AUDDIA INC. 10-K

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we are required to perform an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2023. Management has completed such evaluation and has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. As a result of the material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting described below, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023 were not effective. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our principal executive and principal financial officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. For as long as we continue to be a smaller reporting company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies. Additionally, this Report does not contain an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting since the Company, as a smaller reporting company and non-accelerated filer, is not required to provide such report. 46 Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on the framework established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management has determined that our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 was not effective. A material weakness, as defined in the standards established by Sarbanes-Oxley, is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The ineffectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting was due to the following material weaknesses, which we identified during the course of preparing financial statements to meet the requirements of our IPO, and which have existed since the 2018 fiscal year and remain un-remediated as of December 31, 2023: · Lack of sufficiently qualified professionals with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, training, and experience to appropriately analyze, record and disclose accounting and reporting matters timely and accurately · Lack of adequate segregation of duties within the financial reporting review function, including preparation and review of journal entries. · Insufficient written policies and procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of GAAP and SEC disclosures. Remediation Activities Management has been actively engaged in remediating the above material weaknesses. The following remedial actions have been taken during the year ended December 31, 2023: · Completed the internal control documentation along with engaging outside consultants to assist in the design, implementation and documentation of internal controls to address the relevant risks; · Performed risk-based scoping activities to identify key business processes, and engaged an outside internal control specialist team to assist in designing, documenting, and implementing internal controls to address relevant risks; · Hired additional accounting resources with appropriate levels of experience, including a new chief financial officer in 2023; and · Continue to engage outside consultants to ensure that the appropriate level of knowledge and experience is applied based on risk and complexity of transactions and tasks under review. The process of implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations. As we continue to evaluate and take actions to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional actions to address control deficiencies or modify certain of the remediation measures described above. While progress has been made to enhance our internal control over financial reporting, we are still in the process of finalizing the controls documentation and implementing these processes, procedures, and controls. Additional time is required to complete these steps and to assess and demonstrate the sustainability of these procedures. We believe the above actions will be effective in remediating the material weaknesses described above, and we will continue to devote significant time and attention to these remedial efforts. Once we can demonstrate an uninterrupted effectively operating control environment evidenced by Management testing of controls, we will consider these deficiencies to be remediated. 47 Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Other than the applicable remediation efforts described in “Remediation of Previously Reported Material Weaknesses” above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, no director or officer adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not applicable. 48 PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance Executive officers and directors Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our executive officers and directors as of March 29, 2024. Name Age Position(s) held Served as a Director and/or Officer Since Executive Officers Jeffrey Thramann, M.D. 59 Executive Chairman and Director 2012 Michael Lawless 61 Chief Executive Officer, Secretary & Director 2012 John Mahoney 58 Chief Financial Officer 2023 Peter Shoebridge 60 Chief Technology Officer 2013 Non-Employee Directors Stephen Deitsch 52 Director, Lead Independent Director 2021 Timothy J. Hanlon 58 Director 2021 Thomas Birch 71 Director 2021 Executive officers Jeffrey Thramann, Executive Chairman. Dr. Thramann founded the Company in 2012 and oversees strategic initiatives, capitalization and governance at the Company. This includes day-to-day involvement in working with senior management to establish the strategic vision of the Company, prioritizing product launches, working with the CEO and CFO on the financial plans of the Company, and assisting the CEO in recruitment and hiring of senior executives and the pursuit of business development activities. It also includes leading efforts to secure capital for the Company, building the board of directors and leading board meetings. In 2002, Dr. Thramann was the founder and became the chairman of Lanx, LLC. Lanx was an innovative medical device company focused on the spinal implant market and created the interspinous process fusion space with the introduction of its patented Aspen product. Lanx was sold to Biomet, Inc., an international orthopedic conglomerate, in 2013. Concurrent with Lanx, in 2006 Dr. Thramann was also the founder and chairman of ProNerve, LLC. ProNerve was a healthcare services company that provided monitoring of nerve function during high risk surgical procedures affecting the brain and spinal cord. ProNerve was sold to Waud Capital Partners, a private equity firm, in 2012. Prior to ProNerve and concurrent with Lanx, Dr. Thramann was the founder and chairman of U.S. Radiosurgery (USR). USR is a healthcare services company that provides advanced radiosurgical treatments for tumors throughout the body. USR became the largest provider of robotic guided CyberKnife treatments of such tumors in the U.S. and was sold to Alliance Healthcare Services (Nasdaq; AIQ) in 2011. From 2001 through 2008, Thramann was the founder and senior partner of Boulder Neurosurgical Associates, a neurosurgical practice serving Boulder County, Colorado. Dr. Thramann is the named inventor on over 50 U.S. and international issued and pending patents. He completed his neurosurgical residency and complex spinal reconstruction fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ, in 2001. He is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College in New York City and earned a BS in electrical engineering management at the U. S. Military Academy in West Point, NY. Dr. Thramann currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Aclarion, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACON), a healthcare technology company that is leveraging MR Spectroscopy, biomarkers, and augmented intelligence algorithms to improve the diagnosis and treatment of chronic low back pain. 49 Michael Lawless, Chief Executive Officer and Director: Mr. Lawless is a technology startup veteran having held key leadership positions in research and development, engineering, product development and operations. Prior to joining the Company in 2012, from 2009 to 2011 he was one of the founding executives and Chief Operating Officer of Trada, Inc., a company engaged in the business of crowdsourced digital ad campaign creation and management. In addition to establishing the business operations and processes for Trada, he was responsible for building and managing the product team and operating their internet advertising marketplace SaaS product. He earned a BS in Human Factors Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and his master’s degree in Experimental Psychology with an emphasis on Human-Computer Interaction from The University of Dayton. John E. Mahoney, Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Mahoney joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in November 2023. He brings over twenty years of finance and operational experience in the services industry with both publicly traded and privately held companies. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Quality Biomedical, Inc., a private equity backed and leading service provider in the Home Medical Equipment industry. From 2014 to 2019, Mr. Mahoney served as Principal and Chief Financial Officer at CFO Leadership Services, LLC, a fractional CFO service company. From 2005 to 2014, Mr. Mahoney served Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TASQ Technology, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of First Data Corporation, who merged with Fiserv. a leading global credit card processing services company. Mr. Mahoney is a certified public accountant. He earned his BS in Public Accountancy from Long Island University. Peter Shoebridge, Chief Technology Officer: Mr. Shoebridge joined the Company in 2013 and has over 35 years of professional experience in the software development industry. He has been involved with internet related technologies since 1996. From 2008 to 2012, he was the CEO and co-founder of Blue Yonder Gaming, Corp., a casino gaming systems and gaming company. Prior to Blue Yonder he was Vice President of engineering at Sona Mobile, Inc and led the team that built the first wireless gaming system to receive federal regulatory approval. He also led the team that built the Sona Gaming System, a server-based gaming platform. Mr. Shoebridge has worked in many different technology sectors including the real-time financial industry, casino gaming including bingo systems, accounting and automotive. He was educated in London, England. Non-employee directors Stephen M. Deitsch, Director: Mr. Deitsch has extensive strategic, operational, and financial leadership experience at both publicly traded and privately held companies. Since September 2020, Mr. Deitsch has served as Chief Financial Officer of Paragon 28, Inc. (NYSE: FNA), a leading global orthopedics company. From April 2017 to August 2019, Mr. Deitsch served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BioScrip, Inc. (formerly Nasdaq: BIOS) which is now part of Option Care Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPCH). From August 2015 to April 2017, Mr. Deitsch served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Coalfire, Inc., a leading cyber-security firm. Mr. Deitsch served as the Chief Financial Officer of Biomet Spine, Bone Healing, and Microfixation from July 2014 to July 2015 and as Vice President Finance, Corporate Controller of Biomet, Inc. from February 2014 to July 2014. Mr. Deitsch was the Chief Financial Officer of Lanx, Inc. from September 2009 until it was acquired by Biomet in October 2013. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Deitsch served in various senior financial leadership roles at Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (formerly NYSE: ZMH) and now part of Zimmer Biomet, Inc (NYSE: ZBH). Since 2022, Mr. Deitsch has served as a director of Aclarion, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACON), a healthcare technology company that is leveraging MR Spectroscopy, biomarkers, and augmented intelligence algorithms to improve the diagnosis and treatment of chronic low back pain. Mr. Deitsch holds a B.S. in Accounting from Ball State University and has an inactive CPA license. Timothy J. Hanlon Director: Mr. Hanlon is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago-based Vertere Group, LLC – a boutique strategic consulting and advisory firm focused on helping forward-leaning media companies, brands, entrepreneurs, and investors benefit from rapidly changing technological advances in marketing, media and consumer communications. Prior to forming Vertere in 2012, Mr. Hanlon created and led corporate ventures practices at marketing agency holding companies Publicis Groupe and Interpublic Group, overseeing 70+ early-stage investments and partnerships – including over two dozen successful M&A and IPO exits – with notable firms such as: PlutoTV (acquired by ViacomCBS); Data+Math (LiveRamp); Clypd (AT&T/Xandr); Sling Media (Echostar/Dish Network); Navic Networks (Microsoft); Brightcove (IPO); and Visible World (Comcast), among others. Previously, Mr. Hanlon was Senior Vice President/Director, Emerging Contacts for Publicis’ iconic media agency Starcom MediaVest Group, where he was chiefly responsible for pioneering all US client activity and agency initiatives in the field of emerging media technologies – including the establishment of the firm’s ground-breaking “TV 2.0 Practice,” centered around evolutionary television platforms. Mr. Hanlon has over 25 years of extensive executive experience in traditional, digital and “emerging” media & marketing – and his insights into the future of media, advertising and marketing are regularly seen in major electronic, print and trade press outlets. Mr. Hanlon holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth Graduate School of Business, and a BA from Georgetown University. 50 Thomas Birch, Director : Mr. Birch brings over 50 years of on-air, online, media, media research and media brokerage experience. Since 2005, Mr. Birch has been the owner and CEO of Lakes Media LLC, a six-station radio group operating in southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. In addition, since 2018 Mr. Birch has also been a Director of Media Services Group, one of the nation’s largest brokers of radio stations, television stations, broadcast towers and other broadcast-related entities. Mr. Birch was the founder and CEO of Birch Research Corporation, a syndicated radio ratings and market research company. In 1987, Birch Research was acquired by Dutch publishing conglomerate VNU (now known as Nielsen). Following the sale, the company merged with VNU subsidiary Scarborough Research and was renamed Birch/Scarborough Research. Mr. Birch served as Chairman and CEO of the merged Birch/Scarborough entity until his departure in 1990. At its peak, Birch/Scarborough employed more than 1,200 people nationwide and maintained sales offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas and through its Canadian subsidiary Birch Radio/Canada, had offices in Toronto and Montreal. Mr. Birch was a Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Simmons Market Research Bureau from 2001 to 2003, where he significantly reduced operating expenses, increased operating profits and refinanced company debt which enabled the company to avoid bankruptcy and be positioned for acquisition in 2004 by Experian. From 1990 through 1999, Mr. Birch was owner and CEO of Opus Media Group, a radio group owner with stations operating in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Mr. Birch is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Committee on Local Radio Audience Measurement (COLRAM) and continues to have a voice in the improvement of audience measurement metrics from Nielsen Audio and other research providers. Mr. Birch is a native of Binghamton, NY and holds a BS from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University. Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance Following our IPO, Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and persons holding more than 10% of our common stock to report their initial ownership of the common stock and other equity securities and any changes in that ownership in reports that must be filed with the SEC. The SEC has designated specific deadlines for these reports, and we must identify in our Annual Report on Form 10-K those persons who did not file these reports when due. Based solely on a review of reports furnished to us, or written representations from reporting persons, we believe all directors, executive officers, and 10% owners timely filed all reports regarding transactions in our securities required to be filed to date in 2023. Election of Officers Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers. Composition of the Board of Directors Our board of directors currently consists of five members. Three of our directors are independent within the meaning of the independent director guidelines of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Each director’s term continues until the election and qualification of his successor, or his earlier death, resignation or removal. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws authorize only our board of directors to fill vacancies on our board of directors. Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight Our corporate governance guidelines provide that unless the board chair is an independent director, the board shall appoint a Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director chairs the executive sessions of the independent directors, coordinates the activities of the other independent directors and performs such other duties as deemed necessary by the board from time to time. Because our Executive Chairman Dr. Thramann is not independent, the board has appointed Stephen Deitsch to serve as our Lead Independent Director. 51 Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a number of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, strategic risk and reputation risk. Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks we face, while the board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the board has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. To do this, the board meets regularly with management to discuss strategy and the risks we face. In addition, the Audit Committee regularly monitors our enterprise risk, including financial risks, through reports from management. Senior management attends the board meetings and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the board on risk management and any other matters. The Lead Independent Director and the independent board members work together to provide strong, independent oversight of our management and affairs through the board’s standing committees and, when necessary, executive sessions of the independent directors. Director Independence Under the rules of Nasdaq, independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board of directors within a specified period following the completion of its IPO. In addition, the rules of Nasdaq require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees be independent. Under the rules of Nasdaq, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors or any other board committee: (i) accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries. We currently satisfy the audit committee independence requirements of Rule 10A-3. Additionally, compensation committee members must not have a relationship with us that is material to the director’s ability to be independent from management in connection with the duties of a compensation committee member. Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director and considered whether each director has a material relationship with us that could compromise his ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities. As a result of this review, our board of directors determined that all of our directors, except for Jeffrey Thramann and Michael Lawless, are “independent directors” as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the listing requirements and rules of Nasdaq. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. Committees of the Board of Directors Our board of directors has an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and governance committee, each of which have the composition and responsibilities described below. Each of the below committees has a written charter approved by our board of directors. Copies of each charter are posted on the investor relations section of our website. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. 52 Audit Committee Our audit committee is comprised of Stephen Deitsch, Thomas Birch, and Timothy J. Hanlon, with Stephen Deitsch as the chairman of our audit committee. The composition of our audit committee meets the requirements for independence under the current Nasdaq and SEC rules and regulations. Each member of our audit committee is financially literate. In addition, our board of directors has determined that Stephen Deitsch is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act. This designation does not impose on Mr. Deitsch any duties, obligations or liabilities that are greater than are generally imposed on members of our audit committee and our board of directors. Our audit committee is directly responsible for, among other things: · selecting and hiring our independent registered public accounting firm; · the qualifications, independence and performance of our registered public accounting firm; · the preparation of the audit committee report to be included in our annual proxy statement; · our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; · our accounting and financial reporting processes, including our financial statement audits and the integrity of our financial statements; and · reviewing and approving related-person transactions. Compensation Committee Our compensation committee is comprised of Timothy J. Hanlon, Thomas Birch, and Stephen Deitsch, with Timothy J. Hanlon as the chairman of our compensation committee. Each member of our compensation committee is a non-employee director, as defined by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and meets the requirements for independence under the current Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations. Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things: · evaluating, recommending, approving and reviewing executive officer compensation arrangements, plans, policies and programs; · evaluating and recommending non-employee director compensation arrangements for determination by our board of directors; · administering our cash-based and equity-based compensation plans; and · overseeing our compliance with regulatory requirements associated with the compensation of directors, officers and employees. Nominating and Governance Committee Our nominating and governance committee is comprised of Thomas Birch, Stephen Deitsch, and Timothy J. Hanlon, with Thomas Birch as the chairman of our nominating and governance committee. Each member of our nominating and governance committee meets the requirements for independence under the current Nasdaq listing standards. Our nominating and governance committee is responsible for, among other things: · identifying, considering and recommending candidates for membership on our board of directors; · overseeing the process of evaluating the performance of our board of directors; and · advising our board of directors on other corporate governance matters. 53 Consideration of Director Nominees Director Qualifications There are no specific minimum qualifications that the Board requires to be met by a director nominee recommended for a position on our board, nor are there any specific qualities or skills that are necessary for one or more members of our board to possess, other than as are necessary to meet the requirements of the rules and regulations applicable to us. The Nominating and Governance Committee considers a potential director candidate’s experience, areas of expertise and other factors relative to the overall composition of our board and its committees, including the following characteristics: experience, judgment, commitment (including having sufficient time to devote to the Company), skills, diversity and expertise appropriate for the Company. In assessing potential directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider the current needs of the board and the Company to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience and capability in various areas. Stockholder Nominations In accordance with our bylaws, a stockholder wishing to nominate a director for election at an annual meeting of stockholders must timely submit a written proposal of nomination to us at our executive offices. To be timely, a written proposal of nomination for an annual meeting of stockholders must be received at least 90 calendar days but no more than 120 calendar days before the first anniversary of the date on which we held our annual meeting of stockholders in the immediately preceding year; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed more than 30 calendar days from the anniversary of the annual meeting of stockholders in the immediately preceding year, the written proposal must be received: (i) at least 90 calendar days but no more than 120 calendar days prior to the date of the annual meeting; or (ii) no more than 10 days after the date we first publicly announce the date of the annual meeting. Each written proposal for a nominee must contain: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Company which are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee, (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, (5) a statement whether such nominee, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person's failure to receive the required vote for election or reelection at the next meeting at which such person would face election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon acceptance of such resignation by the board, and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected). A stockholder interested in submitting a nominee for election to the board should refer to our bylaws for additional requirements. Upon receipt of a written proposal of nomination meeting these requirements, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board will evaluate the nominee in accordance with its charter and the characteristics listed above. 54 Evaluating Nominees for Director Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers director candidates that are suggested by members of the committee, other members of our Board, members of management, advisors and our stockholders who submit recommendations in accordance with the requirements set forth in our Bylaws, as described above. Our Board has in the past engaged a third-party search firm to identify potential candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee and election to our Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may, in the future, retain third-party search firms to identify Board candidates on terms and conditions acceptable to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to assist in the process of identifying or evaluating director candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates all nominees for director using the same approach whether they are recommended by stockholders or other sources. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews candidates for director nominees in the context of the current composition of our Board and committees, the operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of our stockholders. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the director nominee’s qualifications, diversity, skills and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the current needs of the Board, the committees and the Company, to maintain a balance of knowledge, experience, diversity and capability. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews such directors’ overall service to the Board, the committees and the Company during their term, including the number of meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance and any other relationships and transactions that might impair such directors’ independence. In the case of new director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also determine whether the nominee must be independent for Nasdaq purposes, which determination will be based upon applicable Nasdaq listing standards and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Although we do not have a formal diversity policy, when considering diversity in evaluating director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee focuses on whether the nominees can contribute varied perspectives, skills, experiences and expertise to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate the proposed director’s candidacy, including proposed candidates recommended by stockholders, and recommend whether the Board should nominate the proposed director candidate for election by our stockholders. Stockholder Communications with the Board Any stockholder or interested party who desires to contact our board, or specific members of our board, may do so electronically by sending an email to our CFO at the following address: jmahoney@auddia.com. Alternatively, a stockholder may contact our board, or specific members of our board, by writing to: Auddia Inc., 1680 38 th Steet, Suite 130, Boulder, Colorado 80301, Attn: CFO. All such communications will be initially received and processed by the office of our CFO. Communications concerning accounting, audit, internal accounting controls and other financial matters will be referred to the Chair of the Audit Committee. Other matters will be referred to the board, the non-employee directors or individual directors, as appropriate. The board has instructed the CFO to review all communications so received and to exercise his discretion not to forward to the board correspondence that is inappropriate such as business solicitations, frivolous communications and advertising, routine business matters and personal grievances. However, any director may at any time request the CFO to forward any and all communications received by the CFO but not forwarded to the directors. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation None of the current members of our compensation committee has at any time been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers has served as a member of the board of directors, or as a member of the compensation or similar committee, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who served on our board of directors or compensation committee during the year ended December 31, 2023. 55 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer and other executive and senior officers. The full text of our code of business conduct and ethics is posted on the investor relations section of our website. The reference to our website address in this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include or incorporate by reference the information on our website into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of these provisions, on our website or in public filings to the extent required by the applicable rules. Policy on Trading, Pledging and Hedging of Company Stock Certain transactions in our securities (such as purchases and sales of publicly traded put and call options, and short sales) create a heightened compliance risk or could create the appearance of misalignment between management and stockholders. In addition, securities held in a margin account or pledged as collateral may be sold without consent if the owner fails to meet a margin call or defaults on the loan, thus creating the risk that a sale may occur at a time when an officer or director is aware of material, non-public information or otherwise is not permitted to trade in Company securities. Our insider trading policy expressly prohibits derivative transactions of our stock by our executive officers and directors. Rule 10b5-1 Sales Plans Our policy governing transactions in our securities by directors, officers, and employees permits our officers, directors, and certain other persons to enter into trading plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. Generally, under these trading plans, the individual relinquishes control over the transactions once the trading plan is put into place and can only put such plans into place while the individual is not in possession of material non-public information. Accordingly, sales under these plans may occur at any time, including possibly before, simultaneously with, or immediately after significant events involving our company. During 2023, none of our directors or executive officers had a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan in effect. Compensation Clawback Policy The Company established a policy regarding the recoupment of certain performance-based compensation payments (“Clawback Policy”), which became effective as of December 1, 2023. This policy is included as Exhibit 97 to this Annual Report. The Audit Committee of the Company determined that no performance-based compensation (or the vesting of such compensation) within the prior three years was based upon the achievement of financial results, as reported in a Form 10-Q, Form 10-K or other report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and therefore had no obligation, pursuant to the Company’s Clawback Policy, to recover erroneously paid or awarded compensation. Number of Meetings The board held a total of 10 meetings in 2023. In 2023, our Audit Committee held six meetings, our Compensation Committee held two meetings, and our Nominating and Governance Committee held one meeting. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the board and the board committees on which he served. 56 Board Member Attendance at Annual Stockholder Meetings Although we do not have a formal policy regarding director attendance at annual stockholder meetings, directors are encouraged to attend these annual meetings absent extenuating circumstances. Non-Employee Director Compensation Our non-employee directors began serving on our board following our February 2021 IPO. Our Executive Chairman, Dr. Thramann, and our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lawless, do not receive compensation for their services as a director. Our board of directors approved the following compensation for our non-employee directors in 2023. Our non-employee directors will receive annual cash compensation of (i) $25,000 for service on the board (ii) $20,000 for service as the Audit Committee chair, (iii) $10,000 for Compensation Committee chair, and (iv) $10,000 for Nominating and Governance Committee chair. All cash payments will be made quarterly in arrears, and pro-rated for any partial quarters of service. The following Director Compensation Table summarizes the compensation of each of our non-employee directors for services rendered to us during the year ended December 31, 2023: Name Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) Stock Awards ($)(1) Option Awards ($) All Other Compensation ($)(1) Total ($) Stephen Deitsch 45,000 – – 7,412 52,412 Timothy J. Hanlon 35,000 – – 7,412 42,412 Thomas Birch 35,000 – – 7,412 42,412 (1) Relates to cash payment made to directors for tax liability on RSUs. Item 11. Executive Compensation Executive Compensation Overview As an “emerging growth company,” we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act. This section provides an overview of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each individual who served as our principal executive officer during our fiscal year 2023, and our next two most highly compensated executive officers in respect of their service to our company for fiscal year 2023. Our named executive officers, or the Named Executive Officers, for the year ended December 31, 2023, are: · Jeffrey Thramann, our Executive Chairman; · Michael Lawless, our Chief Executive Officer; and · Peter Shoebridge, our Chief Technical Officer 57 Summary Compensation Table Year Ended December 31, 2023 The following table contains information about the compensation paid to or earned by each of our Named Executive Officers during the two most recently completed fiscal years. Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($)(2) Stock Awards ($)(3) Option Awards ($)(3) All Other Compensation ($) Total ($) Jeffrey Thramann 2023 300,000 (1) -0- -0- -0- -0- 300,000 Executive Chairman 2022 300,000 (1) -0- 425,513 -0- -0- 725,513 Michael Lawless 2023 260,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- 260,000 Chief Executive Officer 2022 260,000 -0- -0- 10,870 -0- 531,746 Peter Shoebridge 2023 225,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- 225,000 Chief Technology Officer 2022 225,000 -0- -0- 4,074 -0- 326,828 (1) Beginning after the Company’s IPO, Dr. Thramann earns an annual salary of $300,000. (2) The “Bonus” column represents discretionary bonuses earned pursuant to our annual incentive bonus program. Each of Dr. Thramann, Mr. Lawless and Mr. Shoebridge is each eligible to receive a bonus based on the achievement of certain business goals set by our Board on an annual basis. The maximum bonus opportunity for each of Messrs. Thramann, Lawless and Shoebridge, expressed as a percentage of their base salary, is 50%. As of the filing date of this Annual Report, the Company has not approved or paid any annual cash bonuses for the 2023 year. (3) Represents the grant date fair value of RSU and stock option awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. For information regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards, see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. 58 Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2023 The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2023. Option Awards(1) Stock Awards(1)(2) Name Grant Date Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable Option Exercise Price ($) Option Expiration Date Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) Market Value of Shares or Units That Have Not Vested ($)(4)(3) Dr. Jeffrey Thramann 8/11/2021 (4) – – – – 4,500 1,500 2/16/2022 (5) – – – – 2,000 4,000 12/9/2022 (6) – – – – 5,320 – Michael Lawless 8/15/2019 (8) 3,221 – 106.50 8/15/2029 – – 8/11/2021 (9) 4,500 1,500 69.75 8/11/2031 – – 9/8/2022 (10) 8,490 2,830 30.25 9/8/2032 – – Peter Shoebridge 8/15/2019 (7) 1,097 – 106.50 8/15/2029 – – 8/11/2021 (8) 4,500 1,500 69.75 8/11/2031 – – 9/8/2022 (9) 3,193 1,065 30.25 9/8/2032 – – _______________________ (1) Each equity award is subject to the terms of our 2021 or 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. (2) All RSUs are settled, and shares delivered on the vesting date. Accordingly, there are no vested RSUs that remain outstanding. (3) Based on the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market of $6.25 on December 29, 2023. (4) Represents RSU awards that vest 50% on February 16, 2022, 25% on February 16, 2023, and 25% on February 16, 2024. (5) Represents RSU awards that vest 33% on February 16, 2023, 33% on February 16, 2024, and 34% on February 16, 2025. (6) Represents RSU awards that vest 100% on February 16, 2023. (7) 2019 grant represents option awards that vest 50% on August 15, 2019, grant date. The remaining portion of the option vests equally over 48 months. (8) 2021 grant represents option awards that vest 50% on August 12, 2022, 25% on February 16, 2023, and 25% on February 16, 2024. (9) 2022 grant represents option awards that vest 50% on the September 8, 2022, grant date. The remaining portion of the option vests in two equal installments on February 16, 2023, and February 16, 2024. Employment Arrangement with Dr. Thramann Commencing after our February 2021 IPO, Dr. Thramann earns an annual salary of $300,000 for his service as our Executive Chairman. 59 Employment Agreement with Mr. Lawless On October 13, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lawless, which supersedes and replaces a prior employment agreement dated February 6, 2012. The employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $260,000 as well as an entitlement to an annual incentive bonus, upon certain conditions, in an amount determined by our board of directors. The target annual bonus for Mr. Lawless, expressed as a percentage of base salary, is 50%. If the Company terminates Mr. Lawless’s employment without cause or Mr. Lawless terminates for good reason, he is entitled to receive nine months of base salary, (ii) up to nine months of paid health insurance under COBRA, and (iii) any earned but unpaid bonus for a prior completed fiscal year. In addition, in the event of a change of control and a subsequent termination of Mr. Lawless’ employment without cause, the Company will accelerate the vesting of all of unvested stock options as of the later of the effective date of the change in control and the last day of service. Employment Agreement with Mr. Shoebridge On October 13, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Shoebridge, which supersedes and replaces a prior employment agreement dated April 1, 2014. The employment agreement provides for an initial annual base salary of $225,000 as well as an entitlement to an annual incentive bonus, upon certain conditions, in an amount determined by our board of directors. The target annual bonus for Mr. Shoebridge, expressed as a percentage of base salary, is 50%. If the Company terminates Mr. Shoebridge’s employment without cause or Mr. Shoebridge terminates for good reason, he is entitled to receive nine months of base salary, (ii) up to nine months of paid health insurance under COBRA, and (iii) any earned but unpaid bonus for a prior completed fiscal year. In addition, in the event of a change of control and a subsequent termination of Mr. Shoebridge’s employment without cause, the Company will accelerate the vesting of all of unvested stock options as of the later of the effective date of the change in control and the last day of service. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 29, 2024, by (i) each person who beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each Named Executive Officer and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each executive officer and director is c/o Auddia, 1680 38 th Street, Suite 130, Boulder, CO 80301. The number of shares of common stock “beneficially owned” by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC regarding the beneficial ownership of securities. This information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock includes (1) any shares as to which the person or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power, and (2) any shares as to which the person or entity has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after March 29, 2024. The calculations set forth below are based upon 2,194,196 shares of common stock outstanding at March 29, 2024. 60 Unless otherwise indicated below, and subject to community property laws where applicable, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of common stock. Name of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned 5% Stockholders: Jeffrey Thramann (1) 80,909 3.7% Richard Minicozzi (2) 122,518 5.5% Executive Officers and Directors: Michael Lawless (3) 16,986 0.8% John E. Mahoney (4) – --% Peter Shoebridge (5) 9,436 0.4% Stephen Deitsch (6) 1,281 0.1% Timothy J. Hanlon (6) 1,281 0.1% Thomas Birch (6) 1,281 0.1% All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons) 111,174 4.9% ________________ (1) Dr. Thramann is also a director of the Company. Includes (i) 75,544 shares of common stock, and (ii) 5,365 shares underlying outstanding common stock warrants. Does not include (i) 38,760 shares of common stock underlying Series A warrants (which warrants are not currently exercisable by Dr. Thramann due to the operation of a 4.99% beneficial ownership exercise restriction contained in such warrants), and (ii) 5,500 shares underlying currently unvested RSUs granted under our 2021 equity incentive plan. (2) Includes (i) 70,108 shares of common stock, and (ii) 52,500 shares underlying outstanding common stock warrants. Does not include any shares relating to the conversion feature contained in the senior secured bridge note held by Mr. Minicozzi. Does not include 38,760 underlying outstanding common warrants due to the operation of a 4.99% beneficial ownership exercise restriction contained in such warrants. (3) Includes (i) 741 shares of common stock, and (ii) 16,246 shares of common stock underlying stock options exercisable within 60 days of December 31, 2023. Does not include 4,330 of unvested options granted under our equity incentive plans. (4) Does not include 18,700 of unvested option granted under Mr. Mahoney’s employment agreement. (5) Does not include 6,821 of unvested options granted under our equity incentive plans. (6) Includes 1,281 shares of common stock. Does not include 1,830 shares underlying currently unvested RSUs granted under our 2021 equity incentive plan. Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans The following table provides certain information as of December 31, 2023, with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect on that date: Plan Category Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a) Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders (1) 82,917 39.75 27,403 Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders – – – Total 82,917 39.75 27,403 _______________ (1) Consists of stock options granted under the Clip Interactive, LLC 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and the Auddia Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. We ceased granting awards under the 2013 Plan upon the implementation of the 2021 Plan described below. 61 The Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan became effective upon the completion of the IPO in February 2021 and serves as the successor equity incentive plan to the 2013 Plan. The 2021 Equity Incentive Plan contains an “evergreen” provision, pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under such plan shall be increased on the first day of each year beginning in 2022 and ending in 2030 equal to the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the shares of stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (b) such smaller number of shares of stock as determined by our board of directors. On January 1, 2023 and 2024, the Company had an additional 25,310 and 39,893 shares added to the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, respectively, pursuant to the evergreen provision. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Director Independence The following is a description of transactions or series of transactions since January 1, 2022 to which we were or will be a party, in which: · the amount involved in the transaction exceeds, or will exceed, $120,000; and · in which any of our executive officers, directors or holder of five percent or more of any class of our capital stock, including their immediate family members or affiliated entities, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Compensation arrangements for our named executive officers, executive officers and our directors are described elsewhere in this Annual Report under “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation.” On November 14, 2022, we entered into a secured bridge note financing with Richard Minicozzi, who is a significant existing stockholder of the Company, and received $2,000,000 of gross proceeds in connection with this financing. The principal amount of the secured note is $2,200,000. The secured note had a 10% interest rate and maturity on May 31, 2023. The secured note is secured by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets. At maturity, Mr. Minicozzi has the option to convert any original issue discount and accrued but unpaid interest into shares of our common stock. In connection with the secured note financing, we issued Mr. Minicozzi 12,000 common stock warrants with a five-year term and a fixed $52.50 per share exercise price. On April 17, 2023, we entered into an additional Secured Bridge Note (“New Note”) financing with Mr. Minicozzi. We received $750,000 of gross proceeds from the New Note financing. The New Note was issued with a principal amount of $825,000, 10% interest rate and a maturity date on July 31, 2023. The New Note is secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets. At maturity of the New Note, Mr. Minicozzi, has the option to convert any original issue discount and accrued but unpaid interest into shares of our common stock at a fixed conversion price of $0.61 per share. In connection with the New Note financing, we issued 26,000 common stock warrants to Mr. Minicozzi with a five-year term and a fixed $15.25 per share exercise price, from which 13,000 of these common stock warrants are exercisable immediately. The remaining 13,000 common stock warrants would only become exercisable if the maturity date of the New Note is extended in accordance with the terms of the New Note. As of July 31, 2023, we extended the maturity date of the New Note to November 30, 2023. Upon the July 31, 2023 extension, the interest rate on the New Note increased to 20% from 10%, and the remaining portion of the 13,000 common stock warrants became exercisable. The accredited investor did not exercise the common stock warrants as of December 31, 2023 or subsequent to December 31, 2023 and as of the date of this filing. Further, in connection with the New Note financing, we agreed with Mr. Minicozzi to make certain amendments to the Prior Note financing. Specifically, we agreed with Mr. Minicozzi to cancel the 12,000 common stock warrants issued as part of the prior financing and, in lieu of the cancelled warrants, we issued to Mr. Minicozzi common stock warrants for 24,000 common shares with an exercise price of $15.25 per common share and a five-year term. From the newly issued 24,000 common stock warrants, 12,000 common stock warrants were exercisable immediately, while the other 12,000 common stock warrants became exercisable at the time of extension of the maturity date of the Prior Note during May of 2023. Mr. Minicozzi will not be able to receive shares upon conversion or exercise, unless prior stockholder approval is obtained, if the number of shares to be issued to the investor, when aggregated with all other shares of common stock then owned by the investor beneficially or deemed beneficially owned by the investor, would (i) result in the investor owning more than the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below), as determined in accordance with Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or (ii) otherwise constitute a Change of Control within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 5635(b). The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 19.99% of the number of shares of the common stock outstanding immediately prior to the proposed issuance of shares of common stock. We are currently in discussions with Mr. Minicozzi regarding an agreement where (i) the Company would agree to repay the $2.75 million principal of the bridge financing out of the proceeds of a next round financing, and (ii) the accrued interest and original issue discount on the bridge financing would be converted into equity securities. 62 Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services The firm of Haynie & Company, independent registered public accounting firm, has been selected by the audit committee as auditors for Auddia Inc. (“Auddia”) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The firm of Daszkal Bolton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, was previously selected by the audit committee as auditors for Auddia for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. CohnReznick LLP was engaged as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm on May 15, 2023 through August 25, 2023. The audit committee is solely responsible for selecting Auddia’s independent registered public accounting firm and has appointed Haynie & Company as auditors for Auddia for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Stockholder approval is not required to appoint Haynie & Company as Auddia’s independent registered public accounting firm. Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees The following is a summary and description of fees incurred by Haynie & Company for the year ended December 31, 2023: 2023 Audit fees (1) $ 72,000 Tax fees – All other fees (2) 83,000 Total fees $ 155,000 ________________________ (1) Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our 2023 annual financial statements and the review of our 2023 interim financial statements. (2) All other fees are comprised of expenses related to work performed on potential acquisition targets and S-1 filings. The following is a summary and description of fees incurred by Daszkal Bolton LLP for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: 2023 2022 Audit fees (1) $ 58,000 $ 102,500 Tax fees – – All other fees – – Total fees $ 58,000 $ 102,500 ________________________ (1) Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our 2022 annual financial statements and the review of our interim 2023 financial statements. (2) On March 8, 2023, Daszkal Bolton LLP completed a business combination with CohnReznick LLP. Fees incurred by CohnReznick LLP for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $34,000, which is included in the $58,000 amount above. Audit Committee Pre-approval Policy and Procedures Our audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. This policy provides that we will not engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by our audit committee or the engagement is entered into pursuant to the pre-approval procedure described below. From time to time, our audit committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any such pre-approval details the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount. 63 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) 1. Financial Statements For a list of the financial statements included herein, see Index to the Financial Statements on page 42 of this Annual Report, incorporated into this Item by reference. 2. Financial Statement Schedules Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are either not required or not applicable or the information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto. 3. Exhibits The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and Item 15(b) of this Annual Report are listed in the Exhibit Index below. The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index are incorporated by reference herein. Exhibit Number Description of Document Incorporated by reference from Form Filing Date Exhibit Number Filed Herewith 2.2 Form of Plan of Conversion 8-K 02-22-2021 2.1 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Company 8-K 02-22-2021 3.1 3.2 Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock filed November 13, 2023 8-K 11-16-2023 3.1 3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated February 23, 2024 8-K 02-27-2024 3.1 3.4 Bylaws of the Company 8-K 02-22-2021 3.2 3.5 Form of Warrant after Conversion from an LLC to a Corporation S-1/A 01-28-2020 3.5 3.6 Form of Series A Warrant S-1/A 02-05-2021 3.6 4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate S-1/A 10-08-2020 4.1 4.2 Form of Representative’s Common Stock Purchase Warrant 8-K 02-22-2021 4.1 4.3 Description of Securities 10-K 03-31-2021 4.3 10.1 # Employment Agreement of Michael T. Lawless S-1 01-10-2020 10.1 10.2 # Employment Agreement of Peter Shoebridge S-1 01-10-2020 10.2 10.3 # Form of Auddia Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan S-1/A 10-22-2020 10.3 10.4 Collateral and Security Agreement with Related Party (Minicozzi) S-1/A 01-28-2020 10.4 10.5 F orm of Amendment to Collateral and Security Agreement with Related Party S-1/A 10-08-2020 10.5 10.6 Form of Convertible Promissory Note S-1/A 01-28-2020 10.6 10.7 Business Loan Agreement and Guaranty of Related Party with Bank of the West S-1/A 01-28-2020 10.7 10.8 ** Agreement with Major United States Broadcast Company S-1/A 01-28-2020 10.8 10.9 Form of Bridge Note S-1/A 10-22-2020 10.9 10.10 Form of Warrant Agent Agreement S-1/A 02-05-2021 10.10 10.11 Amendment to Bridge Note S-1/A 10-22-2020 10.14 10.12 Amended Business Loan Agreement with Bank of the West 10-K 03-31-2021 10.15 10.13 # First Amendment to 2020 Equity Incentive Plan S-8 08-10-2021 99.2 10.14 # Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under 2020 Equity Incentive Plan S-8 08-10-2021 99.3 64 Exhibit Number Description of Document Incorporated by reference from Form Filing Date Exhibit Number Filed Herewith 10.15 # Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2020 Equity Incentive Plan S-8 08-10-2021 99.4 10.16 # Form of Inducement Stock Option Grant Notice and Inducement Stock Option Agreement S-8 08-10-2021 99.5 10.17 # Clip Interactive, LLC 2013 Equity Incentive Plan S-8 08-10-2021 99.6 10.18 # Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under 2013 Equity Incentive Plan S-8 08-10-2021 99.7 10.19 # Executive Officer Employment Agreement for Michael Lawless dated October 13, 2021 8-K 10-15-2021 10.1 10.20 # Executive Officer Employment Agreement for Peter Shoebridge dated October 13, 2021 8-K 10-15-2021 10.2 10.21 # Executive Officer Employment Agreement for Brian Hoff dated October 13, 2021 8-K 10-15-2021 10.3 10.22 # Executive Officer Employment Agreement for Timothy Ackerman effective as of February 6, 2023 8-K 02-16-2023 10.1 10.23 Secured Promissory Bridge Note dated November 14, 2022 8-K 11-14-2022 10.1 10.24 Common Stock Warrant dated November 14, 2022 8-K 11-14-2022 10.2 10.25 Security Agreement dated November 14, 2022 8-K 11-14-2022 10.3 10.26 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 14, 2022, by and between Auddia Inc. and White Lion Capital LLC 8-K 11-14-2022 10.4 10.27 Secured Promissory Bridge Note dated November 14, 2022 8-K 11-14-2022 10.1 10.28 Common Stock Warrant dated November 14, 2022 8-K 11-14-2022 10.2 10.29 Security Agreement dated November 14, 2022 8-K 11-14-2022 10.3 10.30 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 14, 2022, by and between Auddia Inc. and White Lion Capital LLC 8-K 11-14-2022 10.4 10.31 Secured Promissory Bridge Note dated April 17, 2023 8-K 04-21-2023 10.1 10.32 Common Stock Warrant for 600,000 shares dated April 17, 2023 8-K 04-21-2023 10.2 10.33 Common Stock Warrant for 650,000 shares dated April 17, 2023 8-K 04-21-2023 10.3 10.34 Form of Private Placement Agreement 8-K 06-14-23 1.1 10.35 Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 13, 2023 between Auddia Inc. and the Investors named therein 8-K 06-14-23 10.1 10.36 Common Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2023, by and between White Lion Capital, LLC and Auddia Inc. 8-K 11-06-23 10.1 10.37 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2023, by and between White Lion Capital, LLC and Auddia Inc. 8-K 11-06-23 10.2 10.38 # Employment Agreement, effective as of November 27, 2023, between Auddia Inc. and John E. Mahoney 8-K 12-18-2023 10.1 10.39 Series A Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement dated November 11, 2023 between Auddia Inc. and Jeffrey Thramann 8-K 11-16-2023 10.1 23.1 Consent of Daszkal Bolton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm X 23.2 Consent of Haynie and Company, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm X 24.1 Power of Attorney (Included on Signature Page) 31.1 Section 302 Certification by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer X 31.2 Section 302 Certification by the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer X 32.1 Section 906 Certification by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer X 32.2 Section 906 Certification by the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer X 97.1 Auddia Clawback Policy X 101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in IXBRL, and included in exhibit 101). ___________________________ # Indicates management contract or compensatory plan. ** Certain information contained in this Exhibit has been redacted and appears as “XXXXX” as the disclosure of same would be a disadvantage to the Registrant in the marketplace Item 16. Form 10-K Summary The Company has elected not to include summary information. 65 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. AUDDIA INC. By: /s/ Michael Lawless Michael Lawless President, Chief Executive Officer and Director By: /s/ John Mahoney John Mahoney Chief Financial Officer Date: April 1, 2024 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints each of Michael Lawless and John Mahoney, with full power of substitution and re-substitution and full power to act without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his or her name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this annual report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing, ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 1st day of April, 2024. /s/ Jeffery Thamann, M.D. Executive Chairman and Director Jeffrey Thramann, M.D. /s/ Michael Lawless President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Michael Lawless (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ John Mahoney Chief Financial Officer John Mahoney (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Stephen Deitsch Director Stephen Deitsch /s/ Timothy Hanlon Director Timothy Hanlon /s/ Thomas Birch Director Thomas Birch 66