Airgain Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

The following discussion and analysis and the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this quarterly report, including statements regarding our future operating results, financial position and cash flows, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this quarterly report are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, operating results, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this quarterly report and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.

Overview

Airgain is a premier provider of wireless connectivity solutions, offering a range of embedded components, external antennas, and integrated systems worldwide. We streamline wireless connectivity across devices and markets, with a focus on solving complex connectivity challenges, expediting time to market, and optimizing wireless signals. Our mission is to connect the world through optimized, integrated wireless solutions. Our product portfolio focuses on three key markets: enterprise, consumer, and automotive.

Our current enterprise products include embedded cellular modems, antennas for access points and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and asset trackers. We expect to expand our product offering with fixed wireless access solutions and Smart Network Controlled Cellular Repeaters (Smart NCRs). Our consumer products include embedded antennas for consumer access points, wireless gateways, smart home devices and fixed wireless access devices. Our current automotive products include aftermarket antennas that are typically connected to third-party cellular and Wi-Fi-enabled routers, digital video evidence devices, and telematics gateways. We also recently launched a second generation AirgainConnect® Fleet system solution – a low profile, roof-mounted 5G vehicle gateway, combining a cellular modem, antennas, and additional features into a single device.

We have a rich history of providing radio frequency (RF) expertise, services, and solutions to mobile operators and major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). With the addition of NimbeLink products in 2021, we expanded our capabilities to include embedded cellular modems, asset trackers and custom IoT systems. We are leveraging our RF and systems experience, and our Mobile Network Operator (MNO) and Multiple Service Operator (MSO) relationships to deliver new and differentiated products.

We use an outsource manufacturing model for our products while maintaining oversight for quality, test, and delivery timeline. We also maintain an intellectual property strategy that includes patent and trademark filings in multiple jurisdictions.

Core Markets

Airgain’s core business primarily focuses on the following three key markets:

• The enterprise market requires reliable wireless access across various settings, including smart cities, utilities, factories, buildings, campuses, transportation hubs, stadiums, and suburban developments. Our NimbeLink embedded modems serve numerous enterprise sectors requiring cellular connectivity such as packaging, logistics, EV charging, smart cities, smart buildings, agriculture, asset tracking, and self-service innovations. These NimbeLink cellular modems, which are both patented and end-device certified, minimize the need for additional carrier certifications. Our asset trackers are deployed across transportation, supply chain, and other specialized applications. In addition to hardware, our asset tracking offering includes a recurring revenue component, our subscription-based NLink cloud-based device enablement platform, which allows for deployment and integration with enterprise systems via open APIs. Our custom products feature joint engineering collaboration with strategic customers to develop industrial IoT products (IIoT) for specific applications while helping them reduce their time to market. Our enterprise IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) antennas are extensively deployed in diverse systems, devices, and applications, including access points, gateways, fixed wireless access devices and utility meters. In 2023, we unveiled a new line of Fixed Wireless Access products designed to address 5G connectivity challenges, reduce deployment costs and enhance customer experiences. In 2023, we also announced our Lighthouse™ smart repeaters platform designed to reduce an operator’s capital expenses for extending range, while enhancing 5G coverage.
• The consumer market represents a vast audience utilizing wireless-enabled devices. Our embedded antennas are deployed in various consumer applications including access points, wireless gateways, FWA devices, Wi-Fi routers and extenders, smart TVs, smart home devices, and set-top boxes. These consumer products support a variety of technologies, products and services, including LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LPWAN and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). We announced in November 2023 that Airgain was selected by a major Tier 1 MNO in North America to supply its next generation antennas for its indoor FWA. This selection comes amid ongoing consumer shifts away from traditional wired broadband to wireless as more major telecom providers offer broadband internet access as part of their bundled offerings. We continue to grow our relationships with MSOs and MNOs as the market evolves with both wired and wireless broadband internet offerings.
• In the automotive market, our products are deployed in a wide range of vehicles in the fleet and aftermarket applications, supporting a variety of technologies that include Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G, LPWAN, GNSS, and Bluetooth. Fleet and aftermarket products in the automotive market typically consist of applications where vehicular wireless routers are paired with external antenna systems to provide connectivity to mobile assets. We offer a full line of external fleet antennas that are designed to be rugged, reliable, and flexible to meet almost any need. We design our products for performance, quality, and long product life and our antennas connect to almost any vehicular router or modem. These antennas include high-performance and low-profile versions that mount on the roof, trunk, windshield, or dashboard and are optimized for 5G, 4G, Wi-Fi, and GNSS. In January 2024 we announced our next-generation product named AirgainConnect Fleet (AC-Fleet). The AC-Fleet solution is 5G and carrier agnostic allowing for a larger target market compared our first generation AC-HPUE solution.

Macroeconomic conditions

Macroeconomic conditions continued to create demand softness industrywide, including downward pressures relating to the anticipated service provider shift from Wi-Fi 6E to Wi-Fi 7. This demand softness combined with excess inventories in our channels and those of our direct customers, drove quarter-over-quarter declines in our Enterprise, Automotive and Consumer markets. We believe that the fourth quarter of 2023 was the trough for our business. As we turn to 2024, we anticipate a year of gradual growth driven by recoveries in our end markets, investments in product innovations, and launches of our 5-G connectivity initiatives. We remain focused on the execution of our strategic product initiatives and operational efficiencies, as they lay out the foundation of our revenue and profitability growth when market conditions improve.

Factors Affecting Our Operating Results

We believe that our performance and future success depend upon several factors including macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, epidemic diseases, impact of inflation on consumer spending, and our ability to transition from a component provider to a wireless systems provider and to develop technology leadership and expand our markets.

Our performance and future success also depend on factors such as continued investments in our growth, our ability to expand into growing addressable markets, including consumer, enterprise, and automotive, the average selling prices of our products per device, manufacturing costs and our ability to diversify the number of devices that incorporate our antenna products. Our customers are price conscious, and our operating results are affected by pricing pressure which may force us to lower prices below our established list prices. In addition, a few end-customer devices which incorporate our antenna products comprise a significant amount of our sales, and the discontinuation or modification of such devices may materially and adversely affect our sales and results of operations. Our ability to maintain or increase our sales depends on, among other things:

• new and existing end customers selecting our solutions for their wireless devices and networks;
• investments in our growth to address customer needs;
• development of our product offerings and technology solutions;
• our ability to target new end markets;
• the proliferation of Wi-Fi connected home devices and data intensive applications;
• the impact of global supply shortages on our business and that of our end customers;
• international expansion in light of continuing global tensions; and
• the ability to successfully integrate past and any future acquisitions.

In addition, inflation generally affects us by increasing our raw material and employee-related costs and other expenses. Our financial condition and results of operations may also be impacted by other factors we may not be able to control, such as uncertain global economic conditions, pandemics and epidemics, global trade disputes or political instability, as well as conflicts around the world. We do not believe that such factors had a material adverse impact on our results of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

While each of these areas presents significant opportunities for us, they also pose significant risks and challenges we must successfully address. We discuss many of these risks, uncertainties and other factors in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Seasonality

Our operating results historically have not been subject to significant seasonal variations. Although it is difficult to make broad generalizations, our sales tend to be lower in the first quarter of each year compared to other quarters due to the Lunar New Year. Results for any quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year and these patterns may change because of general customer demand or product cycles.

Key Components of Our Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Sales

We primarily generate revenue from the sales of our products. We recognize revenue to depict the transfer of control over promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. We generally recognize product sales at the time of shipment to our customers, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. We also generate service revenue from agreements to provide design, engineering, and testing services as well as subscription revenue from the sale of data plans.

Cost of Goods Sold

The cost of goods sold reflects the cost of producing antenna, embedded modem and system solutions products that are shipped to our customers as well as costs incurred for service agreements. This primarily includes manufacturing costs of our products payable to our third-party CMs. The cost of goods sold that we generate from services and subscription revenues primarily includes personnel costs and the cost to maintain data lines.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses are classified into three categories: research and development, sales and marketing, general and administrative. The largest component of expense is personnel costs, which includes salaries, employee benefit costs, bonuses, and stock-based compensation. Operating expenses also include allocated overhead costs for depreciation of equipment, facilities and information technology. Allocated costs for facilities consist of amortization of leasehold improvements as well as rent and utility expenses and taxes. Operating expenses are generally recognized as incurred.

Research and Development. Research and development expenses primarily consist of personnel and project development costs. These expenses include work related to the design, development and testing of antennas, modems and system solutions. These expenses include salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, bonuses, project development and testing, prototype material, consulting, travel, and similar costs, and depreciation and allocated costs for certain facilities. We expect research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars in future periods as we continue to invest in the development of new solutions and markets, although our research and development expense may fluctuate as a percentage of total sales.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of personnel and facility-related costs for our sales, marketing, and business development personnel, stock-based compensation and bonuses earned by our sales personnel, and commissions earned by our third-party sales representative firms. Sales and marketing expenses also include the costs of trade shows, advertising, marketing programs, promotional materials, demonstration equipment, travel, and allocated costs for certain facilities. We expect sales and marketing expenses to fluctuate as a percentage of total sales.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of personnel and facility related costs for our executive, legal, human resource finance, and administrative personnel, including stock-based compensation, as well as legal, accounting, other professional services fees, depreciation, and other corporate expenses. We expect general and administrative expenses to fluctuate as we grow our operations.

Other (Income) Expense

Interest Income, net. Interest income consists of interest from our cash and cash equivalents offset by interest expense which consists of interest charges on credit card charges and certain vendor bills.

Other Expense. Other expense consists of the loss from disposal of property and equipment, realized foreign exchange gains or losses, and other income and expenses.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes consists of federal and state income taxes. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. It is difficult for us to project future taxable income as the timing and size of sales of our products are variable and difficult to predict. We concluded that it is not more likely than not that we will utilize our deferred tax assets other than those that are offset by reversing temporary differences.

Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our operating results for the periods presented and as a percentage of our total sales for those periods. The period-to-period comparison of financial results is not necessarily indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (dollars in thousands)

Sales

Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased $2.2 million or 13.5% compared to the same period in the prior year. Consumer market sales decreased $1.6 million to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $5.1 million during the same period in the prior year, primarily due to lower sales to cable operators. Automotive market sales decreased $1.1 million, to $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $2.9 million during the same period in the prior year, driven by excess inventory correction impacting our Aftermarket antenna sales direct customers. Enterprise market sales increased $0.5 million to $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 from $8.4 million during the same period in the prior year, primarily due to channel correction of excess inventory in 2023, impacting our IIoT products sales.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased $1.5 million or 14.5% compared to the same period in the prior year. The decline was primarily due to sales decline.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased $0.7 million or 11.7%, compared to the same period in the prior year, driven by lower sales. Gross profit as a percentage of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased by 80 basis points compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by higher automotive margins.

Operating Expenses

Research and development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased $0.7 million or 27.4% compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to higher employee expenses and project development expenses.

Sales and marketing expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased $0.7 million or 24.7% compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower employee expenses.

General and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased $0.9 million or 22.8% compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was driven by lower employee, marketing and professional service expenses.

Other (Income) Expense

Other expense consists primarily of foreign currency transaction remeasurement adjustments.

Income Tax Expense

27

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased $0.2 million or 270.7% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to receiving a tax refund.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We had cash and cash equivalents of $7.2 million at March 31, 2024.

Prior to 2013 and for the years ended 2018, 2020, 2021 2022, and 2023, we have incurred net losses. As a result, we have an accumulated deficit of $81.0 million at March 31, 2024.

We plan to continue to invest for long-term growth, including expanding our sales engineering and sales teams to execute on our product roadmap and further penetrate domestic and international markets. We anticipate that these investments will continue to increase in absolute dollars. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents balance will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.

The following table presents a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods set forth below (in thousands):

Net cash used in operating activities. Net cash used by operating activities was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. This was primarily driven by the net loss of $2.5 million offset by $1.9 million in non-cash expenses and a $0.7 million net change in operating assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was for purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash provided by financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily from $0.5 million of net proceeds after fees and expenses from issuing approximately 124,600 shares of common stock via an “at-the-market” (ATM) offering. Additionally, we received $0.1 million from the proceeds from common stock issuances under the ESPP. These proceeds were partially offset by $0.1 million tax payments for net share settlement of restricted stock units.

Employee Retention Credit

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law providing an employee retention credit (ERC), which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes on qualified wages. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act amended the qualifications for eligible employers who could apply and extended the availability of the ERC employment taxes on qualified wages paid after December 31, 2020 through September 30, 2021. We believe that we qualify for application of the ERC on qualified wages from the second quarter of 2020 through the third quarter of 2021.

In August 2023, we applied for ERC refunds, totaling $2.5 million, net of professional fees. Pending the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) review and determination of our eligibility, we anticipate receiving the ERC refunds within the next nine months. However, there can be no assurance we will ultimately receive the amounts we currently expect, if any, or the timeframe of any such receipt, based on IRS review or otherwise.

Liquidity and Capital Resources Assessment

As of December 31, 2023, management performed the annual assessment of the Company's ability to meet its obligations as they become due within one year based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable. Following ASC 205-40 guidance, management considered quantitative and qualitative information to evaluate the Company's ability to meet obligations. Based on the analysis of the relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably known as of December 31, 2023, the Company concluded that it is probable that it will be able to meet all of its financial obligations as they become due in the year 2024.

The relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably known as of March 31, 2024 related to the Company have not significantly changed since December 31, 2023. Therefore, the resulting cash inflows along with the existing funds and the capital that is anticipated to be raised from the ATM offering are expected to be sufficient for the Company’s financial obligations as they become due in 2024.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of our business during the three months ended March 31, 2024, to the information regarding our contractual obligations that was disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

At the Market Sales Agreement

On March 7, 2024, the Company entered into an At-the-Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, the Company may sell, at its option, up to an aggregate of $5.0 million in shares of its Common Stock through Craig-Hallum, as sales agent. Sales of the Common Stock made pursuant to the Sales Agreement have been or will be made under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on March 15, 2022 (File No. 333-263568) (the “Registration Statement”), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2022. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, Craig-Hallum may sell the shares, if any, only by methods deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Company has agreed to pay Craig-Hallum a sales commission of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for sales under the Sales Agreement and to provide Craig-Hallum with customary indemnification and contribution rights, including for liabilities under the Securities Act. In addition, the Company is required to reimburse Craig-Hallum for certain specified expenses in connection with entering into the Sales Agreement.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and operating results is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported sales and expenses during the reporting periods. These items are monitored and analyzed by us for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results for the period in which they become known. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Goodwill Impairment Assessment

For the annual goodwill impairment assessment, as of December 31, 2023, the Company determined that there were no events or circumstances that indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount. Based on the assessment performed, we concluded that an impairment charge to goodwill was not required as of December 31, 2023.

The Company evaluated the goodwill impairment considerations as of March 31, 2024. The Company's macroeconomic conditions, stock share, market capitalization, working capital, industry and market conditions, operating cash flow and forecasted cash flows have not significantly changed since the annual goodwill impairment assessment that was performed as of December 31, 2023. After assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determined that there were no events or circumstances as of March 31, 2024 that indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount. Since there was no indication that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company determined that a quantitative goodwill impairment test was not necessary as of March 31, 2024. Based on the assessment performed, we concluded that an impairment charge to goodwill was not required as of March 31, 2024.

Certain future events and circumstances, including adverse changes in the business and economic conditions and changes in customer behavior could result in changes to our assumptions and judgments used in the impairment tests. A downward revision of these assumptions could cause the total fair value of our goodwill and intangible assets to fall below carrying values and a non-cash impairment charge would be required. Such a charge may have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” within the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information under this item.

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic and current reports that we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. In addition, the design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

A description of the risk factors associated with our business is included in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to such risk factors. In evaluating our business, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The occurrence of any of the risks discussed in such filings, or other events that we do not currently anticipate or that we currently deem immaterial, could harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In that case the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.