Note 10 – Fair Value

Fair Value Option Election – Convertible Notes

We elected to account for the Senior Convertible Notes by applying the fair value option. Under the fair value option, the financial liability is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and subsequently remeasured at its estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. The change in estimated fair value resulting from changes in instrument-specific credit risk is recorded in other comprehensive loss as a component of equity. The remaining estimated fair value adjustment is presented as a single line item within Other (expense) income in our condensed consolidated statements of operations under the caption, Change in fair value of convertible notes.

For the Senior Convertible Notes, which are measured at fair value categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the following represents a reconciliation of the fair values for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

The estimated fair value of the Senior Convertible Notes was computed using Monte Carlo simulations, which incorporates significant inputs that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined by GAAP. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Senior Convertible Notes reflect our assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Senior Convertible Notes as of its issuance date and subsequent reporting periods.

We estimated the fair value by using the following key inputs to the Monte Carlo Simulation Models:

Fair Value Measurement – Private Warrants

For the Private Warrants, which are classified as derivative liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and are measured at fair value categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the following represents a reconciliation of the fair values for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022:

We utilized a binomial lattice model, which incorporates significant inputs, specifically the expected volatility, that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in GAAP. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Private Warrants reflect our estimates regarding the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the Warrants as of the end of the reporting periods.

We recognize changes to the derivative liability against earnings or loss each reporting period. Upon exercise of the Private Warrants, holders will receive a delivery of Akerna shares on a net or gross share basis per the terms of the Private Warrants and any exercise will reclassify the Private Warrants, at the time of exercise, to shareholder’s equity to reflect the equity transaction. There are no periodic settlements prior to the holder exercising the Private Warrants. There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 from other levels for the fair value hierarchy. The value of the private warrants was assessed to be zero as of September 30, 2023.

We estimated the fair value by using the following key inputs:

NM - Not meaningful.  

Fair Value Measurement – 2022 Unit Offering Common and Underwriter Warrants

The fair value of the Common Warrants and Underwriter Warrants issued in connection with our 2022 Unit Offering represent a measurement within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and were estimated based on the following key inputs as of the date of the 2022 Unit Offering:

We utilized a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which incorporates significant inputs, specifically the expected volatility, that are not observable in the market, and thus represents a Level 3 measurement as defined in GAAP. The unobservable inputs utilized for measuring the fair value of the Common and Underwriter Warrants reflect our estimates regarding the assumptions that market participants would have used in valuing the Warrants as of the date of the 2022 Unit Offering or July 5, 2022. The fair value of the Common Warrants and Underwriter Warrants was recorded in equity as a component of the net proceeds received from the 2022 Unit Offering (see Note 9).