Laser Photonics Corp
For the period ended Jul 15, 2024. Filed Jul 15, 2024.
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What shareholders are asked to vote on at a company's meeting. It is where to find what directors and top executives are paid, and who owns the most shares.
Jul 15, 2024 · Filed Jul 15, 2024
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DEF 14A 1 formdef14a.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Schedule 14A
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☒ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12 |
Laser Photonics Corporation
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒ No fee required.
☐ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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The matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting by the holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), are: (i) the election of four (4) director nominees to our Board of Directors (our “Board”); and (ii) the ratification of the appointment of Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2024 (the year that will end on December 31, 2024). We may also transact such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.Our Board recommends that you vote in accordance with our Board’s recommendations on all proposals using the enclosed proxy card.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on July 1, 2024, are entitled to notice of and are cordially invited to attend this Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote as soon as possible so that your shares are represented. We urge you to vote TODAY by completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and promptly mailing it in the postage pre-paid envelope provided or following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card to vote via the Internet or by fax. Returning your proxy card will not prevent you from attending the Annual Meeting but will ensure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend in person.
The Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) and proxy card will be mailed to shareholders on or about July 19, 2024.
On behalf of everyone at Laser Photonics Corporation, we are grateful for your continued trust and support. Thank you for being a Laser Photonics shareholder.
By order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Wayne Tupuola
Wayne Tupuola
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Orlando, Florida
July 15, 2024
1101 N. Keller Road, Suite G
Orlando, FL 32810
July 15, 2024
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Shareholders of Laser Photonics Corporation:
The 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Laser Photonics Corporation (including any adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”) will be held at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, August 30, 2024, virtually athttps://agm.issuerdirect.com/lase. As a shareholder, you will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting virtually and will have the opportunity to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote.
As described more fully in the Company’s proxy statement detailing the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”), at the Annual Meeting, the holders of our Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) will be asked to:
| (1) | Elect four (4) directors to serve on our Board of Directors; |
| (2) | Ratify the appointment of Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm; and |
| (3) | Transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on July 1, 2024, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Such shareholders are urged to submit the enclosed proxy card, even if their shares were sold after such date.
The Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, are available athttps://agm.issuerdirect.com/lase.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible so that your voice is heard. We urge you toVOTE TODAY by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card to vote by the Internet or fax or by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Returning the proxy does not deprive you of your right to attend and to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in person. More information on voting your proxy card and attending the Annual Meeting can be found in the accompanying Proxy Statement. Please refer to “Proxy Voting Summary” on page 1 of the Proxy Statement and the instructions on the proxy card. If you are the beneficial owner of your shares (that is, you hold your shares in “street name” through an intermediary such as a broker, bank or other nominee), you will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee as to how to vote your shares or submit a proxy to have your shares voted. We urge you to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares “FOR” our Board’s director nominees and “**FOR”**Proposal 2 using the enclosed proxy card.
OUR BOARD STRONGLY RECOMMENDS VOTING “FOR” EACH OF OUR BOARD’S DIRECTOR NOMINEES UNDER PROPOSAL 1 AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 2 USING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Wayne Tupuola
Chief Executive Officer
PROXY STATEMENT FOR
2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
LASER PHOTONICS CORPORATION
This proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Laser Photonics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Laser Photonics ,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held on August 30, 2024 (including any adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”) at 12:00 PM, Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual format only, via a live webcast.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on July 1, 2024 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to receive the Notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 12,270,427 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”) issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy card were first mailed or given to shareholders on or about July 19, 2024.
| PROXY STATEMENT | 4 |
|---|---|
| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS | 7 |
| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 13 |
| SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 18 |
| EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 18 |
| PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 27 |
| PROPOSAL 2 - RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KREIT & CHIU CPA LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 28 |
PROXY VOTING SUMMARY
You have received these proxy materials because the Board is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider in deciding how to vote your shares, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting. Page references are supplied to help you find further information in this Proxy Statement.
| 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders | Meeting Agenda | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | August 30, 2024 | Election of four (4) directors to serve on our Board of Directors |
| Time | 12:00 PM, Eastern Time | Ratification of the appointment of Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm |
| Place | https://agm.issuerdirect.com/lase | |
| Record Date | Shareholders holding the Company’s Common Stock as of July 1, 2024, are entitled to vote. |
Voting Matters and Vote Recommendation
| Proposal | Board Recommendation | Reasons for Board Recommendation | More info | |
| 1. | Election of four (4) directors to serve on our Board of Directors | FOR each of the Company’s nominees | The Board and Nominating and Governance Committee believe that each of the Company’s four (4) Board candidates possess the skills, experience, and diversity of background to effectively monitor performance, provide oversight, and advise management on the Company’s long-term strategy and are best positioned to serve the interests of the Company’s shareholders. | Page __ |
| 2. | Ratification of the appointment of Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm | FOR | The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors believes that the appointment of Kreit & Chiu CPA LLP is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. | Page __ |
ABOUT LASER PHOTONICS CORPORATION
We are pioneering a new generation of laser blasting technologies focused on disrupting the sandblasting and abrasives blasting markets. We offer a full portfolio of integrated laser blasting solutions for corrosion control, rust removal, de-coating, pre-welding and post-welding, laser cleaning and surface conditioning. Our solutions span use cases throughout product lifecycles, from product fabrication to maintenance and repair, as well as aftermarket operations. Our laser blasting solutions are applicable in most industries dealing with materials processing, including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, consumer products, shipbuilding, aerospace, heavy industry, machine manufacturing, nuclear maintenance and de-commissioning and surface coating.
Our vertically integrated operations allow us to reduce development and advanced laser equipment manufacturing time, offer better prices, control quality and protect our proprietary knowhow and technology compared to other laser cleaning companies and companies with competing technologies.
We initiated our sales effort in December 2019. By December 31, 2023, we had net revenues of $3.9 million. Laser Photonics Corp is strategically positioned to drive growth and innovation in the laser technology market by targeting three key customer segments: government entities, Fortune 1000 companies, and medium/small businesses. Each of these segments presents unique opportunities and challenges, and our business model is designed to cater specifically to the needs and growth potential within each category.
For government agencies, we provide highly specialized laser solutions that meet stringent regulatory and performance standards. This segment benefits from our expertise in delivering reliable, durable, and effective laser systems for various applications, from defense and aerospace to public infrastructure projects. Working with government clients not only solidifies our reputation as a trusted provider of advanced laser technology but also paves the way for new contracts and collaborative projects.
Fortune 1000 companies represent another critical segment, where our laser technology can significantly enhance operational efficiency, precision, and productivity. By addressing the unique challenges of large-scale industrial applications, we position Laser Photonics Corp as an essential partner in the innovation strategies of these corporations. Our advanced laser solutions help these clients stay competitive and maintain high-quality standards, driving repeat business and fostering long-term partnerships.
Medium and small businesses constitute the third pivotal segment of our customer base. Recognizing the distinct needs and constraints of this market, we launched the Service Partner Network (“SPN”). This initiative is designed to empower medium and small businesses by providing them access to mobile demonstration units, enabling them to experience the advantages of our laser technology firsthand. The SPN serves a dual purpose: it facilitates immediate equipment sales and acts as a catalyst for demonstrating the practical benefits and capabilities of our products.
Through the SPN, we also support entrepreneurs looking to start their own mobile laser cleaning or rental service businesses. Our marketing team plays a crucial role in this ecosystem by generating and distributing leads to SPN members for a fee, thereby creating a continuous revenue stream. This collaborative approach not only bolsters the success of our SPN partners but also ensures sustained long-term revenue growth for Laser Photonics Corp.
By strategically targeting these three customer segments and leveraging the SPN to enhance our market penetration and product visibility, we believe that we are well-positioned for robust growth. Our comprehensive business model not only enhances customer engagement and satisfaction across diverse markets but also solidifies our standing as an innovative leader in the laser technology industry.
We market our products globally through our direct sales force which is located in the United States.
We have a perpetual, worldwide exclusive license agreement with ICT Investments, LLC (“ICT Investments”) to sell the Laser Photonics™ branded equipment for laser cleaning and rust removal, in exchange for a royalty equal to 6.5% of the gross sales of the equipment incorporating the licensor technology.
On October 16, 2023, we entered into a license agreement with an affiliate company, Fonon Technologies, Inc., which is majority-owned by ICT Investments, for an exclusive, worldwide, nontransferable license for high power turbo piercing (“Cold Cutting”) laser cutting technology and any improvements to such technology to allow us to manufacture, sell, export and import products incorporating such technology in return for our paying a license fee of $350,000 in cash and a one-time grant of 3,000,000 restricted shares of our common stock to ICT Investments.
Through our affiliation with ICT Investments, its portfolio companies and its customers, we have access to more than 1,500 high profile Fortune 5000 customer prospects as well as recognition as a global leader in manufacturing premium laser equipment. In addition, through the expertise and reputation of our officers, Board members and advisors, we have the foundation of our technologically advanced, disruptive laser systems specifically suited for most material processes with specific cleaning requirements and challenges.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.