ClearSign Technologies Corp: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2023

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as our audited financial statements and related notes included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis here and throughout this Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, the risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Overview

We design and develop technologies for the purpose of improving key performance characteristics of combustion systems, including emission and operational performance, energy efficiency and overall cost-effectiveness. Our ClearSign Core™ technology has been proven in full scale industrial test furnaces and boilers and first customer installations are currently operating in normal commercial applications. We have generated nominal revenues from operations to date to meet operating expenses.

We have incurred losses since inception totaling $90.0 million and we expect to experience operating losses and negative cash flow for the foreseeable future. We have historically financed our operations primarily through issuances of equity securities. Since inception, we have raised approximately $91.0 million in gross proceeds through the sale of our equity securities. We may need to raise additional capital in the future, however, the significant volatility in the capital markets may negatively affect our ability to raise this additional capital.

In order to generate meaningful revenues, our technologies must gain market recognition and acceptance to develop sufficient recurring sales. In addition, management believes that the successful growth and operation of our business is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate sources of funding through co-development agreements, strategic partnering agreements, or equity or debt financing to support commercialization of our research and development efforts, protect intellectual property, form relationships with strategic partners and provide for working capital and general corporate purposes. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving our long-term plans, or that such plans, if consummated, will result in profitable operations or enable us to continue in the long-term as a going concern.

With respect to our China operations, we have a satellite office located in Beijing, China to support our commercialization efforts. At this time, these operations in China are immaterial compared to total company operations. As of March 31, 2023, our China asset balance totaled $277 thousand, or approximately 3%, compared to our total asset balance of $10,167 thousand. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, our China operations reported zero revenues.

Our costs include employee salaries and benefits, compensation paid to consultants, materials and supplies for prototype development and manufacture, costs associated with development activities including materials, sub-contractors, travel and administration, legal and accounting expenses, sales and marketing costs, general and administrative expenses, and other costs associated with an early stage, publicly traded technology company. We currently have 16 full-time employees. Because using third party expertise and resources is more efficient than maintaining full time resources, we also expect to incur ongoing consulting expenses related to technology development and some administrative, sales and legal functions commensurate with our current level of activities.

The amount that we spend for any specific purpose may vary significantly, and could depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the pace of progress of our commercialization and development efforts, actual needs with respect to product testing, development and research, market conditions, and changes in or revisions to our sales and marketing strategies.

Research, development, and commercial acceptance of new technologies are, by their nature, unpredictable. Although we undertake development and commercialization efforts with reasonable diligence, there can be no assurance that the net proceeds from our securities offerings will be sufficient to enable us to develop our technology to the extent needed to create sufficient future sales to sustain operations. If the net proceeds from these offerings are insufficient for this purpose, we will consider other options to continue our path to commercialization, including, but not limited to, additional financing through follow-on equity offerings, debt financing, co-development agreements, sale or licensing of developed intellectual or other property, or other alternatives.

We cannot assure that our technologies will be accepted, that we will ever earn revenues sufficient to support our operations, or that we will ever be profitable. Furthermore, we have no committed source of financing, and we cannot assure that we will be able to raise money as and when we need it to continue our operations. If we cannot raise funds as and when we need them, we may be required to scale back our development by reducing expenditures for employees, consultants, business development and marketing efforts or to otherwise severely curtail, or even to cease, our operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain accounting policies and estimates are particularly important to the understanding of our financial position and results of operations. These policies and estimates require the application of significant judgment by management. These estimates can be materially affected by changes from period to period as economic factors and conditions outside of our control change. As a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying these policies, our management uses their judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical operations, our future business plans and projected financial results, the terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. See Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for a more complete description of our significant accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition and Cost of Goods Sold.

The Company recognizes revenue and related cost of goods sold in accordance with FASB ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). Revenues and cost of goods sold are recognized once the goods or services are delivered to the customer’s control or non-refundable performance obligations are satisfied. The Company’s contracts with customers generally have performance obligations and a schedule of non-refundable cancellation obligations. The contracts generally will be fully performed upon delivery of certain documents or equipment. Revenue related to the contracts is recognized following the completion of non-refundable performance obligations as defined in the contract.

The Company’s contracts generally include progress payments from customers upon completion of defined milestones. As these payments are received, they are offset against accumulated project costs and recorded as either contract assets or contract liabilities. Upon completion of the performance obligations and collectability is determined, revenue can be recorded. For any contract in connection with which the Company is expected to incur costs in excess of the contact price, the Company accrues the estimated loss in full in the period such determination is made.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company tests long-lived assets, consisting of fixed assets, patents, and other intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. In the event an asset in not fully recoverable a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is determined based on the present value of estimated expected cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the risks involved, quoted market prices, or appraised values depending upon the nature of the assets. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of is determined in a similar manner, except those fair values are reduced for the cost of disposal.

Product Warranties

The Company warrants all installed products against defects in materials and workmanship, and shortcomings in performance compared to contractual guarantees for a period specified in each contract. Accruals for product warranties are based on expected warranty experience and current product performance trends which are recorded as a component of cost of sales at the time revenue is recognized. The warranty liabilities are reduced by material and labor costs during the warranty period in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary, and such adjustments could be material if estimates differ significantly from actual warranty expense. The warranty liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Research and Development

The cost of research and development is expensed as incurred. Research and development costs consist of salaries, benefits, share based compensation, consumables, and consulting fees, including costs to develop and test prototype equipment and parts. Research and development costs are offset by any funds received from strategic partners in cost sharing, collaborative projects.

Stock-Based Compensation

The costs of all employee stock options, as well as other equity-based compensation arrangements, are reflected in the unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the grant date. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, or in the case of performance options, expense is recognized upon completion of a milestone as defined in the grant agreement. Stock-based compensation for stock grants to non-employees is determined as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company's financial instruments primarily consist of cash equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short-term investments in government securities. As of the balance sheet date, the estimated fair values of the financial instruments were not materially different from their carrying values as presented on the consolidated balance sheets. This is primarily attributed to the short maturities of these instruments.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

Highlights of our quarter financial performance are as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)

Sales and Gross Profit

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $894 thousand compared to zero for the same period in 2022. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are mostly related to our process burner product line and an associated burner performance test. The associated burner performance test satisfied a contractual performance obligation, per ASC 606 standards, that required our customer to witness a successful burner performance test that meet their engineering specifications.

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2023, increased by $106 thousand, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, gross profit was generated predominantly by our successful process burner performance test, which allowed us to recognize revenues and associated profit.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses consist of research and development (R&D) and general and administrative (G&A) expenses. These are addressed separately below.

Research and Development

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses remained relatively consistent year-over-year.

General and Administrative

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased by $241 thousand, or approximately 17.1%, to $1,650 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $1,409 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2022. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, G&A expenses were unfavorably impacted by $187 thousand, due to vesting of restricted stock units triggered by the departure of a board director.

Other Income

Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $275 thousand as compared to $27 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022, or an approximate 918.5% increase. The sale of materials from the decommissioning of our Seattle office favorably impacted other income by $119 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Further, the receipt of government assistance monies related to our Oklahoma Quality Jobs rebate agreement and Department of Energy grant favorably impacted other income by $93 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Interest income from short-term investments favorably impacted other income by $58 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net Loss

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $1,429 thousand as compared to $1,490 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022, or an approximate 4.1% decrease. The $61 thousand decrease in net loss during the three months ended March 31, 2023, is primarily attributable to the $106 thousand increase in gross profit referenced in the above explanation.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalent balance totaled $5,328 thousand compared to $6,451 thousand at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $1,123 thousand. At March 31, 2023, our short-term held-to-maturity investments totaled $3,161 thousand, which is an increase of $555 thousand compared to $2,606 at December 31, 2022.

At March 31, 2023, our current assets were in excess of current liabilities resulting in working capital of $7,493 thousand as compared to $8,586 thousand at December 31, 2022. We have no contractual debt obligations, and the Company has sufficient working capital to fund current operating expenses for over twelve months. To the extent the Company requires additional funds more than 12 months from the date hereof, and customer cash collections cannot fund our needs, the Company may utilize equity offerings. Historically, the Company has funded operations predominately through equity offerings.

Currently, the Company can sell shares of common stock through its ATM program. As of March 31, 2023, the remaining aggregate offering price for future sales of common stock on the ATM is approximately $8.7 million, subject to the SEC’s “baby shelf rules,” which prohibits companies with a public float of less than $75 million from issuing securities under a shelf registration statement in excess of one-third of such company’s public float in a 12-month period (for more details, see “Note 6 – Equity” in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements). Future sales of shares of common stock and the price at which we may be able to sell such shares of common stock under the ATM are dependent on factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to, market conditions, the trading price of our common stock and our capital needs.

We filed a Form S-3 shelf registration statement with the SEC on July 1, 2022 that was declared effective on August 12, 2022.The registration statement on Form S-3 allows us to offer common stock, preferred stock, warrants, subscription rights, debt securities and units from time to time, as market conditions permit to fund, to the extent required beyond the 12 months from the date hereof, the ongoing operations of the Company. Until the growth of revenue increases to a level that covers operating expenses, the Company intends to continue to fund operations in this manner, although, the volatility in the capital markets and potential upcoming recession may negatively affect our ability to do so.

Operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, resulted in cash outflows of $554 thousand, primarily due to the loss for the period of $1,429 thousand, offset with non-cash expenses of $329 thousand, and an increase of $392 thousand of contract liabilities, which represents payments from customers in advance of future project costs.

Operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, resulted in cash outflows of $1,503 thousand, primarily due to the loss for the period of $1,490 thousand, offset with non-cash expenses of $135 thousand.

Investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 resulted in cash outflows of $554 thousand, which is primarily attributable to $2,162 thousand of short-term held-to-maturity U.S. treasury purchases offset by $1,627 thousand in redemption of the same investments.

Investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, resulted in cash outflows of $38 thousand in disbursements for fixed and intangible assets, and cash inflows of $23 thousand in proceeds from fixed asset sales.

Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, included $15 thousand in disbursements for taxes paid related to vesting of employee restricted stock units.

Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, included $578 thousand in net proceeds from the sale of 496 thousand shares of our common stock through our ATM program at an average price of $1.24 per share.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

We do not have any off-balance sheet transactions.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal accounting and financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and our Vice President and Controller (principal accounting and financial officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2023, our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and our Vice President and Controller (principal accounting and financial officer) 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 that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and our Vice President and Controller (principal accounting and financial officer), does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also 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. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

We incorporate herein by reference the risk factors included under “Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2023, and the risk factors included in the reports and other documents we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to that date. There are no material changes from the risk factors set forth in such prior filings, except as set forth below.

If we fail to comply with the continued minimum closing bid requirement of The Nasdaq Capital Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) by October 30, 2023 or other requirements for continued listing, including stockholder equity requirements, our common stock may be delisted and the price of our common stock and our ability to access the capital markets could be negatively impacted.

Our common stock is listed for trading on Nasdaq, therefore, we must satisfy Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, including, among other things, a minimum closing bid price requirement of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days.

On November 1, 2022, the Company received notice from Nasdaq that the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock had been below $1.00 per share for the previous 30 consecutive business days, and that the Company was therefore not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for continued inclusion on Nasdaq under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Rule”). Nasdaq’s notice had no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq. The notice indicated that the Company had 180 calendar days, until May 1, 2023, to regain compliance with the Rule. We were not able to regain compliance within this 180-day period. On May 2, 2023, we were granted an additional compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until October 30, 2023, to regain compliance with the minimum closing bid requirement. The Company could regain compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid listing requirement if the closing bid price of its common stock is at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive business days during the 180-day compliance period. To qualify for this additional compliance period of 180 calendar days, the Company was required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of its publicly held shares and all other Nasdaq initial listing standards, except the bid price requirement, and provide written notice to Nasdaq of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules. If we are unable to regain compliance with the minimum closing bid price requirement or if we fail to meet any of the other continued listing requirements, including stockholder equity requirements, our securities may be delisted from Nasdaq, which could reduce the liquidity of our common stock materially and result in a corresponding material reduction in the price of our common stock. In addition, delisting could harm our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, and may result in the potential loss of confidence by investors, employees and business development opportunities.