the most valuable of these, as well as for other new inventions that we expect to develop. Our strategy
is to continually monitor the costs and benefits of each patent application and pursue those that will best protect our business
and extend our value proposition.
We have recruited and hired a seasoned management team with
both private and public company experience and relevant industry experience to develop and execute our operating plan. In addition,
we have identified and hired key engineering resources in the areas of IC development, antenna development, hardware, software
and firmware engineering as well as integration and testing which will allow us to continue to expand our technology and intellectual
property as well as meet the support requirements of our licensees.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when the following criteria have been met:
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, collection of the revenue is reasonably assured, and
the fees are fixed or determinable.
We record revenue associated with product development projects
that we enter into with certain customers, including one of the top consumer electronic companies in the world. In general,
these projects involve complex technology development and milestone-based payments, and our ability to achieve the program milestones
is uncertain. Achievement of a milestone depends on our performance and requires customer acceptance. Payments associated with
achieving the milestone are generally commensurate with our effort or the value of the deliverable, and are nonrefundable. We record
the expenses related to these projects, generally included in research and development expense, in the periods incurred.
At the beginning of a customer relationship, we often receive
nonrefundable payments, for which there are no milestones. We recognize this revenue ratably over the initial engineering product
development period. We record the expenses related to these projects, which are generally included in research and development
expense, in the periods incurred.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
Revenues.
During the three months ended March
31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded revenue of $575,368 and $136,364, respectively. The increase was due to the achievement of development
milestones.
Operating Expenses and Loss from Operations.
Operating
expenses are made up of research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses. Loss from operations
for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $12,476,019 and $10,800,408, respectively.
Research and Development Costs.
Research and development
costs, which include costs for developing our technology, were $8,353,184 and $7,674,093, respectively, for the three months ended
March 31, 2017 and 2016. The increase in research and development costs of $679,091 is primarily due to a $1,652,836 increase in
compensation, which includes a $847,059 increase in stock-based compensation, a $119,883 increase in depreciation due to additional
laboratory equipment purchases during 2016, and an $88,532 increase in patent portfolio costs which was partially offset by a $1,137,005
decrease in chip design, manufacturing and component costs.
Sales and Marketing Costs.
Sales and marketing costs
for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $1,595,452 and $807,067, respectively. The increase in sales and marketing
costs of $788,385 is primarily due to an increase of $523,560 in compensation, which includes a $165,516 in stock-based compensation,
and a $231,531 increase in tradeshow expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses.
General and administrative
expenses include costs for general and corporate functions, including facility fees, travel, telecommunications, insurance, professional
fees, consulting fees and other overhead. General and administrative costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were
$3,102,751 and $2,455,612, respectively. The increase in general administrative costs of $647,139 is primarily due to a $638,299
increase in compensation, which includes an increase in stock-based compensation of $572,082.
Interest Income, Net.
Interest income for
the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $3,605 as compared to interest income of $3,866 for the three months ended March 31,
2016.
Net Loss.
As a result of the above, net loss for the
three months ended March 31, 2017 was $12,473,140 as compared to $10,796,542 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded
revenue of $575,368 and $136,364, respectively. We incurred a net loss of $12,473,140 and $10,796,542 for the three months ended
March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $10,007,645 and $6,325,595 for the three months
ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company is currently meeting its liquidity requirements through the sales of shares
to three different private investors during August 2016, November 2016 and December 2016, which raised net proceeds of $34,788,311,
and payments received under product development projects.
We believe our current cash on hand, together
with anticipated payments received under current and future product development projects entered into with customers will be sufficient
to fund our operations through the second quarter of 2018. However, depending on how soon we are able to achieve meaningful commercial
revenues, we may require additional financing to fully implement our business plan. Potential financing sources could include follow-on
equity offerings, debt financing, co-development agreements or other alternatives. On April 24, 2015, we filed a “shelf”
registration statement on Form S-3, which became effective on April 30, 2015. The “shelf” registration statement allows
the Company from time to time to sell any combination of debt or equity securities described in the registration statement up to
aggregate proceeds of $75,000,000. In November 2015, the Company consummated an offering under the shelf registration of 3,000,005
shares of common stock through which the Company raised net proceeds of $19,048,456. In August 2016, the Company sold shares in
a private placement in which the Company raised net proceeds of $19,890,644. In November 2016, the Company sold shares in a private
placement in which the Company raised net proceeds of $9,925,755. In December 2016, the Company sold shares in a private placement
in which the Company raised net proceeds of $4,971,912.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, cash
flows used in operating activities were $10,007,645, consisting of a net loss of $12,473,140, less non-cash expenses aggregating
$3,885,676 (representing principally stock-based compensation of $3,538,191 and depreciation expense of $326,563), a $102,500 increase
in accounts receivable, a $1,754,121 decrease in accounts payable, a $215,182 decrease in accrued expenses and a $75,593 decrease
in deferred revenue, partially offset by a $727,215 decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets. During the three months
ended March 31, 2016, cash flows used in operating activities were $6,325,595, consisting of a net loss of $10,796,542, less non-cash
expenses aggregating $2,165,834 (representing principally stock-based compensation of $1,953,534 and depreciation expense of $192,104),
a $2,111,999 increase in accounts payable from the timing of invoice payments, a $363,636 increase in deferred revenue, partially
offset by a $225,694 decrease in accrued expenses.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and
2016, cash flows used in investing activities were $76,968 and $120,370, respectively. The cash used in investing activities for
the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily consisted of the purchase of laboratory equipment, offset by $2,800 in proceeds
from the sales of fixed assets. The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2016 consisted of the purchase of laboratory
equipment, building fixtures and tenant improvements.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, cash
flows provided by financing activities were $272,864, which consisted of $245,959 in proceeds from contributions to the ESPP and
$26,905 in proceeds from the exercise of stock options. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, cash flows provided by financing
activities were $284,067, which consisted of proceeds from contributions to the ESPP and proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Research and development of new technologies is,
by its nature, unpredictable. Although we will undertake development efforts with commercially reasonable diligence, there can
be no assurance that our available resources including the net proceeds from our public offerings will be sufficient to enable
us to develop our technology to the extent needed to create future revenues to sustain our operations.
We cannot assure that our technology
will be adopted, that we will ever earn revenues sufficient to support our operations, or that we will ever be profitable. Furthermore,
since we have no committed source of financing, there can be no assurance that we will be able to raise capital as and when we
need it to continue our operations.
Off Balance Sheet Transactions
As of March 31, 2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet
transactions.
Material Changes in Specified Contractual Obligations
A table of our specified contractual obligations was provided
in the
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
of our most recent Annual
Report on Form 10-K. There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of our business in the specified contractual obligations
during the three months ended March 31, 2017.