UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.__)
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
Amesite Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other
than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
AMESITE INC.
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214
Detroit, Michigan 48226
November 27, 2024
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on January 21, 2025
Dear Stockholder:
We are pleased to invite you
to attend the annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Amesite Inc. (the “Company”), which will
be held on January 21, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025.
In addition to voting by submitting
your proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically during the Annual Meeting. Further details
regarding the virtual meeting are included in the accompanying proxy statement. At the Annual Meeting, the holders of our outstanding
common stock will act on the following matters:
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1. |
Election of two Class I Directors to hold office for a full term of three years or until successors are duly elected and qualified; |
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2. |
Ratification of the appointment of Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; and |
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3. |
To transact such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Our board of directors has
fixed November 26, 2024 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
We are distributing our proxy
materials to certain stockholders via the Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission “Notice and Access” rules.
We believe this approach allows us to provide stockholders with a timely and convenient way to receive proxy materials and vote, while
lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of our Annual Meeting. We are mailing to our stockholders a Notice
of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) beginning on or about November 27, 2024,
rather than a paper copy of the Proxy Statement, the proxy card and our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2024. The Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions on how to access the proxy materials, vote and obtain, if desired, a paper
copy of the proxy materials.
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND:
To be admitted to the Annual
Meeting, which is being held virtually, you must have your control number available and follow the instructions found on your proxy card
or voting instruction form. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during
the meeting. Please allow sufficient time before the Annual Meeting to complete the online check-in process. As an alternative to voting
during the Annual Meeting, you may vote via the proxy card that is mailed to those that request paper copies of the Proxy Statement and
the other proxy materials. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, trust, bank or other nominee, and you receive these materials
through your broker or through another intermediary, please complete and return the materials in accordance with the instructions provided
to you by such broker or other intermediary or contact your broker directly in order to obtain a proxy issued to you by your nominee holder
to attend the Annual Meeting and vote during the Annual Meeting. Failure to do so may result in your shares not being eligible to be voted
by proxy during the Annual Meeting. Your vote is very important.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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November 27, 2024 |
/s/ Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
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Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual
Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote your shares at your earliest convenience. This will ensure the presence of a quorum at the Annual
Meeting. Promptly voting your shares will save the Company the expenses and extra work of additional solicitation. Submitting your proxy
now will not prevent you from voting your shares at the Annual Meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable at your option.
Your vote is important, so please act today!
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY
OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 21, 2025:
Our official Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy Card and
2024 Annual Report to Stockholders are available
at:
www.proxyvote.com
AMESITE INC.
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214
Detroit, Michigan 48226
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on January 21, 2025
The board of directors of
Amesite Inc. (“Amesite” or the “Company”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on January 21, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time, in a virtual format online by accessing
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025, and at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement contains
information relating to the Annual Meeting. This year’s Annual Meeting of stockholders will be held as a virtual meeting. Stockholders
attending the virtual meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting.
You will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online via a live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025.
In addition to voting by submitting your proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically during
the Annual Meeting.
The Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials, proxy statement and form of proxy are being distributed and made available on the internet or about November 27, 2024
to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders who owned our common stock on November 26, 2024
are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
AMESITE INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT
AND VOTING
What is a proxy?
A proxy is the legal designation
of another person to vote the stock you own. That other person is called a proxy. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written
document, that document is also called a proxy or a proxy card. By completing, signing and returning the accompanying proxy card, you
are designating Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as your proxy for the Annual Meeting and you are authorizing
such proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting as you have instructed on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether
or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote in one of the ways described
below so that your vote will be counted even if you are unable or decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.
What is a proxy statement?
A proxy statement is a document
that we are required by the regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to give you when
we ask you to sign a proxy card designating Dr. Sastry as proxy to vote on your behalf.
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability
of Proxy Materials instead of paper copies of the proxy materials?
We are using the SEC’s
Notice and Access model (“Notice and Access”), which allows us to deliver proxy materials over the Internet, as the primary
means of furnishing proxy materials. We believe Notice and Access provides stockholders with a convenient method of accessing the proxy
materials and voting, while allowing us to conserve natural resources and reduce the costs of printing and distributing the proxy materials.
On or about November 27, 2024, we began mailing to stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability containing instructions on how to access
our proxy materials on the Internet and how to vote online. The Notice of Internet Availability is not a proxy card and cannot be used
to vote your shares. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability this year, you will not receive paper copies of the proxy materials
unless you request the materials by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability.
What does it mean if I receive more than one
set of proxy materials?
If you receive more than one
set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please complete, sign and return
each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be
held on January 21, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time in a virtual format online by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025.
Who is entitled to vote?
The board of directors has
fixed the close of business on November 26, 2024 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. On the Record Date, there were 2,792,440
shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock represents one vote that may be voted on each proposal that
may come before the Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between holding shares
as a record holder and as a beneficial owner (holding shares in street name)?
If your shares are registered
in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are the “record holder” of those
shares. If you are a record holder, these proxy materials have been provided directly to you by the Company.
If your shares are held in
a stock brokerage account, a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares held
in “street name”. If your shares are held in street name, these proxy materials have been forwarded to you by that organization.
The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As the
beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct this organization on how to vote your shares. See “How will my shares be voted
if I give no specific instruction?” below for information on how shares held in street name will be voted when no instructions are
provided.
Who may attend the Annual Meeting?
Only record holders and beneficial
owners of our common stock, or their duly authorized proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. If your shares of common stock are held in
street name, you will need to provide a copy of a brokerage statement or other documentation reflecting your stock ownership as of the
Record Date.
What am I voting on?
There are two matters scheduled
for a vote:
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1. |
Election of two Class I Directors to hold office for a full term of three years or until successors are duly elected and qualified; and |
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2. |
Ratification of the appointment of Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. |
What if another matter is properly brought
before the Annual Meeting?
The board of directors knows
of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the
Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the person named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with her best
judgment.
How do I vote?
MAIL |
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INTERNET |
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PHONE |
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ONLINE AT THE MEETING |
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Mailing your signed proxy card or voter instruction card. |
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Using the Internet before the Meeting at: |
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By calling: |
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You can vote during the Meeting at: |
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www.proxyvote.com |
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1-800-690-6903 |
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www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025 |
Stockholders of Record
If you are a registered stockholder,
you may vote by mail, phone or online by following the instructions above. You also may submit your proxy by mail by following the instructions
included with your proxy card. The deadline for submitting your proxy by Internet is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 20, 2025. Our
board of directors’ designated proxy, Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., will vote your shares according to your instructions. If you attend
the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically at the Annual Meeting up until the time
the polls are closed.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street
Name
If you are a street name holder,
your broker or nominee firm is the legal, registered owner of the shares, and it may provide you with materials in connection with the
Annual Meeting. Follow the instructions on the materials you receive to access our proxy materials and vote or to request a paper or email
copy of our proxy materials. The materials include a voting instruction card so that you can instruct your broker or nominee how to vote
your shares. Please check the voting instruction card or contact your broker or other nominee to determine whether you will be able to
deliver your voting instructions by Internet in advance of the meeting and whether, or if you attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting,
if you will be able to vote your shares electronically at the meeting up until the time the polls are closed.
All shares entitled to vote
and represented by a properly completed and executed proxy received before the Annual Meeting and not revoked will be voted at the Annual
Meeting as instructed in a proxy delivered before the Annual Meeting. We provide Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares
online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware
that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone
companies.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted
upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Is my vote confidential?
Yes, your vote is confidential.
Only the inspector of elections, individuals who help with processing and counting your votes and persons who need access for legal reasons
will have access to your vote. This information will not be disclosed, except as required by law.
What constitutes a quorum?
To carry on business at the
Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum. A quorum is present when one-third (1/3) of the shares entitled to vote, as of the Record Date,
are present or represented by proxy. Thus, 930,814 shares must be present or represented by proxy to have a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank
or other nominee) or if you vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement.
Shares owned by the Company are not considered outstanding or considered to be present at the Annual Meeting. If there is not a quorum
at the Annual Meeting, either the chairperson of the Annual Meeting or our stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting may adjourn
the Annual Meeting to a future date as allowed under applicable law.
How will my shares be voted if I give no specific
instruction?
We must vote your shares as
you have instructed. If there is a matter on which a stockholder of record has given no specific instruction but has authorized us generally
to vote the shares, they will be voted as follows:
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1. |
“For” the election of two Class I Directors to hold office for a full term of three years or until successors are duly elected and qualified; and |
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2. |
“For” the ratification of the appointment of Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. |
This authorization would exist,
for example, if a stockholder of record merely signs, dates and returns the proxy card but does not indicate how such shares are to be
voted on one or more proposals. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting and you do not provide specific voting instructions,
your shares will be voted at the discretion of Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., the board of directors’ designated proxy.
If your shares are held in
street name, see “What is a broker non-vote?” below regarding the ability of banks, brokers and other such holders of record
to vote the uninstructed shares of their customers or other beneficial owners in their discretion.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the
inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately count, for the election of directors, “For”, “Withhold”
and broker non-votes; and, with respect to the other proposal, votes “For” and “Against,” abstentions and broker
non-votes. Broker non-votes will not be included in the tabulation of the voting results of any of the proposals and, therefore, will
have no effect on such proposals.
What is a broker non-vote?
A “broker non-vote”
occurs when shares held by a broker in “street name” for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a proposal because
(1) the broker has not received voting instructions from the stockholder who beneficially owns the shares and (2) the broker lacks the
authority to vote the shares at their discretion.
Our common stock is listed
on The Nasdaq Capital Market. However, under current New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules and interpretations that govern
broker non-votes: (i) Proposal No. 1 for the election of directors is considered a non-discretionary matter, and a broker will lack the
authority to vote uninstructed shares at their discretion on such proposal, and (ii) Proposal No. 2 for the ratification of the appointment
of Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. as our independent registered public accounting firm is considered a discretionary matter, and
a broker will be permitted to exercise its discretion to vote uninstructed shares on the proposal. Because NYSE rules apply to all brokers
that are members of the NYSE, this prohibition applies to the Annual Meeting even though our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital
Market.
What is an abstention?
An abstention is a stockholder’s
affirmative choice to decline to vote on a proposal. Under Delaware law, abstentions are counted as shares present and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting. Generally, unless provided otherwise by applicable law, our Bylaws (“Bylaws”) provide that an action
of our stockholders (other than for the election of directors) is approved if a majority of the votes cast are in favor of such action.
Therefore, abstentions will have no effect with respect to Proposal 1 or Proposal 2.
How many votes are required to approve each
proposal?
The table below summarizes
the proposals that will be voted on, the vote required to approve each item, and how votes are counted:
Proposal |
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Votes Required |
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Voting
Options |
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Impact
of
“Withhold”
or
“Abstain”
Votes |
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Broker
Discretionary
Voting
Allowed |
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors |
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The plurality of the votes cast. This means that the nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. |
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“FOR”
“WITHHOLD” |
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None(1) |
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No(3) |
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Proposal No. 2: Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Annual Meeting by the holders entitled to vote thereon. |
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“FOR”
“AGAINST”
“ABSTAIN” |
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None(2) |
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Yes(4) |
(1) |
Votes that are “withheld” will have the same effect as an abstention and will not count as a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” a director, because directors are elected by plurality voting. |
(2) |
A vote marked as an “Abstention” is not considered a vote cast and will, therefore, not affect the outcome of this proposal. |
(3) |
As this proposal is not considered a discretionary matter, brokers lack authority to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. |
(4) |
As this proposal is considered a discretionary matter, brokers are permitted to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. |
What are the voting procedures?
In voting by proxy with regard
to the election of directors, you may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold your votes as to all nominees, or withhold your votes as
to specific nominees. With regard to other proposals, you may vote in favor of or against the proposal, or you may abstain from voting
on the proposal. You should specify your respective choices on the accompanying proxy card or your voting instruction form.
Is my proxy revocable?
You may revoke your proxy
and reclaim your right to vote at any time before your proxy is voted by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company by delivering
a properly completed, later-dated proxy card or voting instruction form or by voting at the Annual Meeting. All written notices of revocation
and other communications with respect to revocations of proxies should be addressed to: Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB
214, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attention: Secretary. Your most current proxy card or Internet proxy is the one that will be counted.
Who is paying for the expenses involved in
preparing and mailing the proxy materials?
All of the expenses involved
in preparing, assembling and mailing these proxy materials and all costs of soliciting proxies will be paid by us. In addition to the
solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by our officers and other employees by telephone or in person. Such persons will receive
no compensation for their services other than their regular salaries. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such persons, and
we may reimburse such persons for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding solicitation materials.
Do I have dissenters’ rights of appraisal?
Stockholders do not have appraisal
rights under Delaware law or under Amesite’s governing documents with respect to the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
How can I find out the results of the voting
at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results
will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K that we
expect to file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time
to file a Form 8-K with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary
results and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an amended Form 8-K to publish the final results.
PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board
Size and Structure
Our
Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Bylaws provide that our business is to be managed under
the direction of our board of directors. Our board of directors is required to consist of not less than one director.
Our
board of directors currently consists of seven directors. Our Bylaws provide that the number of directors on our board of directors
shall be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by our board of directors. The board of directors, by resolution adopted at a
meeting of the board of directors held on November 23, 2020, set the number of directors at 7, effective on the date of the Annual
Meeting. The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number
as possible. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of
directors. At the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I
directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the next annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the
Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the subsequent annual
meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a
full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three
years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting. Each director shall serve until his or her
successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of
directors constituting the board of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Our board of directors met 4 times
during the year ended June 30, 2024. All members of our board of directors attended at least 75% of board and applicable committee
meetings during the year ended June 30, 2024. We, as a matter of policy, encourage our directors to attend meetings of stockholders
but we do not require attendance. Six of our seven directors attended last year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
When
considering whether directors have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable our board of directors
to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the board of directors focuses primarily
on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual
biographies set forth below. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and
nature of our business.
Except
as otherwise provided by the DGCL, pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the board of directors or any individual director
may be removed from office only for cause at a meeting of stockholders called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of voting stock
of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Nominees for Election
J.
Michael Losh and Richard Ogawa have been nominated by the board of directors to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting. If elected
by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, J. Michael Losh and Richard Ogawa will serve for a full term of three years beginning upon
the date of the Annual Meeting and until the election and qualification of their successors or until their earlier death, resignation
or removal.
Each
person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable
to serve. If, however, prior to the Annual Meeting, the board of directors should learn that any nominee will be unable to serve for any
reason, the proxies that otherwise would have been voted for this nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee as selected by the board
of directors. Alternatively, the proxies, at the discretion of the board of directors, may be voted for that fewer number of nominees
as results from the inability of any nominee to serve. The board of directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable
to serve.
Information About
Board Nominees
The
following pages contain certain biographical information for the nominees for director, including all positions currently held, their
principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which such nominee
currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years.
J.
Michael Losh – Director
Mr. Losh (78) has served as
a member of our board of directors since February 2018. Mr. Losh served as the Chief Financial Officer at Cardinal Health from July 2004
to May 2005. Mr. Losh was with General Motors from 1964 to 2000. He served as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
of General Motors Corp., from July 1994 to August 2000. He is a Director at Aon PLC (NYSE: AON) (2003-present) and a Director at Cardinal
Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) (1996 to 2009 and 2018 to 2021). Mr. Losh has served as a director of AMB Corp., Care Fusion Inc., Electronic
Data Systems Corp., Delphi Automotive Systems Corp., Hughes Electronics, Quaker Oats Company, TRW Automotive Inc., HB Fuller Co, and Prologis,
Inc. He served as Chairman of the boards of GMAC, Metaldyne Corp, and Masco Corp. (NYSE: MAS). Mr. Losh holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
from Kettering University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. We believe that Mr. Losh’s public company experience qualifies
him to serve on our board of directors.
Richard T. Ogawa - Director
Mr.
Ogawa (62) has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2018. From 2013 to 2021, Mr. Ogawa served as General Counsel
of Inphi Corporation, responsible for overseeing legal matters as well as corporate, intellectual property, and government affairs. Mr.
Ogawa is a Registered United States Patent Attorney and a Member of the California State Bar with more than 25 years of experience specializing
in technology companies. Prior to Inphi, he was a Partner at Townsend and Townsend, a law firm focused on intellectual property. He is
the founder and owner of Ogawa Professional Corporation, his own law firm, focusing on venture backed startup companies. He also previously
served as General Counsel for Soraa Laser Diode, Inc., a venture funded company by Khosla Ventures, and MCube, Inc. a venture funded
company by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. He has also held a variety of engineering and management positions at NEC Electronics.
He is a Charter Member of the Indus Entrepreneur Group (TIE) and had been a member of the boards of the Asian Law Alliance, American
Intellectual Property Law Association, and others. Mr. Ogawa also served as a Partner Member for Technology Group 2800 of the United
States Patent and Trademark Office. He received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1984, and
a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of Pacific in 1991. We believe that Mr. Ogawa’s experience as an attorney and his
patent expertise qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Information About Board Members Not Currently
Up for Election
The
following pages contain certain biographical information for board members not currently up for election, including all positions currently
held, their principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which
such nominee currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years.
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. – Chief
Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Board of Directors
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. (57) has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the board of directors since our incorporation
in November 2017. A biographical summary for Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. is included in the section titled “Executive Officers”.
Anthony M. Barkett - Director
Mr. Barkett (59) has served
as a member of our board of directors since February 2018. Mr. Barkett is a California-based real estate developer. He holds Bachelor
of Arts degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles, as well as a Juris Doctor degree
from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Mr. Barkett practiced law from 1994-2003 specializing in land use, affordable
housing and government relations. He is currently the managing member of several limited liability companies which developed and now own
and manage commercial real estate in California, Arizona and Hawaii. He is the managing member of Oliveto, LLC which farms and manages
olive and walnut orchards in Linden, CA. He is the CEO of Trinity Solar and managing member of Affordable Energy Partners, LLC which built
and still owns and manages solar systems throughout CA. In 2013 he was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Citizens Compensation
Commission, a State commission that sets compensation for the legislature. He is a board member and has been for 17 years of the Downtown
Stockton Alliance which is a property owner based 501(c)(3) organized to promote and restore downtown Stockton. He is also a political
consultant for Stockton East Water District and has held this position for 20 years. In 2016, he was a co-founder of Ready to Work a 501(c)(3)
corporation formed to help homeless and previously incarcerated men get paid work, job training and permanent housing. Additionally, Mr.
Barkett was appointed as a Commissioner to the Port of Stockton and is also a board member of Aspire Public Schools. We believe that Mr.
Barkett’s non-profit experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Barbie Brewer - Director
Ms.
Brewer (48) has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2019. Ms. Brewer has been the Chief People Officer of Marqeta,
Inc., since February 2019. From May 2017 to present, Ms. Brewer has also been the founder and CEO of TNT Consulting LLC, a consulting
firm that advises early-stage growth companies. From September 2017 to February, 2019, Ms. Brewer was the Chief Culture Officer of GitLab
Inc., an information technology and services company that uses open-source software to create a single application that covers the entire
DevOps lifecycle. From 2011 through 2017, Ms. Brewer served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Netflix, where she led human resources
for Netflix’s product innovation, engineering/development, business development and digital supply chain organizations, managing
a team that supported over 1,500 employees. Prior thereto, from April 2008 to January 2011, Ms. Brewer worked as a Vice President of Human
Resources at Sportvision, a leading provider in sports entertainment products and data solutions. From 2000 through 2007, Ms. Brewer worked
at Cisco as the Human Resources Manager. She also has certifications in Situational Leadership and Project Management. Ms. Brewer received
a bachelor’s degree in communications and business from Santa Clara University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also holds
a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from George Washington University. We believe that Ms. Brewer’s management
experience qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. - Director
Dr. Omenn (83) has served
as a member of our board of directors since March 2020. Prior to his appointment as a member of the board of directors, Dr. Omenn served
on our board of advisors. Dr. Omenn is the Harold T. Shapiro Distinguished University Professor of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics,
Internal Medicine, Human Genetics, and Public Health at the University of Michigan. Dr. Omenn brings decades of public-company board experience,
including 27 years with Amgen, Inc, (NASDAQ: AMGN) and 22 years with Rohm & Haas Company. He was Dean of the University of Washington
School of Public Health & Community Medicine (1982-1997) and then Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of
Michigan and CEO of the UM Health System (1997-2002). In addition, he was a White House Fellow at the Atomic Energy Commission (1973-1974),
Associate Director of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget (1977-1981), on
the advisory council for the AAAS “Project 2061: Science for all Americans” (1986-1996), chair of the Presidential/Congressional
Commission on Risk Assessment & Risk Management (1994-1997), President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS, 2006), member of the Scientific Management Review Board for the NIH (2012-2014), member of the Council of the National Academy
of Medicine (NAM, 2015-2017), and currently a member of the Policy & Global Affairs Committee of the National Academies. He is a director
of Angion Biomedica and of Galectin Therapeutics. We believe that Dr. Omenn’s public company, academic, science education, and healthcare
experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
George Parmer - Director
George
Parmer (85) has served as a member of our board of directors since November 2020. George sits on the board of Linkbancorp, Inc., is the
former Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Messiah University in Pennsylvania. He is the founder and president of residential home building
and development company Fine Line Homes, which has developments along the east coast from New York to North Carolina. He is also the founder
and president of nationwide company Residential Warranty Corporation and three insurance companies located in Colorado, Pennsylvania,
and Texas. We believe that Mr. Parmer’s business and leadership experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Board Diversity Matrix (As of November 27, 2024) |
|
Total Number of Directors |
|
7 |
|
|
Female |
|
Male |
|
Non-Binary |
|
Did Not Disclose
Gender |
Part I: Gender Identity |
Directors |
|
2 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
Part II: Demographic Background |
African American or Black |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alaskan Native or Native American |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asian |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Hispanic or Latinx |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
White |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LGBTQ+ |
|
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
|
|
Information Concerning the Board and Corporate
Governance
Board Leadership Structure
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. has
served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the board of directors since our incorporation in November 2017. We believe
that this structure is the most effective governance framework for us and our stockholders at this time because it allows our Company
to benefit from Dr. Sastry’s talent, knowledge, and leadership as the founder of Amesite, and allows her to use the in-depth focus
and perspective gained in running the Company to effectively and efficiently lead our board of directors. As Dr. Sastry has experience
with advising boards of directors and senior management with respect to management and other business aspects, she is particularly well-suited
to serve as Chairman.
We recognize that different
board leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations. We will continue to re-examine our corporate governance
policies and leadership structures on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet the Company’s needs.
Role in Risk Oversight
Management is responsible
for managing the risks that we face. The board of directors is responsible for overseeing management’s approach to risk management
that is designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational
performance and enhance stockholder value. The involvement of the full board of directors in reviewing our strategic objectives and plans
is a key part of the board of directors’ assessment of management’s approach and tolerance to risk. A fundamental part of
risk management is not only understanding the risks a company faces and what steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also
understanding what level of risk is appropriate for us. In setting our business strategy, our board of directors assesses the various
risks being mitigated by management and determines what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for us.
Stockholder Communications to the Board of
Directors
Stockholders wishing to submit
written communications directly to the board of directors, or a specified director, should send their communications to Secretary, Amesite
Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, addressed to the entire board of directors or to such specified director. All stockholder
communications will be considered by the independent members of our board of directors. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities
of the board of directors may be excluded, such as:
|
● |
junk mail and mass mailings; |
|
|
|
|
● |
resumes and other forms of job inquiries; |
|
|
|
|
● |
surveys; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
solicitations or advertisements. |
In addition, any material
that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, provided that any communication that is filtered out will be
made available to any independent director upon request.
Director or Officer Involvement in Certain
Legal Proceedings
Except as set forth herein,
the Company’s directors, executive officers and director nominees were not involved in any legal proceedings described in Item 401(f)
of Regulation S-K during the past ten years. Further, there are no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of
the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of any class of voting securities of the Company, or any associate
of any such director, officer, affiliate of the Company, or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
The Company has directors’
and officers’ liability insurance insuring its directors and officers against liability for acts or omissions in their capacities
as directors or officers, subject to certain exclusions. Such insurance also insures the Company against losses, which it may incur in
indemnifying its officers and directors. In addition, officers and directors also have indemnification rights under applicable laws and
the Company’s Bylaws.
Director Independence
The
listing rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board
of directors. In addition, the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed
company’s audit, compensation, and nominating and governance committees be independent. Audit committee members must also satisfy
the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Under the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion
of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent
judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
The
Company’s board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of the Company’s directors and director nominees
and considered whether any director has a material relationship that could compromise their ability to exercise independent judgment in
carrying out their responsibilities. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment
and affiliations, including family relationships, the board of directors has determined that each of Anthony M. Barkett, Barbie Brewer,
J. Michael Losh and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., currently representing four of the Company’s seven directors, are “independent”
as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market.
In making these determinations, the board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director
has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances the board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including
the beneficial ownership of the Company’s capital stock by each non-employee director, and any transactions involving them described
in the section captioned “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”.
Prohibited Transactions
Directors and executive officers
may not hedge Company securities and, subject to limited exceptions, may not pledge Company securities as collateral for any loan. Other
restrictions are detailed in the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Program which is available at https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_6be070def9601c6df66acdbe1d988118/amesite/db/525/4557/file/AMST_Insider_Trading_Compliance_Program.pdf.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act requires our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of ownership
and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on copies of these reports provided to us and written representations that no other
reports were required, we believe that these persons timely met all of the applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2024.
Board Committees
In September 2020, the board
of directors established an audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees, each of which are comprised of the
members and have the responsibilities described below. Each of the below committees has a written charter approved by the Company’s
board of directors, which are available on the Company’s website at https://ir.amesite.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents.
Each of the committees reports to the Company’s board of directors as such committee deems appropriate and as the Company’s
board of directors may request.
The composition and functions
of each committee are described below.
Name |
|
Independent |
|
Audit |
|
Compensation |
|
Corporate
Governance and
Nominating
Committee (1) |
Anthony M. Barkett |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
Barbie Brewer |
|
X |
|
|
|
X* |
|
X |
J. Michael Losh |
|
X |
|
X* |
|
|
|
X |
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
| * | Chairperson of the committee |
| (1) | Our independent directors perform
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee function. |
Audit Committee
The
audit committee is currently comprised of Anthony M. Barkett, J. Michael Losh and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. Mr. Losh serves as the
chairperson of the audit committee. The Company’s board of directors has determined that each member of the audit committee meets
the requirements for independence and financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards
of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company’s board of directors has also determined that Mr. Losh is an “audit committee financial
expert” as defined in the rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the listing standards
of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The responsibilities of the audit committee include, among other things:
|
● |
selecting and hiring the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements; |
|
● |
overseeing the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and taking those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the accountants are independent of management; |
|
● |
reviewing financial statements and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the Company’s annual audited and quarterly financial statements, the results of the independent audit and the quarterly reviews, and the reports and certifications regarding internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls; |
|
|
|
|
● |
preparing the audit committee report that the SEC requires to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, as may be required; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the Company’s policies on risk assessment and risk management, including risk related to cybersecurity; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing related party transactions; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
approving or, as required, pre-approving, all audit and all permissible non-audit services and fees to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. |
The
Company’s audit committee operates under a written charter which satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the
listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The audit committee met 4 times during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Compensation Committee
The
Company’s compensation committee is currently comprised of Anthony M. Barkett, Barbie Brewer and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. Ms.
Brewer serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee. The Company’s board of directors has determined that each member
of the compensation committee meets the requirements for independence under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and listing
standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. Each member of the compensation committee is a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act. The purpose of the compensation committee is to oversee the Company’s compensation policies,
plans and benefit programs and to discharge the responsibilities of the Company’s board of directors relating to compensation of
its executive officers. The responsibilities of the compensation committee include, among other things:
|
● |
reviewing and approving or recommending to the board of directors for approval compensation of the Company’s executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing and recommending to the board of directors for approval the compensation of directors; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the Company’s overall compensation philosophy and compensation policies, plans and benefit programs for service providers, including the Company’s executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing, approving and making recommendations to the Company’s board of directors regarding incentive compensation and equity plans; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
administering the Company’s equity compensation plans. |
The compensation committee
met one time during the year ended June 30, 2024.
The Role of Management in the Compensation-Setting
Process
Management’s role in
the compensation-setting process, includes the following:
|
● |
to establish the operating budget approved by the board of directors, which forms the basis for evaluating corporate achievements and the achievements of the divisions our Named Executive Officers manage that are taken into consideration when evaluating compensation levels for Named Executive Officers; and |
|
● |
to make recommendations to the Compensation Committee on salary levels and stock option and restricted stock awards (or RSUs). |
Management also prepares information
for each Compensation Committee meeting. Our Chief Executive Officer also participates in committee meetings at the request of the Compensation
Committee to provide, among other things:
|
● |
background information regarding the Company’s strategic objectives; and |
|
● |
their evaluation of the performance of the Named Executive Officers, including accomplishments, and areas of strength and weakness. |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
The
independent directors of the Company’s board of directors serve as the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and are responsible
for reviewing, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole
and its individual members. The independent directors of the Company’s board of directors, in evaluating the suitability of individual
candidates (both new candidates and current members) and recommending candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving
(and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, consider many factors, including the following:
|
● |
diversity of personal and professional background, perspective and experience; |
|
|
|
|
● |
personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience in corporate management, operations or finance, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company, and a general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly-traded company in today’s business environment; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience relevant to the Company’s industry and with relevant social policy concerns; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly held company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area of the Company’s operations; |
|
● |
practical and mature business judgment, including ability to make independent analytical inquiries; |
|
|
|
|
● |
promotion of a diversity of business or career experience relevant to the Company’s success; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
any other relevant qualifications, attributes or skills. |
Currently, the independent
directors evaluate each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that
can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity
of experience in these various areas.
The independent directors
consider stockholder nominees made in accordance with our bylaws, and evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner
as all other candidates brought to the attention of the independent directors. Stockholder recommendations may be submitted to the independent
directors in care of the Secretary at the address set forth under “Stockholder Communications to the Board of Directors.”
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee did not meet during the year ended June 30, 2024.
Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation
None
of the Company’s executive officers serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee,
or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of the Company’s
board of directors or its compensation committee. None of the members of the Company’s compensation committee is, or has ever been,
an officer or employee of the Company.
Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics
The
Company’s board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to its employees, directors and officers,
in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The code of
business conduct and ethics is publicly available on the Company’s website. Any substantive amendments or waivers of the code of
business conduct and ethics may be made only by the Company’s board of directors and will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable
U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market.
Corporate Governance
Guidelines
The
Company’s board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of The
Nasdaq Capital Market.
Director Compensation
During the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2024, the Company accrued or paid compensation to its directors for serving in such capacity, as shown in the table below. The
Company is not aware of any agreements or arrangements between any director or nominee for director, and any person or entity other than
the Company, relating to compensation or other payment in connection with such person’s candidacy or service as a director of the
Company.
Name |
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid in
Cash |
|
Total |
Anthony M. Barkett (1) |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barbie Brewer (2) |
|
$ |
55,500 |
|
$ |
55,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Michael Losh (3) |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
$ |
58,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard T. Ogawa (4) |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. (5) |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George Parmer (6) |
|
$ |
48,000 |
|
$ |
48,000 |
(1) | As of June 30, 2024, Anthony
Barkett had 17,849 option awards outstanding. |
(2) | As of June 30, 2024, Barbie
Brewer had 29,932 option awards outstanding. |
(3) | As of June 30, 2024, Michael
Losh had 34,099 option awards outstanding. |
(4) | As of June 30, 2024, Richard
Ogawa had 46,599 option awards outstanding. |
(5) | As of June 30, 2024, Gilbert
S. Omenn had 21,342 option awards outstanding. |
(6) | As of June 30, 2023, George
Parmer had 4,259 option awards outstanding. |
On May 22, 2021, the board
of directors adopted a director compensation program for the Company’s independent directors consisting of equity compensation,
beginning in fiscal year 2021. Directors who are also officers do not receive any additional compensation for serving on any board committees.
These programs consist of the following equity compensation for independent directors:
Cash and Equity Compensation
On September 29, 2021, the
board of directors approved changes to our director compensation program for fiscal year 2022 and beyond. The board instituted an annual
cash retainer for our directors in an amount of $48,000, provided that the cash retainer for the chair of our Compensation Committee and
Audit Committee shall also contain an additional retainer of $7,500 and $10,000, respectively. In addition, our directors received an
annual $100,000 restricted stock unit grant, which will vest on the one-year anniversary of grant. Cash and equity payments for director
service are paid on a quarterly basis. The annual restricted stock unit grant for fiscal year 2023 will be issued as a catch-up grant.
Finally, our board of directors
adopted a Deferred Fee Plan for our non-employee directors pursuant to which directors may defer all or a portion of their total cash
compensation into deferred stock units which will be payable to them on the earlier of, their departure from the board or a change in
control. Directors make an annual election before the start of the calendar year regarding what portion of cash compensation will be deferred
for the subsequent calendar year.
Interests of Executive Officers and Directors
in this Proposal
Except for our current director
nominees, our executive officers, directors and associates of our executive officers, directors and director nominees do not have any
substantial interest, direct or indirect, in this proposal.
Required Vote of Stockholders
A plurality of the votes cast
at the Annual Meeting is required to elect a nominee as a director.
Board Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously
recommends a vote “FOR” the election of J. Michael Losh and Richard Ogawa as directors of the Company.
PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our board of directors has
selected Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. (“Turner”) to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending June
30, 2025. Turner has audited our financial statements since the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. A representative of Turner
is expected to be available at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
Although stockholder approval
of the selection of Turner is not required by law, our board of directors believes it is advisable to give stockholders an opportunity
to ratify this selection. If this proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, the board of directors may reconsider its selection
of Turner.
On January 27, 2023, the Company
dismissed Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee of the board of
directors of the Company approved the dismissal of Deloitte. The report of Deloitte on the Company’s financial statements
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified
as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that Deloitte’s audit report dated September 28, 2022 related to
the Company’s financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2022 contained an explanatory paragraph as to the uncertainty of
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and the subsequent interim
period through September 30, 2022, there were no disagreements (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation
S-K and related instructions) between the Company and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to Deloitte’s satisfaction, would have caused Deloitte to
make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its audit reports.
The Company provided Deloitte
with a copy of the disclosure required by Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K prior to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and Deloitte furnished a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that it agreed with such statements. A copy
of Deloitte’s letter, dated February 2, 2023, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2023.
On January 27, 2023, the Company
appointed Turner as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm effective as of January 27, 2023. The Audit
Committee of the board of directors of the Company approved the appointment of Turner Stone.
During the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2024, neither the Company, nor anyone acting on its behalf, consulted with Turner Stone regarding (i) the application of accounting
principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that may be rendered on the Company’s
financial statements, and Turner Stone did not provide either a written report or oral advice to the Company that was an important factor
considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any matter that
was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a reportable
event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firms
Turner acted as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and for the interim periods in such fiscal year.
The following table shows the fees that were incurred by the Company for audit and other services provided by Turner for the years ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023.
| |
Years Ended June 30, | |
| |
2024 | | |
2023 | |
Audit Fees (a) | |
$ | 57,005 | | |
$ | 128,305 | |
Audit-Related Fees (b) | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Tax Fees (c) | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Other Fees (d) | |
| - | | |
| 90,905 | |
Total | |
$ | 57,005 | | |
$ | 219,210 | |
(a) |
Audit fees include fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, the review of its financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the independent registered accounting firm for statutory and regulatory filings or engagements in the indicated fiscal year. |
(b) |
Audit-related include the fees for assurance and related services by the independent registered accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the company’s financial statements. |
(c) |
Tax fees represent fees for professional services related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
(d) |
Other fees represent fees for any other products and services provided by the independent registered accounting firm, including those related to our filing of certain registration statements. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
All services described under
“Audit Fees” and “Other Fees” above rendered by Turner were pre-approved by the Company’s board of directors.
The board of directors has adopted a pre-approval policy that provides for the pre-approval of all services performed for the Company
by its independent registered public accounting firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm and management are required to
periodically report to the board of directors regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public accounting
firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date.
Interests of Executive Officers and Directors
in this Proposal
Our executive officers, directors
and director nominees, and associates of our executive officers, directors and director nominees do not have any substantial interest,
direct or indirect, in this proposal.
Required Vote of Stockholders
The affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting
firm.
Board Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously
recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Turner as our independent registered public accounting
firm.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following Audit Committee
Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” deemed “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities
of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous filings under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act that might incorporate by reference future
filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Audit Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference
into any such filings.
We have reviewed and discussed
the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 with management and with the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm, Turner, Stone & Company, L.L.P. (“Turner”).
We have discussed with Turner
the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”)
and the SEC.
We have received the written
disclosures and the letter from Turner required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Turner’s communications with the
Audit Committee concerning independence, and we have discussed with Turner such firm’s independence from management and the Company.
Based on the review and discussions
referred to above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee is comprised
of three independent directors (as defined under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2)): J. Michael Losh, Anthony M. Barkett, and Gilbert S.
Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on our website at https://ir.amesite.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents.
|
Submitted by the Audit Committee |
|
|
|
J. Michael Losh – Chairman |
|
Anthony M. Barkett |
|
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and other information regarding our executive officers as of date of this proxy
statement. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers, directors or director or officer nominees. The Company
is not aware of any arrangement or understanding with another person under which such executive officers were selected as an executive
officer.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) |
|
|
|
|
|
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
|
57 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board |
|
|
|
|
|
Sherlyn W. Farrell |
|
62 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. - President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Sastry has been our President,
Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman since our incorporation in November 2017. From April 2008 to October 2015, Dr. Sastry served as
the President, Chief Executive Officer, member of the board of directors and co-founder of Sakti3, recognized as one of the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology’s 50 Smartest Companies in 2015. Backed by a global team of venture capitalists Sakti3 was sold to Dyson
Ltd. in 2015 for $90 million. Dr. Sastry was invited to the White House in 2015 to be recognized for her technology entrepreneurship,
and meet with President Barack Obama. From October 2015 to November 2017, Dr. Sastry continued on with Dyson as head of the global solid
state battery team, focusing on technology strategy and advancement, staff and organizational growth, and partnership development. Her
technology and business work have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, the Economist, USA Today, the New York Times
and on the cover of Inc.
Prior to starting her companies,
Dr. Sastry was a professor of engineering at the University of Michigan (UM). Dr. Sastry was named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor (UM’s
highest teaching honor) in 2008. Tenured and promoted early, Sastry was recognized with some of the highest honors in her scientific fields
over her 17 year academic career, including the ASME Frank Kreith Energy Award (2011) and NSF’s Presidential Early Career Award
for Scientists and Engineers (1997). She founded two academic research centers in intracellular signaling (Keck Foundation) and advanced
automotive batteries (GM/Department of Energy), and a global graduate program in Energy Systems Engineering. She has co-authored over
100 publications and 100 patents and filings, and has delivered over 100 invited lectures and seminars globally on a range of scientific
and technology topics, spanning mathematics, physics, bioscience and battery technology. Sastry is active in philanthropy and business
mentorship, with a focus on education and poverty alleviation. She holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Cornell University, and a B.S. degree
from the University of Delaware, all in mechanical engineering. We believe that Dr. Sastry’s experience working with successful
companies and her experience in education qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Sherlyn W. Farrell – Chief Financial
Officer
Ms. Farrell has been our Chief
Financial Officer since December 15, 2022. Ms. Farrell has extensive experience in accounting, financial analysis, and risk management.
Since 2005, Ms. Farrell has served as President of Seven Kites Strategic Consulting, Inc. (“Seven Kites”), where she focused
on strategic planning, CFO oversight, financial reporting and analysis. Prior to Seven Kites, Ms. Farrell served as Chief Executive Officer
of RGL Forensics from 2000 through 2005. RGL Forensics was a leading financial investigations company that specialized in the insurance,
legal and corporate markets that was acquired by Baker Tilly in 2018. From 1999 – 2000, Ms. Farrell served as a Partner / Senior
Consultant at RiskCap where she focused on the alternative risk finance arena developing and managing specialty insurance programs, including
medical malpractice, workers compensation, general liability and warranty programs. Prior to RiskCap, Ms. Farrell was an audit manager
at KPMG from 1984 – 1989.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets
forth the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 to (i) our Chief Executive Officer,
(ii) the two most highly compensated individuals who were serving as executive officers as of June 30, 2024, and (iii) two additional
individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to prong (ii) but for the fact that they were not serving as an executive
officer as of June 30, 2024 (we refer to these individuals as the “Named Executive Officers”).
Name and Principal Position | |
Year | |
Salary | | |
Bonus | | |
Stock Awards | | |
Option Awards (1) | | |
Total | |
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., | |
2024 | |
$ | 571,153 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 571,153 | |
Chief Executive Officer and President | |
2023 | |
$ | 550,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 550,000 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Sherlyn W. Farrell | |
2024 | |
$ | 84,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 84,000 | |
Chief Financial Officer (2) | |
2023 | |
$ | 80,850 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 80,850 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Kalie Wortinger | |
2024 | |
$ | 178,400 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 178,400 | |
Senior Manager, Engineering | |
2023 | |
$ | 167,427 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 167,427 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Brandon Owens | |
2024 | |
$ | 176,500 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 176,500 | |
Vice President of Sales | |
2023 | |
$ | 194,499 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 194,499 | |
(1) | Amounts shown in this column
do not reflect dollar amounts actually received. Instead, these amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option
awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are set forth in the notes
to our financial statements, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on October 6, 2023. |
(2) | Ms. Farrell was appointed as
the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective December 15, 2022. |
Employment Agreements
Ann Marie Sastry, Chief Executive Officer
On April 27, 2018 Amesite
Parent entered into an Executive Employment Agreement with Dr. Sastry (the “Sastry Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the
terms of the Sastry Employment Agreement, Dr. Sastry is entitled to a $350,000 base salary to be paid in accordance with our regularly
established payroll practice. Additionally, Dr. Sastry received a bonus of $200,000 for the year ended June 30, 2019 based upon achievement
of certain performance milestones (with determination of achievement of such milestones approved by the Compensation Committee of our
board of directors). Dr. Sastry is also eligible to receive other customary benefits, including paid time off, health insurance, and
other benefits. Dr. Sastry’s base salary is reviewed periodically by our board of directors and adjustments may be made upon the
recommendations of the Compensation Committee.
We entered into an Executive
Agreement, effective June 1, 2020, with Dr. Sastry regarding her continued service as our Chief Executive Officer (the “May 2020
Sastry Agreement”). This agreement replaced and superseded the Sastry Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the May 2020
Sastry Employment Agreement, Dr. Sastry was entitled to a $350,000 base salary (the “Base Salary”) to be paid in accordance
with our regularly established payroll practice, which increased to $550,000 per year upon completion of our initial public offering.
Additionally, Dr. Sastry received 525,000 options to purchase our common stock, and is entitled to receive additional grants of options
each successive year she serves as Chief Executive Officer based on her Base Salary. Dr. Sastry is also eligible to earn an annual bonus
of up to $300,000, based on the achievement of certain performance-based milestones for each fiscal year mutually agreed upon by our
board of directors and/or our Compensation Committee and Dr. Sastry.
Pursuant to the May 2020 Sastry
Employment Agreement, except in situations where the employment of Dr. Sastry is terminated for Cause (as defined in the May 2020 Sastry
Employment Agreement), due to death or Disability (as that term is defined in the May 2020 Sastry Employment Agreement), or in the case
that Dr. Sastry voluntarily resigns without Good Reason (as defined in the 2020 Sastry Employment Agreement), in the event that we terminate
Dr. Sastry’s employment at any time without Cause, Dr. Sastry will receive on the date of termination, if Dr. Sastry instructs
the Company in writing, a lump sum amount equal to (A) any portion of unpaid Base Compensation (as defined in the May 2020 Sastry
Employment Agreement) then due for periods prior to the effective date of termination; (B) any Bonus (as defined in the May 2020
Sastry Employment Agreement) earned and not yet paid through the date of termination; and (C) within 2-1/2 months following submission
of proper expense reports by Dr. Sastry, all expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by Dr. Sastry in connection with the business
of the Company prior to the date of termination; and, provided that Dr. Sastry executes a written release of any and all claims against
the Company and all related parties with respect to all matters arising out of Dr. Sastry’s engagement by the Company, the Company
shall pay to Dr. Sastry the Base Compensation and reimburse Dr. Sastry’s payment of COBRA premiums for twelve (12) months from the
date of termination.
Additionally, subject to the
limitations described in the May 2020 Sastry Employment Agreement, in the event of Dr. Sastry’s termination of engagement with the
Company either (i) by the Company without Cause or Dr. Sastry for Good Reason at any time within six (6) months prior to the
consummation of a Change of Control if, prior to or as of such termination, a Change of Control transaction was Pending (as defined in
the May 2020 Sastry Employment Agreement) at any time during such six (6)-month period, (ii) by Dr. Sastry for Good Reason at any
time within twelve (12) months after the consummation of a Change of Control, or (iii) by the Company without Cause at any time within
twelve (12) months after the consummation of a Change of Control, then, Dr. Sastry shall be entitled to the following payments and other
benefits:
(i) on
the date of termination (except as specified in clause (C)), the Company shall pay to Dr. Sastry, if Dr. Sastry instructs the Company
in writing, a lump sum amount equal to (A) any portion of unpaid Base Compensation then due for periods prior to the effective date
of termination; (B) any Bonus earned and not yet paid through the date of termination; and (C) within 2-1/2 months following
submission of proper expense reports by Dr. Sastry, all expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by Dr. Sastry in connection with
the business of the Company prior to the date of termination;
(ii) on
the date of termination the Company shall pay to Dr. Sastry, if Dr. Sastry instructs the Company in writing, a lump sum amount equal to
twelve (12) months of Dr. Sastry’s Base Compensation then in effect as of the day of termination and reimburse Dr. Sastry for the
COBRA premiums she pays to maintain health insurance coverage for twelve (12) months following the date of termination; and
(iii) notwithstanding any
provision of any stock incentive plan, stock option agreement, realization bonus, restricted stock agreement or other agreement relating
to capital stock of the Company, all of the shares that are then unvested shall immediately vest and, with respect to all options, warrants
and other convertible securities of the Company beneficially held Dr. Sastry, become fully exercisable for (A) a period of six months
following the date of termination only if at the time of such termination there is a Change of Control transaction Pending or (B) if
clause (A) does not apply, then such period of time set forth in the agreement evidencing the security.
Dr. Sastry is also eligible
to receive other customary benefits offered by the Company to its senior executives and directors, including paid time off, retirement
benefits, health insurance, life insurance and other benefits. Dr. Sastry’s base salary is reviewed periodically by our board of
directors and adjustments may be made upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee.
Sherlyn W. Farrell, Chief Financial Officer
In connection with Ms. Farrell’s appointment as Chief Financial
Officer on December 12, 2022, we entered into a CFO Agreement with Ms. Farrell, pursuant to which she receives $200 per hour, payable
in accordance with our standard payroll policies. The CFO Agreement will terminate on December 12, 2023, and may only be extended thereafter
by mutual agreement, unless terminated earlier by operation of and in accordance with the CFO Agreement.
Kalie Wortinger, Senior Manager, Engineering
On April 18, 2018 the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Ms. Wortinger, which was subsequently amended on April 28, 2023 (the “Wortinger Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the
terms of the Wortinger Employment Agreement, as amended, Ms. Wortinger is entitled to a $178,400 base salary to be paid in accordance
with our regularly established payroll practice. Additionally, Ms. Wortinger is also eligible to receive other customary benefits, and
is eligible to receive stock options, restricted stock units and other equity incentive grants as determined by the board of directors.
Brandon Owens, Vice President of Sales
On October 12, 2020 the Company
entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Owens, which was subsequently amended on January 13, 2023 (the “Owens Employment Agreement”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Owens Employment Agreement, as amended, Mr. Owens is entitled to a $130,000 base salary to be paid in accordance
with our regularly established payroll practice. Additionally, Mr. Owens was eligible for certain bonus and commission payments during
his first year of employment based upon achievement of certain performance milestones. Additionally, Mr. Owens received stock options
in connection with the commencement of his employment, and is also eligible to receive other customary benefits, stock options, restricted
stock units and other equity incentive grants as determined by the board of directors.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth
information regarding outstanding stock options held by our named executive officers as of June 30, 2024:
NAME | |
GRANT
DATE | |
VESTING
COMMENCEMENT
DATE | |
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE | | |
NUMBER
OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS (#) UNEXERCISABLE | | |
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE ($) | | |
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. | |
5/21/2020 | |
5/21/2021 | |
| 43,750 | (1) | |
| 43,750 | (1) | |
$ | 24.00 | | |
5/21/2030 |
| |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Brandon Owens | |
11/4/2020 | |
11/4/2021 | |
| 1,667 | | |
| 1,076 | (2) | |
$ | 49.92 | | |
11/4/2030 |
| |
5/13/2021 | |
5/13/2022 | |
| 2,083 | | |
| 1,606 | (2) | |
$ | 26.28 | | |
5/13/2031 |
| |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
|
Kalie Wortinger | |
7/23/2018 | |
5/14/2019 | |
| 1,000 | | |
| 1,000 | (3) | |
$ | 18.00 | | |
7/23/2028 |
| |
3/20/2020 | |
3/20/2021 | |
| 1,000 | | |
| 844 | (3) | |
$ | 24.00 | | |
3/20/2030 |
| |
5/13/2021 | |
5/13/2022 | |
| 3,333 | | |
| 2,569 | (2) | |
$ | 26.28 | | |
5/13/2031 |
(2) | 25% of the options vest on
the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the remaining 75% vest in thirty-six (36) successive equal monthly installments
thereafter. |
(3) |
25% of the options vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the remaining 75% vest in forty-eight (48) successive equal monthly installments thereafter. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control:
Please refer to “Executive Compensation – Employment Agreements”
for information relating to the potential payments to Dr. Sastry upon termination or a change in control of the Company.
Clawback Policy
Our board of directors adopted
a compensation recovery policy (the “Clawback Policy”), designed to comply with Rule 10D-1 of the Exchange
Act and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608, which provides for recoupment of incentive compensation in the event of an accounting restatement
resulting from material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under the relevant securities laws. The policy applies to
our current and former executive officers. Compensation (as defined in the Clawback Policy) that is granted, earned or vested maybe subject
to recoupment. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company has not been required to prepare an accounting restatement that required
the recovery of erroneously awarded compensation pursuant to the Clawback Policy.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth
certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of November 26, 2024, based on 2,792,440 shares issued
and outstanding by (i) each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors
and director nominees, (iii) our named executive officers and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Shares are beneficially
owned when an individual has voting and/or investment power over the shares or could obtain voting and/or investment power over the shares
within 60 days of November 26, 2024. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Unless otherwise indicated, the address
of each beneficial owner listed below is c/o Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Name of Beneficial Owner and Title of Named Executive Officers and Directors | |
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | |
Percentage | |
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board (1) | |
| 585,848 | | |
| 20.66 | % |
Sherlyn W. Farrell, Chief Financial Officer | |
| 315 | | |
| * | |
Kalie Wortinger | |
| 4,244 | | |
| * | |
Brandon Owens | |
| 2,561 | | |
| * | |
J. Michael Losh, Director (2) | |
| 89,655 | | |
| 3.12 | % |
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., Director (3) | |
| 79,064 | | |
| 2.76 | % |
Richard T. Ogawa, Director (4) | |
| 107,488 | | |
| 3.72 | % |
Anthony M. Barkett, Director (5) | |
| 74,266 | | |
| 2.60 | % |
Barbie Brewer, Director (6) | |
| 83,265 | | |
| 2.90 | % |
George Parmer, Director (7) | |
| 161,342 | | |
| 5.67 | % |
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (11 persons) (8) | |
| 1,188,048 | | |
| 35.95 | % |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Beneficial Owner Greater than 5% Stockholders | |
| | | |
| | |
Mark Tompkins (9) | |
| 170,259 | | |
| 6.10 | % |
(1) |
Includes (i) 542,098 shares of common stock held by Dr. Sastry and (ii) 43,750 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 held by Dr. Sastry. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes (i) 4,306 shares of common stock held by Mr. Losh, (ii) 34,099 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 and (iii) 51,250 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, but excludes 55,622 shares of common stock underlying deferred stock units that may be issued in the Company’s discretion upon completion of service as a member of the board of directors, or if earlier, upon a change in control. |
|
|
(3) |
Includes (i) 6,472 shares of common stock held by Dr. Omenn, (ii) 21,342 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 and (iii) 51,250 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, but excludes 46,032 shares of common stock underlying deferred stock units that may be issued in the Company’s discretion upon completion of service as a member of the board of directors, or if earlier, upon a change in control. |
|
|
(4) |
Includes (i) 9,639 shares of common stock held by Mr. Ogawa (which includes 2,083 shares held by Ogawa Professional Corporation), (ii) 46,599 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 and (iii) 51,250 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, but excludes 46,032 shares of common stock underlying deferred stock units that may be issued in the Company’s discretion upon completion of service as a member of the board of directors, or if earlier, upon a change in control. |
|
|
(5) |
Includes (i) 5,167 shares of common stock held by Mr. Barkett, (ii) 17,849 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 and (iii) 51,250 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, but excludes 46,032 shares of common stock underlying deferred stock units that may be issued in the Company’s discretion upon completion of service as a member of the board of directors, or if earlier, upon a change in control. |
(6) |
Includes (i) 2,083 shares of common stock held by Ms. Brewer, (ii) 29,932 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 and (iii) 51,250 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024. |
(7) |
Includes (i) 105,833 shares of common stock held by Mr. Parmer, (ii) 4,259 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024 and (iii) 51,250 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, but excludes 39,136 shares of common stock underlying deferred stock units that may be issued in the Company’s discretion upon completion of service as a member of the board of directors, or if earlier, upon a change in control. |
(8) |
Includes 204,635 shares of common stock underlying options that are either presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, and 307,500 shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of November 26, 2024, held by all directors and officers as a group. |
|
|
(9) |
Mr. Tompkins’s address is Apt 1, via Guidino 23, 6900 Lugano, Paradiso, Switzerland. Mr. Tompkins has voting and dispositive authority over the shares. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a description
of transactions since July 1, 2022 to which the Company party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent
of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our respective
directors, director nominees, executive officers or beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate
family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Indemnification Agreements and Directors’
and Officers’ Liability Insurance
We plan to enter into indemnification
agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, will require us to indemnify each
director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’
fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any
action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
Consulting Agreements
On March 29, 2018, Amesite
Parent’s board of directors approved a consulting agreement with Mr. Richard Ogawa whereby Mr. Ogawa provided certain consulting
services to us relating to the protection of our intellectual property and general business advice for our benefit. We agreed to pay Mr.
Ogawa $1,000 for each filed patent application and $1,000 for each issued or granted patent regardless of the jurisdiction or type of
patent, except for provisional patent applications for which no fee would be paid by us. In addition, we granted Mr. Ogawa a nonqualified
stock option to purchase 291,666 shares of Amesite Parent’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share (subject to adjustment
for the Merger).
Related Person Transaction Policy
We have not had a formal policy
regarding approval of transactions with related parties. We expect to adopt a related person transaction policy that will set forth procedures
for the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of related person transactions. For purposes of the policy
only, a related person transaction will be a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements
or relationships, in which we and any related person are, were or will be participants in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser
of $120,000 or one percent of our total assets at year-end for our last two completed fiscal years. Transactions involving compensation
for services provided to us as an employee or director are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director
or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, including any of their immediate family members and any entity
owned or controlled by such persons.
Under the policy we plan to
adopt, if a transaction has been identified as a related person transaction, including any transaction that was not a related person transaction
when originally consummated or any transaction that was not initially identified as a related person transaction prior to consummation,
our management must present information regarding the related person transaction to our audit committee, or, if audit committee approval
would be inappropriate, to another independent body of our board of directors, for review, consideration and approval or ratification.
The presentation must include a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related
persons, the benefits to us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to or
from, as the case may be, an unrelated third party or to or from employees generally. Under the policy, we will collect information that
we deem reasonably necessary from each director, executive officer and, to the extent feasible, significant shareholder to enable us to
identify any existing or potential related-person transactions and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under our code
of business conduct and ethics, our employees and directors will have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship
that reasonably could be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions, our audit committee,
or other independent body of our board of directors, will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including,
but not limited to:
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the risks, costs and benefits to us; |
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the impact on a director’s independence in the event that the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated; |
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the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and |
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the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally. |
The policy will require that,
in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related person transaction, our audit committee, or other independent body of our
board of directors, must consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best
interests and those of our shareholders, as our audit committee, or other independent body of our board of directors, determines in the
good faith exercise of its discretion.
OTHER MATTERS
The board of directors knows
of no other business, which will be presented to the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting,
proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.
We will bear the cost of soliciting
proxies in the accompanying form. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may also be solicited by our directors, officers or other
employees, personally or by telephone, facsimile or email, none of whom will be compensated separately for these solicitation activities.
If you do not plan to attend
the Annual Meeting, in order that your shares may be represented and in order to assure the required quorum, please sign, date and return
your proxy promptly. In the event you are able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, at your request, we will cancel your previously
submitted proxy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR
Stockholders who intend to
have a proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for presentation at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is
currently anticipated to take place in January 2026, must submit the proposal to us at our corporate headquarters no later than July 30,
2025, which proposal must be made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and our Bylaws. Stockholders who
intend to present a proposal, or nominate any person for election to the board of directors, at our next Annual Meeting of Stockholders
without inclusion of the proposal in our proxy materials are required to provide notice of such proposal to our Secretary so that such
notice is received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices on or after September 23, 2025, but no later than October 23, 2025.
We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with
these and other applicable requirements.
Any director candidates recommended
by security holders would be referred to the governance and nominating committee for consideration. The committee would review the qualifications
of such director candidate and make a report to the board of directors. The board would then consider whether such candidate, taking into
account various relevant factors, such as diversity, equity position in the company, background, experience, reputation, membership in
other public company boards, business relationships, and potential contribution to the Company’s business and development, should
be offered a position on the board of directors, either by appointment or at the next stockholders meeting.
The deadline for providing
notice to the Company under Rule 14a-19, the SEC’s universal proxy rule, of a shareholder’s intent to solicit proxies in support
of nominees submitted under the Company’s advance notice bylaws for our next Annual Meeting of Stockholders is November 22, 2025.
Shareholders intending to provide such a notice must comply with all requirements of Rule 14a-19 in addition to all requirements under
our bylaws, including the timing of notice requirements described above.
HOUSEHOLDING
The SEC has adopted rules
that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and other Annual Meeting
materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single copy of the proxy statement or other
Annual Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially provides
extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able
to access and receive separate proxy cards.
If you share an address with
another stockholder and have received multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may write or call us at the address or phone number
below to request delivery of a single copy of the notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials in the future. We undertake to deliver
promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the proxy materials, as requested, to a stockholder at a shared address to which
a single copy of the proxy materials was delivered. If you hold stock as a record stockholder and prefer to receive separate copies of
our proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact us at 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attn:
Secretary, or by phone at (734) 876-8130. If your stock is held through a brokerage firm or bank and you prefer to receive separate
copies of our proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact your brokerage firm or bank.
ANNUAL REPORT
Additional copies of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 may be obtained without charge by writing to the Company’s Secretary,
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Our audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 and certain other related financial and business information are contained in our 2024 Annual
Report to Stockholders, which is being made available to our stockholders along with this proxy statement, but which is not deemed a part
of the proxy soliciting material.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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/s/ Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
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Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
November 27, 2024 |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
PROXY CARD
AMESITE INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON JANUARY
21, 2025
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Ann Marie Sastry,
Ph.D. as proxy with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote all the shares of common stock of Amesite Inc. (the “Company”),
which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 21, 2025 and
at any adjournments thereof, subject to the directions indicated on this Proxy Card.
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized
to vote upon any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
SPECIFICATIONS MADE, BUT IF NO CHOICES ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXY HOLDERS FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AND
FOR THE PROPOSALS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND IN THEIR DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT ARE PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE MEETING OR
ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
IMPORTANT — This Proxy must be signed and
dated below.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Amesite
Inc. will be held virtually on January 21, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025.
THIS IS YOUR PROXY
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Dear Stockholder:
We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders of Amesite Inc. to be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2025, on January 21, 2025 beginning at 8:45
a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Please read the proxy statement which describes
the proposals and presents other important information, and complete, sign and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS
1 & 2.
1. Election of two Class I Director Nominees |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT |
01 – J. Michael Losh
02 – Richard Ogawa
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☐ |
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☐ |
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2. Proposal to ratify Turner, Stone & Company L.L.P. as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. |
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FOR
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AGAINST
☐ |
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ABSTAIN
☐ |
NOTE: Such other business as may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof will be voted on by the proxy holders in their discretion.
Important: Please sign exactly as name appears
on this proxy. When signing as attorney, executor, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, etc., please indicate full title.
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Dated:________________, 2024 |
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Signature |
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Signature |
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(Joint Owners) |
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Name (printed) |
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
You may vote your proxy in the following ways:
Login to www.proxyvote.com
Enter your control number (12 digit number located below)
1-800-690-6903
Vote Processing
c/o Broadridge
51 Mercedes Way
Englewood, NY 11717
CONTROL NUMBER:
You may vote by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. Internet voting is available through 11:59 p.m.,
prevailing time, on January 20, 2025.
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