Note 1 - Description of Business, Liquidity, and Capital Resources

Description of Business

Akerna Corp., herein referred to as we, us, our or Akerna, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries MJ Freeway, LLC, or MJF, Trellis Solutions, Inc., or Trellis, Ample Organics, Inc, or Ample, and solo sciences, inc., or Solo provides enterprise software solutions that enable regulatory compliance and inventory management. Our proprietary, broad and growing suite of solutions are adaptable for industries in which interfacing with government regulatory agencies for compliance purposes is required, or where the tracking of organic materials from seed or plant to end products is desired. We develop products intended to assist states in monitoring licensed businesses’ compliance with state regulations and to help state-licensed businesses operate in compliance with such law. We provide our commercial software platform, MJ Platform®, and Trellis®, to state-licensed businesses, and our regulatory software platform, Leaf Data Systems®, to state government regulatory agencies. Through Solo, we provide an innovative, next-generation solution for state and national governments to securely track product and waste throughout the supply chain with solo*TAG^™. The integration of MJ Platform® and solo*CODE^™ results in technology for consumers and brands that brings a consumer-facing mark designed to highlight the authenticity and signify transparency.

We consult with clients on a wide range of areas to help them successfully maintain compliance with state laws and regulations. We provide project-focused consulting services to clients who are initiating or expanding their cannabis business operations or are interested in data consulting engagements with respect to the legal cannabis industry. Our advisory engagements include service offerings focused on compliance requirement assessments, readiness and best practices, compliance monitoring systems, application processes, inspection readiness, and business plan and compliance reviews. We typically provide our consulting services to clients in emerging markets that are seeking consultation on newly introduced licensing regimes and assistance with the regulatory compliant build-out of operations. 

Fiscal Year-end

           On September 25, 2020, our Board of Directors adopted resolutions to change our fiscal year-end from June 30 to December 31, effective for the year ended December 31, 2020. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have incurred recurring operating losses, used cash from operations, and relied on capital raising transactions to continue ongoing operations. During the six months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred a loss from operations of $15.7 million and used cash in operations of $8.9 million. During this same period, the Company incurred a number of one-time, non-recurring expenses of approximately $1.6 million. These expenses include business combination expenses, restructuring, and other non-recurring charges. 

During the six months ended December 31, 2020, we implemented a number of cost reduction initiatives reducing costs and identifying cost savings that we expect to result in annual savings of an additional $3.0 million to $4.0 million, primarily a result of a reduction in workforce. On December 23, 2020, we entered into waivers with all the holders of our outstanding senior secured convertible notes. We  may now elect, to pay installment amounts under the Notes prior to April 1, 2021, by issuing shares of common stock pursuant to installment conversions or by paying cash. On February 2, 2021, we agreed, in connection with the Company’s installment notice for the February 1, 2021 installment amount, to increase the installment amount for February 1, 2021, in the aggregate, by $4,400,000. From February 11, 2021 through March 10, 2021, we issued shares of common stock of Akerna to the holders of Akerna’s convertible notes upon conversion of installment amounts. As of March 31, 2021, the principal balance of the senior secured convertible notes was $7.5 million.

After considering all available evidence, we determined that, due to our current positive working capital, our ability to repay our senior secured convertible note with shares of our common stock, and our initiatives to reduce operating expenditures, that we have sufficient working capital to sustain operations for a period of at least twelve months from the date that our December 31, 2020 financial statements were issued. Management will continue to evaluate our liquidity and capital resources.

From time to time, we may pursue various strategic business opportunities. These opportunities may include investment in or ownership of additional technology companies through direct investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other arrangements. We can provide no assurance that we will successfully identify such opportunities or that, if we identify and pursue any of these opportunities, any of them will be consummated. Consequently, we may raise additional equity or debt capital or enter into arrangements to secure the necessary financing to fund the completion of such strategic business opportunities, although no assurance can be provided that we will be successful in completing a future capital raise. The sale of additional equity could result in additional dilution to our existing stockholders, and financing arrangements may not be available to us, or may not be available in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms. Our future operating performance will be subject to future economic conditions and to financial, business, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.