Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Description of Business

v3.21.2
Description of Business
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Description of Business

Note 1 - Description of Business

 

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, Viridian Sciences, Inc, or Viridian, 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®, Trellis® and Viridian Sciences® 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. 

 

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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we incurred a loss from operations of $3.7 million and $13.3 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we used cash in operations of $5.2 million. As of September 30, 2021, we had cash of $9.6 million, excluding restricted cash, and working capital of $7.7 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred a number of one-time, non-recurring expenses of approximately $2.9 million. These expenses include business combination and merger related costs, restructuring charges, and other non-recurring charges. 

 

On July 23, 2021, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners ("ATM Program"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, we may offer and sell from time to time, up to $25 million of shares of our common stock. As of September 30, 2021, we have raised $1.9 million through the issuance of 556,388 shares through the ATM program. While no assurance can be provided that we will be able to raise further capital under the program, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our shares of common stock, if any, for general corporate purposes, including working capital, marketing, product development, capital expenditures and merger and acquisition activities.

 

Subsequent to yearend, on October 5, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the two institutional investors that held the Company's convertible notes issued in June of 2020 (the "2020 Notes") to sell senior secured notes in a private placement (the "Senior Convertible Notes"). The Senior Convertible Notes have an aggregate principal amount of $20,000,000, an aggregate original issue discount of 10%, and rank senior to all our other outstanding and future indebtedness. Approximately $3.3 million of the proceeds from the Senior Convertible Notes were used to payoff the 2020 Notes, which were then to be cancelled. The net proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Convertible Notes was approximately $14.6 million, following the original issue discount and deductions for expenses and paydown of the 2020 Notes. These net proceeds will be used to support Akerna's ongoing growth initiatives and continued investment in current and future technology infrastructure. The Senior Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of common stock of Akerna at a conversion price of $4.05 per share. The Senior Convertible Notes mature on October 5, 2024 and are to be repaid in monthly installments beginning on January 1, 2022. The Senior Convertible Notes can be repaid in common shares or cash.

 

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, the funds raised from the ATM Program and the Senior Convertible Notes, as well as our ongoing initiatives to drive operating effectiveness, that we have sufficient working capital to sustain operations for a period of at least twelve months from the date that our September 30, 2021 financial statements were issued.

 

In the event the Company requires additional liquidity, the Company believes it can further reduce or defer expenses. More specifically, the Company could implement certain discretionary cost reduction initiatives relating to our spending on employee travel and entertainment, consulting costs and marketing expenses, negotiate deferred salary arrangements, furlough employees or reduce headcount or negotiate extensions of payments of rent and utilities. The Company also believes it has access to capital through future debt or equity offerings and could be successful in renegotiating the maturity dates or conversion option relating to its current outstanding notes payable, although no assurance can be provided that we would be successful in these efforts. Management will continue to evaluate our liquidity and capital resources.