UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal
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| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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☐ Item 17 ☐ Item 18
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POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
FORM 20-F ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
POET Technologies Inc. is organized under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). In this Annual Report, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, “POET” and “us” refer to POET Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires). We refer you to the documents attached as exhibits hereto for more complete information than may be contained in this Annual Report. Our principal Canadian corporate offices are located at Suite 1107, 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M4P 1E2, Canada. Our U.S office is located in the U.S. 1605 N. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, PA, 18104. Our telephone number in Toronto is (416) 368-9411.
We file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) located at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of our filings with the SEC by accessing their website located at www.sec.gov. We also file reports under Canadian regulatory requirements on SEDAR; you may access our reports filed on SEDAR by accessing the website www.sedar.com.
This Annual Report (including the consolidated audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 attached thereto, together with the auditors’ report thereon), and the exhibits thereto shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement of the Company on Form F- 10, as amended (File No. 333-227873), and to be a part thereof from the date on which this report was filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.
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Business of POET Technologies Inc.
POET designs, develops, manufactures and sells integrated opto-electronic solutions for data communications, telecommunications and artificial intelligence markets. POET has developed and is marketing its proprietary POET Optical InterposerTM, a novel platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices onto a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. The semiconductor industry has adopted the term “Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Packaging” (or “WLCSP”) to describe similar approaches within the semiconductor industry. POET’s Optical Interposer eliminates costly components and labor-intensive assembly, alignment, and testing methods employed in conventional photonics. The cost-efficient integration scheme and scalability of the POET Optical Interposer brings value to devices or systems that integrate electronics and photonics, including high-growth areas of communications and computing, such as high-speed networking for cloud service providers and data centers, 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, sometimes referred to as the “Internet of Things” (IoT), self-contained “edge” computing applications, such as accelerators for Artificial Intelligence – Machine Learning (AI-ML) systems and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles and point-of-use health care products.
On October 21, 2020, the Company signed a Joint Venture Agreement (“JVA”) establishing a joint venture company, Super Photonics Integrated Circuit Xiamen Co., Ltd (“SPX”) with Xiamen Sanan Integrated Circuit Co. Ltd. (“Sanan IC”) whose purpose is to assemble, test, package and sell cost-effective, high-performance optical engines based on POET’s proprietary Optical Interposer platform technology.
SPX’S capitalization is a combination of committed cash, capital equipment and intellectual property from Sanan IC and intellectual property and know-how from POET, with a combined estimated value of approximately US$50M. Capitalization is on-going and has not yet been completed. POET’s contribution of certain intellectual property and know-how was valued by an independent appraiser at $22.5M. Sanan IC will contribute cash of approximately $25M for capital equipment and operating expenses, with the expectation that the eventual ownership of the JV will be approximately 52% Sanan IC and 48% POET. SPX is an independent company and is operated as a true joint venture, so its financial results are not consolidated into POET’s but are reported as a gain in the value of the contribution to the JV and a gain or loss in the Company’s percentage ownership of the JV.
Sanan IC is a world-class wafer foundry service company with an advanced compound semiconductor technology platform, serving the optical, RF microelectronics and power electronics markets. Sanan IC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanan Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Stock Exchange, SSE: 600703), the leading manufacturer of advanced ultra-high brightness LED epitaxial wafers and chips in the world.
SPX will assemble, test, package and sell 100G, 200G and 400G optical engines with customized lasers and photodiodes from Sanan IC and other suppliers combined with optical interposer platform technology from POET. Optical engines are primary components of optical transceivers that transmit data between switches and servers in data centers and between data centers and metro areas. With assembly and test operations built upon the non-linear, wafer-scale methods of the semiconductor industry, compared to the linear scale of conventional photonics assembly, SPX will be able to offer optical engines at dramatically lower cost and higher performance. Device volumes can scale rapidly with marginal investments in capital equipment and labor compared to conventional methods. This ability to manufacture optical engines at the large-scale volumes as needed, offer the opportunity for SPX and POET to penetrate rapidly the large markets for high-speed data communications applications, including internet data centers and 5G carrier networks.
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Net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 was $21,036,690. The net loss included $10,746,743 incurred for research and development activities directly related to the development and commercialization of the POET Optical Interposer and POET Optical Engine products. Research and development included non-cash costs of $2,054,187 related to stock-based compensation. $9,516,271 was incurred for selling, marketing and administration expenses which included non-cash costs of $2,382,417 related to stock-based compensation and $1,173,743 related to depreciation and amortization.
The Company incurred $49,738 of interest expense which was entirely non-cash.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized its share of SPX’s losses using the equity method. The Company recognized approximately 83.7% or $3,211,993 of the net operating loss of SPX. The Company’s current share of the operating loss is a result of the high value of the Company’s initial contribution. The Company’s share of the loss will reduce as Sanan IC periodically contributes cash and other assets to SPX. Additionally, the Company recognized a gain of $1,746,987 related to its contribution of intellectual property to SPX in accordance with IAS 28. The Company only recognizes a gain on the contribution of the intellectual property equivalent to the Sanan IC’s interest in SPX, the unrecognized gain of $18,159,632 will be applied against the investment and periodically realized as the Company’s ownership interest in SPX is reduced.
The Company’s statement of financial position as of December 31, 2022 reflects assets with a book value of $15,390,453 compared to $27,153,977 as of December 31, 2021. Sixty two percent (62%) of the book value at December 31, 2022 was in current assets consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents of $9,229,845 compared to eighty percent (80%) of the book value as of December 31, 2021, which consisted primarily of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $21,308,603.
On February 24, 2022, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to consolidate its common shares on a ten-for-one basis. For further clarity, for every ten (10) pre-consolidated common shares, shareholders received one (1) post-consolidated common share. On February 28, 2022 the Company’s common shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a post consolidation basis. The Company’s name and trading symbol remained unchanged. All references to share and per share amounts in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the ten-for-one share consolidation.
On March 14, 2022, the Company’s common shares began trading on Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “POET”.
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Financial and Other Information
In this Annual Report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars (“US$”, “USD” or “$”).
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 20-F and other publicly available documents, including the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference contain forward- looking statements and information within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology or words, such as, “continues”, “with a view to”, “is designed to”, “pending”, “predict”, “potential”, “plans”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, and similar expressions or variations thereon, or statements that events, conditions or results “can”, “might”, “will”, “shall”, “may”, “must”, “would”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions in connection with any discussion, expectation, or projection of future operating or financial performance, events or trends. Forward- looking statements and information are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.
Our actual results, performance and achievements may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements and information in this Annual Report as a result of various risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, including without limitation:
| ○ | we have a limited operating history; | |
| ○ | our need for additional financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; | |
| ○ | the possibility that we will not be able to compete in the highly competitive semiconductor market; | |
| ○ | the risk that our objectives will not be met within the timelines we expect or at all; | |
| ○ | research and development risks; | |
| ○ | the risks associated with successfully protecting patents and trademarks and other intellectual property; | |
| ○ | the need to control costs and the possibility of unanticipated expenses; | |
| ○ | manufacturing and development risks; | |
| ○ | the risk that the price of our common stock will be volatile; | |
| ○ | the risk that geopolitical uncertainties may negatively impact our business venture in China; | |
| ○ | the risk that shareholders’ interests will be diluted through future stock offerings, option and warrant exercises; and | |
| ○ | other risks and uncertainties described in ITEM 3.D. “Risk Factors”. |
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For all of the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than any obligation to disclose material information under applicable securities laws or otherwise as maybe required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof.
Data relevant to estimated market sizes for our technologies under development are presented in this Annual Report. These data have been obtained from a variety of published resources including published scientific literature, websites and information generally available through publicized means. The Company attempts to source reference data from multiple sources whenever possible for confirmatory purposes. However, the Company has not independently verified the accuracy and completeness of this data.
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
A. Not Required.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not Required.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
| A. | [Reserved] |
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| B. | Capitalization and Indebtedness |
During 2021, holders of certain convertible debentures converted $3,571,342 (2020 - $369,545) worth of convertible debentures into 1,119,750 (2020 – 123,500) units of the Company. On September 19, 2021, $7,886 of convertible debentures matured and was repaid to the holder of the convertible debenture. As of December 31, 2021 all convertible debentures were either exercised or matured and repaid.
| C. | Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
Not Required.
| D. | Risk Factors |
We are subject to various risks, including those described below, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, the value of our securities. In addition, other risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, perhaps materially. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements and information Factors that might cause such differences include those discussed. Before making an investment decision with respect to any of our securities, you should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties described below and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See also “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Risks Related to Our Business
We have a history of large operating losses. We may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability in the future and as a result we may not be able to maintain sufficient levels of liquidity.
We have historically incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. As of December 31, 2022, we had an accumulated deficit of $194,023,660.
As of December 31, 2022, we held $9,229,845 in cash and cash equivalents. We had working capital of $5,751,101.
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We divested our major operating asset, adopted a new “fab-light” strategy, and we plan to focus on the Optical Interposer as our main business. Any or all of these decisions if incorrect may have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations, financial position and cash flows, and pose further risks to the successful operation of our business over the short and long-term.
There are substantial risks associated with our adoption of a “fab-light” strategy, including the loss of revenue associated with the divested operation, the loss of control over an internal development asset, and the loss of key technical knowledge available from personnel who will no longer be employed by the Company, many of whom we may have to replace.
We have some previous experience with managing development without an internal development resource under a similar “fab-light” strategy which was not successful, and there is no guarantee that our new approach to operating a company with our chosen strategy will be successful. Further, our strategy will be solely dependent on the future market acceptance and sale of Optical Interposer-based solutions, which in some cases are neither fully developed nor in qualification stages. Customers are in the initial stages of committing to a production product.
We have taken substantial measures to protect POET’s intellectual property in the Optical Interposer, including development and production with a separate third-party company which engaged no engineering personnel from our former subsidiary company DenseLight. We conducted development of component devices with a segregated team at our DenseLight facility and took measures to protect POET’s intellectual property on those developments as well. However, we cannot guarantee that all our measures to protect our intellectual property on either the POET Optical Interposer or its component devices have been totally effective. In addition, we cannot guarantee that DenseLight or any other third-party that we rely on to perform development, manufacturing, packaging or testing services will perform as expected and produce the devices we will need to grow our Optical Interposer business.
We may not be able to obtain additional capital when desired, on favorable terms or at all.
We operate in a market that makes our prospects difficult to evaluate and, to remain competitive, we will be required to make continued investments in capital equipment, facilities and technology. We expect that substantial capital will be required to continue technology and product development, to expand our contract manufacturing capacity if we need to do so and to fund working capital for anticipated growth. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or otherwise have the capital resources to meet our future capital needs, we may need additional financing to implement our business strategy.
If we raise additional funds through the issuance of our common stock or convertible securities, the ownership interests of our stockholders could be significantly diluted. These newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. Additional financing may not, however, be available on terms favorable to us, or at all, if and when needed, and our ability to fund our operations, take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop or enhance our infrastructure or respond to competitive pressures could be significantly limited. If we cannot raise required capital when needed we may be unable to continue technology and product development, meet the demands of existing and prospective customers, adversely affecting our sales and market opportunities and consequently our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The process of developing new, technologically advanced products in semiconductor manufacturing and photonics products is highly complex and uncertain, and we cannot guarantee a positive result.
The development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring frequent innovation, highly-skilled engineering and development personnel and significant capital, as well as the accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify, develop, manufacture, market or support new or enhanced products successfully or on a timely basis. Further, we cannot assure you that our new products will gain market acceptance or that we will be able to respond effectively to product introductions by competitors, technological changes or emerging industry standards. We also may not be able to develop the underlying core technologies necessary to create new products and enhancements, license these technologies from third parties, or remain competitive in our markets.
The optical data communications industry in which we have chosen to operate is subject to significant risks, including rapid growth and volatility, dependence on rapidly changing underling technologies, market and political risks and uncertainties and extreme competition. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to anticipate or overcome any or all of these risks and uncertainties, especially as a small company operating in an environment dominated by large, well-capitalized competitors with substantially more resources.
The optical data communications industry is subject to significant operational fluctuations. In order to remain competitive, we incur substantial costs associated with research and development, qualification, prototype production capacity and sales and marketing activities in connection with products that may be purchased, if at all, long after we have incurred such costs. In addition, the rapidly changing industry in which we operate, the length of time between developing and introducing a product to market, frequent changing customer specifications for products, customer cancellations of products and general down cycles in the industry, among other things, make our prospects difficult to evaluate. As a result of these factors, it is possible that we may not (i) generate sufficient positive cash flow from operations; (ii) raise funds through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or convertible debt securities; or (iii) otherwise have sufficient capital resources to meet our future capital or liquidity needs. There are no guarantees we will be able to generate additional financial resources beyond our existing balances.
We have contributed a portion of our intellectual property and exclusive assembly and sales rights for certain key initial products to a joint venture company that we formed in China. Although we believe that the joint venture offers significant opportunities for growth that we might not otherwise have and solves several major known challenges, we also recognize that there are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with executing a major portion of our strategy through a joint venture, regardless of the intentions and capabilities of the parties involved.
On October 21, 2020, the Company signed a Joint Venture Agreement (“JVA”) with Sanan IC to form a joint venture company, Super Photonics Xiamen Co., Ltd. (“SPX”), which will eventually be owned 48% by the Company once SAIC is fully invested. SPX will assemble, test, package and sell certain optical engines on an exclusive basis globally and certain others on an exclusive basis in the territory of Greater China. Optical engines based on the POET Optical Interposer are expected to be a primary component of several types of optical transceivers used in data centers. The joint venture is based on the contribution by the Company of certain assembly and test know-how and other intellectual property and cash to be contributed by Sanan IC in stages, subject to meeting certain milestones, to cover all capital and operating expenses of SPX until it is self-sustaining. We cannot guarantee that SPX will meet each milestone or that Sanan IC will or will not contribute capital on schedule when and if such milestones are met, nor can we guarantee that SPX will be successful in assembling and testing optical engines, nor in the marketing and sales once the optical engines are tested and qualified by potential customers.
Because no party to the joint venture, including the Company has a control position, we are not able to consolidate revenue and expenses directly into the Company’s financial statements. The earnings or loss from the joint venture operations are included as a single line item in the financial statements and the gain or loss on the intellectual property contributed to the joint venture is reported on another. Further, even though the joint venture may appreciate in market value if successful, the Company will not be able to reflect any increase in fair value, other than adding or subtracting on a periodic basis the income or loss experienced by the joint venture in relation to the Company’s percentage ownership at the time.
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The Company’s investment into “Super Photonics Xiamen” (“SPX”) is into an independent company operating as a true joint venture under the laws of the Peoples Republic of China (“PRC”). There are significant governance and operational risks associated with joint ventures and with companies operating in the PRC, in general. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to anticipate or overcome the risks and uncertainties of operating a joint venture company in China.
Although SPX has its own governance structure to which both parties contribute directors, most major decisions must be unanimous, which means that such decisions will require the support of the management of SPX and both of the JV partners. Although the Company has sought the support of well-known and competent legal and other professional advisors and has had a major role in the recruitment of the senior management team of SPX, the Company has no prior experience with either the operation of a joint venture or with the operation of a JV company under the laws of the PRC, so we cannot guarantee that the joint venture will be successfully managed without substantial investment in time and effort by the Company’s current management team or at all
If our customers do not qualify our products for use on a timely basis, our results of operations may suffer.
Prior to the sale of new products, our customers typically require us to “qualify” our products for use in their applications. At the successful completion of this qualification process, we refer to the resulting sales opportunity as a “design win.” Additionally, new customers often audit our manufacturing facilities and perform other evaluations during this qualification process. The qualification process involves product sampling and reliability testing and collaboration with our product management and engineering teams in the design and manufacturing stages. If we are unable to accurately predict the amount of time required to qualify our products with customers, or are unable to qualify our products with certain customers at all, then our ability to generate revenue could be delayed or our revenue would be lower than expected and we may not be able to recover the costs associated with the qualification process or with our product development efforts, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We have limited operating history in the data center market, and our business could be harmed if this market does not develop as we expect.
The initial target market for our Optical Interposer-based optical engine is the data center market for data communications within the data center and beyond. We have limited experience in selling products in this market. We may not be successful in developing a product for this market and even if we do, it may never gain widespread acceptance by large data center operators. If our expectations for the growth of the data center / datacom market are not realized, our financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.
Customer demand is difficult to forecast accurately and, as a result, we may be unable to match production with customer demand.
We make planning and spending decisions, including determining the levels of business that we will seek and accept, production schedules, component procurement commitments, personnel needs and other resource requirements, based on our estimates of product demand and customer requirements. Our products are typically sold pursuant to individual purchase orders. While our customers may provide us with their demand forecasts, they are typically not contractually committed to buy any quantity of products beyond firm purchase orders. Furthermore, many of our customers may increase, decrease, cancel or delay purchase orders already in place without significant penalty. The short-term nature of commitments by our expected customers and the possibility of unexpected changes in demand for their products reduce our ability to accurately estimate future customer requirements. If any of our customers decrease, stop or delay purchasing our products for any reason, we will likely have excess manufacturing capacity or inventory and our business and results of operations would be harmed.
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The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, which could result in lost sales and lower revenues.
The market for optical components and modules is highly competitive and this competition could result in our existing customers moving their orders to our competitors. We are aware of a number of companies that have developed or are developing integrated optical products, including silicon photonics engines, remote light sources, pluggable components, modules and subsystems, photonic integrated circuits, among others, that compete (or may in the future compete) directly with our current and proposed product offerings.
Some of our current competitors, as well as some of our potential competitors, have longer operating histories, greater name recognition, broader customer relationships and industry alliances and substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. We may not be able to compete successfully with our competitors and aggressive competition in the market may result in lower prices for our products and/or decreased gross margins. Any such development could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on a limited number of suppliers and key contract manufacturers who could disrupt our business and technology development activities if they stopped, decreased, delayed or were unable to meet our demand for shipments of their products or manufacturing of our products.
We depend on a limited number of suppliers of epitaxial wafers and contract manufacturers for our Indium Phosphide (“InP”) laser developments and optical interposer production activities. Some of these suppliers are sole source suppliers. We typically have not entered into long-term agreements with our suppliers. As a result, these suppliers generally may stop supplying us materials and other components at any time. Our reliance on a sole supplier or limited number of suppliers could result in delivery problems, reduced control over technology development, product development, pricing and quality, and an inability to identify and qualify another supplier in a timely manner. Some of our suppliers that may be small or under-capitalized may experience financial difficulties that could prevent them from supplying us materials and other components. In addition, our suppliers, including our sole source suppliers, may experience manufacturing delays or shutdowns due to circumstances beyond their control such as pandemics, earthquakes, floods, fires, labor unrest, political unrest or other natural disasters. A change in supplier could require technology transfer that could require multiple iterations of test wafers. This could result in significant delays in resumption of production.
Any supply deficiencies relating to the quality or quantities of materials or equipment we use to manufacture our products could materially and adversely affect our ability to fulfill customer orders and our results of operations. Lead times for the purchase of certain materials and equipment from suppliers have increased and, in some cases, have limited our ability to rapidly respond to increased demand, and may continue to do so in the future. To the extent we introduce additional contract manufacturing partners, introduce new products with new partners and/or move existing internal or external production lines to new partners, we could experience supply disruptions during the transition process. In addition, due to our customers’ requirements relating to the qualification of our suppliers and contract manufacturing facilities and operations, we cannot quickly enter into alternative supplier relationships, which prevent us from being able to respond immediately to adverse events affecting our suppliers.
Our international business and operations expose us to additional risks.
We have significant tangible assets located outside Canada and the United States. Conducting business outside Canada and the United States subjects us to a number of additional risks and challenges, including:
| ● | periodic changes in a specific country’s or region’s economic conditions, such as recession; | |
| ● | licenses and other trade barriers; |
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| ● | the provision of services may require export licenses; | |
| ● | environmental regulations; | |
| ● | certification requirements; | |
| ● | fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; | |
| ● | inadequate protection of intellectual property rights in some countries; | |
| ● | preferences of certain customers for locally produced products; | |
| ● | potential political, legal and economic instability, foreign conflicts, and the impact of regional and global infectious illnesses in the countries in which we and our customers, suppliers and contract manufacturers are located; | |
| ● | Canadian and U. S. and foreign anticorruption laws; | |
| ● | seasonal reductions in business activities in certain countries or regions; and | |
| ● | fluctuations in freight rates and transportation disruptions. |
These factors, individually or in combination, could impair our ability to effectively operate one or more of our foreign facilities or deliver our products, result in unexpected and material expenses, or cause an unexpected decline in the demand for our products in certain countries or regions. Our failure to manage the risks and challenges associated with our international business and operations could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If we fail to attract and retain key personnel, our business could suffer.
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including executive management. Competition for highly skilled technical personnel is extremely intense and we may face difficulty identifying and hiring qualified engineers in many areas of our business. We may not be able to hire and retain such personnel at compensation levels consistent with our existing compensation and salary structure. Our future success also depends on the continued contributions of our executive management team and other key management and technical personnel, each of whom would be difficult to replace. The loss of services of these or other executive officers or key personnel or the inability to continue to attract qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If we fail to protect, or incur significant costs in defending, our intellectual property and other proprietary rights, our business and results of operations could be materially harmed.
Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret and unfair competition laws, as well as license agreements and other contractual provisions, to establish and protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. We have applied for patent registrations in the U.S. and in foreign countries, some of which have been issued. We cannot guarantee that our pending applications will be approved by the applicable governmental authorities. Moreover, our existing and future patents and trademarks may not be sufficiently broad to protect our proprietary rights or may be held invalid or unenforceable in court. A failure to obtain patents or trademark registrations or a successful challenge to our registrations in the U.S. or foreign countries may limit our ability to protect the intellectual property rights that these applications and registrations intended to cover.
Policing unauthorized use of our technology is difficult and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent the misappropriation, unauthorized use or other infringement of our intellectual property rights. Further, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights from misappropriation or other infringement in foreign countries where we have not applied for patent protections, and where effective patent, trademark, trade secret and other intellectual property laws may be unavailable or may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as Canadian or U.S. law. We may seek to secure comparable intellectual property protections in other countries. However, the level of protection afforded by patent and other laws in other countries may not be comparable to that afforded in Canada and the U.S.
We also attempt to protect our intellectual property, including our trade secrets and know-how, through the use of trade secret and other intellectual property laws, and contractual provisions. We enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and independent consultants. We also use non-disclosure agreements with other third parties who may have access to our proprietary technologies and information. Such measures, however, provide only limited protection, and there can be no assurance that our confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements will not be breached, especially after our employees end their employment, and that our trade secrets will not otherwise become known by competitors or that we will have adequate remedies in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of proprietary information. Unauthorized third parties may try to copy or reverse engineer our products or portions of our products, otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property, or may independently develop similar or equivalent trade secrets or know-how. If we fail to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights, or if such intellectual property and proprietary rights are infringed or misappropriated, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially harmed.
In the future, we may need to take legal actions to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property or from otherwise gaining access to our technology. Protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights and determining their validity and scope could result in significant litigation costs and require significant time and attention from our technical and management personnel, which could significantly harm our business. We may not prevail in such proceedings, and an adverse outcome may adversely impact our competitive advantage or otherwise harm our financial condition and our business.
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We may be involved in intellectual property disputes in the future, which could divert management’s attention, cause us to incur significant costs and prevent us from selling or using the challenged technology.
Participants in the markets in which we sell our products have experienced frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us, and we cannot be certain that our products would not be found infringing on the intellectual property rights of others. Regardless of their merit, responding to such claims can be time consuming, divert management’s attention and resources and may cause us to incur significant expenses. Intellectual property claims against us could result in a requirement to license technology from others, discontinue manufacturing or selling the infringing products, or pay substantial monetary damages, each of could result in a substantial reduction in our revenue and could result in losses over an extended period of time.
If we fail to obtain the right to use the intellectual property rights of others that are necessary to operate our business, and to protect their intellectual property, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.
From time to time, we may choose to or be required to license technology or intellectual property from third parties in connection with the development of our products. We cannot assure you that third party licenses will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. Generally, a license, if granted, would include payments of up-front fees, ongoing royalties or both. These payments or other terms could have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations. Our inability to obtain a necessary third-party license required for our product offerings or to develop new products and product enhancements could require us to substitute technology of lower quality or performance standards, or of greater cost, either of which could adversely affect our business. If we are not able to obtain licenses from third parties, if necessary, then we may also be subject to litigation to defend against infringement claims from these third parties. Our competitors may be able to obtain licenses or cross-license their technology on better terms than we can, which could put us at a competitive disadvantage.
Failure to comply with requirements to design, implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a materially adverse impact on our financial reporting and our business. We are required to have our internal controls over financial reporting audited under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Preparing our consolidated financial statements involves a number of complex manual and automated processes, which are dependent upon individual data input or review and require significant management judgment. One or more of these elements may result in errors that may not be detected and could result in a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the U.S. requires, among other things, that as a publicly traded company we disclose whether our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Until December 31, 2021 we qualified as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, and, as a result, were exempted from certain SEC reporting requirements, including those requiring registrants to include an auditor’s report regarding the Company’s internal controls as part of such registrant’s periodic reports. Our “emerging growth company” status expired on December 31, 2021. The report of our auditors regarding the effectiveness of our internal controls over disclosure and financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 is attached as an exhibit to this annual report.
Our internal control over financial reporting cannot guarantee that no accounting errors exist or that all accounting errors, no matter how immaterial, will be detected because a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results could be adversely impacted. This could result in late filings of our annual and quarterly reports under the Securities Act (Ontario) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), restatements of our consolidated financial statements, a decline in our stock price, suspension or delisting of our common stock by the TSX Venture Exchange, or other material adverse effects on our business, reputation, results of operations or financial condition.
The process of designing and implementing effective internal control over financial reporting is a continuous effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend significant resources to maintain a system of internal control that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligations as a public company. In addition, we are required, pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment must include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards that must be met for our management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation. Testing and maintaining our internal control over financial reporting may divert our management’s attention from other matters that are important to our business. In connection with the implementation of the necessary procedures and practices related to our internal control over financial reporting, we and/or our independent registered accounting firm may identify material weaknesses and other deficiencies that may require significant effort and expense to remediate. We may encounter problems or delays in completing the remediation of any such weaknesses or other deficiencies.
If there is a change in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedure deteriorates, internal review of our internal control over financial reporting or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm may reveal deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting that are deemed material weaknesses. If this occurs, our consolidated financial statements or disclosures may contain material misstatements and we could be required to restate our financial results. Additionally, we may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm may not in future issue an unqualified opinion, each of which could lead to investors losing confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock, and we may be unable to maintain compliance with applicable stock exchange listing requirements.
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Our ability to use our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
As of December 31, 2022, we had accumulated net operating losses (“NOLs”), of approximately $135 million. Varying jurisdictional tax codes have restrictions on the use of NOLs, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the Company’s ability to use its pre-change NOLs, RD credits and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. An ownership change is generally defined as a greater than 50% change in equity ownership. Based upon an analysis of our equity ownership, we do not believe that we have experienced such ownership changes and therefore our annual utilization of our NOLs is not limited. However, should we experience additional ownership changes, our NOL carry forwards may be limited.
We are subject to governmental export and import controls that could subject us to liability or impair our ability to compete in international markets. Such controls have recently increased for companies in China under the US government’s “control list”, and may further limit or impair our ability to use certain sub-contractors or to sell directly to companies on the list
We are subject to export and import control laws, trade regulations and other trade requirements that limit which raw materials and technology we can import or export and which products we sell and where and to whom we sell our products. Specifically, the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for regulating the export of most commercial items that are so called dual-use goods that may have both commercial and military applications. A limited number of our products are exported by license under certain classifications. Export Control Classification requirements are dependent upon an item’s technical characteristics, the destination, the end-use, and the end-user, and other activities of the end-user. Should the regulations applicable to our products change, or the restrictions applicable to countries to which we ship our products change, then the export of our products to such countries could be restricted. As a result, our ability to export or sell our products to certain countries could be restricted, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Changes in our products or any change in export or import regulations or related legislation, shift in approach to the enforcement or scope of existing regulations, or change in the countries, persons or technologies targeted by such regulations, could result in delayed or decreased sales of our products to existing or potential customers. In such event, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our manufacturing operations are subject to environmental regulation that could limit our growth or impose substantial costs, adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
Our properties, operations and products are subject to the environmental laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we operate and sell products. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the management and disposal of hazardous materials, the contamination of soil and groundwater, employee health and safety and the content, performance, packaging and disposal of products. Our failure to comply with current and future environmental laws and regulations, or the identification of contamination for which we are liable, could subject us to substantial costs, including fines, cleanup costs, third-party property damages or personal injury claims, and make significant investments to upgrade our facilities or curtail our operations. Identification of presently unidentified environmental conditions, more vigorous enforcement by a governmental authority, enactment of more stringent legal requirements or other unanticipated events could give rise to adverse publicity, restrict our operations, affect the design or marketability of our products or otherwise cause us to incur material environmental costs, adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
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We are exposed to risks and increased expenses and business risk as a result of Restriction on Hazardous Substances, or RoHS directives, which have been amended but are still in effect.
Following the lead of the European Union, or EU, various governmental agencies have either already put into place or are planning to introduce regulations that regulate the permissible levels of hazardous substances in products sold in various regions of the world. For example, the RoHS directive for EU took effect on July 1, 2006. The labeling provisions of similar legislation in China went into effect on March 1, 2007 and is still in effect, as amended. Consequently, many suppliers of products sold into the EU have required their suppliers to be compliant with the new directive. We anticipate that our customers may adopt this approach and will require our full compliance, which will require a significant amount of resources and effort in planning and executing our RoHS program, it is possible that some of our products might be incompatible with such regulations. In such events, we could experience the following consequences: loss of revenue, damages reputation, diversion of resources, monetary penalties, and legal action.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits companies operating in the U.S. from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. In addition, we are required to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent our transactions and have an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Non-U.S. companies, including some that may compete with us, may not be subject to these prohibitions, and therefore may have a competitive advantage over us. If we are not successful in implementing and maintaining adequate preventative measures, we may be responsible for acts of our employees or other agents engaging in such conduct. We could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Natural disasters or other catastrophic events could harm our operations.
Our operations in the U.S., Canada, Singapore and China could be subject to significant risk of natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, flooding and tornadoes, as well as other catastrophic events, such as epidemics, terrorist attacks or wars. For example, our testing facility in Singapore is in an area that is susceptible to hurricanes. Any disruption in our facilities or those of our contractors and suppliers arising from these and other natural disasters or other catastrophic events could cause significant delays in the production or shipment of our products until we are able to arrange for third parties to manufacture our products. We may not be able to obtain alternate capacity on favorable terms or at all. Our property insurance coverage with respect to natural disaster is limited and is subject to deductible and coverage limits. Such coverage may not be adequate or continue to be available at commercially reasonable rates and terms. The occurrence of any of these circumstances may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.
We may be subject to disruptions or failures in information technology systems and network infrastructures that could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex information technology systems and network infrastructures to operate our business. A disruption, infiltration or failure of our information technology systems as a result of software or hardware malfunctions, system implementations or upgrades, computer viruses, third-party security breaches, employee error, theft or misuse, malfeasance, power disruptions, natural disasters or accidents could cause a breach of data security, loss of intellectual property and critical data and the release and misappropriation of sensitive competitive information and partner, customer, and employee personal data. Any of these events could harm our competitive position, result in a loss of customer confidence, cause us to incur significant costs to remedy any damages and ultimately materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.
A significant disruption in, or breach in security of, our information technology systems or violations of data protection laws could materially adversely affect our business and reputation.
In the ordinary course of business, we collect and store confidential information, including proprietary business information belonging to us, our customers, suppliers, business partners and other third parties and personally identifiable information of our employees. We rely on information technology systems to protect this information and to keep financial records, process orders, manage inventory, coordinate shipments to customers, and operate other critical functions. Our information technology systems may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to power outages, hardware failures, telecommunication failures and user errors. If we experience a disruption in our information technology systems, it could result in the loss of sales and customers and significant incremental costs, which could materially adversely affect our business. We may also be subject to security breaches caused by computer viruses, illegal break-ins or hacking, sabotage, or acts of vandalism by disgruntled employees or third parties. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyberattack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. Our information technology network and systems have been and, we believe, continue to be under constant attack. Accordingly, despite our security measures or those of our third-party service providers, a security breach may occur, including breaches that we may not be able to detect. Security breaches of our information technology systems could result in the misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Such breaches could also result in legal action against us by third parties.
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The COVID-19 outbreak could delay our development activities and adversely affect our results of operations.
The global outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in Canada, the United States, Singapore, China and other countries halting or sharply curtailing the movement of people, goods and services. The curtailed activity has negatively affected many businesses, including the Company and other businesses that operate in our sector. The prolonged economic impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain. At this point, we believe the conditions may have a material adverse impact on our business, as our suppliers are experiencing major delays resulting from high backlogs of orders and an inability to operate at full capacity. Such delays have resulted in a four to six months delay or longer in the Company achieving certain development objectives. Given the rapidly changing developments we cannot accurately predict what effects these developments will have on our business going forward, which will depend on, among other factors, the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, governmental limitations, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and business closures.
The Company may experience these factors in the future and these factors may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
In order to qualify for listing on the Nasdaq, we consolidated our common shares on a 10-for-1 basis, thereby reducing the total number of our common shares which are outstanding on a post-consolidation basis. We cannot guarantee that the reduction in the number of our outstanding common shares as a result of the consolidation will not adversely affect the liquidity of our common shares or decrease the overall value of the Company in the future.
On February 28, 2022, the Company completed a 10-for-1 consolidation of our outstanding common shares, resulting in a total of 36,496,456 common shares of the Company outstanding on a post-consolidation basis. The reduced number of outstanding shares may reduce market liquidity of our common shares and/or affect investor perception of the value of the Company, and as a result shareholders may not be able to sell their shares on a timely basis, or at all.
Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile.
The trading price for our common stock on the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile. Although we have registered our stock with the SEC, the U.S. market for our shares has been slow to develop, and if and as such a market develops, prices on that market are also likely to be highly volatile. The market prices for securities of early-stage technology companies have historically been highly volatile.
Factors that could adversely affect our stock price include:
| ● | fluctuations in our operating results and our financial condition; | |
| ● | announcements of new products, partnerships or technological collaborations and announcements of the results or further actions in respect of any products, partnerships or collaborations, including termination of same; | |
| ● | innovations by us or our competitors; | |
| ● | governmental regulation; | |
| ● | developments in patent or other proprietary rights; | |
| ● | the results of technology and product development testing by us, our partners or our competitors; | |
| ● | litigation; | |
| ● | general stock market and economic conditions; | |
| ● | number of shares available for trading (float); and | |
| ● | inclusion in or dropping from stock indexes. |
As of March 22, 2023, our 52-week high and low closing market prices for our common stock on the TSXV were CA$13.65 and CA$3.26. 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. We may become involved in this type of litigation in the future. Litigation of this type may be expensive to defend and may divert our management’s attention and resources from the operation of our business
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The listing of our common shares on multiple exchanges may adversely affect the liquidity and value of our common shares.
Currently, our common shares are traded on the TSXV and the Nasdaq. We cannot predict the effect of listing our common shares on multiple exchanges on the market price of our common shares, and listing on multiple exchanges may dilute the liquidity of these securities in one or more markets.
We have historically obtained, and expect to continue to obtain, additional financing primarily by way of sales of equity, which may result in significant dilution to existing shareholders.
We have not earned profits, so the Company’s ability to finance operations is chiefly dependent on equity financings. Funds raised through equity public offerings, financing through private placements or the exercise of stock options and warrants and the conversion of convertible debt into common shares in support of the Company’s business has resulted in significant shareholder dilution. Further equity financings will also result in dilution to existing shareholders, and such dilution could be significant.
Future sales of common stock, or the prospect of future sales, may depress our stock price. The exercise of share purchase options and warrants will create dilution which could adversely affect the Company’s shareholders.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock, or the perception that sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Additionally, as of March 22, 2023, there were outstanding options to purchase up to 6,730,450 shares of our common stock. As of March 22, 2023, there were outstanding warrants to purchase 1,638,250 shares of our stock. The holders of these options and warrants have an opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of our common stock with a resulting dilution in the interests of the other shareholders. The existence of these options and warrants may adversely affect the terms on which we may be able to obtain additional financing. The weighted average exercise price of issued and outstanding options is CAD$4.94, the weighted average exercise price of warrants is CAD$4.98, which compares to the CAD$5.43 market price at closing on March 22, 2023. If all of these securities were exercised, an additional 8,368,700 common shares would become issued and outstanding. This represents an increase of 21.50% in the number of shares issued and outstanding and would result in significant dilution to current shareholders
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The rights of our shareholders may differ from the rights typically afforded to shareholders of a U.S. corporation.
We are incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “OBCA”). The rights of holders of our common shares are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, including the OBCA, by the applicable laws of Canada, and by our Articles of Continuance and all amendments thereto (collectively, the “Articles”), and our by-laws (the “By-laws”). These rights differ in certain respects from the rights of shareholders in typical U.S. corporations. The principal differences include without limitation the following:
Under the OBCA, we have a lien on any common share registered in the name of a shareholder or the shareholder’s legal representative for any debt owed by the shareholder to us. Under U.S. state law, corporations generally are not entitled to any such statutory liens in respect of debts owed by shareholders.
With regard to certain matters, we must obtain approval of our shareholders by way of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called for such purpose being cast in favor of the proposed matter. Such matters include without limitation: (a) the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets out of the ordinary course of our business; and (b) any amendments to our Articles including, but not limited to, amendments affecting our capital structure such as the creation of new classes of shares, changing any rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions in respect of our shares, or changing the number of issued or authorized shares, as well as amendments changing the minimum or maximum number of directors set forth in the Articles. Under U.S. state law, the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation generally requires approval by a majority of the outstanding shares, although in some cases approval by a higher percentage of the outstanding shares may be required. In addition, under U.S. state law the vote of a majority of the shares is generally sufficient to amend a company’s certificate of incorporation, including amendments affecting capital structure or the number of directors.
Pursuant to our By-laws, two persons present in person or represented by proxy and each entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders. Under U.S. state law, a quorum generally requires the presence in person or by proxy of a specified percentage of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting, and such percentage is generally not less than one-third of the number of shares entitled to vote.
Under rules of the Ontario Securities Commission, a meeting of shareholders must be called for consideration and approval of certain transactions between a corporation and any “related party” (as defined in such rules). A “related party” is defined to include, among other parties, directors and senior officers of a corporation, holders of more than 10% of the voting securities of a corporation, persons owning a block of securities that is otherwise sufficient to affect materially the control of the corporation, and other persons that manage or direct, to a substantial degree, the affairs or operations of the corporation. At such shareholders’ meeting, votes cast by any related party who holds common shares and has an interest in the transaction may not be counted for the purposes of determining whether the minimum number of required votes have been cast in favor of the transaction. Under U.S. state law, a transaction between a corporation and one or more of its officers or directors can generally be approved either by the shareholders or a by majority of the directors who do not have an interest in the transaction.
Neither Canadian law nor our Articles or By-laws limit the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares of the Company, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (the “Investment Act”), as amended by the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act (the “WTOA Act”). The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a direct reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a “Canadian,” as defined in the Investment Act (a “non-Canadian”), unless, after review, the minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in the common shares of the Company by a non-Canadian (other than a “WTO Investor,” as defined below) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control of the Company, and the value of the assets of the Company were CA$5.0 million or more (provided that immediately prior to the implementation of the investment the Company was not controlled by WTO Investors). An investment in common shares of the Company by a WTO Investor (or by a non- Canadian other than a WTO Investor if, immediately prior to the implementation of the investment the Company was controlled by WTO Investors) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company equaled or exceeded certain threshold amounts determined on an annual basis. The threshold for a pre-closing net benefit review depends on whether the purchaser is: (a) controlled by a person or entity from a member of the WTO; (b) a state-owned enterprise (SOE); or (c) from a country considered a “Trade Agreement Investor” under the Investment Act. A different threshold also applies if the Canadian business carries on a cultural business. The 2023 threshold for WTO investors that are SOEs will be CA$512 million based on the book value of the Canadian business’ assets, up from CA$454 million in 2022. The 2023 thresholds for review for direct acquisitions of control of Canadian businesses by private sector investor WTO investors is $1.287 billion and private sector trade- agreement investors is $1.931 billion and are both based on the “enterprise value” of the Canadian business being acquired.
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A non-Canadian, whether a WTO Investor or otherwise, would be deemed to acquire control of the Company for purposes of the Investment Act if he or she acquired a majority of the common shares of the Company. The acquisition of less than a majority, but at least one-third of the shares, would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of the Company, unless it could be established that the Company is not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of the shares. In general, an individual is a WTO Investor if he or she is a “national” of a country (other than Canada) that is a member of the WTO (“WTO Member”) or has a right of permanent residence in a WTO Member. A corporation or other entity will be a “WTO Investor” if it is a “WTO Investor-controlled entity,” pursuant to detailed rules set out in the Investment Act. The U.S. is a WTO Member. Certain transactions involving our common shares would be exempt from the Investment Act, including:
| ● | an acquisition of our common shares if the acquisition were made in connection with the person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities; | |
| ● | an acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of a security interest granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act; and | |
| ● | an acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control of the Company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged. Under U.S. law, except in limited circumstances, restrictions generally are not imposed on the ability of non- residents to hold a controlling interest in a U.S. corporation. |
As a “foreign private issuer”, the Company is exempt from certain sections of the Exchange Act which results in shareholders having less complete and timely data than if the Company were a domestic U.S. issuer.
As a “foreign private issuer,” as defined under the U.S. securities laws, we are exempt from certain sections of the Exchange Act. In particular, we are exempt from Section 14 proxy rules that are applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. The submission of proxy and annual meeting of shareholder information (prepared to Canadian standards) on Form 6-K has typically been more limited than the submissions required of U.S. issuers and results in shareholders having less complete and timely data, including, among others, with respect to disclosure of: (i) personal and corporate relationships and age of directors and officers; (ii) material legal proceedings involving the Company, affiliates of the Company, and directors, officers promoters and control persons; (iii) the identity of principal shareholders and certain significant employees; (iv) related party transactions; (v) audit fees and change of auditors; (vi) voting policies and procedures; (vii) executive compensation; and(viii) composition of the Compensation Committee. In addition, due to the Company’s status as a foreign private issuer, the officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company are exempt from the short-swing insider disclosure and profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The foregoing exemption results in shareholders having less data in this regard than is available with respect to U.S. issuers.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to adopt certain home country practices in relation to corporate governance matters that differ significantly from Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. These practices may afford less protection to shareholders than they would enjoy if we complied fully with Nasdaq’s corporate governance listing standards.
As a foreign private issuer listed on Nasdaq, we are subject to Nasdaq’s corporate governance listing standards. However, pursuant to Nasdaq rules, foreign private issuers are permitted to follow the corporate governance practices of their home country in certain instances, provided that disclosure regarding which requirements have not been complied with and confirmation regarding applicable Canadian corporate governance practices which are being followed has been provided. The Company has availed itself of the ability to follow applicable corporate governance standards of its home country in certain instances, and provided such disclosures and confirmations in applicable periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain corporate governance practices in Canada, which is our home country, may differ significantly from Nasdaq corporate governance listing standards. Therefore, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would have in certain instances as a result of following such Canadian corporate governance practices.
The Company may lose its foreign private issuer status, which would then require us to comply with the Exchange Act’s domestic reporting regime and cause us to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses.
We are a foreign private issuer, and therefore, we are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and, accordingly, the next determination will be made with respect to us on June 30, 2023. In order to maintain our current status as a foreign private issuer, either (a) a majority of our common shares must be either directly or indirectly owned of record by non-residents of the United States or (b)(i) a majority of our executive officers or directors cannot be U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50 percent of our assets must be located outside the United States and (iii) our business must be administered principally outside the United States. If we lose our status as a foreign private issuer, we would be required to comply with the Exchange Act reporting and other requirements applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including the requirement to prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which are more detailed and extensive than the requirements for foreign private issuers. We may also be required to make changes in our corporate governance practices in accordance with various SEC and Nasdaq rules. The regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws if we are required to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly higher than the cost we would incur as a foreign private issuer. As a result, we expect that a loss of foreign private issuer status would increase our legal and financial compliance costs and would make some activities highly time consuming and costly. If we lose foreign private issuer status and are unable to comply with the reporting requirements applicable to a U.S. domestic issuer by the applicable deadlines, we would not be in compliance with applicable SEC rules or the rules of the Nasdaq, which could cause investors could lose confidence in our public reports and could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common shares.
Additionally, we are currently eligible to use the multijurisdictional disclosure system (“MJDS”), which, among other things, allows eligible Canadian issuers to make registered public offerings in the United States using a prospectus prepared and reviewed in Canada that is mainly, although not exclusively, in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. If the Company no longer qualifies as a foreign private issuer, it would not be eligible to use the MJDS, or other foreign issuer forms for certain securities offerings. The regulatory and compliance costs under U.S. federal securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer may be significantly more than the costs incurred as a Canadian foreign private issuer eligible for MJDS.
If the Company is characterized as a passive foreign investment company, our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences.
As more fully described below in ITEM 10.E. “Taxation” — United States Federal Income Tax Considerations — Passive Foreign Investment Company Status”, if for any taxable year our passive income, or the value of our assets that produce (or are held for the production of) passive income, exceed specified levels, we may be characterized as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This characterization could result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to our U.S. shareholders, including gain on the disposition of our common shares being treated as ordinary income and any resulting U.S. federal income tax being increased by an interest charge. Rules similar to those applicable to dispositions generally will apply to certain “excess distributions” in respect of our common shares.
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The actual allocation of proceeds from any financing undertaken may differ from the Company’s initial or current intentions.
The Company has discretion in the use of the net proceeds from any offering of equity securities. The Company may elect to allocate proceeds differently from its initial or current intentions. The failure by the Company’s management to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on its business.
Warrants included with financings
Warrants offered with financings are not listed on any exchange. Investors may be unable to sell the warrants at the prices desired or at all. There is no existing trading market for the warrants and there can be no assurance that a liquid market will develop or be maintained for the warrants, or that an investor will be able to sell any of the warrants at a particular time (if at all). The liquidity of the trading market in the warrants, and the market price quoted for the warrants, may be adversely affected by, among other things:
| ● | changes in the overall market for the warrants; | |
| ● | changes in the Corporation’s financial performance or prospects; | |
| ● | changes or perceived changes in the Corporation’s creditworthiness; | |
| ● | the prospects for companies in the industry generally; | |
| ● | the number of holders of the warrants; | |
| ● | the interest of securities dealers in making a market for the warrants; and | |
| ● | prevailing interest rates. |
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
| A. | History and Development of the Company |
The legal and commercial name of the Company is POET Technologies Inc. The Company was originally incorporated under the British Columbia Company Act on February 9, 1972 as Tandem Resources Ltd. On November 14, 1985, Tandem Resources Ltd. amalgamated with Stanmar Resources Ltd. and Keezic Resources Ltd., to continue as one company under the name Tandem Resources Ltd. under the British Columbia Company Act. By Articles of Continuance dated January 3, 1997, Tandem Resources Ltd. was continued under the OBCA. By Articles of Amendment dated September 26, 2006, Tandem Resources Ltd. changed its name to OPEL International Inc. By Certificate of Continuance dated January 30, 2007, OPEL International Inc. was continued under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act. By Articles of Continuance dated November 30, 2010, OPEL International Inc. was continued under the OBCA and changed its name to OPEL Solar International Inc. By Articles of Amendment dated August 25, 2011, OPEL Solar International Inc. changed its name to OPEL Technologies Inc. By Articles of Amendment dated July 23, 2013, OPEL Technologies Inc. changed its name to POET Technologies Inc.
On May 11, 2016, in an all-stock transaction, the Company acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of DenseLight Semiconductor Pte. Ltd., a privately held Singapore company that provides optical solutions. DenseLight designs, manufactures and sells optical light source products. DenseLight was acquired for $10,500,000 of the Company’s stock. The Company issued 1,361,115 common shares to the former shareholders of DenseLight.
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On November 8, 2019, the Company sold 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of DenseLight for $26,000,000. The Company recognized a gain on the sale of $8,707,280.
On June 22, 2016, in an all-stock transaction, the Company acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of BB Photonics Inc., a privately held US Company with a wholly owned subsidiary, BB Photonics UK Ltd. Both companies design integrated photonics solutions for the data communications market. BB Photonics and its subsidiary were acquired for consideration of $1,550,000. The acquisition was settled with the issuance of 199,609 common shares of the Company to the former shareholders of BB Photonics. The Company dissolved BB Photonics UK Ltd. on October 6, 2020.
On May 17, 2019, the Company established POET Technologies Pte. Ltd. (“PTS”), a wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore. On August 4, 2020, PTS established POET Optoelectronics Shenzhen Co., Ltd (“POET SZ”), a wholly owned subsidiary in Shenzhen, China.
On October 22, 2020, the Company signed a Joint Venture Agreement establishing a joint venture company, Super Photonics Xiamen Co., Ltd with Xiamen Sanan Integrated Circuit Co. Ltd. Super Photonics Xiamen Co., Ltd was formed on March 12, 2021.
The following is a graphic description of the Company and its subsidiaries:
OPEL Solar Inc. and ODIS Inc.
OPEL Solar, Inc. (OPEL)
OPEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of POET Technologies and is the assignee for all patents and patent applications filed by the Company prior to 2019.
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ODIS Inc. (“ODIS”)
ODIS is a wholly owned subsidiary of OPEL Solar, Inc. and is the designer of the POET Optical Interposer platform, and developer of optical engines based on the POET Optical Interposer platform.
BB Photonics Inc.
BB Photonics developed photonic integrated components for the datacom and telecom markets utilizing embedded dielectric technology that enabled the partial integration of active and passive devices into photonic integrated circuits. BB Photonics’ operation is currently dormant.
POET Technologies Pte Ltd. (“PTS”)
PTS is a wholly owned subsidiary of POET Technologies Inc. Situated in Singapore, PTS designs and tests variations of the POET Optical Interposer for specific applications. PTS also develops the assembly and test methodologies for the production of optical engines designed by ODIS.
POET Optoelectronics Shenzhen Co., Ltd (“POET SZ”)
POET SZ is a wholly owned subsidiary of PTS. Situated in Shenzhen, China, PTSZ validates optical engine designs produced by ODIS and works with customers to incorporate optical engine designs into modules..
Super Photonics Xiamen Co., Ltd, (“SPX”)
SPX is a joint venture, situated in Shenzhen, China. SPX was established with Sanan IC with a sole purpose to assemble, test, package and sell cost-effective, high-performance optical engines based on POET’s proprietary Optical Interposer platform technology.
The Company operates geographically in the United States, Canada, Singapore and China.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures for the last three years, which principally consist of purchases of research and development equipment and instrumentation and patents are as follows:
| Period | Capital Expenditure | Purpose | ||||
| Fiscal 2022 | $ | 3,074,037 | Instruments, equipment and patents | |||
| Fiscal 2021 | $ | 930,882 | Instruments, equipment and patents | |||
| Fiscal 2020 | $ | 1,573,863 | Instruments, equipment and patents | |||
The Company’s registered office is located at Suite 1107, 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1E2 and its phone number is (416) 368-9411. The Company has operations at Suite 308, 1605 N. Cedar Crest Boulevard, Allentown, PA, 18104, 21 Changi North Way, #04-06, Singapore, 498774 and Unit 02, 10th Floor, A4 Building, Kexing Science Park, No.15 Keyuan Road, Science Park Middle District, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057
| B. | Business Overview |
Corporate Overview
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Overview
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The Company’s shares trade under the symbol “POET” on the Nasdaq in the U.S and under the symbol “PTK” on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada.
POET Technologies is a design and development company offering photonic integrated packaging solutions based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices onto a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. The semiconductor industry has adopted the term “Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Packaging” (or “WLCSP”) to describe similar approaches within the semiconductor industry. POET’s Optical Interposer eliminates costly components and labor-intensive assembly, alignment, and testing methods employed in conventional photonics. We believe the cost-efficient integration scheme and scalability of the POET Optical Interposer brings value to devices or systems that integrate electronics and photonics, including high-growth areas of communications and computing, such as high-speed networking for cloud service providers and data centers, 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, sometimes referred to as the “Internet of Things” (IoT), self-contained “Edge” computing applications, such as accelerators for Artificial Intelligence – Machine Learning (AI-ML) systems and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles and point-of-use health care products.
POET targeted as the first application of the Optical Interposer the development of optical engines for optical transceivers used in internet-based data centers. Optical Engines include all the passive and active components related to the production, manipulation, and detection of light within an Optical Transceiver. Optical Transceivers plug into switches and servers within the data center and allow these network devices to send and receive data over fiber-optic cables. We chose this market because it is large in size, has established standards for device performance, and the unit volumes of devices shipped annually are exceptionally high. It is a market in which our advantages of cost, power consumption and ability to scale rapidly allow us to be competitive with other suppliers.
The second market targeted by POET is the “remote light source” market, comprised of two segments: a) Artificial Intelligence – Machine Learning (AI-ML) accelerator chips; and b) data centers for replacement of lasers powering transceivers. Light-based AI-ML accelerator chips are a nascent market, but one that may exceed the size of the optical transceiver market within a few years. Each AI-ML device needs its own light source with multiple wavelengths, separated or combined, to power the optics. Within datacenters, as transceiver speeds have increased, lasers have required increasing amounts of power to transmit data effectively. Lasers generate more heat at higher power resulting in more frequent laser failures. Data center operators have begun to use “remote light sources” to make the retrofit of lasers in transceiver modules easier to accomplish in the field. In both the AI-ML and remote light source segments, cost and ability to scale to high volumes are vital. We believe that packaged light sources based on the POET Optical Interposer can meet industry need much more readily than conventional optics.
Research Development
Beginning in 2017, POET began designing lasers for data communications applications and directed DenseLight Semiconductors, Pte. Ltd., a former subsidiary of the Company, to build such lasers to be compatible with the Optical Interposer platform. In 2019, the Company decided to adopt a “fab light” strategy, common among semiconductor companies, and divested its fabrication operations through the sale of DenseLight in November of that year. From 2018 - 2020, virtually all the RD spending in the Company was dedicated to design development of the Optical Interposer as a versatile platform technology, replete with features that enhance its utility across a variety of application spaces.
During In the second half of 2021, the Company transitioned to product development by investing more than $2 million in the design development of 100G and 200G optical engines in several configurations, including customized designs for specific customers and applications. Samples of these optical engines were made available and delivered to customers in 2022. In addition to its 100G and 200G optical engine product developments, the Company invested approximately $10 million in design, development and engineering programs related to its 400G and 800G optical engine products, packaged light sources, co-packaged optics designs and fabrication techniques. The Company is expected to invest an additional $10 million in 2023 in ongoing development of these products.
Target Markets
Data Center Market
To support the substantial increase in bandwidth consumption, internet data center operators are increasing the scale of their internet data centers and deploying infrastructure capable of higher data transmission rates. At the present time, much of the industry is moving from 100G to 400G and higher. In recent years, several leading internet companies have adopted more open data center architectures and consequently, these companies are more willing to work with non-traditional equipment and optical device vendors. As transceiver speeds have increased the cost and complexity of assembling optical modules has also increased, with few module makers having the ability to achieve economies of scale with conventional, non-semiconductor-based approaches. This market also includes co-packaged optics (CPO), which merge switch ASICs with photonics in the same package. We believe that products incorporating the Company’s unique technology will enable POET to capture a significant share of this large market, especially at the cutting edge of higher speeds, particularly as data centers transition from 400G to 800G and beyond.
LightCounting1 estimates the value of the total shipments of ethernet transceivers at all speeds at approximately $5.7B in 2023, growing to $9.4B in 2027.
1LightCounting “Ethernet Transceivers Forecast” September 2022.
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AI-ML and Remote Light Source Markets
In the AI-ML accelerator market, there are numerous established companies and start-ups addressing the need to lower power consumption of the electronic processors (GPUs), while increasing the speed for highly sought-after artificial intelligence software applications. To achieve lower power, several device makers are beginning to utilize light, instead of electrons to either perform certain computations, or to manage data traveling in and out of the chips. Using light offers significant advantages of speed and lower heat generation than comparable electronic-only GPUs. The AI-ML chip markets are already larger than the transceiver market and are growing at much higher rates.
In Q3 2022, PitchBook2 estimated the total market for AI chips to be approximately $23B growing to almost $55B by 2025. In an earlier report on the same subject, Pitchbook acknowledged the long-term potential for deployment of photonic processors as replacements for GPUs in data centers, but did not estimate the current or future market size for such chips. Celestial AI, a customer of POET, reported in its announcement of its Series A funding in February 2022 that its accelerator products serve an addressable market that is projected by Omdia to exceed $70B in 20253. POET estimates that light source components of the AI-ML chip market will range between 1% and 5% of the light-based portion of the AI chip market.
Other Potential Photonics Markets
Other markets for POET’s integrated photonics solutions include 5G interconnect markets, such as PON and GPON, edge computing for machine-to-machine communications, and selected sensing markets, including LIDAR, Optical Coherence Tomography for medical devices, and certain consumer products, such as virtual reality systems.
Manufacturing
To address the challenge of producing devices in the large quantities that are needed by customers in the high-volume data communications industry, POET entered into an agreement in late 2020 with Xiamen Sanan Integrated Circuit Co. Ltd. (“Sanan IC”), a subsidiary of Sanan Optoelectronics Xiamen Co. Ltd. to form a joint venture to assemble, test and sell POET-designed optical engines in high volumes. Sanan is the world’s largest manufacturer of compound semiconductor devices, producing over 25 million eight-inch wafers per year across a variety of substrate types and applications. The objective of the joint venture company, which is named “Super Photonics Xiamen” (“SPX”) is to assemble, test and sell optical engines based on the POET Optical Interposer, along with devices procured from various suppliers, including Sanan IC, into finished products. Optical engines for 100G and 200G applications will be sold exclusively world-wide by SPX. 400G optical engines will be sold by SPX in the China territory while the Company will sell 400G optical engines to customers in the United States, Europe and elsewhere outside the China territory. Volume production of optical engines and packaged light sources designed for specific customers is expected to begin in 2023, with high volumes expected to ramp later in the year and into 2024.
Our Strategy
Our vision for the Company is to become a global leader in chip-scale photonic solutions by deploying products based on our Optical Interposer technology and optical engine designs over a broad range of vertical market applications. Our Mission for the Company is to establish an industry leadership position based on the full “semiconductorization” of the photonics industry, producing validated, disruptive, IP protected products globally.
2 PitchBook Data Inc., “Emerging Tech Research” and “Q1 and Q3 2022 Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Reports”, Brendan Burke, Senior Analyst.
3 “Celestial AI Raises $56 Million Series A to Disrupt the Artificial Intelligence Chipset Industry with Novel Photonic-Electronic Technology Platform”, February 4, 2022, Businesswire.
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We recently refined our strategy to reflect our current thinking about how best to achieve our vision and mission for the Company:
| ● | Support Super Photonics Xiamen (SPX), a joint venture between POET and Sanan IC, as an independent company to drive growth in optical transceivers and deliver maximum cash flow to partners. POET’s designs for Optical Engines are assembled by SPX into samples that customers can test and are designed-in to modules supplied to end-users, such as network equipment companies and data center operators. POET’s shortest path to commercial success and its ability to generate profits over the longer term are directly influenced by the level of support that it can provide to the joint venture. Delivery of samples and subsequent sales of Optical Engines to customers in China, where virtually all optical transceiver module manufacturers are located, demonstrate the technological viability and market acceptance of POET’s designs. Sales and production by SPX further demonstrate an ability to rapidly scale volumes to meet customer demand. As SPX builds a revenue base it becomes an asset for generating cash in the form of dividends. Prior to a future planned exit on the Shanghai Exchange, opportunities to sell a portion of POET’s equity interest in SPX is also a possibility. |
| ● | Engage with industry leaders and incumbents. We will continue to promote the potential of the Optical Interposer and POET-designed Optical Engines to solve critical challenges with current approaches to data transfer in data center and telecom applications, both in pluggable transceivers and co-packaged optics. We believe that the size, performance and design flexibility of POET’s chiplet approach to integration is an enabling technology that will allow POET to enter markets where relatively few competitors will have the requisite technology to succeed. |
| ● | Transition to making Optical Transceiver Modules for direct sales to end-users. In addition to adding features to the Optical Interposer, we have added essential electronic components, such as Trans Impedance Amplifiers (TIAs) and laser drivers to the interposer platform, which improves performance and lowers the cost of module assembly. We intend to add the necessary capabilities for design and development optical transceiver modules to our existent capabilities in Optical Interposer and Optical Engine design. Being most familiar with the unique capabilities of our technology, we believe that we are in a position to rapidly extend our expertise to complete optical modules. Doing so has the advantage of avoiding a lengthy sales and qualification cycle (i.e., selling to module makers who then sell to end users) and being able to sell directly to end users, showcasing our own branded products to network equipment suppliers and data center operators. |
| ● | Establish additional fabrication and sales operations for advanced, high-speed transceiver modules and packaged light sources. Internally, we refer to this our “China plus One” strategy, which is only partially dictated by the current international political climate. We are planning to develop our advanced products as modules and packaged products that we will sell directly to end-users. This which will require additional fabrication, assembly, marketing and sales operations. In addition, we expect that as we approach other vertical market applications outside of optical transceivers and packaged light sources, our strategy may include the formation additional partnerships in those market segments in order to develop appropriate strategies for the fabrication of devices whose functions will be materially different from those of transceivers and with correspondingly different distribution and sales. The form of such partnerships may also be different than what was established for transceivers. |
| ● | Pursue complementary strategic alliance or acquisition opportunities for inorganic growth. We intend to evaluate and selectively pursue strategic alliances or acquisition opportunities for growth and vertical integration that we believe will accelerate our penetration of specific applications or vertical markets with our technology or products. |
| ● | Explore technology licensing opportunities for growth in non-target sectors. It is not possible for the Company to pursue all potential applications for the POET Optical Interposer. We will carefully consider opportunities to license our technology to others when and if appropriate. |
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Our Products
POET Optical Engine Products currently include the following:
• 100G LR4 Tx and Rx
• 200G FR4 Tx and Rx
• 400G FR4 Rx
• 400G/800G FR4 Rx with integrated TIA
• 400G/800G FR4 Tx with integrated Driver
• 1.6T 4xFR4 Rx with integrated TIA
• LightBar: C-Band External Light Source
• LightBar: O-Band External Light Source
Several other Optical Engines are currently under development, including those capable of 200G per channel in both transmit and receive.
Competition
The photonics market is intensely competitive and we expect experience intense competition from a number of manufacturers with alternative technologies. Many of our competitors will be larger than we are and have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources.
In addition, several of our competitors, especially in the datacom markets, have large market capitalizations or cash reserves and are much better positioned to acquire other companies to gain new technologies or products that may displace our products. Data center equipment providers, who we expect to become our customers, and data center service providers, who are supplied by our customers, may decide to manufacture the optical subsystems that we plan to provide. We may also encounter potential customers that, because of existing relationships, are committed to the products offered by these competitors.
We believe the principal competitive factors in our target markets include the following:
| ● | use of internally manufactured components; | |
| ● | product breadth and functionality; |
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| ● | timing and pace of new product development; | |
| ● | breadth of customer base; | |
| ● | technological expertise; | |
| ● | reliability of products; | |
| ● | product pricing; and | |
| ● | manufacturing efficiency. |
We believe that we can compete favorably with respect to the above factors based on processes, the projected performance, anticipated inherent reliability of our products, our technical expertise in photonic engine design and manufacture and cost.
Intellectual Property
We have 74 issued patents and 17 patent applications pending, including three provisional patent applications. Of the 74 issued patents, 26 are directly related to the Optical Interposer and include fundamental design and process patents. All 17 applications pending are Optical Interposer-related. Multiple additional applications are in various stages of preparation. The patents cover device structures, underlying technology related to the Optical Interposer, applications of the technology, and fabrication processes. We intend to continue to apply for additional patents in the future. We believe these patents provide a significant barrier to entry against competition along with company trade secrets and know-how. Currently, we are working on the design of integrated devices, manufacturing processes, assembly and packaging processes, and products for data communication applications in the data center market.
Geographic Distribution of Revenue
Revenue and geographic markets in 2022, 2021 and 2020 were approximately as follows:
| Region | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Asia – Pacific | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
| Europe | $ | 64,700 | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
| North South America | $ | 488,048 | $ | 209,100 | $ | - | ||||||
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| C. | Organizational Structure |
The following graphically displays the organizational structure of the Company:
| (1) | There are 28,374,000 Class A Common Shares of OPEL Solar, Inc. issued and outstanding, all of which are held by the Company. There are no other outstanding securities of OPEL Solar, Inc. other than the Class A Common Shares. |
| (2) | There are 5 Common Shares of ODIS Inc. issued and outstanding, held by OPEL Solar, Inc. |
| (3) | There is 1 Ordinary share of POET Technologies Pte Ltd. issued and outstanding, held by POET Technologies Inc. |
| (4) | There are 1,000,000 Preferred Shares and 1,050,100 Common shares of BB Photonics Inc. issued and outstanding, all of which are held by the Company. There are no other outstanding securities of BB Photonics Inc. |
| (5) | POET Optoelectronics Co, Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of POET Technologies Pte. Ltd with a registered capital of RMB1,168,833.
|
| (5) | Super Photonics Xiamen Co., Ltd is joint venture located in Xiamen, China. The Company currently has an 80.7% interest in the joint venture with Sanan Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd, the other joint venturer, holding the remaining 19.3% interest in the joint venture. |
| D. | Property, Plants and Equipment |
The Company’s head Canadian office is located in a 400 sq. ft. leased office space in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The US based operations are in a leased 3,883 sq. ft. space in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Our testing operations are located in a 4,669 sq. ft leased facility in Singapore. Our product development operation is located in a 2,830 sq. ft leased facility in Shenzhen, China.
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ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not Required.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of this Annual Report. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by forward-looking information due to factors discussed under “ITEM 3.D. Risk Factors” and “ITEM 4.B. Business Overview.”
| A. | Operating Results |
The information in this section should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and related notes and the information contained elsewhere in this report.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company prepares its audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, which differs from U.S. GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting assumptions and estimates. These assumptions are limited by the availability of reliable comparable data and the uncertainty of predictions concerning future events. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company’s accounting policies. The Company believes that the estimates and assumptions upon which it relies are reasonable based upon information available at the time that these estimates and assumptions are made. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed below.
Basis of presentation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of POET Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, covid-19 government support loans, contract liabilities and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Unless otherwise noted, it is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest risk arising from these financial instruments. The Company estimates that carrying value of these instruments approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.
The following table outlines the classification of financial instruments under IFRS 9:
| Financial Assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | Amortized cost | |
| Short-term investments | Amortized cost | |
| Accounts receivable | Amortized cost | |
| Financial Liabilities | ||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | Amortized cost | |
| Convertible debentures | Amortized cost | |
| Covid-19 government support loans | Amortized cost | |
| Contract liabilities | Amortized cost |
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Convertible debentures are accounted for as a compound financial instrument with a debt component and a separate equity component. The debt component of these compound financial instruments is measured at fair value on initial recognition by discounting the stream of future interest and principal payments at the rate of interest prevailing at the date of issue for instruments of similar term and risk. The debt component is subsequently deducted from the total carrying value of the compound instrument to derive the equity component. The debt component is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Interest expense based on the coupon rate of the debenture and the accretion of the liability component to the amount that will be payable on redemption are recognized through profit or loss as a finance cost.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in current accounts of $1,981,765 (2021 - $4,216,911, 2020 - $722,894) and funds invested in US and Canadian Term Deposits of $7,248,080 (2021 - $10,724,864, 2020 - $6,150,000) earning interest at rates ranging from 0.20% - 0.25% and maturing in less than 90 days.
Cash and cash equivalents include restricted funds of nil (2021 - nil, 2020 - $184,569) which serves as a bank guarantee for the purchase of certain equipment. A bank guarantee was discharged in 2020 and a new bank guarantee was put in place. The new bank guarantee was discharged in 2021. The bank guarantee was reduced on a monthly basis by nil (2021 - $14,197, 2020 - $14,197) which is the amount paid monthly in settlement of the outstanding balance on the equipment.
Short-term investments
The short-term investments of nil (2021 - $6,366,828, 2020 - nil) consist of guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) held with one Canadian chartered bank and earned interest at rates ranging from 0.75 to 1.44% in 2021.
Joint Venture
A joint arrangement is an arrangement among two or more parties where the parties are bound by a contractual arrangement and the contractual arrangement gives the parties joint control of the arrangement. A joint venture is a form of joint arrangement where an entity is independently formed and the parties jointly have rights to the net assets of the arrangement and therefore account for their interests under the equity method.
Share Consolidation
On February 24, 2022, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to consolidate its common shares on a ten-for-one basis. For further clarity, for every ten (10) pre-consolidated common shares, shareholders received one (1) post-consolidated common share. On February 28, 2022 the Company’s common shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a post consolidation basis. The Company’s name and trading symbol remained unchanged. All references to share and per share amounts in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the ten-for-one share consolidation.
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Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated based on the estimated useful life of the asset using the following method and useful lives:
| Machinery and equipment | Straight Line, 5 years | |
| Leasehold improvements | Straight Line, 5 years or life of the lease, whichever is less | |
| Office equipment | Straight Line, 3 - 5 years |
Patents and licenses
Patents and licenses are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 years. Ongoing maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company’s tangible and intangible assets are reviewed for indications of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. An assessment is made at each reporting date whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired.
An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit and loss for the year. The recoverable amount is the greater of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) to which the asset belongs.
An impairment loss is reversed if there is an indication that there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized. No impairment loss has been reported for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
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Income taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are provided on differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and on income tax losses available to be carried forward to future years for tax purposes. Deferred income taxes are measured using the substantively enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are only recognized if the amount is expected to be realized in the future.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue when it transfers control over a product or service to a customer.
Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized, net of discounts and customer rebates, at the point in time the transfer of control of the related products has taken place as specified in the sales contract and collectability is reasonably assured.
Service revenue
The Company provides contract services, primarily in the form of non-recurring revenue (“NRE”) where control is passed to the customer over time. The contracts generally provide agreed upon milestones for customer payment which include but are not limited to the delivery of sample products, design reports and test reports. The customer makes payment when it has approved the delivery of the milestone. The Company must determine if the contract is made up of a series of independent performance obligations or a single performance obligation. Where NRE contracts contain multiple performance obligations for which a standalone transaction price can be assessed, revenue is recognized as each performance obligation is satisfied. Where NRE contracts contain a single performance obligation to be settled over time, revenue is recognized progressively based on the output method.
Other income
Interest income
Interest income on cash is recognized as earned using the effective interest method.
Government Grants
Loans received exclusively from governmental agencies to support the Company throughout the COVID-19 pandemic qualify to be forgiven if certain conditions are met. Forgiveness of COVID-19 related loans will be recognized as other income on the consolidated statements of operations and deficit.
Wage subsidies
Wages subsidies received from the Singaporean government are netted against RD related wages and benefits on the consolidated statements of operations and deficit.
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Intangible assets
Research and development costs
Research costs are expensed in the year incurred. Development costs are also expensed in the year incurred unless the Company believes a development project meets IFRS criteria as set out in IAS 38, Intangible Assets, for deferral and amortization. IAS 38 requires all research costs be charged to expense while development costs are capitalised only after technical and commercial feasibility of the asset for sale or use have been established. This means that the entity must intend and be able to complete the intangible asset and either use it or sell it and be able to demonstrate how the asset will generate future economic benefits. Development costs are tested for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.
In-Process Research and Development
Under IFRS, in-process research and development (“IPRD”) acquired in a business combination that meets the definition of an intangible asset is capitalized with amortization commencing when the asset is ready for use (i.e., when development is complete). The Company does not capitalize its IPRD.
Stock-based compensation
Stock options and warrants awarded to non-employees are measured using the fair value of the goods or services received unless that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case measurement is based on the fair value of the stock options. Stock options and warrants awarded to employees are accounted for using the fair value method. The fair value of such stock options and warrants granted is recognized as an expense on a proportionate basis consistent with the vesting features of each tranche of the grant. The fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions applicable at the date of grant.
Loss per share
Basic loss per share, net of taxes is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period after giving effect to potentially dilutive financial instruments. The dilutive effect of stock options and warrants is determined using the treasury stock method.
Selected Annual Data
The selected financial data of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 was derived from the audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Company, which have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as described in their report which is included in this Annual Report.
The information contained in the selected financial data for the 2022, 2021 and 2020 years is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included under the heading ITEM 17. “Financial Statements” and should be read in conjunction with such financial statements and with the information appearing under the heading ITEM 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”. Except where otherwise indicated, all amounts are presented in accordance with IFRS as issued by IASB.
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The selected annual information for continuing operations for 2022, 2021 and 2020 can be further analyzed as follows:
Research and development can be analysed as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Wages and benefits | $ | 4,267,937 | $ | 3,270,528 | $ | 1,586,900 | ||||||
| Subcontract fees | 2,946,729 | 1,516,343 | 3,802,919 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 2,054,187 | 1,769,951 | 567,859 | |||||||||
| Supplies | 1,477,890 | 1,608,306 | 676,639 | |||||||||
| $ | 10,746,743 | $ | 8,165,128 | $ | 6,634,317 | |||||||
Selling, marketing and administration costs can be analysed as follows:
| Stock-based compensation | $ | 2,382,417 | $ | 2,764,419 | $ | 3,045,086 | ||||||
| Wages and benefits | 2,648,862 | 2,643,451 | 2,233,449 | |||||||||
| Professional fees | 1,173,743 | 1,155,316 | 800,551 | |||||||||
| General expenses | 1,860,762 | 1,304,690 | 1,188,712 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,293,158 | 1,100,522 | 813,103 | |||||||||
| Management and consulting fees | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Rent and facility costs | 157,329 | 87,130 | 57,097 | |||||||||
| $ | 9,516,271 | $ | 9,055,528 | $ | 8,137,998 |
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Analysis of Continuing Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
Net loss from for the year was $21,036,690 compared to a net loss of $15,669,093 in 2021, an increase of $5,367,597 (34%). The following discusses the significant variances between the period and 2021.
During the year, NRE revenue increased by $343,648 (164%) to $552,748 in the period from $209,100 in the prior year. The Company provided services under an NRE contract to one customer in 2021. In 2022, the Company is now providing similar services to multiple customers, one of which continued to contract services from last year. The revenue relates to unique projects that are being addressed utilizing the capabilities of the POET Optical Interposer.
Total RD increased by $2,581,615 (32%) from $8,165,128 in 2021 to $10,746,743 in 2022. For the purposes of the following analysis, non-cash stock-based compensation of $2,054,187 has been excluded and is included with the analysis of non-cash stock-based compensation below.
RD, excluding non-cash stock-based compensation, increased by $2,297,379 (36%) to $8,692,556 in the year from $6,395,177 in 2021. The increase in RD is a result of the new stage of the Company’s development where it is transitioning from technology development to product development. As the transition occurs, qualified engineers are needed to fill roles related to new production introduction and quality control. RD wages increased by $997,409 (30%) from $3,270,528 in 2021 to $4,267,937 in the year. The Company has also engaged with new suppliers, through non-recurring engineering and qualification programs, to ensure that the supply of required products and services will meet the Company’s standards and will be available as needed. These programs resulted in an increase in RD supplies and subcontract fees of $1,299,970 (42%) from $3,124,649 in 2021 to $4,424,619 in the year.
Interest expense was $49,738 in the year as compared to $364,619 in 2021, a decrease of $314,881 (86%). The Company raised $3,729,921 in convertible debentures between April 2019 and September 2019 with two-year maturities. The Company was required to pay monthly interest on the convertible debentures. As the convertible debentures reached maturity during 2021, interest cost was reduced. All convertible debenture were either converted or matured in 2021. Interest in the year is non-cash.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $192,636 (18%) to $1,293,158 in the year from $1,100,522 in 2021. With the sale of DenseLight, the Company embarked on a “fab-light” strategy with a required test facility situated in Singapore and product development facility in China. The increase in depreciation and amortization was a result of assets acquired for these new facilities.
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Impact of joint venture decreased by $2,910,257 (201%) to a net loss of $1,465,006 in the year from a net gain of $1,445,251 in 2021. The impact of joint venture relates to the Company’s activity related to its investment in SPX. During the year, the Company recognized its share of SPX’s losses using the equity method. On a weighted average basis, the Company’s share of the net operating loss was 83.7% or $3,614,211, however the Company only recognized $3,211,993 of the net operating loss of SPX for the year ended December 31, 2022 because the investment is now carried at nil (2021 - $1,445,251) on the consolidated statements of financial position. On a weighted average bases the net operating loss was $95.3% or $1,142,249 in 2021. The loss in the year was offset by a recognized gain of $1,746,987 related to the Company’s contribution of intellectual property to SPX in accordance with IAS 28. The Company recognized a gain of $2,587,500 in 2021.
General expenses and rent increased by $626,271 (45%) to $2,018,091 in the year from $1,391,820 in 2021. The increase was primarily a result of the increase in DO insurance subsequent to the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq. DO insurance is substantially higher for US listed Companies than for Canadian listed Companies. The Company was only listed on the TSXV in 2021. Additionally, the Company’s lease for its Singapore facility was renewed in Q2 2022. The lease term is currently one year, accordingly the accounting rules relating to leases permits the Company to record rent expense. Some lease related costs in 2021 were charged to interest expense and amortization because the lease term exceeded one year. Other drivers for the increase over 2021 were the fees associated with listing on the Nasdaq, costs associated with the new shareholder outreach program and costs related to the Company’s presentation at the Optical Fiber Conference. The Company did not have similar costs in 2021.
Other (income), including interest decreased by $73,511 (28%) to $188,320 in the year from $261,831 in 2021. During 2021, the Company received notice from the Small Business Administration of Washington, DC that its Covid-related PPP loan of $186,747 was forgiven in full. The Company did not have a similar forgiveness in the prior year. Other (income) including interest was all interest income in the year. Interest income in 2021 was $75,084.
Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Net loss from continuing operations for the period was $15,669,093 compared to a net loss of $18,169,070 in 2020, a decrease of $2,499,977 (14%). The following discusses the significant variances between the period and 2020.
During the year, the Company reported non-recurring revenue of $209,100. No revenue was reported in 2020. The revenue reported related to a unique project that was addressed utilizing the capabilities of the POET Optical Interposer.
Total RD increased by $1,530,811 (23%) from $6,634,317 in 2020 to $8,165,128 in 2021. For the purposes of the following analysis, non-cash stock-based compensation of $1,769,951 has been excluded and is included with the analysis of non-cash stock-based compensation below.
RD, excluding non-cash stock-based compensation, increased by $328,719 (6%) to $6,395,177 in the period from $6,066,458 in 2020.
Interest expense was $364,619 in the period as compared to $937,903 in 2020, a decrease of $573,284 (61%). The Company raised $3,729,921 in convertible debentures between April 2019 and September 2019 with two-year maturities. The Company was required to pay monthly interest on the convertible debentures. As the convertible debentures reached maturity during the period, interest cost was reduced. During the period, convertible debenture holders converted $3,571,342 of convertible debentures that were converted in 1,119,750 units of the Company. The Company’s interest obligation related to the convertible debentures has been eliminated as the convertible debentures were converted or matured. The interest incurred, includes non-cash interest cost of $213,843.
Depreciation and amortization increased by $287,849 (35%) to $1,100,522 in the period from $813,103 in 2020. With the sale of DenseLight, the Company embarked on a “fab-light” strategy with a required test facility situated in Singapore and product development facility in China. The increase in depreciation and amortization was a result of assets acquired for these new facilities.
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Wages and benefits increased by $461,284 (21%) to $2,643,451 in the period from $2,182,167 in 2020. The increase was a result of three primary factors during the period; 1) the Company paid a bonus of $250,000 to certain employees, 2) the Company hired two new senior administrative employees, and 3) the compensation for certain employees was adjusted to be more aligned with the compensation of employees in similar roles in comparatively sized companies within the industry.
Professional fees increased by $354,765 (44%) to $1,155,316 in the period from $800,551 in 2020. The increase in the period is a result of professional fees paid for multiple projects in the period that required professional guidance. These projects included the special meeting held in February 2021, filing of a new base shelf prospectus in April 2021 and the related responses to queries from the various regulatory authorities, the analysis associated with ensuring the Company’s compliance to international regulations and standards associated with operating as a multinational corporation and ancillary professional fees related to the private placement financing, warrant and stock option exercises.
General expenses and rent increased by $146,011 (12%) to $1,391,820 in the period from $1,245,809 in 2020. During the period, the Company incurred regulatory and filing fees related to its shelf prospectus filing. Exchange membership fees were also were higher than 2020 due to the Company’s stock price in 2021. The easing of travel restrictions also allowed certain employees to travel internationally during 2021. There was no international travel in 2020.
Impairment and other loss was nil in the period compared to $2,500,000 in 2020. Impairment and other loss consisted of a credit loss of $2,500,000 relating to the receivable from the sale of discontinued operations in 2020. In 2020, after taking into consideration the length of time it took the Buyer of DenseLight to make the required payments and the Company’s expectations regarding the likelihood of receiving the balance that was due at the time, the Company determined, and the Buyer accepted, that it was in the Company’s best interest to accept partial payments as final payment on the outstanding balance. The Company used the opportunity to restructure its relationship with DenseLight to better accommodate the Company’s current supply needs.
Non-cash stock-based compensation increased by $921,425 (26%) to $4,534,370 in the period from $3,612,945 in 2020. The valuation of stock options is driven by a number of factors including the number of options granted, the strike price and the volatility of the Company’s stock. The stock option expense is dependent on the timing of the stock option grant and the amortization of the options as they vest. The stock options vest in accordance with the policies determined by the Board of Directors at the time of the grant consistent with the provisions of the Plan.
Impact of joint venture in the period was $1,445,251 which represents a net gain on the Company’s activity related to its investment in SPX. During the period, the Company recognized a partial gain of $2,587,500 related to its contribution of intellectual property to SPX in accordance with IAS 28. The Company only recognized a gain on the contribution of the intellectual property equivalent to the SAIC’s interest in SPX. Additionally, the Company recognized its share of SPX’s losses using the equity method. The Company recognized 94.2% or $1,142,249 of the net operating loss of SPX from March 12, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The Company’s current share of the operating loss is a result of the high value of the Company’s initial contribution.
Other (income), including interest increased by $220,683 (536%) to $261,831 in the period from $41,148 in 2020. During the period, the Company received notice from the Small Business Administration of Washington, DC that its Covid related PPP loan of $186,747 was forgiven in full. The Company did not have a similar event in 2020. Additionally, the company had higher investment balances during 2021 invested consist to the Company investment policy and earned higher interest income.
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Exchange Rate Risk
The functional currency of each of the entities included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements is the local currency where the entity is domiciled. Functional currencies include the Chinese Yuan, US, Singapore and Canadian dollar. Most transactions within the entities are conducted in functional currencies. As such, none of the entities included in the consolidated financial statements engage in hedging activities. The Company is exposed to a foreign currency risk when its subsidiaries hold current assets or current liabilities in currencies other than its functional currency. A 10% change in foreign currencies held would increase or decrease other comprehensive loss by $140,421.
Liquidity Risk
The Company currently does not maintain credit facilities. The Company’s existing cash and cash resources are considered sufficient to fund operating and investing activities beyond one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The Company may, however, need to seek additional financing in the future.
| B. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
The Company had working capital of $5,751,101 on December 31, 2022 compared to $19,865,170 on December 31, 2021. The Company’s statement of financial position as of December 31, 2022 reflects assets with a book value of $15,390,453 compared to $27,153,977 as of December 31, 2021. Sixty two percent (62%) of the book value at December 31, 2022 was in current assets consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents of $9,229,845 compared to eighty percent (80%) of the book value as of December 31, 2021, which consisted primarily of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $21,308,603.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company had negative cash flows from operations of $12,325,910. The Company has prepared a cash flow forecast which indicates that it does not have sufficient cash to meet its minimum expenditure commitments and therefore needs to raise additional funds to continue as a going concern. As a result, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the date of these audited consolidated financial statements.
To address the future funding requirements, management has undertaken the following initiatives:
| 1. | Raised $3,184,332 in gross funding from a private placement on December 2, 2022. The financing included the issuance of warrants at an exercise price of C$4.95. These warrants are currently in-the- money and will be exercisable after April 2, 2023; | |
| 2. | Extended the exercise date and repriced certain warrants to induce warrant holders to exercise warrants that are in-the-money; | |
| 3. | Encouraged warrant holders with in-the-money warrants that expire between April 2023 and September 2023 to exercise their warrants prior to the expiry dates. | |
| 4. | Established a strict budgetary process with a focus on maintaining an appropriate level of corporate overheads in line with the Company’s available cash resources. |
Between January 23, 2023 and March 22, 2023, the Company received $5,475,102 (CAD$7,474,543) from the exercise of 1,758,716 warrants.
Although the Company has been successful in obtaining such financings in the past, there is no assurance that it will be able do so in the future. The Company does however, have a reasonable expectation that it will be able to manage its finances in order to continue its operations.
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The following is a summary of Company’s cash flows and working capital:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (12,325,910 | ) | (11,233,293 | ) | (9,437,964 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash from investing activities | 3,292,791 | (7,297,710 | ) | 13,926,137 | ||||||||
| Net cash from financing activities | 3,435,204 | 26,553,677 | 1,162,459 | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (114,015 | ) | 46,207 | (205,867 | ) | |||||||
| Change in cash | (5,711,930 | ) | 8,068,881 | 5,444,765 | ||||||||
| Opening cash | 14,941,775 | 6,872,894 | 1,428,129 | |||||||||
| Ending cash | 9,229,845 | 14,941,775 | 6,872,894 | |||||||||
Operating Activities
During 2022, the Company had consolidated losses of $21,036,690 (2021 - $15,669,093, 2020 - $18,169,070).
The operating activities of the included the following non-cash items: non-cash stock-based compensation of $4,436,604 (2021 - $4,534,370, 2020 - $3,612,945), depreciation and amortization of $1,293,158 (2021 - $1,100,522, 2020 - $813,103), accretion of debt discount on convertible debentures and non-cash interest of $49,738 (2021 - $213,843, 2020 - $524,095), credit loss on receivable from the sale of discontinued operations of nil (2021 – nil, 2020 - $2,500,000). Gain on contribution of intellectual property to joint venture was $1,746,987 (2021 - $2,587,500, 2020 – nil) while the Company had a share of loss in joint venture of $3,211,993 (2021 - $1,142,249, 2020 – nil. Other non-cash operating costs (income) was $40,029 (2021 - $(172,933), 2020 - $1,070,970).
The Company will regularly have high non-cash stock-based compensation as it uses stock options as method of attracting, retaining and motivating directors, employees and consultants of the Company and any of its subsidiaries and to closely align the personal interests of such directors, employees and consultants with those of the shareholders by providing them with the opportunity, through options, to acquire common shares in the capital of the Company while managing compensation through cash.
With the sale of DenseLight, the Company embarked on a “fab-light” strategy with a required test facility situated in Singapore and product development facility in China. The increase in depreciation and amortization was a result of assets acquired for these new facilities.
In 2019, the Company raised $7,729,921 in convertible debentures issued at a discount. The discount on the convertible debentures was accreted over the life of the convertible debentures. The convertible debentures either matured or were converted in 2021, therefore in 2022, non-cash cost of accretion of debt discount on convertible debentures was nil (2021 - $213,843, 2020 - $524,095).
During the year, the Company recognized a gain of $1,746,987 (2021 - $2,587,500) related to its contribution of intellectual property to SPX in accordance with IAS 28. The Company only recognizes a gain on the contribution of the intellectual property equivalent to SAIC’s interest in SPX. Additionally, the Company recognizes its share of SPX’s losses using the equity method. On a weighted average basis, the Company’s share of the net operating loss was 83.7% or $3,614,211, however the Company only recognized $3,211,993 of the net operating loss of SPX for the year ended December 31, 2022 because the investment is now carried at nil (2021 - $1,445,251) on the consolidated statements of financial position. On a weighted average bases the net operating loss was $95.3% or $1,142,249 in 2021.
Consolidated negative cash flow from operations was $12,325,910 in the year (2021 - $11,233,293, 2020 - $9,437,964).
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Investing Activities
The Company had consolidated cash flow from investing activities of $3,292,791 (2021 - $(7,297,710), 2020 - $13,926,137). The Company purchased $6,366,828 of short-term investments in 2021 due to the excess cash it had on hand. These investments matured in 2022. The funds were invested in interest bearing facilities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. $3,074,037 (2021 - $930,882, 2020 - $1,573,863) was used to purchase new equipment and patents.
In 2020, the Company collected $15,500,000 on its receivable from the sale of DenseLight. After taking into consideration the length of time it had taken the Buyer to make the foregoing payments and the Company’s expectations regarding the likelihood of receiving an additional payment, the Company determined that it was in its best interest to accept partial payments as final payment on the Company’s receivable. As a result, the Company recognized a credit loss of $2,500,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Financing Activities
On December 2, 2022, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of 1,126,635 units at a price of $2.78 (CAD$3.81) per unit for gross proceeds of $3,184,332 (CAD$4,292,479). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $3.61 (CAD$4.95) per share until December 2, 2025. The Company paid finders’ fees aggregating to $42,090 (CAD$57,897) to four firms. The Company paid other share issue costs of $205,802 related to this private placement offering.
One director subscribed for 10,000 units of this private placement offering for gross proceeds of $27,800 (CAD$38,100).
On February 11, 2021, the Company completed a brokered private placement offering of 1,764,720 units at a price of $6.70 (CAD$8.50) per unit for gross proceeds of $11,815,595 (CAD$15,000,120). Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $9.00 (CAD$11.50) per share until February 11, 2023. At any time after June 12, 2021, the Company reserves the right to accelerate the expiry of the warrants if the Company’s average stock price exceeds $18.10 (CAD$23.00) for a period of 10 consecutive trading days. The broker was paid a cash commission of $708,667 (CAD$900,007) equating to 6% of the gross proceeds and received 1,058,832 broker warrants. Each broker warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $6.70 (CAD$8.50) per broker warrant until February 11, 2023. The Company incurred additional share issuance costs of $434,367 directly related to the private placement and fees to induce certain warrant holders to exercise their warrants.
In addition to funds received from the brokered private placement, the Company received $16,118,750 from the exercise of stock options and warrants. The Company also improved its liquidity by $3,571,342 through the conversion of convertible debentures into units of the Company.
During 2020, the Company received $1,088,450 from the exercise of warrants and stock options (2019 - $60,028).
In March and April 2020, the Company received a cumulative $218,151 of covid-19 government support loans from the US and Canadian governments. The loans are repayable based on various criteria in May 2022 and December 2022. During 2021, the Company received notice from the Small Business Administration of Washington, DC that its Covid-related PPP loan of $186,747 was forgiven in full.
Capital Expenditures
The Company has an approved capital budget of $811,000 for the 2023 fiscal year related to research and development equipment, manufacturing equipment and patent registration. In 2022, $3,074,037 (2021 - $930,882, 2020 - $1,573,863) was either spent in cash or accrued for acquiring development and manufacturing equipment and new patents.
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| C. | Research and Development |
The POET Optical Interposer represents a significant departure from the historic conventional approaches to the integration of photonic and electronic devices. It is essentially an approach to assembling, packaging and testing of all of the components required to produce a photonics device into a single chip, using established semiconductor techniques, all done at wafer-level. The “semiconductorization” of photonics is the only way to enable the scaling up in volume of devices that will be needed for current and future photonics applications, while at the same time reducing the size, unit cost and power consumption of those devices.
Since the invention of the POET Optical Interposer in 2017-18, the Company has devoted virtually all of its RD expenditures to developing, characterizing and improving the optical interposer platform. Once the basic platform had been established by 2020-21, the Company began developing products to demonstrate the cost and performance advantages of the optical interposer approach, specifically in the area of optical engines for optical transceivers sold to the data center market.
Throughout this entire period, the Company’s overall guiding principle for research and development has been that each new feature of or product based on the POET Optical Interposer must be able to be done at wafer-level, producing hundreds or thousands of devices at a time, rather than one at a time. Adhering to this principle is the only way to deliver the benefits to customers of high-volume scalability, reduced cost and increasing energy efficiency.
The Company’s first generation of optical engines included the all of the photonics-related components needed for an optical transceiver, both active and passive, including lasers, monitor diodes, detectors, multiplexers, demultiplexers, etc. all integrated onto a single chip. The second generation of optical engines now being produced include the electronic components needed for a transceiver, such as laser drivers and trans impedance amplifiers. These are added to the optical interposer platform to increase performance and simplify assembly into optical transceiver modules.
The Company has adopted the concept of “chiplets”, known primarily in the semiconductor industry, to amplify the flexibility of the basic platform by using multiples of its miniature transmit optical engines to be combined to achieve the higher data rates expected in the next 2-3 generations of optical transceivers. Two 400G transmit chiplets, for example, combined to produce an 800G transmit engine; then four 400G transmit chiplets, combined to produce a 1.6T transmit engine, without the need to develop a new platform for each new generation.
In addition to working on the development and productization of optical transceivers, the Company has devoted RD resources to produce remote light source products. These are needed as field replacements of lasers in standard optical transceivers and more importantly, as light sources for the burgeoning AI-ML market.
Internally generated research costs, including the costs of developing intellectual property and maintaining patents are expensed as incurred. Internal development costs are expensed as incurred unless such costs meet the criteria for capitalization and amortization under IFRS, which to date has not occurred.
We incurred a cumulative $10,746,743, $8,165,128 and 6,634,317 of research and development expenses in 2022, 2021 and 2020, which includes non-cash stock-based compensation of $2,054,187, $1,769,951 and $567,859 respectively. Other expenses related to research and development expenditures in the semiconductor business include costs associated with salaries, material costs, license fees, consulting services and third-party contract manufacturing. The expenses in all years presented can be analyzed for continuing and discontinuing operations as follows:
RD for Continuing Operations
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Wages and benefits | $ | 4,267,937 | $ | 3,270,528 | $ | 1,586,900 | ||||||
| Subcontract fees | 2,946,729 | 1,516,343 | 3,802,919 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 2,054,187 | 1,769,951 | 567,859 | |||||||||
| Supplies | 1,477,890 | 1,608,306 | 676,639 | |||||||||
| $ | 10,746,743 | $ | 8,165,128 | $ | 6,634,317 | |||||||
| Page 39 |
| D. | Trend Information |
Other than as may be disclosed elsewhere in this annual report and specifically in ITEM 4.B. “Business Overview,” we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
| E. | Critical Accounting Estimates |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated based on the estimated useful life of the asset using the following method and useful lives:
| Machinery and equipment | Straight Line, 5 years | |
| Leasehold improvements | Straight Line, 5 years or life of the lease, whichever is less | |
| Office equipment | Straight Line, 3 – 5 years |
Patents and licenses
Patents and licenses are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 years. Ongoing maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock options and warrants awarded to non-employees are accounted for using the fair value of the instrument awarded or service provided, whichever is considered more reliable. Stock options and warrants awarded to employees are accounted for using the fair value method. The fair value of such stock options and warrants granted is recognized as an expense on a proportionate basis consistent with the vesting features of each tranche of the grant. The fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with assumptions applicable at the date of grant.
Other stock-based payments
The Company accounts for other stock-based payments based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued or service provided, whichever is more reliable.
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
IFRS requires certain gains and losses such as certain exchange gains and losses arising from the translation of the financial statements of a self-sustaining foreign operation to be included in comprehensive income.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
| A. | Directors and Senior Management |
The following table sets forth information regarding our Directors and Officers for the most recent financial year.
| Name | Positions | Age | Date First Elected or Appointed a Director or Officer | |||
| Jean-Louis Malinge (1) | Director | 69 | September 5, 2017 | |||
| Peter Charbonneau (1)(3) | Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Chair and Director | 69 | March 28, 2018 | |||
| Dr. Suresh Venkatesan | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman | 56 | June 11, 2015 | |||
| Kevin Barnes | VP Finance and Treasurer | 51 | December 1, 2012 | |||
| Thomas R. Mika | Chief Financial Officer | 71 | November 2, 2016 | |||
| Vivek Rajgarhia | President and General Manager | 55 | November 4, 2019 | |||
| Chris Tsiofas (1)(2) | Audit Committee Chair and Director | 55 | August 21, 2012 | |||
| Yong Meng (James) Lee | General Manager – POET Technologies Pte Ltd. | 51 | September 2, 2019 | |||
| Glen Riley (2)(3) | Compensation Committee Chair and Director | 60 | December 7, 2020 | |||
| Mohandas Warrior (4) | Director | 62 | June 15, 2015 | |||
| Michal Lipson (3) | Director | 52 | October 14, 2022 | |||
| Theresa Ende (2) | Director | 66 | October 14, 2022 | |||
| Raju Kankipati | VP Product Line Management | 44 | May 1, 2022 | |||
| Dr. Mo Jinyu | Senior VP, GM of Asia | 48 | January 1, 2022 |
| (1) | Member of Audit Committee |
| (2) | Member of Compensation Committee |
| (3) | Member of Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee | |
| (4) | Mohandas Warrior did not stand for re-election to the board on October 14, 2022 |
| Page 40 |
Dr. Suresh Venkatesan as CEO. Prior to joining POET in 2015 as CEO, Dr. Venkatesan was the Senior Vice President, Technology Development at GlobalFoundries and was responsible for the Company’s Technology Research and Development. He joined GlobalFoundries in 2009, where he led the development and ramp of the 28nm node and was instrumental in the technology transfer and qualification of 14nm. In addition, he was responsible for the qualification and ramp up of multiple mainstream value-added technology nodes. Dr. Venkatesan is an industry veteran with over 22 years of experience in semiconductor technology development. Prior to joining GlobalFoundries, he held various leadership positions with Freescale Semiconductor in Austin, Texas. He holds over 25 US patents, and has co-authored over 50 technical papers. He earned a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a Master of Science and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University.
Vivek Rajgarhia serves as President and General Manager. Before joining POET, Mr. Rajgarhia served as Senior Vice President General Manager of the Lightwave Business Unit of MACOM (NASDAQ: MTSI). Mr. Rajgarhia joined MACOM through the acquisition of Optomai Inc., where he was the Co-Founder and CEO, to start MACOM’s first optical business. He was then instrumental in identifying and leading several strategic acquisitions to build an extensive portfolio of optical and photonic businesses, which formed MACOM’s Lightwave Business Unit. Mr. Rajgarhia has held several senior management positions during his 30 years in the optical communications industry. He was Director of Sales Marketing (Asia) for Lucent Technologies’ (now Nokia) optical components, where he started Lucent’s Asia business; Vice President of Product Marketing and Business Development for OpNext (formerly Hitachi’s Fiber Optics Division), now Lumentum, where he was part of the team to spin-off the optical business from Hitachi; Director of Product Management Marketing for JDS Uniphase (now Lumentum), and VP of Global Sales for GigOptix. Mr. Rajgarhia has been a successful entrepreneur, founding two optical companies, and has held international assignments in Hong Kong, Germany and India. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
Mr. Thomas Mika serves as EVP CFO. Prior to joining POET, Mika served for one year as the Executive Chairman of Rennova Health, Inc., the successor company to CollabRx and its predecessor, Tegal Corporation, a semiconductor capital equipment company (NASDAQ: TGAL). On the Board of Directors of Tegal since its spin-out from Motorola in 1989, Mika assumed the roles of Chief Financial Officer in 2002, CEO in 2005 and Chairman CEO in 2006, positions which he held until 2015. In 2015, Tegal merged with Rennova Health with Mika retaining the position of Chairman until joining POET in November 2016. In 1980, Mika co-founded IMTEC, a boutique MA, investment and consulting firm, serving clients in the U.S., Europe and Japan over a period of 20 years, taking on the role of CEO in several ventures. Earlier in his career, Mika was a managing consultant with Cresap, McCormick Paget and a policy analyst for the National Science Foundation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business.
Mr. Kevin Barnes has been serving as Corporate Controller and Treasurer since 2008 and briefly as Chief Financial Officer (2012 – 2016). Mr. Barnes holds a Master of Business Administration and is a member of the Institute of the Certified Management Accountants of Australia and an Accredited Chartered Secretary. Mr. Barnes served as a Corporate Controller and Business Performance Manager for EC English, one of the world’s largest language training institutes between 2006 and 2014. Mr. Barnes also serves as Chief Financial Officer of VVC Exploration Corporation, a minerals exploration company since 2006. From 2000 to 2006, he was a reporting manager with Duguay and Ringler Corporate Services, which specializes in financial reporting for publicly traded companies.
Dr. Mo Jinyu is a highly experienced technical and business veteran of the photonics and optoelectronics industries. Her expertise covers optical transmission system, advanced optical modulation format, tunable semiconductor lasers, DFB and FP lasers and PD/APD, optical transceiver modules and high-speed integrated packaging. Dr. Mo has more than 22 years of experience spanning several companies, including MACOM Technology Solutions, Bookham/Oclaro, Huawei, I2R in Singapore and Nexvave Photonics Technology Co., which she founded and served as Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Mo was most recently with MACOM as the Senior Director and Chief Scientist of the Lightwave business unit in Asia and site leader in Shenzhen. Dr. Mo received her PhD degree in Optical Communications from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore. She is a senior member of IEEE and has been a member of IEEE’s Technical Committees for several international conferences. She has over 11 patents and more than 40 papers published in tier one journals and conferences.
Mr. Raju Kankipati brings over 20 years of experience in Optical transceivers, Optical components, Cloud data center and networks to POET. He was a Senior Director of Product Management at MACOM, focused on optical components and photonic solutions. Prior to that, Raju worked at Arista Networks as a Senior Product Manager and Engineering Manager. During this time he collaborated closely with data center customers to bring unique switching products as well as Optical transceivers to market, that helped customers deploy 40G and 100Gbps products for highly scalable and efficient networks. Raju worked as a Product Manager at Cisco prior to joining Arista. Raju started his career as an Optics Engineer at Opnext and later held various roles in sales and marketing at the company. Raju received his MBA degree from UC Berkeley (Haas School of Business) and completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics from BITS, Pilani in India.
Mr. Chris Tsiofas, CA, CPA, earned a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and the Canadian Tax Foundation. He has been on the Board of Directors since August of 2012. He is the president of MTN Chartered Professional Accountant Professional Corporation, a public accountancy firm. He sits on various private company boards. He has also served in a principal capacity in various entrepreneurial ventures resulting in successful divestitures.
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Mr. Jean-Louis Malinge recently retired as partner with ARCH Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm with nearly $2 billion under management. Additionally, he is a board member of EGIDE SA, CAILabs and Aeponyx. EGIDE SA is a public French company which designs, manufactures and sells hermetic packages for the protection and interconnection of several types of electronic and photonic chips. CAIlabs is a venture-backed French innovative start-up founded in 2013 which has developed a unique spatial multiplexing platform. Aeponyx is a venture-backed Canadian innovative start-up which develops a platform combining Silicon Nitride waveguides with planar MEMS for photonics components. From 2004 to 2013 Jean-Louis was President and CEO of Kotura, a Silicon Photonics pioneer which was acquired in 2013 by Mellanox Technologies. Prior to Kotura Mr. Malinge was an executive with Corning Inc for 15 years. Jean-Louis hold an Executive M.B.A. from MIT Sloan School in Boston, Massachusetts. He also holds an engineering degree from the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées in Rennes, France.
Mr. Peter Charbonneau was a general partner at Skypoint Capital Corporation for almost 15 years, where he was jointly responsible for the placement of $100 million of capital in early-stage telecommunications and data communication companies Mr. Charbonneau currently serves on the board of Surgical Safety Technologies Inc. an early stage start up that uses clinically trained deep learning systems to perform advanced analytics on hospital data. He recently served on the Board of Mitel Networks Corporation, a leading global provider of cloud and on-site business communications until November 2018 when it was sold to a private equity firm. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the CBC Pension Board and a director on the board of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as well as many technology and networking companies, including March Networks Corporation, TELUS Corporation, Breconridge Corporation and Dragonwave Incorporated.
Mr. Yong Meng (James) is General Manager of the Company’s Singapore subsidiary. Prior to his appointment in 2019, Mr. Lee was Vice President of Logic Technology at IMEC where he was responsible for defining the logic roadmap and developing the technology elements necessary to extend scaling with ultra-scaled FinFET, GAA devices, advanced metallization as well novel materials for emerging devices and quantum computing. Mr. Lee joined IMEC in 2015 where he was instrumental in driving collaborations with the foundries in China and was responsible for bringing in 100M euros of research partnership. Prior to IMEC, Mr. Lee had a 19-year career with GLOBALFOUNDRIES where he held various technical and management positions spanning the US and Singapore focused on developing, qualifying and ramping leading edge CMOS technology in the foundry. He has over 60 patents and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Mr. Glen Riley has more than 30 years’ experience in leadership roles spanning both the semiconductor and optoelectronics industries. He most recently served as General Manager of the Filter Solutions Business Unit at Qorvo, where he was responsible for developing highly integrated RF modules used in flagship smartphones. Prior to the merger of RFMD and TriQuint that formed Qorvo, he held multiple leadership roles at TriQuint, including Managing Director of international headquarters in Singapore, General Manager of the GaAs foundry business, and General Manager of Optoelectronics. Riley was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Opticalis, an early stage optoelectronics company focused on the development of high-density wavelength division multiplexing products. He also held prior roles as Vice President and General Manager of the Optoelectronic business at Agere Systems, and President of Asia-Pacific Sales and Marketing at Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group. He graduated as valedictorian with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the School of Engineering at the University of Maine and completed the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School.
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Ms. Theresa Ende serves as Chief Procurement Director of Arista Networks. Prior to her appointment as Chief Procurement Director in 2019, Ms. Ende served for 10 years as its Senior Director of Global Supply Chain Management. Prior to Arista, she held senior positions at JDSU Optical Division and Force10 Networks. At Cisco Systems and ROLM Telecommunications, Ms. Ende held various program management and planning management positions over a 20-year period. In 2019, she was honored as one of the “Top 100 Women of Influence” by Silicon Valley Business Journal.
Professor Michal Lipson currently serves as a Eugene Higgins Professor of Electrical Engineering and Professor of Applied Physics at Columbia University. Her research focus is on Nanophotonics and includes the investigation of novel phenomena, as well as the development of novel devices and applications. Professor Lipson pioneered critical building blocks in the field of Silicon Photonics, which today is recognized as one of the most promising directions for solving the major bottlenecks in microelectronics. She is the inventor of over 45 issued patents and has co-authored more than 250 scientific publications. In recognition of her work in silicon photonics, she was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was also awarded the NAS Comstock Prize in Physics, the MacArthur Fellowship, the Blavatnik Award, the Optical Society’s R. W. Wood Prize, the IEEE Photonics Award, and has received an honorary degree from Trinity College, University of Dublin. In 2020, she was elected the 2021 Vice President of The Optical Society and will serve as OSA President in 2023. Since 2014, every year, she has been named by Thomson Reuters as a top 1% highly cited researcher in the field of Physics
The Directors, unless otherwise noted above, have served in their respective capacities since their election and/or appointment, and will serve until the next Company’s annual general meeting or until a successor is duly elected, unless the office is vacated in accordance with the Articles of Continuance.
The Board has adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to promote a culture of ethical business conduct and relies upon the selection of persons as directors, senior management and employees who they consider to meet the highest ethical standards. The Company’s Code of Business Ethics can be found on the Company’s web site at: www.poet-technologies.com.
There are no family relationships between any of our Directors or senior management. There are no arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a Director or member of senior management.
| B. | Compensation |
Fixed Stock Option Plan
On September 21, 2007, the Directors approved a fixed 20% vesting Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) to replace the Rolling Stock Option Plan that had been in effect since May 4, 2005. The Plan was approved by the disinterested shareholders of the Company at the Shareholders’ Meeting of June 19, 2008 and accepted for filing by the TSXV. Under the Plan, the maximum number of shares (the “Maximum Number”) which may be issued pursuant to options granted under the Plan or otherwise granted cannot exceed 20% of the issued and outstanding shares. The shareholders fixed the Maximum Number at 1,193,000. Thereafter, the Plan has been amended by the Directors, and such amendments have been approved by the shareholders in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2021. The Maximum Number is currently 7,090,518 shares.
The purpose of the Plan is to assist the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating directors, employees and consultants of the Company and any of its subsidiaries and to closely align the personal interests of such directors, employees and consultants with those of the shareholders by providing them with the opportunity, through options, to acquire common shares in the capital of the Company.
The Plan provides that the number of common shares issuable pursuant to options granted under the Plan and pursuant to other previously granted options is limited to the Maximum Number, currently fixed at 7,090,518. Any subsequent increase in the Maximum Number must be approved by shareholders of the Company and cannot exceed 20% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the shareholders’ approval. There is no other limit to the number of options granted to any individual, except for:
(i) 2% on a yearly basis to any one consultant and (ii) 2% on a yearly basis to any employee providing “Investor Relations Activities.”
The following paragraphs summarize some of the terms of the Plan:
Eligibility. Options may be granted under the Plan to directors, employees, consultants and consultant companies of the Company and any of its subsidiaries. Options may also be granted to individuals referred to as “Management Company Employees” which are employed by a company providing management services to the Company, except for services involving “Investor Relations Activities.”
Plan Administration. The Board of Directors is the plan administrator, subject to the advice and recommendations of our Compensation Committee. The plan administrator will determine the provisions and terms and conditions of each grant.
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Exercise Price. The exercise price subject to an option shall be determined by the Board and set forth in the option agreement, but shall be either (i) not less than the last closing price of the Company’s common shares as traded on the TSXV, unless discounted by the Board or (ii) such other price agreed by the Board and accepted by the TSXV. Except in certain circumstance, the Company can amend the other terms of a stock option only where prior TSXV acceptance is obtained and where the following requirements are met:
| (i) | if the amendment is in respect of an option held by an insider of the Company, but excluding amendments to extend the length of the stock option term, the Company obtains disinterested shareholder approval; |
| (ii) | if the option exercise price is amended, at least six months have elapsed since the later of the date of commencement of the term, the date the Company’s shares commenced trading, or the date the option exercise price was last amended; |
| (iii) | if the option price is amended to the discounted market price, the exchange hold period is applied from the date of the amendment (and for more certainty where the option price is amended to the market price, the exchange hold period will not apply); and |
| (iv) | if the length of the stock option term is amended, any extension of the length of the term of the stock option is treated as a grant of a new option, and therefore the amended option must comply with the pricing and other requirements of the policy as if it were a newly granted option. The term of an option cannot be extended so that the effective term of the option exceeds 10 years in total. An option must be outstanding for at least one year before the Company can extend its term. |
The TSXV must accept a proposed amendment before the option may be exercised as amended. If the Company cancels a stock option and within one year grants new options to the same individual, the new options will be subject to the requirements in sections (i) to (iv) above.
Option Agreement. Options granted under the plan are evidenced by an option agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each grant.
Term of the Awards. At the meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 25, 2016, based on the report of Compensia, it was determined that stock options should generally have a term of 10 years.
Vesting Schedule. In general, options granted under the Plan vest 25% immediately and 25% every six months from the date of issue, until fully vested. The directors may, at their discretion, specify a different vesting period, provided that options granted to consultants performing “Investor Relations Activities” must vest in stages over 12 months with no more than 25% of the options vesting in any three-month period. At the meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 25, 2016, based on the report of Compensia, it was determined that stock options should vest 25% at the end of one year from the date of issue with the remaining 75% vesting equally on a quarterly basis over the remaining 3 years for a total vesting period of 4 years. At a meeting of the Board of Directors held on March 30, 2017, the board approved a revised one-year vesting schedule for options granted for service on the board to conform to the term for which a director is elected. Such options will vest 25% at the end of each quarter served in office.
Transfer Restrictions. Options granted under the Plan may not be transferred in any manner by the option holder other than by will or the laws of succession and may be exercised during the lifetime of the option holder only by the option holder. Securities that are subject to restrictions may not be transferred during the period of restriction.
Change of Control and Alteration of Capital. The Plan provides that if a Change of Control, as defined herein, occurs, the shares subject to option shall immediately become vested and may thereupon be exercised in whole or in part by the option holder. The Plan also provides for automatic adjustments in the number of optioned shares and/or the exercised price, in the event of an alteration in the share capital of the Company.
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Termination of Options. In the event that the award recipient ceases employment with us or ceases to provide services to us, the options will terminate after a period of time following the termination of employment. Our Board of Directors has the authority to amend or terminate the plan subject to shareholder approval with respect to certain amendments. However, no such action may adversely affect in any material way any awards previously granted unless agreed upon by the recipient.
Officer Compensation
Total cash compensation accrued and/or paid (directly and/or indirectly) to all of our Officers during fiscal year 2022 was $2,010,479 (refer to ITEM 7. “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for information regarding indirect payments)
In order to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to human resources matters, the Board established a Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews and makes determinations with respect to senior officer compensation on a regular basis with any discretionary compensation used only for extraordinary projects or significant milestone results that advance the Company’s growth potential. When determining Executive Officers’ compensation, the Compensation Committee receives input and guidance from the Executive Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In the past, the Compensation Committee has engaged an outside consultant to conduct a peer group review to provide guidance to the Compensation Committee with respect to appropriate comparative terms for executive compensation and stock option grants. The Company also utilizes peer group comparisons from subsidiary locations to assist in its salary review of various positions in those locations. The Compensation Committee utilizes such comparative reviews to assist it in making appropriate recommendations to the Board.
In addition to his or her fixed base salary, each officer may be eligible to receive variable pay compensation or bonus meant to motivate him or her to achieve short- term goals. Currently, the Company does not have in place established procedures for determining variable pay compensation. Stock options are an important element of the variable pay compensation and do not require cash disbursement from the Company. Stock options are also generally awarded to officers, qualifying employees and consultants at the time of hire and are used as a recruitment tool to attract highly qualified and experienced executives, employees and consultants to the Company. Stock options are also granted at other times during the year. As the Company is continuing to develop its Optical Interposer technology, it must conserve its limited financial resources and control costs to ensure that funds are available when needed to complete its scheduled developments. As a result, the Compensation Committee generally considers not only the financial situation of the Company at the time of the determination of the compensation, but also the estimated financial situation in the mid- and long-term. The use of stock options encourages and rewards performance by aligning an increase in each officer’s compensation with increases in the Company’s performance and in shareholder value.
The following table sets forth all annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for fiscal year 2022 of the Company.
| Options Based Awards (1)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary (2) | Share-Based Awards (1) (2) | No. of Options | Value of Options (1) (2) | Annual Incentive Plans | Long-term Incentive Plans | Pension Value | All other Comp. | Total Comp. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dr. Suresh Venkatesan | 2022 | 462,000 | - | 200,000 | 451,333 | - | - | - | - | 913,333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin Barnes | 2022 | 192,145 | - | 50,000 | 112,833 | - | - | - | - | 304,978 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Mika | 2022 | 330,000 | - | 100,000 | 225,666 | - | - | - | - | 555,666 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vivek Rajgarhia | 2022 | 383,250 | - | 100,000 | 225,666 | - | - | - | - | 608,916 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James Lee | 2022 | 204,750 | - | 55,000 | 125,694 | - | - | - | - | 330,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mo Jinyu | 2022 | 238,333 | - | 100,000 | 228,540 | - | - | - | - | 466,873 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raju Kankipati | 2022 | 200,000 | - | 200,000 | 793,062 | - | - | - | - | 993,062 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (1) | The Company used the Black-Scholes model as the methodology to calculate the grant date fair value. The fair value will be recorded as an operating expense as the options vest based on the stock options vesting schedule from the date of grant. |
| (2) | The exchange rate used in these calculations to convert CAD to USD is based on the exchange rate applicable at the date of grant. |
The following table sets forth information concerning all awards outstanding under a stock option plan to each of the current officers, as of December 31, 2022:
| Option-based Awards | Share-based Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Name | Last Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date | Value of Unexercised in-the-money Options (1) | Number of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested | Market or Payout Value of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested | Market or Payout Value of Vested Shares or Units of Shares that have not Paid Out or Distributed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 22,000 | $ | 2.80 | CAD | 13-Jul-2027 | $ | 21,815.71 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 50,000 | $ | 3.70 | CAD | 15-Jan-2030 | $ | 14,989.65 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 50,000 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 11,146.15 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 50,000 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 3,459.15 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 8,000 | $ | 5.20 | CAD | 28-Mar-2028 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 30,000 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 25,000 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mo | Jinyu | 100,000 | $ | 3.54 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 42,278.50 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mo | Jinyu | 100,000 | $ | 8.10 | CAD | 08-Jan-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Raju | Kankipati | 100,000 | $ | 3.54 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 42,278.50 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Raju | Kankipati | 100,000 | $ | 8.73 | CAD | 06-Apr-2032 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Yong Meng | Lee | 100,000 | $ | 3.30 | CAD | 04-Nov-2029 | $ | 60,727.30 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Yong Meng | Lee | 55,000 | $ | 3.54 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 23,253.18 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Yong Meng | Lee | 20,000 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Yong Meng | Lee | 25,000 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 80,000 | $ | 2.80 | CAD | 13-Jul-2027 | $ | 79,329.84 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 100,000 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 22,292.30 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 50,000 | $ | 3.85 | CAD | 16-Jan-2027 | $ | 9,224.40 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 100,000 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 6,918.30 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 95,000 | $ | 5.20 | CAD | 28-Mar-2028 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 60,000 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 100,000 | $ | 6.20 | CAD | 02-Nov-2026 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 45,000 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vivek | Rajgarhia | 315,000 | $ | 3.30 | CAD | 04-Nov-2029 | $ | 191,291.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vivek | Rajgarhia | 100,000 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 6,918.30 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vivek | Rajgarhia | 115,000 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vivek | Rajgarhia | 45,000 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 280,000 | $ | 2.80 | CAD | 13-Jul-2027 | $ | 277,654.44 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 450,000 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 100,315.35 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 200,000 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 13,836.60 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 390,000 | $ | 5.20 | CAD | 28-Mar-2028 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 250,000 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 30,000 | $ | 8.60 | CAD | 07-Jul-2026 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 65,000 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | This amount is calculated based on the difference between the market value of the shares underlying the options as of December 31, 2022, being CAD $4.09 (US$3.18), and the exercise or base price of the option. The exchange rate used in these calculations to convert CAD to USD was 0.738, being the closing exchange rate at December 31, 2022. |
| Page 46 |
The value vested or earned during fiscal year 2022 of incentive plan awards granted to NEOs are as follows:
| Option-based Awards | Share-based Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
| First Name | Last Name | Number of Securities Underlying Options Vested | Value Vested During the Year | Number of Shares or Units of Shares Vested | Value Vested During the Year | Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation - Value Earned During The Year | |||||||||||||||
| Suresh | Venkatesan | 223,749 | $ | 2,405,483.30 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Thomas | Mika | 62,811 | $ | 537,932.44 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Kevin | Barnes | 44,065 | $ | 293,073.88 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Vivek | Rajgarhia | 129,377 | $ | 258,123.39 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Yong Meng | Lee | 39,374 | $ | 71,508.32 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| (1) | This amount is the dollar value that would have been realized and is computed by obtaining the difference between the market price of the underlying securities on the vesting date and the exercise or base price of the options under the option-based award. For the named executive officers to realize this value, they would have had to exercise their options and sell the shares on the day of vesting. The exchange rates used in these calculations to convert CAD to USD were the rates applicable on the vesting dates. |
Director Compensation
The following table details compensation paid/accrued for fiscal year 2022 for each director who is not also an officer.
| Options Based Awards (1)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary (2) | Share-Based Awards (1) (2) | No. of Options | Value of Options (1) (2) | Annual Incentive Plans | Long-term Incentive Plans | Pension Value | All other Comp. | Total Comp. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chris Tsiofas | 2022 | 40,000 | - | 45,965 | 103,881 | - | - | - | - | 143,881 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peter Charbonneau | 2022 | 55,000 | - | 52,860 | 119,464 | - | - | - | - | 174,464 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michal Lipson | 2022 | 15,000 | - | 46,562 | 105,230 | - | - | - | - | 120,230 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas Warrior (3) | 2022 | 30,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis Malinge | 2022 | 30,000 | - | 41,368 | 93,492 | - | - | - | - | 123,492 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Theresa Ende | 2022 | 15,000 | - | 46,113 | 104,215 | - | - | - | - | 119,215 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glen Riley | 2022 | 32,500 | - | 45,965 | 103,881 | - | - | - | - | 136,381 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | The Company used the Black-Scholes model as the methodology to calculate the grant date fair value. The fair value will be recorded as an operating expense as the stock options vest from the date of grant. |
| (2) | The exchange rate used in these calculations to convert CAD to USD was the rate of exchange applicable on the date of grant. |
| (3) | Mohandas Warrior did not stand for re-election to the board on October 14, 2022. |
The following table sets forth information concerning all awards outstanding under the stock option plans to each of the current Directors who are not also named executive officers as of December 31, 2022:
| Option-based Awards | Share-based Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| First Name | Last Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date | Value of Unexercised in-the-money Options | Number of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested | Market or Payout Value of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested | Market or Payout Value of Vested Shares or Units of Shares that have not Paid Out or Distributed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 39,900 | $ | 3.30 | CAD | 21-Jun-2028 | $ | 24,230.19 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 40,059 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 8,930.07 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 52,860 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 3,657.01 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 3,549 | $ | 4.20 | CAD | 06-Feb-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 15,473 | $ | 5.20 | CAD | 28-Mar-2028 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 33,711 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 14,375 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Theresa | Ende | 41,368 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 2,861.96 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Theresa | Ende | 4,745 | $ | 7.16 | CAD | 01-Jun-2032 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michal | Lipson | 41,368 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 2,861.96 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Michal | Lipson | 5,194 | $ | 6.59 | CAD | 21-Jun-2032 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 52,500 | $ | 3.00 | CAD | 05-Sep-2027 | $ | 43,988.86 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 39,900 | $ | 3.30 | CAD | 21-Jun-2028 | $ | 24,230.19 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 36,053 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 8,037.04 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 41,368 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 2,861.96 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 26,382 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 11,250 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Glen | Riley | 45,965 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 3,180.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Glen | Riley | 22,460 | $ | 5.00 | CAD | 04-Dec-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Glen | Riley | 11,250 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 68,750 | $ | 2.80 | CAD | 13-Jul-2027 | $ | 68,174.08 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 48,767 | $ | 3.30 | CAD | 21-Jun-2028 | $ | 29,614.88 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 44,065 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 9,823.10 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 45,965 | $ | 4.00 | CAD | 11-Nov-2032 | $ | 3,180.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 29,314 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 15,000 | $ | 8.60 | CAD | 07-Jul-2026 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 12,500 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 20,000 | $ | 2.80 | CAD | 13-Jul-2027 | $ | 19,832.46 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 39,900 | $ | 3.30 | CAD | 21-Jun-2028 | $ | 24,230.19 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 36,053 | $ | 3.80 | CAD | 29-May-2029 | $ | 8,037.04 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 26,382 | $ | 5.30 | CAD | 11-Jun-2030 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 15,000 | $ | 8.60 | CAD | 07-Jul-2026 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 11,250 | $ | 11.90 | CAD | 06-Apr-2031 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | This amount is calculated based on the difference between the market value of the shares underlying the options as of December 31, 2022, being CAD $4.09 (US$3.18), and the exercise or base price of the option. The exchange rate used in these calculations to convert CAD to USD was 0.738, being the closing exchange rate at December 31, 2022. |
| Page 47 |
The value vested or earned during fiscal year 2022 of incentive plan awards granted to Directors who are not also named executive officers are as follows:
| Option-based Awards | Share-based Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
| First Name | Last Name | Number of Securities Underlying Options Vested | Value Vested During the Year | Number of Shares or Units of Shares Vested | Value Vested During the Year | Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation - Value Earned During The Year | |||||||||||||||
| Michal | Lipson | 15,536 | $ | 142.89 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Peter | Charbonneau | 20,402 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Theresa | Ende | 15,087 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Jean-Louis | Malinge | 15,966 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Glen | Riley | 17,115 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Chris | Tsiofas | 17,741 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| Mohandas | Warrior | 5,624 | $ | 0.00 | USD | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
| (1) | This amount is the dollar value that would have been realized and is computed by obtaining the difference between the market price of the underlying securities on the vesting date and the exercise or base price of the options under the option- based award. |
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
Other than as described in their individual management agreements, the Company has no plans or arrangements in respect of remuneration received or that may be received by the Officers the Company to compensate such Officers, in the event of termination of employment (as a result of resignation, retirement, change of control) or a change of responsibilities following a change of control.
Pension Plan Benefits
The Company does not provide a defined benefit plan to the Officers or any of its employees.
The Company offers a defined contribution plan that is a 401k Plan but does not contribute toward such plan. The Company does not have any deferred compensation plans other than that described above.
The following individuals were executives of the Company in 2022:
| Name | Title | |
| Suresh Venkatesan | CEO | |
| Vivek Rajgarhia | President General Manager | |
| Thomas Mika | Executive Vice President and CFO |
| Page 48 |
| C. | Board Practices |
Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven (7) directors including the CEO, of which, six (6) are independent directors. Each director holds office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until his successor is elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of Amalgamation and all amendments thereto (the “Articles”), or with the provisions of the OBCA. The Company’s Officers are appointed to serve at the discretion of the Board, subject to the terms of the employment agreements described above.
Lead independent director
Our independent directors have selected Peter Charbonneau to serve as the lead independent director. The lead independent director’s primary role is to facilitate the functioning of the board, and to maintain and enhance the quality of our corporate governance practices. The lead independent director presides over the private sessions of our independent directors that take place following each meeting of the board and conveys the results of these meetings to the chair of the board.
The Board and committees of the Board schedule regular meetings over the course of the year.
During fiscal 2022, the Board held 18 regularly scheduled meetings, including committee meetings. If for various reasons, Board members may not be able to attend a Board meeting, all Board members are provided information related to each of the agenda items before each meeting, and, therefore, can provide counsel outside the confines of regularly scheduled meetings.
The Board has adopted standards for determining whether a director is independent from management. The Board reviews, consistent with the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, whether a director has any material relationship with the Company that would impair the director’s independent judgment. The Board has affirmatively determined, that as of the filing of this Form 20-F, based on its standards, that Messrs. Tsiofas, Malinge, Charbonneau, Listwin, Riley and Warrior are independent.
Directors’ Service Contracts
Mr. Venkatesan has an employment contract with the Company.
Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors
We currently have four board committees; (1) an Audit Committee; (2) a Compensation Committee, (3) a Corporate Governance Nominating Committee, and (4) an Ad Hoc Strategy Committee. Committee charters for the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Nominating Committees can be found on the Company’s website (poet-technologies.com). The Strategy Committee is an ad-hoc committee and therefore does not have a charter. The names of the members and a summary of the terms of the charter for each the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee is provided below.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is currently comprised of three members: Chris Tsiofas (Chair), Peter Charbonneau and Jean-Louis Malinge. All three members are independent directors of the Company. Mr. Tsiofas was appointed chair of the Audit Committee on August 21, 2012. The Board has determined that Mr. Tsiofas satisfies the criteria of “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K and is independent in accordance with Rule 4200 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. All members of the audit committee are financially literate, meaning they have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements.
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The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company’s financial reporting procedures, internal controls and the performance of the Company’s external auditors. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing the annual and quarterly financial statements and accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis prior to their approval by the full Board. The Audit Committee also reviews the Company’s financial controls with the auditors of the Company on an annual basis.
The Company’s independent auditor is accountable to the Board and to the Audit Committee. The Board, through the Audit Committee, has the ultimate responsibility to evaluate the performance of the independent auditor, and through the shareholders, to appoint, replace and compensate the independent auditor. Any non-audit services must be pre- approved by the Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of three members: Glen Riley (Chair), Chris Tsiofas and Theresa Ende. Mr. Riley was appointed chair of the Compensation Committee on October 14, 2022. All three members are independent directors. The Board has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are qualified as members based on the following:
Mr. Riley has more than 30 years’ experience in leadership roles spanning both the semiconductor and optoelectronics industries. He most recently served as General Manager of the Filter Solutions Business Unit at Qorvo, where he was responsible for developing highly integrated RF modules used in flagship smartphones. Prior to the merger of RFMD and TriQuint that formed Qorvo, he held multiple leadership roles at TriQuint, including Managing Director of international headquarters in Singapore, General Manager of the GaAs foundry business, and General Manager of Optoelectronics. Riley was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Opticalis, an early stage optoelectronics company focused on the development of high-density wavelength division multiplexing products. He also held prior roles as Vice President and General Manager of the Optoelectronic business at Agere Systems, and President of Asia-Pacific Sales and Marketing at Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group. He graduated as valedictorian with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the School of Engineering at the University of Maine and completed the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School.
Mr. Chris Tsiofas, CA, CPA, earned a Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree from the University of Toronto and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Canada and the Canadian Tax Foundation. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Company since August of 2012. Mr. Tsiofas is the president of MTN Chartered Professional Accountant Professional Corporation, a public accountancy firm. He sits on various private company boards. He has also served in a principal capacity in various entrepreneurial ventures resulting in successful divestitures. Tsiofas formerly served as Chairman of the Company’s Compensation Committee and has directed past engagements with the Company’s outside executive compensation consultants. Mr. Tsiofas is also the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. He brings to the Compensation Committee specialized knowledge regarding the tax impact of certain compensation policies and practices on individuals and on the Company.
Ms. Lan Ende serves as Chief Procurement Director of Arista Networks. Prior to her appointment as Chief Procurement Director in 2019, Ms. Ende served for 10 years as its Senior Director of Global Supply Chain Management. Prior to Arista, she held senior positions at JDSU Optical Division and Force10 Networks. At Cisco Systems and ROLM Telecommunications, Ms. Ende held various program management and planning management positions over a 20-year period. In 2019, she was honored as one of the “Top 100 Women of Influence” by Silicon Valley Business Journal.
| Page 50 |
The Compensation Committee has extensive direct relevant experience in determining executive compensation policies and practices on behalf of the Company. In addition to being supported by outside compensation consultants on a periodic basis for peer group review, the members of the Committee are professional executives familiar with best practices associated with executive compensation, are knowledgeable about the tax implications to the Company and its executive officers of changes in the tax laws pertaining to executive compensation and have direct relevant experience with the incentives used throughout the Company’s industry to align the interests of executive management with company and shareholder interests. This gives these individuals strong insight as to the incentive structures and programs appropriate for companies of a comparable size. The seniority, experience and level of achievement of the three current members of the Compensation Committee speak to the independent judgement exercised in making decisions about the suitability of the Company’s compensation policies and practices.
The Compensation Committee discusses and makes recommendations to the Board for approval of compensation issues that pertain to the senior executives of the Company, and on issues involving employment company-wide compensation policies and practices. In general, the compensation programs of the Company are designed to reward performance and to be competitive with the compensation agreements of other comparable semiconductor companies. The Compensation Committee is responsible for evaluating the compensation of the senior management of the Company and assuring that they are compensated effectively in a manner consistent with the Company’s business, stage of development, financial condition and prospects, and the competitive environment. Specifically, the Compensation Committee is responsible for: (i) reviewing the compensation practices and policies of the Company to ensure that they are competitive and that they provide appropriate motivation for corporate performance and increased shareholder value; (ii) overseeing the administration of the Company’s compensation programs, and reviewing and approving the employees who receive compensation and the nature of the compensation provided under such programs, and ensuring that all management compensation programs are linked to meaningful and measurable performance targets; (iii) making recommendations to the Board regarding the adoption, amendment or termination of compensation programs and the approval of the adoption, amendment and termination of compensation programs of the Company, including for greater certainty, ensuring that if any equity- based compensation plan is subject to shareholder approval, and that such approval is sought; (iv) periodically surveying the executive compensation practices of other comparable companies; (v) establishing and ensuring the satisfaction of performance goals for performance-based compensation; (vi) annually reviewing and approving the annual base salary and bonus targets for the senior executives of the Company, other than the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”); (vii) reviewing and approving annual corporate goals and objectives for the CEO and evaluating the CEO’s performance against such goals and objectives; (viii) annually reviewing and approving, based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of the CEO, the CEO’s annual base salary, the CEO’s bonus, and any stock option grants and other awards to the CEO under the Company’s compensation programs (in determining the CEO’s compensation, the Compensation Committee will consider the Company’s performance and relative shareholder return, the compensation of CEOs at other companies, and the CEO’s compensation in past years); and (ix) reviewing the annual report on executive compensation required to be prepared under applicable corporate and securities legislation and regulation including the disclosure concerning members of the Compensation Committee and settling the reports required to be made by the Compensation Committee in any document required to be filed with a regulatory authority and/or distributed to shareholders.
Code of Ethics
The Board has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics. All transgressions of the code of business conduct and ethics are required to be promptly reported to the Chair of the Board or of any committee, who in turn, reports them to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is charged with investigating alleged violations of the code of business conduct and ethics. Any findings of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are then reported to the full Board, which will take such action as it deems appropriate. The Company’s Code of Ethics may be inspected on the Company’s website (poet-technologies.com) and is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report.
| Page 51 |
Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule
Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule, which was approved by the SEC on August 6, 2021, is a disclosure standard designed to encourage minimum board diversity for companies and provide stakeholders with consistent, comparable disclosures concerning a company’s current board composition. The director diversity matrix required by Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5606 is available on the Company’s website, https://poet-technologies.com, in the “Board Diversity Matrix” section under the “Investor Relations” tab.
| D. | Employees |
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had fifty-three (53) full-time employees and five (5) consultants. Sixteen (16) employees and three (3) consultants work at our lab facility either as support staff or are engaged in research and development initiatives; four (4) employees and one (1) consultant are employed at the Canadian office; twenty (20) employees are employed at our fabrication facility in Singapore; eight (8) employees are employed at our product development facility in China; one (1) consultant is located in Italy. None of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
| E. | Share Ownership and Other Securities |
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding common shares for: (i) each of our Directors and Officers individually; (ii) all of our Directors and Officers as a group; and (iii) each other person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common shares as of March 22, 2023. Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under rules of the SEC and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. The table also includes the number of shares underlying options that are exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 22, 2023. Ordinary shares subject to these options are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of the person holding these options, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the ownership percentage of any other person.
The shareholders listed below do not have any different voting rights from our other shareholders.
| Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | Percent of Class | |||||||
| Directors and Officers: | ||||||||
| Chris Tsiofas | 17,500 | 0 | % | |||||
| Thomas Mika | 27,500 | 0 | % | |||||
| Kevin Barnes | 11,746 | 0 | % | |||||
| Suresh Venkatesan | 47,500 | 0 | % | |||||
| Mohandas Warrior | 43,750 | 0 | % | |||||
| Peter Charbonneau | 25,000 | 0 | % | |||||
| Jean-Louis Malinge | 17,500 | 0 | % | |||||
| Vivek Rajgarhia | 1,500 | 0 | % | |||||
| Glen Riley | 18,163 | 0 | % | |||||
| Directors and Officers Subtotal | 210,159 | 0.56 | % | |||||
| Major Shareholders: | ||||||||
| None that we are aware of. |
| (1) | The number of shares set forth for each Director, Officer and Major Shareholder is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. |
| Page 52 |
See “ITEM 6.B. Compensation” for the exercise prices of options.
| Number
of options exercisable within 60 days | Percent
of class | |||||||
| Glen Riley | 56,693 | 1 | % | |||||
| James Lee | 108,125 | 2 | % | |||||
| Kevin Barnes | 144,065 | 2 | % | |||||
| Vivek Rajgarhia | 348,128 | 5 | % | |||||
| Peter Charbonneau | 173,497 | 3 | % | |||||
| Mo Jinyu | 56,250 | 1 | % | |||||
| Jean-Louis Malinge | 186,769 | 3 | % | |||||
| Chris Tsiofas | 241,379 | 4 | % | |||||
| Thomas Mika | 482,187 | 7 | % | |||||
| Raju Kankipati | 6,250 | 0 | % | |||||
| Theresa Ende | 25,429 | 0 | % | |||||
| Michal Lipson | 25,878 | 0 | % | |||||
| Suresh Venkatesan | 1,319,062 | 20 | % | |||||
| 3,173,712 | 47 | % | ||||||
| Number
of Warrants exercisable within 60 days | Exercise price CA$ | Percent
of class | ||||||||||
| Suresh Venkatesan | 13,750 | 5.00 | 0 | % | ||||||||
| Kevin Barnes | 5,000 | 5.00 | 0 | % | ||||||||
| Peter Charbonneau | 25,000 | 5.00 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Glen Riley | 5,000 | 5.00 | 0 | % | ||||||||
| Jean-Louis Malinge | 17,500 | 5.00 | 0 | % | ||||||||
| Chris Tsiofas | 25,000 | 5.00 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| 91,250 | 3 | % | ||||||||||
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
| A. | Major Shareholders |
Holdings by Major Shareholders
Please refer to ITEM 6.E. “Share Ownership” for details regarding securities held by Directors, Officers and Major Shareholders. The Company’s major shareholders do not have any different or special voting rights.
U.S. Share Ownership
As of March 22, 2023, there were a total of 445 holders of record of our common shares with addresses in the U.S. We believe that the number of U.S beneficial owners is substantially greater than the number of U.S record holders, because a large portion of our common shares are held in broker “street names.” As of March 22, 2023, U.S. holders of record held approximately 0.65% of our outstanding common shares.
Control of Company
The Company is a publicly owned Ontario corporation, the shares of which are owned by Canadian residents, U.S. residents and other foreign residents. The Company is not controlled by any foreign government or other person(s) except as described in ITEM 4.A. “History and Progress of the Company” and ITEM 6.E. “Share Ownership.”
Change of Control of Company Arrangements
None
| B. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions |
No shareholder beneficially owns 5% or more of the Company’s common shares.
Compensation to key management personnel (CEO, CFO, President, GM POET Technologies Pte Ltd, VP Finance and Treasurer, VP Product Line Management, SVP, GM Asia) was as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Salaries | $ | 2,010,479 | $ | 1,782,297 | $ | 1,501,058 | ||||||
| Share-based payments (1) | 1,711,716 | 2,077,333 | 2,144,930 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,722,195 | $ | 3,859,630 | $ | 3,645,988 | ||||||
(1) Share-based payments are the fair value of options granted to key management personnel and expensed during the various years as calculated using the Black-Scholes model.
| C. | Interests of Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| A. | Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information |
The Company’s financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars and are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.
| Page 53 |
The financial statements as required under “ITEM 17. Financial Statements” are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report. The audit report of Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, is included herein immediately preceding the consolidated financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
The directors and the senior management of the Company do not know of any material, either active or pending, legal proceedings against them, nor is the Company involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation.
The directors and the senior management of the Company know of no active or pending proceedings against anyone that might materially adversely affect an interest in the Company.
Dividend Policy
The Company has not paid, and has no current plans to pay, dividends on its common shares. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the development of our business. Any future dividend policy will be determined by the Board, and will depend upon, among other factors, our earnings, if any, financial condition, capital requirements, any contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends, the impact of the distribution of dividends on our financial condition, tax liabilities, and such economic and other conditions as the Board may deem relevant.
| B. | Significant Changes |
On February 24, 2022, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to consolidate its common shares on a ten-for-one basis. For further clarity, for every ten (10) pre-consolidated common shares, shareholders received one (1) post-consolidated common share. On February 28, 2022 the Company’s common shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a post consolidation basis. The Company’s name and trading symbol remained unchanged. All references to share and per share amounts in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the ten-for-one share consolidation..
On March 14, 2022 the Company’s common shares began trading on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol
“POET”.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
| A. | Offer and Listing Details |
The Company’s common shares began trading on the TSXV in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on June 25, 2007. The current Stock symbol is “PTK”. The CUSIP/ISN numbers are 73044W104 / 73044W1041. The Company received new CUSIP/ISN numbers on the consolidation of the common shares on February 24, 2022. The new CUSIP/ISN numbers are 73044W302/73044W3021.
The following table lists the high and low sales price on the TSXV for the Company’s common shares for: the last six months; the last ten fiscal quarters; and the last five fiscal years.
| MONTHLY | ||||||||
| 13-Mar-23 | 6.73 | 5.38 | ||||||
| 28-Feb-23 | 6.81 | 5.90 | ||||||
| 31-Jan-23 | 8.31 | 4.05 | ||||||
| 31-Dec-22 | 4.55 | 3.86 | ||||||
| 30-Nov-22 | 4.50 | 3.37 | ||||||
| 31-Oct-22 | 4.15 | 3.26 | ||||||
| QUARTERLY | ||||||||
| 28-Feb-23 | 8.31 | 3.60 | ||||||
| 30-Nov-22 | 5.41 | 3.26 | ||||||
| 31-Aug-22 | 7.39 | 4.13 | ||||||
| 31-May-22 | 13.65 | 7.04 | ||||||
| 28-Feb-22 | 11.25 | 7.60 | ||||||
| 30-Nov-21 | 12.90 | 7.70 | ||||||
| 31-Aug-21 | 15.80 | 9.80 | ||||||
| 31-May-21 | 13.90 | 8.40 | ||||||
| 28-Feb-21 | 1.49 | 0.46 | ||||||
| 30-Nov-20 | 0.64 | 0.46 | ||||||
| YEARLY | ||||||||
| 31-Dec-22 | 13.65 | 3.26 | ||||||
| 31-Dec-21 | 15.80 | 7.10 | ||||||
| 31-Dec-20 | 7.10 | 2.20 | ||||||
| 31-Dec-19 | 4.60 | 2.70 | ||||||
| 31-Dec-18 | 7.90 | 1.90 | ||||||
| Page 54 |
| B. | Plan of Distribution |
Not Required.
| C. | Markets |
The Company’s common shares trade on (i) the TSXV in Canada under the symbol “PTK” and (ii) the Nasdaq in the United Stated under the symbol “POET” (since March 14, 2022). Prior to March 14, 2022, the Company’s common shares traded in the United States on the OTCQX International Market.
| D. | Selling Shareholders |
Not Required.
| E. | Dilution |
Not Required.
| F. | Expenses of the Issue |
Not Required.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| A. | Share Capital |
Not Required.
| B. | Memorandum and articles of association |
The Company was originally formed under the British Columbia Company Act on February 9, 1972 as Tandem Resources Ltd. (“Tandem”). The Company took its current form after Tandem amalgamated with Stanmar Resources Ltd. and Keezic Resources Ltd. pursuant to Articles of Amalgamation on November 14, 1985. Tandem moved to Ontario by Articles of Continuance on January 3, 1997. Tandem changed its name to OPEL International Inc. by Articles of Amendment on September 26, 2006. OPEL International Inc. was continued under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act on January 30, 2007, then back to Ontario by Articles of Continuance on November 30, 2010, changing its name to OPEL Solar International Inc. By Articles of Amendment on August 25, 2011, OPEL Solar International Inc. changed its name to OPEL Technologies, Inc. By Articles of Amendment on July 23, 2013, OPEL Technologies Inc. changed its name to POET Technologies Inc. Today, the Company is an Ontario corporation governed by the OBCA. The following are summaries of material provisions of our Articles of Continuance, as amended from time to time (the “Articles”), in effect as of the date of this Annual Report insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
| Page 55 |
Register, Entry Number and Purposes
Our Articles of Continuance became effective on November 30, 2010. Our corporation number in Ontario is 641402. The Articles of Continuance do not contain a statement of the Company’s objects and purposes. However, the Articles of Continuance provide that there are no restrictions on business that the Company may carry on or the powers the Company may exercise as permitted under the OBCA.
Board of Directors
Pursuant to our By-laws and the OBCA, a director or officer who is a party to, or who is a director or officer of, or has a material interest in, any person who is a party to, a material contract or proposed material contract with the Company, shall disclose the nature and extent of his interest at the time and in the manner provided by the OBCA. Any such contract or proposed contract shall be referred to the Board or shareholders for approval even if such contract is one that in the ordinary course of the Company’s business would not require approval by the Board or shareholders, and a director interested in a contract so referred to the Board shall not vote on any resolution to approve the same unless the contract or transaction: (i) relates primarily to his or her remuneration as a director of the Company or an affiliate; (ii) is for indemnity or insurance of or for the director or officer as permitted by the OBCA; or (iii) is with an affiliate.
Directors shall be paid such remuneration for their services as the Board may determine by resolution from time to time, and will be entitled to reimbursement for traveling and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending meetings of the Board or any committee thereof. Neither the Company’s Articles nor By-laws require an independent quorum for voting on director compensation. Directors are not precluded from serving the Company in any other capacity and receiving remuneration therefor. A director is not required to hold shares of the Company. There is no age limit requirement respecting the retirement or non-retirement of directors.
The directors may sign the name and on behalf of the Company, or appoint any officer or officers or any other person or persons on behalf of the Corporation either to sign on behalf of the Company, all instruments in writing and any instruments in writing so signed shall be binding upon the Company without further authorization or formality. The term “instruments in writing” includes contracts, documents, powers of attorney, deeds, mortgages, hypothecs, charges, conveyances, transfers and assignments of property (real or personal, immovable or movable), agreements, tenders, releases, receipts and discharges for the payment of money or other obligations, conveyances, transfers and assignments of shares, stocks, bonds, debentures or other securities, instruments of proxy and all paper writing.
Nothing in the Company’s By-laws limits or restricts the borrowing of money by the Company on bills of exchange or promissory notes made, drawn, accepted or endorsed by or on behalf of the Company.
Rights, Preferences and Restrictions Attaching to Common Shares
The holders of common shares are entitled to vote at all meetings of the shareholders, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares are entitled to vote. Each common share carries with it the right to one vote. Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class or series of shares of the Company, the holders of the common shares are entitled to receive any dividends declared and payable by the Company on the common shares. Dividends may be paid in money or property or by issuing fully paid shares of the Company. Subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any other class or series of shares of the Company, the holders of the common shares are entitled to receive the remaining property of the Company upon dissolution.
No shares have been issued subject to call or assessment. There are no pre-emptive or conversion rights and no provisions for redemption or purchase for cancellation, surrender, or sinking or purchase funds. The common shares must be issued as fully-paid and non-assessable, and are not subject to further capital calls by the Company. The common shares are without par value. All of the common shares rank equally as to voting rights, participation in a distribution of the assets of the Company on a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and the entitlement to dividends.
| Page 56 |
The Company does not currently have any preferred shares outstanding.
Ordinary and Special Shareholders’ Meetings
The OBCA provides that the directors of a corporation shall call an annual meeting of shareholders not later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting. The OBCA also provides that, in the case of an offering corporation, the directors shall place before each annual meeting of shareholders, the financial statements required to be filed under the Ontario Securities Act and the regulation thereunder relating to the period that began immediately after the end of the last completed financial year and ended not more than six months before the annual meeting and the immediately preceding financial year, if any.
The Board has the power to call a special meeting of shareholders at any time.
Notice of the date, time and location of each meeting of shareholders must be given not less than 21 days or more than 50 days before the date of each meeting to each director, to the auditor of the Company and to each shareholder who at the close of business on the record date for notice is entered in the securities register as the holder of one or more shares carrying the right to vote at the meeting.
Notice of a meeting of shareholders called for any other purpose other than consideration of the minutes of an earlier meeting, financial statements, reports of the directors or auditor, setting or changing the number of directors, the election of directors and reappointment of the incumbent auditor, must state the general nature of the special business in sufficient detail to permit the shareholder to form a reasoned judgment on such business, must state the text of any special resolution to be submitted to the meeting, and must, if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it, a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders at the Company’s records office or another accessible location.
The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders are those entitled to vote, the directors of the Company and the auditor of the Company. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the chairman of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting. In circumstances where a court orders a meeting of shareholders, the court may direct how the meeting may be held, including who may attend the meeting.
Limitations on Rights to Own Securities
No share may be issued until it is fully paid.
Neither Canadian law nor our Articles or By-laws limit the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares of the Company, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (the “Investment Act”), as amended by the World Trade Organization Agreement Implementation Act (the “WTOA Act”). The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a direct reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a “Canadian,” as defined in the Investment Act (a “non-Canadian”), unless, after review, the minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in the common shares of the Company by a non-Canadian (other than a “WTO Investor,” as defined below) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control of the Company, and the value of the assets of the Company were CA$5.0 million or more (provided that immediately prior to the implementation of the investment the Company was not controlled by WTO Investors). An investment in common shares of the Company by a WTO Investor (or by a non- Canadian other than a WTO Investor if, immediately prior to the implementation of the investment the Company was controlled by WTO Investors) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company equaled or exceeded certain threshold amounts determined on an annual basis.
| Page 57 |
The threshold for a pre-closing net benefit review depends on whether the purchaser is: (a) controlled by a person or entity from a member of the WTO; (b) a state- owned enterprise (SOE); or (c) from a country considered a “Trade Agreement Investor” under the Investment Act. A different threshold also applies if the Canadian business carries on a cultural business. The 2023 threshold for WTO investors that are SOEs will be $512 million based on the book value of the Canadian business’ assets, up from $454 million in 2022. The 2023 thresholds for review for direct acquisitions of control of Canadian businesses by private sector investor WTO investors is $1.287 billion and private sector trade- agreement investors is $1.931 billion and are both based on the “enterprise value” of the Canadian business being acquired.
A non-Canadian, whether a WTO Investor or otherwise, would be deemed to acquire control of the Company for purposes of the Investment Act if he or she acquired a majority of the common shares of the Company. The acquisition of less than a majority, but at least one-third of the shares, would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of the Company, unless it could be established that the Company is not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of the shares. In general, an individual is a WTO Investor if he or she is a “national” of a country (other than Canada) that is a member of the WTO (“WTO Member”) or has a right of permanent residence in a WTO Member. A corporation or other entity will be a “WTO Investor” if it is a “WTO Investor-controlled entity,” pursuant to detailed rules set out in the Investment Act. The U.S. is a WTO Member. Certain transactions involving our common shares would be exempt from the Investment Act, including:
| ● | an acquisition of the shares if the acquisition were made in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities; |
| ● | an acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of a security interest granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act; and |
| ● | an acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization, following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the Company, through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged. |
Procedures to Change the Rights of Shareholders
In order to change the rights of our shareholders with respect to certain fundamental changes as described in Section 168 of the OBCA, the Company would need to amend our Articles to effect the change. Such an amendment would require the approval of holders of two-thirds of the votes of the Company’s common shares, and any other shares carrying the right to vote at any general meeting of the shareholders of the Company, cast at a duly called special meeting. The OBCA also provides that a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property of a corporation other than in the ordinary course of business of the corporation likewise requires the approval of the shareholders at a duly called special meeting. For such fundamental changes and sale, lease and exchange, a shareholder is entitled under the OBCA to dissent in respect of such a resolution amending the Articles and, if the resolution is adopted and the Company implements such changes, demand payment of the fair value of the shareholder’s common shares.
Impediments to Change of Control
In 2016, the Canadian Securities Administrators (the “CSA”) enacted amendments (the “Bid Amendments”) to the Take-Over Bid Regime. The Bid Amendments, which are very significant, are contained in National Instrument (NI) 62-104.
The Bid Amendments were intended to enhance the quality and integrity of the take-over bid regime and rebalance the current dynamics among offerors, offeree issuer boards of directors (“Offeree Boards”), and offeree issuer security holders by (i) facilitating the ability of offeree issuer security holders to make voluntary, informed and coordinated tender decisions, and (ii) providing the Offeree Board with additional time and discretion when responding to a take-over bid.
Specifically, the Bid Amendments require that all non-exempt take-over bids
| Page 58 |
(1) receive tenders of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the class that are subject to the bid, excluding securities beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by the offeror or by any person acting jointly or in concert with the offeror (the Minimum Tender Requirement);
(2) be extended by the offeror for an additional 10 days after the Minimum Tender Requirement has been achieved and all other terms and conditions of the bid have been complied with or waived (the 10 Day Extension Requirement); and
(3) remain open for a minimum deposit period of 105 days (the Minimum 105 Day Bid Period) unless
(a) the offeree board states in a news release a shorter deposit period for the bid of not less than 35 days, in which case all contemporaneous take-over bids must remain open for at least the stated shorter deposit period, or
(b) the issuer issues a news release that it intends to effect, pursuant to an agreement or otherwise, a specified alternative transaction, in which case all contemporaneous take-over bids must remain open for a deposit period of at least 35 days.
The Bid Amendments involved fundamental changes to the bid regime to establish a majority acceptance standard for all non-exempt take-over bids, a mandatory extension period to alleviate offeree security holder coercion concerns, and a 105 day minimum deposit period to address concerns that offeree boards did not have enough time to respond to an unsolicited take-over bid. The CSA determined not to amend National Policy 62-202 Defensive Tactics (NP 62-202) in connection with these amendments. They reminded participants in the capital markets of the continued applicability of NP 62-202, which means that securities regulators will be prepared to examine the actions of offeree boards in specific cases, and in light of the amended bid regime, to determine whether they are abusive of security holder rights.
After canvassing several commentaries concerning the new regime, we have concluded that:
| ● | It will be much more difficult for hostile bidders as a result of target issuers having a much longer period of time to respond, concurrent with the added risk and cost to such bidders. |
| ● | There is good reason to expect that, except in unusual circumstances, regulators will not permit SRPs to remain in effect after a 105 day bidding period. |
| ● | A significant number of reporting issuers have not sought re-approval of their SRPs since the amendments were introduced and those that have sought to renew their SRPs have been required to amend the plans to comply with the new rules. |
| ● | A large part of the traditional rationale for adopting SRPs has now been eliminated. |
We believe that the amended take-over bid rules provide adequate protection against hostile bids. Having said that, it has been suggested that the new rules do not protect against creeping take-over bids for control which are exempt from the rules (such as the accumulation of 20% or more of the issuer’s shares through market transactions or the acquisition of a control block through private agreements with a few large shareholders). These activities would however be identifiable through the early warning filing requirements. If, prior to making a determination that the Company ought to adopt a “strategic” SRP at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, the Company were faced with a hostile bid that we believed was not in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, the directors could adopt a “tactical” plan which we could take to the shareholders for approval. Nevertheless, at this point in time, we are of the opinion that such action is not necessary and the shareholders should be the best arbiters of when “the pill must go”.
| Page 59 |
Stockholder Ownership Disclosure Threshold in Bylaws
Neither our Articles nor By-laws contain a provision governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. Pursuant to securities legislation, an Early Warning Report and an Insider Report must be filed if a shareholder obtains ownership on a partially diluted basis of 10% or greater of the Company.
Special Conditions for Changes in Capital
The conditions imposed by the Company’s Articles are not more stringent than required under the OBCA.
| C. | Material Contracts |
In addition to any contracts described in “ITEM 7.B. Related Party Transactions” or “ITEM 4. Business Overview”, below is a summary of material contracts, other than those entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business, to which we are or have been a party during the two years immediately preceding the date of this document. Other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, we have not been a party to any other material contract within such two-year period.
| 1. | On June 30, 2020, the Company announced that it signed a Letter of Intent to establish a joint venture with Xiamen Sanan Integrated Circuit Co. Ltd. (“Sanan IC”) to manufacture cost-effective, high-performance optical engines based on POET’s proprietary CMOS compatible Optical Interposer platform technology. The definitive joint venture agreement was signed on October 21, 2020. |
| D. | Exchange Controls |
Canada has no system of exchange controls. There are no Canadian restrictions on the repatriation of capital or earnings of a Canadian public company to non-resident investors. There are no laws in Canada or exchange restrictions affecting the remittance of dividends, profits, interest, royalties and other payments to non-resident holders of the Company’s securities, except as discussed in “ITEM 10.E. Taxation” below.
| E. | Taxation |
The following summary discusses certain material U.S. and Canadian tax considerations related to the holding and disposition of common stock as of the hereof. Prospective purchasers of our common stock are advised to consult their own tax advisers concerning the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are resident or in which they are otherwise subject to tax of making an investment in our common stock.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The Company believes the following is a brief summary of the material principal Canadian federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of common shares of the Company who deals at arm’s length with the Company, holds the shares as capital property and who, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) and the Canada — U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980) (the “Treaty”), is at all relevant times resident in the U.S., is not and is not deemed to be resident in Canada and does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the shares in carrying on a business in Canada. Special rules, which are not discussed below, may apply to a U.S. Holder that is an insurer that carries on business in Canada and elsewhere. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
| Page 60 |
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Tax Act, the regulations thereunder in force at the date hereof, all specific proposals to amend such regulations and the Tax Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and the current provisions of the Convention and the current administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency published in writing prior to the date hereof. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative practices whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account tax laws of any province or territory of Canada or of the U.S. or of any other jurisdiction outside Canada.
For the purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of the common shares must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the relevant exchange rate applicable thereto.
This summary does not address all aspects of Canadian federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular U.S. Holder in light of such holder’s individual circumstances. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors for advice with respect to their own particular circumstances.
Under the Tax Act and the Treaty, a U.S. Holder of common shares will generally be subject to a 15% withholding tax on dividends paid or credited or deemed by the Tax Act to have been paid or credited on such shares. The withholding tax rate is 5% where the U.S. Holder is a corporation that beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting shares of the Company and the dividends may be exempt from such withholding in the case of some U.S. Holders such as qualifying pension funds and charities.
A U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to tax under the Tax Act on any capital gain realized on a disposition of common shares, provided that the shares do not constitute “taxable Canadian property” to the U.S. Holder at the time of disposition. Generally, common shares will not constitute taxable Canadian property to a U.S. Holder provided that such shares are listed on a designated stock exchange (which currently includes the TSXV) at the time of the disposition and, during the 60- month period immediately preceding the disposition, the U.S. Holder, persons with whom the U.S. Holder does not deal at arm’s length, or the U.S. Holder together with all such persons has not owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any series or class of the Company’s capital stock. If the common shares constitute taxable Canadian property to a particular U.S. Holder, any capital gain arising on their disposition may be exempt from Canadian tax under the Convention if at the time of disposition the common shares do not derive their value principally from real property situated in Canada.
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Subject to the limitations described herein, the following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of our common shares. A “U.S. Holder” means a holder of our common shares who is:
● an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S. for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
● a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the U.S. or any political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia;
● an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or
● a trust (i) if, in general, a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (ii) that has in effect a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated, this discussion does not consider the U.S. tax consequences to a person that is not a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”). This discussion considers only U.S. Holders that will own our common shares as capital assets (generally, for investment) and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to each U.S. Holder’s decision to purchase our common shares.
This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), current and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial decisions as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular U.S. Holder in light of such holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment, including U.S. Holders that:
● are broker-dealers or insurance companies;
● have elected market-to-market accounting;
● are tax-exempt organizations or retirement plans;
● are financial institutions or “financial services entities”;
● hold our common shares as part of a straddle, “hedge” or “conversion transaction” with other investments;
● acquired our common shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation;
● own directly, indirectly or by attribution at least 10% of our voting power;
● have a functional currency that is not the U.S. Dollar;
● are grantor trusts;
● are certain former citizens or long-term residents of the U.S.; or
● are real estate trusts or regulated investment companies.
If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common shares, the tax treatment of the partnership and a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its own tax advisor as to its tax consequences.
In addition, this discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. laws or the possible application of U.S. federal gift or estate taxes.
Each potential U.S Holder of our common shares is advised to consult its own tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences to it of purchasing, holding or disposing of our common shares, including the applicability and effect of federal, state, local and foreign income tax and other laws to its particular circumstances.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” a U.S. Holder will be required to include in gross income as ordinary dividend income the amount of any distribution paid on our common shares, including any non-U.S. taxes withheld from the amount paid, to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in our common shares and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of our common shares. The dividend portion of such distributions generally will not qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. U.S. Holders which are individuals, estates and trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% surtax on “net investment income” including, among other things, dividends (if any) and net gain realized from our common shares. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the application of this tax.
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Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” dividends that are received by U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts may qualify for taxation at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains (a maximum marginal federal income tax rate of 20%), provided that such U.S. Holders satisfy certain holding period requirements and such dividends meet the requirements of “qualified dividend income.” For this purpose, dividends paid by a non-U.S. corporation may qualify if the non-U.S. corporation is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S., which benefits include an information exchange program and is determined to be satisfactory by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The IRS has determined that the U.S.- Canada Tax Treaty is satisfactory for this purpose. Dividends that fail to meet such requirements, and dividends received by corporate U.S. Holders, are taxed at ordinary income rates.
Distributions of current or accumulated earnings and profits paid in foreign currency to a U.S. Holder (including any non-U.S. taxes withheld therefrom) will be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder in a U.S. Dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate on the day the distribution is received. A U.S. Holder that receives a foreign currency distribution and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars subsequent to receipt may have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. A loss might not be deductible due to certain limitations.
U.S. Holders will have the option of claiming the amount of any non-U.S. income taxes withheld at source either as a deduction from gross income or as a dollar-for- dollar credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Individuals who do not claim itemized deductions, but instead utilize the standard deduction, may not claim a deduction for the amount of the non-U.S. income taxes withheld, but such amount may be claimed as a credit against the individual’s U.S. federal income tax liability. The amount of non-U.S. income taxes which may be claimed as a credit in any taxable year is subject to complex limitations and restrictions, which must be determined on an individual basis by each shareholder. These limitations include, among others, rules that limit foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific classes of income to the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable with respect to each such class of income. A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to non-U.S. income tax withheld from a dividend received on the common shares if such U.S. Holder does not satisfy certain holding period requirements.
Distributions of current or accumulated earnings and profits generally will be foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Disposition of Common Shares
Subject to the discussion below under “Passive Foreign Investment Company Status,” upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common shares, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between such U.S. Holder’s basis in such common shares, which is usually the cost of such shares, and the amount realized on the disposition. Capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares held more than one year is long-term capital gain, and is eligible for a reduced rate of taxation for individuals (currently a maximum marginal federal income tax rate of 20%, plus the 3.8% net investment income tax discussed above, if applicable). Gains recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. A loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares generally is allocated to U.S. source income. The deductibility of capital losses recognized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares is subject to limitations. A U.S. Holder that receives foreign currency upon disposition of common shares and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars subsequent to the settlement date or trade date (whichever date the taxpayer was required to use to calculate the value of the proceeds of sale) may have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. Dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. Such loss may not be deductible due to certain limitations.
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Passive Foreign Investment Company Status
We would be a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) if (taking into account certain “look-through” rules with respect to the income and assets of our corporate subsidiaries in which we own 25 percent (by value) of the stock) either (i) 75 percent or more of our gross income for the taxable year was passive income or (ii) the average percentage (by value) of our total assets that are passive assets during the taxable year was at least 50 percent.
If we were a PFIC, each U.S. Holder would (unless it made one of the elections discussed below on a timely basis) be taxable on gains recognized from the disposition of our common shares (including gain deemed recognized if the common shares are used as security for a loan) and upon receipt of certain “excess distributions” (generally, distributions that exceed 125% of the average amount of distributions in respect to such common shares received during the preceding three taxable years or, if shorter, during the U.S. Holder’s holding period prior to the distribution year) with respect to our common shares as if such income had been recognized ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares. The U.S. Holder’s income for the current taxable year would include (as ordinary income) amounts allocated to the current taxable year and to any taxable year period prior to the first day of the first taxable year for which we were a PFIC. Tax would also be computed at the highest ordinary income tax rate in effect for each other taxable year period to which income is allocated, and an interest charge on the tax as so computed would also apply. Additionally, if we were a PFIC, U.S. Holders who acquire our common shares from decedents (other than non resident aliens) would be denied the normally available step-up in basis for such shares to fair market value at the date of death and, instead, would have a tax basis in such shares equal to the decedent’s basis, if lower.
As an alternative to the tax treatment described above, a U.S. Holder could elect to treat us as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF”), in which case the U.S. Holder would be taxed currently, for each taxable year that we are a PFIC, on its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain (subject to a separate election to defer payment of taxes, which deferral is subject to an interest charge). Special rules apply if a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election after the first taxable year in its holding period in which we are a PFIC. In the event that we conclude that we will be classified as a PFIC, we will make a determination at such time as to whether we will be able to provide U.S. Holders with the information that is necessary to make a QEF election. Amounts includable in income as a result of a QEF election will be determined without regard to our prior year losses or the amount of cash distributions, if any, received from us. A U.S. Holder’s basis in its common shares will increase by any amount included in income and decrease by any amounts not included in income when distributed because such amounts were previously taxed under the QEF rules. So long as a U.S. Holder’s QEF election is in effect with respect to the entire holding period for its common shares, any gain or loss realized by such holder on the disposition of its common shares held as a capital asset ordinarily will be capital gain or loss.
As an alternative to making the QEF election, a U.S. Holder of PFIC stock which is regularly traded on a qualified exchange may avoid the negative effects of the PFIC rules by electing to mark the stock to market and recognizing as ordinary income or loss, each taxable year that we are a PFIC, an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of the PFIC stock and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the PFIC stock. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by the U.S. Holder under the election for prior taxable years. This election is available for so long as the Company’s common shares constitute “marketable stock,” which includes stock of a PFIC that is “regularly traded” on a “qualified exchange or other market.” Generally, a “qualified exchange or other market” includes a national market system established pursuant to Section 11A of the Exchange Act, or a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located and that has certain characteristics. A class of stock that is traded on one or more qualified exchanges or other markets is “regularly traded” on an exchange or market for any calendar year during which that class of stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter, subject to special rules relating to an initial public offering. It is not entirely clear whether either the OTCBB or TSXV are qualified exchanges or other markets, or whether there will be sufficient trading volume with respect to the Company’s common shares, and accordingly, whether the common shares will be “marketable stock” for these purposes. Furthermore, there can be no assurances that the Company’s common shares will continue to trade on any of the exchanges listed above.
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We believe we were not a PFIC for the year ending December 31, 2022 and do not expect to be classified as a PFIC for the year ending December 31, 2023. However, PFIC status is determined as of the end of each taxable year and is dependent on a number of factors, including the value of our passive assets, the amount and type of our gross income, and our market capitalization. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC for the current taxable year or in a future taxable year. We will notify U.S. Holders in the event we conclude that we will be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S. Holders (other than exempt recipients, such as corporations) generally are subject to information reporting requirements with respect to dividends paid on, or proceeds from the disposition of, our common shares. U.S. Holders are also generally subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) on dividends paid on, or proceeds from the disposition of, our common shares unless the U.S. Holder provides IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.
The amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. or Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is furnished to the IRS.
| F. | Dividends and Paying Agents |
Not Required.
| G. | Statements by Experts |
The consolidated financial statements of POET Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 included herein, have been audited by Marcum LLP, our independent registered accounting firm for that period, 555 Long Wharf Drive, 8th Floor, New Haven, CT 06511, USA, as stated in their report appearing herein, and are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
| H. | Documents on Display |
The Company’s documents can be viewed at its Canadian office, located at: Suite 1107, 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M4P 1E2, Canada. Further, we file reports under Canadian regulatory requirements on SEDAR; you may access our reports filed on SEDAR by accessing their website at www.sedar.com. The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and files reports, Annual Reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The Company’s reports, Annual Reports and other information can be inspected on the SEC’s website.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file annual, and other reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as United States domestic companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.
We maintain a corporate website at www.poet-technologies.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute a part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. We have included our website address in this Annual Report on Form 20-F solely as an inactive textual reference.
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| I. | Subsidiary information |
Not Required.
ITEM 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Short-term investments bear interest at fixed rates, and as such, are subject to interest rate risk resulting from changes in fair value from market fluctuations in interest rates. The Company does not depend on interest from its investments to fund its operations.
Exchange Rate Risk
The functional currency of each of the entities included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements is the local currency where the entity is domiciled. Functional currencies include the Chinese Yuan, US, Singapore and Canadian dollar. Most transactions within the entities are conducted in functional currencies. As such, none of the entities included in the consolidated financial statements engage in hedging activities. The Company is exposed to a foreign currency risk when its subsidiaries hold current assets or current liabilities in currencies other than its functional currency. A 10% change in foreign currencies held would increase or decrease other comprehensive loss by $160,421
The following table shows exchange rates, from CAD to USD, for the past six months:
| Period | High (1) | Low (1) | Average (2) | |||||||||
| March 2023 | 0.7534 | 0.7247 | 0.7325 | |||||||||
| February 2023 | 0.7526 | 0.7346 | 0.7431 | |||||||||
| January 2023 | 0.7520 | 0.7306 | 0.7452 | |||||||||
| December 2022 | 0.7466 | 0.7285 | 0.7350 | |||||||||
| November 2022 | 0.7561 | 0.7242 | 0.7446 | |||||||||
| October 2022 | 0.7410 | 0.7155 | 0.7292 | |||||||||
| October 2022 — March 2023 | 0.8121 | 0.7727 | 0.7912 | |||||||||
| (1) | Bank of Canada monthly average rates |
| (2) | Bank of Canada daily closing average rates |
The following table shows exchange rates, from SGD to USD, for the past six months:
| Period | High (1) | Low (1) | Average (2) | |||||||||
| March 2023 | 0.7449 | 0.7382 | 0.7421 | |||||||||
| February 2023 | 0.7648 | 0.7406 | 0.7500 | |||||||||
| January 2023 | 0.7621 | 0.7429 | 0.7548 | |||||||||
| December 2022 | 0.7444 | 0.7343 | 0.7394 | |||||||||
| November 2022 | 0.7348 | 0.7029 | 0.7216 | |||||||||
| October 2022 | 0.7118 | 0.6948 | 0.7021 | |||||||||
| October 2022 — March 2023 | 0.7455 | 0.7288 | 0.7388 | |||||||||
| (1) | Bank of Singapore monthly average rates |
| (2) | Bank of Singapore daily closing average rates |
The following table shows exchange rates, from CNY to USD, for the past six months:
Period |
High (1) | Low (1) | Average (2) | ||||||||||
| March 2023 | 0.1455 | 0.1436 | 0.1444 | ||||||||||
| February 2023 | 0.1485 | 0.1437 | 0.1461 | ||||||||||
| January 2023 | 0.1491 | 0.1447 | 0.1472 | ||||||||||
| December 2022 | 0.1451 | 0.1415 | 0.1433 | ||||||||||
| November 2022 | 0.1423 | 0.1367 | 0.1394 | ||||||||||
| October 2022 | 0.1398 | 0.1377 | 0.1390 | ||||||||||
| October 2022 — March 2023 | 0.1585 | 0.1545 | 0.1563 | ||||||||||
| (1) | Bank of China monthly average rates |
| (2) | Bank of China daily closing average rates |
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Market Risk
Market risk arises from the possibility that changes in market prices will affect the value of the financial instruments of the Company. The Company is exposed to fair value fluctuations on its cash equivalents. The Company’s other financial instruments (cash and accounts payable and accrued liabilities) are not subject to market risk, due to the short- term nature of these instruments. The Company manages market risk through its investment policy where surplus funds are only invested in a manner that will provide the optimal blend of investment returns and principal protection while meeting its daily cash flow and liquidity demands.
ITEM 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
| A. | Debt Securities |
Not Required.
| B. | Warrants and Rights |
Not Required.
| C. | Other Securities |
Not Required.
| D. | American Depositary Shares |
Not Required.
PART II
ITEM 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not Required.
ITEM 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not Required.
ITEM 15. Controls and Procedures
| (a) | Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
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| (b) | Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
Our management, under the oversight of our Board of Directors (in particular its audit committee), is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act and as set forth in Section 404 of SOX). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of its published consolidated financial statements. Under the SOX framework, our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
All internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective may not prevent or detect misstatements and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, it used the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that assessment and those criteria, management concluded our internal controls over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2022.
| (c) | Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Marcum LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, and has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, is included herein.
| (d) | Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting |
There were no other changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our Board of Directors has determined that Chris Tsiofas is an audit committee financial expert. The Board has determined that Mr. Tsiofas satisfies the criteria of “audit committee financial expert” set forth in Item 16A of Form 20-F and is independent in accordance with Rule 4200 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
ITEM 16B. Code of Ethics
As amended in February 2023, our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to all our employees, including without limitation our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer. Our Code may be viewed on our website at www.poet-technologies.com and is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report. A copy of our Code may be obtained, without charge, upon a written request addressed to our office at, 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 1107, Toronto, Ontario M4P 1E2, Canada.
ITEM 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm, Marcum LLP.
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| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| Services Rendered | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Audit Fees (1) | $ | 278,000 | $ | 265,000 | ||||
| All Other Fees (2) | 17,200 | 17,200 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 295,200 | $ | 282,200 | ||||
| (1) | Audit fees included fees for the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, SOX 404(b) audit and services rendered in connection with filing of registration statements. |
| (2) | Tax fees relate to tax compliance services for our US-based entities. |
Our Audit Committee, in accordance with its charter, reviews and pre-approves all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and other terms) to be provided by our independent auditors. All of the services provided by Marcum LLP over the past two years were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
ITEM 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not Required.
ITEM 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not Required.
ITEM 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountants
Not Required.
ITEM 16G. Corporate Governance
Not Required.
ITEM 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not Required.
ITEM 16I. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not Required
PART III
ITEM 17. Financial Statements
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars and are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
The consolidated financial statements required under ITEM 17 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report and are incorporated by reference herein. The audit report of Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, is included herein immediately preceding the audited consolidated financial statements.
| a. | Audited Financial Statements — for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 |
ITEM 18. Financial Statements
The Company has elected to provide financial statements pursuant to ITEM 17.
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ITEM 19. Exhibits
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s registration statement under the Securities and Exchange Act on Form 20-F on May 15, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on April 13, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on March 18, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
(4) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on April 18, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
(5) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on April 30, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference
(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on April 29, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
(7) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on April 9, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference
(8) Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s annual Form 20-F on April 26, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference
(9) Filed as an exhibit to this Form 20-F.
(*) In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
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We file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission; you may obtain copies of our filings with the SEC by accessing their website located at www.sec.gov. Further, we file reports under Canadian regulatory requirements on SEDAR; you may access our reports filed on SEDAR by accessing their website at www.sedar.com.
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and other financial information contained in this Annual Report are the responsibility of management. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with IFRS, using management’s best estimates and judgments, where appropriate. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements reflect fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company within reasonable limits of materiality. The financial information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report has been reviewed to ensure consistency with that in the consolidated financial statements.
To assist management in discharging these responsibilities, the Company maintains a system of procedures and internal control which is designed to provide reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and that the financial records form a reliable base for the preparation of accurate and reliable financial information.
The Board of Directors endeavors to ensure that management fulfills its responsibilities for the financial reporting and internal control. The Board of Directors exercises this responsibility through its independent Audit Committee comprising a majority of unrelated and outside directors. The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and annually with the external auditors to review audit recommendations and any matters that the auditors believe should be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee also reviews the consolidated financial statements and recommends to the Board of Directors that the statements be approved for issuance to the shareholders.
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 have been audited by Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, which has full and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee. Marcum’s report on the consolidated financial statements is presented herein.
SIGNATURES
The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
| POET TECHNOLOGIES INC. | |
| /s/ Suresh Venkatesan | |
| Suresh Venkatesan | |
| Chief Executive Officer |
Date: March 31, 2023
PCAOB:
Firm
Name:
Location: 555 Long Wharf Drive, 8th Floor,
| Page 71 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
POET Technologies Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of POET Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and deficit, comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013 and our report dated March 31, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company has a used a significant amount of cash in its operations, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet and sustain its obligations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
| Page 1 |
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum llp
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009, such date takes into account the acquisition of a portion of UHY LLP by Marcum LLP in April 2010.
Hartford, CT
March 31, 2023
PCAOB ID 688
| Page 2 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
POET Technologies Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited POET Technologies Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and the related consolidated statements of operations and deficit, comprehensive loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows and the related notes for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022 of the Company, and our report dated March 31, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
| Page 3 |
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum llp
Hartford, CT
March 31, 2023
| Page 4 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of POET Technologies Inc. on Form F-10 (File Nos. 333-255631, 333-227873 and 333-213422) of our report dated March 31, 2023 which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of POET Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and our report dated March 31, 2023 with respect to our audit of internal control over financial reporting of POET Technologies Inc. as of December 31, 2022, which reports are included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of POET Technologies Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022.
/s/ Marcum LLP
Marcum llp
Hartford, CT
March 31, 2023
| Page 5 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||
| Current | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents (Note 2) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Short-term investments (Note 2) | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable (Notes 3) | ||||||||||||
| Prepaids and other current assets (Note 4) | ||||||||||||
| Investment in joint venture (Note 5) | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment (Note 6) | ||||||||||||
| Patents and licenses (Note 7) | ||||||||||||
| Right of use asset (Note 8) | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Current | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 9) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Covid-19 government support loans (Note 24) | ||||||||||||
| Lease liability (Note 8) | ||||||||||||
| Convertible debentures (Note 10) | ||||||||||||
| Contract liabilities (Note 3) | ||||||||||||
| Non-current covid-19 government support (Note 24) | ||||||||||||
| Non-current lease liability (Note 8) | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||
| Share capital (Note 11(b)) | ||||||||||||
| Equity component of convertible debentures (Note 10) | ||||||||||||
| Warrants and compensation options (Note 12) | ||||||||||||
| Contributed surplus (Note 13) | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
On behalf of the Board of Directors
| Director | Director |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| Page 6 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND DEFICIT
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Revenue (Note 22) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Selling, marketing and administration (Note 20) | ||||||||||||
| Research and development (Note 20) | ||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Operating loss before the following | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense (Notes 8 and 10) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other income, including interest | ||||||||||||
| Forgiveness of Covid-19 government support | ||||||||||||
| loans (Note 24) | ||||||||||||
| Gain on contribution of intellectual property to joint venture (Note 5) | ||||||||||||
| Share of loss in joint venture (Note 5) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Credit loss on receivable from sale of discontinued operation (Note 21) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deficit, beginning of year | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deficit, end of year | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share (Note 14) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive (loss) - net of income taxes | ||||||||||||
| Items that may in the future be reclassified to profit (loss): | ||||||||||||
| Exchange differences on translating foreign operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Share Capital | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Funds from the exercise of stock options | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of stock options exercised | ||||||||||||
| Funds from the exercise of warrants and compensation warrants | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants and compensation warrants exercised | ||||||||||||
| Conversion of convertible debentures | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on conversion of convertible debentures | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Exercise of warrants issued in conjunction with debt financing | ||||||||||||
| Common shares issued to settle accounts payable | ||||||||||||
| Funds from common shares issued on private placement | ||||||||||||
| Share issue costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on private placement | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value of broker warrant issued as share issue costs | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Equity Component of convertible debentures | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of equity component of convertible debentures | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Warrants and Compensation Options | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued in conjunction with of debt financing | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants and compensation warrants exercised | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Fair value of expired warrants and compensation options | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on the exercise of convertible debentures | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on private placement | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of broker warrants issued as share issue costs | ||||||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Contributed Surplus | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of stock options exercised | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Fair value of expired warrants and compensation options | ||||||||||||
| Fair value effect of conversion of convertible debentures | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| December 31, | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) attributable to common | ||||||||||||
| shareholders - translation adjustment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| December 31, | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deficit | ||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| December 31, | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total Shareholders’ Equity | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| For the Years Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (USED IN) PROVIDED BY: | ||||||||||||
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Adjustments for: | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment (Note 6) | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of patents and licenses (Note 7) | ||||||||||||
| Amortization of right of use asset (Note 8) | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of debt discount on convertible debentures and non-cash interest (Notes 8 and 10) | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation (Note 13) | ||||||||||||
| Non-cash settled operating costs (Notes 6 and 11) | ||||||||||||
| Credit loss on receivable from the sale of discontinued operations (Note 21) | ||||||||||||
| Gain on lease modification (Note 8) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-cash foreign exchange | ||||||||||||
| Gain on contribution of intellectual property to joint venture (Note 5) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Share of loss in joint venture (Note 5) | ||||||||||||
| Forgiveness of covid-19 government support loans (Note 24) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
| Net change in non-cash working capital accounts: | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Prepaid and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Contract liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
| Maturity (purchase) of short-term investments (Note 2) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations (Note 21) | ||||||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment (Note 6) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of patents and licenses (Note 7) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
| Issue of common shares for cash, net of issue costs (Note 11) | ||||||||||||
| Payment of lease liability (Note 8) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from covid-19 government support loans (Note 24) | ||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate on cash | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
| Page 9 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 1. | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS |
POET Technologies Inc. is incorporated in the Province of Ontario. POET Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) design and develop the POET Optical Interposer and Photonic Integrated Circuits for the data center and tele-communications markets. The Company’s head office is located at 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 1107, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1E2. These audited consolidated financial statements of the Company were approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on March 31, 2023.
These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which assumes that the Company will have sufficient cash to pay its debts, as and when they become payable, for a period of at least 12 months from the date the financial report was authorised for issue.
As
at December 31, 2022, the Company has accumulated losses of $(
To address the future funding requirements, management has undertaken the following initiatives:
| 1. | Raised
$ | |
| 2. | Extended the exercise date and repriced certain warrants to induce warrant holders to exercise warrants that are in-the-money (See note 25). | |
| 3. | Encouraged warrant holders with in-the-money warrants that expire between April 2023 and September 2023 to exercise their warrants prior to the expiry dates. | |
| 4. | Established a strict budgetary process with a focus on maintaining an appropriate level of corporate overheads in line with the Company’s available cash resources. |
The Company’s financial statements do not include any adjustments to the assets’ carrying amount, to the expenses presented and to the reclassification of the balance sheets items that could be necessary should the Company be unable to continue its operations.
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
These consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed below:
Basis of presentation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of POET Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries; ODIS Inc. (“ODIS”), Opel Solar Inc. (“OPEL”), BB Photonics Inc. (“BB Photonics”), POET Technologies Pte Ltd. (“PTS”) and POET Optoelectronics Shenzhen Co., Ltd (“POET Shenzhen”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
| Page 10 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
Business combinations
Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The acquisition cost is measured at the acquisition date at the fair value of the consideration transferred, including all contingent consideration.
Subsequent changes in contingent consideration are accounted for through the consolidated statements of operations and deficit and consolidated statements of comprehensive loss in accordance with the applicable standards.
Goodwill arising on acquisition is initially measured at cost, being the difference between the fair value of the consideration transferred including the recognized amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the net recognized amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. If the net of the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognized immediately in the consolidated statements of operations and deficit as a bargain purchase gain.
Acquisition-related costs, other than those that are associated with the issue of debt or equity securities that the Company incurs in connection with a business combination, are expensed as incurred.
Foreign currency translation
These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”), which is the Company’s presentation currency.
Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company’s subsidiaries are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”). Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in the functional currency of an entity are recognized in the statement of operations and deficit.
Assets and liabilities of entities with functional currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into the presentation currency at the year end rates of exchange, and the results of their operations are translated at average rates of exchange for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. Additionally, foreign exchange gains and losses related to certain intercompany loans that are permanent in nature are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Elements of equity are translated at historical rates.
Financial instruments
Financial assets held with an objective to hold assets in order to collect contractual cash flows which arise on specified dates that are solely principal and interest are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Debt investments held with an objective to hold both assets in order to collect contractual cash flows which arise on specified dates that are solely principal and interest as well as selling the asset on the basis of fair value are measured at FVTOCI. All other financial assets are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). Financial liabilities are classified as either FVTPL or other financial liabilities, and the portion of the change in fair value that relates to the Company’s credit risk is presented in other comprehensive income (loss). Instruments classified as FVTPL are measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in net income (loss). Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
| Page 11 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issuance of financial assets and financial liabilities, other than financial assets and financial liabilities classified as FVTPL, are added to or deducted from the fair value on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities classified as FVTPL are recognized immediately in consolidated net income (loss).
Derecognition
Financial assets
The Company derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows in a transaction in which substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred or in which the Company neither transfers nor retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership and it does not retain control of the financial asset. Any interest in transferred financial assets that is created or retained by the Company is recognized as a separate asset or liability.
Financial liabilities
A financial liability is derecognized from the balance sheet when it is extinguished, that is, when the obligation specified in the contract is either discharged, cancelled or expires. Where there has been an exchange between an existing borrower and lender of debt instruments with substantially different terms, or there has been a substantial modification of the terms of an existing financial liability, this transaction is accounted for as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new financial liability. A gain or loss from extinguishment of the original financial liability is recognized in profit or loss.
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
The following table outlines the classification of financial instruments under IFRS 9:
| Financial Assets | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | |
| Short-term investments | |
| Accounts receivable | |
| Financial Liabilities | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |
| Convertible debentures | |
| Contract liabilities | |
| Covid-19 government support loans |
Convertible debentures are accounted for as a compound financial instrument with a debt component and a separate equity component. The debt component of these compound financial instruments is measured at fair value on initial recognition by discounting the stream of future interest and principal payments at the rate of interest prevailing at the date of issue for instruments of similar term and risk. The debt component is subsequently deducted from the total carrying value of the compound instrument to derive the equity component. The debt component is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Interest expense based on the coupon rate of the debenture and the accretion of the liability component to the amount that will be payable on redemption are recognized through profit or loss as a finance cost.
| Page 12 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash
and cash equivalents consist of cash in current accounts of $
Cash
and cash equivalents include restricted funds of (2021 - , 2020 - $
Short-term investments
The
short-term investments of (2021 - $
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated based on the estimated useful life of the asset using the following method and useful lives:
| Machinery and equipment | Straight
Line, |
| Leasehold improvements | Straight
Line, |
| Office equipment | Straight
Line, |
Patents and licenses
Patents
and licenses are recorded at cost and amortized on a straight line basis over
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company’s tangible and intangible assets are reviewed for indications of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. An assessment is made at each reporting date whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired.
An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit and loss for the year. The recoverable amount is the greater of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) to which the asset belongs.
An impairment loss is reversed if there is an indication that there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized. impairment loss has been reported for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.
| Page 13 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
Income taxes
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are provided on differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and on income tax losses available to be carried forward to future years for tax purposes. Deferred income taxes are measured using the substantively enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are only recognized if the amount is expected to be realized in the future.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue when it transfers control over a product or service to a customer.
Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized, net of discounts and customer rebates, at the point in time the transfer of control of the related products has taken place as specified in the sales contract and collectability is reasonably assured.
Service revenue
The Company provides contract services, primarily in the form of non-recurring revenue (“NRE”) where control is passed to the customer over time. The contracts generally provide agreed upon milestones for customer payment which include but are not limited to the delivery of sample products, design reports and test reports. The customer makes payment when it has approved the delivery of the milestone. The Company must determine if the contract is made up of a series of independent performance obligations or a single performance obligation. Where NRE contracts contain multiple performance obligations for which a standalone transaction price can be assessed, revenue is recognized as each performance obligation is satisfied. Where NRE contracts contain a single performance obligation to be settled over time, revenue is recognized progressively based on the output method.
Other income
Interest income
Interest income on cash is recognized as earned using the effective interest method.
Wage subsidies
Wages subsidies received from the Singaporean government are netted against RD related wages and benefits on the consolidated statements of operations and deficit.
Government Grants
Loans received exclusively from governmental agencies to support the Company throughout the COVID-19 pandemic qualify to be forgiven if certain conditions are met. Forgiveness of COVID-19 related loans will be recognized as other income on the consolidated statements of operations and deficit.
| Page 14 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
Intangible assets
Research and development costs
Research costs are expensed in the year incurred. Development costs are also expensed in the year incurred unless the Company believes a development project meets IFRS criteria as set out in IAS 38, Intangible Assets, for deferral and amortization. IAS 38 requires all research costs be charged to expense while development costs are capitalised only after technical and commercial feasibility of the asset for sale or use have been established. This means that the entity must intend and be able to complete the intangible asset and either use it or sell it and be able to demonstrate how the asset will generate future economic benefits. Development costs are tested for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.
In-Process Research and Development
Under IFRS, in-process research and development (“IPRD”) acquired in a business combination that meets the definition of an intangible asset is capitalized with amortization commencing when the asset is ready for use (i.e., when development is complete). The Company does not capitalize its IPRD.
Stock options and warrants awarded to non employees are measured using the fair value of the goods or services received unless that fair value cannot be estimated reliably, in which case measurement is based on the fair value of the stock options. Stock options and warrants awarded to employees are accounted for using the fair value method. The fair value of such stock options and warrants granted is recognized as an expense on a proportionate basis consistent with the vesting features of each tranche of the grant. The fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions applicable at the date of grant.
Basic loss per share, net of taxes is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period after giving effect to potentially dilutive financial instruments. The dilutive effect of stock options and warrants is determined using the treasury stock method.
Joint Venture
A joint arrangement is an arrangement among two or more parties where the parties are bound by a contractual arrangement and the contractual arrangement gives the parties joint control of the arrangement. A joint venture is a form of joint arrangement where an entity is independently formed and the parties jointly have rights to the net assets of the arrangement and therefore account for their interests under the equity method.
On February 24, 2022, the Company filed Articles of Amendment to consolidate its common shares on a ten-for-one basis. For further clarity, for every ten (10) pre-consolidated common shares, shareholders received one (1) post-consolidated common share. On February 28, 2022 the Company’s common shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a post consolidation basis. The Company’s name and trading symbol remained unchanged. All references to share and per share amounts in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the ten-for-one share consolidation.
| Page 15 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 3. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND CONTRACT LIABILITIES |
Revenue Contract Balances
| Contract | ||||||||
| Receivables | Liabilities | |||||||
| Opening balance, January 1, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||
| Customer deposits | ( | ) | ||||||
| Changes due to payment, fulfillment of performance obligations or revenues recognized | ||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| 4. | PREPAIDS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
The following table reflects the details of prepaids and other current assets at December 31:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Sales tax recoverable and other current assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deposits on equipment | ||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| 5. | JOINT VENTURE |
On
October 20, 2020, the Company signed a Joint Venture Agreement (“JVA”) establishing a joint venture,
The
Company’s contribution of intellectual property to SPX was independently valued at $
SPX was determined to be a joint venture as both Sanan IC and POET exercise joint control over SPX. All relevant activity of SPX require unanimous consent.
| Page 16 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 5. | JOINT VENTURE (Contained) |
The Company’s investment in joint venture during the year can be summarized as follows:
| Balance, January 1, 2021 | $ | |||
| Contribution of intellectual property | ||||
| Unrecognized gain on contribution of intellectual property | ( | ) | ||
| Share of loss in joint venture for the year ended December 31, 2021 | ( | ) | ||
| Investment balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Recognized gain on contribution of intellectual property | ||||
| Share of loss in joint venture for the year ended December 31, 2022 | ( | ) | ||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ||||
| Investment balance, December 31, 2022 | $ |
Summarized financial information of the joint venture is as follows:
| December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Current assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Intangible assets | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Owners Equity | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The
Company recognizes its share of SPX’s profits or losses using the equity method. On a weighted average basis, the Company’s share of
the net operating loss was
| 6. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
| Equipment not ready for use | Leasehold improvements | Machinery and equipment | Office equipment | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disposals (1) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance,December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Additions, net of returns (2) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Additions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Page 17 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 6. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Continued) |
| Accumulated Depreciation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amounts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
| 7. | PATENTS AND LICENSES |
| Cost | ||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | |||
| Additions | ||||
| Disposals | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Additions | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Additions | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Accumulated Amortization | ||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | ||||
| Amortization | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Amortization | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Amortization | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Page 18 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 7. | PATENTS AND LICENSES (Continued) |
| Carrying Amounts | ||||
| At December 31, 2020 | $ | |||
| At December 31, 2021 | $ | |||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | |||
| 8. | RIGHT OF USE ASSET AND LEASE LIABILITY |
The
Company recognizes a lease liability and right of use asset relating to its commercial leases. The lease liability is measured at the
present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate of
| Right of use asset | Building | |||
| Cost | ||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | |||
| Additions | ||||
| Lease modification | ( | ) | ||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Lease modification | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Accumulated Amortization | ||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | ||||
| Amortization | ||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Amortization | ||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Amortization | ||||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Carrying Amounts | ||||
| At December 31, 2020 | $ | |||
| At December 31, 2021 | $ | |||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | |||
| Page 19 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 8. | RIGHT OF USE ASSET AND LEASE LIABILITY (Continued) |
| Lease liability | ||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | |||
| Interest expense | ||||
| Lease modification | ( | ) | ||
| Additions | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||
| Interest expense | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||
| Interest expense | ||||
| Lease modification | ||||
| Lease payments | ( | ) | ||
| Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates | ( | ) | ||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ |
| 9. | ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31 was as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Trade payables | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Payroll related liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| 10. | CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES, LOAN PAYABLE AND PROMISSORY NOTE |
On April 1, 2019 the Company announced that it arranged for certain financing required to bridge the Company up to the sale of its DenseLight subsidiary.
Convertible Debentures
In
2019, the Board of Directors approved the issuance of up to $
| Page 20 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 10. | CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES, LOAN PAYABLE AND PROMISSORY NOTE (Continued) |
The
Convertible Debentures were convertible at the option of the holders thereof into units at any time after October 31, 2019 at a conversion
price of CAD$ per unit for a total units of the Company.
Insiders
of the Company subscribed for
IAS
32 Financial Instruments: Presentation define these debt securities as compound financial instruments made up of both a liability
component and an equity component. The debt component of the Convertible Debentures were fair valued using effective discount rates ranging
from
Because the Convertible Debentures are denominated in Canadian dollars and the conversion price is also denominated in Canadian dollars, the number of equity instruments that would be issued upon exercise of the convertible debentures are fixed. As a result, the equity component of the convertible debentures will not be periodically remeasured.
During
2021, holders of certain convertible debentures converted $
The following table reflects the details of convertible debentures at December 31, 2020:
| Convertible Debentures | Loan | Equity Component | Accretion | Debt Component | ||||||||||||
| Issued April 3, 2020 (net of issue costs) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Issued May 3, 2020 (net of issue costs) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Issued June 3, 2020 (net of issue costs) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Issued August 2, 2020 (net of issue costs) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Issued September 19, 2020 (net of issue costs) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of foreign exchange rate changes | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Balance December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Page 21 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 11. | SHARE CAPITAL |
| (a) | AUTHORIZED | |
| Unlimited number of common shares | ||
| One special voting share |
| (b) | COMMON SHARES ISSUED |
| Number of | ||||||||
| Shares | Amount | |||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Funds from the exercise of stock options | ||||||||
| Fair value of stock options exercised | ||||||||
| Funds from the exercise of warrants | ||||||||
| Fair value of exercised warrants (Notes 10 and 11) | ||||||||
| Issued on the conversion of convertible debentures (Note 10) | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on conversion of convertible debentures | ( | ) | ||||||
| Exercise of warrants issued in conjunction with debt financing | ||||||||
| Shares issued to settle accounts payable | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
| Funds from the exercise of stock options | ||||||||
| Fair value of stock options exercised | ||||||||
| Issued on the conversion of convertible debentures (Note 10) | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued upon conversion of convertible debentures | ( | ) | ||||||
| Funds from the exercise of warrants | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants exercised | ||||||||
| Funds from Common shares issued on private placement | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on private placement | ( | ) | ||||||
| Share issue costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Fair value of broker warrants issued as share issue costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Shares issued to settle accounts payable | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Funds from Common shares issued on private placement | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on private placement | ( | ) | ||||||
| Share issue costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Shares issued to settle accounts payable | ||||||||
| Funds from the exercise of stock options | ||||||||
| Fair value of stock options exercised | ||||||||
| Funds from the exercise of warrants and compensation warrants | ||||||||
| Fair value of warrants and compensation warrants exercised | ||||||||
| Adjustment for 10 for 1 share consolidation | ( | ) | ||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
During
2020, holders of certain convertible debentures converted $
| Page 22 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 11. | SHARE CAPITAL (Continued) |
The
fair value of the share purchase warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions: dividend yield of
On
February 11, 2021, the Company completed a brokered private placement offering of units at a price of $ (CAD$) per
unit for gross proceeds of $
The
fair value of the share purchase warrants and broker warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of
In 2020, the Company engaged with a firm to assist with its shareholder communications strategy. The terms of the agreement require the Company to issue common shares at certain pre-determined dates in satisfaction of past services rendered. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company settled $ (2021 - $, 2020 - $) in accounts payable related to services rendered in 2022 under this agreement by issuing (2021 - , 2020 - ) common shares at a price of $ (CAD$) (2021 - $ (CAD$), 2020 - $ (CAD$)) per share to the firm.
On
December 2, 2022, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement offering of units at a price of $ (CAD$) per
unit for gross proceeds of $
One
director subscribed for units of this private placement offering for gross proceeds of $
The
fair value of the share purchase warrants and broker warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions: dividend yield of
| Page 23 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 11. | SHARE CAPITAL (Continued) |
Share Consolidation
On February 24, 2022,. On February 28, 2022, the Company’s common shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a post consolidation basis. The Company’s name and trading symbol remained unchanged. All references to share and per share amounts in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively restated to reflect the ten-for-one share consolidation.
| 12. | WARRANTS AND COMPENSATION OPTIONS |
The following table reflects the continuity of warrants and compensation options:
| Historical | Number of | |||||||||||
| Average Exercise | Warrants/ | Historical | ||||||||||
| Price | Compensation options | Fair value | ||||||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on conversion of convertible debentures (Notes 10 and 11) | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of expired compensation options issued to brokers | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value related to the exercise of warrants issued as cost of debt financing (1) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value of expired warrants issued on public offering | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Historical fair value assigned to warrants exercised | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrant issued on private placement (Note 26) | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of broker warrants issued on private placement | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrants issued on conversion of convertible debentures (Notes 10) | ||||||||||||
| Historical fair value assigned to warrants exercised | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Fair value of expired warrants | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of warrant issued on private placement | ||||||||||||
| Historical fair value assigned to warrants exercised | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| (1) |
| 13. | STOCK OPTIONS AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS |
Stock Options
On
October 7, 2021, shareholders of the Company approved amendments to the Company’s fixed
| Page 24 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 13. | STOCK OPTIONS AND CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS (Continued) |
| Historical | ||||||||
| Weighted Average | ||||||||
| Number of | Exercise | |||||||
| Options | Price | |||||||
| Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | |||||||
| Expired/cancelled | ( | ) | ||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2020 | ||||||||
| Expired/cancelled | ( | ) | ||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Expired/cancelled | ( | ) | ||||||
| Exercised | ( | ) | ||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | |||||||
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded stock-based compensation of $ (2021 - $, 2020 - $) relating to stock options that vested during the year.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average exercise price | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Weighted average risk-free interest rate | % - | % | % - | % | % - | % | ||||||
| Weighted average dividend yield | % | % | % | |||||||||
| Weighted average volatility | % | % | % | |||||||||
| Weighted average estimated life | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average share price | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Share price on the various grant dates: | $ | - $ | $ | - $ | $ | - $ | ||||||
| Weighted average fair value | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The underlying expected volatility was determined by reference to the Company’s historical share price movements, its dividend policy and dividend yield and past experience relating to the expected life of granted stock options.
| Options Outstanding | Options Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||
| Historical | Weighted | Historical | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Average | Weighted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average | Remaining | Average | ||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise | Number | Exercise | Contractual | Number | Exercise | |||||||||||||||
| Range | Outstanding | Price | Life (years) | Exercisable | Price | |||||||||||||||
| $ - $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ - $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ - $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Page 25 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 14. | LOSS PER SHARE |
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Numerator | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Denominator | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted | ||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
The effect of common share purchase options, warrants, compensation warrants and shares to be issued on the net loss in 2022, 2021 and 2020 is not reflected as they are anti-dilutive.
| 15. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
The Company has operating leases on four facilities; head office located in Toronto, Canada, design and testing operations located in Allentown, Pennsylvania (formerly in San Jose, California) and operating facilities located in Singapore and China. The Company’s design and testing operations terminated a lease on January 31, 2021. A new lease was initiated on April 1, 2021 and expires on September 30, 2025. The lease on the Company’s operating facilities in Singapore was initiated on November 1, 2019 with an original expiry of April 30, 2022. The lease on the Singapore facility was renewed on May 1, 2022 and expires on May 31, 2023. The lease on the Company’s operating facilities in China was initiated in November 19, 2021 and expires on November 18, 2023. As at December 31, 2022, the Company’s head office was on a month to month lease term.
Remaining annual lease payments to the lease expiration dates are as follows:
| 2023 | $ | |||
| 2024 and beyond | ||||
| $ |
| 16. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Compensation to key management personnel were as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Salaries | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Share-based payments (1) | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| (1) |
All transactions with related parties have occurred in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amounts, which are the amounts of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
| Page 26 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 17. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Company and its subsidiaries operate in a single segment; the design, manufacture and sale of semi-conductor products and services for commercial applications. The Company’s operating and reporting segment reflects the management reporting structure of the organization and the manner in which the chief operating decision maker regularly assesses information for decision making purposes, including the allocation of resources. A summary of the Company’s operations is below:
OPEL, ODIS, POET Shenzhen and PTS
OPEL, ODIS, POET Shenzhen and PTS are the designers and developers of the POET Optical Interposer platform and optical engines based on the POET Optical Interposer platform.
BB Photonics
BB Photonics developed photonic integrated components for the datacom and telecom markets utilizing embedded dielectric technology that enabled the partial integration of active and passive devices into photonic integrated circuits. BB Photonics’ operation is currently dormant.
On a consolidated basis, the Company operates geographically in Singapore, China (collectively “Asia”), the United States and Canada. Geographical information is as follows:
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | Asia | US | Canada | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Current assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||||||||||
| Patents and licenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Right of use asset | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | Asia | US | Canada | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Selling, marketing and administration | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Research and development | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Gain on contribution of intellectual property to joint venture | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Other income, including interest | ||||||||||||||||
| Share of loss in joint venture | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | Asia | US | Canada | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Current assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Investment in joint venture | ||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||||||||||
| Patents and licenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Right of use asset | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Page 27 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 17. | SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued) |
| The Year Ended December 31, | Asia | US | Canada | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Selling, marketing and administration | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Research and development | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Gain on contribution of intellectual property to joint venture | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Forgiveness of Covid-19 government support loans | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income, including interest | ||||||||||||||||
| Share of loss in joint venture | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, | Asia | US | Canada | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Current assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment | ||||||||||||||||
| Patents and licenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Right of use asset | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| The Year Ended December 31, | Asia | US | Canada | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
| Selling, marketing and administration | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Research and development | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment of long lived assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Credit loss on receivable from the sale of discontinued operation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Other income, including interest | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| 18. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT |
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivable from the sale of discontinued operation, short-term investments, convertible debentures, covid-19 government support loans and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Unless otherwise noted, it is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest risk arising from these financial instruments. The Company estimates that carrying value of these instruments approximates fair value due to their short term nature.
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POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 18. | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT (Continued) |
The Company has classified financial assets and (liabilities) as follows at December 31:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Financial assets, measured at amortized cost: | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Short-term investments | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable, measured at amortized cost: | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Other liabilities, measured at amortized cost: | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Convertible debentures | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||
| Covid-19 government support loans | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Contract liabilities | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | |||||||
Exchange Rate Risk
The
functional currency of each of the entities included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements is the local currency where
the entity is domiciled. Functional currencies include the Chinese Yuan, US, Singapore and Canadian dollar. Most transactions within
the entities are conducted in functional currencies. As such, none of the entities included in the consolidated financial statements
engage in hedging activities. The Company is exposed to a foreign currency risk when its subsidiaries hold current assets or current
liabilities in currencies other than its functional currency. A
Liquidity Risk
The Company currently does not maintain credit facilities. The Company’s existing cash and cash resources are not considered sufficient to fund operating and investing activities beyond one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The Company may, however, need to seek additional financing in the future.
| 19. | CAPITAL MANAGEMENT |
In the management of capital, the Company includes shareholders’ equity (excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss and deficit) and cash. The components of capital on December 31, 2022 were:
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | |||
| Shareholders’ equity | $ |
The Company’s objective in managing capital is to ensure that financial flexibility is present to increase shareholder value through growth and responding to changes in economic and/or market conditions; to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain future development of the business and to safeguard the Company’s ability to obtain financing should the need arise.
In maintaining its capital, the Company has a strict investment policy which includes investing its surplus capital only in highly liquid, highly rated financial instruments.
The Company reviews its capital management approach on an ongoing basis.
| Page 29 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 20. | EXPENSES |
Research and development costs can be analysed as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Wages and benefits | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Subcontract fees | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||||||
| Supplies | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| Selling, marketing and administration costs can be analysed as follows: | ||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Wages and benefits | ||||||||||||
| Professional fees | ||||||||||||
| General expenses | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||
| Rent and facility costs | ||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
| 21. | DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
On
November 8, 2019, the Company sold
| 22. | REVENUE |
Disaggregated Revenues
The
Company disaggregates revenue by timing of revenue recognition, that is, at a point in time and revenue over time. During the year ended
December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $
| 23. | INCOME TAXES |
The
following table reconciles the expected income tax recovery at the Canadian statutory income tax rate of
| For the Year Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Net loss before taxes | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Expected current income tax recovery | ||||||||||||
| Page 30 |
POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in US Dollars)
| 23. | INCOME TAXES (continued) |
Adjustments to income tax recovery:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Amounts not deductible for tax purposes | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||
| Other non-deductible items | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other deductible items | ||||||||||||
| Non-taxable gain (loss) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Non-taxable loan forgiveness | ||||||||||||
| Deferred RD expenses | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Foreign tax differential | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Unrecognized tax recovered (losses) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income tax recovery recognized | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
The following table reflects future income tax assets at December 31:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Resource assets | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Gross unamortized share issue costs | ||||||||||||
| Capitalized S.174 expenses | ||||||||||||
| Canadian non-capital losses | ||||||||||||
| Canadian capital losses | ||||||||||||
| US non-capital losses | ||||||||||||
| Singapore non-capital losses | ||||||||||||
| Unrecognized deferred tax assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Deferred income tax assets recognized | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 24. | COVID-19 GOVERNMENT SUPPORT LOANS |
In
March 2020, the United States Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), authorizing loans to small businesses
for use in paying employees that they continue to employ throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and for rent, utilities and interest on mortgages.
Loans obtained through the PPP are eligible to be forgiven as long as the proceeds are used for qualifying purposes and certain other
conditions are met. On May 3, 2020, the Company received a loan in the amount of $
On
April 9, 2020,
| 25. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
On January 23, 2023, the Company amended the expiry date and price of its February 11, 2023 and CAD$ warrants to May 11, 2023 and CAD$.
Between
January 23, 2023 and March 22, 2023, the Company received $
| Page 31 |