SkyAI, Inc. 10-K

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The following discussion and analysis summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of our Company as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Sharps Technology, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the risks set forth in our filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements . Overview Since our inception in 2017, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to the research and development of our safety syringe products. To date, we have generated no revenue. We have incurred net losses in each year of $4,639,662 and $4,664,412 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Substantially all of our net losses resulted from costs incurred in connection with our research and development efforts, payroll and consulting fees, stock compensation and general and administrative costs associated with our operations, including costs incurred for being a public company since April 14, 2022. See below Initial Public Offering, Liquidity and Capital Resources and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements We classify our operating expenses as research and development, and general and administrative expenses. We maintain a corporate office located in Melville, New York, but employees and consultants in the US work remotely and will continue to do so indefinitely. In June 2020, in connection with the agreement to acquire Safegard, a former syringe manufacturing facility in Hungary, which was completed on July 6, 2022, we were contractually provided the exclusive use of the facility for research and development and testing in exchange for payment of the seller’s operating costs, including among others, use of Safegard’s work force, utility costs and other services. In order to compete in the market, we must build inventory. Commencing in the 4 th Quarter of 2022 we have started building inventory. We require commercial quantities of inventory to secure orders. Delivery is expected shortly after receiving orders. Research and Development Research and development expense consists of expenses incurred while performing research and development activities for our various syringe products. We recognize research and development expenses as they are incurred. Our research and development expense primarily consist of: ● Manufacturing and testing costs and related supplies and materials; ● Consulting fees paid for our Chief Technology Officer; ● Operating costs paid to Safegard, through the acquisition date for use of Safegard’s workforce, utilities and other services, relating to the facility being utilized; and ● Third-party costs, including engineering, incurred for development and design. Substantially all of our research and development expenses to date have been incurred in connection with our syringe products. We expect our research and development expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we continue to enhance our product to meet the market requirements for our Sharps Provensa product line for its various intended uses throughout the world. 17 Initial Public Offering On April 13, 2022, our registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-263715), as amended, related to our IPO was declared effective by the SEC, and our common stock and warrants began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or Nasdaq, on April 14, 2022. Our IPO closed on April 19, 2022. Net proceeds from the IPO were approximately $14.2 million. In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Company used net proceeds to repay the Note Payable of $2 million. Recent Development On September 29, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement (the “NPC Agreement”) with Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation (“NPC”) and various affiliates of NPC, including InjectEZ, LLC, that we believe will provide multiple future opportunities for the Company. The NPC Agreement is for a period of four (4) years, expiring on September 28, 2026, and continues thereafter for successive one (1) year periods. The NPC Agreement is intended to support several areas of the Company’s development and growth. The Company and NPC intend to supplement the NPC Agreement by entering into a manufacturing supply agreement, a sales and distribution agreement and a pharma services program to support growth, and a future agreement to support manufacturing expansion. The manufacturing and supply agreement will be focused on the development and manufacture of high value pre-fillable syringe systems that can be utilized by Nephron which are highly sought after by the healthcare industry and pharmaceutical markets, with projected product supply beginning in mid-2023. The syringe lines will utilize highly automated equipment and controlled environments established by Nephron. These premium offerings will be made from what we believe are the highest quality raw materials, on the most innovative technology. These products will be compliant with the USP standards required in the United States, as well as the EP and JP international standards, as applicable The products that the Company and Nephron intend to develop and commercialize are designed to provide solutions to support Nephron’s current fill/finish strategies, as well as their pipeline of new drug applications, and sets forward a strategy to support branded pharma and advanced therapies including ophthalmic and biologic applications. Our seasoned understanding of pharma fill/finish processes and equipment and strong connections with preferred component suppliers and large pharmaceutical companies sets the groundwork for an effective market strategy in partnership with Nephron. On December 8, 2022, the Company completed the sales and distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) portion of the overall agreement with Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Nephron SC, Inc. (collectively, “Nephron”), pursuant to which the Company appointed Nephron as its exclusive distributor for the sale and distribution of the products subject to the Distribution Agreement in and throughout the United States. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the price of shipping products will be based on the cost of delivery to Nephron’s warehouse and the Company will pay for the cost of delivery to Nephron. The Distribution Agreement has a term of two years and will continue in effect unless either party notifies the other party of its desire to terminate. At any time and for any reason, either party can terminate the Distribution Agreement after thirty (30) days’ notice and in the event of a breach of any of the Distribution Agreement’s terms and provisions, either party can terminate the Distribution Agreement by providing 90 days written notice. The Company has the right to terminate the Distribution Agreement with 60 days written notice in the event that certain conditions are met as set forth in the Distribution Agreement. The Company’s collaboration will include the creation of a Pharma Services Program (PSP) designed to support Healthcare customers that need innovative solutions and products to support their business. This program will create new business development growth opportunities for both companies. We believe that these opportunities for the Company will include the development and sale of next generation drug delivery systems for Nephron products, the healthcare industry, and pharmaceutical markets. The development of the program will help create new fill/finish project opportunities that will utilize innovative packaging solutions developed by the Company. These new customer projects will help create a future pipeline of growth for both companies working together. Initial, and currently confidential, projects have been identified and will be further developed through the collaboration efforts of Nephron and the Company. The opportunity to create new innovative technologies to support Nephron and the healthcare industry would be transformative for the Company and its future. The Company will be working with Nephron on plans for future expansion, innovation, collaboration and building for long-term success. To further support the planned growth for the Pharma Services Program, we will be working to expand our U.S. operations in South Carolina with the help of NPC. This expansion may include the construction of an additional manufacturing facility, located on the Nephron campus, that would be focused on the manufacture of specialized drug delivery technologies to support Nephron and the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Through this plan of accelerated expansion, we believe that the Company will be able to deliver increased capacity, driving growth and ultimately, profitability for the high value products’ segment of our business. 18 On February 3, 2023, the Company completed a securities purchase agreement (“Offering”) with institutional investors and received net proceeds from the Offering were approximately $3.2 million, net of $600,000 in fees relating to the placement agent and other offering expenses. The Offering was priced at the market under Nasdaq rules. In connection with the Offering, the Company issued 2,248,521 units at a purchase price of $1.69 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one non-tradable warrant exercisable for one share of common stock at a price of $1.56. The warrants have a term of five years from the issuance date. Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates This management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reported periods. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The FMV adjustments, based on the trading price of outstanding warrants classified as liabilities, could impact the operating results in the reporting periods. Nature of Business Nature of Business Sharps Technology, Inc. (“Sharps” or the “Company”) is a pre-revenue medical device company that has designed and patented various safety syringes and is seeking commercialization by manufacturing and distribution of its products. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sharps Technology, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Safegard Medical, Inc, collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31. On April 13, 2022, the Company’s Initial Public Offering was deemed effective with trading commencing on April 14, 2022. The Company received net proceeds of $14.2 million on April 19, 2022. (See Capital Structure and Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus COVID-19 a global pandemic. This contagious disease outbreak has adversely affected workforces, economies, and financial markets globally leading to an economic downturn in certain industries and countries. It is not possible for the Company to predict the duration or magnitude of the adverse results of the outbreak and its effects on the Company’s business or ability to raise funds. Management continues to monitor the situation but has not experienced a significant disruption to its product development efforts. 19 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States (“U.S.”) and are expressed in U.S. dollars. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with various financial institutions. Inventories The Company values inventory at the lower of cost (average cost) or net realizable value. Work-in-process and finished goods inventories consist of material, labor, and manufacturing overhead. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. A reserve is established for any excess or obsolete inventories or they may be written off. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, inventory is comprised of raw materials, components and finished goods. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, require an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs into three levels that may be used to measure fair value. Level 1 Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market and do no entail a significant degree of judgment. Level 2 Level 2 applied to assets or liabilities for which there are other than Level 1 observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market date. 20 Level 2 instruments require more management judgment and subjectivity as compared to Level 1 instruments. For instance: determining which instruments are most similar to the instrument being priced requires management to identify a sample of similar securities based on the coupon rates, maturity, issuer credit rating and instrument type, and subjectively select an individual security or multiple securities that are deemed most similar to the security being priced; and determining whether a market is considered active requires management judgment. Level 3 Level 3 applied to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The determination for Level 3 instruments requires the most management judgment and subjectivity. Fixed Assets Fixed assets are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. The Company’s fixed assets consist of land, building, machinery and equipment, molds and website. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method commencing on the date the asset is operating in the way intended by management over the following useful lives: Building – 20 years, Machinery and Equipment – 3 -10 years and Website – 3 years. The expected life for Molds is based lesser of the number of parts that will be produced based on the expected mold capability or 5 years. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed annually for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to the future net undiscounted cash flows that the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the projected discounted future net cash flows arising from the asset. Goodwill and Purchased Identified Intangible Assets Goodwill When applicable, goodwill will be recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired under a business combination. Goodwill also includes acquired assembled workforce, which does not qualify as an identifiable intangible asset. The Company reviews impairment of goodwill annually in the third quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the goodwill might be impaired. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary. If, based on the qualitative assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company proceeds to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company first determines the fair value of a reporting unit using weighted results derived from an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is estimated through the discounted cash flow method based on assumptions about future conditions such as future revenue growth rates, new product and technology introductions, gross margins, operating expenses, discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and other assumptions. The market approach estimates the fair value of the Company’s equity by utilizing the market comparable method which is based on revenue multiples from comparable companies in similar lines of business. The Company then compares the derived fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. 21 Identified Intangible Assets When applicable, the Company’s identified intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company makes judgments about the recoverability of finite-lived intangible assets whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, the Company assesses recoverability by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, the Company would accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life. The Company evaluates the carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis, and an impairment charge would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of such assets exceeds their estimated fair value. Stock-based Compensation Expense The Company measures its stock-based awards made to employees based on the estimated fair values of the awards as of the grant date. For stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The stock-based awards are granted at an exercise price that represents the fair market value of the underlying common stock based on the stock price, at which the Company sold stock in private placements completed by the Company, during the period such options were issued. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period and is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest. The Company recognizes forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur on a prospective basis. Stock-based compensation expense for awards granted to non-employees as consideration for services received is measured on the date of performance at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever can be more reliably measured. Derivative Instruments The Company accounts for common stock warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the specific terms of the warrants and applicable authoritative guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC 480”), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). The assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own stock and whether the holders of the warrants could potentially require net cash settlement in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding. At their issuance date and as of December 31, 2022, the warrants were accounted for as liabilities as these instruments did not meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815-40 based on the terms of the aforementioned warrants. The resulting warrant liabilities are re-measured at each balance sheet date until their exercise or expiration, and any change in fair value is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss (See Notes 7, 8 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). 22 Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share. ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) on the face of the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the year. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive. As at December 31, 2022, there were 10,405,916 stock options and warrants that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been antidilutive for the periods presented. Income Taxes The Company must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments are used in the calculation of tax credits, tax benefits, tax deductions, and in the calculation of certain deferred taxes and tax liabilities. Significant changes to these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to the Company’s tax provision in a subsequent period. The provision for income taxes was composed of the Company’s current tax liability and changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities. The calculation of the current tax liability involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations and in determining the liability for tax positions, if any, taken on the Company’s tax returns in accordance with authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. Deferred income taxes are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover the Company’s deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely on a more-likely-than-not basis, the Company must increase its provision for income taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that it estimates will not ultimately be recoverable. However, should there be a change in the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the provision for income taxes would fluctuate in the period of such change. Contingencies Contingencies are evaluated and a liability is recorded when the matter is both probable and reasonably estimable. Gain contingencies are evaluated and not recognized until the gain is realizable or realized. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements During the periods presented, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under Regulation S-K Item 303(a)(4). Results of Operations Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and, 2021. Year Ended December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Change Change % Research and development $ 2,280,933 1,690,865 $ 590,068 35 % General and administrative 6,457,860 2,806,801 3,651,059 130 % Interest expense (income) 1,320,416 166,746 1,153,670 692 % FMV gain adjustment for derivatives (5,392,911 ) - (5,392,911 ) - Foreign currency Loss 496 - 496 - Other (27,132 ) - (27,132 ) - Net loss $ 4,639,662 $ 4,664,412 $ (24,750 ) 1 % 23 Revenue The Company has not generated any revenue to date. Research and Development For the year ended December 31, 2022, Research and Development (“R&D”) expenses increased to $2,280,933 compared to $1,690,865 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $590,068 was due to increased R&D costs incurred at Safegard for labor $181,000 and other costs $207,000, which commenced after the acquisition on July 6, 2022. In addition, we had increases in depreciation related to R&D equipment of $597,000 which had commenced in the fourth quarter of 2021. We had increases in stock compensation and consulting fees of $4,000 from $321,000 in 2021 to $325,000 in 2022, decreases in engineering of $4,000 from $169,000 in 2021 to $165,000 2022 and decreases in other R&D costs of $119,000 from $331,000 in 2021 to $212,000 in 2022. The aforementioned changes were offset by the decrease in the Safegard operating cost of $275,000 from $850,000 in 2021 to $575,000 in 2022, incurred prior to acquisition. The operating costs primarily related to the use of Safegard’s workforce, utility costs incurred and other services. The facility, since June 2020 and following the acquisition, has been used for further development, production of current prototype samples and related testing. General and Administrative For the year ended December 31, 2022, General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $6,457,860 as compared to $2,806,801 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $3,651,059 was primarily attributable to increases in payroll and related of: i) payroll and consulting fees of $805,000 from $918,000 in 2021 to $1,723,000 in 2022, primarily due to increased amounts of payroll and increased staffing, including fifty-two staff members and $187,000 relating to the Safegard acquisition from date of acquisition and additional other staff and pay of $618,000 from $918,000 in 2021 to $1,355,000 in 2022 and ii) decrease in stock compensation expense, due to timing of option awards and vesting, of approximately $175,000 from $1,091,000 in 2021 to $916,000 in 2022. In addition, we had increases in G&A in the year ended December 31, 2022 of approximately $3,021,000 principally from increased: marketing and promotion ($878,000), professional fees ($178,000), travel ($152,000), board fees ($151,000), insurance ($521,000). public company and investor relations related ($294,000), issuance costs related to the warrants ($550,000), rent and office expenses ($109,000) and other ($188,000). Interest expense (income) Interest expense, net of interest income, was $ 1,320,416 for the year ended December 31, 2022 , compared to interest expense of $ 166,746 for the year ended December 31, 2021 . Interest expense increased by $ 1,153,670 due to the financing entered into in December 2021 which resulted in interest payable at the 8% face amount of $47,111 plus accreted interest of $1,299,985 on the $2,000,000 Note Payable which was repaid at the IPO closing with net proceeds. FMV Adjustment for Derivatives The value of the Note Warrants requires the Fair Market Value (“FMV”) to be remeasured at each reporting date while outstanding with recognition of the changes in fair value to other income or expense in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $5,392,911 FMV gain to reflect the decrease in the Note Warrants and Warrants liabilities issued with the IPO. (See Notes 7, 8 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) 24 Liquidity and Capital Resources On April 13, 2022, we completed its IPO which was declared effective by the SEC, and the Company’s common stock and warrants began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market or Nasdaq on April 14, 2022 and which closed on April 19, 2022. The net proceeds from the IPO were approximately $14.2 million of which $5,778,750 was attributed to the warrant liability (See Notes 8 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) . At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had a cash balance of $4,107,897 and $1,479,166, respectively. The Company has working capital of $2,416,928 as of December 31, 2022 vs working capital deficiency of $1,156,998, as of December 31, 2021. The increase in our working capital was primarily related to net proceeds from our initial public offering of approximately $14.2 million prior to the effect of recording the liability attributed to the warrants from the IPO, less use of cash in operations, investing in fixed assets purchased, repayment of the Note Payable of $2.0 million and $2.4 million paid relating to the Safegard acquisition. On February 3, 2023, we completed a securities purchase agreement (“Offering”) with institutional investors and received net proceeds from the Offering were approximately $3.2 million, net of $600,000 in fees relating to the placement agent and other offering expenses. The Offering was priced at the market under Nasdaq rules. In connection with the Offering, we issued 2,248,521 units at a purchase price of $1.69 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one non-tradable warrant exercisable for one share of common stock at a price of $1.56. The warrants have a term of five years from the issuance date. (See Notes 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) Cash Flows Net Cash Used in Operating Activities The Company used cash of $6,433,159 and $3,147,736 in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in cash used was principally due to the Company incurring additional G&A expenses and R&D activities as described above during year ended December 31, 2022. Net Cash Used in Investing Activities For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company used cash in investing activities of $3,117,916 and $2,343,730, respectively. In both years, cash was used to acquire or pay deposits for machinery and equipment of $542,662 and $2,221,830, respectively. Further, in the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company used $2,365,576 and $75,000, respectively the acquisition of Safegard or related escrow payments. Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company provided cash from financing activities of $12,235,475 and $5,180,429 respectively. In the 2022 period, the cash provided was primarily from the IPO net proceeds of $14,202,975, prior to the effect of recording the liability attributed to the warrants from the IPO, less the Notes repayment of $2,000,000. In 2021, the cash provided was from stock subscriptions from a private placement. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303(a)(4). Emerging Growth Company Status We are an “emerging-growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As an emerging growth company, we can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We intend to avail ourselves of these options. Once adopted, we must continue to report on that basis until we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. 25 We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of: (i) the end of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the initial public offering; (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenue are $1.07 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (iv) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If, as a result of our decision to reduce future disclosure, investors find our common shares less attractive, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and the price of our common shares may be more volatile. We are also a “smaller reporting company,” meaning that the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates plus the aggregate amount of gross proceeds to us as a result of the IPO is less than $700 million and our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company if either (i) the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million or (ii) our annual revenue was less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of our stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million. If we are a smaller reporting company at the time, we cease to be an emerging growth company, we may continue to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are available to smaller reporting companies. Specifically, as a smaller reporting company we may choose to present only the two most recent fiscal years of audited financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and, similar to emerging growth companies, smaller reporting companies have reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Not required for smaller reporting companies. 26