Airship AI Holdings Inc

1. Organization

Airship AI Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Airship”) is a holding company incorporated in Delaware that executes business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Airship AI, Inc. (“Airship AI”). Prior to the formation of Super Simple AI, Inc. in 2022, the Company operated as Airship AI, Inc. (formerly known as JDL Digital Systems, Inc.). On March 7, 2023, Super Simple AI, Inc. changed its name to Airship AI Holdings, Inc. Super Simple AI, Inc. was formed in January 2022 through a share exchange with JDL Digital Systems, Inc. JDL Digital Systems, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington on June 30, 2003.

On December 21, 2023, the Company completed the merger (“the Merger”) contemplated by the merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of June 27, 2023 and amended on September 22, 2023, by and among BYTE Acquisition Corp. (“BYTS”), BYTE Merger Sub, Inc., a Washington corporation and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of BYTS (“Merger Sub”), and Airship AI.

Effective December 21, 2023, Merger Sub merged with and into Airship AI with Airship AI as the surviving corporation. Thus, Airship AI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In connection with the Merger, Airship AI changed its name from “Airship AI Holdings, Inc.” to “Airship AI, Inc.” See Note 11 —Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.

Fair Value Transactions in Connection with Merger

As a result of the Merger, the Company entered into the following transactions that were measured at fair value and vary quarterly with the share price and other items. Any change is non-cash and is recorded as a gain or loss in other income (expense). See Note 14– Fair Value Measurements for more information.

Common Stock and Warrant Offering after Merger

On September 3, 2024, the Company closed an $8 million public offering with net proceeds of approximately $7.3 million, after deducting the estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, including the placement agent fees. The offering consisted of 2,882,883 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,882,883 shares of its common stock at a combined public offering price of $2.775 per share and associated common stock warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.65 per share, are exercisable immediately upon issuance, and will expire five years following the date of issuance. The warrants are classified as a component of permanent equity because they are freestanding financial instruments that are legally detachable and separately exercisable from the shares of common stock with which they were issued, do not embody an obligation for the Company to repurchase its shares, and permit the holders to receive a fixed number of shares of common stock upon exercise.

On December 24, 2024, the Company entered into a warrant exercise inducement agreement with a holder of existing common stock warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 2,882,883 shares of common stock at the existing exercise price of $2.65 per share, in exchange for the issuance of new common stock warrants to purchase 2,162,162 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of $4.50 (collectively, the “Inducement Warrants”). The investor agreed to exercise the existing 2,882,883 warrants for cash resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7.6 million with approximately $7.4 million in net proceeds after deducting advisory fees. The Inducement Warrants are immediately exercisable and will be exercisable for five years from the date of issuance. The Inducement Warrants are classified as a component of permanent equity because they are freestanding financial instruments that are legally detachable and separately exercisable from the shares of common stock with which they were issued, do not embody an obligation for the Company to repurchase its shares, and permit the holders to receive a fixed numbers of shares of common stock upon exercise. See Note 6 – Stockholders’ Deficit for more information.

Private Placement and Public Warrants in Connection with the Merger

At the Merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. On November 20, 2024, the Company further reduced the exercise price of the outstanding public warrants and private warrants to an exercise price of $4.50 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,158,410 public warrants outstanding. See Note 12– Private Placement and Public Warrants for more information.

The Company is a robust AI-driven data management platform that solves complex data challenges for large institutions operating in dynamic and mission-critical environments with rapidly increasing volumes of data being ingested from a similarly rapidly growing number of data sources.

The Company solves these challenges by structuring “dark” or unstructured data at the edge, the location at which the data is generated and collected, and leveraging purpose-built AI models. Unstructured, or “dark” data, which is typically categorized as qualitative data, cannot be processed and analyzed via conventional data tools and methods. Conversely, structured data, typically categorized as quantitative data, is highly organized and easily decipherable by machine learning algorithms.

Structuring and then analyzing data using AI models at the edge, versus transmitting the data from the edge back to a central processing location for structuring and analysis, enables real-time decision making and data-driven operational efficiency.

The Company specializes in ingesting all available metadata from edge-based sensors used by government and law enforcement agencies around the world, including surveillance cameras (video), audio, telemetry, acoustic, seismic, and autonomous devices, along with large commercial corporations with fundamentally similar capabilities and requirements.

Data generated by these edge-based sensors, including video, can then be run through the Company’s trained AI models to detect objects present within the video frame. Once an object is detected, for example an automobile, additional identifying characteristics of the object can be extracted from the image including the license plate characters and the make, model, and color of the automobile. This process of analyzing, logging and categorizing ingested data is referred to as “structuring” the data.

Airship AI’s software allows customers to view structured data both in real-time as well as to conduct searches on the structured data at a later point in time. Real-time structured data use includes, for example, alarms on a specific license plate or a specific make, model or color of automobile. Non-real-time structured data use includes, for example, searching a database of video data that has been previously ingested and stored to find instances of a particular license plate being visible, along with other logged vehicle characteristics such as make, model and color of an automobile.

Additional edge deployed AI models enable similar object detection and recognition of common and custom trained objects, such as an aircraft, boat, person, animal, bag, or weapon. Airship AI’s models provide similar data points for these object types allowing analysts the ability to be notified in real-time of the detection of a specified object and similarly search for historically detected objects. Examples include detecting aircrafts and boats along with their respective tail numbers and hull registration numbers.

The Company’s AI modelling process starts with pre-trained AI models from its technology ecosystem partners which the Company then customizes using proprietary datasets tailored towards its customers’ unique workflow requirements. Where customers have pre-existing AI models or engines, the Company integrates those models or engines into its edge platform allowing customers to leverage proprietary models within the Airship AI software ecosystem.

The Company’s primary offerings include Outpost AI, Acropolis, and Airship Command. Its offerings allow customers to manage their data across the full data lifecycle, when and where they need it, using a highly secure permissioned based architecture.

The Company employed fifty-one employees as of December 31, 2024. The employees are headquartered in Redmond, WA and are supported by a growing team at its Customer Center of Excellence located in Charlotte, NC. The Company employed eight research and development personnel in Taiwan as of December 31, 2024.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

For periods prior to the Merger, the reported share and per share amounts have been retroactively converted by the applicable exchange ratio with the exception of the authorized shares and shares reserved for issuance. See Note 11—Reverse Recapitalization for additional information.

Functional Currency

The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar. The Company’s functional currency for U.S. operations is the U.S. Dollar. The operations of Zeppelin Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiary, Zeppelin Taiwan, Ltd. (together “Zeppelin”) use the Taiwan Dollar as its functional currency. At each period end, Zeppelin’s balance sheet is translated into U.S. Dollars based upon the period end exchange rate, while their statements of operations and comprehensive loss and statements of cash flows are translated into U.S. Dollars based upon an average exchange rate during the period.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company classifies highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased as cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. Balances at US banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk for cash on deposit.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

The Company primarily generates revenue from sales of systems and products and the related post contract support to customers. The Company’s primary systems and products include Outpost AI, Acropolis and Airship Command. To date, the majority of the Company’s product revenue that has been recognized consists primarily of a bundled offering of hardware and software which delivers on premise solutions to its customers. Separate limited software subscription services have been delivered to customers including those customers that are able to operate in a cloud-based environment. The transaction price recognized as revenue represents the amount the Company expects to be entitled to and is primarily comprised of product revenue, net of returns and variable consideration, including sales incentives provided to customers. Payment is typically due within 30 to 90 calendar days of the invoice date.

The Company recognizes revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services by following a five-step process: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price, and (5) recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation, as further described below. The Company generally provides a warranty to its customers for its software products and services. In the event that there is a failure of warranties in such agreements, the Company is generally obligated to correct the product or service to conform to the warranty provision as set forth in the applicable agreement, or, if the Company is unable to do so, the customer is entitled to seek a refund of the purchase price of the product and service (generally prorated over the contract term). For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not incur any significant warranty expenses and as such a warranty reserve was not considered necessary as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Product Revenue

Product revenue is derived primarily from sales of the Company’s system offerings, Outpost AI, Acropolis and Airship Command. The Company recognizes product revenue at a point in time when title transfers, when the products are shipped, or when control of the system is transferred to the customer, which usually is upon delivery of the system and when contractual performance obligations have been satisfied.

Post Contract Support Revenue

Post Contract Support (“PCS”) revenue is derived primarily from the Company’s support and software maintenance agreements (“SMA”). The Company’s PCS includes the right to receive, on a when and if available basis, future unspecified firmware upgrades and features as well as bug fixes, and email and telephone support. The Company allocates a portion of the transaction price to the PCS performance obligation based on a cost-plus methodology and recognizes the associated revenue on a straight-line basis over the estimated term of the support period. The Company’s support contracts are typically one to five years with an average of four years, payment is due within 30 to 90 calendars days of the invoice date and may include options to renew. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $339,947 and $196,739, respectively, related to one-year support contracts. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $3,994,070 and $4,495,748 respectively, related to multi-year support contracts.

Other Services

The Company earns other service revenues from installation services, training and licensing which are short-term in nature and revenue for these services are recognized at the time of performance when the service is provided. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $0 and $168,052, respectively, related to other services.

Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations

The Company’s contracts with customers often contain multiple performance obligations that can include three separate obligations: (i) a hardware component (which may be bundled with hardware accessories) and the embedded firmware essential to the functionality of the hardware component delivered at the time of sale; (ii) the right to the Company’s downloadable free application and software solutions, and (iii) the right for the customer to receive post contract support (“PCS”) after the initial sale. The Company’s products and PCS offerings have significant standalone functionalities and capabilities. Accordingly, the products are distinct from the Company’s PCS services as customers can benefit from the products without the PCS services and such PCS services are separately identifiable within the contracts. The Company accounts for multiple agreements with a single customer as a single contract if the contractual terms and/or substance of those agreements indicate that they may be so closely related that they are, in effect, parts of a single contract. The amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for delivering on the contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.

The Company establishes the standalone selling price using the prices charged for a deliverable when sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, the Company estimates the standalone selling price based on its pricing model and offering type (products or PCS services).

The Company has elected the practical expedient to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component as the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year.

The Company sells its products primarily through a direct sales force. The Company considers revenue to be earned when all of the following criteria are met:

Transfer of control is evidenced upon passage of title and risk of loss to the customer unless the Company is required to provide additional services.

The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $3,238,483 and $2,951,850 as of December 31, 2024. The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,008,654 and $4,962,126 as of December 31, 2023. Of the deferred revenue balance of $8,970,780 and $8,973,447 as of January 1, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized approximately $4,008,654 and $4,168,016 during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Accounts Receivable and Provision for Credit Losses

The Company generally sells its products to large governmental entities and large corporations in the United States. Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts and are non-interest bearing.

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (codified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326) on January 1, 2023. ASC 326 adds to U.S. GAAP the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, a measurement model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, the Company evaluated receivables regularly and adjusted the allowance for doubtful accounts accordingly. The Company determined estimates of uncollectible accounts receivable based primarily on actual historical bad debt and sales return trends, customers financial condition and general economic conditions. Under the application of ASC 326, the Company’s historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses, as well as current economic and business conditions, and anticipated future economic events that may impact collectability. In developing its expected credit loss estimate, the Company evaluated the appropriate grouping of financial assets based upon its evaluation of risk characteristics, including consideration of the types of products and services sold. Account balances are written off against the allowance for expected credit losses after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Occasionally certain long-standing customers, who routinely place large orders, will have unusually large receivables balances relative to the total gross receivables. Management monitors the payments for these large balances closely and very often requires payment of existing invoices before shipping new sales orders. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have a reserve for credit losses as all accounts receivable are considered collectible. Accounts receivable balances as of January 1, 2023, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024 were $705,752, $1,648,904 and $1,226,757, respectively.

Concentration of Credit and Sales Risk

The Company sells its product to commercial and government customers under agreements that are normally paid within 30 days of contract completion.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company had revenue from seventy-four customers and one customer represented 57% of total revenue, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. The primary reason for the high level of customer concentration for the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to one large order received in late 2023 which was fulfilled in the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, four customers represent approximately 36%,25%,19% and 12% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is estimated to be minimal.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers represented 34%,21% and 12% of total revenue from 58 customers, although such a high level of customer concentration is not typical. As of December 31, 2023, three customers represented approximately 51%,26% and 17% of outstanding account receivables. Due to the nature of the customers and timely payment history, customer concentration and credit risk in account receivables is estimated to be minimal.

Inventory

The Company’s purchase of inventory, primarily computer servers, is undertaken to match purchase orders received from customers. Upon receipt of inventory, the Company generally configures the servers and loads proprietary software onto the servers before shipping out. The Company holds inventory for a short period of time and as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, it had no inventory in stock. Inventory value is primarily material costs and is valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out method) or net realizable value.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually or when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Long-lived assets under certain circumstances are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value. Assets to be disposed of and assets not expected to provide any future service potential to the Company are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value (less the projected cost associated with selling the asset). To the extent carrying values exceed fair values, an impairment loss is recognized in operating results. The Company recorded impairment losses of $0 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist of the cost of employees, consultants and contractors who design, engineer and develop new products and processes as well as materials, supplies and facilities used in producing prototypes.

The Company’s current research and development efforts are primarily focused on improving the Company’s products. The Company is also actively involved in identifying new applications. The Company’s current internal team along with outside consultants has considerable experience working with the application of the Company’s technologies and their applications. The Company engages third party experts as required to supplement the Company’s internal team. The Company believes that continued development of new and enhanced technologies is essential to the Company’s future success. The Company incurred research and development expenses of $2,804,894 and $2,729,492 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, on development activities.

Software Development Costs

Costs incurred in the development of software programs for the Company’s products are charged to operations as incurred until technological feasibility of the software has been established. Generally, technological feasibility is established when the software module performs its primary functions described in its original specifications, contains features required for it to be usable in a production environment, is completely documented and the related hardware portion of the product is complete. After technological feasibility is established, any additional costs are capitalized. Capitalization of software costs ceases when the software is substantially complete and is ready for its intended use. No software development costs have been capitalized as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Cost of Net Revenues

Cost of net revenues for products includes components and freight. Cost of net revenues for post contract support and other services includes primarily the cost of personnel and personnel-related expenses to conduct implementations and ongoing client support.

Advertising

Advertising costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $8,500 and $94,272, respectively.

Shipping and Handling of Products

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of products are included in net revenues. Costs incurred related to shipping and handling of products are included in cost of revenues.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

Level 1— Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 — Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The recorded value of other financial assets and liabilities, which consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 are based upon the short-term nature of the assets and liabilities. The Company recorded its Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes, earnout liability (unvested earnout shares), and the warrants that were issued with the Convertible Promissory Notes at fair value, remeasured on a recurring basis and considered them as Level 3 instruments. The public and private warrants were considered Level 1 and 2 instruments, respectively. The fair value of the vested earnout shares was considered a Level 1 instrument. The method of determining the fair value of the Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes and attached warrants is described below.

The Company classifies as liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net- cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

Accounting for Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes at Fair Value

The Company has elected the fair value option to account for the senior secured convertible promissory note that was issued on June 22, 2023 and the convertible notes that were issued in October and November 2023 with changes in fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. As a result of applying the fair value option, direct costs and fees related to the convertible notes are recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. Values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires management to make judgments and consider factors specific to the liability. Considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and determine an estimated fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methods may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has used a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model that factors in potential outcomes being consummated, such as the convertible notes being repaid in cash and the convertible notes being converted to common stock. All of these scenarios take into consideration the terms and conditions of the underlying convertible notes plus potential changes in the underlying value of the common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized an unrealized loss of $141,636 and $240,724, respectively for the change in fair value of the senior secured convertible promissory notes and is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The Company believes accounting for the senior secured convertible promissory notes at fair value better aligns the measurement methodologies of assets and liabilities, which may mitigate certain earnings volatility. All of the Company’s senior secured convertible promissory notes were converted to equity during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Derivative Liabilities and Earnout Liabilities

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants and earnout shares to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period. The Company classifies as liabilities any contracts that (i) require net-cash settlement (including a requirement to net- cash settle the contract if an event occurs and if that event is outside the control of the Company) or (ii) give the counterparty a choice of net-cash settlement or settlement in shares (physical settlement or net-share settlement).

At the Merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. On November 20, 2024, the Company further reduced the exercise price of the outstanding public warrants and private warrants to an exercise price of $4.50 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,158,410 public warrants outstanding. See Note 12– Private Placement and Public Warrants for more information.

Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company evaluated the warrants and concluded that they did not meet the criteria to be classified within the stockholders’ deficit. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The initial estimated fair value of the warrants was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. The subsequent estimated fair value of the public warrants is based on the listed price in an active market for such warrants while the fair value of the private placement warrants continues to be measured using a Monte Carlo simulation with the key inputs being directly or indirectly observable public warrants listed price. Since the public and private warrants meet the definition of a derivative, the Company recorded the public and private warrants as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value upon the Merger closing, with subsequent changes in the fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations at each reporting date.

At the closing of the Merger, the Airship AI securityholders that hold shares of common stock of Airship AI, Airship AI options, Airship AI earnout warrants or Airship AI SARs have the contingent right to receive up to 5.0 million additional shares of common stock, subject to certain contingencies. These earnout shares have been categorized into two components: (i) the vested shares that are associated with stockholders with vested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned upon achievement of the earnout milestones and (ii) the unvested shares associated with stockholders with unvested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned over the remaining service period with the Company on their unvested equity shares and upon achievement of the earnout milestones.

The earnout shares associated with vested shares are recognized as derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40, as the events that determine the number of earnout shares required to be released or issued, as the case may be, include events that were not solely indexed to the fair value of common stock of the Company. The earnout shares were measured at the Merger closing and subsequently measured at each reporting date until settled or when they met the criteria for equity classification. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the earnout shares as liabilities at fair value and adjusts the instruments to fair value at each reporting period. The earnout shares were valued using a Monte Carlo analysis.

At the closing of the Merger, the earnout shares associated with unvested underlying shares were considered to be equity instruments and valued at approximately $2,675,000. This amount will be recognized as stock-based compensation going forward over the five-year vesting period.

Derivative warrant and earnout shares liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of significant current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has share-based compensation plans under which employees, consultants, suppliers and directors may be granted restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, unvested earnout shares and warrants to purchase shares of common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant. Stock-based compensation cost is measured by the Company at the grant date and the fair value of the award is recognized as an expense, over the requisite service period which is generally the vesting period. The Company adjusts stock-based compensation for changes to the estimate of expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends upon future taxable income, as well as the limitations discussed below. For financial reporting purposes, a deferred tax asset must be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized prior to expiration. The Company considers historical and future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years, and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for valuation.

Comprehensive Gain (Loss)

Comprehensive gain is defined as the change in equity of a business during a period from non-owner sources. There was other comprehensive gain of $9,338 and loss of $2,702 related to foreign exchange translation for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Going Concern Assessment

The Company applies Accounting Standards Codification 205-40 (“ASC 205-40”),Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued to provide guidance on determining when and how reporting companies must disclose going concern uncertainties in their consolidated financial statements. ASC 205-40 requires management to perform assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date of issuance of the entity’s consolidated financial statements (or within one year after the date on which the consolidated financial statements are available to be issued, when applicable). Further, a company must provide certain disclosures if there is “substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern” and management plans to alleviate the going concern. In February 2025, the Company analyzed its cash requirements and operations at least through February 2026 and has determined that, based upon the Company’s current available cash and operations, the Company has no substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

Use of Estimates

In preparing these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements relate to the calculation of revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, valuation of common stock, valuation of senior secured convertible notes, warrant liability, earnout share liabilities, accruals for potential liabilities including income taxes, valuation of deferred tax assets and valuation assumptions related to share-based compensation.

(Loss) Income Per Share

Basic (loss) income per share is based upon the net (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 divided by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income per share is determined using the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares (representing the dilutive effect of stock options, warrants, convertible notes payable and stock appreciation rights) outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method for the year ended December 31, 2023. Common stock equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2024 are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share given the Company incurred a loss and they are anti-dilutive. See Note 15—Earnings per share.

Reportable Segments

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standard Codification, or ASC, Topic 280,Segment Reporting, requires that an enterprise report selected information about reportable segments in its financial reports issued to its stockholders. Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and President are the Company’s CODM. The CODM monitors the revenue and expense components of the various products and services the Company offers, but operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a corporation-wide basis in comparison to a business plan which is developed each year. Accordingly, all operations are considered by the CODM to be one operating segment and one reportable segment as contained in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss to the consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

All recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

3. Advances due to and from Founders

Advances due to Founders

Prior to 2023, the founders had advanced the Company a net $600,000. In the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI a total of $1,350,000 and were repaid a total of $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023. During 2024, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $2,100,000 and were repaid $2,550,000, with $1,300,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2024. The outstanding advances as of December 31, 2024 are non-interest bearing and the Company expects to pay the balance off within a one-year period.

Master Loan Agreement

On September 27, 2024, the Company entered into a Master Loan Agreement with Mr. Huang, whereby he may provide additional funding of up to $1,500,000 under certain terms and conditions. The agreement provides for interest of 6%. The Company paid interest for the 2024 advances (described under “Founder Advances” above) of $11,913 and issued warrants to purchase up to 220,000 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.36 per share, are exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire in five years following the date of issuance. The $284,478 fair value of the warrant is recorded in permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets and was fully expensed on the date of grant. There are no outstanding advances under this Master Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2024.

4. Revenues

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company’s net revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of approximately $18.7 million and $7.4 million of hardware and software bundled systems for which revenue is transferred at a point in time. The Company’s remaining net revenue of approximately $4.3 million and $4.9 million relates to PCS revenue and other services which are transferred over time. Within each product category, contract terms, conditions and economic factors affecting the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty around revenue recognition and cash flow are substantially similar.

Contract Balances

A receivable is recognized in the period the Company delivers goods or provides services or when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional. The Company usually does not record contract assets because the Company has an unconditional right to payment upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, and therefore, a receivable is more commonly recorded than a contract asset. Receivables are generally paid within thirty days and there is no financing element to the customer contracts. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there are no unbilled receivable balances.

The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $3,238,483 and $2,951,850 as of December 31, 2024. The Company’s short-term and long-term deferred revenue balances totaled $4,008,654 and $4,962,126 as of December 31, 2023. Of the deferred revenue balance of $8,970,780 and $8,973,447 as of January 1, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized approximately $4,008,654 and $4,168,016 during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately $6.2 million of remaining performance obligations, which were comprised of deferred service contracts not yet delivered. The Company expects to recognize approximately 52% of its remaining performance obligations as revenue in fiscal 2025 and the remaining 48% in fiscal 2026 and years thereafter.

Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract

The Company does not pay any material variable compensation to obtain a customer contract. Additionally, the majority of the Company’s cost of fulfillment as a seller of products is classified as inventory and then cost of revenue when the product is sold. Other costs of contract fulfillment such as software maintenance are expensed in the period incurred and align with when the revenue is amortized.

5. Notes Payable and Convertible Notes Payable

On June 22, 2023, the Company issued a $2,000,000 senior secured convertible promissory note to Platinum Capital Partners, Inc.

On February 2, 2024, the Company issued an amended and restated senior secured convertible promissory note to Platinum in the principal amount of $2,000,000. Interest accrued on the Platinum convertible note at the rate of 6% per annum calculated on the basis of 360 days. At the option of Platinum, the $2,000,000 principal amount of the note plus any accrued but unpaid interest was convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price per share equal to the lower of (i) $3.69717, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the note, and (ii) 65% of the VWAP of the common stock for the five trading days immediately prior to any conversion, but in no event below $2.27518, subject to appropriate adjustment as provided in the note. The note contained “weighted average” anti-dilution protection for issuances of shares of common stock or common stock equivalents at a price less than the conversion price then in effect.

In connection with the issuance of the Platinum convertible note, the Company issued to Platinum an amended and restated common stock purchase warrant dated February 2, 2024, to purchase 189,334 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price per share of $3.69717. On March 18, 2024, Platinum exercised the Platinum warrant and received 137,367 shares of common stock. Platinum forfeited 51,967 shares.

On June 22, 2024, the Company entered into an extension agreement related to the Platinum convertible note. The extension agreement extended the due date of the note to June 22, 2025. In consideration for entering into the extension agreement, the Company issued to Platinum 232,360 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock in payment of all interest and extension fees through June 22, 2025 with a value of $1,008,400. Approximately $487,000 of the total payment related to the future interest periods and were initially recorded in prepaid expenses and other on the consolidated balance sheet. The Platinum convertible note was converted into equity as of December 31, 2024 and all prepaid interest was charged to expense for the year ended December 31, 2024.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 879,051 shares of common stock related to the conversion of $2,000,000 of the senior secured convertible promissory note and recorded a loss on note conversion of $751,423.

On October 3, 2023, the Company issued senior secured convertible promissory notes for $600,000 to two private investors. At the option of the holders, the notes were convertible into cash, common stock or a combination of cash and stock. On March 5, 2024, the two private investors converted the notes with a face value of $600,000 and interest into 169,204 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $835,610. On September 13, 2024, the Company issued an additional 86,198 shares of common stock related to the conversion of notes at $2.65 per share. The Company recognized a loss on debt conversion of $393,253, respectively during the year ended December 31, 2024.

The Company accounts for the notes under the fair value method of accounting and as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the notes were recorded at $0 and $2,825,366, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, and prior to the conversion of the notes, the Company recorded an unrealized loss due to the decrease in the fair value of the convertible notes payable totaling $141,636. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded an unrealized loss due to the increase in the fair value of the convertible notes payable totaling $240,784, respectively, which were recorded as gain or loss from change in fair value of convertible debt on the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 14 – Fair Value Measurements for more information.

6. Stockholders’ Deficit

Authorized and Outstanding Stock

The Company is a Delaware company and its affairs are governed by its certificate of incorporation, its bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law and the common law of the State of Delaware. The Company’s charter authorizes the issuance of 205,000,000 shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Common Stock

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were 30,588,413 and 22,812,048 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.

Year Ended December 31, 2024

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company had the following sales of equity securities:

On March 5, 2024, a private investor converted a senior secured convertible promissory note for $250,000 and interest into 70,502 shares of the Company’s common stock.

On March 5, 2024, a private investor converted a senior secured convertible promissory note for $350,000 and interest into 98,702 shares of the Company’s common stock.

On March 21, 2024, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock for services performed as of December 31, 2023 to MZHCI, LLC related to an investor relations consulting agreement.

On May 16, 2024, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Pamria LLC for consulting and investor relations services.

On June 22, 2024, the Company entered into an extension agreement with Platinum Capital Partners Inc. to extend the maturity date of the Platinum convertible note to June 22, 2025. In consideration for entering into the extension agreement, the Company issued to Platinum 232,360 shares of common stock in payment of all interest and extension fees through June 22, 2025.

On September 3, 2024, the Company issued 2,882,883 shares of common stock at a combined price of $2.775 per share related to the closing of a public offering.

On September 13, 2024, the Company issued an additional 86,198 shares of common stock related to the conversion of notes at $2.65 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued 879,051 shares of common stock related to the conversion of $2,000,000 of the Platinum senior secured convertible promissory note at $2.275 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 415,218 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options at $0.58 weighted average price per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 163,669 shares of common stock upon the exercise of various warrants at $4.92 weighted average price per share.

On December 24, 2024, the Company issued 2,882,883 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $2.65 per share related to an inducement agreement.

Year Ended December 31, 2023

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued 9,424,704 shares of common stock as part of the reverse recapitalization on December 21, 2023.

2023 Equity Incentive Plan

The Company has adopted the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”), which plan was approved by stockholders at the extraordinary general meeting held in December 2023. Details on the equity incentive plan were disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024. The 2022 Combined Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the “2022 Plan”) is no longer available for use for the grant of future awards. The 2022 Plan will continue to govern the terms of awards that have been granted under the 2022 Plan before, and that are still outstanding following the Merger.

The aggregate number of shares of common stock initially reserved and available for grant and issuance under the 2023 Plan is 4,000,000. Such aggregate number of shares of stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on January 1, 2033, in an amount equal to 2.0% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on December 31 of the preceding year. The aggregate number of shares of common stock reserved for grant and issuance under the 2023 Plan is 3,178,053 as of December 31, 2024. The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized over the period which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award-the requisite service period.

The Company had the following stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company granted stock options to employees to purchase an aggregate of 1,590,000 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $3.47 per share and which vest primarily quarterly over four years and expire March to August 2034.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, five employees voluntarily cancelled stock options to purchase an aggregate of 300,000 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $6.85 per share. Another employee forfeited 11,812 stock options with an exercise price of $1.64 per share.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 415,218 shares of common stock and received $240,465 upon the exercise of stock options at a weighted average exercise prices of $0.58 per share.

During the year ended 31, 2023, the Company granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 502,522 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $1.64 per share.

Stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2024:

There were 5,527,559 options to purchase common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $1.04 per share outstanding as of December 31, 2024 under the 2023 Plan and the 2022 Plan. The Company recorded $570,614 and $715,727 of compensation expense, net of related tax effects, relative to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in accordance with ASC 718. As of December 31, 2024, there was $2,463,249 of total unrecognized costs related to employee granted stock options that were not vested. These costs are expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 3.5 years.

In August 2024, the Company cancelled out-of-the money options to exercise 300,000 shares held by current employees and replaced them with 525,000 options at lower exercise prices. The new options were subject to the same service-based vesting schedule as the original options. The Company accounted for the replacement options as a modification of the terms of the cancelled option awards and in accordance with ASC 718-20-35-2A, the Company will recognize additional $205,879 stock compensation expense over the remaining vesting period as the incremental cost measured as the excess of the fair value of the replaced options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model over the fair value of the cancelled option award at the cancellation date.

The significant weighted-average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s stock option grants were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

There were stock incentive plan awards outstanding at December 31, 2024 totaling 5,527,559 shares with an aggregate intrinsic value of $28,853,133.

Stock Appreciation Rights Plan

Related to the Share Exchange Agreement with Super Simple AI, Inc., on February 17, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2022 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “SAR Plan”) to issue a maximum of 1,500,000, which was later adjusted to 2,637,150 stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) after the Merger.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were 1,758,000 SARs outstanding with a base value of $0.12 and January 2028 expiration. There were no SAR grants during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

See Note 12 for public and private placement warrants assumed after the Merger. The summary table below of outstanding warrants as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 include public and private placement warrants in Note 12.

The Company had the following warrant activity during the year ended December 31, 2024:

In connection with the issuance of the Platinum convertible note, the Company issued to Platinum an amended and restated common stock purchase warrant dated February 2, 2024 to purchase 189,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of $3.69717. On March 18, 2024, Platinum exercised the Platinum warrant and received 137,367 shares of common stock. Platinum forfeited 51,967 shares.

On September 3, 2024 the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 2,882,883 shares of its common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.65 per share, are exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire five years following the date of issuance. On December 24, 2024, the 2,882,883 warrants were exercised.

On September 3, 2024 the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 216,216 shares of its common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $3.47 per share, are exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire five years following the date of issuance.

On September 27, 2024, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 220,000 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.36 per share, are exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire in five years following the date of issuance.

On December 24, 2024, the Company entered into a warrant exercise inducement agreement with a holder of existing common stock warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 2,882,883 shares of common stock at the existing exercise price of $2.65 per share, in exchange for the issuance of new common stock warrants to purchase 2,162,162 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share of $4.50. The investor agreed to exercise the existing 2,882,883 for cash resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7.6 million with approximately $7.4 million in net proceeds after deducting advisory fees. The Inducement Warrants are immediately exercisable and will be exercisable for five years from the date of issuance.

In accordance with ASC Topic 815 guidance on equity classified warrant modifications, the modification is consistent with the equity issuance classification under that guidance as the reason for the modification was to induce the holders of the September 3, 2024 existing warrants to cash exercise their warrants, which raised equity capital and generated net proceeds of approximately $7.4 million. As the warrants issued on September 3, 2024 and December 24, 2024 were classified as equity instruments before and after the exchange, and as the exchange is directly attributable to an equity offering, the Company recognized the effect of the modification of approximately $6.5 million (fair value of Inducement Warrants) as an equity issuance cost. The Company determined the fair value using the Black-Scholes-Morton pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price $5.54, volatility of 69%, risk-free interest rate of 4.36% and expected term of three years.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, various investors exercised warrants for 3,046,552 shares of the Company’s common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $2.77 per share, and the Company received net proceeds of $7,704,540.

Warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

A summary of the warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:

The significant weighted average assumptions relating to the valuation of the Company’s warrants issued for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

There were warrants outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2024 totaling 21,961,690 shares with an aggregate intrinsic value of $46,689,726.

Earnout Liability

See Note 13 for common stock shares related to earnout liability.

7. Employee 401(k) Plan

The Company has a 401(k) plan for its employees. The plan provides for a 3.5% match on up to 6% of deferred salary. The Company expensed $198,500 and $182,446 of contributions during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

8. Related Party Transactions

Transfer of Zeppelin Membership Units

In 2020, Victor Huang and Derek Xu, the Founders, officers and directors of the Company, borrowed $3,000,000 (“shareholder advances”) from Airship. As of January 1, 2023, the Company was owed $1,100,000 by the Founders. Due to the uncertainty of the timing of payment, the advances were treated as a long-term asset. The shareholders’ advances bore interest at 5% and no interest was ever paid. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred their interest in Zeppelin to the Company and the $1,100,000 and related interest owed by the Founders to the Company was eliminated.

As of December 31, 2022, Zeppelin received from the Company $1,095,000, respectively, in cash advances to fund operations which commenced in 2021. These advances between the companies are eliminated in the consolidated balance sheet. As of January 1, 2023, Zeppelin owed the Founders $1,100,000 for funds they have provided for the commencement of operations in 2021. The balance was not expected to be paid in the next year and was treated as long-term liabilities. On February 28, 2023, in connection with the transfer of the Zeppelin ownership from the shareholders to the Company, the $1,100,000 Payable to the founders was eliminated.

Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu originally owned all the Zeppelin membership units. When Zeppelin started, their intent was exploring the technology in-development and determining value for external customers by providing cloud based back-end products. After a period of time for Zeppelin’s development it became apparent these efforts would be of value and accretive to the Company. In 2022, the Company began utilizing research and development personnel to further develop the Company’s products. On February 28, 2023, the Founders transferred its interest in Zeppelin to the Company.

Advances due to Founders

Prior to 2023, the founders had advanced the Company a net $600,000. In the year ended December 31, 2023, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI a total of $1,350,000 and were repaid a total of $200,000, with $1,750,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2023. During 2024, Mr. Huang and Mr. Xu advanced Airship AI $2,100,000 and were repaid $2,550,000, with $1,300,000 recorded as advances from founders as of December 31, 2024. The outstanding advances as of December 31, 2024 are non-interest bearing and the Company expects to pay the balance off within a one-year period.

Warrants to Purchase Common Stock

On May 8, 2023, Airship AI issued warrants to purchase 1,344,951 shares of common stock to each of Victor Huang and Derek Xu. The warrants were valued at $2,136,115 based on the exercise price of $1.77, the fair market stock price of $1.89, a five-year term, a volatility of 39.4% and interest of 3.41%. The warrants are treated as equity instruments and the fair value as calculated at issuance was recorded as stock-based compensation expense and as additional paid in capital. All warrants are fully vested as they were issued for services performed. Upon completion of the Merger in December 2023, the Airship AI warrants were exchanged for warrants of the Company with the same term and conditions.

Master Loan Agreement

On September 27, 2024, the Company entered into a Master Loan Agreement with Mr. Huang, whereby he may provide additional funding of up to $1,500,000 under certain terms and conditions. The agreement provides for interest of 6%. The Company paid interest for the 2024 advances (described under “Founder Advances” above) of $11,913 and issued warrants to purchase up to 220,000 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.36 per share, are exercisable immediately upon issuance and will expire in five years following the date of issuance. The $284,478 fair value of the warrant is recorded in permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets and was fully expensed on the date of grant. There are no outstanding advances under this Master Loan Agreement as of December 31, 2024.

9. Commitments, Contingencies and Legal Proceedings

The Company may from time to time become a party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company is currently not a party to any pending legal proceeding that is not ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.

Employment Agreement

On March 1, 2024, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mark E. Scott, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, which provides for a base salary of $250,000 annually. Mr. Scott is also eligible to participate in annual performance-based bonus programs established by the Board or Compensation Committee, subject to the achievement of applicable performance criteria established by the Board or Compensation Committee, which shall be determined in good faith by the Board or Compensation Committee. Mr. Scott was also granted options to purchase up to twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of Common Stock with an exercise price equal to $1.49, which options vested in full on the date of issuance.

Properties and Operating Leases-Right of Use Asset and Lease Liability

Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether an arrangement is or contains a lease in accordance with ASC 842,Leases. Right of use lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. The incremental borrowing taking into consideration the Company’s credit quality and borrowing rate for similar assets is used in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense is recorded as general and administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company elected the package of transitional practical expedients, under which (1) the Company did not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) the Company did not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (3) the Company did not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. Additionally, the Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, meaning it does not recognize right-of use assets or lease liabilities for those leases. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes. The Company adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2022 and the adoption did not have any impact on previously reported stockholders’ deficit.

The Company has entered into operating leases for office and development facilities for four years and include options to renew. The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease based upon the unique facts and circumstances at the inception of the lease. Operating lease liabilities and their corresponding right-of-use asses are recorded based upon the present value of the lease payments over the expected lease term. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, total operating lease liabilities were approximately $943,703 and $1,118,578, respectively. Right of use assets totaled approximately $882,024 and $1,104,804 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. All of the lease current lease liabilities were $305,178 and $174,876 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $430,084 and $591,442 in total lease costs for the leases, respectively. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities were $328,002 and $582,753, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Because the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments.

The weighted average remaining lease term for the operating leases was thirty-two months at December 31, 2024 and the weighted average discount rate was 7% as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The minimum future lease payments as of December 31, 2024 are as follows:

On May 1, 2019, the Company leased 31,765 square feet for its executive offices in Redmond, Washington. The Company’s net monthly payment was $44,440. The monthly payment increased approximately 3% each year and the lease was set to expire on April 30, 2024. The Company had two five-year renewal options. In April 2023, the Company and its landlord entered into an agreement whereby the Company’s office lease was terminated on September 30, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a net gain on lease termination of $78,963 as an offset to selling general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The gain is comprised of a $344,093 gain from lease liability termination and a loss of $265,130 for accelerated amortization of right-of-use asset.

On July 13, 2023, the Company entered into a lease in Redmond, WA for 15,567 square feet of office and warehouse space which started on October 1, 2023. The monthly payment is $25,000 per month. The lease expires October 31, 2027 and the monthly payment increases 3% on July 31, 2024 and each year thereafter. There is a one three-year option to extend the lease based on the fair market rate on October 31, 2027. The option to extend is not considered reasonably certain as of December 31, 2024.

On February 29, 2024, the Company extended an office lease in Mooresville, North Carolina. The Company leases 3,621 square feet and the net monthly payment is $6,488. On August 27, 2024, the Company extended the lease to February 28, 2025. The Company will exit this location on February 28, 2025.

On February 1, 2025, the Company entered into an office lease in Mooresville, North Carolina. The Company leases 5,240 square feet and the net monthly payment is $9,105. The lease expires January 31, 2028 and the monthly payment increases 3% on February 1, 2026 and each year thereafter. There is no option to extend the lease.

10. Income Taxes

For each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s income tax expense was $0 and the effective tax rate was 0%.

The sources of (loss) income before income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:

A reconciliation of the United States Federal Statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate principally due to non-taxable revaluation of fair value of earnout shares and warrants liabilities, change in valuation allowance and other permanent differences being excluded from the determination of taxable loss.

The components of net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company has a federal net operating loss carryforward totaling approximately $3,300,000 and $3,800,000. The federal net operating loss carryforward generated from the years ended after December 31, 2017 may be carried forward indefinitely. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, R&D tax credit carryforwards total approximately $1,286,000 each year and begin to expire in 2036. Realization of the carryforwards is dependent on the Company generating sufficient taxable income and may also be subject to usage limitations to the extent there are changes in the Company’s ownership.

Significant judgment is required in determining the realizability of our deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether valuation allowances are required considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of any current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry forward periods, our experience with loss carry forwards not expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. In analyzing the need for valuation allowances, the Company first considered our history of cumulative operating results for income tax purposes over the past three years in each of the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates, its financial performance in recent quarters, statutory carry forward periods and tax planning alternatives. In addition, the Company considered both its near-term and long-term financial outlook. After considering all available evidence (both positive and negative), the Company concluded that recognition of a valuation allowance for all of its deferred tax assets was required at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $30,000 and $786,000 in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase during the current year is primarily related to capitalized research and development expenditures and net operating losses.

Pursuant to Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, or IRC, annual use of the Company's net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards may be limited in the event a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period. The amount of annual limitation is determined based on the value of the Company immediately prior to the ownership changes. The Company is in process of performing an assessment of whether a change in ownership has occurred or whether there have been multiple changes in ownership, within the meaning of Section 382.

The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions using the “more likely than not” threshold (i.e., a likelihood of occurrence greater than fifty percent). The recognition threshold is met when an entity concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authority. Those tax positions failing to qualify for initial recognition are classified as a gross unrecognized tax benefit until they meet the more likely than not standard or are resolved through negotiation or litigation with the taxing authority, or upon expiration of the statute of limitations. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the unrecognized tax benefit totals approximately $227,000 in each year.

The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate as these unrecognized tax benefits would increase deferred tax assets that would be subject to a full valuation allowance. No material changes in the gross unrecognized tax benefits are expected over the next twelve months. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, will be recognized as a component of income tax expense.

The Company is subject to possible tax examination for the years 2014 through 2024.The Company is also subject to examination with respect to federal net operating loss carryforwards generated and carried forward from those years. There are currently no federal or state income tax audits in process.

11. Reverse Recapitalization

On December 21, 2023, the Company completed the Merger and received net proceeds of $2.8 million, net of transaction costs of $6.6 million.

The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, BYTS, who was the legal acquirer, was treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes and Airship AI was treated as the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, the Merger was treated as the equivalent of Airship AI issuing shares at the closing of the Merger for the net assets of BYTS as of the closing date, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of BYTS was stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Airship AI was determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

The table below summarizes the shares of common stock issued immediately after the closing of the Merger as well as the impact on the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as of December 21, 2023:

Immaterial Revision of Prior Period Financial Information

In connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements, the Company identified an immaterial error related to the classification of prepaid expenses and transaction expenses (classified in accumulated deficit as reverse recapitalization). In accordance with SAB No. 99, “Materiality,” and SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements,” the Company evaluated the error and determined that the impact was not material to its financial statements for the prior annual and current interim period, accordingly the Company revised the prior period financial information for comparative purposes. The revision does not impact the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. A summary of the revision to the Company’s previously reported consolidated balance sheets is included below for comparative purposes:

The revision had no impact to cash provided by operating activities in such period.

12. Warrant Liability

At the Merger closing, the Company assumed 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,184,612 public warrants. On June 3, 2024, the Company permanently reduced the exercise price of such warrants from $11.50 per share to an exercise price of $7.80 per share. On November 20, 2024, the Company further reduced the exercise price of the outstanding public warrants and private warrants to an exercise price of $4.50 per share. The purpose of this reduced exercise price was to potentially raise proceeds received from the exercise of such warrants, if any, for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2024, there were 515,000 private placement warrants and 16,158,410 public warrants outstanding. The public warrants will expire on December 21, 2028.

The following table is a summary of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of the public and private warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:

The Company has reviewed the terms of the Public and Private Warrants to determine whether warrants should be classified as liabilities or stockholders’ equity in its consolidated balance sheet. In order for a warrant to be classified in stockholders’ equity, the warrant must be (a)indexed to the Company’s equity and (b) meet the conditions for equity classification in ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. If a warrant does not meet the conditions for equity classification, it is carried on the consolidated balance sheet as a warrant liability measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in the fair value of the warrant recorded in the statement of operations as change in fair value of warrants. The Company determined that all warrants are required to be carried as a liability in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. At the closing of the Merger on December 21, 2023, the warrants had an initial fair value of $2,009,105, which was recorded as liability and a reduction to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Private and Public Warrants had an aggregate fair value of $34,180,618 and $667,985. The Company recorded a loss of $33,512,633 and a gain of $1,341,120 due to change in the fair value of the warrant liability during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See Note 16 – Fair Value Measurements for more information.

13. Earnout Liability

At the closing of the Merger, the Airship AI securityholders that hold shares of common stock of Airship AI, Airship AI options, Airship AI earnout warrants or Airship AI SARs have the contingent right to receive up to 5,000,000 earnout shares of the Company’s common stock if the following earnout milestones are met.

Any earnout shares issuable under the Merger Agreement to an Airship AI securityholder in respect of each Airship AI option or Airship AI SAR held by such holder as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger shall be earned by such holder on the later of (i) the occurrence of the applicable earnout milestone, and (ii) the date on which the option in respect of such Airship AI option or SAR in respect of such Airship AI SAR, as applicable, becomes vested pursuant to its applicable vesting schedule, but only if such holder continues to provide services (whether as an employee, director or individual independent contractor) to the Company or one of its subsidiaries through such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any earnout shares that are not earned by Airship AI securityholder in respect of its options or SARs on or before the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Merger shall be forfeited without any consideration. Any earnout shares that are forfeited pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be reallocated to the other Airship AI securityholders who remain entitled to receive earnout shares in accordance with their respective earnout pro rata shares.

These earnout shares have been categorized into two components: (i) the “Vested Shares” - those associated with earnout holders with vested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned upon achievement of the earnout milestones and (ii) the “Unvested Shares” - those associated with earnout holders with unvested equity at the closing of the Merger that will be earned over the remaining service period with the Company on their unvested equity shares and upon achievement of the earnout milestones. The Vested Shares, which represent 95% of the total earnout shares are classified as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in the consolidated statements of operations due to the variability in the number of earnout shares at settlement which could change upon a change of control event. The earnout arrangement contains a settlement provision that violates the indexation guidance under ASC 815-40. The Unvested Shares are equity-classified share-based compensation to be recognized over time under ASC 718 due to the service component.

At the closing of the Merger on December 21, 2023, the earnout liability had an initial fair value of $27,109,777, which was recorded as a long-term liability and a reduction to additional paid in capital in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the earnout liability had decreased to $5,133,428 as a result of the decline in the Company’s share price since the closing of the Merger. As of December 31, 2024, the estimated fair value of the earnout liability increased to $23,304,808 primarily due to the increase in the Company’s share price, which resulted in a loss due to the change in fair value of the earnout liability during the year ended December 31, 2024 of $18,171,380 and is recorded on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 14– Fair Value Measurements for more information.

In addition, a portion of the earnout shares may be issued to individuals with unvested equity awards. While the payout of these shares requires the achievement of the earnout milestones, the individuals must complete the remaining service period associated with these unvested equity awards to be eligible to receive the earnout shares. As a result, these unvested earn-out shares are equity-classified awards and have an aggregated grant date fair value of $2,675,223 (or $5.96 per share). During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company stock-based compensation expense for the vesting of earnout shares was $535,044 and $0, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested earnout shares totaled $2,140,180. The weighted average period over which this remaining compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 4 years.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company determined the First Operating Performance Milestone (A,2) was achieved and 1,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to applicable personnel on January 7, 2025. The fair value of the 1,250,000 vested shares as of December 31, 2024 of $7,825,000 was determined using the Company’s closing trading price on December 31, 2024 and is included in the earnout liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The vested earnout shares are considered a level 1 fair value instrument. See Note 14– Fair Value Measurements for more information.

14. Fair Value Measurements

The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, fair value hierarchy of the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024:

The following table sets forth by level within the ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, fair value hierarchy of the Company’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023:

The estimated fair value of the earnout liability was determined using a Monte Carlo Model. The assumptions utilized in the calculation are based on the achievement of certain stock price milestones including projected stock price, volatility, probability of meeting the federal law enforcement agency growth and risk-free rate. The following assumptions were used in the simulation at each valuation date:

The assumptions also included the probability of meeting the federal law enforcement agency growth milestone at 100%. The fair value of the 1,250,000 vested shares as of December 31, 2024 of $7,825,000 was determined using the Company’s closing trading price on December 31, 2024.

The initial estimated fair value of the private warrants was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. The estimated fair value of the public warrants is based on the listed price in an active market for such warrants and the fair value of the private placement warrants continues to be measured based on the public warrants listed price.

The estimated fair value of the senior secured convertible promissory notes was measured using a Monte Carlo simulation pricing model that factors in potential outcomes being consummated, such as the convertible notes being repaid in cash and the convertible notes being converted to common stock. All of these scenarios take into consideration the terms and conditions of the underlying convertible notes plus potential changes in the underlying value of the common stock. The senior secured convertible promissory notes were fully converted to equity as of December 31, 2024. The following assumptions were used in the simulation:

On September 13, 2024, the vested earnout shares were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1 upon the Board approval of the achievement of the First Operating Performance Milestone (A,2). The fair value on the day of transfer was $3,400,000. There were no transfers of financial instruments between valuation levels during the year ended December 31, 2023. The changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value for the year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows:

(a) The conversions and settlements represent the fair value of the Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Notes at the dates of conversion.

15. Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:

The following potentially dilutive shares were not included in the calculation of diluted shares outstanding for the periods presented as the effect would have been anti-dilutive:

The 3,750,000-remaining unvested earnout shares as of December 31, 2024 are excluded from basic and diluted net loss per share as such shares are contingently issuable until the Company exceeds certain milestone thresholds that have not been achieved. The 1,250,000 vested earnout shares are included as anti-dilutive shares for the year ended December 31, 2024 and were issued to applicable personnel on January 7, 2025.

As a result of the Merger, the weighted-average number of shares of common stock used in the 2023 calculation of net income (loss) per share have been retroactively converted by applying the conversion ratio.

16. Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events, for the purpose of adjustment or disclosure, up through the date the financial statements were issued. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, there were the following material transaction that occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements:

As of September 30, 2024, the Company determined the First Operating Performance Milestone (A,2) of the earnout shares was achieved and 1,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to applicable personnel on January 7, 2025.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.