Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Business and Viability of Operations

v3.20.2
Business and Viability of Operations
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
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 November 18, 2019, we were officially notified by The Nasdaq Capital Market, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) that we did not comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b), which requires a minimum $2,500,000 stockholders’ equity (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”), among other continued listing criteria. We were required to submit to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement for consideration by the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications staff (“Nasdaq Staff”) by no later than January 2, 2020. On January 2, 2020, we submitted a plan to regain compliance (the “Compliance Plan”) to the Nasdaq Staff. On March 23, 2020, the Nasdaq Staff accepted the Compliance Plan and granted us an extension period pursuant to which we must regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b). Among other things, the terms of such extension include that the Company must complete an equity raise on or before May 18, 2020, and must publicly disclose on a Current Report on Form 8-K our prior non-compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b) and the terms of such equity raise enabling us to regain compliance with such rule, which Current Report on Form 8-K was filed with the SEC on April 24, 2020. Notwithstanding the terms of such extension period, if we fail to evidence compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b) upon the filing of our periodic report for the period ended June 30, 2020, the Nasdaq Staff will provide written notification that our common stock will be delisted from Nasdaq; however, we may appeal such delisting determination to Nasdaq’s hearing panel. On May 11, 2020, we filed a Form 8-K, stating that we believe we had regained compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement. Additionally, on August 13, 2020, we filed our quarterly report for the three months ended June 30, 2020, demonstrating stockholders’ equity of $11.7M, which was over the minimum equity requirement for continued listing.

On March 24, 2020, we were officially notified by Nasdaq that we did not comply with 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. In accordance with Nasdaq’s Listing Rules, we were granted a cure period in order to regain compliance with the Audit Committee Rule by (i) the earlier of (x) our next annual stockholders’ meeting or (y) February 10, 2021 or (ii) if such annual stockholders’ meeting is held before August 10, 2020, then we were required to evidence compliance with the Audit Committee Rule no later than that date.

On April 24, 2020, the Company announced that it received written notification from Nasdaq that the Company regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement of at least $1.00 per share under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company had previously been notified by Nasdaq on October 16, 2019, that the Company’s closing bid price per share had been below $1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days and that the Company did not meet the minimum bid price requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). According to the notification letter, the Company had 180 days to regain compliance by meeting or exceeding the minimum bid price for a period of at least 10 consecutive trading days, but the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock did not satisfy this requirement. On April 24, 2020, however, Nasdaq notified the Company that it has determined that the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock for the 10 consecutive business days from April 9, 2020 through April 23, 2020 had been at least $1 per share. Accordingly, the Company regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, and the matter is closed.

On June 24, 2020, Nasdaq notified the Company that it has determined that the Company is in compliance with the Audit Committee Rule and the matter has been closed.

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 September 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $9.1 million, an accumulated deficit of $196.7 million and reported net cash used in operations of $7.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. 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.