Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
We have been a party to litigation, a consent
solicitation and a proxy contest with shareholders controlling a majority of the Company’s stock, which is costly and time-consuming
and has had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and could adversely affect our stock
price.
In March 2019, stockholders
of the Company representing a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock delivered signed written consents
to the Company removing Ronald Buschur, William Anderson and Si Ryong Yu as members of the Company’s Board and electing Ms. Cipora
Lavut, Mr. David Mann and Dr. Robert Lempert as directors of the Company. Because of Aura’s refusal to recognize the legal effectiveness
of the consents, on April 8, 2019, the stockholders filed suit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware pursuant to Section 225
of the Delaware General Corporations Law, seeking an order confirming the validity of the consents. On July 8, 2019 the Court of Chancery
entered final judgment in favor of the stockholder plaintiffs, confirming that (a) Ronald Buschur, Si Ryong Yu and William Anderson had
been validly removed by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock acting by written consent (b) Ms. Lavut, Mr.
Mann and Dr. Lempert had been validly elected by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding stock acting by written
consent, and (c) the Company’s Board of Directors validly consists of Cipora Lavut, David Mann, Robert Lempert, Gary Douglas and
Salvador Diaz-Versón, Jr. Aura’s refusal to recognize the legal effectiveness of the consents and the decision by the Company’s
former leadership team to utilize corporate resources to vigorously contest the shareholder action has consumed significant financial
resources, temporarily stagnated operations, and resulted in substantial costs, all of which had a material adverse effect on our business,
operating results and financial condition.
Going Concern
The Company’s financial
statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial
statements, during the year ended February 28, 2026, the Company incurred a net loss of $10.9 million, used cash in operations of $3.2
million, and at February 28, 2026, had a stockholders’ deficit of $44.8 million. In addition, at February 28, 2026, notes payable
and related accrued interest with an aggregate balance of $5.2 million have reached maturity and are past due. These factors raise substantial
doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date that the financial statements are issued.
In addition, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, in their audit report on the Company’s February
28, 2026, audited financial statements, included an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about the Company’s ability
to continue as a going concern.
Our ability to continue as
a going concern is dependent upon our ability to increase revenues, obtain additional financing, drive further operating efficiencies,
reduce expenditures, and ultimately, create profitable operations. In the event that the Company does not generate sufficient cash flows
from operations and is unable to obtain funding, the Company will be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate some or all of its discretionary
spending, which could adversely affect the Company’s business prospects, ability to meet long-term liquidity needs or ability to
continue operations. The Company does not have any sufficient committed sources of capital and does not know whether additional financing
will be available when needed on terms that are acceptable, if at all. This going concern statement from our independent public accounting
firm may discourage some investors from purchasing our stock or providing alternative capital financing. The failure to satisfy our capital
requirements will adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The effects of a pandemic or widespread
outbreak of an illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has had and could continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, results
of operations and financial condition.
While the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on our business has largely abated, uncertainties continue from the ongoing effects of the pandemic and an economic slowdown.
The effects of government agency actions and the Company’s policies and those of third parties to combat future pandemics may negatively
impact productivity and the Company’s ability to market and sell its products, cause disruptions to its supply chain anon d impair
its ability to execute its business development strategy. These and other disruptions in the Company’s operations and the global
economy could negatively impact the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
Additional discussion related
to the various risks and uncertainties described above is included elsewhere within this “Risk Factors” section of our Form
10-K.
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We derive a substantial portion of our revenues
from customers in industries susceptible to trends and factors affecting those industries.
Our axial flux induction technology
is geared toward industrial, commercial and EV motor users, and in addition, our mobile power solution is geared to end-markets such as
commercial vehicles, communications, transportation industries, and consumer and industrial equipment markets. Factors negatively affecting
these industries also negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any adverse occurrence, including
industry slowdown, recession, costly or constraining regulations, excessive inflation, prolonged disruptions in one or more of our customers’
production schedules or labor disturbances, that results in significant decline in the volume of sales in these industries, or in an overall
downturn in the business and operations of our customers in these industries, could materially adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We will need additional capital in the future
to meet our obligations, and financing may not be available. During Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal 2025, the Company increased its engineering
and manufacturing activities, but it still struggled with meeting its financial requirements. If we cannot obtain additional capital,
we will not be able to continue our operations.
For Fiscal 2026 and Fiscal
2025, we had approximately $3.2 million negative and $3.2 million negative cash flows from operations, respectively. The Company’s
engineering and manufacturing activities remained limited due to our inability to increase sales and raise significant amounts of new
financing. Our ability to continue as a going concern is directly dependent upon our ability to obtain additional operating capital and
generating sufficient operating cash flow. Increased interest rates and inflation have caused significant uncertainty and volatility
in the credit markets and there can be no assurance that lenders or investors will make additional commitments to provide financing to
us under current circumstances. As a result, we may be required to raise additional capital and our access to and cost of financing will
depend on, among other things, global economic conditions, conditions in the global financing markets, the availability of sufficient
amounts of financing, and our prospects. If we are unable to obtain additional funding as and when we need it, we will not be able to
recommence operations or undertake our planned expansion.
If we do not receive additional financing
when and as needed, we may not be able to continue the research, development and commercialization of our technology and products. In
that case, our business and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Our capital requirements have
been and will continue to be significant. We will require substantial additional funds in excess of our current financial resources for
research, development and commercialization of products, to obtain and maintain patents and other intellectual property rights in these
technologies and products, and for working capital and other purposes, the timing and amount of which are difficult to ascertain. When
and as we need additional funds, such funds may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain additional
funding when and as needed, our business and results of operation would be materially and adversely affected.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable,
and any inability or failure to protect them could reduce the value of our products, services and brand, which would have a material adverse
effect on our business.
Our patents, trademarks, and
all of our other intellectual property rights are important assets for us. There are events that are outside of our control that pose
a threat to our intellectual property rights. For example, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country
in which our products and services are distributed or made available. Also, the efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights
may not be sufficient or effective. Due to our lack of financial resources, we may not be able to adequately protect our technology portfolio
or apply for new patents to extend our intellectual property portfolio. The expiration of patents in our patent portfolio may also have
an adverse effect on our business. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business and our ability
to compete. Protecting our intellectual property rights is costly and time consuming and we may need to resort to litigation to enforce
our patent rights or to determine the scope and validity of third-party intellectual property rights and we may not have the financial
resources to pay for such litigation. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively
than we can because they have substantially greater resources.
We seek to obtain patent protection
for our innovations. It is possible, however, that some of these innovations may not be protectable. In addition, given the costs of obtaining
patent protection, we may choose not to protect certain innovations that later turn out to be important. Furthermore, there is always
the possibility, despite our efforts, that the scope of the protection gained will be insufficient or that an issued patent may be deemed
invalid or unenforceable. Our inability or failure to protect our intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on
our business by reducing the value of our products, services and brand.
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We occasionally become subject to commercial
disputes that could harm our business by distracting our management from the operation of our business, by increasing our expenses and,
if we do not prevail, by subjecting us to potential monetary damages and other remedies.
From time to time, we are
engaged in disputes regarding our commercial transactions. These disputes could result in monetary damages or other remedies that could
adversely impact our financial position or operations. Even if we prevail in these disputes, they may distract our management from operating
our business and the cost of defending these disputes would reduce our operating results.
In the future we may be named in litigation,
all of which will require significant management time and attention, result in significant legal expenses and may result in an unfavorable
outcome, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We have been in the past and
may in the future become subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in or outside the ordinary course of business.
The results of lawsuits and
future legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Also, our insurance coverage may be insufficient or not provide any coverage
at all for certain claims, our assets may be insufficient to cover any amounts that exceed our insurance coverage, and we may have to
pay damage awards or otherwise may enter into settlement arrangements in connection with such claims. Any such payments or settlement
arrangements in current or future litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Even if the plaintiffs’ claims are not successful, current future litigation could result in substantial costs and significantly
and adversely impact our reputation and divert management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, such lawsuits may make it more difficult to finance our operations.
We have substantial indebtedness and obligations to pay interest.
We currently have, and will
likely continue to have, a substantial amount of indebtedness and obligations to pay interest from various financing and settlement arrangements.
Our indebtedness and interest obligations could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations, require
us to use a large portion of our cash flow from operations to repay and service our debt or otherwise create liquidity problems, limit
our flexibility to adjust to market conditions, and place us at a competitive disadvantage.
On February 28, 2026, we had
total liabilities of $46.2 million, of which $22.8 million was due to a derivative liability related to debt conversion rights to a related
party. The current liability portion was $45.4 million, of which $22.8 million was due to a derivative liability related to debt conversion
rights to a related party. On February 28, 2025, we had total liabilities of $39.0 million, of which $17.6 million was due to a derivative
liability related to debt conversion rights to a related party. The current liability portion was $38.4 million, of which $17.6 million
was due to a derivative liability related to debt conversion rights to a related party.
We expect to obtain the money
to pay our expenses and pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness from cash flow from our operations and from securities offerings.
Accordingly, our ability to meet our obligation depends on our future performance and capital-raising activities, which will be affected
by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our cash flow and capital resources prove
inadequate to allow us to pay the principal and interest on our debt and meet our other obligations, we could face substantial liquidity
problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations, restructure or refinance our debt, which we may be unable
to do on acceptable terms and forego attractive business opportunities. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt agreements
may restrict us from pursuing any of these alternatives.
Our business is not diversified. If we cannot
increase market acceptance of our products, modify our products and services, or compete with new technologies, we may never be profitable.
We currently focus all of
our resources on the successful commercialization of our axial flux induction motors and AuraGen ® mobile power family of
products. Because we have elected to focus our business on a single technology line rather than diversifying into other areas, our success
will be dependent upon the commercial success of these products. If we are unable to increase market acceptance of our products, if we
are unable to modify our products and services on a timely basis so that we lose customers, or if new technologies make our technology
obsolete, we may never be profitable.
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Most of our competitors are larger and better
financed than we are and have a greater presence in the marketplace. Our business may be adversely affected by industry competition.
Both in the U.S. and internationally,
the industries in which we operate are extremely competitive. We face substantial competition from companies that have a long history
of offering traditional auxiliary power units (portable generators), traditional automotive alternators, and inverters (a device that
inverts battery direct current electricity to alternating current). Most of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources,
spend considerably larger sums than we spend on research, new product development and marketing, and have long-standing customer relationships.
Furthermore, we must compete with many larger and better-established companies in the hiring and retention of qualified personnel. Although
we believe we have significant technological advantages over our competitors, realizing and maintaining such advantages will require us
to develop customer relationships and will also depend on market acceptance of our products. We may not have the financial resources,
technical expertise, or marketing and support capabilities to compete successfully, which would materially and adversely affect our business.
We may not be able to establish an effective
distribution network or strategic OEM relationships; in which case our sales will not increase as expected and our financial condition
and results of operations would be adversely affected.
We are in the very beginning
stages of developing our distribution network and establishing strategic relationships with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers.
We may not be able to identify appropriate distributors or OEM customers on a timely basis. The distributors with which we partner may
not focus adequate resources on selling our products or may otherwise be unsuccessful in selling them. In addition, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to establish OEM relationships on favorable terms or at all. The lack of success of distributors or OEM customers
in marketing our products would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
If we are successful in executing our business
plan to grow our business, our failure to efficiently manage our growth could have an adverse effect on our business.
If we successfully execute
our business plan, we may experience growth that could place significant strain on our management and other resources. Our ability to
manage this growth will require us to successfully assimilate new employees, improve existing management information systems, and reorganize
our operations. If we fail to manage growth efficiently, our business could be adversely affected.
We may experience delays in product shipments
and increased product costs because we depend on third party manufacturers for certain product components. Delays in product shipment
or an inability to replace certain suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We currently do not have the
capability to manufacture most of the AuraGen ® components on a commercial scale. Therefore, we rely extensively on contracts
with third party manufacturers for such components. The use of third-party manufacturers increases the risk of delay of shipments to our
customers and increases the risk of higher costs if our manufacturers are not available when required. Our suppliers and manufacturers
may not supply us with a sufficient number of components or components of adequate quality, which would delay production of our product.
We do not currently have written agreements with any suppliers. Furthermore, those suppliers who make certain components may not be easily
replaced. Any of these disruptions in the supply of components could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of
operations. Furthermore, we are monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the operations of the Company, particularly with respect
to possible delays and other disruptions to the supply chain.
Although we generally aim to use standard parts and components
for our products, some of our components are currently available only from limited sources.
We may experience delays in
production of the AuraGen ® if we fail to identify alternate vendors, or if any parts supply is interrupted or reduced or
if there is a significant increase in production costs, each of which could materially adversely and affect our business and operations.
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We will need to renew sources of component
supplies to meet increases in demand for our Axial flux Induction machine ® . There is no assurance that our suppliers can
or will supply the components to us on favorable terms or at all.
As we recommence our operations
and in order to meet future demand for AuraGen ® systems, we will need to renew contracts or form new contracts with our
prior manufacturers and suppliers or locate other suitable manufacturers and suppliers for subassemblies and other components. Recently,
we entered into discussions with several of our prior suppliers and we are in the process of negotiating settlements of old payables and
arranging new supply contracts. Although we believe that there are a number of potential manufacturers and suppliers of the components,
we cannot guarantee that contracts for components can be obtained on favorable terms or at all. Any material adverse change in terms of
the purchase of these components could increase our cost of goods.
We need to invest in tooling to have a more
extensive line of products. If we cannot expand our tooling, it may not be possible for us to expand our operations.
We are currently limited in
the products that we are able to manufacture because of the limitations of our tooling capabilities. In order to have a broader line of
products that address industrial and commercial needs, we must make a significant investment in additional tooling or pursue new alternatives
to replace traditional tooling. We do not currently have the funds required to acquire new tooling or to obtain replacements and no assurances
can be given that we will have the required funds in the future. If we do not acquire the required funds for tooling or replacement tooling,
we may not be able to expand our product line to meet industrial and commercial needs.
We are subject to government regulation
that may restrict our ability to use certain suppliers outside the U.S. or to sell our products into certain countries. If we cannot obtain
the required approval from government agencies, then our business may be adversely affected.
We depend on third party suppliers
for our parts and components... We use copper, steel and aluminum in our product and in the event of government regulations or restrictions
of these materials we may experience a shortage of these materials to manufacture our product. Furthermore, U.S. law restricts us from
selling products in some potential foreign markets without U.S. government approval. If we cannot obtain the required approvals from government
agencies to obtain materials or contract with suppliers or if we are restricted by government regulation from selling our products into
certain countries, our business may be adversely affected.
We rely on highly skilled personnel and,
if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel or hire qualified personnel, we may not be able to grow effectively.
Our performance is largely
dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify,
hire, develop, motivate, and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. We are currently in default under
several agreements with various key consultants which may make those parties unwilling to continue to work with the Company. Our continued
ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees and consultants.
The incentives to attract, retain and motivate employees and consultants provided by our ability to pay competitive salaries and rates
as well as offering additional incentives such as stock option grants or by future arrangements may not be as effective as in the past.
If we do not succeed in attracting excellent personnel or retaining or motivating existing personnel, we may be unable to grow effectively.
Our business is subject to the risks of
earthquakes and other natural catastrophic events, and to interruptions by man-made problems such as computer viruses, terrorism, or pandemics.
Our corporate headquarters
and our research and development operations are located in the State of California in regions known for seismic activity. A significant
natural disaster, such as an earthquake, in this region could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations. In addition, our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins, and similar disruptions from unauthorized
tampering with our computer systems. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
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Failure to maintain effective internal controls
over financial reporting could adversely affect our business and the market price of our Common Stock.
Pursuant to rules adopted
by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to assess the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting
and provide a management report on our internal controls over financial reporting in all annual reports. This report contains, among other
matters, a statement as to whether our internal controls over financial reporting are effective and the disclosure of any material weaknesses
in our internal controls over financial reporting identified by management. Section 404 also requires our independent registered
public accounting firm to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
As described in ITEM 9A, Controls
and Procedures contained herein in this Annual Report, management has concluded that as of February 28, 2026, its internal controls over
financial reporting were not effective. While the Company believes it has addressed and remediated material weaknesses, there can be no
guarantee that other weaknesses in its financial reporting controls will not be identified in the future. Presently, the Company does
not have the financial resources to fully comply with all the requirements of Section 404. If, in the future, we identify one or more
material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting during this continuous evaluation process, our management may not
be able to assert that such internal controls are effective. Therefore, if we are unable to assert that our internal controls over
financial reporting are effective in the future, or if our auditors are unable to attest that our internal controls are effective or they
are unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and
completeness of our financial reports, which would have an adverse effect on our business and the market price of our Common Stock.
Trading on the OTC Markets is volatile and
sporadic, which could depress the market price of our common stock and make it difficult for our stockholders to resell their shares .
Our common stock is quoted
on the Pink Sheets of the OTC Markets. Trading in stock quoted on the OTC Markets is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations
in trading prices, due to many factors, some of which may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility
could depress the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover, the OTC Markets is not a
stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTC Markets is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a quotation
system like NASDAQ or a stock exchange like the New York Stock Exchange. These factors may result in investors having difficulty reselling
any shares of our common stock.
The Company may
not have sufficient authorized shares of common stock to satisfy the full conversion of its outstanding convertible securities.
As
described in Notes 6, 7, and 13 to the financial statements, the number of shares of common stock potentially issuable upon conversion
of the Company’s outstanding convertible notes, and the exercise of options and warrants, currently exceeds the number of authorized
but unissued shares of common stock available. The Company does not have a present obligation to issue shares in excess of its authorized
share capital. However, if holders of such securities seek conversion or exercise and the Company does not have sufficient authorized
shares available, the Company would be required to obtain shareholder approval to amend its Certificate of Formation to increase the number
of authorized shares. There can be no assurance that such approval would be obtained in a timely manner or at all. If the Company is unable
to obtain the necessary authorization, holders of these securities may be unable to convert or exercise their securities when otherwise
entitled to do so.
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