Brand Engagement Network Inc.

Current report

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Business,” “Risk Factors” and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes related thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “BEN” refer to Brand Engagement Network Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Current report

Risk Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

Current report

This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not strictly relate to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” the negative version of these words, or other comparable words or phrases. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, statements regarding future performance or results and anticipated services or products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies, trends in operations and financial results. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “- Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Current report

We are a generative AI ("GenAI") company specializing in conversational AI solutions. Through our secure, human-like AI agents ("AI Agents"), available in different modalities, we seek to transform consumer engagement and elevate customer experience, productivity, and business performance. Our AI Agents are built on 16+ advanced AI modules spanning perception, understanding, and response, with advanced capabilities in natural language processing ("NLP"), multisensory awareness, sentiment and environmental analysis, and real-time individuation and personalization. Our conversational AI solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of our business customers - from AI Agent customization in look, sound, and feel, to conversation design, business system integration, and cross-platform execution.

Current report

We still hold significant intellectual property in the form of a patent portfolio that we believe will be a cornerstone of our artificial intelligence solutions for certain industries that we expect to target, including the automotive, healthcare, and financial services industries.

Current report

Recent Events

Current report

Cohen Convertible Note

Current report

On April 12, 2024, we issued a convertible promissory note to J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, acting through its Cohen & Company Capital Markets division in the principal amount of $1.9 million (the "Cohen Convertible Note"), to settle outstanding invoices totaling $1.9 million related to investment banking services rendered to the Company in connection with its merger with Prior BEN and DHC Acquisition Corp. (the "Business Combination"). Beginning on October 14, 2024, interest will accrue at the fixed rate of 8% per annum on the outstanding principal amount until the Cohen Convertible Note is paid in full. Interest is payable monthly in cash or in-kind at the election of the Company. The Company may prepay the Cohen Convertible Note in whole or in part at any time or from time to time without penalty or premium. The Company may be required to prepay all or a portion of the Cohen Convertible Note upon the consummation of certain capital raising activities as described therein. The Cohen Convertible Note matured on March 14, 2025.

Current report

May Private Placement

Current report

On May 28, 2024, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "May SPA") with certain investors (the "May Purchasers"), pursuant to which the Company sold to the May Purchasers an aggregate of 1,980,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Common Stock") and 3,960,000 warrants, consisting of warrants to purchase 1,980,000 shares of Common Stock with a term of one year (the "May One-Year Warrants") and warrants to purchase 1,980,000 shares of Common Stock with a term of five years (the "May Five-Year Warrants" and, together with the May One-Year Warrants, the "May Warrants"), for aggregate proceeds consisting of approximately $4.4 million in cash and approximately $0.5 million through the offset of an obligation of the Company to the Purchasers. All May Warrants were originally exercisable for shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share.

Current report

July Private Placement

Current report

On July 1, 2024, the Company entered into a July Securities Purchase Agreement with The Williams Family Trust (the "July Securities Purchase Agreement") for the issuance and sale of 120,000 shares of Common Stock and 240,000 warrants, consisting of 120,000 July Warrants with a term of one year (the "July One-Year Warrants") and 120,000 July Warrants with a term of five years (the "July Five-Year Warrants," together with the July One-Year Warrants, the "July Warrants") to The Williams Family Trust for an aggregate purchase price of $0.3 million. The July Warrants are exercisable for Common Stock at a price of $2.50 per share and were immediately issued upon the closing date of July 1, 2024.

Current report

August Private Placement

Current report

On August 26, 2024 2024 (the “SEPA Effective Date”), we consummated a series of transactions for an aggregate purchase price of $5,925,000 (the "August Financing") whereby we (i) agreed to issue 1,185,000 shares of our Common Stock at a price per share of $5.00 pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement (the "August SPA"), dated August 26, 2024, by and among the Company and certain investors signatory thereto (the "August Purchasers"), (ii) issued 960,000 warrants (the "August Warrants") to purchase our Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 pursuant to that certain Warrant Purchase Agreement ("Warrant Purchase Agreement"), dated August 26, 2024, by and among the Company and certain purchasers signatory thereto and (iii) facilitated the transfer of 1,185,000 shares held by DHC Sponsor, LLC ("Sponsor") issued in connection with the Company's predecessor, DHC Acquisition Corp.'s ("DHC") initial public offering to the August Purchasers, pursuant to that certain share assignment and lockup release agreement (the "Assignment Agreement") with certain members of Sponsor and certain other existing stockholders and affiliates of the Company and the August Purchasers in exchange for releases from certain restrictions on transfer contained in either a (i) prior letter agreement by and among the Company's predecessor, DHC, Sponsor and the other signatories thereto or (ii) in certain lock-up agreements executed by certain members of Sponsor in connection with the consummation of the Company's prior business combination.

Current report

On August 30, 2024, the Company issued to the August Purchasers an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Common Stock and 960,000 August Warrants, and the August Purchasers paid an aggregate of $0.5 million in connection with the closing of the August Financing.

Current report

The remaining shares were issued to an escrow account and such shares remain in escrow until the conditions in the August SPA are satisfied. The August Purchasers are required to pay to the Company monthly cash installments in the amounts and on the dates as determined in the August SPA ending on April 5, 2025. For every $5.00 paid to the Company, the Company will release one share of Common Stock under the August SPA and one share of Common Stock under the Assignment Agreement to the August Purchasers. If an investor fails to pay its required funding by the respective deadline, the investor's entire commitment under the August SPA will become immediately due and payable. As of March 27, 2025, a total of 110,000 shares of Common Stock have been issued to the August Purchasers for gross proceeds of $550.000. As of March 27, 2025, the August SPA has been terminated with respect to certain Purchasers who have exercised their portion of the Committed Warrants under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement. As of the date hereof, one Purchaser has failed to make its required exercises for the January 31, 2025 exercise date under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement. To the extent a Purchaser fails to exercise its portion of the Committed Warrants, the obligations of such Purchaser under the August SPA and such obligations of any investor under the August SPA who is not a Purchaser under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, shall remain, and the August SPA will only terminate as to the Purchasers who have completed their January 31, 2025 exercise pursuant to the terms of the January Warrant Exercise Agreement. For additional information, please see "Warrant Exercise and Reload Agreement" below.

Current report

Standby Equity Purchase Agreement

Current report

On August 26, 2024, the Company issued 280,899 shares (the "Commitment Shares") of Common Stock to YA II PN, Ltd. ("Yorkville"), pursuant a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the "SEPA"), dated August 26, 2024. The issuance of such shares to Yorkville pursuant to the SEPA was not registered under the Securities Act. As of March 27, 2025, the Company has issued 2,462,023 shares to Yorkville under the SEPA.

Current report

On October 29, 2024, Company entered into a Share Purchase and Transfer Agreement with Christian Unterseer, in his individual capacity ("Unterseer"), CUTV GmbH, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany ("CUTV"), and CUNEO AG, a stock corporation incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany ("Cuneo" and together with Unterseer and CUTV, the "Sellers") (as amended by the Addendum, the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which the Sellers have agreed to sell all of the outstanding equity interests of Cataneo

Current report

GmbH, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany ("Cataneo") to the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $19.5 million, consisting of (i) $9.0 million in cash (the "Cash Consideration") and (ii) 4,200,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an agreed upon value of $2.50 per share ("Equity Consideration," collectively with the Cash Consideration, the "Consideration Shares") (the transactions governed by the Purchase Agreement, the "Acquisition"), subject to customary adjustments. Prior to the closing of the Acquisition (the "Cataneo Closing Date"), the Sellers may elect to convert a portion of the Equity Consideration to cash for up to $3.0 million at a price per share of $2.50 (the "Cash Election"). Additionally, an aggregate of 400,000 shares of Common Stock issued as part of the Equity Consideration shall be subject to an escrow arrangement for a period of one year (the "Escrow Period") following Cataneo Closing Date (the "Escrow Shares"). The Escrow Shares may be utilized to offset certain claims, fines, penalties, outstanding debts or other costs owed by the Sellers following the Cataneo Closing Date. Thirty days prior to the end of the Escrow Period, certain of the Sellers shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cause the Company to repurchase their portion of the Escrow Shares at a price per share of $2.50.

Current report

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, as well as indemnification provisions subject to specified limitations. Among other things, the Sellers have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to cause Cataneo to conduct its business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice, from the date of the Purchase Agreement until the Cataneo Closing Date and not to take certain actions prior to the Cataneo Closing Date without the prior written consent of the Company.

Current report

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025 and is subject to conditions, including, (i) the making of the Cash Election, (ii) the initiation of the process to register for resale the Equity Consideration, (iii) written confirmation that the Company has not received any delisting notice or similar notification affecting its listing status with Nasdaq, (iv) the execution by one or several of the Company's major stockholders of a personal guarantee of the Agreed Share Value (as defined therein) for a period of one year following the Cataneo Closing Date (the "Personal Guarantee"), (v) the obtaining of joint approval of the terms of the financing of the cash purchase price of the Acquisition by the Company and the Sellers, (vi) the receipt of customary third-party approvals and the release of the Sellers from customary bank guarantees, securities and indemnities, and (vii) the Company's board of directors' approval of the Company's due diligence investigation (collectively, the "Closing Conditions"). The Company intends to finance the transaction through third-party financing, which may take the form of debt or equity.

Current report

The Purchase Agreement contains certain customary termination rights, as amended and described below, for the Company and the Sellers, including the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement if (i) not all of the Closing Conditions have been satisfied by January 29, 2025 (which has been extended as described below), (ii) a party has not performed all of its Closing Actions (as defined therein) within ten business days of the Cataneo Closing Date, or (iii) the registration process of the Equity Consideration has not been initiated prior to the Cataneo Closing Date to the satisfaction of the Sellers. Notwithstanding any termination right, any party may seek specific performance of the other parties to the Purchase Agreement. In the event the Purchase Agreement is terminated by the Sellers by virtue of the failure of the Company to deliver the Personal Guarantee, the Sellers shall be entitled to a termination fee of approximately $0.4 million.

Current report

On February 6, 2025, the Company and the Sellers entered into that certain Addendum to Share Purchase and Transfer Agreement (the "Addendum"), pursuant to which the parties amended certain provisions of the Purchase Agreement to provide the parties additional time to prepare for and close the Acquisition. More specifically, the Addendum amends the Purchase Agreement to, among other things: (i) provide that the Company pay to Mr. Unterseer, as authorized recipient of the Sellers $0.4 million as a partial down payment ("Initial Down Payment") on the Cash Consideration by February 13, 2025, which amount was paid in full on February 12, 2025 and temporarily suspend Sellers' right to withdraw from the Purchase Agreement until February 28, 2025, unless the Company fails to pay Initial Down Payment; (ii) provide for additional temporary suspensions of Sellers' right to withdraw for two successive one-month periods through April 30, 2025, dependent upon the Company's payment each month of a down payment of $0.1 million to Mr. Unterseer, as authorized recipient of the Sellers (each an "Additional Down Payment"), with each Additional Down Payment to be credited toward the Cash Consideration to be owed by the Company; (iii) add a requirement of Sellers to use their best efforts to coordinate and to cause Cataneo to work with the Company and the Company's financial advisors towards the implementation of the percentage of completion method of accounting for past and current customer projects; (iv) provide that Sellers' agree to rescind Sellers' previous notification to exercise their right (the "Election Right") to receive the Equity Consideration in the amount of $3.0 million in cash instead of Consideration Shares as set forth in the Purchase Agreement, provided that the Sellers' may re-exercise such Election Right prior to the Closing of the Acquisition; (v) waive Sellers' right to approve the terms of the financing of the transaction; and (vi) provide that if the Purchase Agreement were to be terminated upon the Company's failure to pay or the expiration of April 30, 2025, or for other reasons the Company withdraws from the Purchase Agreement pursuant to the early termination provisions of the Purchase Agreement or should the Purchase Agreement terminate before Closing, Seller's agree to set-off under certain circumstances any claims Sellers may have pursuant to such early termination provisions of the Purchase Agreement against the Initial Down Payment and any Additional Down Payment; however, the remainder of the Initial Down Payment and any Additional Down Payment will not be repayable to the Company by Sellers. On March 14, 2025, the Company paid an Additional Down Payment of $100,000 to be credited toward the Cash Consideration.

Current report

Yorkville Promissory Note

Current report

On November 11, 2024, the Company issued a non-convertible unsecured promissory note (the "Promissory Note") in the aggregate original principal amount of approximately $1.7 million to Yorkville. The Promissory Note does not bear interest, subject to a potential increase of the interest rate to 18.0% per annum upon the occurrence of certain events of default as described in the Promissory Note. The Promissory Note matured on March 11, 2025, and was issued at an original issue discount of 10%. The Company is required to make monthly cash payments beginning on December 15, 2024, and continuing on the same day of each successive calendar month (each, an "Installment Date") of principal in the amount of the sum of (i) $0.4 million of principal (or the outstanding principal amount if less than such amount), plus (ii) a payment premium in an amount equal to 5% of the principal amount being paid, if applicable (the "Payment Premium"), and (iii) any accrued and unpaid interest as of each Installment Date ("Installment Amounts"). The Company shall, at its own option, repay each Installment Amount either (i) in cash on or before each Installment Date, or (ii) by submitting one or more an advance notice(s) under the SEPA (as defined below) (an "Advance Repayment"), on or before the applicable Installment Date, or any combination of (i) or (ii) as determined by the Company. If the Company repays the Installment Amount in cash, the cash payment shall include the Payment Premium. If the Company elects an Advance Repayment for all or a portion of an Installment Amount, then no Payment Premium will apply. In addition, for so long as the Promissory Note is outstanding, with respect to any advance notice submitted by the Company under the SEPA, the Company shall select an Option 2 Pricing Period (as defined in the SEPA), unless otherwise agreed by Yorkville.

Current report

Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Compliance

Current report

On December 30, 2024, the Company received a letter (the "Notice") from the Listing Qualifications Department (the "Staff") of Nasdaq notifying the Company that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price for the Company's Common Stock, had been below the minimum $1.00 per share required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the "Bid Price Requirement"). The Notice has no effect at this time on the Common Stock, which continues to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "BNAI".

Current report

In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until June 28, 2025 (the "Compliance Date"), to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement. If, at any time before the Compliance Date, the bid price for the Common Stock closes at $1.00 or more for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that it has regained compliance with the Bid Price Requirement (unless the Staff exercises its discretion to extend the 10-day period).

Current report

If the Company is not in compliance with the Bid Price Requirement by the Compliance Date, the Company may qualify for a second 180 calendar day period to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement. To qualify for an additional compliance period, the Company will be required to meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for The Nasdaq Capital Market, except for the Bid Price Requirement, and will need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. If the Company does not qualify for or fails to regain compliance during the second compliance period, then the Staff will provide written notification to the Company that its Common Stock will be subject to delisting. At that time, the Company may appeal the Staff's delisting determination to the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel. However, there can be no assurance that, if the Company receives a delisting notice and appeals the delisting determination, that such an appeal would be successful.

Current report

The Company intends to monitor the closing bid price of its Common Stock and is evaluating available options, including seeking to effect a reverse stock split, to resolve the noncompliance matters described herein and intends to take appropriate steps to maintain its listing on Nasdaq. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the Bid Price Requirement.

Current report

Warrant Exercise and Reload Agreement

Current report

On January 13, 2025, the Company entered into that certain Warrant Exercise and Reload Agreement (the "January Warrant Exercise Agreement") with certain investors (the "Purchasers"). Pursuant to the August SPA, the Purchasers previously purchased 110,000 shares of Common Stock, and the Company issued the contribution warrant (the "Contribution Warrant") to purchase up to 960,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share in exchange for certain holders of Common Stock contributing 1,185,000 shares of Common Stock into an escrow account maintained in connection with the August SPA, of which 1,075,000 shares of Common Stock remain in such escrow account (the "Escrow Shares").

Current report

Under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, the exercise price of 1,074,999 May Warrants (the "Committed Warrants") was reduced to $1.96 per share, until May 30, 2025, after which point the exercise price for any unexercised Committed Warrants shall automatically revert back to $2.50 per share. Pursuant to the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, the Purchasers agreed to exercise the Committed Warrants for cash on a schedule set forth in the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, with exercises taking place on or before January 31, 2025, February 28, 2025 and March 27, 2025 (the "Exercise Schedule"). Upon each Committed Warrant exercised in accordance with the Exercise Schedule, the Company shall issue (i) one new warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock exercisable for a term of two years and (ii) one new warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock exercisable for a term of five years, each with an exercise price of $1.71 per share (together, the "Reload Warrants"). Upon a Purchaser's completion in full under the Warrant Exercise but no later than May 30, 2025, all remaining May Warrants issued under the May SPA held by such Purchaser shall immediately upon completion of such exercise automatically be amended to become exercisable for $1.96 per share for the remainder of their term (the "Optional Warrants"). If a Purchaser exercises an Optional Warrant by June 30, 2025, the Company shall issue to such Purchaser (i) one new warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.71 per share with a term of two years and (ii) one new warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock with an exercise price of $1.71 with a term of five years (the "Optional Reload Warrants"). In addition, under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, for each share of Common Stock for which a Purchaser exercises a Committed Warrant, one Escrow Share will be released from escrow and transferred to such Purchaser, for an aggregate of up to 1,074,999 Escrow Shares among all Purchasers, rounded down to the nearest whole share. Additionally, the exercise price of the Contribution Warrant was reduced to $1.71 per share.

Current report

As of the date of March 27, 2025, Purchasers have exercised 718,513 Committed Warrants to purchase 718,513 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the January Warrant Exercise Agreement for aggregate gross proceeds of $1.4 million, and such Purchasers shall be issued 718,513 shares of Common Stock, 718,513 Escrow Shares, and 1,437,000 Reload Warrants. The August SPA has been terminated with respect to such Purchasers. As of March 27, 2025, one Purchaser has failed to make its required exercises for the January 31, 2025 exercise date under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, in an aggregate amount of $0.2 million. To the extent a Purchaser fails to exercise its portion of the Committed Warrants, the obligations of such Purchaser under the August SPA and such obligations of any investor under the August SPA who is not a Purchaser under the January Warrant Exercise Agreement, shall remain, and the August SPA will only terminate as to the Purchasers who have completed their January 31, 2025 exercise pursuant to the terms of the January Warrant Exercise Agreement.

Current report

AFG Subscription Agreement; Termination of Reseller Agreement

Current report

On August 19, 2023, the Company and AFG entered into a Reseller Agreement (the "Reseller Agreement") providing for, among other things, AFG to act as BEN's exclusive reseller of certain products in a designated territory on certain terms and conditions. As partial consideration to AFG for such services to BEN, (i) Prior BEN issued to AFG a number of shares of Prior BEN common stock which converted into 1,750,000 shares of Common Stock and (ii) a non-transferable warrant to purchase up to 3,750,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share, with AFG's right to exercise such warrant vesting based upon revenues earned from the sales of BEN products paid by AFG to BEN pursuant to the Reseller Agreement (the "Reseller Warrant").

Current report

On September 7, 2023, the Company and AFG entered into a Subscription Agreement (the "AFG Subscription Agreement") providing for (i) the purchase of shares of Prior BEN Common Stock in a private placement by the AFG and certain of its affiliates (the “AFG Investors”) as of immediately prior to the Closing Date, which converted into the right to receive 650,000 shares of Common Stock with an aggregate initial value of $6.5 million (such obligation to purchase such shares of BEN Common Stock, the "Initial Commitment") and (ii) the purchase of shares Common Stock in four installments commencing on March 14, 2025, with an aggregate purchase price of $26.0 million, at a purchase price per share prior to the installment purchase date that is the lesser of $10.00 and the average of the last reported sales prices of Common Stock for the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding the applicable installment purchase date, subject to a floor price of $2.11 (the "AFG Installment Shares").

Current report

On January 17, 2025, the Company delivered a notice of termination ("Notice") to AFG Companies, Inc. ("AFG") terminating the Exclusive Reseller Agreement, dated August 19, 2023, as amended, by and between the Company and AFG (the "Reseller Agreement"). The Notice only applies to the Reseller Agreement and does not affect AFG's obligations under the Subscription Agreement; however, in light of the Notice and the AFG Lawsuit (as defined below), the Company is uncertain whether AFG will fulfill its obligations under the Subscription Agreement. Accordingly, none of the information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K assumes that either the Reseller Warrant will become exercisable or that any AFG Installment Shares will be issued.

Current report

On January 16, 2025, the Company filed a lawsuit against AFG and its Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Wright Brewer III, in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division alleging fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and the concealment of a ransomware attack on its own network shortly before the Reseller Agreement was executed (the "AFG Lawsuit").

Previous report

Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Previous report

We are an emerging provider of conversational AI assistants, with the purpose of transforming engagement and analytics for businesses through our security-focused, multimodal communication and human-like assistants. Our AI assistants are built on proprietary natural language processing, anomaly detection, multisensory awareness, sentiment and environmental analysis, as well as real-time individuation and personalization capabilities.

Previous report

We were originally incorporated in 2020 as a Cayman Islands corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. On March 4, 2021 (the “IPO Closing Date”), we consummated our initial public offering (the “IPO”). On March 13, 2024, we migrated to and domesticated as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, and the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands (the “Domestication”). On March 14, 2024, we consummated a business combination with Brand Engagement Network Inc., a Wyoming corporation (“Legacy BEN”), which merged into our subsidiary, BEN Merger Subsidiary Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub” and such business combination, the “Business Combination”) and changed our name to Brand Engagement Network Inc.

Previous report

On July 25, 2022, we entered into a Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Glorifi Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, Glory Merger Subsidiary Corp., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) and With Purpose, Inc. (d/b/a GloriFi, Inc.) a Delaware corporation (“GloriFi”). On January 26, 2023, we sent GloriFi written notice that we had terminated the Glorifi Business Combination Agreement, pursuant to Section 9.01(i) and Section 9.01(f) the Business Combination Agreement. Our decision to terminate the Glorifi Business Combination Agreement took into account the fact that GloriFi had previously publicly announced that GloriFi was winding down its operations and closing its digital banking platform and other products.

Previous report

Recent Developments

Previous report

On March 14, 2024 (the “Closing Date”), Brand Engagement Network Inc., a Delaware corporation f/k/a DHC Acquisition Corp (“BEN,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), consummated the previously announced business combination pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of September 7, 2023 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, BEN Merger Subsidiary Corp. (f/k/a Glory Merger Subsidiary Corp.), Brand Engagement Network Inc., a Wyoming corporation (“Legacy BEN”) and DHC Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), following approval thereof at a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders held on March 5, 2024 (the “Special Meeting”).

Previous report

The Business Combination is accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, BEN is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the consolidated financial statements of the combined company will represent a continuation of the consolidated financial statements of Legacy BEN with the Business Combination treated as the equivalent of Legacy BEN issuing stock for the net assets of BEN, accompanied by a recapitalization.

Previous report

We received net proceeds from the Business Combination totaling $7.1 million inclusive of the remaining cash held in the Trust Account and proceeds from Legacy BEN’s private placement offering in connection with the Business Combination, prior to deduction transaction and issuance costs. The cash resulting from the Business Combination is expected to be used toward payment of transaction expenses. The cash raised from the Business Combination is expected to be used to fund operations and general working capital requirements.

Previous report

As the closing of the Business Combination did not occur until after the year ended December 31, 2023, the results of operations below are based on the fact that we have neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to the date of the financial statements. Our only activities through December 31, 2023 were organizational activities, those necessary to prepare for the Initial Public Offering, described below, and identifying a target company for a Business Combination. We did not expect to generate any operating revenues until after the completion of our Business Combination. We generatednon-operating income in the form of interest income on marketable securities held in the Trust Account. We incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

Previous report

For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had a net income of $7,206,713, which consists of interest earned on investments held in Trust Account of $4,462,497 and a change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $8,135,024, offset by operating and formation costs of $5,390,808.

Previous report

On March 4, 2021, we consummated the Initial Public Offering of 30,000,000 Units at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $300,000,000. Simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, we consummated the sale of 6,000,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant in a private placement to the Sponsor, generating gross proceeds of $9,000,000.

Previous report

On March 5, 2021, the underwriters of our initial public offering partially exercised their over-allotment option, and we consummated the sale of an additional 945,072 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $9,450,720. In addition, we also consummated the sale of an additional 126,010 private placement warrants at $1.50 per private warrant, generating total gross proceeds of $189,015.

Previous report

Following the Initial Public Offering, the partial exercise of the over-allotment option, and the sale of the private placement warrants, a total of $309,450,720 was placed in the Trust Account. We incurred $17,501,346 in Initial Public Offering related costs, including $6,189,014 of underwriting fees, net of reimbursement, $10,830,775 of deferred underwriting fees and $481,557 of other costs.

Previous report

For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $822,441. Net loss of $6,879,994 was affected by interest earned on investments held in Trust Account of $4,360,578, forgiveness of deferred underwriting fee of $348,344, expense related to non-redemption agreements of $6,814,541 and change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $164,410. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $1,987,524 of cash for operating activities.

Previous report

For the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $648,866. Net income of $7,206,713 was affected by change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $8,135,024 and interest earned on investments held in the Trust Account of $4,462,497. Changes in operating assets and liabilities provided $4,741,942 of cash for operating activities.

Previous report

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash held in the Trust Account of $22,040,092. We may withdraw interest from the Trust Account to pay taxes, if any. We intend to use substantially all of the funds held in the Trust Account, including any amounts representing interest earned on the Trust Account (less income taxes payable), to complete our business combination. To the extent that our share capital or debt is used, in whole or in part, as consideration to complete our business combination, the remaining proceeds held in the Trust Account will be used as working capital to finance the operations of the target business or businesses, make other acquisitions and pursue our growth strategies. On March 3, 2023, we held the Extension Meeting to, in part, amend our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to extend the date by which we have to consummate a business combination. In connection with that vote, the Redeeming Shareholders properly exercised their right to redeem their shares for an aggregate redemption amount of $268,585,494. In connection with the extension, the trustee of the Trust Account placed the funds remaining in the Trust Account in an interest bearing cash bank account. The Trust Account does not hold any investments.

Previous report

In connection with the Extension Meeting, as described in Note 1, due to a clerical error by the trustee of the Trust Account, the Redeeming Shareholders were overpaid approximately $0.03 per Class A ordinary share that was redeemed, for an aggregate total overpayment amount of $887,555 (the “Overpayment Amount”). As of December 31, 2023, the Company has collected $870,731 of the overpayment and $16,824 remains receivable. The Company is in process of collecting the remaining Overpayment Amount and currently expects to fully recover the total Overpayment Amount.

Previous report

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash of $40,167. We intend to use the funds held outside the Trust Account primarily to identify and evaluate target businesses, perform business due diligence on prospective target businesses, travel to and from the offices, plants or similar locations of prospective target businesses or their representatives or owners, review corporate documents and material agreements of prospective target businesses, and structure, negotiate and complete a business combination.

Previous report

In order to fund working capital deficiencies or finance transaction costs in connection with a Business Combination, the Sponsor, or certain of our officers and directors or their affiliates may, but are not obligated to, loan us funds as may be required. If we complete a Business Combination, we will repay such loaned amounts. In the event that a Business Combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment. Up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into warrants at a price of $1.50 per warrant, at the option of the lender. The warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

Previous report

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 205-40, “Basis of Presentation—Going Concern”, management has determined that the liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, which is considered to be one year from the issuance of these financial statements. On March 14, 2024, the Company consummated the Transaction, however, the liquidity condition of the Company remains unstable. The uncertainty around the Company’s ability to stabilize the liquidity condition raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management intends to raise additional capital in order to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities.

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Contractual obligations

Previous report

We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations or long-term liabilities, other than an agreement to pay an affiliate of one of our Sponsor a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space, utilities and secretarial and administrative services. We began incurring these fees on March 4, 2021 and will continue to incur these fees monthly until the earlier of the completion of the Business Combination and our liquidation.

Previous report

The underwriters of our initial public offer are entitled to a deferred fee of $0.35 per unit, or $10,830,775 in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters of our initial public offering from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that we complete a business combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

Previous report

Critical Accounting Policies

Previous report

The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following critical accounting policies:

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Warrant Liabilities

Previous report

We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. We evaluate all of our financial instruments, including issued share purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 480 and ASC 815. We account for the Warrants in accordance with the guidance contained in ASC 815-40 under which the Warrants do not meet the criteria for equity treatment and must be recorded as liabilities. Accordingly, we classify the Warrants as liabilities at their fair value and adjust the Warrants to fair value at each reporting period. This liability is subject tore-measurement at each balance sheet date until exercised, and any change in fair value is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations. The Private Placement Warrants and the Public Warrants for periods where no observable traded price was available are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. For periods subsequent to the detachment of the Public Warrants from the Units, the Public Warrant quoted market price will be used as the fair value as of each relevant date.

Previous report

Class A Ordinary Shares Subject to Possible Redemption

Previous report

We account for our ordinary shares subject to possible conversion in accordance with the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Ordinary shares subject to mandatory redemption, if any, are classified as a liability instrument and measured at fair value. Conditionally redeemable ordinary shares (including ordinary shares that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, ordinary shares are classified as shareholders’ equity. Our ordinary shares feature certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to occurrence of uncertain future events. Accordingly, ordinary shares subject to possible redemption are presented at redemption value as temporary equity, outside of the shareholders’ deficit section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Previous report

Net (Loss) Income Per Ordinary Share

Previous report

Net (loss) income per ordinary share is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. We apply thetwo-class method in calculating earnings per share. Accretion associated with the redeemable shares of Class A ordinary shares is excluded from earnings per share as the redemption value approximates fair value.

Previous report

In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06”) to simplify accounting for certain financial instruments. ASU 2020-06 eliminates the current models that require separation of beneficial conversion and cash conversion features from convertible instruments and simplifies the derivative scope exception guidance pertaining to equity classification of contracts in an entity’s own equity. The new standard also introduces additional disclosures for convertible debt and freestanding instruments that are indexed to and settled in an entity’s own equity. ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share guidance, including the requirement to use theif-converted method for all convertible instruments. As a smaller reporting company, ASU 2020-06 is effective January 1, 2024 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and should be applied on a full or modified retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted beginning on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, that ASU 2020-06 would have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has not adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2023.

Previous report

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities