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Name | Symbol | Market | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Digital Brands Group Inc | NASDAQ:DBGIW | NASDAQ | Equity Warrant |
Price Change | % Change | Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Traded | Last Trade | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.00 | 0.00% | 15.05 | 0.08 | 2,147.48 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 2 | 22:00:00 |
As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2024
Registration No. 333-282047
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 5699 | 46-1942864 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
1400 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: (209) 651-0172
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
John Hilburn Davis IV
Chief Executive Officer
Digital Brands Group, Inc.
1400 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: (209) 651-0172
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Laura Anthony, Esq. | Ross D. Carmel, Esq. | |
Craig D. Linder, Esq. | Jay K. Yamamoto, Esq. | |
Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC 1700 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 820 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Telephone: (561) 514-0936 |
Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP 1185 Ave of the Americas, 31st Floor New York, NY 10036 Telephone: (212) 930-9700 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer ☒ | Smaller reporting company ☒ |
Emerging growth company ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check market if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED OCTOBER 7, 2024
Preliminary Prospectus
Digital Brands Group, Inc.
Up to 15,001,500 Shares, each consisting of
One Share of Common Stock or One Pre-Funded
Warrant to Purchase One Share of Common Stock
Up to 15,001,500 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the
Pre-Funded Warrants
We are offering up to 15,001,500 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”) on a best-efforts basis.
We are also offering to each purchaser of shares that would otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase one pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock (“Pre-Funded Warrant”) (in lieu of one share of common stock). Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of Pre-Funded Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its Pre-Funded Warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each Pre-Funded Warrant will be exercisable for one share of common stock. The purchase price of each Pre-Funded Warrant will be equal to the price of one share of common stock, minus $0.0001, and the remaining exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant will equal $0.0001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be immediately exercisable (subject to the beneficial ownership cap) and may be exercised at any time until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. For each Pre-Funded Warrant we sell (without regard to any limitation on exercise set forth therein), the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. We refer to the shares of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants to be sold in this offering collectively as the “Securities.” We are also registering the common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby. See “Description of Securities — Description of Securities We Are Offering” in this prospectus for more information.
Our Common Stock and Class A Warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “DBGI” and “DBGIW,” respectively. On October 1, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock was $0.3333 per share and Class A Warrants was $12.25 per share.
We have assumed a public offering price of $0.3333 per share of Common Stock. The actual offering price per share of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrant will be negotiated between us and the investors, in consultation with the Placement Agent based on, among other things, the trading price of our Common Stock prior to the offering and may be at a discount to the current market price. Therefore, the assumed public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final offering price. There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants. We do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading market. We do not expect an active trading market to develop for the Pre-Funded Warrants. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of these securities will be extremely limited.
We have engaged RBW Capital Partners LLC, acting through Dominari Securities LLC, to act as our exclusive placement agent (the “Placement Agent”) in connection with this offering. The Placement Agent has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of the Securities offered by this prospectus. The Placement Agent is not purchasing or selling any of the Securities we are offering, and the Placement Agent is not required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number of Securities or dollar amount. We have agreed to pay to the Placement Agent the fees set forth in the table below, which assumes that we sell all of the Securities offered by this prospectus. See “Plan of Distribution” for more information regarding these arrangements.
This offering will terminate on __, 2024, unless we decide to terminate the offering (which we may do at any time in our discretion) prior to that date. We will have one closing for all the securities purchased in this offering. The public offering price per share will be fixed for the duration of this offering.
The Securities are expected to be issued in a single closing and the public offering price per share of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrant will be fixed for the duration of this offering. We will deliver all Securities to be issued in connection with this offering delivery versus payment (“DVP”)/receipt versus payment (“RVP”) upon receipt of investor funds received by us. Accordingly, neither we nor the Placement Agent have made any arrangements to place investor funds in an escrow account or trust account since the Placement Agent will not receive investor funds in connection with the sale of the securities offered hereunder. There is no minimum offering requirement as a condition of closing of this offering. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing this offering, we may sell fewer than all of the Securities offered hereby, which may significantly reduce the amount of proceeds received by us, and investors in this offering will not receive a refund in the event that we do not sell an amount of Securities sufficient to pursue our business goals described in this prospectus. Further, any proceeds from the sale of Securities offered by us will be available for our immediate use, despite uncertainty about whether we would be able to use such funds to effectively implement our business plan. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 10 of this prospectus for more information.
We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws and, as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.
Investing in our securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 12 of this prospectus before investing in our securities.
Per share of common stock | Per pre-funded warrant | Total | ||||||||||
Assumed Public Offering Price (1) (2) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Placement Agent fees (3) (4) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds, before expenses, to us | $ | $ | $ |
(1) | Calculated based on an assumed offering price of $0.3333, which represents the closing sales price on the Nasdaq Capital Market of the registrant’s common stock on October 1, 2024. This amount will decrease by $0.0001 for each Pre-Funded Warrant sold in this offering. | |
(2) | The public offering price corresponds to (x)(i) a public offering price per share of $__ and (y)(i) a public offering price per Pre-Funded Warrant of $__. | |
(3) | The placement agent fees shall equal eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds of the securities sold by us in this offering. | |
(4) | The Placement Agent will receive compensation in addition to the placement agent fees described above. See “Plan of Distribution” for a description of compensation payable to the Placement Agent. |
Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to closing in this offering the actual public amount, placement agent’s fee, and proceeds to us, if any, are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total maximum offering amounts set forth above and throughout this prospectus. We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent the placement agent fees set forth in the table above and to provide certain other compensation to the Placement Agent. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 48 of this prospectus for more information regarding these arrangements.
We expect to deliver the shares of common stock or Pre-Funded Warrants against payment in New York, New York on or about __, 2024.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks that we have described on page 12 of this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors.”
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Sole Placement Agent
RBW Capital Partners LLC
Securities
offered through Dominari Securities LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA)
The date of this prospectus is , 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, includes exhibits that provide more detail of the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related exhibits filed with the SEC before making your investment decision.
You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus or in a prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses or amendments thereto. Neither we nor the placement agent have authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We do not, and the placement agent and its affiliates do not, take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide to you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date hereof, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
We are not, and the placement agent is not, offering to sell or seeking offers to purchase these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. We and the placement agent have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities as to distribution of the prospectus outside of the United States.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “DBG” refers to Digital Brands Group, Inc. solely, and references to “Digital Brands”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Digital Brands Group, Inc. and our subsidiaries Bailey 44, LLC (“Bailey”), MOSBEST, LLC (“Stateside”), and Sunnyside, LLC (“Sundry”). Solely for convenience, trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate in any way that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or that the applicable owner will not assert its rights, to these trademarks and tradenames.
1 |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, which we describe in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed on April 15, 2024, and Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on June 3, 2024, and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, include, but are not limited to:
● | that to improve our financial performance, we must increase our revenue levels; | |
● | our ability to continue our business as a going concern; | |
● | our business, sales, and marketing strategies and plans; | |
● | our ability to successfully market, sell, and deliver our curated collection of lifestyle brands, including Bailey 44, DSTLD, Stateside, Sundry and ACE Studios, that offers a variety of apparel products through direct-to-consumer and wholesale distribution to an expanding customer base; | |
● | our ability to consummate future financings; | |
● | scarcity of products and materials in the supply chain; | |
● | our ability to attract new employees and to retain key management and technical personnel; | |
● | effects of the coronavirus on the U.S. and global economies; | |
● | customer concentration including many U.S. government entities; | |
● | technological changes in our industry; | |
● | intense competition from both start-up and established companies; | |
● | potential conflict of your interests with the interests of our larger stockholders; | |
● | Failure to achieve customer acceptance of our products; | |
● | actual or threatened litigation and governmental investigations and the costs and efforts spent to defend against such litigation and investigations; | |
● | Returns of our products; | |
● | our ability to protect our intellectual property and the cost associated with defending claims of infringement; and | |
● | our intended use of the net proceeds from this offering. |
You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this prospectus. While we believe that such information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, that information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
2 |
This prospectus summary highlights certain information about our company and other information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, and our other filings with the SEC, including the following sections, which are either included herein and/or incorporated by reference herein, “Risk Factors,” “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference herein, before making a decision about whether to invest in our securities.
Company Overview
Our Business
Digital Brands is a curated collection of lifestyle brands, including Bailey, DSTLD, Sundry and Avo, that offers a variety of apparel products through direct-to- consumer and wholesale distribution. Our complementary brand portfolio provides us with the unique opportunity to cross merchandise our brands. We aim for our customers to wear our brands head to toe and to capture what we call “closet share” by gaining insight into their preferences to create targeted and personalized content specific to their cohort. Operating our brands under one portfolio provides us with the ability to better utilize our technological, human capital and operational capabilities across all brands. As a result, we have been able to realize operational efficiencies and continue to identify additional cost saving opportunities to scale our brands and overall portfolio.
Our portfolio currently consists of four significant brands:
● | Bailey combines beautiful, luxe fabrics and on-trend designs to create sophisticated ready-to-wear capsules for women on-the-go. Designing for real life, this brand focuses on feeling and comfort rather than how it looks on a runway. Bailey is primarily a wholesale brand, which we intend to transition to a digital, direct-to-consumer brand. | |
● | DSTLD offers stylish high-quality garments without the luxury retail markup valuing customer experience over labels. DSTLD is primarily a digital direct-to-consumer brand, to which we recently added select wholesale retailers to generate brand awareness. | |
● | Stateside is an elevated, America first brand with all knitting, dyeing, cutting and sewing sourced and manufactured locally in Los Angeles. The collection is influenced by the evolution of the classic t-shirt offering a simple yet elegant look. Stateside is primarily a wholesale brand that we intend to transition to a digital, direct-to-consumer brand. | |
● | Sundry offers distinct collections of women’s clothing, including dresses, shirts, sweaters, skirts, shorts, athleisure bottoms and other accessory products. Sundry’s products are coastal casual and consist of soft, relaxed and colorful designs that feature a distinct French chic, resembling the spirits |
We believe that successful apparel brands sell in all revenue channels. However, each channel offers different margin structures and requires different customer acquisition and retention strategies. We were founded as a digital-first retailer that has strategically expanded into select wholesale and direct retail channels. We strive to strategically create omnichannel strategies for each of our brands that blend physical and online channels to engage consumers in the channel of their choosing. Our products are sold direct-to- consumers principally through our websites and our own showrooms, but also through our wholesale channel, primarily in specialty stores and select department stores. With the continued expansion of our wholesale distribution, we believe developing an omnichannel solution further strengthens our ability to efficiently acquire and retain customers while also driving high customer lifetime value.
We believe that by leveraging a physical footprint to acquire customers and increase brand awareness, we can use digital marketing to focus on retention and a very tight, disciplined high value new customer acquisition strategy, especially targeting potential customers lower in the sales funnel. Building a direct relationship with the customer as the customer transacts directly with us allows us to better understand our customer’s preferences and shopping habits. Our experience as a company originally founded as a digitally native-first retailer gives us the ability to strategically review and analyze the customer’s data, including contact information, browsing and shopping cart data, purchase history and style preferences. This in turn has the effect of lowering our inventory risk and cash needs since we can order and replenish product based on the data from our online sales history, replenish specific inventory by size, color and SKU based on real times sales data, and control our mark-down and promotional strategies versus being told what mark downs and promotions we have to offer by the department stores and boutique retailers.
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We define “closet share” as the percentage (“share”) of a customer’s clothing units that (“of closet”) she or he owns in her or his closet and the amount of those units that go to the brands that are selling these units. For example, if a customer buys 20 units of clothing a year and the brands that we own represent 10 of those units purchased, then our closet share is 50% of that customer’s closet, or 10 of our branded units divided by 20 units they purchased in entirety. Closet share is a similar concept to the widely used term wallet share, it is just specific to the customer’s closet. The higher our closet share, the higher our revenue as higher closet share suggests the customer is purchasing more of our brands than our competitors.
We have strategically expanded into an omnichannel brand offering these styles and content not only on-line but at selected wholesale and retail storefronts. We believe this approach allows us opportunities to successfully drive Lifetime Value (“LTV”) while increasing new customer growth. We define Lifetime Value or LTV as an estimate of the average revenue that a customer will generate throughout their lifespan as our customer. This value/revenue of a customer helps us determine many economic decisions, such as marketing budgets per marketing channel, retention versus acquisition decisions, unit level economics, profitability and revenue forecasting.
In April of 2024, we entered into a retail store sublease for approximately 3.5 years at the Simon Premium Outlet in Allen, TX, a suburb of Dallas.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we generated net revenues of approximately $14,916,422 and $10,333,558, respectively, reported net loss of approximately $10,247,133 and $38,043,362, respectively, and reported total operating expenses of $8,639,092 and $24,765,633, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we generated net revenues of approximately $6,972,656 and $8,869,803, respectively, reported net loss of approximately $4,194,215 and $1,092,088, respectively, and reported total operating expenses of approximately $5,806,293 and $230,664, respectively. As noted in our unaudited financial statements and related footnotes, as of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $118,188,665 and working capital deficit of $14,859,593. There is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of our historical recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows from operations, net working capital deficiency as well as our dependence on equity and debt financings. See “Risk Factors—We have a history of operating losses, our management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditors have included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in the audit reports for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.”
Principal Products and Services
DSTLD — Brand Summary
DSTLD focuses on minimalist design, superior quality, and only the essential wardrobe pieces for men and women. We deliver casual luxury rooted in denim; garments that are made with exhaustive attention to detail from the finest materials for a closet of timeless, functional staples. Our brand name “DSTLD” is derived from the word ‘distilled,’ meaning to extract only the essentials. As such, DSTLD boasts a line of key wardrobe pieces in a fundamental color palette of black, white, grey, and denim.
Our denim pants prices generally range from $128 to $148. Our tee shirts, tops and cashmere sweaters will range from $30 to $278. Our casual pants will range from $148 to $178.
Avo – Brand Summary
Avo is a women’s essential brand that will offer t-shirts, sweats, dresses, sweaters and athleisure. Avo eliminates the wholesale mark-up, so its products have a sharper price point. Avo also offers larger discounts when the customer bundles multiple products to their cart, which allows Avo to leverage its shipping and fulfillment costs. Avo leverages the Company’s current design and supply chain infrastructure, so we use similar or the same fabrics and contractors for Avo that we do for our other brands.
Avo launched in late August 2024 and prices for t-shirts range from $20 to $50 based on the size of the customer’s bundle. Other product prices will range from $17.50 for tanks to $198 for sweaters with no retail price above $99 if the customer bundles three units or more. If the customer bundles two units then they receive a 40% discount and if they bundle three units or more the customer receives a 60% discount.
Bailey — Brand Summary
In February 2020, we acquired Bailey. Bailey delivers distinct high-quality, well-fitting, on-trend contemporary apparel, using at an entry contemporary price point. Bailey combines beautiful, luxe fabrics and on-trend designs to offer clean, sophisticated ready-to-wear separates that easily transition from day to night and for date night. Bailey offers fashionable staples with timeless design features, making them wearable for any occasion — the majority of products are tops, sweaters and dresses.
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Bailey’s full seasonal collections of dresses, tops, jumpsuits, bottoms, sets, jackets and rompers retail at price points between $88 — $398. We believe that we can create more compelling price points as we leverage our direct-to-consumer expertise. As we increase the direct-to-consumer revenue mix, we believe we will have opportunities to increase our margins, which will mostly be passed along to the customer with lower price points.
With our acquisition of Bailey 44, LLC, we view the following as tangible near-term growth opportunities:
● | Increase emphasis on email and SMS communications allowing for personalized direct customer engagement, retention and repurchases. | |
● | Increase market share in existing and new wholesale, including specialty boutiques due to the well-known and respected designer we hired in June 2020. | |
● | Increase digital spend, social media presence, and brand and influencer collaborations. | |
● | Selective opportunity to roll out proven retail concept in well defined, strategic locations. | |
● | International expansion and licensing opportunities in select categories. |
Stateside — Brand Summary
We acquired Stateside in August 2021. Stateside is a collection of elevated American basics influenced by the evolution of the classic T-Shirt. All garments are designed and produced in Los Angeles from the finest fabrics. All knitting, dyeing, cutting and sewing is sourced and manufactured locally in Los Angeles.
Stateside is known for delivering high quality women’s clothing, including luxury T-shirts, tops and bottoms, etc. Stateside is primarily a wholesale brand with very limited online revenue. Its T-shirt prices range from $68 to $94, their other tops range from $98 to $130, and their bottoms range from $80 to $144.
With our acquisition of Stateside, we view the following as tangible near-term growth opportunities:
● | Increase online revenues significantly as we have spent very little resources on developing its online sales opportunity from the website optimization to photography to email marketing to online advertising to digital customer acquisition and retention. | |
● | Increase gross margins by ordering larger quantities as we pay meaningful upcharges for minimum order quantities. | |
● | Launch seasonal new product categories such as women’s knits and wovens in the top category and women’s wovens in the bottom category. We believe knits and wovens tops are one of the larger product categories in womenswear, with higher price points and dollar profit. |
Sunnyside — Brand Summary
We acquired Sundry in December 2021. Sundry offers distinct collections of women’s clothing, including dresses, shirts, sweaters, skirts, shorts, athleisure bottoms and other accessory products. Sundry’s products are coastal casual and consist of soft, relaxed and colorful designs that feature a distinct French chic, resembling the spirits of the French Mediterranean and the energy of Venice Beach in Southern California.
The products are designed and mostly produced in Los Angeles from the finest fabrics. The majority of the knitting, dyeing, cutting and sewing is sourced and manufactured locally in Los Angeles, with some sweaters made overseas.
Sundry is known for delivering high quality novelty and resort style T-shirts, tops and bottoms. Sundry is mostly a wholesale brand with meaningful online revenue. Its T-shirt prices range from $68 to $98, its other tops range from $98 to $198, and its bottoms range from $80 to $228.
With our acquisition of Sundry, we view the following as tangible near-term growth opportunities:
● | Increase emphasis on email and SMS communications allowing for personalized direct customer engagement, retention and repurchases. | |
● | Increase market share in existing and new wholesale, including specialty boutiques due to the well-known and respected designer we hired in June 2020. | |
● | Increase digital spend, social media presence, and brand and influencer collaborations. |
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● | Selective opportunity to roll out proven retail concept in well defined, strategic locations. | |
● | International expansion and licensing opportunities in select categories. |
Sales and Distribution
DSTLD and Avo products are sold solely direct-to-consumer, via our website. We utilize a build your own bundle strategy to increase the cart size and create cost savings per unit sold. By selling direct-to-consumer, we are able to eliminate the wholesale mark-up and offer sharper pricing to the customer.
Bailey products are distributed through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. The wholesale channel includes premium department stores, select independent boutiques and third-party online stores.
Stateside and Sundry products are distributed through wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels includes premium department stores and national chains, select independent boutiques and third-party online stores.
We do not have material terms or arrangements with our third-party distributors. As is customary in the wholesale side of the retail apparel industry, we work with the wholesale buyers for every product collection and season to develop a purchase order based on quantities, pricing, profit margin and any future mark- down agreements. Historically, these factors are driven by the wholesale buyer’s belief of how well they think the product will sell at their stores. For example, if the collection is considered very strong by the wholesale buyer, we usually achieve higher quantities, higher margins and lower future markdown guarantees. Conversely, when the wholesale buyer considers the collection to be weak, we experience lower quantities, lower margins and higher mark-down guarantees.
Our direct-to-consumer channels include our own website. Old season stock is sold through selected off- price retailers, with additional sales generated through specifically cut product for select off-price retailers.
All of our DSTLD, Avo, Bailey and Stateside and Sundry sellable product is stored at our corporate warehouse and distribution center in Los Angeles, CA, which also houses our corporate office. In addition to storing product, we also receive and process new product deliveries, process and ship outbound orders, and process and ship customer returns in this same facility.
We offer free shipping and returns above to all our customers in the United States once they achieve a cart size amount of $50 for all brands but Avo and $99 for Avo. We also offer customers the option to upgrade to 2-Day or Overnight Shipping for an additional cost.
Design and Development
Our products are designed at the headquarters of each brand, which are in Los Angeles, CA. Each brand’s design efforts are supported by well-established product development and production teams. The continued collaboration between design and merchandising ensures we respond to consumer preferences and market trends with new innovative product offerings while maintaining our core fashion foundation. In-house design and production teams in Los Angeles perform development of the sample line, allowing for speed to market, flexibility and quality of fit.
We analyze trends, markets, and social media feedback along and utilize historical data and industry tools to identify essential styles and proper replenishment timing and quantities.
We hired a new head designer for DSTLD Men’s in December 2019 and contracted with a third-party designer for DSTLD Women’s in June 2020. We also contracted with a third-party designer for Bailey in June 2020. We have an in-house designer for each of Stateside and Sundry.
We rely on a limited number of suppliers to provide our finished products, so we can aggregate pricing power. As we continue to increase our volumes, we will source additional factories to spread out our risks.
While we have developed long-standing relationships with a number of our suppliers and manufacturing sources and take great care to ensure that they share our commitment to quality and ethics, we do not have any long-term term contracts with these parties for the production and supply of our fabrics and products. We require that all of our manufacturers adhere to a vendor code of ethics regarding social and environmental sustainability practices. Our product quality and sustainability team partners with leading inspection and verification firms to closely monitor each supplier’s compliance with applicable laws and our vendor code of ethics.
Currently, our Bailey, DSTLD, Avo and Stateside and Sundry products are shipped from our suppliers to our distribution center in Los Angeles, CA which currently handles all our warehousing, fulfillment, outbound shipping and returns processing. Our Sundry products will be shipped from our suppliers to our distribution center in Los Angeles, CA which will handle all our warehousing, fulfillment, outbound shipping and returns processing. During 2023, we will review maintaining our own distribution centers versus using a third-party solution.
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Product Suppliers: Sourcing and Manufacturing
We work with a variety of apparel manufacturers in North America, Asia and Europe. We only work with full package suppliers, which supply fabric, trims, along with cut/sew/wash services, only invoicing us for the final full cost of each garment. This allows us the ability to maximize cash flows and optimize operations. We do not have long-term written contracts with manufacturers, though we have long-standing relationships with a diverse base of vendors.
We do not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and rely solely on third-party contract manufacturers operating primarily in Europe, United States, and the Asia Pacific region for the production of our products depending on the brand. All of our contract manufacturers are evaluated for quality systems, social compliance and financial strength by our internal teams prior to being selected and on an ongoing basis. Where appropriate, we strive to qualify multiple manufacturers for particular product types and fabrications.
All of our garments are produced according to each brand’s specifications, and we require that all manufacturers adhere to strict regulatory compliance and standards of conduct. The vendors’ factories are monitored by each brand’s production team to ensure quality control, and they are monitored by independent third-party inspectors we employ for compliance with local manufacturing standards and regulations on an annual basis. We also monitor our vendors’ manufacturing facilities regularly, providing technical assistance and performing in-line and final audits to ensure the highest possible quality.
We source our products from a variety of domestic and international manufacturers. When deciding which factory to source a specific product from, we consider the following factors:
● | Cost of garment | |
● | Retail price for end consumer | |
● | Production time | |
● | Minimum order quantity | |
● | Shipping/delivery time | |
● | Payment terms |
By taking all of these factors into consideration, we can focus on making sure we have access to in-demand and high quality products available for sale to our customer at the competitive price points and sustainable margins for our business.
Marketing
We believe marketing is a critical element in creating brand awareness and an emotional connection, as well as driving new customer acquisition and retention. Each brand has their own in-house marketing department, which creates and produces marketing initiatives specific to each marketing channel and based on the specific purpose, such as acquisition, retention or brand building. We also have an in-house marketing team at the DBG portfolio level, which reviews these brand initiatives, develops and helps initiate cross merchandising strategies, manages the data analytics and negotiates contracts using all our brands to lower the cost.
Our goal at the brand and the portfolio level is to increase brand awareness and reach, customer engagement, increase new customer conversion and repurchase rates and average order size. We utilize a multi-pronged marketing strategy to connect with our customers and drive traffic to our online platform, comprised of the following:
Customer Acquisition Marketing
Paid Social Media Marketing: This is our primary customer acquisition channel, and it is composed almost entirely of paid Facebook and Instagram marketing. We believe our core customers rely on the opinions of their peers, often expressed through social media, social media platforms are viral marketing platforms that allow our brands to communicate directly with our customers while also allowing customers to interact with us and provide feedback on our products and service. We make regular posts highlighting new products, brand stories, and other topics and images we deem “on brand”. By being a verified brand, our followers can shop products directly from our posts. We are also able to link to products in the stories feature.
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Affiliate Marketing: With select online publications and influencers, we’ve sought to establish CPA or revenue sharing agreements. We believe these agreements are effective in incentivizing influencers or media to push our product and allowing us to only pay partners based on performance.
Email Marketing: We utilize email marketing to build awareness and drive repeat purchases. We believe this can be the most personalized customer communication channel for our brands, and therefore should continue to be one of our highest performing channels. We use an email service provider that enables us to send out a variety of promotional, transactional, and retargeting emails, with the main goal of driving increased site traffic and purchases. We maintain a database through which we track and utilize key metrics such as customer acquisition cost, lifetime value per customer, cost per impression and cost per click.
Retargeting: We engage the services of certain retargeting engines that allow us to dynamically target our visitors on third-party websites via banner/content ads.
Content Marketing: We use content marketing platforms that allow us to serve up native ads in the form of articles promoting our brand story and specific products.
Search Engine Optimization: This is the process of maximizing the number of visitors to our website by increasing our rankings in the search results on internet search engines. This is done by optimizing our onsite content, by making sure our pages, titles, tags, links, and blog content is structured to increase our search results on certain keywords, and our offsite content, which is the number of external websites linking to our website, usually through press articles and other advertising channels.
Print Advertising: We also intend to utilize print advertisements in magazines or billboards in major metropolitan areas to drive increased site traffic and brand awareness.
Video / Blog Content: We plan to offer videos and blog posts as a way to engage and educate the customer on our brands, how to wear different looks and styles, and create confidence and trust between our brands and customers. Videos and blog posts will include interviews with our designers, a behind-the- scenes look at how products are made, features of other artists or creatives, and photo shoots.
Retail Stores: We have one retail store in Allen, TX at Allen Premium Outlet mall which we opened in the Spring of 2024. We are currently testing this store to see if it is a scalable concept.
Instagram and Influencer Marketing
Instagram and influencer marketing is one of our largest initiatives. On a weekly basis, we reach out to and receive requests from tastemakers in fashion, lifestyle, and photography. We have developed a certain set of criteria for working with influencers (for example, engagement level, aesthetic, audience demographic) that have enabled us to garner impactful impressions. Our focus is not on the size of an account, but on creating organic relationships with influencers who are excited to tell our story. While most of our collaborations are compensated solely through product gifts, we also offer an affiliate commission of up to 20% through the influencer platform reward Style, which is the parent company of LiketoKnow.it, the first influencer platform to make Instagram shoppable (users receive an email directly to their inbox with complete outfit details when they “Like” a photo with LiketoKnow.it technology).
Public Relations
To generate ongoing organic and word-of-mouth awareness, we intend to work with print and online media outlets to announce new products and develop timely news stories. We are in contact with leading fashion, business, and tech writers in order to capitalize on celebrity fashion features, e-commerce trend pieces, or general brand awareness articles. We may utilize outside agencies from time to time. We plan to visit the major fashion, tech, and news outlets in New York City on a quarterly basis to keep them up to date on our latest launches and any relevant company developments. We also plan to host local Los Angeles press at our office space.
Celebrity gifting
We approach celebrity gifting in a strategic, discerning manner. We have longstanding, personal relationships with the industry’s top stylists; we do not send clothing blindly or unsolicited. We have successfully placed clothing (and as a result, fashion press) on a number of well-known A-list celebrities.
Loyalty Program
We plan to develop and launch a company-wide loyalty program, which would include all our brands. Our customer loyalty program will be designed to engage and reward our customers in a direct and targeted manner, and to cross merchandise our portfolio brands to our customers. Customers will earn reward points that can be used to purchase products. We will also use loyalty point multipliers to create customer purchases, which is a strategy that beauty retailers have effectively used.
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Our Competition
Our business depends on our ability to create consumer demand for our brands and products. We focus on designing products that we hope exceed consumer expectations, which should result in retention and repurchases. We plan to invest in cross merchandising brands to customers through customized customer communications and personalized styles and looks utilizing products across all our portfolio brands, which we believe creates a competitive advantage for our brands versus single brands. The markets in which we compete are highly competitive. Competition may result in pricing pressures, reduced profit margins or lost market share, or a failure to grow or maintain our market share, any of which could substantially harm our business and results of operations. We compete directly against wholesalers and direct retailers of apparel, including large, diversified apparel companies with substantial market share and strong worldwide brand recognition. Many of our competitors, including Vince, James Perse, Rag & Bone, Madewell, AG, FRAME, All Saints, Zegna and Ralph Lauren, have significant competitive advantages, including longer operating histories, larger and broader customer bases, more established relationships with a broader set of suppliers, greater brand recognition and greater financial, research and development, marketing, distribution, and other resources than we do.
As a result, these competitors may be better equipped than we are to influence consumer preferences or otherwise increase their market share by:
● | quickly adapting to changes in customer requirements or consumer preferences; | |
● | discounting excess inventory that has been written down or written off; | |
● | devoting resources to the marketing and sale of their products, including significant advertising campaigns, media placement, partnerships and product endorsement; and | |
● | engaging in lengthy and costly intellectual property and other disputes. |
Recent Developments
On October 2, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that the Staff has determined to delist the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq at the opening of business on October 11, 2024, based on the Company’s failure to maintain a minimum bid price of $1 per share per Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), unless the Company requests an appeal of such determination by October 9, 2024. The Company intends to submit the appeal request to Nasdaq on or before October 9, 2024.
The Company and various purchasers (the “Investors”) executed a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) on or around April 7, 2023, whereby the Investors purchased from the Company promissory notes in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $2,500,000 (the “Original Notes”), and the remaining balances of such Original Notes as of October 1, 2023, were exchanged by the Investors for replacement promissory notes issued on October 1, 2023, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $1,789,668.37 (the “2023 Notes”). On May 24, 2024, the Company entered into settlement agreements with the Investors (each a “Settlement Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay aggregate cash payments equal to $1,789,668.37 to extinguish all obligations and claims under the SPA, Original Notes, and 2023 Notes, as follows: (i) $500,000.00 on or before May 28, 2024 and (ii) $1,289,668.37 on or before September 30, 2024 (the “Final Payment”). On or around October 3, 2024, the Company entered into amendments to each Settlement Agreement with the Investors, whereby the Final Payment due date was extended to October 31, 2024.
Corporate Information
Digital Brands Group, Inc. was organized in Delaware in January 2013 under the name Denim.LA, Inc, and its name was changed to Digital Brands Group, Inc. in December 2020. Our corporate offices are located at 1400 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701. Our telephone number is (209) 651-0172. Our website is www.digitalbrandsgroup.co. None of the information on our website or any other website identified herein is part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
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Issuer | Digital Brands Group, Inc. | |
Common stock being offered | Up to 15,001,500 shares of common stock at an assumed public offering price of $0.3333 per share (the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 1, 2024). | |
Pre-Funded Warrants offered by us | We are also offering pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 15,001,500 shares of common stock to any purchaser whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase one Pre-Funded Warrant in lieu of one share of common stock. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of Pre-Funded Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its Pre-Funded Warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each Pre-Funded Warrant will be exercisable for one share of common stock. The purchase price per Pre-Funded Warrant will be equal to the price per share of common stock, minus $0.0001, and the exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant will equal $0.0001 per share. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be immediately exercisable (subject to the beneficial ownership cap) and may be exercised at any time in perpetuity until all of the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercised in full. For each Pre-Funded Warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
The common stock and/or Pre-Funded are immediately separable upon issuance and will be issued separately in this offering. | |
Size of Offering | Up to $5,000,000 | |
Assumed Price Per Share | $0.3333 per share of common stock or one Pre-Funded Warrant in lieu of one share of common stock | |
Common stock outstanding prior to this offering (1) | 3,794,844 shares |
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Common stock to be outstanding after this offering (1) | Up to approximately 18,796,344 shares (assuming no issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants). | |
Use of proceeds | Assuming the maximum number of shares are sold in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $0.3333 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on Nasdaq on October 1, 2024, and assuming no issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with this offering, we estimate the net proceeds of the offering will be approximately $4,346,242.00, after deducting cash expenses relating to this offering payable by us estimated at approximately $653,758.00, including Placement Agent fees of approximately $515,950 and offering expenses of $137,808.00. However, this is a best-efforts offering with no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds as a condition to closing, and we may not sell all or any of these securities offered pursuant to this prospectus; as a result, we may receive significantly less in net proceeds. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include research and development expenses, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses, potential acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products and technologies that complement our business, and to repay up to $1,300,000 of principal and interest on certain promissory notes originally issued on or around April 7, 2023, which were restated on or around October 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, we have no present commitments or agreements to make any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus. It is possible that, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. See “Use of Proceeds.” Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds from this offering. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks that may affect our intended use of the net proceeds from this offering. | |
Listing | Our common stock and Class A Warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Markets under the symbols “DBGI” and “DBGIW”, respectively. There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants. We do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading market. | |
Risk factors | An investment in our securities is highly speculative and involves a significant degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities. | |
Best Efforts Offering | We have agreed to offer and sell the securities offered hereby to the purchasers through the Placement Agent. The Placement Agent is not required to buy or sell any specific number or dollar amount of the securities offered hereby, but it will use its reasonable best efforts to solicit offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 48 of this prospectus. |
(1) | The number of shares of common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 3,794,844 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 2, 2024, but excludes the following as of such date: |
● | 2,843,111 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $10.94 as of October 1, 2024, which includes 1,027,750 Series A-1 Warrants and 1,027,750 Series B-1 Warrants at an exercise price of $2.88 per share which expire on November 7, 2029 and August 7, 2025 respectively; | |
● | 1,558 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options at weighted average exercise price of $9,050 per share; and | |
● | 198,442 shares of common stock in aggregate reserved for issuance under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan. |
Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes the following:
● | no sale of Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, which, if sold, would reduce the number of common stock that we are offering on a one-for-one basis. |
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and as described or may be described in any subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as in any applicable prospectus supplement and contained or to be contained in our filings with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, or any applicable prospectus supplement. For a description of these reports and documents, and information about where you can find them, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” If any of the risks or uncertainties described in our SEC filings or any prospectus supplement or any additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our securities could decline and you might lose all or part of the value of your investment.
Below is a summary of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could have a material effect on the Company and its operations:
● | We have incurred significant net losses since our inception and cannot assure you that we will achieve or maintain profitable operations; | |
● | If we do not obtain adequate capital funding or improve our financial performance, we may not be able to continue as a going concern; | |
● | If we are not able to comply with the applicable continued listing requirements or standards of NasdaqCM, NasdaqCM could delist our common stock; | |
● | If our efforts to locate desirable targets are unsuccessful or if we are unable to acquire desirable companies on commercially reasonable terms, we may not be able to grow the business and our revenues and operating results will be adversely affected; | |
● | We may be subject to claims arising from the operations of our various businesses for periods prior to the dates we acquired them; | |
● | We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt or refinance our obligations and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under such indebtedness, which may not be successful; | |
● | If we are unable to anticipate and respond to changing customer preferences and shifts in fashion and industry trends in a timely manner, our business, financial condition and operating results could be harmed; | |
● | Our business depends on our ability to maintain a strong portfolio of brands and engaged customers. We may not be able to maintain and enhance our existing brand portfolio if we receive customer complaints, negative publicity or otherwise fail to live up to consumers’ expectations, which could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and growth prospects; | |
● | If we fail to retain existing customers, or fail to maintain average order value levels, we may not be able to maintain our revenue base and margins, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results; | |
● | We purchase inventory in anticipation of sales, and if we are unable to manage our inventory effectively, our operating results could be adversely affected; | |
● | We rely on third-party suppliers and manufacturers to provide raw materials for and to produce our products, and we have limited control over these suppliers and manufacturers and may not be able to obtain quality products on a timely basis or in sufficient quantity; | |
● | Our sales and gross margins may decline as a result of increasing product costs and decreasing selling prices; | |
● | Our operations are currently dependent on a single warehouse and distribution center, and the loss of, or disruption in, the warehouse and distribution center and other factors affecting the distribution of merchandise could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations; | |
● | Our sales and gross margins may decline as a result of increasing freight costs; | |
● | Increases in labor costs, including wages, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations; |
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● | If the technology-based systems that give our customers the ability to shop with us online do not function effectively, our operating results could be materially adversely affected; | |
● | The price of our common stock has in the past and may in the future fluctuate substantially; | |
● | If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock; | |
● | We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies, our common stock may be less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies; | |
● | Provisions in our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and under Delaware law could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable; and | |
● | Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders. |
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Business
We have incurred significant net losses since our inception and cannot assure you that we will achieve or maintain profitable operations.
We have incurred significant net losses since inception. Our net loss was approximately $4.2 million, $10.2 million and $38.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $118.2 million. We may continue to incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other unknown events, as well as the inflationary and potentially recessive economic environment. We anticipate that our operating expenses will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we undertake the acquisition and integration of different brands, incur expenses associated with maintaining compliance as a public company, and increased marketing and sales efforts to increase our customer base. These increased expenditures may make it more difficult to achieve and maintain profitability. In addition, our efforts to grow our business may be more expensive than we expect, and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to offset increased operating expenses. If we are required to reduce our expenses, our growth strategy could be materially affected. We will need to generate and sustain significant revenue levels in future periods in order to become profitable, and, even if we do, we may not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will achieve sustainable operating profits as we continue to expand our product offerings and infrastructure, further develop our marketing efforts, and otherwise implement our growth initiatives. Any failure to achieve and maintain profitability would have a materially adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan, our results and operations, and our financial condition.
We have a history of operating losses, our management has concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditors have included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit reports for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
To date, we have not been profitable and have incurred significant losses and cash flow deficits. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we generated net revenues of approximately $14,916,422 and $10,333,558, respectively, reported net loss of approximately $10,247,133 and $38,043,362, respectively, and reported total operating expenses of $8,639,092 and $24,765,633, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, we generated net revenues of approximately $6,972,656 and $8,869,803, respectively, reported net loss of approximately $4,194,215 and $1,092,088, respectively, and reported total operating expenses of approximately $5,806,293 and $230,664, respectively. As noted in our unaudited financial statements and related footnotes, as of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $118,188,665 and working capital deficit of $14,859,593. Our management has concluded that our historical recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows from operations, working capital deficiency as well as our dependence on equity and debt financings raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit report for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. These adjustments would likely include substantial impairment of the carrying amount of our assets and potential contingent liabilities that may arise if we are unable to fulfill various operational commitments. In addition, the value of our securities, including common stock issued in this offering, would be greatly impaired. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon generating sufficient cash flow from operations and obtaining additional capital and financing, including funds to be raised in this offering. If our ability to generate cash flow from operations is delayed or reduced and we are unable to raise additional funding from other sources, we may be unable to continue in business even if this offering is successful.
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If we do not obtain adequate capital funding or improve our financial performance, we may not be able to continue as a going concern.
We have incurred a net loss in each year since our inception and expect to incur losses in future periods as we continue to increase our expenses in order to grow our business. We have a working capital deficit of $14.9 million as of June 30, 2024. These factors raise substantial doubt about our Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to obtain adequate funding or if we are unable to grow our revenue substantially to achieve and sustain profitability, we may not be able to continue as a going concern. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2023 included herein contains an explanatory paragraph indicating that there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern as a result of recurring losses from operations.
We have an immediate need to raise additional funds to support our operations. If we are unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, we will be required to significantly delay, scale back or restrict our operations or obtain funds by entering into agreements on unattractive terms, which would likely have a material adverse effect on our business, stock price and our relationships with third parties with whom we have business relationships, at least until additional funding is obtained. If we do not have sufficient funds to continue operations, we could be required to seek bankruptcy protection or other alternatives that would likely result in our stockholders losing some or all of their investment in us. In addition, our ability to achieve profitability or to respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited.
The amount and timing of our future funding requirements depends on many factors, including
● | The timing and cost of potential future acquisitions; | |
● | Integration of the businesses that we have acquired or may acquire in the future; | |
● | The hiring of additional management and other personnel as we continue to grow; and | |
● | Any costs associated with any build-out and opening of showrooms, as needed, for certain of our brands. |
We cannot be certain that additional funding will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, we have in the past and may in the future be restricted or limited by our current outstanding indebtedness on our ability to enter into additional indebtedness and any future debt financing based upon covenants that restrict our operations, including limitations on our ability to incur liens or additional debt, pay dividends, redeem our stock, make certain investments and engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions.
We have an amount of total liabilities which may be considered significant for a company of our size which could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to react to changes in our business.
As of October 1, 2024, we had an aggregate principal amount of total liabilities outstanding of approximately $22.2 million, which includes approximately $8.7 million owing further to outstanding debt obligations.
We believe this is an amount of total liabilities which may be considered significant for a company of our size and current revenue base. Our substantial total liabilities could have important consequences to us. For example, it could:
● | make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to the holders of our outstanding debt, resulting in possible defaults on and acceleration of such indebtedness; | |
● | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to make payments on our debt, which would reduce the availability of our cash flows from operations to fund working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes; | |
● | increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, including interest rate fluctuations; | |
● | place us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors with proportionately less debt for their size; | |
● | limit our ability to refinance our existing debt or borrow additional funds in the future; | |
● | limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changing conditions in our business; and | |
● | limit our ability to react to competitive pressures or make it difficult for us to carry out capital spending that is necessary or important to our growth strategy. |
Any of the foregoing impacts of our substantial total liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our results of operations have been and could be in the future adversely affected as a result of asset impairments.
Our results of operations and financial condition have been and could be in the future adversely affected by impairments to goodwill, other intangible assets, receivables, long-lived assets or investments. For example, when we acquire a business, we record goodwill in an amount equal to the amount we paid for the business minus the fair value of the net tangible assets and other identifiable intangible assets of the acquired business. Goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives cannot be amortized, but instead must be tested at least annually for impairment.
As a result of our acquisitions of Sundry, Stateside and Bailey, our goodwill and intangible assets as of June 30, 2024 were $9.0 and $8.5 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 202 and years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded impairment expense of $0, $0 and $15.5 million pertaining to the goodwill and intangible assets. Any future impairments, including impairments of goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets or investments, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations for the period in which the impairment is recognized.
We may require additional funding for our growth plans, and such funding may result in a dilution of your investment.
We attempted to estimate our funding requirements in order to implement our growth plans. If the costs of implementing such plans should exceed these estimates significantly or if we come across opportunities to grow through expansion plans which cannot be predicted at this time, and our funds generated from our operations prove insufficient for such purposes, we may need to raise additional funds to meet these funding requirements.
These additional funds may be raised by issuing equity or debt securities or by borrowing from banks or other resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain any additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. If we fail to obtain additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us, we will not be able to implement such plans fully if at all. Such financing even if obtained, may be accompanied by conditions that limit our ability to pay dividends or require us to seek lenders’ consent for payment of dividends, or restrict our freedom to operate our business by requiring lender’s consent for certain corporate actions.
Further, if we raise additional funds by way of a rights offering or through the issuance of new shares, any shareholders who are unable or unwilling to participate in such an additional round of fund raising may suffer dilution in their investment.
Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Securities
This offering is being made on a best efforts basis and we may sell fewer than all of the securities offered hereby and may receive significantly less in net proceeds from this offering, which will provide us only limited working capital.
This offering is being made on a best efforts basis and we may sell fewer than all of the securities offered hereby and may receive significantly less in net proceeds from this offering. The placement agent has no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of the securities. There is no required minimum number of securities that must be sold as a condition to completion of this offering. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to the closing of this offering, the actual offering amount, placement agent fees and proceeds to us are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amounts set forth above. We may sell fewer than all of the securities offered hereby, which may significantly reduce the amount of proceeds received by us, and investors in this offering will not receive a refund in the event that we do not sell an amount of securities sufficient to support our continued operations, including our near-term continued operations. Thus, we may not raise the amount of capital we believe is required for our operations in the short-term and the repayment of the 2023 Notes, and as a result may need to raise additional funds, which may not be available or available on terms acceptable to us.
Our management has broad discretion in using the net proceeds from this offering.
Our management will have broad discretion with respect to the use of proceeds from this offering. See “Use of Proceeds.” We cannot, with any assurance, be more specific at this time. We will have broad discretion in the timing of the expenditures and application of proceeds received in this offering. If we fail to apply the net proceeds effectively, we may not be successful in bringing our current or proposed products to market. You will not have the opportunity to evaluate all of the economic, financial or other information upon which we may base our decisions to use the net proceeds from this offering. We may use the proceeds of this offering in ways that do not increase our operating results or enhance the value of our Common Stock.
The price of our common stock has in the past and may in the future fluctuate substantially.
The market price of our common stock has in the past and could in the future be extremely volatile.
From May 2021 to September 6, 2024, the high and low prices of our common stock as quoted on the NasdaqCM (which gives effect to a 1-100 reverse stock split effected by the Company in November 2022 and the 1-25 reverse stock split effected by the Company in August 2023) was $14,925 and $0.73, respectively. The future market price of our common stock may be significantly affected by factors, such as:
● | market conditions affecting the apparel industries; | |
● | quarterly variations in our results of operations; | |
● | changes in government regulations; | |
● | the announcement of acquisitions by us or our competitors; | |
● | changes in general economic and political conditions; | |
● | volatility in the financial markets; | |
● | results of our operations and the operations of others in our industry; | |
● | changes in interest rates; |
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● | threatened or actual litigation and government investigations; | |
● | the addition or departure of key personnel; | |
● | actions taken by our stockholders, including the sale or disposition of their shares of our common stock; and | |
● | differences between our actual financial and operating results and those expected by investors and analysts and changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections. |
These and other factors may lower the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. As a result, our common stock may trade at prices significantly below the public offering price.
Furthermore, in recent years the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with us, and these fluctuations could materially reduce the price of our common stock and materially affect the value of your investment.
In the past, securities class action litigation often has been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. This type of litigation, if directed at us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.
If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We are not currently required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and are therefore not required to make an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. These material weaknesses relate to the fact that we do not maintain a comprehensive policies and procedures manual designed to establish internal controls over financial reporting to reduce the risk of publishing materially misstated financial statements, as well as define responsibilities and segregate incompatible duties to reduce the risk of unauthorized transactions.
We are in the process of taking steps intended to remedy these material weaknesses, and we will not be able to fully address these material weaknesses until these steps have been completed. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Controls and Procedures” for information regarding our remediation efforts.
As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. A material weakness is defined in the standards established by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) as a deficiency, or an acquisition of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In addition, we were required to furnish a report by management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or Section 404, at the time of our second annual report on Form 10-K, which was for our year ending December 31, 2023. We intend to begin the process of designing, implementing and testing the internal control over financial reporting required to comply with this obligation upon the completion of this offering, which process is time consuming, costly and complex. If we fail to increase and maintain the number and expertise of our staff for our accounting and finance functions and to improve and maintain internal control over financial reporting adequate to meet the demands that will be placed upon us as a public company, including the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes- Oxley Act, we may be unable to report our financial results accurately and prevent fraud. In addition, we cannot be certain that any such steps we undertake will successfully remediate the material weaknesses or that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not be discovered in the future. If our remediation efforts are not successful or other material weaknesses or control deficiencies occur in the future, we may be unable to report our financial results accurately or on a timely basis, which could cause our reported financial results to be materially misstated and result in the loss of investor confidence or delisting and cause our stock price to decline. As a result of such failures, we could also become subject to investigations by NasdaqCM, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, and become subject to litigation from investors and stockholders, any of which could harm our reputation and financial condition, and divert financial and management resources. Even if we are able to report our consolidated financial statements accurately and timely, if we do not make all the necessary improvements to address the material weaknesses, continued disclosure of our material weaknesses will be required in future filings with the SEC, which could reduce investor confidence in our reported results and our cause our stock price to decline.
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We are an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and smaller reporting companies, our common stock may be less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act, and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. Those exemptions include, but are not limited to, a requirement to present only two years of audited financial statements, an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure about executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and no requirement to seek non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements. We have elected to adopt these reduced disclosure requirements. We may take advantage of these provisions until we are no longer an emerging growth company.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.0 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior December 31st, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive as a result of our taking advantage of these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of our choices, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Additionally, we are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of the fiscal year in which (1) the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $250 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter, or (2) our annual revenues exceeded $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of that year’s second fiscal quarter. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. Furthermore, as long as we are neither a “large accelerated filer” nor an “accelerated filer,” as a smaller reporting company, we would not be required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. To the extent we take advantage of such reduced disclosure obligations, it may also make comparison of our financial statements with other public companies difficult or impossible.
Future sales of our common stock, or the perception in the public markets that these sales may occur, may depress our stock price.
The market price of our common stock could decline significantly as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock in the market after this offering. These sales, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock or make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. We may also sell additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock in subsequent public or private offerings or other transactions, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Provisions in our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and under Delaware law could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable.
Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable because they, among other things:
● | establish a supermajority voting requirement of at least 662∕3% of the outstanding voting stock in order to amend certain provisions in our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which makes it more difficult for stockholders to eliminate anti- takeover provisions; | |
● | eliminate stockholder-initiated action by written consent in lieu of a meeting, which hampers the ability of stockholders to take action during the interim periods between annual meetings of stockholders; and | |
● | require the written request of stockholders holding an aggregate of 25% of shares of our common stock in order for stockholders to call a special meeting, which together with the elimination of stockholder action by written consent described above, makes it very difficult for stockholders to take action during the interim periods between annual meetings of stockholders. |
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As a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to the Delaware anti-takeover provisions contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under Delaware law, a corporation may not engage in a business acquisition with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other things, the board of directors has approved the transaction. Our board of directors could rely on this provision to prevent or delay an acquisition of us.
Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law:
● | any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; | |
● | any action asserting a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders; | |
● | any action asserting a claim against us or our directors, officers or other employees arising under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; | |
● | any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws; | |
● | any action or proceeding as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; or | |
● | any action asserting a claim against us or our directors, officers or other employees that is governed by the “internal affairs doctrine” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. |
Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation further provides that unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the U.S. federal district courts have exclusive jurisdiction of the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. The enforceability of similar exclusive federal forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and while the Delaware Supreme Court has ruled that this type of exclusive federal forum provision is facially valid under Delaware law, there is uncertainty as to whether other courts would enforce such provisions and that investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
This exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this exclusive forum provision of our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find this choice of forum provision in our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions. Additional costs associated with resolving an action in other jurisdictions could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
We intend to retain our future earnings, if any, in order to reinvest in the development and growth of our business and, therefore, do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, the limits imposed by the terms of our credit facility and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. Accordingly, investors in our common stock may need to sell their shares to realize a return on their investment in our common stock, and investors may not be able to sell their shares at or above the prices paid for them.
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If securities analysts do not publish favorable reports about us or if we, or our industry, are the subject of unfavorable commentary, the price of our common stock could decline.
The trading price for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports about us that are published by analysts in the financial industry. Analysts could issue negative commentary about us or our industry, or they could downgrade our common stock. We may also not receive sufficient research coverage or visibility in the market. Any of these factors could result in the decline the trading price of our common stock, causing investors in our common stock to lose all or a portion of their investment.
A reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of the shares of our common stock.
The liquidity of the shares of our common stock may be affected adversely by a reverse stock split given the reduced number of shares that will be outstanding following the reverse stock split, especially if the market price of our common stock does not increase as a result of the reverse stock split. In addition, a reverse stock split may increase the number of shareholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares) of our common stock, creating the potential for such shareholders to experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares and greater difficulty effecting such sales.
Following a reverse stock split, the resulting market price of our common stock may not attract new investors, including institutional investors, and may not satisfy the investing requirements of those investors. Consequently, the trading liquidity of our common stock may not improve.
Although we believe that a higher market price of our common stock may help generate greater or broader investor interest, there can be no assurance that a reverse stock split will result in a share price that will attract new investors, including institutional investors. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock will satisfy the investing requirements of those investors. As a result, the trading liquidity of our common stock may not necessarily improve.
Our common stock (and our warrants) may be subject to the “penny stock” rules in the future. It may be more difficult to resell securities classified as “penny stock.”
Our common stock and warrants may be subject to “penny stock” rules (generally defined as non-exchange traded stock with a per-share price below $5.00) in the future. While our common stock and warrants are currently not considered “penny stock” since they are listed on the NasdaqCM, if we are unable to maintain that listing and our common stock and warrants are no longer listed on the NasdaqCM, unless we maintain a per-share price above $5.00, our common stock and warrants will become “penny stock.” These rules impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers that recommend the purchase or sale of penny stocks to persons other than those who qualify as “established customers” or “accredited investors.” For example, broker-dealers must determine the appropriateness for non-qualifying persons of investments in penny stocks. Broker-dealers must also provide, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, disclose the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, furnish monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account, provide a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser, and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction.
Legal remedies available to an investor in “penny stocks” may include the following:
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the purchase and receive a refund of the investment. | |
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damages. | |
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the purchase and receive a refund of the investment. | |
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damages. | |
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the purchase and receive a refund of the investment. |
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● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damages. | |
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in violation of the requirements listed above, or other federal or states securities laws, the investor may be able to cancel the purchase and receive a refund of the investment. | |
● | If a “penny stock” is sold to the investor in a fraudulent manner, the investor may be able to sue the persons and firms that committed the fraud for damages. |
These requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity, if any, in the secondary market for a security that becomes subject to the penny stock rules. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such requirements may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our securities, which could severely limit the market price and liquidity of our securities. These requirements may restrict the ability of broker-dealers to sell our common stock or our warrants and may affect your ability to resell our common stock and our warrants.
Many brokerage firms will discourage or refrain from recommending investments in penny stocks. Most institutional investors will not invest in penny stocks. In addition, many individual investors will not invest in penny stocks due, among other reasons, to the increased financial risk generally associated with these investments.
For these reasons, penny stocks may have a limited market and, consequently, limited liquidity. We can give no assurance at what time, if ever, our common stock or our warrants will not be classified as a “penny stock” in the future.
Our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors the authority to issue a new series of preferred stock without further approval by our shareholders, which could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common shares.
Our board of directors has the power to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of preferred stock. Our board of directors also has the power to issue preferred stock without further shareholder approval, subject to applicable listing regulations. As a result, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of new series of preferred stock that would grant to holders thereof certain rights in preference to the rights of our common stockholders to:
● | our assets upon liquidation; | |
● | receive dividend payments ahead of holders of common shares; | |
● | the redemption of the shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common shares; | |
● | vote to approve matters as a separate class or have more votes per share relative to shares of common stock. |
In addition, our board of directors could authorize the issuance of new series of preferred stock that is convertible into our common shares, or may also authorize the sale of additional shares of authorized common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common shares or result in dilution to our existing shareholders.
If we are unable to obtain additional funding when needed, our business operations will be harmed, and if we do obtain additional financing, our then-existing shareholders may suffer substantial dilution.
Our working capital needs may change. We anticipate that if our cash and cash equivalents are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we will require additional funding to sustain our ongoing operations and to continue our research and development activities. We do not have any contracts or commitments for additional funding, and there can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all, if needed. The inability to obtain additional capital will restrict our ability to grow and may reduce our ability to conduct business operations. If we are unable to obtain additional financing to finance a revised growth plan, we will likely be required to curtail such plans or cease our business operations. Any additional equity financing may involve substantial dilution to our then existing shareholders.
Changes in accounting principles and guidance, or their interpretation, could result in unfavorable accounting charges or effects, including changes to our previously filed financial statements, which could cause our stock price to decline.
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These principles are subject to interpretation by the SEC and various bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting principles and guidance. A change in these principles or guidance, or in their interpretations, may have a significant effect on our reported results and retroactively affect previously reported results.
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The ability of our stockholders to take legal action against our directors and officers is restricted.
Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) outlines provisions for indemnifying our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, except to the extent such immunity or limitation is disallowed under the DGCL, as it currently stands or may be amended in the future. Under our Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), we are obligated to indemnify each director or officer who becomes involved in legal proceedings due to their service in those capacities, to the maximum extent allowed by Delaware law. This indemnification covers any claims or liabilities incurred by such individuals in connection with their status as present or former directors or officers of our company or serving in other designated capacities. Additionally, we may be required to reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by our current and former directors and officers in relation to such proceedings. Consequently, both we and our stockholders may have more limited rights to recover monetary damages from our directors and officers compared to scenarios where these provisions are not present in our Bylaws, or compared to other companies. This limitation could constrain your recourse in situations that are not in our company’s best interests.
If we are not able to comply with the applicable continued listing requirements or standards of NasdaqCM, NasdaqCM could delist our common stock.
Our common stock is listed on the NasdaqCM. In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements. There can be no assurances that we will be able to comply with the applicable listing standards.
On May 31, 2022, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff (the “Staff”) of Nasdaq indicating that the bid price of our common stock had closed below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days and, as a result, we are not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), which sets forth the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Minimum Bid Requirement”).
Nasdaq’s notice has no immediate effect on the listing of common stock on Nasdaq. Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were afforded a 180-calendar day grace period, through November 28, 2022, to regain compliance with the bid price requirement. Compliance can be achieved by evidencing a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days (but generally not more than 20 consecutive business days) during the 180-calendar day grace period.
If we did not regain compliance with the bid price requirement by November 28, 2022, we were eligible for an additional 180-calendar day compliance period so long as it satisfies the criteria for initial listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and we provide written notice to Nasdaq of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. In the event we were not eligible for the second grace period, the Nasdaq staff would provide written notice that our Common Stock is subject to delisting; however, we may request a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”), which request, if timely made, would stay any further suspension or delisting action by the Staff pending the conclusion of the hearing process and expiration of any extension that may be granted by the Panel.
On January 19, 2022, we received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq notifying us that our common stock Market Value of Listed Securities (“MVLS”) had been below the minimum $35,000,000 required for continued inclusion as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) (“MVLS Requirement”).
The letter also stated that we would be provided 180 calendar days, or until July 18, 2022, to regain compliance with the MVLS Requirement (“Compliance Period”). If we did not regain compliance within the Compliance Period, we would receive a written notification from Nasdaq that our securities are subject to delisting. At that time, we could appeal the delisting determination to a Hearings Panel.
On July 21, 2022, we received a letter from Nasdaq stating that the Company had not regained compliance with the MVLS Standard, since our common stock was below the $35 million minimum MVLS requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2)(the “MLVS Rule”) and had not been at least $35 million for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days at any time during the 180-day grace period granted to us.
Pursuant to the Letter, unless we requested a hearing to appeal this determination by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 28, 2022, our Common Stock would be delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market, trading of our Common Stock would be suspended at the opening of business on August 1, 2022, and a Form 25-NSE will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which would have remove our securities from listing and registration on Nasdaq.
On July 27, 2022, the Company requested a hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) to appeal the Letter on July 21, 2022. The request for a hearing was granted and held on September 8, 2022.
On September 21, 2022, the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Hearings Panel”) granted the Company an extension until January 17, 2022, to demonstrate compliance with Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) to allow continued listing requirement of The Nasdaq Capital Market, conditioned upon achievement of certain milestones included in a plan of compliance which the Company previously submitted to the Hearings Panel. On November 29, 2022, Nasdaq formally notified the Company that it had regained compliance with the Bid Price Rule.
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On November 3, 2022, the Company received notice from the Staff that the Company’s bid price had closed below $0.10 per share for the preceding ten consecutive trading days, in contravention of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(3)(A)(iii) and, as a result, the Panel would consider the deficiency as an additional basis for delisting.
Effective as of 5:00 pm EST on November 3, 2022, the Company implemented a reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-100 shares, which the Company believed would remedy both the $0.10 threshold price deficiency and the $1.00 bid price deficiency cited by the Staff. In order to evidence compliance with Nasdaq’s bid price criteria, the Company must evidence a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 (though generally not more than 20) consecutive business days. As of the close of business on November 11, 2022, the Company had evidenced a closing bid price in excess of $1.00 per share for six consecutive business days.
On January 17, 2023, the Company was notified by the Panel that the Company had evidenced compliance with all applicable requirements for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, including the $2.5 million stockholders’ equity requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b). The Company remained subject to a “Panel Monitor,” as that term is defined by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(d)(4)(A), through January 17, 2024.
On May 23, 2023, the Company received a letter (the “Letter”) the Staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that the Staff has determined to delist the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq based on the Company’s failure to comply with the listing requirements of Nasdaq Rule 5550(b)(1) as a result of the Company’s stockholders’ deficit for the period ended June 30, 2023, as demonstrated in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 22, 2023, while the Company was under a Panel Monitor as had been previously disclosed. The Letter stated that the Company’s securities would be subject to delisting unless the Company timely requests a hearing before the Panel. Accordingly, the Company timely requested a hearing before a Panel. The hearing request automatically stayed any suspension or delisting action pending the hearing and the expiration of any additional extension period granted by the Panel following the hearing. At the hearing, the Company presented its plan for regaining and sustaining compliance with all applicable requirements for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
On July 27, 2023, the Company received a letter (the “Determination”) from the Staff notifying the Company that the Panel granted the Company’s request to continue listing on Nasdaq, subject to the Company’s demonstration of compliance: (i) with the bid price rule by evidencing a closing bid price of $1 or more per share for a minimum of ten consecutive trading sessions on or before September 6, 2023, and (ii) with the $2.5 million stockholders’ equity requirement, set forth in Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), on or before September 15, 2023.
In addition to the Company’s efforts to improve its stockholders’ equity, the Company effected a reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock at an exchange ratio of 1-for-25 on August 22, 2023 to achieve the requisite increase in the market price of our common stock to be in compliance with the minimum bid price of Nasdaq.
On September 20, 2023, the Company was formally notified by Nasdaq that it had evidenced full compliance with all requirements for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, including the bid price requirement and the Equity Rule.
The Company was to remain subject to a “Panel Monitor” as that term is defined under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(d)(4)(A), through September 20, 2024. Under the terms of the Panel Monitor, in the event the Company fails to satisfy any requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market during the monitoring period, the Company will be required to request a hearing before the Panel in order to maintain its listing rather than taking the interim step of submitting a compliance plan for the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Staff’s (the “Staff”) review or receiving any otherwise applicable grace period.
In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024, the Company reported stockholders’ equity of $1,602,592 and, therefore, no longer complied with the Equity Rule. On April 22, 2024, Nasdaq notified the Company that, given the Panel Monitor, unless the Company timely requests a hearing before a Panel, the Company’s securities would be subject to delisting from Nasdaq. Accordingly, the Company timely requested a hearing before the Panel, which request automatically stayed any suspension or delisting action pending the hearing and the expiration of any additional extension period granted by the Panel following the hearing. In that regard, pursuant to the Listing Rules, the Panel has the authority to grant an additional extension period not to exceed October 21, 2024.
On May 20, 2024, the Company filed with the SEC its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024, which reflected stockholders’ equity of approximately $2.98 million. Subsequent to quarter-end, on May 7, 2024, the Company raised approximately $3.2 million from the exercise of approximately 1.03 million warrants at an exercise price of $3.13. As a result of that warrant transaction, the Company believed it continued to have stockholders’ equity in excess of the minimum $2.5 million stockholders’ equity requirement set forth in Equity Rule.
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As previously reported, on April 22, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Staff notifying the Company that it did not comply with the Equity Rule due to its reporting less than $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2023. The Company subsequently requested a hearing before the Panel to address the deficiency.
On June 3, 2024, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that the Company had cured its equity deficiency. The Panel determined to extend the Panel Monitor until June 3, 2025. Under the terms of the Panel Monitor, in the event the Company fails to satisfy any requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market during the monitoring period, the Company will be required to request a hearing before the Panel in order to maintain its listing rather than taking the interim step of submitting a compliance plan for the Staff’s review or receiving any otherwise applicable grace period.
On October 2, 2024, the Company received a letter from the Staff of Nasdaq notifying the Company that the Staff has determined to delist the Company’s common stock from Nasdaq at the opening of business on October 11, 2024, based on the Company’s failure to maintain a minimum bid price of $1 per share per Listing Rule 5550(a)(2), unless the Company requests an appeal of such determination by October 9, 2024. The Company intends to submit the appeal request to Nasdaq on or before October 9, 2024.
If our Common Stock and warrants cease to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we would expect that our Common Stock and warrants would be traded on one of the three tiered marketplaces of the OTC Markets Group. If Nasdaq were to delist our common stock and warrants, it would be more difficult for our stockholders to dispose of our common stock or warrants and more difficult to obtain accurate price quotations on our common stock or warrants. Our ability to issue additional securities for financing or other purposes, or otherwise to arrange for any financing we may need in the future, may also be materially and adversely affected if our common stock or warrants are not listed on a national securities exchange. The OTC Markets (the “OTC Mkts”) are generally regarded as a less efficient trading market than the NASDAQ Capital or Global Markets or the New York Stock Exchange.
Although the OTC Mkts do not have any listing requirements, to be eligible for quotation on the OTC Mkts, issuers must remain current in their filings with the SEC or applicable regulatory authority. If we are not able to pay the expenses associated with our reporting obligations, we will not be able to apply for quotation on the OTC Board. Market makers are not permitted to begin quotation of a security whose issuer does not meet this filing requirement. If we are delisted to the OTC Mkts and no market is ever developed for our common stock or warrants, it will be difficult for you to sell any shares you purchase in this offering. In such a case, you may find that you are unable to achieve any benefit from your investment or liquidate your shares without considerable delay, if at all.
In addition, we cannot assure you our securities will meet the continued listing requirements to be listed on Nasdaq in the future. If Nasdaq delists our common stock from trading on its exchange, we could face significant material adverse consequences including:
● a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
● a determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly resulting in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our common stock;
● a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for our company; and
● a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.
If we fail to maintain compliance with all applicable continued listing requirements for the Nasdaq Capital Market and Nasdaq determines to delist our common stock, the delisting could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock, our ability to obtain financing to repay debt and fund our operations.
We could fail to maintain compliance with any Nasdaq listing requirements, which could negatively affect the market price of our common stock, our liquidity and our ability to raise capital.
Currently, our Common Stock and Class A Warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “DBGI” and “DBGIW,” respectively. If we fail to maintain compliance with any Nasdaq listing requirements, our common stock and/or Class A Warrants could be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. This could severely limit the liquidity of our common stock and/or Class A Warrants, and your ability to sell the common stock and/or warrants issued pursuant to this offering on the secondary market.
The best-efforts structure of this offering may have an adverse effect on our business plan.
The Placement Agent is offering the securities in this offering on a “best-efforts” basis. The Placement Agent is not required to purchase any securities, but will use its best efforts to sell the securities offered. As a “best-efforts” offering, there can be no assurance that the offering contemplated hereby will ultimately be consummated or will result in any proceeds being made available to us. The success of this offering will impact our ability to use the proceeds to execute our business plan. We may have insufficient capital to implement our business plan, potentially resulting in greater operating losses unless we are able to raise the required capital from alternative sources. There is no assurance that alternative capital, if needed, would be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Future sales of our common stock may depress our share price.
As of October 2, 2024, we had 3,794,844 shares of our common stock outstanding. Sales of a number of shares of common stock in the public market or issuances of additional shares pursuant to the exercise of our outstanding warrants, or the expectation of such sales or exercises, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. We may also sell additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock in subsequent public or private offerings or other transactions, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
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Our stockholders may experience substantial dilution in the value of their investment if we issue additional shares of our capital stock.
Our charter allows us to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of our common stock and up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. To raise additional capital, we may in the future sell additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock at prices that are lower than the prices paid by existing stockholders, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders, which could result in substantial dilution to the interests of existing stockholders.
Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering, you may not agree with how we use the proceeds and the proceeds may not be invested successfully.
Other than amounts required to be paid to certain lenders, our management will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of commencement of this offering. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. It is possible that, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us.
The failure of our management to use such funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
If you purchase our shares of common stock in this Offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of your shares of common stock (if you exercise the Pre-Funded Warrants). In addition, we may issue additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future, which may result in additional dilution to investors.
Because the price per share of our common stock being offered hereunder is higher than the pro forma as-adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this Offering.
Based on an assumed offering price of $0.3333 per share, and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock of ($6.48) as of June 30, 2024, if you purchase shares in this offering you will suffer dilution of $0.93 per share with respect to the net tangible book value per share of the common stock, which will be ($0.60) per share following the offering on a pro forma as adjusted basis. See the section of this prospectus entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase our shares in this offering.
This offering may cause the trading price of our common stock to decrease.
The number of shares of common stock underlying the securities we propose to issue and ultimately will issue if this offering is completed, may result in an immediate decrease in the market price of our common stock. This decrease may continue after the completion of this offering. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that the availability of shares for future sale represented by the Pre-Funded Warrants issued in connection with the offering will have on the market price of our common stock from time to time.
Holders of Pre-Funded Warrants will have no rights as a common stockholder until such holders exercise their Pre-Funded Warrants and acquire our common stock, except as set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants.
Until holders of Pre-Funded Warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, as the case may be, holders of Pre-Funded Warrants will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants, except as set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants. Upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, the holders thereof will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.
Absence of a public trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants may limit your ability to resell the Pre-Funded Warrants.
There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants to be issued pursuant to this offering, and they will not be listed for trading on Nasdaq or any other securities exchange or market, and the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants may not be widely distributed. Purchasers of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants may be unable to resell the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants or sell them only at an unfavorable price for an extended period of time, if at all.
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Since the Pre-Funded Warrants are executory contracts, they may have no value in a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.
In the event a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding is commenced by or against us, a bankruptcy court may hold that any unexercised Pre-Funded Warrants are executory contracts that are subject to rejection by us with the approval of the bankruptcy court. As a result, holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants may, even if we have sufficient funds, not be entitled to receive any consideration for their Warrants or may receive an amount less than they would be entitled to if they had exercised their Pre-Funded Warrants prior to the commencement of any such bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.
Proposed legislation in the U.S. Congress, including changes in U.S. tax law, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 may adversely impact us and the value of the Common Stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants, and the Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants.
Changes to U.S. tax laws (which changes may have retroactive application) could adversely affect us or holders of the Common Stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants, or the Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants. In recent years, many changes to U.S. federal income tax laws have been proposed and made, and additional changes to U.S. federal income tax laws are likely to continue to occur in the future.
The U.S. Congress is currently considering numerous items of legislation which may be enacted prospectively or with retroactive effect, which legislation could adversely impact our financial performance and the value of the Common Stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants, or the Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants. Additionally, states in which we operate or own assets may impose new or increased taxes. If enacted, most of the proposals would be effective for the current or later years. The proposed legislation remains subject to change, and its impact on us and holders of the Common Stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants, or the Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants is uncertain.
In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes provisions that will impact the U.S. federal income taxation of corporations. Among other items, this legislation includes provisions that will impose a minimum tax on the book income of certain large corporations and an excise tax on certain corporate stock repurchases that would be imposed on the corporation repurchasing such stock. It is unclear how this legislation will be implemented by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and we cannot predict how this legislation or any future changes in tax laws might affect us or holders of the Common Stock, the Pre-Funded Warrants, or the Common Stock underlying such Pre-Funded Warrants.
Purchasers who purchase our securities in this offering pursuant to a securities purchase agreement may have rights not available to purchasers that purchase without the benefit of a securities purchase agreement.
In addition to rights and remedies available to all purchasers in this offering under federal securities and state law, the purchasers that enter into a securities purchase agreement will also be able to bring claims of breach of contract against us. The ability to pursue a claim for breach of contract provides those investors with the means to enforce the covenants uniquely available to them under the securities purchase agreement. Additionally, in connection with this offering, we may agree to amend the terms of certain of our outstanding warrants held by certain significant purchasers in this offering who will enter into the securities purchase agreement. Any such amendments may, among other things, decrease the exercise prices to be the same as the exercise prices of the securities offered in this offering, or increase the term of exercise of those warrants.
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The Pre-Funded Warrant provides that courts of the State of New York and of the United States of America, in each case sitting in the City and County of New York, will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our shareholders, which could limit its stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees.
Section 5 of the Pre-Funded Warrant provides that “[e]ach party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement, and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees, or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the courts of the State of New York and of the United States of America, in each case sitting in the City and County of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.”
However, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction, and you will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Therefore, this provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
The exclusive forum provision in the Pre-Funded Warrant will not relieve us of our duty to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and shareholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
This exclusive forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us or our directors, officers or other employees. In addition, shareholders who do bring a claim in the state or federal court in the State of Delaware could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Delaware. The state or federal court of the State of Delaware may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a shareholder would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments or results may be more favorable to us than to our shareholders. However, the enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ Warrants have been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find this type of provision to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings. If a court were to find the exclusive forum provision contained in the Pre-Funded Warrant to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we might incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.
By purchasing Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, you are bound by the fee-shifting provision contained in the Pre-Funded Warrants, which may discourage you to pursue actions against us and could discourage shareholder lawsuits that might otherwise benefit the Company and its shareholders.
Section 5 of the Pre-Funded Warrants provide that “[i]f either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit, or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation, and prosecution of such action or proceeding.”
NOTWITHSTANDING, THE FEE SHIFTING PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS WOULD NOT APPLY TO “INTERNAL CORPORATE CLAIMS” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 109(B) OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW.
The phrase “attorneys fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding” means the fees and expenses of counsel to the Company and any other parties asserting a claim subject to Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, which may include printing, photocopying, duplicating and other expenses, air freight charges, and fees billed for law clerks, paralegals and other persons not admitted to the bar but performing services under the supervision of an attorney, and the costs and fees incurred in connection with the enforcement or collection of any judgment obtained in any such proceeding.
We adopted the fee-shifting provision to eliminate or decrease nuisance and frivolous litigation. We intend to apply the fee-shifting provision broadly to all actions except for claims brought under the Exchange Act and Securities Act.
There is no set level of recovery required to be met by a plaintiff to avoid payment under this provision. Instead, whoever is the prevailing party is entitled to recover the reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action. Any party who brings an action, and the party against whom such action is brought under Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, which could include, but is not limited to former and current shareholders, Company directors, officers, affiliates, legal counsel, expert witnesses and other parties, are subject to this provision. Additionally, any party who brings an action, and the party against whom such action is brought under Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, which could include, but is not limited to former and current shareholders, Company directors, officers, affiliates, legal counsel, expert witnesses and other parties, would be able to recover fees under this provision.
In the event you initiate or assert a claim against us, in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions contained in Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, and you do not, in a judgment prevail, you will be obligated to reimburse us for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with such claim, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses and costs of appeal, if any. Additionally, this provision in Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants could discourage shareholder lawsuits that might otherwise benefit the Company and its shareholders.
THE FEE SHIFTING PROVISION CONTAINED IN SECTION 5 OF PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE DEEMED A WAIVER BY ANY HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER. THE FEE SHIFTING PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS DO NOT APPLY TO CLAIMS BROUGHT UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT AND SECURITIES ACT.
FINRA sales practice requirements may limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our securities.
Effective June 30, 2020, the SEC implemented Regulation Best Interest requiring that “A broker, dealer, or a natural person who is an associated person of a broker or dealer, when making a recommendation of any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities (including account recommendations) to a retail customer, shall act in the best interest of the retail customer at the time the recommendation is made, without placing the financial or other interest of the broker, dealer, or natural person who is an associated person of a broker or dealer making the recommendation ahead of the interest of the retail customer.” This is a significantly higher standard for broker-dealers to recommend securities to retail customers than before under FINRA “suitability rules. FINRA suitability rules do still apply to institutional investors and require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending securities to their customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information, and for retail customers determine the investment is in the customer’s “best interest” and meet other SEC requirements. Both SEC Regulation Best Interest and FINRA’s suitability requirements may make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy speculative, low-priced securities. They may affect investing in our common stock and Class A Warrants, which may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in our securities. As a result, fewer broker-dealers may be willing to make a market in our common stock and Class A Warrants, reducing a stockholder’s ability to resell our common stock and Class A Warrants.
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We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $4,346,242.00 (assuming the sale of all the shares offered hereby at the assumed public offering price of $0.3333 per share, which represents the closing sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq on October 1, 2024, and assuming no issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants), after deducting cash expenses relating to this offering payable by us estimated at $653,758.00, including Placement Agent fees of $515,950 and offering expenses of $137,808.00. The following presents our use of proceeds if 100%, 75%, 50% or 25% of the shares are sold.
100% of Shares Sold | % of Total | 75% of Shares Sold | % of Total | 50% of Shares Sold | % of Total | 25% of Shares Sold | % of Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Proceeds from Offering | $ | 5,000,000 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,750,000 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,500,000 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,250,000 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Use of Proceeds | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Placement Agent Fees and Expenses | $ | 515,950 | 10.3 | % | $ | 403,450 | 10.8 | % | $ | 290,950 | 11.6 | % | $ | 178,450 | 14.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Offering Expenses | $ | 137,808.00 | 2.8 | % | $ | 137,808.00 | 3.7 | % | $ | 137,808.00 | 5.5 | % | $ | 137,808.00 | 11.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Repayment of Promissory Notes | $ | 1,300,000 | 26.0 | % | $ | 1,300,000 | 34.6 | % | $ | 1,300,000 | 52.0 | % | $ | 933,699.56 | 74.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Working Capital and General Corporate Purposes | $ | 3,046,242.00 | 60.9 | % | $ | 1,908,742.00 | 50.9 | % | $ | 771,242.00 | 30.9 | % | $ | 0 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Total Use of Proceeds | $ | 5,000,000 | 100.0 | % | $ | 3,750,000 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,500,000 | 100.0 | % | $ | 1,250,000 | 100.0 | % |
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include research and development expenses, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses, potential acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products and technologies that complement our business, and to repay up to $1,300,000 of principal and interest on certain promissory notes originally issued on or around April 7, 2023, which were restated on or around October 1, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The 2023 Notes, as restated, accrued interest at 0% through the restated maturity date of January 1, 2024, and 30% thereafter. The Company and the holders of the 2023 Notes entered into a settlement and mutual release agreement with respect to the 2023 Notes on or around May 24, 2024 (the “Settlement Agreements”), which extended the payment date to September 30, 2024, and ceased the accrual of interest. The payment date under the Settlement Agreements was further extended to October 31, 2024, pursuant to those certain amendments to the Settlement Agreements entered into between the Company and the holders of the 2023 Notes. As of October 1, 2024, the total amounts owed under the 2023 Notes pursuant to the Settlement Agreements, as amended, is approximately in the amount of $1,300,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we have no present commitments or agreements to make any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus.
Our management will have broad discretion as to the allocation of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of commencement of this offering.
Each $0.10 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $0.3333 per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $1.37 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the estimated placement agent commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million in the number of shares offered by us would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $0.30 million, assuming the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated placement agent commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We do not expect that a change in the public offering price or the number of shares by these amounts would have a material effect on our uses of the proceeds from this offering, although it may accelerate the time at which we will need to seek additional capital.
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The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2024 on an actual basis.
You should read this table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 filed on August 19, 2024; and our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on June 3, 2024, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
As of June 30, 2024 | ||||
Actual | ||||
(Unaudited) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 92,794 | ||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||
Undesignated preferred stock, $0.0001 par, 10,000,000 shares authorized | – | |||
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par, 6,300 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 | 1 | |||
Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par, 1,744 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 | 1 | |||
Common stock, $0.0001 par, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 2,282,332 issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 | 226 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 120,916,777 | |||
Accumulated deficit | (118,188,665 | ) | ||
Total stockholders’ equity | 2,728,340 | |||
Total capitalization | $ | 2,728,340 |
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
The final offering price of the securities we are offering will be negotiated among us, the placement agent and the investors in the offering based on the trading of our shares of common stock prior to the offering, among other things. Other factors considered in determining the public offering price of the securities we are offering include:
● | the information in this prospectus and otherwise available to us, including our financial information; | |
● | the history and the prospects for the industry in which we compete; | |
● | the ability of our management; | |
● | the prospects for our future earnings; | |
● | the present state of our development and our current financial condition; | |
● | the general condition of the economy and the securities markets in the United States at the time of this offering; | |
● | the market price of our common stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market; | |
● | the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly-traded securities of generally comparable companies; and | |
● | other factors as were deemed relevant. |
Therefore, the assumed public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final offering price.
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MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND POLICY
Our Common Stock and Class A Warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “DBGI” and “DBGIW,” respectively. On October 1, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock was $0.3333 per share and Class A Warrants was $12.25 per share.
Holders of Record
As of October 1, 2024, we had approximately 63 holders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, this number is not indicative of the total number of stockholders represented by these stockholders of record.
Dividends
We have not declared or paid dividends to stockholders since inception and do not plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain earnings, if any, to finance our growth.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the three fiscal years and interim period preceding the filing of this registration statement, we have issued the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act. Each of the transactions described below was conducted in reliance upon the exemptions from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. No underwriters were involved in the sales and the certificates representing the securities sold and issued contain legends restricting transfer of the securities without registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration.
On August 21, 2023, the Registrant filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a one-for-twenty-five (1-for-25) reverse stock split effective August 22, 2023. All share and per share information in this Item 15 has been adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
In November 2021, we issued an aggregate 5,200 shares of common stock to Oasis Capital and FirstFire pursuant to waivers and consents in connection with the November note.
In December 2021, we issued an aggregate of 7,658 shares of common stock pursuant to consulting agreements.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 79,807 shares of common stock pursuant to the conversion of the FirstFire and Oasis Notes.
In April 2022, in connection with the April note agreement, the Company granted warrants to acquire 503 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3,050.00 per share expiring in April 2027.
In July 2022, in connection with the July 22 and July 28 notes, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,645 and 1,106 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $380 and $282.50 per share, respectively. The warrants expire in July 2027.
In September 2022, the Company issued 30 shares of common stock pursuant to a consultant agreement at a fair value of $123,000.
In October 2022 the Company issued 6,300 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to a lender in satisfaction of $6.25 million of indebtedness owed
In November 2022, the Company issued 72,727 Class B Warrants and 72,727 Class C Warrants to an accredited investor. Each Class B Warrant has an exercise price of $131.25 per share, is immediately exercisable upon issuance, and expires five years after issuance. Each Class C Warrant has an exercise price of $131.25 per share, is immediately exercisable upon issuance, and expires thirteen months after issuance. The Company also granted the 5,455 warrants to a placement agent, which are exercisable 180 days after issuance and expire in five years.
In November 2022, the Company granted 1,760 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $125.00 to a lender in connection with its merchant advances.
As part of the Sundry acquisition, in December 2022, the Company issued 3,636 shares of common stock to the Sundry Sellers at a fair value of $1,000,000.
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In December 2022, in connection with the December Notes, the Company issued 2,400 shares of common stock.
In December 2022, in connection with the December Notes, the Company issued to the investors an aggregate of 18,779 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price equal to $106.50. The warrants are immediately exercisable.
In connection with the January 2023 Private Placement, the Company, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with a certain accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement (the “January Private Placement”), an aggregate of 19,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”), and accompanying warrants to purchase 19,000 shares of Common Stock, at a combined purchase price of $97.88 per share and Common Warrant, and (ii) the Company granted 32,086 pre-funded warrants which were immediately exercised for shares of common stock. The Company also granted an additional 51,086 warrants as part of the offering. Each warrant has an exercise price of $3.80 per share, is immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires five years after issuance. The Company also granted the placement agent 3,831 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $122.35 per share, which is immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires five years after issuance.
In January 2023, the Company issued 4,440 shares of common stock at a fair value of $322,300 to a former convertible noteholder pursuant to default provisions.
In March 2023, in connection with merchant advances, the Company granted 6,113 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $131.25. The warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and expire five years after issuance.
In March 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,756 shares of common stock to Sundry executives based on their employment agreements with the Company. The fair value of $499,338, or $105.00 per share, as determined by the agreements, was included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
In May 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with John Hilburn Davis IV, its Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell 1 share of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) for $25,000. The Series B Preferred Stock by its terms was automatically redeemed on August 21, 2023. On September 13, 2023, the Company filed a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of the time of filing, cancelling the Series B Certificate of Designation, and thereby eliminating all Series B Preferred Stock.
In June 2023, the Company issued 78,103 shares of common stock in partial satisfaction of a settlement agreement regarding a dispute with the former owners of Harper & Jones LLC at a per share purchase price of $17.925.
In June 2023, the Company issued 5,761 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to the former owners of Sunnyside LLC a lender in satisfaction of approximately $5.8 million of indebtedness owed.
In September 2023, pursuant to the Company’s 2023 Stock Plan, certain qualified employees of the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement and purchased in aggregate 63,000 restricted shares of common stock at a purchase price of $10.43 per share.
On or around September 5, 2023, the Company closed a private placement pursuant to a securities purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement (the “September Private Placement”), (i) 32,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, (ii) 481,875 pre-funded warrants exercisable for 481,875 shares of Common Stock, (iii) Series A Warrants to purchase up to 513,875 shares of Common Stock (the “Series A Warrants”), and (iv) Series B Warrants to purchase up to 513,875 shares of Common Stock (the “Series B Warrants, and collectively with the Series A Warrants, the “Existing Warrants”), at a combined purchase price of $9.73 per unit, for aggregate gross proceeds from the September Private Placement of approximately $5 million. The Company received net proceeds of $3.8 million after deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses.
In September 2023, the Company issued 42,782 shares in accrued amounts owed to Sundry executives based on their employment agreements for a total value of $500,000.
In October 2023, 975 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock converted into 54,394 shares of common stock.
In February 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 52,994 shares of common stock to a marketing vendor for services. The fair value of $173,290 or $3.27 per share as determined by the agreements, was included in sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
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In February 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 15,589 shares of common stock to a vendor as conversion of accounts payable for a total value of $50,975.
In March 2024, 3,042 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock converted into 169,711 shares of common stock.
On May 3, 2024, the Company entered into that certain inducement offer to exercise common stock purchase warrants with the Investor (the “Inducement Agreement”), pursuant to which (i) the Company agreed to lower the exercise price of the Existing Warrants to $3.13 per share and (ii) the Investor agreed to exercise the Existing Warrants into 1,027,750 shares of common stock (the “Exercise Shares”) by payment of the aggregate exercise price of $3,216,857. The closing occurred on May 7, 2024. The Company has issued 378,750 of the 1,027,750 shares of common stock underlying the Existing Warrants, with the balance to be held in abeyance, which abeyance shall be evidenced through the Existing Warrants and shall be deemed prepaid thereafter (including the cash payment in full of the exercise price), and exercised pursuant to a Notice of Exercise in the Existing Warrants (provided no additional exercise price shall be due and payable). The Company received the entire gross proceeds of $3,216,857 in May 2024, which represents the exercise of the entire 1,027,750 warrants at the $3.13 exercise price. The Company received net proceeds of $2,877,475 after placement agent fees and expenses. In addition, pursuant to the Inducement Agreement, the Company issued to the Investor a Series A-1 common share purchase warrant to purchase up to 1,027,750 shares of Common Stock (“Series A-1 Warrant”) and Series B-1 common share purchase warrant to purchase up to 1,027,750 shares of Common Stock (“Series B-1 Warrant”, and collectively with the Series A-1 Warrant, the “Warrants”) on May 7, 2024, each at an initial exercise price equal to $2.88 per share of Common Stock. The Series A-1 Warrant are exercisable immediately upon issuance and expires five and one-half (5.5) years following the issuance date and the Series B-1 Warrant are exercisable immediately upon issuance and expires fifteen (15) months following the issuance date. In connection with the Inducement Agreement, we entered into an engagement agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”), pursuant to which we have, among other things, issued to Wainwright’s designees warrants to purchase up to 77,081 shares of Common Stock (the “Wainwright Warrants”). The terms of the Wainwright Warrants are substantially the same as the terms of the Series A-1 Warrant except that they have an exercise price of $3.9125 per share.
If you invest in our shares of common stock or Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the assumed public offering price per share of common stock and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. As of June 30, 2024, our net tangible book value was approximately ($14,788,284), or ($6.48) per share. Net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of common stock.
Net tangible book value dilution per share of common stock sold to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share of common stock paid by purchasers in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately after the completion of this offering.
Based on the initial offering price of $0.3333 per one share of common stock, on an as adjusted basis as of June 30, 2024, after giving effect to the offering of shares of common stock and the application of the related net proceeds, our net tangible book value would be:
(i) ($10,442,042.00), or ($0.60) per share of common stock, assuming the sale of 100% of the shares offered (15,001,500 shares of common stock) with net proceeds in the amount of $4,346,242.00 after deducting estimated broker commissions and expenses of $515,950 and estimated offering expenses of $137,808.00;
(ii) ($11,579,542.00), or ($0.86) per share of common stock, assuming the sale of 75% of the shares offered (11,251,125 shares of common stock) with net proceeds in the amount of $3,208,742.00 after deducting estimated broker commissions and expenses of $403,450 and estimated offering expenses of $137,808.00;
(iii) ($12,717,042.00), or ($1.30) per share of common stock, assuming the sale of 50% of the shares offered (7,500,750 shares of common stock) with net proceeds in the amount of $2,071,242.00 after deducting estimated broker commissions and expenses of $290,950 and estimated offering expenses of $137,808.00; and
(iv) ($13,854,542.00), or ($2.30) per share of common stock, assuming the sale of 25% of the shares offered (3,750,375 shares of common stock) with net proceeds in the amount of $933,742.00 after deducting estimated broker commissions and expenses of $178,450 and estimated offering expenses of $137,808.00.
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Purchasers of our common stock or Pre-Funded Warrants will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share for financial accounting purposes, as illustrated in the following table on an approximate dollar per share basis, depending upon whether we sell 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25% of the shares being offered in this offering:
Percentage of offering shares sold | 100% | 75% | 50% | 25% | ||||||||||||
Assumed offering price per share | $ | 0.3333 | $ | 0.3333 | $ | 0.3333 | $ | 0.3333 | ||||||||
Net tangible book value per share of common stock before this offering | (6.48 | ) | (6.48 | ) | (6.48 | ) | (6.48 | ) | ||||||||
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors | 5.88 | 5.62 | 5.18 | 4.18 | ||||||||||||
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this offering | (0.60 | ) | $ | (0.86 | ) | $ | (1.30 | ) | $ | (2.30 | ) | |||||
Immediate dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors | $ | 0.93 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 1.63 | $ | 2.63 |
The foregoing illustration also does not reflect the dilution that would result from the exercise of any of the Pre-Funded Warrants or Warrants sold in the offering.
The following tables sets forth depending upon whether we sell 100%, 75%, 50%, or 25% of the shares being offered in this offering, as of June 30, 2024, the number of shares of common stock purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us and the average price per share paid by existing stockholders and to be paid by new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering at the offering price of $0.3333 per share, together with the total consideration paid an average price per share paid by each of these groups, before deducting placement agent’s commission and estimated offering expenses.
100% of the Shares Sold | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price | ||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | per Share | ||||||||||||||||
Existing stockholders as of June 30, 2024 | 2,282,332 | 13.20 | % | $ | 120,917,003 | 96.03 | % | $ | 52.979 | |||||||||||
New investors | 15,001,500 | 86.80 | % | $ | 5,000,000 | 3.97 | % | $ | 0.3333 | |||||||||||
Total | 17,283,832 | 100.00 | % | $ | 125,917,003 | 100.00 | % | $ | 7.2852 |
75% of the Shares Sold | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price | ||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | per Share | ||||||||||||||||
Existing stockholders as of June 30, 2024 | 2,282,332 | 16.86 | % | 120,917,003 | 96.99 | % | $ | 52.979 | ||||||||||||
New investors | 11,251,125 | 83.14 | % | 3,750,000 | 3.01 | % | $ | 0.3333 | ||||||||||||
Total | 13,533,457 | 100.00 | % | $ | 124,667,003 | 100.00 | % | $ | 9.2118 |
50% of the Shares Sold | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price | ||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | per Share | ||||||||||||||||
Existing stockholders as of June 30, 2024 | 2,282,332 | 23.33 | % | 120,917,003 | 97.97 | % | $ | 52.979 | ||||||||||||
New investors | 7,500,750 | 76.67 | % | 2,500,000 | 2.03 | % | $ | 0.3333 | ||||||||||||
Total | 9,783,082 | 100.00 | % | $ | 123,417,003 | 100.00 | % | $ | 12.6153 |
25% of the Shares Sold | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Purchased | Total Consideration | Average Price | ||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Amount | Percent | per Share | ||||||||||||||||
Existing stockholders as of June 30, 2024 | 2,282,332 | 37.84 | % | $ | 120,917,003 | 98.98 | % | $ | 52.979 | |||||||||||
New investors | 3,750,375 | 62.16 | % | $ | 1,250,000 | 1.02 | % | $ | 0.3333 | |||||||||||
Total | 6,032,707 | 100.00 | % | $ | 122,167,003 | 100.00 | % | $ | 20.2508 |
A $0.10 increase in the assumed public offering price of $0.3333 per share (the closing sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 1, 2024), would increase our as adjusted net tangible book value after giving effect to this offering by approximately $1.37 million and decrease the dilution per share to new investors in this offering by $0.07 per share, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and assuming the sale of 15,001,500 shares set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same and no sale of any Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering.
The foregoing discussion and tables above (i) reflect and assume no sale of Pre-Funded Warrants in this offering, which, if sold, would reduce the number of common stock that we are offering on a one-one basis, (ii) no exercise of Warrants in this offering, and (iii) do not give effect to the dilution that would result from (a) 2,843,111 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $10.94 as of October 1, 2024, which includes 1,027,750 Series A-1 Warrants and 1,027,750 Series B-1 Warrants at an exercise price of $2.88 per share which expire on November 7, 2029 and August 7, 2025 respectively, (b) 1,558 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options at weighted average exercise price of $$9,050 per share, and (c) 198,442 shares of common stock in aggregate reserved for issuance under our 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
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The following summary description sets forth some of the general terms and provisions of our capital stock. Because this is a summary description, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. For a more detailed description of our capital stock, you should refer to the applicable provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), our charter and our bylaws as currently in effect. Copies of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “charter”), and our bylaws are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 3,794,844 shares are issued and outstanding as of October 2, 2024 and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which 6,300 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, and 1,744 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding. The following description of our capital stock is only a summary and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by our Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as further amended by certificates of amendment dated October 13, 2022, October 21, 2022 (but effected on November 3, 2022), May 30, 2023, June 21, 2023, and August 21, 2023 (but effected on August 22, 2023) and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as further amended by amendments Nos. 1 and 2, and by the applicable provisions of Delaware law.
Common stock
Voting rights
Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors.
Dividends
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock which may be issued in the future, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Liquidation
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then-outstanding shares of preferred stock.
Rights and preferences
Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.
Fully paid and nonassessable
All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
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Listing
Our Common Stock and Class A Warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “DBGI” and “DBGIW,” respectively. On October 1, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock was $0.3333 per share and Class A Warrants was $12.25 per share.
Issuance of Preferred Stock by our Board
General
The board of directors is authorized, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the powers, preferences and rights of each series, which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of such preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things:
● | impairing dividend rights of the common stock; | |
● | diluting the voting power of the common stock; | |
● | impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and | |
● | delaying or preventing a change in control of us without further action by the stockholders. |
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
On September 29, 2022, the Company filed the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware designating up to 6,800 shares out of the authorized but unissued shares of its preferred stock as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. On October 4, 2022, the Company filed the Correction with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware to correct the terms of the voting rights under the Series A Preferred Stock. The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Dividends
Except for stock dividends or distributions for which adjustments are to be made pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “Holders”) shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay, dividends on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock equal (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the Common Stock. No other dividends shall be paid on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights
The Holders are entitled to vote as a class as expressly provided in the Certificate of Designation and where required pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, the DGCL). The Holders are also entitled to vote with the holders of shares of Common Stock, voting together as one class, on all matters in which the Holders are permitted to vote with the class of shares of Common Stock pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, the DGCL.
With respect to any vote with the class of Common Stock, each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the Holder thereof to cast that number of votes per share as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which it is then convertible (subject to the ownership limitations specified in the Certificate of Designation) using the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company eligible to vote on such matters as the date as of which the conversion price is calculated. To the extent that under the DGCL the vote of the Holders, voting separately as a class or series, as applicable, is required to authorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the Required Holders (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) of the shares of the Preferred Stock, voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of the Required Holders (except as otherwise may be required under the DGCL), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Holders shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled to vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Company’s bylaws and the DGCL.
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Ranking and Liquidation
The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank (i) senior to all of the Common Stock; (ii) senior to any class or series of capital stock of the Company hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms junior to any Preferred Stock (“Junior Securities”); (iii) on parity with any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation created specifically ranking by its terms on parity with the Preferred Stock (“Parity Securities”); and (iv) junior to any class or series of capital stock of the Company hereafter created specifically ranking by its terms senior to any Preferred Stock (“Senior Securities”), in each case, as to dividends or distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. Subject to any superior liquidation rights of the holders of any Senior Securities of the Company and the rights of the Company’s existing and future creditors, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), each Holder shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to stockholders, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets or surplus funds of the Company to the holders of the Common Stock and Junior Securities and pari passu with any distribution to the holders of Parity Securities, an amount equal to the Stated Value (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) for each share of the Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder and an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, and thereafter the Holders shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Company the same amount that a holder of Common Stock would receive if the Series A Preferred Stock were fully converted (disregarding for such purposes any conversion limitations hereunder) to Common Stock which amounts shall be paid pari passu with all holders of Common Stock. The Company shall mail written notice of any such Liquidation, not less than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each Holder.
Conversion
Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after September 29, 2022 at the option of the Holder thereof, into that number of shares of Common Stock (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(d) of the Certificate of Designation) determined by dividing the Stated Value of such share of the Series A Preferred Stock ($1,000 as of September 29, 2022) by the Conversion Price (as defined below) subject to certain terms of the beneficial ownership limitation described in this Certificate of Designation. The conversion price for each share of the Series A Preferred Stock is the Nasdaq official closing price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) on September 29, 2022, subject to adjustment as described in the Certificate of Designation, including for stock dividends and stock splits such as the one-for-one hundred (1-for-100) reverse stock split (the “November Reverse Stock Split”) of our common stock which became effective as of the close of business on November 3, 2022 and the one-for-twenty-five (1-for-25) reverse stock split (the “August Reverse Stock Split,” together with the November Reverse Stock Split, the “Reverse Stock Splits”) of our common stock which became effective as of the close of business on August 22, 2023 (the “Conversion Price”).
Certain Adjustments
If the Company, at any time while the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, pays a stock dividend, issues stock splits, effects any subsequent rights offerings, or makes any dividend or other distribution of its assets, then the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock adjusts (in the case of a stock split), and the Holder can acquire the purchase rights of the Company’s securities, or participate in the distribution of the Company’s assets pursuant to Section 7 of the Certificate of Designation.
Preemptive Rights
No holders will have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for the Company’s Common Stock or any of its other securities.
Redemption
The Company has the option to redeem any or all of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at 112% of the then Stated Value any time after September 29, 2022 and so long as there is an effective Registration Statement covering the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Trading Market
The Holders can liquidate or convert the Series A Preferred Shares according to the terms of this Certificate of Designation. However, there is no established trading market for any of the Series A Preferred Stock, and the Company does not expect a market to develop. The Company does not intend to apply for a listing for any of the Series A Preferred Stock on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On June 21, 2023, the Company filed the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State for the State of Delaware designating up to 5,761 shares out of the authorized but unissued shares of its preferred stock as Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. The following is a summary of the principal terms of the Series C Preferred Stock.
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Dividends
Except for stock dividends or distributions for which adjustments are to be made pursuant to the Certificate of Designation, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Holders”) shall be entitled to receive, and the Company shall pay, dividends on shares of the Series C Preferred Stock equal (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the Common Stock. No other dividends shall be paid on shares of the Series C Preferred Stock.
Voting Rights
The Series C Holders are entitled to vote as a class as expressly provided in the Certificate of Designation and where required pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, the DGCL). The Series C Holders are also entitled to vote with the holders of shares of Common Stock, voting together as one class, on all matters in which the Series C Holders are permitted to vote with the class of shares of Common Stock pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, the DGCL).
With respect to any vote with the class of Common Stock, each share of the Series C Preferred Stock shall entitle the Holder thereof to cast that number of votes per share as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which it is then convertible (subject to the ownership limitations specified in the Certificate of Designation) using the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company eligible to vote on such matters as the date as of which the conversion price is calculated. To the extent that under the DGCL the vote of the Series C Holders, voting separately as a class or series, as applicable, is required to authorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the Required Holders (as defined in the Certificate of Designation), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of the Required Holders (except as otherwise may be required under the DGCL) shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Series C Holders shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled to vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Company’s bylaws and the DGCL.
Ranking and Liquidation
The Series C Preferred Stock shall rank (i) senior to all of the Common Stock; (ii) senior to Junior Securities; (iii) on parity with Parity Securities; and (iv) junior to Senior Securities, in each case, as to dividends or distributions of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. Subject to any superior liquidation rights of the holders of any Senior Securities of the Company and the rights of the Company’s existing and future creditors, upon a Liquidation, each Holder shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to stockholders, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets or surplus funds of the Company to the holders of the Common Stock and Junior Securities and pari passu with any distribution to the holders of Parity Securities, an amount equal to the Stated Value (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) for each share of the Series C Preferred Stock held by such Holder and an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, and thereafter the Series C Holders shall be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Company the same amount that a holder of Common Stock would receive if the Series C Preferred Stock were fully converted (disregarding for such purposes any conversion limitations hereunder) to Common Stock which amounts shall be paid pari passu with all holders of Common Stock. The Company shall mail written notice of any such Liquidation, not less than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each Holder.
Conversion
Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after June 21, 2023 at the option of the Holder thereof, into that number of shares of Common Stock (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(d) of the Certificate of Designation) determined by dividing the Stated Value of such share of the Series C Preferred Stock ($1,000 as of June 21, 2023) by the Conversion Price (as defined below) subject to certain terms of the beneficial ownership limitation described in this Certificate of Designation. The conversion price for each share of the Series C Preferred Stock is $17.925, which is the lower of (a) the closing price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on June 20, 2023 (the trading day before the date of the Sundry SPA), and (b) the average closing price per share of Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market for the five trading days preceding the date of the Sundry SPA, subject to adjustment herein (the “Series C Conversion Price”).
Certain Adjustments
If the Company, at any time while the Series C Preferred Stock is outstanding, pays a stock dividend, issues stock splits, effects any subsequent rights offerings, or makes any dividend or other distribution of its assets, then the Holder can adjust the Conversion Price of the Series C Preferred Stock, acquire the purchase rights of the Company’s securities, or participate in the distribution of the Company’s assets pursuant to Section 7 of the Certificate of Designation.
Preemptive Rights
No holders will have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for the Company’s Common Stock or any of its other securities.
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Redemption
The Company has the option to redeem any or all of the then outstanding Series C Preferred Stock at 112% of the then Stated Value any time after June 21, 2023 and so long as there is an effective Registration Statement covering the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock.
Trading Market
The Series C Holders can liquidate or convert the Series C Preferred Shares according to the terms of this Certificate of Designation. However, there is no established trading market for any of the Series C Preferred Stock, and the Company does not expect a market to develop. The Company does not intend to apply for a listing for any of the Series C Preferred Stock on any securities exchange or other nationally recognized trading system.
Options
As of October 1, 2024, there were 1,558 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options at weighted average exercise price of $9,050 per share.
Warrants
As of October 1, 2024, there were 2,843,111 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $10.94, which includes 1,027,750 Series A-1 Warrants and 1,027,750 Series B-1 Warrants at an exercise price of $2.88 per share which expire on November 7, 2029 and August 7, 2025 respectively.
Description of Securities We are Offering
Common Stock
We are offering up to 15,001,500 shares of common stock. The material terms and provisions of our common stock that are being offered are described under this section “Description of Securities – Common Stock” in this prospectus. We are also offering Pre-Funded Warrants to those purchasers whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding shares of common stock following the consummation of this offering in lieu of the shares of common stock that would result in such excess ownership. Each Pre-Funded Warrant will be exercisable for one share of common stock. For each Pre-Funded Warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. No warrant for fractional shares of common stock will be issued, rather warrants will be issued only for whole shares of common stock. We are also registering the shares of common stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants offered hereby.
Pre-Funded Warrants
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrants being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Pre-Funded Warrant, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of Pre-Funded Warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
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Duration and Exercise Price
Each Pre-Funded Warrant offered hereby will have an initial exercise price per share of common stock equal to $0.0001. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be immediately exercisable and will expire when exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of share dividends, share splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our shares of common stock and the exercise price. The Pre-Funded Warrants will be issued in certificated form.
Exercisability
The Pre-Funded Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the Pre-Funded Warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the outstanding shares of common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of beneficial ownership of outstanding shares after exercising the holder’s Pre-Funded Warrants up to 9.99% of the number of our shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
Cashless Exercise
In lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the Pre-Funded Warrants.
Fundamental Transactions
In the event of any fundamental transaction, as described in the Pre-Funded Warrants and generally including (i) any merger or consolidation with or into another entity if, after giving effect to such transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Company or the successor entity of such transaction, (ii) sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, then upon any subsequent exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants, the holder will have the right to receive as alternative consideration, for each share of our common stock that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of our Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable upon or as a result of such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of our common stock for which the Pre-Funded Warrants are exercisable immediately prior to such event.
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Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
Rather, at our election, the number of shares of common stock to be issued will be rounded up to the nearest whole number or we will pay a cash adjustment in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the exercise price.
Trading Market
There is no established trading market for the Pre-Funded Warrants. We do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading market. We do not expect an active trading market to develop for the Pre-Funded Warrants. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of these securities will be limited. The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants are currently traded on Nasdaq.
Right as a Shareholder
Except as otherwise provided in the Pre-Funded Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of common stock, the holders of the Pre-Funded Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our shares of common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their Pre-Funded Warrants. The Pre-Funded Warrants will provide that holders have the right to participate in distributions or dividends paid on our shares of common stock.
Exclusive Forum Provision
Section 5 of the Pre-Funded Warrant provides that “[e]ach party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement, and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees, or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the courts of the State of New York and of the United States of America, in each case sitting in the City and County of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.”
However, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, the exclusive forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction, and you will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
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Therefore, this provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any other claim for which the U.S. federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
The exclusive forum provision in the Pre-Funded Warrant will not relieve us of our duty to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and shareholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
This exclusive forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us or our directors, officers or other employees. In addition, shareholders who do bring a claim in the state or federal court in the State of Delaware could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Delaware. The state or federal court of the State of Delaware may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a shareholder would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments or results may be more favorable to us than to our shareholders. However, the enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ Warrants have been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find this type of provision to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings. If a court were to find the exclusive forum provision contained in the Pre-Funded Warrant to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we might incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.
Fee Shifting Provision
The Pre-Funded Warrants provide that “[i]f either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit, or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation, and prosecution of such action or proceeding.”
NOTWITHSTANDING, THE FEE SHIFTING PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AND PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS WOULD NOT APPLY TO “INTERNAL CORPORATE CLAIMS” AS DEFINED IN SECTION 109(B) OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW.
The phrase “attorneys fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding” means the fees and expenses of counsel to the Company and any other parties asserting a claim subject to Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, which may include printing, photocopying, duplicating and other expenses, air freight charges, and fees billed for law clerks, paralegals and other persons not admitted to the bar but performing services under the supervision of an attorney, and the costs and fees incurred in connection with the enforcement or collection of any judgment obtained in any such proceeding.
We adopted the fee-shifting provision to eliminate or decrease nuisance and frivolous litigation. We intend to apply the fee-shifting provision broadly to all actions except for claims brought under the Exchange Act and Securities Act.
There is no set level of recovery required to be met by a plaintiff to avoid payment under this provision. Instead, whoever is the prevailing party is entitled to recover the reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the prosecution or defense of such action. Any party who brings an action, and the party against whom such action is brought under Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, which could include, but is not limited to former and current shareholders, Company directors, officers, affiliates, legal counsel, expert witnesses and other parties, are subject to this provision. Additionally, any party who brings an action, and the party against whom such action is brought under Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, which could include, but is not limited to former and current shareholders, Company directors, officers, affiliates, legal counsel, expert witnesses and other parties, would be able to recover fees under this provision.
In the event you initiate or assert a claim against us, in accordance with the dispute resolution provisions contained in Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants, and you do not, in a judgment prevail, you will be obligated to reimburse us for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with such claim, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses and costs of appeal, if any. Additionally, this provision in Section 5 of Pre-Funded Warrants could discourage shareholder lawsuits that might otherwise benefit the Company and its shareholders.
THE FEE SHIFTING PROVISION CONTAINED IN SECTION 5 OF PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE DEEMED A WAIVER BY ANY HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE U.S. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER. THE FEE SHIFTING PROVISION CONTAINED IN THE RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS DO NOT APPLY TO CLAIMS BROUGHT UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT AND SECURITIES ACT.
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Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Our Bylaws
Certain provisions of Delaware law and our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make the following more difficult:
● | the acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; | |
● | acquisition of control of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; and | |
● | the removal of our incumbent officers and directors. |
These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection against an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals. Among other things, negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Law. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business acquisition” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless the “business acquisition” or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved by our board of directors in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business acquisition” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
Stockholder Meetings. Under our bylaws, only the board of directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer and the president, and stockholders holding an aggregate of 25% of our shares of our common stock may call special meetings of stockholders.
No Cumulative Voting. Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Action by Written Consent of Stockholders Prohibited. Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not allow stockholders to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting, unless approved in advance by our board of directors.
Undesignated Preferred Stock. The authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for the board of directors without stockholder approval to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to obtain control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of us.
Amendment of Provisions in the Sixth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation will generally require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662∕3% of the outstanding voting stock in order to amend any provisions of the sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation concerning, among other things:
● | the required vote to amend certain provisions of the sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation; | |
● | the reservation of the board of director’s right to amend the amended and restated bylaws, with all rights granted to stockholders being subject to this reservation; | |
● | management of the business by the board of directors; | |
● | number of directors and structure of the board of directors; | |
● | removal and appointment of directors; | |
● | director nominations by stockholders; | |
● | prohibition of action by written consent of stockholders; | |
● | personal liability of directors to us and our stockholders; and | |
● | indemnification of our directors, officers, employees and agents. |
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Delaware law
We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, regulating corporate takeovers. In general, DGCL Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the person became an interested stockholder unless:
● | prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; | |
● | upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder, (i) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or | |
● | at or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
Generally, a business combination includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction or series of transactions together resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting stock. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that DGCL Section 203 may also discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.
Limitations on liability, indemnification of officers and directors and insurance
Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), a Director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its Stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability: (1) for any breach of the Director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its Stockholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (4) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL or other applicable provision of Delaware law hereafter is amended to authorize further elimination or limitation of the liability of Directors, then the liability of a Director of this Corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided herein, shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or other applicable provision of Delaware law as amended. Any repeal or modification of this Section 2 by the Stockholders of this Corporation shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a Director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification. Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”) and corporate bylaws (our “Bylaws”) contain provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities arising out of actions, suits and proceedings to which they are made or threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact of their prior or current service to the corporation as a director or officer, in accordance with the provisions of Section 145, which are sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The indemnity may cover expenses (including attorneys’ fees) judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. Section 145 permits corporations to pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by directors and officers in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in their capacity as a director or officer, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under Section 145.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), provides that (a) any of our directors or officers made a party to an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, or any appeal in such action, suit or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such action, suit or proceeding (each, a “Proceeding”), by reason of such person’s service as our director or officer or as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another enterprise per our request, shall be indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law against all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding; (b) we must advance reasonable expenses incurred in defending any such Proceeding, subject to limited exceptions; and (c) the indemnification rights conferred by it are not exclusive of any rights permitted by law.
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As permitted by the DGCL, the Company’s sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides that directors will not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:
● | for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, | |
● | for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, | |
● | under Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions), or | |
● | for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. |
This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we shall indemnify our directors, officers, employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law, and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers, and may indemnify our employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that indemnification under our bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of indemnified parties.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the registrant’s directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
Article VII of the by-laws provides that the Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or who was or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, investigation or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the corporation or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature (hereinafter a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, liabilities, losses, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such proceeding to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
Article VII of the by-laws further provides that, except with respect to a proceeding to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses under Article VII, the Company shall be required to indemnify a person under this Article VII in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Article VII of the by-laws further provides that the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the registrant. The Company has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering many of the possible actions and omissions of persons acting or failing to act in such capacities.
Article VII of the by-laws also provides that the Company shall have the power to enter into indemnification agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant in furtherance of the provisions of Article VII. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and officers for expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in any action or proceeding arising out of such person’s services as a director or officer or at our request. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers. There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents. We are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding that might result in a claim for indemnification by a director, officer, employee or agent.
Our Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is VStock Transfer, LLC. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 18 Lafayette Pl., Woodmere, NY 11598. The transfer agent’s telephone is (212) 828-8436.
We have agreed to indemnify VStock Transfer, LLC in its role as transfer agent, its agents and each of its stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the indemnified person or entity.
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND
PRE-FUNDED WARRANTS
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants acquired in this offering. The Pre-Funded Warrants are collectively referred to in this section as the “Warrants.” This discussion is based on the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, referred to as the Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative rulings and court decisions in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. No ruling has been or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, with respect to the matters discussed below, and there can be no assurance the IRS will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our Common Stock, or Warrants, or that any such contrary position would not be sustained by a court.
We assume in this discussion that the shares of our Common Stock or Warrants will be held as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxes, does not discuss the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax, the alternative minimum tax and does not deal with state or local taxes, U.S. federal gift and estate tax laws, except as specifically provided below with respect to non-U.S. holders, or any non-U.S. tax consequences that may be relevant to holders in light of their particular circumstances. This discussion also does not address the special tax rules applicable to particular holders, such as:
● | financial institutions; | |
● | brokers or dealers in securities; | |
● | tax-exempt organizations; | |
● | pension plans; | |
● | regulated investment companies; | |
● | owners that hold our Common Stock or Warrants as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, synthetic security or other integrated investment; | |
● | insurance companies; | |
● | controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax; and | |
● | certain U.S. expatriates. |
In addition, this discussion does not address the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our Common Stock or Warrants through partnerships or other entities which are pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A partner in a partnership or other pass-through entity that will hold our Common Stock or Warrants should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants through a partnership or other pass-through entity, as applicable.
This discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations is for general information purposes only and is not tax advice. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax considerations of acquiring, holding and disposing of our Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants.
For the purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our Common Stock or Warrants that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (b) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes), created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (c) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (d) a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of Common Stock or Warrants that is not a U.S. Holder or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Under tax legislation signed into law in December 2017 commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, U.S. Holders that use an accrual method of accounting for tax purposes and have certain financial statements generally will be required to include certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are taken into account as revenue in such financial statements. The application of this rule thus may require the accrual of income earlier than would be the case under the general tax rules described below, although the precise application of this rule is unclear at this time. This rule is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. U.S. Holders that use an accrual method of accounting should consult with their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of this legislation to their particular situation.
Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders
Exercise and Expiration of Warrants
In general, a U.S. Holder will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon exercise of a Warrant. The U.S. Holder will take a tax basis in the shares acquired on the exercise of a Warrant equal to the exercise price of the Warrant, increased by the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Warrant exercised (as determined pursuant to the rules discussed above). The U.S. Holder’s holding period in the shares of our Common Stock acquired on exercise of the Warrant will begin on the date of exercise of the Warrant, and will not include any period for which the U.S. Holder held the Warrant.
In certain limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless exercise of Warrants into our Common Stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of Warrants into our Common Stock is unclear, and the tax consequences of a cashless exercise could differ from the consequences upon the exercise of a Warrant described in the preceding paragraph. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of Warrants.
The lapse or expiration of a Warrant will be treated as if the U.S. Holder sold or exchanged the Warrant and recognized a capital loss equal to the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Warrant. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Distributions
As discussed above, we currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends in respect of our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. In the event that we do make distributions on our Common Stock to a U.S. Holder, those distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that is applied against and reduces, but not below zero, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or exchange of our Common Stock as described below under the section titled “ – Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants.”
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Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants
Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock or Warrants. Capital gain or loss will constitute long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Common Stock or Warrants exceeds one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations. U.S. Holders who recognize losses with respect to a disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of such losses.
Information Reporting and Backup Reporting
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) on the Common Stock and to the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of Common Stock paid by us to a U.S. Holder unless such U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient, such as a corporation. Backup withholding will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide the holder’s taxpayer identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the holder otherwise fails to comply with applicable requirements to establish an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from information reporting and backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption.
Tax Considerations Applicable To Non-U.S. Holders
Exercise and Expiration of Warrants
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of Warrants into shares of Common Stock. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of Warrants into our Common Stock is unclear. A Non-U.S. Holder should consult his, her, or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of Warrants. The expiration of a Warrant will be treated as if the Non-U.S. Holder sold or exchanged the Warrant and recognized a capital loss equal to the Non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Warrant. However, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be able to utilize a loss recognized upon expiration of a Warrant against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability unless the loss is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) or is treated as a U.S.-source loss and the Non-U.S. Holder is present 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met.
Distributions
As discussed above, we currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends in respect of our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. In the event that we do make distributions on our Common Stock to a Non-U.S. Holder, those distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described in “ – U.S. Holders – Distributions”.
Any distribution (including constructive distributions) on our Common Stock that is treated as a dividend paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that is not effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States will generally be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and the Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence. To obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other appropriate form, certifying the Non-U.S. Holder’s entitlement to benefits under that treaty. Such form must be provided prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to such agent. The holder’s agent may then be required to provide certification to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax under an income tax treaty, you should consult with your own tax advisor to determine if you are able to obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS.
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We generally are not required to withhold tax on dividends paid (or constructive dividends deemed paid) to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that the holder maintains in the United States) if a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, stating that the dividends are so connected, is furnished to us (or, if stock is held through a financial institution or other agent, to the applicable withholding agent). In general, such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates applicable to U.S. persons. A corporate Non-U.S. Holder receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax,” which is imposed, under certain circumstances, at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty) on the corporate Non-U.S. Holder’s effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to certain adjustments.
See also the sections below titled “ – Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “ – Foreign Accounts” for additional withholding rules that may apply to dividends paid to certain foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities.
Disposition of Our Common Stock or Warrants
Subject to the discussions below under the sections titled “ – Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “ – Foreign Accounts,” a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to gain realized on a sale or other disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants unless:
● | the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; in these cases, the Non-U.S. Holder will be taxed on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. persons, and if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, may also apply; |
● | the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other requirements are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and such holder’s country of residence) on the net gain derived from the disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder, if any; or |
● | our Common Stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest because we are, or have been at any time during the five-year period preceding such disposition (or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period of the Common Stock or Warrants, if shorter), a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” unless our Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and the Non-U.S. Holder held no more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock, directly or indirectly, during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the period that the Non-U.S. Holder held our Common Stock. Special rules may apply to the determination of the 5% threshold in the case of a holder of a Warrant. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of holding our Warrants on the calculation of such 5% threshold. Generally, a corporation is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” (as defined in the Code and applicable regulations) equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although there can be no assurance, we believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming, a “U.S. real property holding corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No assurance can be provided that our Common Stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the rules described above. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations that could result if we are, or become, a “U.S. real property holding corporation”. |
See the sections titled “ – Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “ – Foreign Accounts” for additional information regarding withholding rules that may apply to proceeds of a disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants paid to foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities.
Federal Estate Tax
Common Stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise. The foregoing may also apply to Warrants. A Non-U.S. Holder should consult his, her, or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of shares of our Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants.
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
We must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the gross amount of the distributions (including constructive distributions) on our Common Stock or Warrants paid to such holder and the tax withheld, if any, with respect to such distributions. Non-U.S. Holders may have to comply with specific certification procedures to establish that the holder is not a U.S. person (as defined in the Code) in order to avoid backup withholding at the applicable rate, currently 24%, with respect to dividends (or constructive dividends) on our Common Stock or Warrants. Generally, a holder will comply with such procedures if it provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. Holder, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Dividends paid to Non-U.S. Holders subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, as described above under the heading “Dividends,” will generally be exempt from U.S. backup withholding.
Information reporting and backup withholding generally will apply to the proceeds of a disposition of our Common Stock or Warrants by a Non-U.S. Holder effected by or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, unless the holder certifies its status as a Non-U.S. Holder and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds to a Non-U.S. Holder where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, for information reporting purposes, dispositions effected through a non-U.S. office of a broker with substantial U.S. ownership or operations generally will be treated in a manner similar to dispositions effected through a U.S. office of a broker. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.
Copies of information returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is incorporated under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder can be refunded or credited against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that an appropriate claim is timely filed with the IRS.
Foreign Accounts
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends (including constructive dividends) on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our Common Stock if paid to a non-U.S. entity unless (i) if the non-U.S. entity is a “foreign financial institution,” the non-U.S. entity undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, (ii) if the non-U.S. entity is not a “foreign financial institution,” the non-U.S. entity identifies certain of its U.S. investors, if any, or (iii) the non-U.S. entity is otherwise exempt under FATCA.
Withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends (including constructive dividends) on our Common Stock. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify the requirements described in this section. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of the tax. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our Common Stock or Pre-Funded Warrants.
The preceding discussion of material U.S. federal tax considerations is for information only. It is not tax advice. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of our Common Stock or Warrants, including the consequences of any proposed changes in applicable laws.
We engaged RBW Capital Partners LLC acting through Dominari Securities LLC to act as our exclusive Placement Agent to solicit offers to purchase the Securities offered by this prospectus on a reasonable best-efforts basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the placement agency agreement dated October [●], 2024. The Placement Agent is not purchasing or selling any of the Securities offered by this prospectus, nor is it required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of Securities, but has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for the sale of the Securities offered hereby. Therefore, we may not sell the entire amount of Securities offered pursuant to this prospectus. The Placement Agent may engage one or more sub-placement agents or selected dealers to assist with the offering. We will enter into a securities purchase agreement directly with certain investors, at the investor’s option, who purchase our Securities in this offering. Investors who do not enter into a securities purchase agreement shall rely solely on this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein in connection with the purchase of our Securities in this offering. In addition to rights and remedies available to all purchasers in this offering under federal securities and state law, the investors which enter into a securities purchase agreement will also be able to bring claims of breach of contract against us. The ability to pursue a claim for breach of contract is material to larger purchasers in this offering as a means to enforce the following covenants uniquely available to them under the securities purchase agreement: (i) a covenant to not enter into variable rate financings for a period of 30 days following the closing of the offering, subject to certain exceptions; and (ii) a covenant to not enter into any equity financings for 30 days from closing of the offering, subject to certain exceptions. The Placement Agent may engage one or more sub-agents or selected dealers in connection with the offering.
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The nature of the representations, warranties and covenants in the securities purchase agreements shall include:
● | standard issuer representations and warranties on matters such as organization, qualification, authorization, no conflict, no governmental filings required, current in SEC filings, no litigation, labor or other compliance issues, environmental, intellectual property and title matters and compliance with various laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and | |
● | covenants regarding matters such as no integration with other offerings, filing of an 8-K to disclose entering into these securities purchase agreements, no shareholder rights plans, no material nonpublic information, use of proceeds, indemnification of purchasers, reservation and listing of common stock, and no subsequent equity sales for 30 days. |
We will deliver the Securities being issued to the investors upon receipt of such investor’s funds for the purchase of the Securities offered pursuant to this prospectus. We will deliver the Securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus upon closing. We expect this offering to be completed not later than one (1) business day following the commencement of this offering. We will deliver all Securities to be issued in connection with this offering delivery versus payment (“DVP”)/receipt versus payment (“RVP”) upon receipt of investor funds received by us. We expect to deliver the Securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus on or about , 2024.
We have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent and specified other persons against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the Placement Agent may be required to make in respect thereof.
Fees and Expenses
The following table shows the public offering price per share of common stock and per Pre-Funded Warrant, placement agent fees payable by us, and proceeds before expenses to us:
Per Share of common stock | Per pre-funded warrant | Total | ||||||||||
Public offering price | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Placement agent fees | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Proceeds before expenses to us | $ | $ | $ |
(1) | We have agreed to pay the placement agent a total cash fee equal to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the offering. We have also agreed to pay the placement agent a non-accountable expense allowance of 1.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the offering, and will reimburse the Placement Agent’s fees and expenses of legal counsel and other out-of-pocket expenses up to $50,000, and clearing agent closing costs, which shall not exceed $15,950. |
(2) | Does not include proceeds from the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants in cash, if any. |
After deducting the placement agent fees and our estimated offering expenses, we expect the net proceeds from this offering to be approximately $4,346,242.00.
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Determination of Offering Price
The public offering price per share that we are offering and the exercise prices and other terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants were negotiated between us and the investors, in consultation with the placement agent based on the trading of our common stock prior to this offering, among other things. Other factors considered in determining the public offering prices of the securities we are offering and the exercise prices and other terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants include the history and prospects of our Company, the stage of development of our business, our business plans for the future and the extent to which they have been implemented, an assessment of our management, general conditions of the securities markets at the time of the offering and such other factors as were deemed relevant.
Lock-up Provisions
We have agreed with the placement agent to be subject to a lock-up period of 30 days following the date of this prospectus. This means that, during the applicable lock-up period, we may not offer for sale, contract to sell, or sell any shares of our common stock, subject to certain customary exceptions. In addition, we have agreed to not issue any securities that are subject to a price reset based on the trading prices of our common stock or upon a specified or contingent event in the future or enter into any agreement to issue securities at a future determined price for a period of 30 days following the closing date of this offering, subject to certain exceptions. The placement agent may, in its sole discretion and without notice, waive the terms of any of these lock-up provisions.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent for our common stock is VStock Transfer, LLC
Nasdaq Listing
Our Common Stock and Class A Warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “DBGI” and “DBGIW,” respectively. On October 1, 2024, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock was $0.3333 per share and Class A Warrants was $12.25 per share. We do not intend to list the Pre-Funded Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading market.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the placement agent against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of representations and warranties contained in our engagement letter with the placement agent. We have also agreed to contribute to payments that the placement agent may be required to make for these liabilities.
In addition, we will indemnify the purchasers of securities in this offering against liabilities arising out of or relating to (i) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by us in the securities purchase agreement or related documents or (ii) any action instituted against a purchaser by a third party (other than a third party who is affiliated with such purchaser) with respect to the securities purchase agreement or related documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, subject to certain exceptions.
Regulation M
The placement agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the sale of our securities offered hereby by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. The placement agent will be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of our securities by the placement agent. Under these rules and regulations, the placement agent may not (i) engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and (ii) bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until they have completed their participation in the distribution.
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Other Relationships
The placement agent and its affiliates may in the future engage in investment banking transactions and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. The placement agent may in the future receive customary fees and commissions for these transactions. However, except as disclosed in this prospectus or in our SEC filings, we have no present arrangements with the placement agent for any further services.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the placement agent and the placement agent may distribute prospectuses electronically. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the placement agent and should not be relied upon by investors.
The validity of the issuance of the common stock and Pre-Funded Warrants offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC, West Palm Beach, Florida. The placement agent is being represented by Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP.
The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, appearing in the Digital Brands Group, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on June 3, 2024, for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by dbbmckennon (with respect to the year ended December 31, 2022) and Macias, Gini and O’Connell LLP (with respect to the year ended December 31, 2023), respectively, independent registered public accounting firms, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
This prospectus omits some information contained in the registration statement in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should review the information and exhibits included in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part for further information about us and the securities we are offering. Statements in this prospectus concerning any document we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or that we otherwise filed with the SEC are not intended to be comprehensive and are qualified by reference to these filings. You should review the complete document to evaluate these statements.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. Information contained in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we have filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024 (File No. 001-40400), as amended by Form 10-K/A (Amendment No. 1) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on June 3, 2024 (File No. 001-40400); | |
● | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 20, 2024 and August 19, 2024 respectively (File No. 001-40400); | |
● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024, May 3, 2024, May 7, 2024, May 21, 2024, May 29, 2024, June 7, 2024, and October 4, 2024 (in each case, excluding Items 2.02 and 7.01 on Form 8-K and Item 9.01 related thereto); and | |
● | The description of our securities contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on May 11, 2021 (File No. 001-40400), pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for purposes of updating such description. |
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This prospectus forms part of a registration statement on Form S-1 that we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. For further information with respect to us and the securities that we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus and registration statement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates thereof.
All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information.
Upon written or oral request, we will provide you without charge a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus including but limited to financial statement information and exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to: Digital Brands Group, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 1400 Lavaca Street, Austin, TX 78701 or call (209) 651-0172. You may access this information at ir.digitalbrandsgroup.co. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.
The SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company, and can be accessed free of charge on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our securities, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document is not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. You may obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is located at http://www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with this law, are required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference facilities and the website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at ir.digitalbrandsgroup.co. You may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.
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Up to 15,001,500 Shares, consisting of
One Share of Common Stock or One Pre-Funded
Warrant to Purchase One Share of Common Stock
Up to 15,001,500 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the
Pre-Funded Warrants
DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.
PROSPECTUS
Sole Placement Agent
RBW Capital Partners LLC
Securities
offered through Dominari Securities LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA)
, 2024
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following table sets forth all expenses to be paid by the registrant, other than estimated placement agent commissions, in connection with our public offering. All amounts shown are estimates except for the SEC registration fee:
Type | Amount | |||
SEC registration fee | $ | 738 | ||
FINRA filing fee | 2,070 | |||
Legal fees and expenses | 100,000 | |||
Accounting fees and expenses | 25,000 | |||
Placement Agent’s accountable expenses | 65,950 | |||
Non-accountable fees | 50,000 | |||
Miscellaneous expense | 10,000 | |||
Total Expenses | $ | 253,758 |
Item 14. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) authorizes a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against liabilities arising out of actions, suits and proceedings to which they are made or threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact of their prior or current service to the corporation as a director or officer, in accordance with the provisions of Section 145, which are sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The indemnity may cover expenses (including attorneys’ fees) judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the director or officer in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding. Section 145 permits corporations to pay expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by directors and officers in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation has the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in their capacity as a director or officer, or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the director or officer against such liability under Section 145.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), provides that (a) any of our directors or officers made a party to an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, or any appeal in such action, suit or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such action, suit or proceeding (each, a “Proceeding”), by reason of such person’s service as our director or officer or as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of another enterprise per our request, shall be indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law against all judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements, and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding; (b) we must advance reasonable expenses incurred in defending any such Proceeding, subject to limited exceptions; and (c) the indemnification rights conferred by it are not exclusive of any rights permitted by law.
As permitted by the DGCL, the Company’s sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides that directors will not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:
● | for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, | |
● | for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, | |
● | under Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions), or | |
● | for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. |
This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
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Our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we shall indemnify our directors, officers, employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law, and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we shall indemnify our directors and officers, and may indemnify our employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We believe that indemnification under our bylaws covers at least negligence and gross negligence on the part of indemnified parties.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of the registrant’s directors shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
Article VII of the by-laws provides that the Company shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or who was or is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, investigation or any other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the corporation or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature (hereinafter a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, liabilities, losses, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such proceeding to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
Article VII of the by-laws further provides that, except with respect to a proceeding to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses under Article VII, the Company shall be required to indemnify a person under this Article VII in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Article VII of the by-laws further provides that the Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the registrant. The Company has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering many of the possible actions and omissions of persons acting or failing to act in such capacities.
Article VII of the by-laws also provides that the Company shall have the power to enter into indemnification agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant in furtherance of the provisions of Article VII. We have entered into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in our sixth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and officers for expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in any action or proceeding arising out of such person’s services as a director or officer or at our request. We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers. There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers, employees or agents. We are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding that might result in a claim for indemnification by a director, officer, employee or agent.
Item 15. | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities. |
During the three fiscal years and interim period preceding the filing of this registration statement, we have issued the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act. Each of the transactions described below was conducted in reliance upon the exemptions from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. No underwriters were involved in the sales and the certificates representing the securities sold and issued contain legends restricting transfer of the securities without registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption from registration.
On August 21, 2023, the Registrant filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect a one-for-twenty-five (1-for-25) reverse stock split effective August 22, 2023. All share and per share information in this Item 15 has been adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
In November 2021, we issued an aggregate 5,200 shares of common stock to Oasis Capital and FirstFire pursuant to waivers and consents in connection with the November note.
In December 2021, we issued an aggregate of 7,658 shares of common stock pursuant to consulting agreements.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued an aggregate of 79,807 shares of common stock pursuant to the conversion of the FirstFire and Oasis Notes.
In April 2022, in connection with the April note agreement, the Company granted warrants to acquire 503 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3,050.00 per share expiring in April 2027.
In July 2022, in connection with the July 22 and July 28 notes, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,645 and 1,106 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $380 and $282.50 per share, respectively. The warrants expire in July 2027.
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In September 2022, the Company issued 30 shares of common stock pursuant to a consultant agreement at a fair value of $123,000.
In October 2022 the Company issued 6,300 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock to a lender in satisfaction of $6.25 million of indebtedness owed
In November 2022, the Company issued 72,727 Class B Warrants and 72,727 Class C Warrants to an accredited investor. Each Class B Warrant has an exercise price of $131.25 per share, is immediately exercisable upon issuance, and expires five years after issuance. Each Class C Warrant has an exercise price of $131.25 per share, is immediately exercisable upon issuance, and expires thirteen months after issuance. The Company also granted the 5,455 warrants to a placement agent, which are exercisable 180 days after issuance and expire in five years.
In November 2022, the Company granted 1,760 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $125.00 to a lender in connection with its merchant advances.
As part of the Sundry acquisition, in December 2022, the Company issued 3,636 shares of common stock to the Sundry Sellers at a fair value of $1,000,000.
In December 2022, in connection with the December Notes, the Company issued 2,400 shares of common stock.
In December 2022, in connection with the December Notes, the Company issued to the investors an aggregate of 18,779 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price equal to $106.50. The warrants are immediately exercisable.
In connection with the January 2023 Private Placement, the Company, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with a certain accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement (the “January Private Placement”), an aggregate of 19,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”), and accompanying warrants to purchase 19,000 shares of Common Stock, at a combined purchase price of $97.88 per share and Common Warrant, and (ii) the Company granted 32,086 pre-funded warrants which were immediately exercised for shares of common stock. The Company also granted an additional 51,086 warrants as part of the offering. Each warrant has an exercise price of $3.80 per share, is immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires five years after issuance. The Company also granted the placement agent 3,831 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $122.35 per share, which is immediately exercisable upon issuance and expires five years after issuance.
In January 2023, the Company issued 4,440 shares of common stock at a fair value of $322,300 to a former convertible noteholder pursuant to default provisions.
In March 2023, in connection with merchant advances, the Company granted 6,113 warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $131.25. The warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance and expire five years after issuance.
In March 2023, the Company issued an aggregate of 4,756 shares of common stock to Sundry executives based on their employment agreements with the Company. The fair value of $499,338, or $105.00 per share, as determined by the agreements, was included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
In May 2023, the Company entered into a Subscription and Investment Representation Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with John Hilburn Davis IV, its Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell 1 share of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) for $25,000. The Series B Preferred Stock by its terms was automatically redeemed on August 21, 2023. On September 13, 2023, the Company filed a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of the time of filing, cancelling the Series B Certificate of Designation, and thereby eliminating all Series B Preferred Stock.
In June 2023, the Company issued 78,103 shares of common stock in partial satisfaction of a settlement agreement regarding a dispute with the former owners of Harper & Jones LLC at a per share purchase price of $17.925.
In June 2023, the Company issued 5,761 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to the former owners of Sunnyside LLC a lender in satisfaction of approximately $5.8 million of indebtedness owed.
In September 2023, pursuant to the Company’s 2023 Stock Plan, certain qualified employees of the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement and purchased in aggregate 63,000 restricted shares of common stock at a purchase price of $10.43 per share.
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On or around September 5, 2023, the Company closed a private placement pursuant to a securities purchase agreement with a certain accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell, in a private placement (the “September Private Placement”), (i) 32,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, (ii) 481,875 pre-funded warrants exercisable for 481,875 shares of Common Stock, (iii) Series A Warrants to purchase up to 513,875 shares of Common Stock (the “Series A Warrants”), and (iv) Series B Warrants to purchase up to 513,875 shares of Common Stock (the “Series B Warrants, and collectively with the Series A Warrants, the “Existing Warrants”), at a combined purchase price of $9.73 per unit, for aggregate gross proceeds from the September Private Placement of approximately $5 million. The Company received net proceeds of $3.8 million after deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses.
In September 2023, the Company issued 42,782 shares in accrued amounts owed to Sundry executives based on their employment agreements for a total value of $500,000.
In October 2023, 975 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock converted into 54,394 shares of common stock.
In February 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 52,994 shares of common stock to a marketing vendor for services. The fair value of $173,290 or $3.27 per share as determined by the agreements, was included in sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
In February 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 15,589 shares of common stock to a vendor as conversion of accounts payable for a total value of $50,975.
In March 2024, 3,042 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock converted into 169,711 shares of common stock.
On May 3, 2024, the Company entered into that certain inducement offer to exercise common stock purchase warrants with the Investor (the “Inducement Agreement”), pursuant to which (i) the Company agreed to lower the exercise price of the Existing Warrants to $3.13 per share and (ii) the Investor agreed to exercise the Existing Warrants into 1,027,750 shares of common stock (the “Exercise Shares”) by payment of the aggregate exercise price of $3,216,857. The closing occurred on May 7, 2024. The Company has issued 378,750 of the 1,027,750 shares of common stock underlying the Existing Warrants, with the balance to be held in abeyance, which abeyance shall be evidenced through the Existing Warrants and shall be deemed prepaid thereafter (including the cash payment in full of the exercise price), and exercised pursuant to a Notice of Exercise in the Existing Warrants (provided no additional exercise price shall be due and payable). The Company received the entire gross proceeds of $3,216,857 in May 2024, which represents the exercise of the entire 1,027,750 warrants at the $3.13 exercise price. The Company received net proceeds of $2,877,475 after placement agent fees and expenses. In addition, pursuant to the Inducement Agreement, the Company issued to the Investor a Series A-1 common share purchase warrant to purchase up to 1,027,750 shares of Common Stock (“Series A-1 Warrant”) and Series B-1 common share purchase warrant to purchase up to 1,027,750 shares of Common Stock (“Series B-1 Warrant”, and collectively with the Series A-1 Warrant, the “Warrants”) on May 7, 2024, each at an initial exercise price equal to $2.88 per share of Common Stock. The Series A-1 Warrant are exercisable immediately upon issuance and expires five and one-half (5.5) years following the issuance date and the Series B-1 Warrant are exercisable immediately upon issuance and expires fifteen (15) months following the issuance date. In connection with the Inducement Agreement, we entered into an engagement agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”), pursuant to which we have, among other things, issued to Wainwright’s designees warrants to purchase up to 77,081 shares of Common Stock (the “Wainwright Warrants”). The terms of the Wainwright Warrants are substantially the same as the terms of the Series A-1 Warrant except that they have an exercise price of $3.9125 per share.
Item 16. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
(a) | Exhibits. The list of exhibits preceding the signature page of this registration statement is incorporated herein by reference. |
(b) | Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules. All schedules are omitted because the required information is inapplicable, or the information is presented in the financial statements and the related notes. |
Item 17. | Undertakings |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
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(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to any charter provision, by law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof
EXHIBIT INDEX
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* Filed herewith.
†Management contract, compensation plan or arrangement.
**Previously filed.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Austin, State of Texas on October 7, 2024.
Digital Brands Group, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ John Hilburn Davis IV | |
John Hilburn Davis IV | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on October 7, 2024.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ John Hilburn David IV | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director | October 7, 2024 | ||
John Hilburn David IV | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
* | Chief Financial Officer | October 7, 2024 | ||
Reid Yeoman | (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) | |||
* | Director | October 7, 2024 | ||
Mark T. Lynn | ||||
* | Director | October 7, 2024 | ||
Trevor Pettennude | ||||
* | Director | October 7, 2024 | ||
Jameeka Aaron Green | ||||
* | Director | October 7, 2024 | ||
Huong “Lucy” Doan |
*By: | /s/ John Hilburn David IV | |
John Hilburn David IV | ||
Attorney-in-fact* |
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Exhibit 1.1
Form of Placement Agency Agreement
October __, 2024
Digital Brands Group, Inc.
1400 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
Attention: John Hilburn Davis IV, Chief Executive Officer
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter agreement (the “Agreement”) constitutes the agreement between RBW Capital Partners LLC acting through Dominari Securities LLC (the “Placement Agent”) and Digital Brands Group, Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), pursuant to which the Placement Agent shall serve as the exclusive placement agent for the Company, on a “reasonable best efforts” basis, in connection with the proposed placement (the “Placement”) of common shares of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Shares”) and/or pre-funded warrants to purchase Common Shares (“Pre-Funded Warrants”, and together with the Common Shares, the “Securities”). The terms of the Placement shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the purchasers (each, a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”) and nothing herein provides or contemplates that the Placement Agent would have the power or authority to bind the Company or any Purchaser or obligates the Company to issue any Securities or complete the Placement. This Agreement and the documents executed and delivered by the Company and the Purchasers in connection with the Placement, including but not limited to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below), shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents”. The date of the closing of the Placement shall be referred to herein as the “Closing Date”. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Placement Agent hereunder are on a reasonable best efforts basis only and that the execution of this Agreement does not constitute a commitment by the Placement Agent to purchase any Securities and does not ensure the successful placement of any Securities or the success of the Placement Agent with respect to securing any other financing on behalf of the Company. Following the prior written consent of the Company, the Placement Agent may retain other brokers or dealers to act as sub-agents or selected-dealers on its behalf in connection with the Placement. The sale of the Securities to any Purchaser will be evidenced by a securities purchase agreement (each a “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and such Purchaser in a form mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Placement Agent. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Purchase Agreement. Prior to the signing of any Purchase Agreement, executive officers of the Company will be available upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours to answer inquiries from prospective Purchasers.
SECTION 1. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. Each of the representations and warranties (together with any related disclosure schedules thereto) and covenants made by the Company to the Purchasers in the Purchase Agreement in connection with the Placement is hereby incorporated herein by reference into this Agreement (as though fully restated herein) and is, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, hereby made to, and in favor of, the Placement Agent.
A. Representations and Warranties and the Company. In addition to the foregoing, the Company represents and warrants to the Placement Agent as follows:
1. The Company has prepared and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282047), and amendments thereto, for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Securities, which registration statement, as so amended (including post-effective amendments, if any) became effective on [*], 2024. Such registration statement as amended, including the exhibits thereto, as of the date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the “Registration Statement”. Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement shall each be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”) on or before the date of this Agreement; and any reference in this Agreement to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), after the date of this Agreement, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included,” “described,” “referenced,” “set forth” or “stated” in the Registration Statement (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued, and no proceeding for any such purpose is pending or has been initiated or, to the Company’s knowledge, is threatened by the Commission. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Time of Sale Prospectus” means the preliminary prospectus, if any, together with the free writing prospectuses, if any, used in connection with the Placement, including any documents incorporated by reference therein.
2. The Registration Statement (and any further documents to be filed with the Commission) contains all exhibits and schedules as required by the Securities Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder (the “Rules and Regulations”) and did not and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Incorporated Documents, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, and none of such documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to Incorporated Documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations, as applicable, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting any facts or events arising after the date thereof which represent, individually or in the aggregate, a fundamental change in the information set forth therein is required to be filed with the Commission. There are no documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby that (x) have not been filed as required pursuant to the Securities Act or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement and Time of Sale Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which (x) have not been described or filed as required or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period.
3. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed, and none of them will distribute, prior to the Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Time of Sale Prospectus.
4. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of each of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) or the Company’s shareholders in connection therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals (as defined in the Purchase Agreements). This Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by the Company and, when duly executed by the Placement Agent and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
5. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to which it is a party do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any subsidiary is bound or affected (except with respect to the letter agreement by and between the Company and H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“HCW”) dated on or around September 5, 2024, provided, that a written waiver has been signed by the aforementioned parties with respect to the Placement (the “HCW Waiver”)), or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreements).
6. Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Placement Agent or to counsel for the Placement Agent shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Placement Agent as to the matters set forth therein.
7. The Company acknowledges that the Placement Agent will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and warranties and hereby consents to such reliance.
8. No forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement or the Time of Sale Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.
9. Any statistical, industry-related and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or Time of Sale Prospectus, are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.
10. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreements. There are no other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its shareholders that may affect the Placement Agent’s compensation, as determined by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Other than payments to the Placement Agent for this Placement, the Company has not made and has no agreements, arrangements or understanding to make any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) any FINRA member participating in the offering as defined in FINRA Rule 5110 (a “Participating Member”); or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any Participating Member, within the 180-day period preceding the initial filing of the Registration Statement through the 60-day period after the effective date of the Registration Statement. None of the net proceeds of the Placement will be paid by the Company to any Participating Member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein and the HCW Waiver. To the Company’s knowledge, no officer, director or any beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Company’s Common Shares or Common Share Equivalents has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any Participating Member in the Placement. Except for securities purchased on the open market, no Company affiliate is an owner of stock or other securities of any Participating Member. No affiliate of the Company has made a loan to any Participating Member. No proceeds from the sale of the Securities (excluding placement agent compensation as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus) will be paid to any Participating Member, any persons associated with a Participating Member or an affiliate of a Participating Member. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Time of Sale Prospectus, the Company has not issued any warrants or other securities or granted any options, directly or indirectly, to the Placement Agent within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement. Except for securities issued to the Placement Agent as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus, no person to whom securities of the Company have been privately issued within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement with the Commission is a Participating Member, is a person associated with a Participating Member or is an affiliate of a Participating Member. No Participating Member in the Placement has a conflict of interest with the Company. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” exists when a Participating Member, the parent or affiliate of a Participating Member or any person associated with a Participating Member in the aggregate beneficially own 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding subordinated debt or common equity, or 5% or more of the Company’s preferred equity. “FINRA member participating in the Placement” includes any associated person of a Participating Member in the Placement, any member of such associated person’s immediate family and any affiliate of a Participating Member in the Placement. When used in this Section 1.A.10 the term “affiliate of a FINRA member” or “affiliated with a FINRA member” means an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a FINRA member. The Company will advise the Placement Agent and its counsel if it learns that any officer, director or owner of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Shares or Common Share Equivalents is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a Participating Member.
11. The Board of Directors is comprised of the persons designated with the title of “Director” under the heading of the Registration Statement captioned “Signatures.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the Board of Directors comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the rules of the Trading Market (as defined below). In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent” as defined under the rules of the Trading Market.
12. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires most recently completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers is true and correct in all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in such questionnaires become inaccurate and incorrect.
B. Covenants of the Company.
1. The Company has delivered, or will as promptly as practicable deliver, to the Placement Agent materially complete conformed copies of the Registration Statement and of each consent and certificate of experts, as applicable, filed as a part thereof, and conformed copies of the Registration Statement (without exhibits), the Time of Sale Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in such quantities and at such places as the Placement Agent reasonably requests. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to each Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities pursuant to the Placement other than the Registration Statement, the Time of Sale Prospectus, copies of the documents incorporated by reference therein and any other materials permitted by the Securities Act.
2. The Purchase Agreements as in effect on the date hereof may not be amended or waived without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent.
3. The Company covenants that it will not, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a Company Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Securities Act. In the event that the Placement Agent expressly consents in writing to any such free writing prospectus (a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”), the Company covenants that it shall (i) treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Company Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) comply with the requirements of Rule 164 and 433 of the Securities Act applicable to such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.
4. The Company will maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for its Common Shares.
SECTION 2. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PLACEMENT AGENT. The Placement Agent represents and warrants that it (i) is a member in good standing of FINRA, (ii) is registered as a broker/dealer under the Exchange Act, (iii) is licensed as a broker/dealer under the law of the States applicable to the offers and sales of the Securities by such Placement Agent, (iv) is and will be a company entity validly existing under the law of its place of organization, and (v) has full power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Placement Agent covenants that it will use its reasonable best efforts to conduct the Placement hereunder in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the requirements of applicable law.
SECTION 3. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES. In consideration of the services to be provided b the Placement Agent hereunder, the Company shall pay to the Placement Agent the following compensation with respect to the Securities which they are placing:
A. A cash fee equal to an aggregate of eight percent (8.0%) of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Placement (the “Cash Fee”). The Cash Fee shall be paid at the Closing of the Placement.
B. The Company will be responsible for and will pay, out of the proceeds of the Closing, a non-accountable expense allowance equal to 1.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Placement and all accountable expenses relating to the Placement, including, without limitation, (a) all filing fees and expenses relating to the registration of the securities with the Commission; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of the securities on a national exchange, if applicable; (c) all filing fees and communication expenses associated with the review of the Placement by FINRA (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as Placement Agent may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Company’s “blue sky” counsel, which will be the Placement Agent’s counsel) unless such filings are not required in connection with the Company’s proposed listing on a national exchange, if applicable; (e) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the securities under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Placement Agent’s may reasonably designate; (f) the costs of all mailing and printing of the Placement documents; and (g) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (h) a maximum of $50,000 for fees and expenses including “road show”, diligence, and reasonable legal fees and disbursements for counsel to the Placement Agent. The Company shall be responsible for the Placement Agent’s external counsel legal costs detailed in this Section regardless of whether the Placement is consummated; and (i) closing costs, which shall also include the reimbursement of the out-of-pocket cost of the escrow agent or clearing agent, as applicable, which closing costs shall not exceed $15,950. The Placement Agent may deduct from the net proceeds of the Placement payable to the Company on the Closing Date the expenses set forth herein to be paid by the Company to the Underwriters.
C. The Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, it will not, for a period of 30 days after the date of this Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities in a Variable Rate Transaction (as defined in the Purchase Agreements); (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; or (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
D. The Placement Agent reserves the right to reduce any item of its compensation or adjust the terms thereof as specified herein in the event at a determination shall be made by FINRA to the effect that such Placement Agent’s aggregate compensation hereunder is in excess of the rules of FINRA or that the terms thereof require adjustment.
SECTION 4. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Provisions (the “Indemnification”) attached hereto as Exhibit A, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
SECTION 5. ENGAGEMENT TERM. The term of the Placement Agent’s engagement hereunder shall be through October __, 2024 (such date, the “Termination Date” and the period of time during which this Agreement remains in effect is referred to herein as the “Term”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions concerning the Company’s obligation to pay any fees actually earned pursuant to Section 3 hereof, expense reimbursement pursuant to Section 3 hereof, confidentiality, indemnification and contribution contained herein and the Company’s obligations contained in the Indemnification Provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the completion of the Placement, all fees and expense reimbursement due to the Placement Agent shall be paid by the Company to the Placement Agent on or before the Termination Date (in the event such fees are earned or owed as of the Termination Date). “Notwithstanding the forgoing, if this Agreement is terminated for cause, no fee shall be payable by the Company under this Section 5 and the Company shall have no obligation under this Section 5, as provided in FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(B).”
SECTION 6. PLACEMENT AGENT INFORMATION. The Company agrees that any information or advice rendered by the Placement Agent in connection with this engagement is for the confidential use of the Company only in their evaluation of the Placement and, except as otherwise required by law, the Company will not disclose or otherwise refer to the advice or information in any manner without such Placement Agent’s prior written consent.
SECTION 7. NO FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Placement Agent is not, nor shall the Placement Agent be construed as, a fiduciary of the Company, and the Placement Agent shall not have any duties or liabilities to the equity holders or the creditors of the Company or any other person by virtue of this Agreement or the retention of the Placement Agent hereunder, all of which are hereby expressly waived.
SECTION 8. CLOSING. The obligations of the Placement Agent, and the closing of the sale of the Securities hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and on the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein and in the Purchase Agreement, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of their obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions, except as otherwise disclosed to and acknowledged and waived by the Placement Agent by the Company:
A. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included in the Registration Statement or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Placement Agent. Any filings required to be made by the Company in connection with the Placement shall have been timely filed with the Commission.
B. The Placement Agent shall not have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Placement Agent, is material or omits to state any fact which, in the reasonable opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and was not remedied prior to the Closing Date by the filing of an amendment to the Registration Statement.
C. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form, execution, delivery and validity of each of this Agreement, the Securities, the Registration Statement and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Placement Agent, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
D. The Placement Agent shall have received from Anthony, Linder, & Cacomanolis, PLLC, counsel to the Company, written opinion and negative assurance letter with respect to the Securities, addressed to the Placement Agent and dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Placement Agent.
E. The Placement Agent shall have completed its due diligence investigation of the Company to the satisfaction of the Placement Agent and its counsel.
F. On the Closing Date, the Placement Agent shall have received a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated, as applicable, as of the date of such Closing, to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the applicable date, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and in the Purchase Agreement were and are accurate in all material respects, except for such changes as are contemplated by this Agreement and except as to representations and warranties that were expressly limited to a state of facts existing at a time prior to the applicable Closing Date and as set forth on any related disclosure schedules thereto, and that, as of the applicable date, the obligations to be performed by the Company hereunder on or prior thereto have been fully performed in all material respects. Such officer shall also provide a customary assurances as to such accounting or financial matters that are included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement dated as of the date Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Placement Agent.
G. On the Closing Date, the Placement Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying to the organizational documents, good standing in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company and board resolutions relating to the Placement of the Securities from the Company.
H. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) shall have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood, terrorist act or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, or (ii) since such date there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any material change, or any development involving a prospective material change, in or affecting the business, general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders’ equity, or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, and (iii) since such date there shall not have been any new or renewed inquiries by the Commission, FINRA or any other regulatory body regarding the Company, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii), is, in the judgment of the Placement Agent, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus.
I. The Common Shares shall be registered under the Exchange Act and, as the Closing Date, the Common Shares shall be listed and admitted and authorized for trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Trading Market”). The Company shall have taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting or suspending from trading from the Trading Market, nor, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Time of Sale Prospectus, shall the Company have received any information suggesting that the Commission or the Trading Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.
J. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or materially and adversely affect or potentially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued as of the Closing Date which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or materially and adversely affect or potentially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company.
K. The Company shall have prepared and filed with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the Placement, including this Agreement as an exhibit thereto.
L. The Company shall have entered into a Purchase Agreement with each of the Purchasers and such agreements shall be in full force and effect and shall contain representations, warranties and covenants of the Company as agreed between the Company and the Purchasers.
M. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Placement Agent shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Placement hereunder.
N. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Placement Agent such further information, certificates and documents as the Placement Agent may reasonably request.
If any of the conditions specified in this Section 8 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required by this Agreement, or if any of the certificates, opinions, written statements or letters furnished to the Placement Agent or to the Placement Agent’s counsel pursuant to this Section 8 shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Placement Agent and to the Placement Agent’s counsel, all obligations of the Placement Agent hereunder may be terminated by the Placement Agent at, or at any time prior to, the consummation of the Closing. Notice of such termination shall be given to the Company in writing or orally. Any such oral notice shall be confirmed promptly thereafter in writing.
SECTION 9. GOVERNING LAW / VENUE. This Agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in such State. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any dispute arising under this Agreement may be brought in FINRA arbitration in New York, NY. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by delivering a copy thereof via overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provisions of a Transaction Document, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
SECTION 10. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. Each of the parties waives any right to trial by jury with respect to any dispute arising under or relating to this Agreement or any transaction or conduct in connection herewith.
SECTION 11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the attached Indemnification Provisions) embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, relating to the subject matter hereof.
SECTION 12. ENFORCEABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such determination will not affect such provision in any other respect or any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may not be amended or otherwise modified or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by both Placement Agent and the Company.
SECTION 13. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained herein shall survive the closing of the Placement and delivery of the Securities.
SECTION 14. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement does not create and shall not be construed as creating rights enforceable by any person or entity not a party hereto, except those entitled hereto by virtue of the Indemnification Provisions hereof.
SECTION 15. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or a .pdf format file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or .pdf signature page were an original thereof.
SECTION 16. HEADINGS. The headings of the sections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and in no way define, limit or affect the scope or substance of any section of this Agreement.
SECTION 17. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Placement Agent (i) will keep the Confidential Information (as such term is defined below) confidential and will not (except as required by applicable law or stock exchange requirement, regulation or legal process (“Legal Requirement”), without the Company’s prior written consent, disclose to any person any Confidential Information, and (ii) will not use any Confidential Information other than in connection with the Placement. The Placement Agent further agrees to disclose the Confidential Information only to its Representatives (as such term is defined below) who need to know the Confidential Information for the purpose of the Placement, and who are informed by such Placement Agent of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information. The term “Confidential Information” shall mean, all confidential, proprietary and non-public information (whether written, oral or electronic communications) furnished by the Company to a Placement Agent or its Representatives in connection with such Placement Agent’s evaluation of the Placement. The term “Confidential Information” will not, however, include information which (i) is or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a disclosure by a Placement Agent or its Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) is or becomes available to a Placement Agent or any of its Representatives on a non-confidential basis from a third-party, (iii) is known to a Placement Agent or any of its Representatives prior to disclosure by the Company or any of its Representatives, or (iv) is or has been independently developed by a Placement Agent and/or the Representatives without use of any Confidential Information furnished to it by the Company. The term “Representatives” shall mean with respect to the Placement Agent, such Placement Agent’s directors, board committees, officers, employees, financial advisors, attorneys and accountants. This provision shall be in full force until the earlier of (a) the date that the Confidential Information ceases to be confidential and (b) two years from the date hereof. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, in the event that the Placement Agent or any of its Representatives are required by Legal Requirement to disclose any of the Confidential Information, such Placement Agent and its Representatives will furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information which such Placement Agent or its Representative, as applicable, is required to disclose by Legal Requirement as advised by counsel, and will use reasonable efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information so disclosed.
SECTION 18. NOTICES. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is sent to the email address specified on the signature pages attached hereto prior to 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a business day, (b) the next business day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is sent to the email address on the signature pages hereto on a day that is not a business day or later than 6:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any business day, (c) the third business day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. internationally recognized air courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages hereto.
SECTION 19. Press AnnouncementS. The Company agrees that the Placement Agent shall, from and after the Closing, have the right to reference the Placement and the Placement Agent’s role in connection therewith in the Placement Agent’s marketing materials and on its website and to place advertisements in financial and other newspapers and journals, in each case at its own expense.
[Signature page follows]
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement by signing and returning to the Placement Agent the enclosed copy of this Agreement.
Very truly yours,
RBW CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Philip Gaucher | |
Title: | Managing Partner |
Address for notice:
RBW Capital Partners LLC
1511 Ponce De Leon, Unit 1092
San Juan, PR 00909
Attention: Philip Gaucher
Managing Partner
Email: pgaucher@rbwcap.com
DOMINARI SECURITIES LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Cosme Ordonez | |
Title: | Managing Director, Head of Investment Banking |
Address for notice:
Dominari Securities LLC
725 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10022
Attention: Dr. Cosme Ordonez
Managing Director, Head of Investment Banking
Email: cordonez@dominarisecurities.com
[Signature Page to the Placement Agency Agreement]
Accepted
and Agreed to as of
the date first written above:
Digital Brands Group Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | John Hilburn Davis IV | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
Address for notice:
1400 Lavaca Street | ||
Austin, TX 78701 | ||
Attn: | John Hilburn Davis IV | |
Email: |
[Signature Page to the Placement Agency Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS
1. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify the Placement Agent and its respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees and controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) against all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities, as the same are incurred (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), relating to or arising out of its activities hereunder or pursuant to the Agreement, except, with regard to the Placement Agent, to the extent that any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) are found in a final judgment (not subject to appeal) by a court of law to have resulted primarily and directly from such Placement Agent’s willful misconduct or gross negligence in performing the services described herein, as the case may be.
2. Promptly after receipt by the Placement Agent of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which such Placement Agent is entitled to indemnity hereunder, such Placement Agent will notify the Company in writing of such claim or of the commencement of such action or proceeding, and the Company will assume the defense of such action or proceeding and will employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Placement Agent and will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Placement Agent will be entitled to employ counsel separate from counsel for the Company and from any other party in such action if counsel for such Placement Agent reasonably determines that it would be inappropriate under the applicable rules of professional responsibility for the same counsel to represent both the Company and such Placement Agent. In such event, the reasonable fees and disbursements of no more than one such separate counsel will be paid by the Company. The Company will have the exclusive right to settle the claim or proceeding provided that the Company will not settle any such claim, action or proceeding without the prior written consent of the Placement Agent, which will not be unreasonably withheld.
3. The Company agrees to notify the Placement Agent promptly of the assertion against it or any other person of any claim or the commencement of any action or proceeding relating to a transaction contemplated by the Agreement.
4. If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is unavailable to the Placement Agent or insufficient to hold such Placement Agent harmless, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Placement Agent, as the case may be, to the extent reasonable, as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand, and such Placement Agent on the other, but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and such Placement Agent on the other that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any relevant equitable considerations. The amounts paid or payable by a party in respect of losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include any reasonable legal or other reasonable fees and expenses incurred in defending any litigation, proceeding or other action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions hereof, no Placement Agent’s share of the liability hereunder shall be in excess of the amount of fees actually received, or to be received, by such Placement Agent under the Agreement (excluding any amounts received as reimbursement of expenses incurred by such Placement Agent).
5. These Indemnification Provisions shall remain in full force and effect whether or not the transaction contemplated by the Agreement is completed and shall survive the termination of the Agreement, and shall be in addition to any liability that the Company might otherwise have to any indemnified party under the Agreement or otherwise.
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Exhibit 4.32
FORM OF PRE-FUNDED COMMON SHARES PURCHASE WARRANT
DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP INC.
Warrant Shares: [_______] | Initial Exercise Date: _______ [●], 2024 |
THIS PRE-FUNDED COMMON SHARES PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, _____________ or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and until this Warrant is exercised in full (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Digital Brands Group Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), up to ______ Common Shares, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Warrant Shares”). The purchase price of one Common Share under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated _______ [●], 2024, among the Company and the purchaser(s) signatory thereto. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:
“Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Shares are then listed on a Trading Market that is a national exchange, the bid price of the Common Shares for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Shares are then quoted on a Trading Market that is the OTCQB or OTCQX, the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Shares are then quoted on a Trading Market that is the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Shares so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Shares as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Trading Market” means the principal securities exchange or trading market where such Common Shares are listed or traded, including but not limited to any tier of the OTC Markets, the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or the New York Stock Exchange (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Shares are then listed on a Trading Market that is a national exchange, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Shares are then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b) if the Common Shares are then quoted on a Trading Market that is the OTCQB or OTCQX, the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Shares are then quoted on a Trading Market that is the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per Common Share so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a Common Share as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.
“Warrants” means this Warrant and other Pre-Funded Warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Purchase Agreement on or around the date hereof.
Section 2. Exercise.
a) Exercise of Warrant. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(e) herein, exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver to the Company the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer in United States dollars unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall lower the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver to the Holder any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
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b) Exercise Price. The aggregate exercise price of this Warrant, except for a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per Warrant Share, was pre-funded to the Company on or prior to the Initial Exercise Date and, consequently, no additional consideration (other than the nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per Warrant Share) shall be required to be paid by the Holder to any Person to effect any exercise of this Warrant. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever, including in the event this Warrant shall not have been exercised prior to the Termination Date. The remaining unpaid exercise price per Warrant Share under this Warrant shall be $0.0001, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).
c) Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof, there is no effective registration statement registering the Warrant Shares or the prospectus contained therein is not available for issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may be exercised, in whole or in part by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) | = | as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(68) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z) the Bid Price of the Common Shares on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day; |
(B) | = | the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and |
(X) | = | the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise. |
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If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).
d) Mechanics of Exercise.
i. | Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the instance of a cashless exercise) is received by the Company one (1) Trading Day prior to such second Trading Day after the delivery of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company, and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”), provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the instance of a cashless exercise) is received by the Company one (1) Trading Day prior to such number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery. Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason (other than failure of the Holder to timely deliver the aggregate Exercise Price, unless the Warrant is validly exercised by means of a cashless exercise) to deliver or cause the delivery to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Share on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Share as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder. |
ii. | Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant. |
iii. | Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise and, if rescinded, the Company shall not be liable for any amounts under Section 1d) i. of this Warrant. |
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iv. | Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date (other than as a result of failure of the Holder to timely deliver the aggregate Exercise Price, unless the Warrant is validly exercised by means of a cashless exercise), and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, Common Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the Common Shares so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of Common Shares that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Shares having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of this Warrant to purchase Common Shares with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver Common Shares upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof. |
v. | No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share. |
vi. | Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. |
vii. | Closing of Books. The Company will not close its shareholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof. |
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e) Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of Common Shares that are beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of Common Shares that are issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of Common Shares which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or non-converted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Share Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties. For purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination, and a submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Holder of the foregoing determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding Common Shares, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding Common Shares as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of Common Shares outstanding. Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of Common Shares then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding Common Shares shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding Common Shares was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by the Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of the Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of the Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e); provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of the Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.
Section 3. Certain Adjustments.
a) Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on its Common Shares or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in Common Shares (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Common Shares issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding Common Shares into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of the Common Shares any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of Common Shares (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.
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b) Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Share Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Shares (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of Common Shares acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Shares are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such Common Shares as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
c) Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of Common Shares, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) except to the extent an adjustment was already made pursuant to Section 3(a) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of Common Shares acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Shares are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any Common Shares as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).
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d) Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, and after giving effect to such transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own less than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Company or the successor entity of such transaction, (ii) the Company (and all of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Shares are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares or 50% or more of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires more than 50% of the outstanding Common Shares (not including any Common Shares held by the other Person or other Persons making or party to, or associated or affiliated with the other Persons making or party to, such stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination) (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of Common Shares of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of Common Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one Common Share in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Shares are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holders holding Warrants to purchase at least a majority of the Common Shares underlying the then outstanding Warrants (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the Common Shares acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the Common Shares pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holders holding Warrants to purchase at least a majority of the Common Shares underlying the then outstanding Warrants. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein.
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e) Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of Common Shares deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
f) Notice to Holder.
i. | Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by facsimile or email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. |
ii. | Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a Distribution on the Common Shares, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Shares, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Shares, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Shares are converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by facsimile or email to the Holder at its last facsimile number or email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 10 Trading Days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Shares of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Shares of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 6-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein. |
g) Voluntary Adjustment By Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant, subject to the prior written consent of the Holder, reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.
Section 4. Transfer of Warrant.
a) Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. This Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
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b) New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the Initial Exercise Date and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.
c) Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes.
Section 5. General Provisions.
a) No Rights as Shareholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.
b) Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of an affidavit of loss reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.
c) Weekends and Holidays. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Trading Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Trading Day.
d) Authorized Shares.
The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Shares a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Shares may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its articles of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
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Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
e) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the courts of the State of New York and of the United States of America, in each case sitting in the City and County of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.
f) Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
g) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at 4700 S Boyle Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90058 Attention: Hil Davis, Chief Executive Officer, email address: hil@dstld.la or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously furnish such notice to the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
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i) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Share or as a shareholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
j) Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
k) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
l) Amendment; Waiver. This Warrant may be modified or amended (or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder, on the other hand.
m) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
n) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
********************
(Signature Page Follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.
DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | Hil Davis | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
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NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP INC.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
☐ wire transfer in lawful money of the United States; or
☐ if permitted, the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3) Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:
_______________________________
The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]
Name of Investing Entity: ___________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity: _____________________________________________________
Name of Authorized Signatory: _______________________________________________________________________
Title of Authorized Signatory: ________________________________________________________________________
Date: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
Name: | |
(Please Print) | |
Address: | |
(Please Print) | |
Phone Number: | |
Email Address: |
Dated: |
Holder’s Signature: | ||
Holder’s Address: |
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Exhibit 5.1
LAURA ANTHONY, ESQ. CRAIG D. LINDER, ESQ.* JOHN CACOMANOLIS, ESQ.**
Associates and OF COUNSEL: CHAD FRIEND, ESQ., LLM MICHAEL R. GEROE, ESQ., CIPP/US*** JESSICA HAGGARD, ESQ. **** christopher t. hines ***** PETER P. LINDLEY, ESQ., CPA, MBA JOHN LOWY, ESQ.****** STUART REED, ESQ. LAZARUS ROTHSTEIN, ESQ. SVETLANA ROVENSKAYA, ESQ.******* HARRIS TULCHIN, ESQ. ******** |
WWW.ALCLAW.COM
WWW.SECURITIESLAWBLOG.COM
DIRECT E-MAIL: LANTHONY@ALCLAW.COM
|
*licensed in CA, FL and NY
**licensed in FL and NY
***licensed in CA, DC, MO and NY
****licensed in Missouri
*****licensed in CA and DC
******licensed in NY and NJ
*******licensed in NY and NJ
********licensed in CA and HI (inactive in HI)
October 7, 2024
Digital Brands Group, Inc.
1400 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78701
Re: Digital Brands Group, Inc. – Registration Statement on Form S-1
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Digital Brands Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on October 7, 2024, and as thereafter amended, (the “Registration Statement”), with respect to the Company’s offering (the “Offering”) of up to $5,000,000 of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) or one Pre-Funded Warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”). As used herein, (i) the Common Stock are referred to as the “Shares,” (ii) the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants are referred to as the “Pre-Funded Warrant Shares,” and (iii) the Shares, Pre-Funded Warrants, and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares are collectively referred to as the “Securities”).
In our capacity as counsel to the Company, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the prospectus of the Company (the “Prospectus”) included in the Registration Statement and (iii) such corporate documents and records of the Company and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities to complete the execution of documents. As to various questions of fact which are material to the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors of the Company and others.
We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion, without investigation, that (i) all documents contemplated by the Prospectus to be executed in connection with the Offering have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Company, (ii) the terms of the Offering comply in all respects with the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and all of the instruments, agreements and other documents relating thereto or executed in connection therewith, and (iii) all Shares and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares will be issued in compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities and other laws (other than the laws of the State of New York and the State of Delaware in respect of which we are opining).
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard for such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that under the laws of the State of Delaware:
1. The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company.
2. The Shares, when issued, sold and paid for as contemplated in the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
3. Assuming the Pre-Funded Warrants are issued and delivered as contemplated in the Prospectus, the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, when issued and delivered upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard for such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that under the laws of the State of New York:
The Pre-Funded Warrants, when issued, sold and paid for as contemplated in the Prospectus, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof (i) may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, fraudulent obligation, moratorium or other similar laws affecting generally the enforceability of creditors’ rights and remedies or the collection of debtor’s obligations from time to time in effect, and (ii) is subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, including the application of principles of good faith, fair dealing, course of dealing, course of performance, commercial reasonableness, materiality, unconscionability and conflict with public policy and other similar principles; or other law relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the State of Delaware as in effect on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us under the headings “Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants” and “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Laura E. Anthony | |
Laura E. Anthony, | |
For the Firm |
1700 PALM BEACH LAKES BLVD., SUITE 820 ● WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA ● 33401 ● PHONE: 561-514-0936 ● FAX 561-514-0832
Exhibit 10.48
FORM OF SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Securities Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of [●], 2024, between Digital Brands Group Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), and each purchaser identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including its successors and assigns, a “Purchaser” and collectively the “Purchasers”).
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Company desires to issue and sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to purchase from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:
“Acquiring Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.4.
“Action” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(j).
“Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee” or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in the City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.
“Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.
“Closing Date” means the Trading Day on which all of the Transaction Documents have been executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto, and all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchasers’ obligations to pay the Subscription Amount and (ii) the Company’s obligations to deliver the Securities, in each case, have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date hereof.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.
“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
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“Company Counsel” means Anthony, Linder, & Cacomanolis, PLLC, with offices located at 1700 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 820, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
“Disclosure Schedules” means the Disclosure Schedules of the Company delivered concurrently herewith.
“Disclosure Time” means, (i) if this Agreement is signed on a day that is not a Trading Day or after 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) and before midnight (New York City time) on any Trading Day, 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the date hereof, unless otherwise instructed as to an earlier time by the Placement Agent, and (ii) if this Agreement is signed between midnight (New York City time) and 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, no later than 9:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, unless otherwise instructed as to an earlier time by the Placement Agent.
“SRFC” means Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP, with offices located at 1185 Ave of the Americas, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10036.
“Evaluation Date” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(s).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, and (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period in Section 4.11(a) herein, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equity holders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“GAAP” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).
“Final Prospectus” means the final Prospectus complying with Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act that is filed with the Commission and delivered by the Company to each Purchaser at the Closing.
“Indebtedness” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(aa).
“Intellectual Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(p).
“Liens” means a lien, charge, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restriction.
“Material Adverse Effect” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(b).
“Material Permits” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(n).
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“Per Share Purchase Price” equals $___ , subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
“Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.
“Placement Agent” means RBW Capital Partners LLC acting through Dominari Securities LLC.
“Placement Agency Agreement” means that certain placement agency agreement, dated as of [●], 2024, by and between the Company and the Placement Agent.
“Pre-Funded Warrants” means, collectively, the Pre-Funded Common Stock purchase warrants delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing in accordance with Section 2.2(a) hereof, which Pre-Funded Warrants shall be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement, exercisable immediately and shall expire when exercised in full, the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Pre-Funded Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
“Preliminary Prospectus” means any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act.
“Proceeding” means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
“Prospectus” means the final base prospectus filed for the Registration Statement.
“Purchaser Party” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.7.
“Registration Statement” means the effective registration statement with Commission file No. 333-282047 which registers the sale of the Shares to the Purchasers, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and all information, documents and exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement.
“Required Approvals” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(e).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended or interpreted from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.
“Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” means any registration statement prepared by the Company registering additional Shares, which was filed with the Commission on or prior to the date hereof and became automatically effective pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, if applicable.
“SEC Reports” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(h).
“Securities” means the Shares, the Pre-Funded Warrants and the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares.
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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to each Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement.
“Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include locating and/or borrowing shares of Common Stock).
“Subscription Amount” means, as to each Purchaser, the aggregate amount to be paid for Shares and/or Pre-Funded Warrants purchased hereunder as specified below such Purchaser’s name on the signature page of this Agreement and next to the heading “Subscription Amount,” in United States dollars and in immediately available funds.
“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company as set forth on Schedule 3.1(a), and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal Trading Market is open for trading.
“Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, OTCQX, OTCQB, or OTC Pink Marketplace (or any successors to any of the foregoing).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement, the Pre-Funded Warrants, the Placement Agency Agreement, and all exhibits and schedules hereto and any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
“Transfer Agent” means VStock Transfer, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York 11598, and a telephone number of (212) 828-8436, and any successor transfer agent of the Company.
“Variable Rate Transaction” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.10(b).
ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE
2.1 Closing. On the Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, substantially concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties hereto, the Company agrees to sell, and the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase, up to an aggregate of $[●] of Shares ; provided, however, that, to the extent a Purchaser determines, in its sole discretion, that such Purchaser (together with such Purchaser’s Affiliates, and any Person acting as a group together with such purchaser or any of such Purchaser’s Affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, or as such Purchaser may otherwise choose, in lieu of purchasing Shares such Purchaser may elect to purchase Pre-Funded Warrants in lieu of Shares in such manner to result in the same aggregate purchase price being paid by such Purchaser to the Company. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, at the election of the Purchaser at the Closing, 9.99%) of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the Securities on the Closing Date. Each Purchaser’s Subscription Amount as set forth on the signature page hereto executed by such Purchaser shall be made available for “Delivery Versus Payment” (“DVP”) settlement with the Company or its designee. The Company shall deliver to each Purchaser its respective Shares (or, if applicable, Pre-Funded Warrants) as determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a), and the Company and each Purchaser shall deliver the other items set forth in Section 2.2 deliverable at the Closing. Upon satisfaction of the covenants and conditions set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Closing shall occur at the offices of SRFC or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree. Unless otherwise directed by the Placement Agent, settlement of the Shares shall occur via DVP (i.e., on the Closing Date, the Company shall issue the Shares registered in the Purchasers’ names and addresses and released by the Transfer Agent directly to the accounts) at the Placement Agent identified by each Purchaser; upon receipt of such Shares, the Placement Agent shall promptly electronically deliver such Shares to the applicable Purchaser, and payment therefor shall be made by the Placement Agent (or its clearing firm) by wire transfer to the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein and a Purchaser’s Subscription Amount set forth on the signature pages attached hereto, the number of Shares purchased by a Purchaser (and its Affiliates) hereunder shall not, when aggregated with all other shares of Common Stock owned by such Purchaser (and its Affiliates) at such time, result in such Purchaser beneficially owning (as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) in excess of 9.9% of the then issued and outstanding Common Stock outstanding at the Closing (the “Beneficial Ownership Maximum”), and such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount, to the extent it would otherwise exceed the Beneficial Ownership Maximum immediately prior to the Closing, shall be conditioned upon the issuance of Shares at the Closing to the other Purchasers signatory hereto. To the extent that a Purchaser’s beneficial ownership of the Shares would otherwise be deemed to exceed the Beneficial Ownership Maximum, such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount shall automatically be reduced as necessary in order to comply with this paragraph.
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2.2 Deliveries.
(a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser the following:
(i) this Agreement duly executed by the Company;
(ii) legal opinion of Company Counsel with respect to U.S. laws and securities matters (including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter or statement), each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to SRFC, the Placement Agent, and each Purchaser;
(iii) for each Purchaser of Pre-Funded Warrants pursuant to Section 2.1, a Pre-Funded Warrant registered in the name of such Purchaser to purchase up to a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the portion of such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount applicable to the Pre-Funded Warrant divided by the Per Share Purchase Price minus $0.0001, with an exercise price equal to $0.0001, subject to adjustment therein;
(iv) [intentionally omitted];
(v) subject to the last sentence of Section 2.1, the Company shall have provided each Purchaser with the Company’s wire instructions, on Company letterhead and executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer;
(vi) subject to the last sentence of Section 2.1, a copy of the irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent instructing the Transfer Agent to deliver on an expedited basis via The Depository Trust Company Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) Shares equal to such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount divided by the Per Share Purchase Price, registered in the name of such Purchaser;
(vii) the Prospectus and Final Prospectus (delivered in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act).
(b) On or prior to the Closing Date, each Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company the following:
(i) this Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser; and
(ii) such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount, which shall be made available for “Delivery Versus Payment” settlement with the Company or its designee.
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2.3 Closing Conditions.
(a) The obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of each Purchaser required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed; and
(iii) the delivery by each Purchaser of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.
(b) The respective obligations of the Purchasers hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject to the following conditions being met:
(i) the accuracy in all material respects (or, to the extent representations or warranties are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) when made and on the Closing Date of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein (unless as of a specific date therein in which case they shall be accurate as of such date);
(ii) all obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been performed;
(iii) the delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement;
(iv) there shall have been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company since the date hereof; and
(v) from the date hereof to the Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market, and, at any time prior to the Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg L.P. shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by such service, or on any Trading Market, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities nor shall there have occurred any material outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other national or international calamity of such magnitude in its effect on, or any material adverse change in, any financial market which, in each case, in the reasonable judgment of such Purchaser, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to purchase the Securities at the Closing.
ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules, which Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed a part hereof and shall qualify any representation or otherwise made herein to the extent of the disclosure contained in the corresponding section of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company hereby makes the following representations and warranties to each Purchaser:
(a) Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are set forth on Schedule 3.1(a). The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens, and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. If the Company has no subsidiaries, all other references to the Subsidiaries or any of them in the Transaction Documents shall be disregarded.
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(b) Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no Proceeding has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.
(c) Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Board of Directors or the Company’s stockholders in connection herewith or therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals. This Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(d) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, anti-dilution or similar adjustments, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(e) Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than: (i) the filings required pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Agreement, (ii) the filing with the Commission of the Final Prospectus, (iii) application(s) to each applicable Trading Market for the listing of the Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby, and (iv) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).
(f) Issuance of the Securities; Registration. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable Transaction Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement. The Company has prepared and filed the Registration Statement in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, which became effective on [●], 2024 (the “Effective Date”), including the Prospectus, and such amendments and supplements thereto as may have been required to the date of this Agreement. The Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act and no stop order preventing or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or suspending or preventing the use of the Prospectus has been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company, are threatened by the Commission. The Company, if required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, shall file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b). At the time the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became effective, at the date of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any amendment thereto was issued and at the Closing Date, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(g) Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company as of the date hereof is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g), which Schedule 3.1(g) shall also include the number of shares of Common Stock owned beneficially, and of record, by Affiliates of the Company as of the date hereof. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or the settlement of restricted stock units or performance share units under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of Common Stock Equivalents outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, and except as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 1.3(g) or in the SEC Reports. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(g), no Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports or as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or capital stock of any Subsidiary. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Purchasers). There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary with any provision that adjusts the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price of such security or instrument upon an issuance and sale of the Securities by the Company or any Subsidiary. Except as disclosed sin the SEC Reports, there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.
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(h) SEC Reports; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, together with the Registration Statement, Prospectus, and the Final Prospectus, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has never been an issuer subject to Rule 144(i) under the Securities Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.
(i) Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(i), (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 3.1(i), no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least 1 Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.
(j) Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(j), there is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”). None of the Actions set forth on Schedule 3.1(j) (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.
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(k) Labor Relations. No labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary, is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(l) Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or other governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.
(o) Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.
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(p) Intellectual Property. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or required for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a written notice of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage at least equal to the aggregate Subscription Amount. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.
(r) Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(r), none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.
(s) Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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(t) Certain Fees. Except as set forth in the Final Prospectus, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Purchasers shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
(u) Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(v) Registration Rights. Except as disclosed in the Company’s SEC Reports, no Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(w) Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. The Company has not, in the 12 months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. The Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements. The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees to the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.
(x) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s articles of incorporation (or similar charter documents) as amended or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could become applicable to the Purchasers as a result of the Purchasers and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Purchasers’ ownership of the Securities.
(y) Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided any of the Purchasers or their agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information which is not otherwise disclosed in the Final Prospectus. The Company understands and confirms that the Purchasers will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Purchasers regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading. The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Purchaser makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 hereof.
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(z) No Integrated Offering. Assuming the accuracy of the Purchasers’ representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2, neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.
(aa) Solvency. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, (i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature, (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the Closing Date. Schedule 3.1(aa) sets forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.
(bb) Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries each (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.
(cc) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of FCPA.
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(dd) Accountants. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is Macias, Gini and O’Connell LLP (the “Auditor”). To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such Auditor (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
(ee) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchasers’ Purchase of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that each of the Purchasers is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and any advice given by any Purchaser or any of their respective representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby is merely incidental to the Purchasers’ purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to each Purchaser that the Company’s decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents has been based solely on the independent evaluation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Company and its representatives.
(ff) Acknowledgment Regarding Purchaser’s Trading Activity. Anything in this Agreement or elsewhere herein to the contrary notwithstanding (except for Sections 3.2(f) and 4.14 hereof), it is understood and acknowledged by the Company that: (i) none of the Purchasers has been asked by the Company to agree, nor has any Purchaser agreed, to desist from purchasing or selling, long and/or short, securities of the Company, or “derivative” securities based on securities issued by the Company or to hold the Securities for any specified term; (ii) past or future open market or other transactions by any Purchaser, specifically including, without limitation, Short Sales or “derivative” transactions, before or after the closing of this or future private placement transactions, may negatively impact the market price of the Company’s publicly-traded securities; (iii) any Purchaser, and counter-parties in “derivative” transactions to which any such Purchaser is a party, directly or indirectly, presently may have a “short” position in the Common Stock, and (iv) each Purchaser shall not be deemed to have any affiliation with or control over any arm’s length counter-party in any “derivative” transaction. The Company further understands and acknowledges that (y) one or more Purchasers may engage in hedging activities at various times during the period that the Securities are outstanding, and (z) such hedging activities (if any) could reduce the value of the existing stockholders’ equity interests in the Company at and after the time that the hedging activities are being conducted. The Company acknowledges that such aforementioned hedging activities do not constitute a breach of any of the Transaction Documents.
(gg) Regulation M Compliance. The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or, paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Placement Agent in connection with the placement of the Securities.
(hh) Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.
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(ii) Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).
(jj) U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon Purchaser’s request.
(kk) Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.
(ll) Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action or Proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, threatened.
(mm) Pre-Funded Warrant Shares. The Pre-Funded Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof.
3.2 Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser, for itself and for no other Purchaser, hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date to the Company as follows (unless as of a specific date therein, in which case they shall be accurate as of such date):
(a) Organization; Authority. Such Purchaser is either an individual or an entity duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation with full right, corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and performance by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership, limited liability company or similar action, as applicable, on the part of such Purchaser. Each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been duly executed by such Purchaser, and when delivered by such Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except: (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.
(b) Understandings or Arrangements. Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account and has no direct or indirect arrangement or understandings with any other persons to distribute or regarding the distribution of such Securities (this representation and warranty not limiting such Purchaser’s right to sell the Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and Final Prospectus or otherwise in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws). Such Purchaser is acquiring the Securities hereunder in the ordinary course of its business.
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(c) Purchaser Status. At the time such Purchaser was offered the Securities, it was, and as of the date hereof it is, and on each date on which it exercises any Pre-Funded Warrants, it will be either: (i) an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act or (ii) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a) under the Securities Act.
(d) Experience of Such Purchaser. Such Purchaser, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Such Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
(e) Access to Information. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to review the Transaction Documents (including all exhibits and schedules thereto) and the SEC Reports and has been afforded, (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities; (ii) access to information about the Company and its financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment. Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that neither the Placement Agent nor any Affiliate of the Placement Agent has provided such Purchaser with any information or advice with respect to the Securities nor is such information or advice necessary or desired. Neither the Placement Agent nor any Affiliate has made or makes any representation as to the Company or the quality of the Securities and the Placement Agent and any Affiliate may have acquired non-public information with respect to the Company which such Purchaser agrees need not be provided to it. In connection with the issuance of the Securities to such Purchaser, neither the Placement Agent nor any of its Affiliates has acted as a financial advisor or fiduciary to such Purchaser.
(f) Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Other than consummating the transactions contemplated hereunder, such Purchaser has not, nor has any Person acting on behalf of or pursuant to any understanding with such Purchaser, directly or indirectly executed any purchases or sales, including Short Sales, of the securities of the Company during the period commencing as of the time that such Purchaser first received a term sheet (written or oral) from the Company or any other Person representing the Company setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder and ending immediately prior to the execution hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Purchaser’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement. Other than to other Persons party to this Agreement or to such Purchaser’s representatives, including, without limitation, its officers, directors, partners, legal and other advisors, employees, agents and Affiliates, such Purchaser has maintained the confidentiality of all disclosures made to it in connection with this transaction (including the existence and terms of this transaction). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to locating or borrowing shares in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.
The Company acknowledges and agrees that the representations contained in this Section 3.2 shall not modify, amend or affect such Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or any representations and warranties contained in any other Transaction Document or any other document or instrument executed and/or delivered in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall constitute a representation or warranty, or preclude any actions, with respect to locating or borrowing shares in order to effect Short Sales or similar transactions in the future.
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ARTICLE IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1 Furnishing of Information. Until the earlier of (i) the time that no Purchaser owns Securities or (ii) twelve (12) months after the date of this Agreement, the Company covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to the Exchange Act even if the Company is not then subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
4.2 Integration. The Company shall not sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of any Trading Market such that it would require shareholder approval prior to the closing of such other transaction unless shareholder approval is obtained before the closing of such subsequent transaction.
4.3 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall (a) by the Disclosure Time, issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents to the Purchasers that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to any of the Purchasers by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. In addition, effective upon the issuance of such press release, the Company acknowledges and agrees that any and all confidentiality or similar obligations under any agreement, whether written or oral, between the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates on the one hand, and any of the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates on the other hand, shall terminate. The Company and each Purchaser shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Company nor any Purchaser shall issue any such press release nor otherwise make any such public statement without the prior consent of the Company, with respect to any press release of any Purchaser, or without the prior consent of each Purchaser, with respect to any press release of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, except if such disclosure is required by law, in which case the disclosing party shall promptly provide the other party with prior notice of such public statement or communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not publicly disclose the name of any Purchaser, or include the name of any Purchaser in any filing with the Commission or any regulatory agency or Trading Market, without the prior written consent of such Purchaser, except (a) as required by federal securities law in connection with the filing of final Transaction Documents with the Commission and (b) to the extent such disclosure is required by law or regulation, Trading Market regulations, or FINRA rules or regulations, in which case the Company shall provide the Purchasers with prior notice of such disclosure permitted under this clause (b).
4.4 Shareholder Rights Plan. No claim will be made or enforced by the Company or, with the consent of the Company, any other Person, that any Purchaser is an “Acquiring Person” under any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or similar anti-takeover plan or arrangement in effect or hereafter adopted by the Company, or that any Purchaser could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement, by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and the Purchasers.
4.5 Non-Public Information. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, which shall be disclosed pursuant to Section 4.3, the Company covenants and agrees that neither it, nor any other Person acting on its behalf will provide any Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that constitutes, or the Company reasonably believes constitutes, material non-public information, unless prior thereto such Purchaser shall have consented to the receipt of such information and agreed with the Company to keep such information confidential. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. To the extent that the Company delivers any material, non-public information to a Purchaser without such Purchaser’s consent, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that such Purchaser shall not have any duty of confidentiality to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates, or a duty to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, agents, employees or Affiliates not to trade on the basis of, such material, non-public information, provided that the Purchaser shall remain subject to applicable law. To the extent that any notice provided pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing covenant in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.
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4.6 Use of Proceeds. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6 attached hereto, the Company shall use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder for working capital purposes and shall not use such proceeds: (a) for the satisfaction of any portion of the Company’s debt (other than payment of trade payables in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and prior practices and as disclosed in the “Use of Proceeds” section of the Registration Statement), (b) for the redemption of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, (c) for the settlement of any outstanding litigation or (d) in violation of FCPA or OFAC regulations.
4.7 Indemnification of Purchasers. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.7, the Company will indemnify and hold each Purchaser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, partners, employees and agents (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title), each Person who controls such Purchaser (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, shareholders, agents, members, partners or employees (and any other Persons with a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles notwithstanding a lack of such title or any other title) of such controlling persons (each, a “Purchaser Party”) harmless from any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies, damages, costs and expenses, including all judgments, amounts paid in settlements, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation that any such Purchaser Party may suffer or incur as a result of or relating to (a) any breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by the Company in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents or (b) any action instituted against the Purchaser Parties in any capacity, or any of them or their respective Affiliates, by any stockholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party, with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (unless such action is solely based upon a material breach of such Purchaser Party’s representations, warranties or covenants under the Transaction Documents or any agreements or understandings such Purchaser Party may have with any such stockholder or any violations by such Purchaser Party of state or federal securities laws or any conduct by such Purchaser Party which is finally judicially determined to constitute fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct). If any action shall be brought against any Purchaser Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Agreement, such Purchaser Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing, and the Company shall have the right to assume the defense thereof with counsel of its own choosing reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser Party. Any Purchaser Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Purchaser Party except to the extent that (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by the Company in writing, (ii) the Company has failed after a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and to employ counsel or (iii) in such action there is, in the reasonable opinion of counsel, a material conflict on any material issue between the position of the Company and the position of such Purchaser Party, in which case the Company shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel. The Company will not be liable to any Purchaser Party under this Agreement (y) for any settlement by a Purchaser Party effected without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; or (z) to the extent, but only to the extent that a loss, claim, damage or liability is attributable to any Purchaser Party’s breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made by such Purchaser Party in this Agreement or in the other Transaction Documents. The indemnification required by this Section 4.8 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or are incurred. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any cause of action or similar right of any Purchaser Party against the Company or others and any liabilities the Company may be subject to pursuant to law.
4.8 Reservation of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, the Company has reserved and the Company shall continue to reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to issue Shares pursuant to this Agreement and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares pursuant to any exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
4.9 Listing of Common Stock. The Company hereby agrees to use best efforts to maintain the listing or quotation of the Common Stock on the Trading Market on which it is currently listed, and concurrently with the Closing, the Company shall apply to list or quote all of the Shares on such Trading Market and promptly secure the listing of all of the Shares on such Trading Market. The Company further agrees, if the Company applies to have the Common Stock traded on any other Trading Market, it will then include in such application all of the Shares, and will take such other action as is necessary to cause all of the Shares to be listed or quoted on such other Trading Market as promptly as possible. The Company will then take all action reasonably necessary to continue the listing and trading of its Common Stock on a Trading Market and will comply in all respects with the Company’s reporting, filing and other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the Trading Market. The Company agrees to maintain the eligibility of the Common Stock for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation, including, without limitation, by timely payment of fees to the Depository Trust Company or such other established clearing corporation in connection with such electronic transfer.
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4.10 Subsequent Equity Sales.
(a) From the date hereof until 30 days after the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents.
(b) From the date hereof until 30 days after the Closing Date, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price. Any Purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.10 shall not apply in respect of (i) an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance, or (ii) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto.
4.11 Equal Treatment of Purchasers. No consideration (including any modification of any Transaction Document) shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of the Transaction Documents unless the same consideration is also offered to all of the parties to the Transaction Documents. For clarification purposes, this provision constitutes a separate right granted to each Purchaser by the Company and negotiated separately by each Purchaser, and is intended for the Company to treat the Purchasers as a class and shall not in any way be construed as the Purchasers acting in concert or as a group with respect to the purchase, disposition or voting of Securities or otherwise.
4.12 Certain Transactions and Confidentiality. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants that neither it nor any Affiliate acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any purchases or sales, including Short Sales of any of the Company’s securities during the period commencing with the execution of this Agreement and ending at such time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.3. Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, covenants that until such time as the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are publicly disclosed by the Company pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.4, such Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of the existence and terms of this transaction and the information included in the Disclosure Schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that (i) no Purchaser makes any representation, warranty or covenant hereby that it will not engage in effecting transactions in any securities of the Company after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.3, (ii) no Purchaser shall be restricted or prohibited from effecting any transactions in any securities of the Company in accordance with applicable securities laws from and after the time that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced pursuant to the initial press release as described in Section 4.3 and (iii) no Purchaser shall have any duty of confidentiality or duty not to trade in the securities of the Company to the Company or its Subsidiaries after the issuance of the initial press release as described in Section 4.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Purchaser that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Purchaser’s assets and the portfolio managers have no direct knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Purchaser’s assets, the covenant set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Securities covered by this Agreement.
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ARTICLE V.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by any Purchaser, as to such Purchaser’s obligations hereunder only and without any effect whatsoever on the obligations between the Company and the other Purchasers, by written notice to the other parties, if the Closing has not been consummated on or before the fifth (5th) Trading Day following the date hereof; provided, however, that no such termination will affect the right of any party to sue for any breach by any other party (or parties).
5.2 Fees and Expenses. Except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees (including, without limitation, any fees required for same-day processing of any instruction letter delivered by the Company and any exercise notice delivered by a Purchaser), stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery of any Securities to the Purchasers.
5.3 Entire Agreement. The Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, the Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters, which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits and schedules.
5.4 Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of: (a) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment at the email address as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto at or prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number or email attachment at the email address as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto. To the extent that any notice provided pursuant to any Transaction Document constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously furnish the Commission with such notice pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.
5.5 Amendments; Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be waived, modified, supplemented or amended except in a written instrument signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company and Purchasers which purchased at least 50.1% in interest of the Shares based on the initial Subscription Amounts hereunder or, in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom enforcement of any such waived provision is sought, provided that if any amendment, modification or waiver disproportionately and adversely impacts a Purchaser (or group of Purchasers), the consent of such disproportionately impacted Purchaser (or group of Purchasers) shall also be required. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right. Any proposed amendment or waiver that disproportionately, materially and adversely affects the rights and obligations of any Purchaser relative to the comparable rights and obligations of the other Purchasers shall require the prior written consent of such adversely affected Purchaser. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 5.5 shall be binding upon each Purchaser and holder of Securities and the Company.
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5.6 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
5.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Purchaser (other than by merger). Any Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Purchaser assigns or transfers any Securities, provided that such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction Documents that apply to the “Purchasers.”
5.8 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. The Placement Agent shall be a third-party beneficiary of the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3.1 and the representations and warranties of the Purchasers in Section 3.2. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.8 and this Section 5.8.
5.9 Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal law of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the courts of the State of New York and of the United States of America, in each case sitting in the City and County of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the such courts for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any Action or Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such Action or Proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such Proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Action or Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. If any party shall commence an Action or Proceeding to enforce any provisions of the Transaction Documents, then, in addition to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.8, the prevailing party in such Action or Proceeding shall be reimbursed by the non-prevailing party for its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such Action or Proceeding.
5.10 Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and the delivery of the Securities.
5.11 Execution. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to each other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, or by electronic signature, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile, “.pdf” signature page, or electronic signature were an original thereof.
5.12 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
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5.13 Rescission and Withdrawal Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever any Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Purchaser may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.
5.14 Replacement of Securities. If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation), or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.
5.15 Remedies. In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, each of the Purchasers and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties agree that monetary damages may not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction Documents and hereby agree to waive and not to assert in any Action for specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
5.16 Payment Set Aside. To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Purchaser pursuant to any Transaction Document or a Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee, receiver or any other Person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
5.17 Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights. The obligations of each Purchaser under any Transaction Document are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance or non-performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights including, without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any Proceeding for such purpose. Each Purchaser has been represented by its own separate legal counsel in its review and negotiation of the Transaction Documents. For reasons of administrative convenience only, each Purchaser and its respective counsel have chosen to communicate with the Company through SRFC. SRFC does not represent any of the Purchasers and only represents the Placement Agent. The Company has elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and Transaction Documents for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by any of the Purchasers. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in this Agreement and in each other Transaction Document is between the Company and a Purchaser, solely, and not between the Company and the Purchasers collectively and not between and among the Purchasers.
5.18 Liquidated Damages. The Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due and payable shall have been canceled.
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5.19 Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.
5.20 Construction. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel have reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments thereto. In addition, each and every reference to share prices and shares of Common Stock in any Transaction Document shall be subject to adjustment for reverse and forward stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and other similar transactions of the Common Stock that occur after the date of this Agreement.
5.21 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING IN ANY JURISDICTION BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY, THE PARTIES EACH KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY, TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, UNCONDITIONALLY, IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES FOREVER TRIAL BY JURY.
(Signature Pages Follow)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP INC. | Address for Notice: | ||
4700 S Boyle Ave. | |||
Los Angeles, CA 90058 | |||
By: | |||
Name: | E-Mail: | ||
Title: | Fax: |
With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
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[PURCHASER SIGNATURE PAGES TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
Name of Purchaser: |
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Purchaser: |
Name of Authorized Signatory: |
Title of Authorized Signatory: |
Email Address of Authorized Signatory: |
Facsimile Number of Authorized Signatory: |
Address for Notice to Purchaser: |
Address for Delivery of Securities to Purchaser (if not same as address for notice):
Subscription Amount: $_____________________
Shares: _____________________
Pre-Funded Warrants: _____________________
EIN Number: _____________________
☐ Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, by checking this box (i) the obligations of the above-signed to purchase the securities set forth in this Agreement to be purchased from the Company by the above-signed, and the obligations of the Company to sell such securities to the above-signed, shall be unconditional and all conditions to Closing shall be disregarded, (ii) the Closing shall occur on the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of this Agreement and (iii) any condition to Closing contemplated by this Agreement (but prior to being disregarded by clause (i) above) that required delivery by the Company or the above-signed of any agreement, instrument, certificate or the like or purchase price (as applicable) shall no longer be a condition and shall instead be an unconditional obligation of the Company or the above-signed (as applicable) to deliver such agreement, instrument, certificate or the like or purchase price (as applicable) to such other party on the Closing Date.
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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Digital Brands Group, Inc.
Austin, Texas
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282047) (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed on or about October 7, 2024 of our report dated April 15, 2024, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of Digital Brands Group, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended, which appears in the Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed on June 3, 2024. Our report includes an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement.
/s/ Macias, Gini and O’Connell LLP | |
Irvine, California | |
October 7, 2024 |
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282047) (the “Registration Statement”) of our report dated April 17, 2023, except for the effects of the stock split and discontinued operations as described in Note 1, for which the date is August 24, 2023, with respect to the consolidated balances sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, which appears in the Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed on June 3, 2024. Our report includes an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement.
/s/ dbbmckennon (Firm No. 3501) | |
Newport Beach, California | |
October 7, 2024 |
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form S-1
(Form Type)
DIGITAL BRANDS GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered Securities
Security Type | Security Class Title | Fee Calculation Rule | Amount
to be Registered | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2) | Fee Rate | Amount
of Registration Fee | |||||||||||||||||
Equity | Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share or Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase Common Stock (3)(4)(5) | Rule 457(o) | - | - | $ | 5,000,000 | (2) | $ | 0.00014760 | $ | 738.00 | |||||||||||||
Equity | Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrant | Rule 457(o) | - | - | $ | - | - | - | (3) | |||||||||||||||
Total Offering Amounts | $ | 5,000,000 | $ | 738.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fees Previously Paid | $ | 1,545.19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Fee Offsets | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Fee Due | $ | 0 |
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). |
(2) | Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act, there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
(3) | The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the Common Stock proposed to be sold in the offering will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on the offering price of any pre-funded warrants sold in the offering, and, as such, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the Common Stock and Pre-Funded warrants (including the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants), if any, is $5,000,000. |
(4) | Pursuant to Rule 457(g) of the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is required for the warrants because the warrants are being registered in the same registration statement as the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants. |
(5) | The registrant may issue Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase common stock in the offering. The purchase price of each Pre-Funded Warrant will equal the price per share at which shares of common stock are being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, which constitutes the pre-funded portion of the exercise price, and the remaining unpaid exercise price of the Pre-Funded Warrant will equal $0.0001 per share (subject to adjustment as provided for therein). |
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