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Solid Power Inc

For the period ended Dec 31, 2023. Filed Feb 28, 2024.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2023 · Filed Feb 28, 2024

SLDP$1.93-2.8%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.

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Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 – Nature of Business

Solid Power is developing solid-state battery technology for the EV and other markets. The Company’s planned business model is to sell its electrolyte and to license its cell designs and manufacturing processes. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has not derived material revenue from its principal business activities.

Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared on the basis of GAAP. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All amounts presented in the footnotes are in thousands, except share and per share amounts.

The Consolidated Financial Statements include accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.

Segment Reporting

The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer. The Company has determined that it operates inone operating segment andone reportable segment, as the CODM reviews financial information presented as a single entity for purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources, and evaluating financial performance.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and contingencies at the date of the financial statements as well as reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates made by the Company include, but are not limited to, those related to the valuation of stock warrants, and useful lives of long-term assets, among others. The Company bases these estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023 and periodically throughout the year, the Company’s cash accounts exceeded federally insured limits.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity, and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities, but the objectives are not to generate profits on short-term differences in price.

These securities are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ deficit until realized. Gains and losses on marketable security transactions are reported on the specific-identification method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.

Contract Receivables

Contract receivables consist of amounts due from government entities and commercial contractors. Management considers all contract receivables collectible, and therefore, an allowance for doubtful accounts has not been recorded as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Included within contract receivables are amounts for work performed but not billed as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, shown below.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022
Contract receivables not billed​$302​$1,083

Credit Risk and Major Customers

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and long-term investments. The Company seeks to mitigate its credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and long-term investments by making deposits with large, reputable financial institutions and investing in high credit rated instruments.

The Company grants credit in the normal course of business to government entities and commercial contractors in the United States. The Company periodically monitors the financial condition of its customers to reduce credit risk, but generally does not require collateral to support contract receivables.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · For the Years Ended December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Revenue Concentration​​​
Number of Customers​24
Related Total Revenue Percentage89%82%
Contract Receivable Concentration
Number of Customers32
Related Contract Receivables Percentage97%40%

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist primarily of security deposits, prepaid insurance, and other minor miscellaneous expenses paid in advance.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. The Company capitalizes property and equipment with useful lives exceeding one year. Assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The straight-line method is used for computing depreciation. Depreciation expenses are recorded within Direct costs and Research and development line items in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Cost of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred. Construction in progress related to specialized equipment will be reclassified as Property and equipment and depreciated, once placed in service.

​​​
​Depreciable Life - Years
Commercial production equipment​5 years
Laboratory equipment​5 years
Furniture and Computer Equipment3-7 years
Leasehold improvementsLesser of asset life or lease term

Long-Term Investments

The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of twelve months or more when purchased to be long-term investments.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of licenses and costs incurred for pending patents and trademarks. Licenses consist of rights to use patents and are amortized over their estimated useful life ofthree to 20 years. Patent and trademark costs are amortized over an estimated useful life upon award by the United States Patent and Trademark Office or expensed if the Company is unsuccessful in securing an issued patent. Intangible assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Assets not subject to amortization are tested at least annually for impairment if events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred.

Deferred Rent

Prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) on January 1, 2022, the Company had entered into operating lease agreements for each of its two facilities, each of which contain provisions for future rent increases or periods in which rent payments are reduced. The Company records monthly rent expense equal to the total of the payments due over the lease term, divided by the number of months of the lease term. The difference between rent expense recorded and the amount paid is credited or charged to deferred rent, which is reflected in Other Long-term Liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred rent also includes the unamortized portion of landlord-financed tenant improvement allowances, which are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a reduction in rent expense.

Leases

The Company accounts for its leases under ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this guidance, the Company classifies contracts meeting the definition of a lease as operating or financing leases, and leases are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as both a right-of-use asset and lease liability, calculated by discounting fixed lease payments over the lease term at the rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Lease liabilities are increased by interest and reduced by payments each period, and the right-of-use asset is amortized over the lease term. For operating leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the right-of-use asset result in straight-line rent expense over the lease term. For finance leases, interest on the lease liability and the amortization of the right-of-use asset results in front-loaded expense over the lease term. Variable lease expenses, including common maintenance fees, insurance and property tax, are recorded when incurred.

In calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability, the Company elects to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of assets. The Company excludes short-term leases having initial terms of 12 months or less as an accounting policy election, and instead recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Stock-based Compensation

The Company recognizes expenses for employee services received in exchange for stock-based compensation based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The determination of the estimated fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and is affected by the Company’s stock price, as well as assumptions regarding risk-free rate, dividend yield, and the historical volatility of comparable entities. Stock-based compensation is recorded as an expense only for those awards that are expected to vest. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting service period and is allocated ratably within Operating Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue

The Company records the elements of its JDAs in accordance with ASC Topic 808, Collaborative Arrangements. Accordingly, the elements of the JDAs that represent activities in which both parties are active participants and are exposed to the significant risks and rewards that are dependent on the commercial success of the activities are recorded as collaborative arrangements. The Company considers the guidance in ASC 606-10-15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Scope and Scope Exceptions, in determining the appropriate treatment for the transactions between the Company and its partners or third parties. Generally, the classification of transactions under the JDAs is determined based on the nature and contractual terms of the arrangement along with the nature of the operations of the participants. The Company recognizes collaborative revenue from cost contracts on the basis of costs incurred during the period and for cost plus fixed-fee contracts on the basis of costs incurred during the period plus the fee earned. Contract costs include all direct labor, subcontract, material, and indirect costs related to the contract performance that are allowable under contract provisions.

Deferred revenue represents billings in advance of revenue recognized.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022
Deferred revenue​$1​$50
Deferred revenue from related parties​$828​$4,000

Warrant Liabilities

The Company accounts for warrants as liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480 and ASC 815. Warrants recorded as liabilities are recorded at their fair value, within Warrant Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are remeasured on each reporting date with changes recorded in Change in fair value of warrant liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies fair value accounting for selected financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring and nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. The accounting guidance ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurement established a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, used to determine the fair value of its financial instruments. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Level 1 – inputs include quoted market prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – inputs are market data, other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in an inactive market, and other observable information that can be corroborated by market data.

Level 3 – inputs are unobservable and corroborated by little or no market data.

Research and Development

Our research and development activities focus on making improvements to our electrolyte and cell technology with the ultimate goal of commercializing technology that outperforms conventional lithium-ion.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022
Research and development expenditures​$54,749​$38,592

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or tax returns. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the Consolidated Financial Statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any uncertain tax positions or tax benefits that are not expected to be realized based on available evidence. The Company records deferred tax assets and associated valuation allowances, when appropriate, to reflect amounts more likely than not to be realized based upon Company analysis. The Company’s temporary differences result primarily from capitalization of certain qualifying research and development expenses, accruals and reserves, depreciation of property and equipment, stock compensation expense, capitalization of operating or financing leases, and net operating loss carryovers.

The Company accounts for any uncertainty in income taxes by recognizing the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company measures the tax benefits recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements from such a position based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Interest and penalties associated with tax positions are recorded in the period assessed as General and administrative on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. No interest or penalties have been assessed during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Net Loss per Share of Common Stock

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share adjusts basic loss per share for the potentially dilutive impact of stock options and warrants. The Company reported a net loss in 2023 and 2022. As such, all potentially dilutive securities, including options and warrants, are antidilutive and, accordingly, basic net loss per share equals diluted loss per share.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Income taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires companies to disclose, on an annual basis, specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, ASU 2023-09 requires companies to disclose additional information about income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 will be effective for annual periods beginning January 1, 2025 and will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. We are evaluating the disclosure impact of ASU 2023-09.

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. Among other new disclosure requirements, ASC 2023-07 requires companies to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM. ASU 2023-07 will be effective for annual periods beginning on January 1, 2024 and interim periods beginning on January 1, 2025. ASU 2023-07 must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are evaluating the disclosure impact of ASU 2023-07.

Note 3 – Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at December 31 are summarized as follows:

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Commercial production equipment​$36,086​$21,595
Laboratory equipment​​9,910​​3,278
Leasehold improvements​59,109​27,996
Furniture and computer equipment​3,915​1,482
Construction in progress​13,650​40,036
Total cost​122,670​94,387
Accumulated depreciation​(23,514)​(11,626)
Net property and equipment​$99,156​$82,761

Depreciation expenses for dedicated laboratory equipment and commercial production equipment are charged to research and development; other depreciation expenses are included in the Company’s overhead and are allocated across operating expenses on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations based on Company personnel costs incurred.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · December 31,
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Depreciation expense​$11,947​$5,167​

In 2023, the Company expanded its electrolyte production to produce larger quantities of electrolyte material required to feed cell-production lines and continue research and development efforts. The Company began producing electrolyte from this facility in 2023.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022
Construction in progress · ​ · ​
SP1 – 2nd cell pilot line​$773​$2,010
SP1 – Other capital projects​1,525​2,206
SP2 – Increased scale electrolyte production​11,352​35,820

Note 4 – Intangible Assets

Intangible assets of the Company at December 31 are summarized as follows:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
​ · ​ · Gross Carrying · ​ · Accumulated · ​ · Gross Carrying · ​ · Accumulated
​ · ​ · Amount · Amortization · Amount · Amortization
Intangible assets:​​​​​​​​​​​​
Licenses​$149​$(61)​$149​$(51)
Patents​​92​​(5)​​—​​—
Patents pending​​1,444​—​984​—
Trademarks​​13​​—​​9​​—
Trademarks pending​​18​—​17​—
Total amortized intangible assets​$1,716​$(66)​$1,159​$(51)

Amortization expense for intangible assets at December 31 are summarized as follows:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · 2023 · 2022
Amortization expense​$15​$9​

Useful lives of intangible assets range from three to 20 years. Amortization expenses are allocated ratably across operating expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 5 – Fair Value Measurements

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of less than 90 days to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2023, there wereno long-term marketable securities.

The carrying amounts of certain financial instruments, such as cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities.

Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

At December 31, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis were classified within the fair value hierarchy as follows:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · December 31, 2023
​Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets​​​​​​​​​​​​
Commercial Paper​$84,909​$—​$—​$84,909
Corporate Bonds​$239,473​$—​$—​$239,473
Government Bonds​$56,689​$—​$—​$56,689
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Liabilities​​​​​​​​​​​​
Public Warrants​$2,505​$—​$—​$2,505
Private Placement Warrants​$—​$1,722​$—​$1,722
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · December 31, 2022
​Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets​​​​​​​​​​​​
Commercial Paper​$165,179​$—​$—​$165,179
Corporate Bonds​$227,957​$—​$—​$227,957
Government Bonds​$42,865​$—​$—​$42,865
U.S. Treasuries​9,930​​—​​—​9,930
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Liabilities​​​​​​​​​​​​
Public Warrants​$4,900​$—​$—​$4,900
Private Placement Warrants​$—​$4,217​$—​$4,217

The change in fair value of the Company’s marketable securities is included in other comprehensive income (loss). There wereno transfers in and out of Level 3 fair value hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · Year Ended December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Marketable securities and long-term investments purchased​$327,591​$561,565

Fair Value of Warrants

The fair value of the Private Placement Warrants have been estimated using a Black-Scholes model as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated Balance Sheet dates. The estimated fair value of the Private Placement Warrants is determined using Level 2 directly or indirectly observable inputs. Inherent in a Black-Scholes model are assumptions related to expected stock-price volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Material increases (or decreases) in any of those inputs may result in a significantly higher (or lower) fair value measurement. The Company estimates the volatility of its Private Placement Warrants based on implied volatility from the Company’s Public Warrants and from historical volatility of select peer companies’ common stock that matches the expected remaining life of the Warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the Warrants. The dividend yield is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates remaining at zero. The fair value of the Public Warrants has been measured based on the quoted price of such warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market, a Level 1 input.

The following table provides quantitative information regarding Level 2 inputs used in the recurring valuation of the Private Placement Warrants as of their measurement dates:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022
Exercise price​$11.50​$11.50​
Stock price​$1.45​$2.54​
Volatility​95.0%71.3%
Term (years)​2.94​3.94​
Risk-free rate​3.94%4.03%

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Public Warrants measured at fair value using Level 1 inputs and Private Placement Warrants measured at fair value using Level 2 inputs:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​​Public Warrants​Private Placement Warrants
​ · Level 1 Fair Value · Level 2 Fair Value
December 31, 2022​$0.42​$0.55
Change in fair value​$(0.23)​$(0.27)
December 31, 2023​$0.19​$0.28

The following table provides a reconciliation of the change in fair value for the Public and Private Placement Warrants at December 31.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · Twelve Months Change in · ​ · ​
Warrant Class · Level · Warrants · December 31, 2022 · Fair Value · December 31, 2023
Public Warrants113,182,501​$4,900​$(2,395)​$2,505
Private Placement Warrants26,150,802​$4,217​$(2,495)​$1,722
Total19,333,303​$9,117​$(4,890)​$4,227

Note 6 –Warrant Liabilities

The table below provides a summary of the outstanding Public and Private Placement Warrants at December 31:

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Public Warrants​​13,182,501​​11,666,636
Private Placement Warrants​​6,150,802​​7,666,667

Each whole Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchaseone share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to customary adjustments. Only whole Warrants are exercisable. The Warrants became exercisable on January 7, 2022 and will expire on December 8, 2026.

Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of common stock equals or exceeds**$18.00**.

The Company may redeem all of the outstanding Public Warrants:

●in whole and not in part;
●upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice;
●at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant; and
●if the last sale price of the Company’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share, subject to customary adjustments, for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of the redemption is given.

Redemption of Public Warrants when the price per share of common stock equals or exceeds**$10.00**.

The Company may redeem all of the outstanding Public Warrants:

●in whole and not in part;
●upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice;
●at a price of $0.10 per Public Warrant, provided that holders will be able to exercise their Warrants on a cashless basis prior to redemption and receive a number of shares of the Company’s common stock determined in part by the redemption date and the “fair market value” of the common stock; and
●if the last sale price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $10.00 per share, subject to customary adjustments, on the trading day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given.

The “fair market value” of the Company’s common stock means the average reported last sale price of the Company’s common stock for theten trading days immediately following the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Warrants. The Company classifies the outstanding Warrants as Warrant Liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815.

None of the Private Placement Warrants are redeemable by the Company so long as they are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their permitted transferees.

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · December 31,
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Fair value of warrant liabilities​$4,227​$9,117

The table below provides the Company’s recognized gain(loss) recognized in connection with the changes in fair value of warrant liabilities at December 31:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · December 31,
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Gain recognized associated with warrant liabilities​$4,890​$40,903

Note 7 – Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Stock options exercised for common stock, stock issued under the ESPP, and shares of common stock issued upon vesting of RSUs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are summarized in the table below:

​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Year Ended December 31, · ​
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022 · ​
Stock options exercised​2,490,275​8,428,524​
Shares of common stock issued under ESPP​287,224​—​
Shares of common stock issued for vested RSUs​226,201​20,672​

The table below presents the cash received associated with common stock related activities at December 31.

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Year Ended December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Cash received from stock options exercised​$220​$818
Cash received from shares of common stock issued under ESPP​​434​​—

Note 8 – Stock-Based Compensation

2014 Plan and 2021 Plan

Options granted under the 2014 Plan had aten-year term and vest as to 1/4 th of these shares after one year after the initial date of service of a service provider and with thebalance of the shares vesting in a series of 36 successive equal monthly installments following the first vesting date. Option awards under the 2014 Plan were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of Solid Power Operating, Inc.’s common stock at the date of grant. Certain option awards issued under the 2014 Plan provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plan agreements).

Options granted under the 2021 Plan during 2022 have aten-year term and vest as to 1/4 th of these shares per year beginning one year after the initial date of service of a service provider. Options granted under the 2021 Plan during 2023 have aten-year term and vest as to 1/4 th of the shares one year after the initial date of service of a service provider then 6.25% per quarter thereafter. Option awards under the 2021 Plan were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. Certain option awards issued under the 2021 Plan provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plan agreements).

Effective April 1, 2022, the Company began granting RSUs in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Plan. The grant date fair value of RSUs awarded are determined based on the Company’s closing common share price on the NASDAQ on the trading day preceding the grant date. RSU awards for employees granted during 2022 generally vest 25% per year commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date. RSU awards for employees granted during 2023 generally vest 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date then 6.25% per quarter thereafter. RSU awards upon initial service as a director vest in 12 equal quarterly installments. For initial service grants, vested RSUs are settled in common stock upon the earlier of the director no longer serving on the board of directors or the date the RSU has fully vested. Annual RSU awards to directors generally fully vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. Upon vesting, granted RSUs entitle the grantee to receiveone share of common stock of the Company at no additional cost. Holders of unvested RSUs do not have voting or dividend rights.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had 24,264,016 and 24,766,176 shares of common stock underlying stock options outstanding under the 2014 Plan, respectively. No additional grants under the 2014 Plan are permitted.

Beginning on January 1, 2022, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan shall increase by an amount equal to the lesser of (i)18,900,000 shares of common stock, (ii)five percent (5%) of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or (iii) a number of shares of common stock determined by the administrator no later than the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year. On January 1, 2022, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan increased by 8,377,899 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2023, the 2021 Plan permitted the Company to grant up to 21,711,885 shares of common stock to its employees, directors, and consultants, as designated by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 22,048,584 shares of common stock underlying options awards and RSU awards outstanding under the 2021Plan, respectively.

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Year Ended December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Option awards granted under 2021 Plan​​5,176,889​​1,730,564
RSU awards granted under 2021 Plan​​4,663,079​​1,292,429

Compensation Expense for Stock-Based Compensation

The fair value of stock options and RSUs issued to employees and directors is recognized as compensation expense over the period of service that generally coincides with the vesting period of the award. When calculating the amount of annual compensation expense, the Company has elected not to estimate forfeitures and instead accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized compensation costs totaling:

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Year Ended December 31,
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Equity-based compensation costs related to RSUs​$3,427​$1,567
Equity-based compensation costs related to stock options​6,774​7,076
Equity-based compensation costs related to ESPP​​169​​29
Total equity-based compensation costs​$10,370​$8,672
Unrecognized future compensation cost as of:​​23,922​​25,531

The fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees is recognized as compensation expense over the period of service that generally coincides with the vesting period of the award. The Company allocated compensation ratably across Operating Expenses within the following financial statement lines:

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Year Ended December 31,
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Direct Costs​$3,751​$1,580
Research and Development​​4,826​​4,474
Selling, general and administrative​​1,793​​2,618
Total equity-based compensation cost​$10,370​$8,672

Stock Options

The fair value for purposes of determining the compensation cost of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the weighted-average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of comparable companies. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of each option grant during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:

​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Approximate risk‑free rate​​4.17%​2.84%
Volatility​​46.91%​44.69%
Average expected life (years)​​6 years​​6 years​
Dividend yield​​0%​0%
Weighted‑average grant date fair value​$2.80​$7.26​
Estimated fair value of total stock options granted​$7,815​$5,659​

When calculating the amount of annual compensation expense, the Company has elected not to estimate forfeitures and instead accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

A summary of option activity under the 2014 Plan and 2021 Plan for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is presented below:

​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Weighted-average
​​​​​​​Remaining
​ · ​ · Number of · ​ · Weighted-average · ​ · Contractual Term
Options · Shares · Exercise Price · (in years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2022​34,407,949​$1.86​6.98
Granted1,730,564​$7.19​
Exercised​(8,428,524)​$0.10​​
Forfeited or expired(1,711,817)​$4.64​
Outstanding at December 31, 2022​25,998,172​$2.60​6.31
​​​​​​​​
Outstanding at January 1, 2023​25,998,172​$2.60​6.31
Granted​5,176,889​$2.75​​
Exercised​(2,490,275)​$0.09​​
Forfeited or expired​(4,420,770)​$3.38​​
Outstanding at December 31, 2023​24,264,016​$2.53​7.03
​​​​​​​​
Exercisable at December 31, 2022​18,202,064​$1.19​5.14
Exercisable at December 31, 2023​16,662,487​$1.99​4.87

Cash received from options exercised under the 2014 Plan for December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $220 and $818, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options at December 31, 2023 was $14,121. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercised options at December 31, 2023 was $70,115.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2023 and the changes for the period ended December 31, 2023:

​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Number of · Weighted-average
​ · ​ · Shares · ​ · Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2022​1,057,980​7.06
Granted​4,663,079​​2.56
Vested or Exercised​(278,606)​​7.34
Forfeited​(969,437)​​3.87
Balance at December 31, 2023​4,473,016​​3.30

The vested RSUs hadno intrinsic value as of December 31, 2023.

ESPP

The ESPP originated with 3,778,000 shares of common stock available for issuance. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP shall increase by an amount equal to the lesser of (i)3,778,000 shares of common stock (ii)one percent (1%) of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year or (iii) a number of shares of common stock determined by the administrator no later than the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year. On January 1, 2022, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP increased by 1,685,579 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2023,5,748,573 shares remained available for issuance. As of December 31, 2023, the ESPP permitted the Company to issue up to 5,748,573 shares of common stock.

The ESPP is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all employees are eligible to participate and, through payroll deductions, can purchase shares on dates determined by the administrator. However, with respect to the Section 423 Component, an employee may not be granted rights to purchase stock under the ESPP if the employee, immediately after the grant, would own (directly or through attribution) stock possessing 5% or more of the

total combined voting power or value of all classes of the Company’s common stock. The purchase price per share sold pursuant to the ESPP will be the lower of (i)85% of the fair market value of common stock on the enrollment or (ii)85% of the fair market value on the exercise date. Each offering period will span up to six months. Purchases may be up to 15% of qualified compensation, with an annual limit of $25,000.

Note 9 – Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share

The table below reconciles basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average shares outstanding for December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Basic loss per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Basic loss per share represents net loss attributable to common stock divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted loss per share also includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable from stock-based awards and are determined using the treasury stock method. Diluted loss per share represents net loss divided by diluted weighted average number of common shares, which includes the average dilutive effect of all potentially dilutive securities that are outstanding during the period.

The unvested stock awards, warrants, and options are included in the number of shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share calculations, unless a net loss is reported, in which situation unvested stock awards, warrants, and options are excluded from the number of shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share calculations.

​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · Years Ended December 31,
​ · ​ · 2023 · ​ · 2022 · ​
Net loss attributable to common stockholders​$(65,549)​$(9,555)​
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted​​178,006,919​​174,374,386​
Basic and diluted loss per share​$(0.37)​$(0.05)​

Due to the net loss to common stockholders in 2023 and 2022 presented above, diluted loss per share was computed without consideration of potentially dilutive instruments as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, potentially dilutive securities excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation are as follows (in shares):

​​​​​​
​​​​​​
​ · ​ · 2023 · 2022
Warrants​19,333,30319,333,303​
2014 Plan & 2021 Plan - Stock Options​25,877,63126,328,279​
2021 Plan - RSUs​3,477,809710,385​
ESPP - Common Stock​67,724​26,589​
Contingently Issued Shares of Common Stock​-​5,399​
Total potentially dilutive securities​48,756,467​46,403,955​

Note 10 – Leases

The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment. Fixed rent generally escalates each year, and the Company is responsible for a portion of the landlords’ operating expenses such as property tax, insurance and common area maintenance.

The Company’s facility in Louisville, Colorado is under a noncancelable operating lease with a maturity date in September 2029. In 2022, the Company amended the lease to incorporate a prior subleased space into the base lease and extend the term of the lease. The Company has the right to renew this lease for an additional five-year period.

On September 1, 2021, the Company entered into an industrial operating lease agreement for its facility in Thornton, Colorado, with the initial term through March 31, 2029. Under this operating lease, the Company has one option to renew forfive years, which has been included in the calculation of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets at the adoption date of the lease accounting standard on January 1, 2022, as the exercise of the option was reasonably certain. As the renewal rent has not been negotiated, the

Company used an estimated rent rate which approximated the fair market rent at adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2022 for the extension period.

The Company has certain equipment leases classified as finance leases as of December 31, 2023.

The Company’s leases do not have any contingent rent payments and do not contain residual value guarantees.

The components of lease expense are as follows:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · ​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022
Finance lease costs: · ​ · ​ · ​
Amortization of right-of-use assets​$197​$92
Interest on lease liabilities​53​28
Operating lease costs​1,160​850
Total lease expense​$1,410​$970

The components of cash flow information related to leases are as follows:

​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023 · December 31, 2022 · ​
Operating outgoing cash flows – finance leases​$54​$24​
Financing outgoing cash flows – finance leases​308​142​
Operating outgoing cash flows – operating leases​1,138​568​
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities:​​345​​1,014​
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities:​​—​​8,947​
​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​ · December 31, 2023
Finance lease · ​
Weighted-average remaining lease term – finance leases (in years)2.84​
Weighted-average discount rate – finance leases6.5%
Operating lease​​
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years)9.22​
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases6.9%

As of December 31, 2023, future minimum payments during the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

​​​​​​​
Fiscal year · Finance Lease · Operating Lease
2024​$425​$1,173
2025​​310​​1,210
2026​​179​​1,248
2027​​85​​1,288
2028​​16​​1,329
Thereafter​​-​​5,242
Total​​1,015​​11,490
Less present value discount​​85​​2,868
Total lease liabilities​$930​$8,622

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Note 11 – Related Party Transactions

During 2022, the Company amended our JDA with BMW to provide a research and development-only license to certain of the Company’s intellectual property relating to cell manufacturing. The license allows, among other things, BMW to install a solid-

state prototype cell manufacturing line based upon the Company’s proprietary information. The license is limited to BMW’s research and development activities and may not be used for commercial battery cell production.

We expect to negotiate a non-exclusive electrolyte supply agreement to supply BMW with our electrolyte material following commissioning of BMW’s prototype cell manufacturing line.

Before BMW’s installation of their cell manufacturing line, the Company and BMW have agreed to joint development and manufacturing activities at Solid Power’s facilities. Any intellectual property developed jointly by the Company and BMW at the Company’s facilities will be solely owned by Solid Power. To the extent intellectual property is jointly conceived elsewhere, the Company and BMW will jointly own such intellectual property. The intellectual property developed by us or BMW individually will be owned by such party. Both parties will have the right to utilize the other party’s technical improvements for research and development purposes only. Solid Power, with certain limitations, has the right to cause BMW to license BMW’s technical improvements to the Company for commercial purposes.

BMW will pay the Company $20,000 between December 2022 and June 2024, subject to the Company achieving certain milestones. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $12,700 of revenue from BMW and recorded $828 of deferred revenue related to cash paid from BMW in advance of services provided. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $2,000 of revenue from BMW and recorded $4,000 of deferred revenue related to cash paid from BMW in advance of services provided.

Note 12 – Retirement Plans

The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan for all employees. The plan provides for the Company to make a discretionary matching contribution. Contributions to the plan totaled $977 and $802 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Note 13 – Income Taxes

The Company provides deferred U.S. federal, state, or foreign income tax benefits for periods presented. The Company has also provided a valuation allowance on the net deferred tax asset because of uncertainty regarding realizability. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to the expiration of loss carryforwards.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities arise primarily from net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences arising from the amortization of intangible assets, depreciation on property and equipment, and various accrued liabilities.

Income taxes included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are detailed below:

​​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · For the Years Ended December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Current income tax (benefit) expense:​​​​​​​
Federal​$—​$—​
State​​2​​—​
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:​​​​​​​
Federal​​—​​(195)​
State​​—​(32)​
Total income tax (benefit) expense​$2​$(227)​

The tables below represent a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax expense to income tax:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Income tax expense at the federal statutory rate​21.00%21.00%
State income taxes - net of federal income tax benefits​1.42%13.07%
Permanent Differences​(1.07)%(3.14)%
Permanent Differences – Fair Value Adjustments– Warrant Liability​1.63%66.21%
Permanent Differences – Fair Value Adjustments– Marketable Securities​—%(5.13)%
Prior year provision to return​(0.26)%0.03%
Net change in valuation allowance​(25.54)%(104.28)%
Research and Development​2.62%13.65%
Other​0.20%0.33%
Total income tax (benefit)​—%1.75%

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the effective tax rate was approximately 0.00% and 1.75%, respectively. Differences between the statutory rate and the Company’s effective tax rate resulted from changes in valuation allowance and permanent differences for tax purposes in the treatment of certain nondeductible expenses.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities are presented below:

​​​​​​​
​ · ​ · December 31,
​ · 2023 · 2022
Deferred tax assets: · ​ · ​ · ​ · ​
Net operating loss​$30,534​$17,962
R&D Credit​​3,557​​1,908
Stock compensation​​3,333​​1,991
Section 174 Capitalization​​9,406​​5,731
ROU Lease Liability​​2,332​​2,459
MTM Market Equities​​125​​—
Other​1,204​748
Total income tax expense (benefit)​50,491​30,799
Valuation allowance​(44,109)​(28,030)
Net deferred tax assets:​6,382​2,769
Deferred tax liabilities:​​
Intangibles (non-goodwill)​$(1)​$(1)
Property and equipment​(797)​(652)
Accretion​​(3,351)​​—
ROU Asset​​(2,233)​​(2,116)
Total deferred tax liabilities​(6,382)​(2,769)
Total net deferred tax liability​$—​$—

The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the existence, or generation, of taxable income in the periods when those temporary differences and net operating loss carryovers are deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, taxes paid in carryover years, projected future taxable income, available tax planning strategies, and other factors in making this assessment. Based on available evidence, management does not believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Accordingly, the Company has established a valuation allowance equal to the net realizable deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance increased by $16,079 in 2023.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had total domestic Federal net operating loss carryovers of approximately $129,729 and $73,367, respectively. Federal net operating losses generated on or prior to December 31, 2017 expire in 2037. Federal net operating losses generated on or after January 1, 2018 have an indefinite carryforward and are only available to offset 80% taxable income beginning in 2021. The determination of state net operating loss carryforwards is dependent upon apportionment percentages and state laws that can change from year to year and that can thereby impact the amount of such carryforwards. The majority of the state net operating losses have an indefinite carryforward.

Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes is based on a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the Consolidated Financial Statements recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company recognizes in its Consolidated Financial Statements only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained as of the adoption date, based on the technical merits of the position. Each year the Company performs a comprehensive review of its material tax positions. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits in income tax expense.

As the Company hadno uncertain tax benefits before the year ending December 31, 2023, there isno accrual of interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The following table summarizes the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits:

​ · ​ · ​ · ​
​December 31, 2023
Balance, beginning of year​$636
Gross increases related to prior period tax position​212
Gross increases related to current period tax position​338
Gross decreases related to prior period tax position​—
Balance, end of year​$1,186

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2023 are potential benefits of $1,186 that if recognized would affect the effective tax rate.

The 2019 through 2022 tax years remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and, with few exceptions, various other state tax agencies. These taxing authorities have the authority to examine those tax years until the applicable statutes of limitations expire.

Note 14 – Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company may be party to litigation from time to time. The Company maintains insurance to cover certain actions and believes that resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Note 15 – Subsequent Events

Agreements with SK On

On January 10, 2024, the Company entered into several agreements with SK On to include the R&D License Agreement, the Electrolyte Supply Agreement, and the Line Installation Agreement.

The R&D License Agreement granted SK On a research and development license of the Company’s intellectual property related to cell designs and manufacturing processes allowing for the installation and operation of the SK On Line. The license may not be used for commercial battery cell production under the current terms of this agreement. In consideration of the license and the other obligations of the parties in this agreement, SK On will pay the Company $20,000 between June 2024 and July 2027, subject to the Company achieving certain milestones.

Under the Electrolyte Supply Agreement, SK On has agreed to purchase the Company’s electrolyte for use on the SK On Line. SK On will initially purchase electrolyte to validate the new pilot line. After validation, SK On is required to purchase at least

eight metric tons of electrolyte from the Company by December 31, 2028. The Company expects to receive at least $10,000 in revenue from these electrolyte sales.

The Line Installation Agreement provides that the Company will, or will cause a subcontractor to, design, procure, and install the SK On Line in exchange for approximately $22,300 to be paid inthree installments. The new line will be modeled after the Company’s pilot cell production line in Colorado, which is capable of producing cells between 60 and 100 Ah, and will produce EV cells utilizing the Company’s electrolyte technology. Construction of the line will begin in 2024 and is expected to be complete in 2025.

Stock Repurchase Program

On January 23, 2024, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to $50,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Under the repurchase program, the Company may purchase shares of its common stock from time to time until the repurchase program expires on December 31, 2025.

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