Insiders ranked by realized 90-day signed return on their open-market trades at Cea Industries Inc.. Minimum 3 scored trades. Returns are signed - a sale followed by a rally counts against the insider.
Real-time Form 4 intelligence. Smarter insider tracking.
YoY shift: Neutral
Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is -0.07pp more bearish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Risk Factors
+0.17pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
MD&A
-0.32pp
Lean -
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
Per-snippet highlights
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
failures+1
breach+1
damages+1
claims+1
Positive rising
achieve+1
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
11,221 words
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Certain factors may have a material effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, in addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that affect our business. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and future prospects could be materially and affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could , and you could part or all of your investment.
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
loss+6
claims+6
defend+2
damages+2
conflicts+1
Positive rising
No words rose this year.
MD&A (Item 7)
6,958 words
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which include additional information about our accounting policies, practices, and the transactions underlying our financial results. In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under “ Statements” appearing elsewhere herein and the risks and uncertainties described or identified in “Item 1A – Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
Summary Of Risk Factors Relating to our Current CEA Operations
Our CEA business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those risks discussed at length in the section below titled “Risk Factors.” These risks include, among others, the following:
Historically, we have had limited revenues and operated our business with a working capital deficit. Additionally, our operating results have fluctuated over the years.
We enter into contracts that are performed over a period of time; therefore, we have a contract backlog in differing amounts from quarter to quarter. Converting backlog to revenue depends on many factors, such as the customer obtaining financing, building permits and construction of their facility. We may not be able to convert all of our contracts representing backlog into revenue. We currently do not convert our backlog on a consistent basis quarter to quarter.
Although we are not cannabis plant or product touching, historically we have provided services and equipment to the cannabis industry segment. As a result, we may be subject to the changes within that sector and certain of the regulations and enforcement issues of the cannabis industry.
We have material weaknesses in our controls and procedures for financial reporting.
We may not be able to implement a successful growth program and, even if that is successful, we may not manage such a program effectively, which may affect our investors’ return on investment.
To the extent we continue in the CEA industry, we will need to expand our customer base, expand and develop our products and services and increase marketing and achieve timely contract execution.
Due to supply disruptions and competing demand for products, we continue to experience supply issues similar to other members of the CEA industry. International trade disputes, tariffs, international shipping and domestic trucking issues all contribute to the challenges we face in obtaining the products we need for contract performance. We have experienced and are likely to continue to experience inflationary effects on the cost of products and labor, which is likely to adversely affect our margins. The failure to procure the products we need to satisfy our customer contracts would disrupt our business, harm our reputation, result in losses and potently cause us to lose our market.
We rely on third party manufacturers to supply the equipment we sell or lease for our CEA customers. If the equipment does not perform to specifications or to our customers’ satisfaction, there may be an adverse impact on our business and our revenues.
We rely on a limited number of customers and suppliers.
The build side of the CEA industry is very competitive. To be able to compete successfully, we will need to offer a wide range of products, have adequate capital for expansion, supply and execution, and develop robust marketing.
We will need to attract and retain top quality employee talent. We are dependent on certain key sales, managerial and executive personnel for our current and future success.
Risk Factors
Risks Relating to Our Current CEA Business
Our revenues have been limited, and we will need to obtain financing for any substantive growth, and possibly our continued operations, which may not be available to us.
Historically, we have raised equity and debt capital to support our operations. We raised approximately $22 million from a public offering completed in February 2022. As of December 31, 2024, we had working capital of approximately $9,064,000 and our cash balance was approximately $9,453,000.
We expect to need additional funds in the longer term, from time to time, to complete aspects of the overall development of our business plan, such as in connection with the acquisition of Fat Panda and other strategic assets. We also anticipate needing additional funds for ongoing operating expenses. The precise amount and timing of our funding needs cannot be determined accurately at this time, and will depend on a number of factors, including demand for our products and services, the success of our product development efforts, the timing of receipts for customer payments, the management of working capital, and the continuation of normal payment terms and conditions for our purchase of goods and services. The continuation of normal payment terms and conditions with our customers and suppliers, including our ability to obtain advance payments from our customers, significantly impacts our ability to fund our ongoing operations.
Any future equity offering will result in dilution to our shareholders; obtaining borrowed capital may not be possible for us.
To the extent that we raise equity and equity linked securities in any future offerings, our existing shareholders will experience a dilution in the voting power and ownership of their common stock, and our earnings per share, if any, would be impacted. Any borrowings made to finance acquisitions and operations, could make us more vulnerable to a downturn in our operating results, a downturn in economic conditions, or increases in interest rates on borrowings that are subject to interest rate fluctuations. The amount and timing of additional financing needs will vary principally depending on the timing of new product launches, investments and/or acquisitions, and the amount of cash flow from our operations. If our resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to issue additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility.
There is no assurance that we will be able to convert our backlog related to our CEA operations into revenue or make a profit.
While we continue our CEA business, we may be unable to convert the full contract value of our backlog in a timely manner, or at all. We inconsistently convert our backlog into revenue on a quarter-to-quarter basis. The performance of our obligations under a sales contract, and the timing of our revenue recognition, is dependent upon our customers’ ability to secure funding and real estate, obtain a license and then build their cultivation facility so they can use our services and take possession of the equipment we provide. Our sales contracts currently are not time specific as to when our customers are required to take delivery of our services and equipment. More recently, we determined that some of our new construction facility projects are becoming larger and more complex and, as a result, delays were more likely due to licensing and permitting, lack of, or delay in, funding, staged facility construction, and/or the shifting priorities of certain customers with multiple facility projects in progress at one time. Even if we obtain more customers, or increase the average size of our projects, there is no guarantee that we will be able to generate a profit. Because we are a small company with limited capital, limited products and services, and limited marketing activities, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to operate profitably. If we cannot operate profitably, we may have to suspend or cease operations.
We may extend credit to our CEA customers in the future and, if we are unable to collect these accounts receivable, our future profitability could be adversely impacted.
Historically, we had little exposure to the collection risk on accounts receivable since we typically received payments from our customers in advance of our performance of services or delivery of equipment. However, in certain situations, especially as we expand our products and services offering for a customer’s entire facility lifecycle, we may extend credit to our customers, in which case we are at risk for the collection of account receivables. Accordingly, we will be at greater risk for the collection of account receivables. Any customer credit arrangements are negotiated and may not protect us if a customer develops operational difficulty or incurs operating losses which could lead to a bankruptcy. In these cases, we may lose most of the outstanding balance due. In addition, we are typically not able to insure our accounts receivables. The risk is that we derive our revenue and profits from selling products and services to the emerging cannabis industry. The failure of our customers to pay the full amounts due to us could negatively affect future profitability.
Because we currently do not maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our common stock may, therefore, be adversely impacted.
Our reporting obligations as a public company place significant requirements on our management, operational and financial resources, and systems, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Annually, we are required to prepare a management report on our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is currently not effective. In the event that our status with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) changes to that of an accelerated filer from a smaller reporting company, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to and report on our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Under such circumstances, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may still decline to attest to our management’s assessment, or may issue a report that is qualified, if it is not satisfied with our controls, or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and, if we do not remediate the material weakness or are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, the accuracy and timeliness of our financial reporting may be adversely affected.
The Company did not maintain effective controls over certain aspects of the financial reporting process because: (i) we lack a sufficient complement of personnel with a level of accounting expertise and an adequate supervisory review structure that is commensurate with our financial reporting requirements, (ii) there is inadequate segregation of duties due to the limitation on the number of our accounting personnel, and (iii) we have insufficient controls and processes in place to adequately verify the accuracy and completeness of spreadsheets that we use for a variety of purposes including revenue, taxes, stock-based compensation and other areas, and place significant reliance on, for our financial reporting. A material weakness 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 the annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If we are unable to achieveeffective internal control over financial reporting, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we continue to have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our shares could decline, and our reputation may be damaged.
The inability to effectively manage our operational reorganization could harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
If there is any growth in or reorganization of our business and operations, including integrating any acquired business and assets, it is likely to place a strain on our management and administrative resources, infrastructure and systems. We expect that in those instances we will need to further refine and expand our business development capabilities, our systems and processes and our access to financing sources. We also will need to hire, train, supervise, and manage employees. These processes are time consuming and expensive, will increase management responsibilities and will divert management attention. We cannot assure that we will be able to:
execute on our business plan and strategy;
expand our products effectively or efficiently or in a timely manner;
allocate our human resources optimally;
meet our capital needs;
identify and hire qualified employees or retain valued employees; or
effectively incorporate the components of any business or product line that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.
Our inability or failure to manage our company effectively could harm our business and materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly based on customer acceptance of our services and products, industry uncertainty, project financing concerns, and regulatory requirements. As a result, period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are unlikely to provide a good indication of our future performance.
Management expects that, under typical operating conditions, we will experience substantial variations in our revenues and operating results from quarter to quarter. This variance may change with fundamental changes in our operations, such as the planned acquisition of Fat Panda.
In our CEA operations, we have been experiencing a decline in revenues, which has also affected our operating results. Our revenue recognition in our CEA operations is dependent upon shipment of the equipment portions of our sales contracts, which, in many cases, may be delayed while our customers complete permitting, prepare their facilities for equipment installation or obtain project financing. Uncertainty in the CEA industry, project financing concerns, and the licensing and qualification of our prospective customers, which are out of our control, make it difficult for us to predict when we will recognize revenue. If customers are unable to obtain licensing, permitting or financing, our sales and revenue will decline, resulting in a reduction in our operating income or possible increase in losses.
To date, the majority of our revenues have been generated from clients that operate in the legal cannabis industry in the United States and Canada.
We provide the overwhelming majority of our facility engineering design and equipment integration and solutions to facilities in the legal cannabis industry. While we are hopeful that the proportion of non-cannabis revenues might increase over time, decreases in demand from the legal cannabis industry will have a material adverse effect on our revenues and the success of our business operations.
The cannabis industry has been an emerging industry over the last several years, and cannabis has only been legalized in some states and remains illegal in other states and under U.S. federal law, making it difficult to accurately forecast the demand for our engineering and product solutions in this specific industry. Losing clients from the cannabis industry may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and the success of our business.
The cannabis industry is still developing in the United States. While the majority of U.S. states now have legal cannabis, it remains illegal under U.S. federal law, making it difficult to accurately predict and forecast the demand for our engineering and product solutions. If the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) did take action against the cannabis industry, we believe those of our clients operating in the legal cannabis industry would be lost to us.
In our operations, we rely heavily upon the various U.S. federal governmental memos issued in the past, including the memorandum issued by the DOJ on October 19, 2009, known as the “Ogden Memorandum”, the memorandum issued by the DOJ on August 29, 2013, known as the “Cole Memorandum” and other guidance, in the attempt to keep our operations acceptable to those state and federal entities that regulate, enforce, or choose to defer enforcement of certain current regulations regarding cannabis. By doing this, we seek to avoid the many possible consequences of providing grow equipment to the cannabis industry as our customers continue to comply with their state and local jurisdictional laws, rules and regulations and the interpretations of relevant authorities.
The legal cannabis industry is not yet well or fully developed, and many aspects of this industry’s development and evolution cannot be accurately predicted. Therefore, the loss of any of our current clients or our inability to capture new client contracts will have a material adverse effect on our business. While we have attempted to identify our business risks in the legal cannabis industry, you should carefully consider that there are other risks that cannot be foreseen or are not described in this report, which could materially and adversely affect our business and financial performance.
There is heightened scrutiny by Canadian regulatory authorities related to the cannabis industry.
Our existing and future operations may become the subject of heightened scrutiny by those regulators and other authorities in Canada that oversee the cannabis industry. As a result, we may become subject to direct and indirect interaction with public officials in one or both the United States and Canada. No assurance can be provided that any heightened scrutiny will not in turn lead to the imposition of restrictions on our ability to operate in Canada, in addition to those described herein.
If we do not successfully have additional products and services, or if those products and services are not successfully commercialized, we could lose revenue opportunities.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to expand our product and service offerings in our current operational sector or otherwise expand or change our operations. The processes of identifying and commercializing products are complex and uncertain, and if we fail to accurately predict customers’ changing needs and emerging technological or other trends, then our business could be harmed. We have already and may have to continue to commit significant resources to commercializing products before knowing whether our investments will result in products the market will accept. We may be unable to differentiate our products from those of our competitors, and our products may not be accepted by the market. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify additional product opportunities, develop and bring products to market in a timely manner, or achieve market acceptance of our products or that products and technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies obsolete or non-competitive. Furthermore, we may not execute successfully on commercializing those products because of errors in product planning or timing, technical hurdles that we fail to overcome in a timely fashion, or a lack of appropriate resources. This could result in competitors providing those solutions before we do and a reduction in revenue and earnings.
Our future success depends on our ability to grow and expand our customer base. Our failure to achieve such growth or expansion could materially harm our business.
Our success depends on us achievinggreater and broader acceptance of our products and services in our current and proposed business operations. This will require us to expand our commercial customer base and win larger contracts. There can be no assurance that customers will purchase our services or products or that we will continue to expand our customer base. If we are unable to effectively market or expand our product and service offerings, we will be unable to grow and expand our business or implement our business strategy. This could materially impair our ability to increase sales and revenue, and materially and adversely affect our margins, which could harm our business and cause our stock price to decline.
Our suppliers in our CEA operations could fail to fulfil our orders for parts used to assemble our products, which would disrupt our business, increase our costs, harm our reputation, and potentially cause us to lose our market.
We depend on third party suppliers around the world, including those in The People’s Republic of China, for materials used in our CEA operations, to assemble our products. Any of these suppliers could fail to produce products to our specifications or in a workmanlike manner and may not deliver the material or products on a timely basis. Our suppliers may also have to obtain inventories of the necessary parts and tools for production. Any change in our suppliers’ approach to resolving production issues could disrupt our ability to fulfil orders and could also disrupt our business due to delays in finding new suppliers, providing specifications and testing initial production.
Equipment failures or poor performance may negatively impact our business.
We rely on third party manufacturers for equipment used in CEA operations which we sell or lease. From time to time, such equipment may not perform to specifications or to our customers’ satisfaction. Such equipment deficiencies may lead to down time impacting our revenue. Further, frequent downtime at customers’ sites due to equipment failures may result in such customers generating less revenue and increasing credit default risk. In addition, these failures may also result in additional time spent by our personnel, decreasing profit margins on certain ancillary services.
The failure of equipment supplied by third parties may also result in breach of contract and warranty claims from our customers. Whether or not we will be able to pass the responsibility for equipment failures that are not of our making will depend on many factors. We, however, will take all action necessary to identify the correct responsible party and pass through any responsibility in respect of an equipment or other failure. We may not be successful in such action and may ultimately be responsible for damages.
We have a concentration of customers and suppliers, which could affect our financial results.
Two customers accounted for 45% and 10% of the Company’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024. Three customers accounted for 37%, 21% and 12% of the Company’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s accounts receivable from two customers made up 61% and 36%, respectively, of the total balance as of December 31, 2024. The Company’s accounts receivable from three customers made up 59%, 29%, and 12%, respectively, of the total balance as of December 31, 2023. One supplier accounted for 80% of the Company’s purchases of inventory for the year ended December 31, 2024, and three suppliers accounted for 34%, 17%, and 16% of the Company’s purchases of inventory for the year ended December 31, 2023. Our results of operations will be significantly affected if we lose our primary customer, or if we are not able to replace the customer at the conclusion of our services to that customer. Our operations will also be impacted negatively if we are not able to find suppliers to replace those that we currently use. Overall, our operations and, therefore, financial results are dependent on a limited number of customers and suppliers.
International trade disputes could result in tariffs and other protectionist measures that could adversely affect the Company’s business.
Tariffs could increase the cost of our products and the components and raw materials that go into making them. These increased costs could adversely impact the gross margin that we earn on sales of our products. Tariffs could also make our products more expensive for customers, which could make our products less competitive and reduce customer demand. Countries may also adopt other protectionist measures that could limit our ability to offer our products and services.
Our inability to effectively protect our intellectual property would adversely affect our ability to compete effectively, our revenue, our financial condition, and our results of operations.
We may be unable to obtain intellectual property rights to effectively protect our branding, products, and other intangible assets. Our ability to compete effectively may be affected by the nature and breadth of our intellectual property rights. While we intend to defendagainst any threats to our intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that any such actions will adequately protect our interests. If we are unable to secure intellectual property rights to effectively protect our branding, products, and other intangible assets, our revenue and earnings, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.
We also rely on non-disclosure and non-competition agreements to protect portions of our intellectual property portfolio. There can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or proprietary knowledge, or that third parties will not independently develop competitive products with similar intellectual property.
We may become subject to additional regulation of CEA facilities that are unrelated to cannabis.
Our engineering and design services and solutions are focused on CEA facilities that are able to grow a wide variety of crops other than that of cannabis, such as leafy greens (kale, Swiss chard, mustard, cress), microgreens (leafy greens harvested at the first true leaf stage), ethnic vegetables and small fruits (such as strawberries, blackberries and raspberries), bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Some of these crops and their growing methodologies are subject to regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration, environmental agencies, public utility agencies and other federal, state or foreign agencies. Changes to any regulations and laws that complicate the design and engineering of a subject CEA facility, such as wastewater treatment and electricity-related mandates, make it possible that potential related zoning and enforcement could decrease the demand for our services, and in turn negatively impact our revenues and business opportunities.
The CEA industry is highly competitive, and we have less capital and resources than many of our competitors, which may give them an advantage in developing and marketing services and products similar to ours or make our services and products obsolete.
There are many competitors in the CEA industry, including some companies that focus on the cannabis industry. These companies generally offer products and services similar or the same as those offered by us. There can be no guarantees that in the future other companies will not enter this arena by developing products that are in direct competition with us or even superior in quality or price. The barriers to entry into the CEA industry are not significant. Over time we anticipate growth and intensity in our competition. Some of our current and future competition may have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, larger client bases and significantly greater financial, technical, sales and marketing resources. One or more of these qualities may allow them to respond more quickly than us to market opportunities. They may be able to devote greater resources to the marketing, promotion and sale of their products and/or services. Competitors may also adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to clients, employees, strategic partners, distribution channels and advertisers. Increased competition is likely to result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and a potential loss of market share.
We will be required to have top quality talent to compete in the marketplace.
We believe our success will depend in part on our ability to have skilled managerial, product development, sales and marketing, and finance personnel. Our ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, our ability to offer competitive wages, benefits and professional growth opportunities. There can be no assurance of success in attracting and retaining such personnel. Shortages in qualified personnel could limit our ability to increase sales of existing products and services and launch new product and service offerings.
We are dependent upon certain key sales, managerial and executive personnel for our future success. If we lose any of our key personnel, our ability to implement our business strategy could be significantly harmed.
We depend on the industry knowledge, technical and financial skill, and network of business contacts of certain key employees. Our future success will depend on the continued service of these key employees or our ability to engage others who are similarly situated in the industry. While we may have employment agreements with certain of these key employees, they are free to terminate their employment with us at any time, although they may be subject to certain restrictive covenants on their post-termination activities. We do not carry key-man life insurance on the lives of our key employees. The departure of any one of our key employees could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business objective and maintain the specialized services that we offer our customers.
We have a limited number of employees that may not be sufficient to service our contracts.
As a result of various factors affecting the CEA industry in which we operate, we have made employee reductions from time to time in the last year. We believe we are operating as leanly as needed to be able to service our contract obligations. The mix of our current employees and their number may not be sufficient for our current needs and if we increase our business we will need additional employees, which may not be available. If we are not able to service our contract obligations, our business will suffer and we may be liable for contract damages.
System security risks, data protection breaches, cyber-attacks and systems integration issues could disrupt our internal operations or services provided to customers, and any such disruption could reduce our expected revenue, increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.
Experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate or compromise our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of the products that we may sell in the future, especially our SentryIQ® sensors, controls and automation platform. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our engineering, sales, manufacturing, distribution or other critical functions.
Portions of our IT infrastructure may also experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with systems integration or migration work that takes place from time to time. We may not be successful in implementing new systems and transitioning data, which could cause business disruptions and be more expensive, time consuming, disruptive and resource intensive. Such disruptions could adversely impact our ability to fulfill orders and interrupt other processes. Delayed sales, lower profits, or lost customers resulting from these disruptions could adversely affect our financial results, stock price and reputation.
We incur significant costs as a result of being a public company, which will make it more difficult for us to achieveprofitability.
As a public company, we incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other rules implemented by the SEC. These costs will make it more difficult for us to achieveprofitability.
Changes in accounting standards and subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial results.
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and related pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations with regard to a wide variety of matters that are relevant to our business, such as, but not limited to, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, trade promotions, and income taxes are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by our management. Changes to these rules or their interpretation or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by our management could significantly change our reported results.
Our ability to use net operating losses to offset future taxable income may be subject to limitations.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has U.S. federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”) of approximately $31,985,000, of which $11,196,000 will expire, if not utilized, in the years 2034 through 2037. However, the balance of $20,789,000 NOLs generated subsequent to December 31, 2017, do not expire but may only be used against taxable income to 80%. In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and corresponding provisions of state law, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” which is generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, in its equity ownership over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. We have experienced ownership changes in the past and we may experience additional ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent changes in our stock ownership, some of which may be outside of our control. Our September 2021 and February 2022 securities sales also will have to be taken into account for determination of any “ownership change” that we have undergone during a determination period. If an ownership change occurs and our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards is materially limited, it would harm our post tax income by effectively increasing our future tax obligations.
We may not be able to successfully identify, consummate or integrate acquisitions or to successfully manage the impacts of such transactions on our operations.
Part of our business strategy includes evaluating and pursuing synergistic and other acquisitions. Currently, we are in the process of acquiring Fat Panda. Material acquisitions and other strategic transactions, such as the acquisition of Fat Panda involve a number of risks, including: (i) the potential disruption of our ongoing business; (ii) the distraction of management away from the ongoing oversight of our existing business activities; (iii) incurring additional indebtedness; (iv) the anticipated benefits and cost savings of those transactions not being realized fully, or at all, or taking longer to realize than anticipated; (v) an increase in the scope and complexity of our operations; (vi) the disruption of a significant reorganization of the company; and (vii) the loss or reduction of control over certain of our assets.
The pursuit of any acquisitions may pose certain risks to us. We may not be able to identify acquisition candidates that fit our criteria for growth and profitability. Even if we are able to identify such candidates, we may not be able to acquire them on terms or financing satisfactory to us. We will incur expenses and dedicate attention and resources associated with the review of acquisition opportunities, whether or not we consummate such acquisitions.
Risks Related to the Cannabis Industry
Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, and therefore, strict enforcement of federal laws regarding cannabis, particularly against our customers, would likely result in our inability to execute our business plan.
Marijuana legalization is mixed across the country. And it is constantly evolving. In four states it continues to be fully illegal. In the other states it is either legalized, available for medical uses and decriminalized, available for medical uses, decriminalized, or permitted for low-tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”)/high-CBD extracts.
Under U.S. federal law, however, those activities are illegal.
Cannabis, other than hemp (defined by the U.S. government as Cannabis sativa L . with a THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis), is a Schedule I controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 801, et seq.) (the “CSA”). Even in states or territories that have legalized cannabis to some extent, the cultivation, possession, and sale of cannabis all violate the CSA and are punishable by imprisonment, substantial fines and forfeiture. Moreover, individuals and entities may violate federal law if they aid and abet another in violating the CSA, or conspire with another to violate the law, and violating the CSA is a predicate for certain other crimes, including money laundering laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government has the authority to regulate and criminalize the sale, possession and use of cannabis, even for individual medical purposes, regardless of whether it is legal under state law. For over six years, however, the U.S. government has not enforced those laws against companies complying with state cannabis law and their vendors.
The likelihood of any future adverse enforcement against companies complying with state cannabis laws remains uncertain. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will follow established principles that govern all federal prosecutions when deciding which cannabis activities to prosecute. As a result, federal prosecutors could and still can use their prosecutorial discretion to decide to prosecute even state-legal cannabis activities. However, generally, U.S. Attorneys have not targeted state law compliant entities. The policy of not prosecuting companies complying with state cannabis laws is likely to continue under the Biden Administration.
Additionally, since 2014, versions of the U.S. omnibus spending bill have included a provision prohibiting the DOJ, which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration, from using appropriated funds to prevent states from implementing their medical-use cannabis laws. In USA vs. McIntosh , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that the provision prohibits the DOJ from spending funds to prosecute individuals who engage in conduct permitted by state medical-use cannabis laws and who strictly comply with such laws. The court noted that, if the spending bill provision were not continued, prosecutors could enforce against conduct occurring during the statute of limitations even while the provision was previously in force. Other courts that have considered the issue have ruled similarly, although courts disagree about which party bears the burden of proof of showing compliance or noncompliance with state law.
We cannot predict the timing of any change in federal law or possible changes in federal enforcement. In the unlikely event that the federal government were to reverse its long-standing hands-off approach to the state legal cannabis markets and start more broadly enforcing federal law regarding cannabis, we would likely be unable to execute our business plan, and our business and financial results would be adversely affected.
Certain of our customers may be outside any protections extended to medical-use cannabis under the spending bill provision and more recent medical-use and research laws. This could subject them to greater and/or different federal legal and other risks as compared to businesses where cannabis is sold exclusively for medical use, which could in turn materially adversely affect our business. Furthermore, any change in the federal government’s enforcement posture with respect to state-licensed cannabis sales, including the enforcement postures of individual federal prosecutors in judicial districts where we operate, could result in our inability to execute our business plan, and we would likely suffer significant losses with respect to our customer base, which would adversely affect our operations, cash flow and financial condition.
We are and will be subject to applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and Canada that involve money laundering, financial recordkeeping and proceeds of crime, including the U.S. Currency and Foreign 125 Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (commonly known as the Bank Secrecy Act), as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by governmental authorities in the United States, Canada and internationally. Further, under U.S. federal law, banks or other financial institutions that provide a cannabis business with a checking account, debit or credit card, small business loan, or any other service could be found guilty of money laundering if certain other elements are met.
Despite these laws, the FinCEN Memorandum states that in some circumstances, it is permissible for banks to provide services to cannabis-related businesses without risking FinCEN enforcement. It refers to and incorporates supplementary Cole Memo guidance issued to federal prosecutors relating to the prosecution of money laundering offenses predicated on cannabis-related violations of the CSA on the same day.
Notwithstanding former Attorney General Sessions’ revocation of the Cole Memo, the status of the FinCEN Memorandum has not been affected, nor has the Department of the Treasury given any indication that it intends to rescind the FinCEN Memorandum itself. Though it was originally intended for the Cole Memo and the FinCEN Memorandum to work in tandem, the FinCEN Memorandum appears to remain in effect as a standalone document which explicitly lists the eight enforcement priorities originally cited in the rescinded Cole Memo. Although the FinCEN Memorandum remains intact, indicating that the Department of the Treasury and FinCEN intend to continue abiding by its guidance, it is unclear whether the current administration will continue to follow the guidelines of the FinCEN Memorandum.
We face risks related to civil asset forfeiture due to the regulatory environment of the cannabis industry in the United States.
Because the cannabis industry remains illegal under U.S. federal law, any property owned by participants in the cannabis industry, which are either used in the course of conducting such business, or are the proceeds of such business, could be subject to seizure by law enforcement and subsequent civil asset forfeiture. Even if the owner of the property were never charged with a crime, the property in question could still be seized and subject to an administrative proceeding by which, with minimal due process, it could be subject to forfeiture. As a result, the equipment that our customers acquire from us in the United States may be subject to such seizure and forfeiture. Additionally, a broad interpretation of the law could potentially result in the seizure and forfeiture of proceeds we generate from client payments who are subject to property seizure.
Public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry may have an adverse effect on our business reputation.
Government policy changes or public opinion may also result in a significant influence over the regulation of the cannabis industry in the United States, Canada, or elsewhere. Public opinion and support for medical and adult-use marijuana has traditionally been inconsistent and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. While public opinion and support appears to be improving for legalizing medical and adult-use marijuana, it remains a controversial issue subject to differing opinions surrounding the level of legalization (for example, medical marijuana as opposed to legalization in general). A negative shift in the public’s perception of cannabis in the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction could affect future legislation or regulation. Among other things, such a shift could cause state jurisdictions to abandon initiatives or proposals to legalize medical and/or adult-use cannabis, thereby limiting the number of new state jurisdictions into which we could expand. Any inability to fully implement our expansion strategy may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or prospects.
We may have difficulty accessing bankruptcy courts.
Because cannabis is illegal under federal law, federal bankruptcy protection is currently not available to parties who engage in the cannabis industry or cannabis-related businesses. Recent bankruptcy rulings have deniedbankruptcies for dispensaries upon the justification that businesses cannot violate federal law and then claim the benefits of federal bankruptcy for the same activity and upon the justification that courts cannot ask a bankruptcy trustee to take possession of and distribute cannabis assets as such action would violate the CSA. Therefore, we may not be able to seek the protection of the bankruptcy courts, and this could materially affect our business or our ability to obtain credit.
Our historical business efforts in Canada have presented opportunities, but no assurance can be given that our revenues and earnings will be improved on the basis of our addressing the Canadian business.
In addition to U.S. operations, we seek to sell products and services to CEA and cannabis growers in Canada, where medical and recreational cannabis has been legal since 2018 across the country both federally and provincially (subject to certain restrictions relating to CBD). We believe Canada, with its federal legal regime, represents a business opportunity for us, but we have noticed softening demand from Canadian prospects due, in part, to limited capital being available for new facilities and an overbuilding of cultivation capacity following federal legalization. As a result, Canada now appears to be in a period of correction. There can be no assurance that we will be able to make any additional sales of products or services in Canada.
Variations in state and local regulation and enforcement in states that have legalized cannabis may impose certain restrictions on cannabis-related activities that may adversely impact our revenue and earnings.
Variations exist among states that have legalized, decriminalized, or created medical cannabis programs. For example, Alaska and Colorado have limits on the number of cannabis plants that can be grown by an individual in the home. In most states, the cultivation of cannabis for personal use continues to be prohibited except by those states that allow small-scale cultivation by the individual in possession of cannabis for medicinal purposes or that person’s caregiver. Active enforcement of state laws that prohibit personal cultivation of cannabis may indirectly and adversely affect our revenue and earnings.
The cannabis industry could face strongopposition from other industries.
We believe that established businesses in other industries may have a strong economic interest in opposing the development of the cannabis industry. Cannabis may be seen by companies in other industries as an attractive alternative to their products, including recreational marijuana as an alternative to alcohol, and medical marijuana as an alternative to various commercial pharmaceuticals. Many industries that could view the emerging cannabis industry as an economic threat are well established, with vast economic and United States federal and state lobbying resources. It is possible that companies within these industries could use their resources to attempt to slow or reverse legislation legalizing cannabis. Any inroads these companies make in halting or impeding legislative initiatives that would be beneficial to the cannabis industry could have a detrimental impact on our clients and, in turn on our operations.
Changing legislation and evolving interpretations of law, could negatively impact our clients and, in turn, our operations.
Laws and regulations affecting the medical and adult-use marijuana industry are constantly changing, which could detrimentally affect our clients involved in that industry and, in turn, our operations. Local, state and federal cannabis laws and regulations are often broad in scope and subject to constant evolution and inconsistent interpretations, which could require our clients and ourselves to incur substantial costs associated with modification of operations to ensure compliance. In addition, violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our clients’ business and result in a material adverse effect on our operations. In addition, it is possible that regulations may be enacted in the future that will limit the amount of cannabis grown or related products that our commercial clients are authorized to produce. We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations or applications, nor can it determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative policies and procedures, when and if promulgated, could have on our operations.
The fact that we provide products and services to companies in the cannabis industry may impact our ability to raise adequate capital for future expansion, which could hinder our growth potential as well as our revenue and earnings.
A very large percentage of our customers are operating in an industry that is still illegal under U.S. federal law. With the lingering uncertainty of federal enforcement, many potential investors, especially institutional investors, either refuse to invest in the industry or are very reluctant to make such investments. Our inability to raise adequate capital for future expansion could substantially hinder our growth potential as well as our revenue and earnings.
Our success may be dependent on additional states legalizing recreational and/or medical cannabis use.
Continued development of the recreational and medical cannabis markets is dependent upon continued legislative authorization of cannabis at the state level for recreational and/or medical purposes. Any number of factors could slow or halt the progress. Furthermore, progress, while encouraging, is not assured, and the process normally encounters setbacks before achievingsuccess. While there may be ample public support for legislative proposals, key support must be created in the relevant legislative committee, or a bill may never advance to a vote. Numerous factors impact the legislative process. Any one of these factors could slow or halt the progress and adoption of cannabis for recreational and/or medical purposes, which would limit the overall available market for our products and services, which could adversely impact our business, revenue and earnings.
Our customers may have difficulty accessing the service of banks, which may make it difficult for them to purchase our products and services.
As a result of the federal illegality of marijuana, many banks do not provide banking services to the cultivation and distribution segments of the cannabis industry, the argument being that they would be accepting for deposit funds derived from the operation of a federally illegal business. On February 14, 2014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) released guidance to banks “clarifying Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) expectations for financial institutions seeking to provide services to marijuana-related businesses.” In addition, there have been legislative attempts to allow banks to transact business with state-authorized cannabis businesses. While these are positive developments, there can be no assurance that legislation will be successful, or that, even with the FinCEN guidance, banks will decide to do business with cannabis companies, or that, in the absence of actual legislation, state and federal banking regulators will not strictly enforce current prohibitions on banks handling funds generated from an activity that is illegal under federal law. Moreover, the FinCEN guidance may be rescinded or amended at any time in order to reconcile the now conflicting guidance of the Sessions Memo. At present, few banks have taken advantage of the FinCEN guidance, resulting in many cannabis businesses still operating on an all-cash basis. This makes it difficult for cannabis businesses to manage their businesses and pay their employees and taxes; in addition, having so much cash on hand creates significant public safety issues. Many ancillary businesses that service cannabis businesses have to deal with the unpredictability of their clients or customers not having a bank account. The inability of our customers to open bank accounts and otherwise access the services of banks, including obtaining credit, may make it more difficult and costly for them to operate and more difficult for such customers to purchase our products and services, which could materially harm our business, revenue and earnings.
We are subject to certain federal regulations relating to cash reporting.
The BSA, enforced by FinCEN, requires us to report currency transactions in excess of $10,000, including identification of the customer by name and social security number, to the Internal Revenue Service. This regulation also requires us to report certain suspicious activity, including any transaction that exceeds $5,000 that we know, suspect or have reason to believe involves funds from illegal activity or is designed to evade federal regulations or reporting requirements and to verify sources of funds. Substantial penalties can be imposed against us if we fail to comply with this regulation. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, the imposition of a substantial penalty could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
State and municipal governments in which our customers do business or seek to do business may have or may adopt laws that adversely affect our ability to do business with such customers.
While the federal government has the right to regulate and criminalize cannabis, state and municipal governments may adopt or amend additional laws and regulations that further criminalize or adversely affect cannabis businesses. States that currently have laws that decriminalize or legalize certain aspects of cannabis, such as medical marijuana, could in the future, reverse course and adopt new laws that further criminalize or adversely affect cannabis businesses. Additionally, municipal governments in certain states may have laws that adversely affect cannabis businesses, even though there are no such laws at the state level. For example, municipal governments may have zoning laws that restrict where cannabis operations can be located and the manner and size of which they can expand and operate. These municipal laws, like the federal laws, may adversely affect our customers’ ability to do business. Also, given the complexity and rapid change of the federal, state and local laws pertaining to cannabis, our customers may incur substantial legal costs associated with complying with these laws and in acquiring the necessary state and local licenses required by their business endeavour’s. All the foregoing may impact our customers’ ability to purchase our products and services, which may adversely affect our business, revenue and earnings.
Most, if not all, of our customers are impacted by Section 280E of the Code, which limits certain expenses marijuana companies can deduct. This negative impact could affect the financial condition of our customers, which in turn may negatively affect the ability of our customers to purchase our products and services.
Section 280E of the Code forbids businesses from deducting otherwise ordinary business expenses from gross income associated with the “trafficking” of Schedule I or II substances, as defined by the CSA. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has subsequently applied Section 280E to state-legal cannabis businesses since marijuana is still a Schedule I substance. Section 280E states that no deductions should be allowed on any amount “in carrying on any trade or business if such trade or business consists of trafficking in controlled substances.” Section 280E affects all businesses that engage in the cultivation, sale or processing of marijuana. This includes cultivators, medical dispensaries, marijuana retail stores and infused product manufacturers, as well as marijuana-derived concentrates and oil manufacturers. Because Section 280E limits certain deductions, it can have a dramatic effect on the profitability of these businesses, which in turn may adversely affect their ability to purchase our products and services. Such result may adversely impact our revenue and earnings.
There may be difficulty enforcing certain of our commercial agreements and contracts.
Courts will not enforce a contract deemed to involve a violation of law or public policy. Because cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law, parties to contracts involving the state legal cannabis industry have argued that the agreement was void as federally illegal or against public policy. Some courts have accepted this argument in certain cases, usually against the company trafficking in cannabis. While courts have enforced contracts related to activities by state-legal cannabis companies, and the trend is generally to enforce contracts with state-legal cannabis companies and their vendors, there remains doubt and uncertainty that we will be able to enforce our commercial agreements in court for this reason. We cannot be assured that we will have a remedy for breach of contract, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Due to our involvement in the cannabis industry, we may have a difficult time obtaining the various insurances that are desired to operate our business, which may expose us to additional risk and financial liability.
Insurance that is otherwise readily available, such as general liability and directors’ and officers’ insurance, is more difficult for us to find, and more expensive, because we are product and service providers to companies in the cannabis industry. There are no guarantees that we will be able to find such insurances in the future, or that the cost will be affordable to us. If we are forced to go without such insurances, it may prevent us from entering into certain business sectors, may inhibit our growth, and may expose us to additional risk and financial liabilities.
A drop in the retail price of cannabis products may negatively impact our business.
The fluctuations in economic and market conditions that impact the prices of commercially grown cannabis, such as increases in the supply of cannabis and decreases in demand for cannabis, could have a negative impact on our clients that are cannabis producers, and therefore could negatively impact our business.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our securities prices may be volatile and may decrease substantially.
The public trading prices of our securities fluctuate, in some cases substantially, and we expect that they will continue to do so. The price of our securities in the market on any particular day depends on many factors including, but not limited to, the following:
our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and our ability to satisfy current continued listing standards;
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
investor demand for our shares and warrants;
significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of companies in the cannabis industry;
variations in our operating results and market conditions specific to our business;
the emergence of new competitors or new technologies;
operating and market price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable;
changes in our Board of Directors (the “Board”) or management;
sales or purchases of our securities by insiders, including sales of our common stock issued to employees, directors and consultants under our equity incentive plans which were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) under our S-8 registration statement;
commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;
changes in governmental regulations, in particular with respect to the cannabis industry;
actual or anticipated changes in our earnings, and fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
market sentiments about the cannabis industry;
general economic conditions and trends; and
departures of any of our key employees.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Due to the potential volatility of our securities prices, we may therefore be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.
In addition, if the market for equity stocks of companies in our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the market price of our securities could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition, or results of operations. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause the price of our securities to fall and may expose us to lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and a distraction to our Board of Directors and management.
Our Board of Directors is authorized to reclassify any unissued shares of our preferred stock into one or more classes, which could convey special rights and privileges to its owners.
Our articles of incorporation permit our Board of Directors to reclassify any authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock into one or more classes. Our Board of Directors will generally have broad discretion over the size and timing of any such classification, subject to a finding that the classification and issuance of preferred stock is in our best interests. In the event our Board of Directors opts to classify a portion of our unissued shares of preferred stock into a class of preferred stock, those preferred shares would have a preference over our common stock with respect to dividends and liquidation. The class voting rights of any preferred shares we may issue could make it more difficult for us to take some actions that may, in the future, be proposed by the Board of Directors and/or the holders of our common stock, such as a merger, exchange of securities, liquidation, or alteration of the rights of a class of our securities, if these actions were perceived by the holders of preferred shares as not in their best interests. These effects, among others, could have an adverse effect on your investment in our common stock.
Registration rights and Rule 144 sales contain risks for shareholders.
From time to time, we issue our securities on an unregistered basis, which may be eligible for resale under SEC Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or may require us to register with the SEC the securities for resale. In the event there are securities outstanding that can be sold under Rule 144 or under a registration statement for resale, there may be market pressure on our stock to absorb the securities in respect of the then market value of the company.
We have a substantial number of options and public warrants outstanding, which if exercised for shares of common stock, may put pressure on the market price of a share.
We have sold to public investors a substantial number of warrants to purchase common stock that may be exercised from time to time over the next several years. In addition, we have a substantial number of options and public warrants outstanding held by investment bankers who provided us with underwriting and placement services that were issued warrants and employees that were issued options. To the extent that these are exercised for shares, there may be pressure on our stock price while the market absorbs them. The potential of exercise may also have the same effect. Investors should expect that the options and warrants will be exercised when the stock price is substantially above the exercise price.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for the foreseeable future, to repay indebtedness and to fund our business. We do not intend to pay any dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board taking into account various factors, including our business, operating results and financial condition, current and anticipated cash needs, plans for expansion, any legal or contractual limitations on our ability to pay dividends under our loan agreements or otherwise. As a result, if our Board does not declare and pay dividends, the capital appreciation in the price of our common stock, if any, will be your only source of gain on an investment in our common stock, and you may have to sell some or all of your common stock to generate cash flow from your investment.
The market price of our securities may be adversely affected by the sale of shares by our management or large stockholders.
Sales of our shares of common stock by our officers or senior managers through 10b5-1 plans or otherwise or by large stockholders could adversely and unpredictably affect the price of our common stock. Additionally, the price of our shares of common stock could be affected even by the potential for sales by these persons. We cannot predict the effect that any future sales of our common stock, or the potential for those sales, will have on our share price. Furthermore, due to relatively low trading volume of our stock, should one or more large stockholders seek to sell a significant portion of their stock in a short period of time, the price of our stock may decline.
An active, liquid trading market for our common stock and warrants may not develop or be sustained, and as a result, investors may not be able to sell their common stock at or above their acquisition price, or at all .
Prior to February 10, 2022, our common stock was quoted on the OTC Markets Group, Inc., OTCQB. Trading on the OTCQB marketplace was infrequent and in limited volume. Although our common stock is now listed on Nasdaq, along with our public warrants, an active trading market for these securities may never develop or be sustained. If an active trading market does not develop, investors will have difficulty selling their shares of common stock and warrants at an attractive price, or at all. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital and may impair our ability to expand our business by using our common stock and common stock related securities as consideration in an acquisition. If we are unable to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq Market, it is possible that our securities will once again trade on the OTC with the limitations noted above.
Investors may be diluted by future issuances of preferred stock or additional common stock in connection with our incentive plans, acquisitions or otherwise; future sales of such shares in the public market, or the expectations that such sales may occur, could lower our stock price.
Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue shares of our common stock and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our common stock for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our Board in its sole discretion. We could issue a significant number of shares of common stock in the future in connection with investments or acquisitions. Any of these issuances could dilute our existing stockholders, and such dilution could be significant. Moreover, such dilution could have a material adverse effect on the market price for the shares of our common stock.
The future issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of shares of our common stock, either by diluting the voting power of our common stock if the preferred stock votes together with the common stock as a single class, or by giving the holders of any such preferred stock the right or ability to block an action on which they have a separate class vote, even if the action were approved by the holders of our shares of our common stock.
The future issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock, when compared to the rights of the common stockholders, could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in the common stock less attractive. For example, investors in the common stock may not wish to purchase common stock at a price above the conversion price of a series of convertible preferred stock because the holders of the preferred stock would effectively be entitled to purchase common stock at the lower conversion price, causing economic dilution to the holders of common stock.
Cautionary
Please also refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with Item 1 – Business in this Annual Report, and our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is segregated into four sections, including:
Executive Overview . This section provides a summary of our operating performance and cash flows, industry trends and our strategic initiatives.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates . This section describes the accounting areas where management makes critical estimates to report our financial condition and results of operations.
Results of Operations . This section provides an analysis of our consolidated results of operations for the two comparative periods presented in our consolidated financial statements.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position . This section provides an analysis of cash flow, contractual obligations, and certain other matters affecting our financial position.
Executive Overview
CEA Industries Inc. currently is focused on selling environmental control and other technologies and services to the Controlled Environment Agriculture (“CEA”) industry. Our service and product offerings include: (i) floor plans and architectural design of cultivation facilities, (ii) licensed mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering of commercial scale environmental control systems specific to cultivation facilities, (iii) process cooling systems and other climate control systems, (iv) air handling equipment and systems, (v) LED lighting, (vi) benching and racking solutions for indoor cultivation, (vii) automation and control devices, systems and technologies used for environmental, lighting and climate control, and (viii) preventative maintenance services for CEA facilities. Our customers include commercial, state- and provincial-regulated CEA growers in the U.S. and Canada as well as in other international locations. Customers are those growers building new facilities and those expanding or retrofitting existing facilities, with both ranging in size from several thousand to more than 100,000 square feet.
Historically, our revenue stream is derived primarily from supplying our products, services and technologies to commercial indoor facilities that grow cannabis, but we have served facilities growing other crops and we intend to pursue such facilities as customers more in the future.
Historically, nearly all of our customers have been in the cannabis cultivation business. We believe our customers engage us for their environmental and climate control systems because they value our reputation as experts in the industry. We leverage our reputation and know-how against the many local contractors and MEP engineers who collectively constitute our largest competitors.
The following table summarizes results for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
$ Change
% Change
Revenue
Net loss
Adjusted net loss
Our adjusted net income (loss) is our GAAP net income (loss) after addback for our non-cash equity compensation expenses, debt-related items, and depreciation expense. Historically, one of the most significant financial challenges we face is the inconsistent and unpredictable revenue we generate quarter-over-quarter, and our revenue and cash flow remain difficult to predict.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Our Business
The impact of the government and the business economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic affected demand across the majority of our markets and disrupted workflow and completion schedules on projects. We believe we continue to have adverse effects on our sales, project implementation, supply chain infrastructure, operating margins, costs, and working capital, as a result of the pandemic. We continue to monitor costs and continue to take actions to reduce costs in order to mitigate the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the best of our ability. However, these actions may not be sufficient in the long run to avoid reduced sales, increased losses, and reduced operating cash flows in our business. During the year ended December 31, 2024, , the Company experienced delays in the receipt of equipment it had ordered to meet its customer orders due to disruption and delays in its supply chain. Consequently, our revenue recognition of some customer sales has been delayed until future periods when the shipment of orders can be completed.
Impact of Ukrainian and Israeli Conflicts
We believe that the conflicts involving Ukraine and Israel do not have any direct impact on our operations, financial condition, or financial reporting. We believe the conflicts will have only a general impact on our operations in the same manner as it is having a general impact on all businesses that have their operations limited to North America resulting from international sanction and embargo regulations, possible shortages of goods and goods incorporating parts that may be supplied from countries involved in the conflicts, supply chain challenges, and the international and US domestic inflation resulting from the conflict and government spending in relation to the conflicts. As our operations are related only to the North American controlled agricultural industry, largely within the cannabis space, we do not believe we will be specifically targeted for cyber-attacks related to the conflicts. We have no operations in the countries directly involved in the conflict or are specifically impacted by any of the sanctions and embargoes specifically related to those conflicts, as we principally operate in the United States and Canada. We do not believe that the conflicts will have any impact on our internal control over financial reporting. Other than general securities market trends, we do not have reason to believe that investors will evaluate the company as having special risks or exposures related to the conflicts.
Revenue . Our 2024 revenue was approximately $2,803,000. Our 2024 revenue represents a decrease of 59% compared to 2023 See Results of Operations on page 33 below.
Gross Margin . Our 2024 gross loss margin was 7.8%, a decrease from a gross profit margin of 7.8% in 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower revenue and an increase in our fixed cost base as a percent of revenue. See Results of Operations on page 33 below.
Profitability . Our 2024 adjusted net loss was approximately $3,046,000, compared to a 2023 adjusted net loss of approximately $2,698,000, an increase of $348,000, or 13%. See Results of Operations on page 33 below. Our adjusted net income (loss) is a key management metric for us because it provides a proxy for the cash we generate from (use in) operations.
Capital Resources. We continue to experience softening demand in the markets we serve, and an inability to replace our backlog of projects. As a result, we have taken steps during 2023, 2024, and early 2025 to reduce our operating costs and general and administrative expenses to better reflect the activity levels we are observing in the industry. The reductions have been offset by higher costs for professional fees related to a potential acquisition.
Nonetheless, there remain risks and uncertainties regarding our ability to grow revenue and generate sufficient revenues and cash flows. And there can be no assurances that we will be able to raise future capital on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
Contract Bookings. Our bookings increased in 2024, and our backlog at December 31, 2024, was $490,000, an increase of $55,000, or 13%, from our December 31, 2023 backlog. The increase in bookings was primarily due to one large equipment contract of approximately $1,300,000 booked in the second quarter of 2024. During 2024, we had net bookings of $2,769,000, consisting of: (i) $2,874,000 of new sales contracts executed in 2023, (ii) $92,000 in net negative change orders, and (iii) $14,000 in project cancellations.
The following table sets forth: (i) our beginning backlog (the remaining contract value of outstanding sales contracts for which we have received an initial deposit as of the previous period), (ii) our net bookings for the period (new sales contracts executed during the period for which we received an initial deposit, net of any adjustments including cancellations and change orders during the period), (iii) our recognized revenue for the period, and (iv) our ending backlog for the period (the sum of the beginning backlog and net bookings, less recognized revenue). Based on the current economic climate and our cost cutting measures, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to obtain the level of bookings that we have had in the past and or fulfil our current backlog, and we may experience contract cancellations, project scope reductions and project delays.
Our recognized revenue for the quarters ended December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024 in the table below, excludes $0, $31,000, $12,000, $0, and $46, respectively, in revenue arising from the forfeiture of non-refundable deposits from former customers on previously cancelled contracts. The contracts were removed from the backlog at the time of cancellation.
For the quarter ended
December 31, 2023
March 31, 2024
June 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2024
Backlog, beginning balance
Net bookings, current period
Recognized revenue, current period
Backlog, ending balance
The completion of a customer’s new build facility project is dependent upon the customer’s ability to secure funding and real estate, obtain a license and then build their cultivation facility so they can take possession of the equipment. Accordingly, the time it takes for these customers to complete a new build project, which corresponds to when we are able to recognize revenue, is driven by numerous factors including: (i) the large number of first-time participants interested in the indoor cannabis cultivation business; (ii) the complexities and uncertainties involved in obtaining state and local licensure and permitting; (iii) local and state government delays in approving licenses and permits due to lack of staff or the large number of pending applications, especially in states where there is no cap on the number of cultivators; (iv) the customer’s need to obtain cultivation facility financing; (v) the time needed, and coordination required, for our customers to acquire real estate and properly design and build the facility (to the stage when climate control systems can be installed); (vi) the large price tag and technical complexities of the climate control and air sanitation systems; (vii) the availability of power; and (viii) delays that are typical in completing any construction project.
We have provided an estimate in our consolidated financial statements of when we expect to recognize revenue on our remaining performance obligations (i.e., our Q4 2024 backlog). However, there continues to be significant uncertainty regarding the timing of our recognition of revenue in our Q4 2024 backlog. Refer to the Revenue Recognition section of Note 2 in our consolidated financial statements, included as part of this Annual Report for additional information on our estimate of future revenue recognition on our remaining performance obligations.
Our backlog, remaining performance obligations and net bookings may not be indicative of future operating results, and our customers may attempt to renegotiate or terminate their contracts for a number of reasons, including delays in, or inability to, obtain project financing or licensing or abandonment of the project entirely. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that contracts included in backlog or remaining performance obligations will actually generate revenues or when the actual revenues will be generated. Net bookings and backlog are considered non-GAAP financial measures, and therefore, they should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, our GAAP measures for recognized revenue, deferred revenue and remaining performance obligations. Further, we can provide no assurance as to the profitability of our contracts reflected in remaining performance obligations, backlog and net bookings.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain accounting policies are particularly important to the understanding of our financial position and results of operations and require the application of significant judgment by our management or can be materially affected by changes from period to period in economic factors or conditions that are outside of our control. As a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying these policies, management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical operations, our future business plans and projected financial results, the terms of existing contracts, observance of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers, and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. For information regarding our critical accounting policies as well as recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements.
Our management has discussed the development and selection of critical accounting estimates with the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has reviewed our disclosure relating to critical accounting estimates in this Annual Report. We believe the following are the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Accounts receivable and allowance for accounts receivable . Accounts receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount or based on revenue earned for items not yet invoiced, and generally do not bear interest. In accordance with ASU No. 2016-13 (as amended), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which the Company adopted on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2023, an allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against the Company’s receivables by applying an expected credit loss model. Each period, management assesses the appropriateness of the level of allowance for credit losses by considering credit risk inherent within its receivables as of the end of the period. The Company considers a receivable past due when a debtor has not paid us by the contractually specified payment due date. Account balances are written off against the allowance for credit losses if collection efforts are unsuccessful and the receivable balance is deemed uncollectible (debtor default), based on factors such as the debtor’s credit rating as well as the length of time the amounts are past due. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $85,000 and $125,000, respectively. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Inventory . Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The inventory is valued based on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Lower of cost or net realizable value is evaluated by considering obsolescence, excessive levels of inventory, deterioration and other factors. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, are made for estimated excess, obsolescence or impaired inventory. Excess and obsolete inventory is charged to cost of revenue and a new lower-cost basis for that inventory is established; subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the allowance for excess and obsolete inventory was $220,000 and $193,000, respectively.
Product warranty . We warrant the products that we manufacture for a warranty period equal to the lesser of 12 months from start-up or 18 months from shipment. Our warranty provides for the repair, rework, or replacement of products (at our option) that fail to perform within stated specification. Our third-party suppliers also warrant their products under similar terms, which are passed through to our customers. We assess the historical warranty claims on our manufactured products and, since 2016, warranty claims have been approximately 1% of annual revenue generated on these products. We continue to assess the need to record a warranty reserve at the time of sale based on historical claims and other factors. As of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, we had an accrued warranty reserve amount of $53,000 and $191,000, respectively, which are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.
Share-based compensation . We recognize the cost resulting from all share-based compensation arrangements, including stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units that we grant under our equity incentive plan in our consolidated financial statements based on their grant date fair value. The expense is recognized over the requisite service period or performance period of the award. The service inception date is typically the grant date, but the service inception date may be prior to the grant date. Awards with a graded vesting period based on service are expensed on a straight-line basis for the entire award. Awards with performance-based vesting conditions which require the achievement of a specific company financial performance goal at the end of the performance period and required service period are recognized over the performance period. Each reporting period, we reassess the probability of achieving the respective performance goal. If the goals are not expected to be met, no compensation cost is recognized, and any previously recognized amount recorded is reversed. If the award contains market-based vesting conditions, the compensation cost is based on the grant date fair value and expected achievement of market condition and is not subsequently reversed if it is later determined that the condition is not likely to be met or is expected to be lower than initially expected. The grant date fair value of stock options is based on the Black-Scholes Model. The Black-Scholes Model requires judgmental assumptions including volatility and expected term, both based on historical experience. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury interest rates whose term is consistent with the expected term of the option.
Revenue Recognition. We account for revenue in accordance with ASC 606. Under the revenue standard, a performance obligation is a promise in a contract with a customer to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. Most of our contracts contain multiple performance obligations that include engineering and technical services as well as the delivery of a diverse range of climate control system equipment and components, which can span multiple phases of a customer’s project life cycle from facility design and construction to equipment delivery and system installation and start-up. We do not provide construction services or system installation services. Some of our contracts with customers contain a single performance obligation, typically engineering only services contracts.
A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. When there are multiple performance obligations within a contract, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on standalone selling price. When estimating the selling price, we use various observable inputs. The best observable input is our actual selling price for the same good or service, however, this input is generally not available for our contracts containing multiple performance obligations. For engineering services, we estimate the standalone selling price by reference to certain physical characteristics of the project, such as facility size and mechanical systems involved, which are indicative of the scope and complexity of the mechanical engineering services to be provided. For equipment sales, the standalone selling price is determined by forecasting the expected costs of the equipment and components and then adding an appropriate margin, based on a range of acceptable margins established by management. Depending on the nature of the performance obligations, we may use a combination of different methods and observable inputs if certain performance obligations have highly variable or uncertain standalone selling prices. Once the selling prices are determined, we apply the relative values to the total contract consideration and estimates the amount of the transaction price to be recognized as each promise is fulfilled.
Generally, satisfaction occurs when control of the promised goods is transferred to the customer or as we recognize revenue for the sale of goods when control transfers to the customer, which primarily occurs at the time of shipment. We have elected to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes (e.g., sales, use, value added, and certain excise taxes) that are assessed by a governmental authority in connection with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by us from the customer. Accordingly, we recognize revenue net of sales taxes. The revenue and cost for freight and shipping is recorded when control over the sale of goods passes to our customers.
We also have performance obligations to perform certain engineering services that are satisfied over a period of time. Revenue is recognized from this type of performance obligation as services are rendered based on the percentage completion towards certain specified milestones.
We offer assurance-type warranties for its products and products manufactured by others to meet specifications defined by the contracts with customers and does not have any material separate performance obligations related to these warranties. We maintain a warranty reserve based on historical warranty costs.
Remaining performance obligations. The revenue standard requires certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about our remaining performance obligations, which are defined as performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period, including (i) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations, and (ii) when we expect to recognize as revenue with respect to such amounts on either: (x) a quantitative basis using appropriate time bands for the duration of the remaining performance obligations, or (y) by using qualitative information. Industry uncertainty, project financing concerns, and the licensing and qualification of our prospective customers, which are out of our control, make it difficult for us to predict when we will recognize revenue on our remaining performance obligations. There are risks that we may not realize the full contract value on customer projects in a timely manner or at all, and completion of a customer’s cultivation facility project is dependent upon the customer’s ability to secure funding and real estate, obtain a license and then build their cultivation facility so they can take possession of the equipment. Accordingly, the time it takes for customers to complete a project, which corresponds to when we are able to recognize revenue, is driven by numerous factors including: (i) the large number of first-time participants interested in the indoor cannabis cultivation business; (ii) the complexities and uncertainties involved in obtaining state and local licensure and permitting; (iii) local and state government delays in approving licenses and permits due to lack of staff or the large number of pending applications, especially in states where there is no cap on the number of cultivators; (iv) the customer’s need to obtain cultivation facility financing; (v) the time needed, and coordination required, for our customers to acquire real estate and properly design and build the facility (to the stage when climate control systems can be installed); (vi) the significant price and technical complexities of the climate control and air sanitation system; (vii) the availability of power; and (viii) delays that are typical in completing any construction project. Further, based on the current economic climate, and the Company’s recent cost cutting measures, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to fulfil its backlog, and the Company may experience contract cancellations, project scope reductions and project delays.
There is significant uncertainty regarding the timing of our recognition on all remaining performance obligations as of December 31, 2024. Customer contracts for which we have only received an initial advance payment to cover the allocated value of our engineering services (“engineering only paid contracts”) carry enhanced risks that the equipment portion of these contracts will not be completed or will be delayed, which could occur if the customer is dissatisfied with the quality or timeliness of our engineering services or there is a delay or abandonment of the project due to the customer’s inability to obtain project financing or licensing. In contrast, after the customer has made an advance payment for a portion of the equipment to be delivered under the contract (“partial equipment paid contracts”), we are typically betterable to estimate the timing of revenue recognition since the risks and delays associated with licensing, permitting and project funding are typically mitigated once the initial equipment payment is received.
Commitments and contingencies . In the normal course of business, we are subject to loss contingencies, such as legal proceedings and claims arising out of our business, that cover a wide range of matters, including, among others, customer disputes, government investigations and tax matters. An accrual for a loss contingency is recognized when it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Revenues and Cost of Goods Sold
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $2,803,000 compared to $6,911,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $4,108,000, or 59%. This revenue decrease was primarily the result of our significant decrease in net bookings since 2022, which dropped from $6,042,000 in 2022 to $1,535,000 in 2023, or 75%. Net bookings were higher in 2024, increasing to $2,769,000, or an increase of 80% over 2023. We believe the lower bookings are due to the reduction in capital expenditures in the cannabis market environment as a result of the prolonged effects of pricing and inflationary pressure, in addition to a reduced sales effort by the Company.
Cost of revenue decreased by $3,346,000, or 53%, from $6,369,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $3,023,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The factors impacting this change are discussed below.
The gross loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $220,000 compared to a gross profit of $542,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Gross profit margin decreased by 15.7 percentage points from a 7.8% gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 to a 7.8% gross loss for the year ended December 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in revenue, an increase in our fixed cost base as a percent of revenue, offset by slightly lower variable costs as a percent of revenue.
Our revenue cost structure is comprised of both fixed and variable components. The fixed cost component represents engineering, manufacturing and project management salaries and benefits and manufacturing overhead that totaled $892,000, or 32% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $1,279,000, or 18% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease of $388,000 was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and benefits (including stock-based compensation) of $327,000, and a decrease of $61,000 in fixed overhead. The variable cost component, which represents our cost of equipment, outside engineering costs, shipping and handling, travel and warranty costs, totaled $2,132,000, or 76% of total revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $5,090,000, or 74% of total revenue, in the year ended December 31, 2023. In the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year, our cost of equipment decreased by $2,537,000 primarily due to the decrease in revenue, offset by a decrease in our equipment margin. Additionally in the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023: (i) our warranty expense decreased by $190,000, (ii) excess and obsolete inventory expenses decreased by $95,000, (iii) travel was down by $81,000, (iv) our outside engineering costs were down $29,000, and (v) shipping and handling and other overhead expenses decreased by $26,000.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by 16% from $3,495,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $2,952,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $543,000. The operating expense decrease consisted of: (i) a decrease in advertising and marketing expenses of $257,000, (ii) a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A expenses”) of $209,000, and (iii) a decrease in product development expenses of $76,000.
The decrease in advertising and marketing expenses was due primarily to: (i) a decrease in salaries and benefits (including equity-based compensation) of $133,000, (ii) a decrease of $114,000 for advertising and promotion, web development and other marketing expenses, (iii) a decrease of $9,000 for outside marketing services, and (iv) a decrease of $1,000 in expenses related to trade shows and events.
The decrease in SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, was due primarily to: (i) a decrease of $449,000 in salaries, benefits (including equity-based compensation) and other employee related costs, (ii) a decrease of $53,000 for facility and office expenses, (iii) a decrease in bad debt expense of $38,000, and (iv) a decrease in commissions of $16,000, offset by (v) an increase in accounting and professional fees of $299,000, (vi) higher business taxes and licenses of $33,000 primarily due to an increase in real estate taxes, and (vii) an increase in loss on asset disposals of $13,000.
The decrease in product development costs was primarily due to (i) a decrease in salaries and benefits (including equity-based compensation) of $70,000, (ii) a decrease in material costs of $4,000 and, (iii) a decrease in travel of $2,000.
Operating Loss
We had an operating loss of $3,172,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to an operating loss of $2,953,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $219,000, or 7%. The operating loss included $82,000 of non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses and $17,000 for depreciation and amortization in the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $188,000 for stock-based compensation, and $26,000 of depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2023. Excluding these non-cash items, our adjusted operating loss increased by $333,000.
Other Income
Our other income (net) decreased by $15,000 from $42,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, to $26,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024. The other income for 2024 consisted of interest on our money market account. The other income for 2023 consisted of (i) $34,000 of interest on the money market account, and (ii) $8,000 for an adjustment to our ERC credit and unclaimed property.
Net Loss
Overall, we had a net loss of $3,146,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to a net loss of $2,912,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $234,000. The net loss included $82,000 of non-cash, stock-based compensation costs and depreciation and amortization expense of $17,000 in the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $188,000 of non-cash, stock-based compensation costs and depreciation and amortization expense of $26,000 in the year ended December 31, 2023. Excluding these non-cash items, our adjusted net loss increased by $348,000.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $9,453,000, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $12,508,000 as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the year ended December 31, 2024 was the result of cash used in operations of $3,055,000. Our cash is held in bank depository accounts in certain financial institutions. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we held deposits in financial institutions that exceeded the federally insured amount.
As of December 31, 2024, we had accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts) of $13,000, contract assets (net of allowance for doubtful accounts) of $234,000, inventory (net of excess and obsolete allowance) of $26,000, and prepaid expenses and other of $368,000 (including $83,500 in advance payments on inventory purchases). While we typically require advance payment before we commence engineering services or ship equipment to our customers, we have made exceptions requiring us to record accounts receivable, which carry a risk of non-collectability, especially since most of our customers are funded on an as-needed basis to complete facility construction.
As of December 31, 2024, we had no indebtedness, total accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $550,000, deferred revenue of $344,000, and the current portion of operating lease liability of $136,000. As of December 31, 2024, we had working capital of $9,064,000, compared to a working capital of $12,110,000 as of December 31, 2023.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Because of the challenges to the CEA industry economy and the specific challenges of our business, we cannot predict the continuing level of working capital that we will have in the future. As mentioned elsewhere, we have taken steps to conserve our cash resources by reducing staff and taking other cost cutting measures and we will continue to evaluate further such measures in the future.
Summary of Cash Flows
The following summarizes our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Net cash used in operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net decrease in cash
Operating Activities
We incurred a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 of $3,146,000 compared to a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $2,912,000. We had an accumulated deficit of $40,336,000 as of December 31, 2024.
Cash used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $3,055,000 compared to cash used in operations of $6,129,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $3,074,000. The decrease was primarily attributable to: (i) a decrease in cash used for working capital of $3,539,000, (ii) a decrease in net loss of $234,000 and, (iii) a decrease in non-cash operating charges of $231,000. Significant non-cash items during 2024 included: (i) $111,000 for the amortization on an ROU asset, and (ii) stock related compensation of $82,000. Significant non-cash items during 2023 included: (i) stock-related compensation of $188,000, (ii) excess and obsolete inventory charges of $122,000, and (iii) $107,000 for the amortization on an ROU asset.
Investing Activities
There was no cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024. Cash provided by investing activities was less than $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Financing Activities
There were no cash flows from financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.
Capital Raising
Since inception, we have incurred significant operating losses and have funded our operations primarily through issuances of equity securities, debt, and operating revenue. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $40,336,000, working capital of $9,064,000, and stockholders’ equity of $9,198,000.
Inflation
Our operations are being influenced by the inflation existent in the larger economy and in the industries related to building renovations, retrofitting and new build CEA facilities in which we operate. We believe that we will continue to face inflationary increases in the cost of products and our operations, which will adversely affect our margins and financial results and the pricing of our service and product supply contracts. Inflation is reflected in higher wages, increased pricing of equipment, delivery and transportation costs, and general operational expenses. As we move forward, we plan to continuously monitor our various contract terms and may decide to add clauses that will permit us to adjust pricing if inflation and price increase pressures on us will impact our ability to perform our contracts and maintain our margins.
Contractual Payment Obligations
Refer to Note 3 – Leases of our consolidated financial statements, which are included as part of this Annual Report for further details on our obligations under a lease for our manufacturing and office space.
Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
On October 20, 2023, Sweet Cut Grow, LLC and Green Ice, LLC (collectively, “Claimant”) a client of the Company with which it had an equipment contract and engineering contract, filed a demand for arbitration asserting claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment, and a demand for $1,049,280 in damages, plus interest (“Claims”). The Company continues to deny all the Claims and has asserted a counterclaim. The Company believes Claimant is owed nothing as the Company fulfilled all its obligations under the contracts to Claimant, and further, that the negligence of a third-party supplier is the basis of the Claims. We intend to generally defend the claims on the basis that we promptly addressed all problems, and that any issues with defective HVAC equipment are the responsibility of the third-party equipment manufacturer. The Company’s equipment contract with Claimant requires the parties to arbitrate their disputes under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration will be heard in Denver, Colorado. The matter is in the discovery phase. The parties will pay their own legal fees and expenses. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously, believing there are no merits to the Claims as currently presented.
On or about April 17, 2024, Optima Consulting Services, LLC (the “Claimant”), a client of the Company with which it had an equipment contract and engineering contract, advised the Company of a potential claim related to work performed by the Company for Claimant and demanded mediation under the parties’ contract. On or about October 28, 2024, Claimant informed the Company it was asserting claims for negligent/defective design and breach of warranty, and alleges its damages exceed $2,000,000 (Claims”). The Company denies all the Claims and that Claimant is entitled to any damages. The Company believes Claimant is owed nothing as the Company fulfilled all its obligations under the contracts to Claimant and performed all work in line with all applicable standards. We intend to generally defend the Claims on the basis that all work was performed pursuant to the contract and any alleged issues that may have occurred were the result of actions by Claimant and/or third parties. If Claimant moves forward with its Claims, the Company’s equipment contract with Claimant requires the parties to arbitrate their dispute with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration will be heard in Denver, Colorado. The matter is in the preliminary phase. The parties will pay their own legal fees and expenses. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously, believing there are no merits to the Claims as currently presented.
Given the current uncertainty around our ability to estimate the amount of loss and success of the Claims, we have not recorded an accrual for any potential loss related to these matters.
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject to litigation matters and claims. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict, and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a liability for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is known. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
Other Commitments
In the ordinary course of business, we may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of our breach of such agreements, services to be provided by us, or from intellectual property infringementclaims made by third parties. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and certain of our officers and employees that will require us to, among other things, indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors, officers, or employees. We maintain director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from our obligation to indemnify our directors and certain of our officers and employees, and former officers, directors, and employees of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We are required to disclose any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources that are material to investors. As of December 31, 2024, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet financing activities.
Recent Developments
Refer to Note 14 - Subsequent Events of our consolidated financial statements, included as part of this Annual Report, for the significant events occurring since December 31, 2024.
