Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Business and Viability of Operations

v3.21.1
Business and Viability of Operations
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Business and Viability of Operations  
Business and Viability of Operations

1.    Business and Viability of Operations

Summit Wireless Technologies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries also referred to herein as “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) was originally formed as a limited liability company in Delaware on July 23, 2010. The Company develops wireless audio semiconductors and modules for consumer electronics companies to enable mainstream consumers and audio enthusiasts to experience high quality audio.

Nasdaq Notification

On March 24, 2020, the Company received written notification from Nasdaq that the Company did not comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605 (the “Audit Committee Rule”), which requires that the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors include at least three independent directors. On June 24, 2020, as a result of the Company’s appointment of Sri Peruvemba to such audit committee effective as of June 22, 2020, Nasdaq notified the Company that it determined that the Company regained compliance with the Audit Committee Rule and the matter was closed.

On January 6, 2021, the Company notified Nasdaq that effective January 1, 2021, Helge Kristensen, a current director of the Company and a member of the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors, may no longer be considered an independent director, as such term is defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). On January 14, 2021, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq confirming that the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq’s independent director and audit committee requirements as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605 and that consistent with Nasdaq Listing Rules 5605(b)(1)(A) and 5605(c)(4), Nasdaq has provided the Company a “cure period” in order to regain compliance until the earlier of (i) the Company’s next annual stockholders’ meeting or (ii) January 1, 2022; or if the next annual stockholders’ meeting is held before June 30, 2021, then the Company must evidence compliance with such rule no later than June 30, 2021. Nasdaq has also informed the Company that if it does not regain compliance with both of the Nasdaq Independence Requirements, within the applicable “cure period,” Nasdaq will provide written notification to the Company that its securities will be delisted from Nasdaq.

On April 19, 2021, as a result of the Company’s appointment of Robert Tobias to the audit committee effective as of March 14, 2021, Nasdaq notified the Company that it determined that the Company regained compliance with Nasdaq’s audit committee requirements and the matter was closed. On May 12, 2021, as a result of the Company’s appointment of Wendy Wilson to the Company’s board of directors effective as of May 6, 2021, Nasdaq notified the Company that it determined that the Company regained compliance with Nasdaq’s independent director requirements and the matter was closed.

 

Reverse Stock Split

On March 31, 2020, the Company held a special meeting of its stockholders, at which its stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse stock split of all of the outstanding shares of common stock at a specific ratio within a range from one-for-four to one-for-twenty, and to grant authorization to the board of directors to determine, in its sole discretion, the specific ratio and timing of the reverse stock split. On April 9, 2020, a 1-for-20 reverse stock split was effected and the condensed consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted. All common stock share numbers, warrants to purchase common stock, prices and exercise prices have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. The par value of the common stock and the Series A 8% Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) outstanding and its par value were not adjusted for the reverse stock split. The common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on that day under the new CUSIP number 86633R 203.

COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The rapid spread of the pandemic and the continuously evolving responses to combat it have had an increasingly negative impact on the global economy. Given the fact that our products are sold through a variety of distribution channels, we expect that our sales will experience more volatility as a result of the changing and less predictable operational needs of many customers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are aware that many companies, including many of our customers and suppliers, are reporting or predicting negative impacts from COVID-19 on future operating results. Although, we did observe fluctuating demand for our products between April and September 2020, and delays in certain product shipments from our suppliers after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, including most recently, we have not experienced a material adverse impact on our operating results. We have reduced access to our facilities to personnel and third parties who perform critical activities that must be performed on-site and as a result, most of our personnel currently work remotely. Such remote working policies may negatively impact productivity and disrupt our business operations. In view of the rapidly changing business environment, unprecedented market volatility and heightened degree of uncertainty resulting from COVID-19, we are currently unable to fully determine its future impact on our business. We also cannot be certain how demand may shift over time or be certain supply delays or interruptions will not occur in the future, as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may go through several phases of varying severity and duration. However, we are monitoring the progression of the pandemic and its potential effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Liquidity and management plans

The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred net operating losses each year since inception. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.7 million and reported net cash used in operations of $2.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company expects operating losses to continue in the foreseeable future because of additional costs and expenses related to research and development activities, plans to expand its product portfolio, and increase its market share. The Company’s ability to transition to attaining profitable operations is dependent upon achieving a level of revenues adequate to support its cost structure. Based on current operating levels, the Company will need to raise additional funds by selling additional equity or incurring debt. To date, the Company has not generated significant revenues and has funded its operations primarily through sales of its common stock in public markets, sales of common and preferred units prior to its initial public offering (“IPO”) and proceeds from convertible notes. The Company also obtained a loan of $847,000, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program under Division A, Title I of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, but the use of funds from such loan, by its terms, has been limited to making payroll payments to our employees and other permitted purposes relating to the operation of our business. (See Note 4 – Borrowings – Payroll Protection Program Note Agreement.) Additionally, future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the rate of revenue growth, the selling price of the Company’s products, the expansion of sales and marketing activities, the timing and extent of spending on research and development efforts and the continuing market acceptance of the Company’s products. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Management of the Company intends to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities or debt. There can be no assurance that, in the event the Company requires additional financing, such financing will be available at terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. Failure to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, raise additional capital and reduce discretionary spending could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve its intended business objectives. As a result, the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern has not been alleviated. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.