Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-262750

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated March 18, 2022)

 

 

Up to $50 Million of Common Stock

 

We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, or the Distribution Agreement, with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, each a Sales Agent and together the Sales Agents, relating to shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, or common stock, offered by this prospectus supplement and accompanying base prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million from time to time through the Sales Agents.

 

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, including block trades and sales made in ordinary brokers’ transactions on The Nasdaq Capital Market or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We will instruct only one Sales Agent to sell shares of our common stock on any given trading day. The compensation payable to a Sales Agent for sales of shares with respect to which such Sales Agent acts as sales agent shall be up to 3.0% of the gross sales price for such shares.

 

Under the terms of the Distribution Agreement, we also may sell shares to any or all of the Sales Agents as principal for their own accounts. If we sell shares to any Sales Agent or Agents as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with such Sales Agent or Agents setting forth the terms of such transaction, and we will describe this agreement in a separate pricing supplement. In connection with the sale of the shares on our behalf, the Sales Agents may be deemed “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation paid to the Sales Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.

 

The Sales Agents are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares, but, if instructed to do so and subject to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement, the applicable Sales Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell all of the designated shares in accordance with our instruction.

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ATOM.” On May 27, 2022, the last reported sales price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $12.99 per share.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” commencing on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Oppenheimer & Co.   Craig-Hallum
     

The date of this prospectus supplement is May 31, 2022

 

 

 

   
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

  Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY S-2
RISK FACTORS S-4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS S-7
DILUTION S-8
DIVIDEND POLICY S-9
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION S-10
LEGAL MATTERS S-11
EXPERTS S-11
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE S-11
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION S-12
   

 

Base Prospectus

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
ABOUT ATOMERA INCORPORATED 1
RISK FACTORS 3
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 3
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER 4
COMMON STOCK 4
PREFERRED STOCK 4
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 5
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 11
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 11
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 12
LEGAL MATTERS 14
EXPERTS 14
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 14
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 14
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 15

 

 

 

   
 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Each time we conduct an offering to sell securities under the accompanying base prospectus we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the price, the amount of securities being offered and the plan of distribution. This prospectus supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering and may add, update or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus. The base prospectus, dated March 18, 2022, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, provides general information about us and our securities, some of which, such as the section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. We are not, and the Sales Agents are not, making offers to sell or solicitations to buy our common stock in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

 

If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying base prospectus or the information incorporated by reference with an earlier date, you should rely on this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, together with the base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus we have provided for use in connection with this offering, include all material information relating to this offering. We have not, and Sales Agents have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information and you must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus we have provided for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the respective dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the information and documents incorporated herein by reference herein and therein, as well as any free writing prospectus we have provided for use in connection with this offering, before making an investment decision. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the actual documents, some of which have been filed or will be filed and incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement. We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus contain and incorporate by reference certain market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on Company-sponsored studies, independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, estimates as they relate to projections involve numerous assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

 

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Atomera Incorporated, a Delaware corporation.

 

 

 S-1 
 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This prospectus summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 and our financial statements and the related notes and the other information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, before making an investment decision

 

Our Company

 

We are engaged in the business of developing, commercializing and licensing proprietary materials, processes and technologies for the $550+ billion semiconductor industry. Our lead technology, named Mears Silicon TechnologyTM, or MST®, is a thin film of reengineered silicon, typically 100 to 300 angstroms (or approximately 20 to 60 silicon atomic unit cells) thick. MST can be applied as a transistor channel enhancement to CMOS-type transistors, the most widely used transistor type in the semiconductor industry. MST is our proprietary and patent-protected performance enhancement technology that we believe addresses a number of key engineering challenges facing the semiconductor industry. We believe that by incorporating MST, transistors can be made smaller, with increased speed, reliability and energy efficiency. In addition, since MST is an additive and low-cost technology, we believe it can be deployed on an industrial scale, with equipment commonly used in semiconductor manufacturing. We believe that MST can improve existing products due to the physical properties of the film and can also enable customers to design products with performance, power and scaling characteristics that are not possible using their current process technologies. We believe that MST can be incorporated into a wide range of the most common types of semiconductor products, including analog, logic, optical and memory integrated circuits.

 

We do not intend to design or manufacture integrated circuits directly. Instead, we develop and license technologies and processes that we believe offer the designers and manufacturers of integrated circuits a low-cost solution to the industry’s need for greater performance and lower power consumption. Our customers and partners include:

 

  · foundries, which manufacture integrated circuits on behalf of fabless manufacturers;
  · integrated device manufacturers, or IDMs, which are the fully integrated designers and manufacturers of integrated circuits;
  · fabless semiconductor manufacturers, which are designers of integrated circuits that outsource the manufacture of their chips to foundries;
  · original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, which manufacture the epitaxial, or EPI, deposition machines used to deposit semiconductor layers, such as the MST film onto the silicon wafer; and
  · electronic design automation companies, which make tools used throughout the industry to simulate the performance of semiconductor products using different materials, design structures and process technologies.

  

Our commercialization strategy is to generate revenue through licensing arrangements whereby foundries, IDMs and fabless semiconductor manufacturers pay us a license fee for their right to use MST technology in the manufacture of silicon wafers as well as a royalty for each silicon wafer or device that incorporates our MST technology. To date we have generated revenue from (i) a joint development agreement, or JDA, with a leading semiconductor provider that includes license grants and engineering services, (ii) licensing agreements with two IDMs, one fabless manufacturer and one foundry and (iii) engineering services provided to foundries, IDMs and fabless companies.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 750 University Avenue, Suite 280, Los Gatos, California 95032, and our telephone number is (408) 442-5248. Our website address is www.atomera.com. The information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 S-2 
 

The Offering

 

The following is a brief summary of some of the terms of the offering and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. For a more complete description of the terms of our common stock, see description of our common stock in the accompanying base prospectus in the section, “The Securities We May Offer.”

 

Common stock
offered by us
  Shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million.
     
Common stock to be
outstanding after this offering
  Up to 27,242,362 shares, assuming sales of 3,849,114 shares of our common stock in this offering at a price of $12.99 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 27, 2022. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales price under this offering.
     
Manner of offering   We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, or Distribution Agreement, with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, each a Sales Agent and together the Sales Agents, relating to the sale of shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. In accordance with the terms of the Distribution Agreement, under this prospectus supplement we may offer and sell common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50 million from time to time to or through the Sales Agents. Sales of common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement.
     
Use of proceeds   We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could include hiring additional personnel and procuring additional wafer processing and metrology tools. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-7.
     
Risk factors   Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. These risks include all of the risks typically relating to an early-stage technology company whose products have not achieved commercial adoption, including our ability to: replicate on a commercial manufacturing scale the technical benefits we have achieved in testing of our MST technology; advance the licensing arrangements with our four initial integration licensees to manufacturing and distribution licenses; advance our first JDA to a distribution license; advance our second JDA to a revenue-generating license; structure, negotiate and enforce license agreements in a manner that will enable us to operate on a profitable basis; protect our intellectual property rights; and raise additional funds, as and when needed. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 and the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.
     
The Nasdaq Capital Market symbol   “ATOM”

  

The number of shares of our common stock expected to be outstanding after this offering is based on 23,393,248 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and excludes the following:

 

·3,008,499 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2022, which have a weighted average exercise price of $7.02 per share;
·730,521 shares of common stock reserved for issuance and available for future grant under our 2017 Stock Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2022; and
·976 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2022, which have a weighted average exercise price of $33.75 per share.

 

 

 S-3 
 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before purchasing our common stock, you should read and consider carefully the following risk factors and the risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2022, as well as all other information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes. Each of these risk factors, either alone or taken together, could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our common stock. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently believe are immaterial, which could also impair our business and financial position. If any of the events described below were to occur, our financial condition, our ability to access capital resources, our results of operations and/or our future growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected and the market price of our common stock could decline. As a result, you could lose some or all of any investment you may make in our common stock.

 

Risks Related to This Offering

 

The market price of our shares may be subject to fluctuation and volatility. You could lose all or part of your investment.

 

The market price of our common stock is subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. For example, since January 1, 2022 through May 27, 2022, the reported low and high sales prices of our common stock have ranged from $9.22 to $21.28, respectively. The market price of our shares on The Nasdaq Capital Market may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

 

·actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations and financial condition;
·market acceptance of our MST technology;
·success or failure of our research and development projects;
·announcements of technological innovations by us;
·failure by us to achieve a publicly announced milestone;
·failure by us to meet expectations of investors, some of which may not be within our control or related to our public announcements;
·delays between our expenditures to develop and market new or enhanced technological innovations and the generation of licensing revenue from those innovations;
·developments concerning intellectual property rights, including our involvement in litigation brought by or against us;
·changes in the amounts that we spend to develop, acquire or license new technologies or businesses;
·our sale or proposed sale, or the sale by our significant stockholders, of our shares or other securities in the future;
·changes in our key personnel;
·changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts, if we continue to be covered by analysts;
·the trading volume of our shares; and
·general economic and market conditions and other factors, including factors unrelated to our operating performance.

 

These factors and any corresponding price fluctuations may materially and adversely affect the market price of our shares and result in substantial losses being incurred by our investors. In the past, following periods of market volatility, public company stockholders have often instituted securities class action litigation. If we were involved in securities litigation, it could impose a substantial cost upon us and divert the resources and attention of our management from our business.

 

Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the possibility that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future issuances or sales of our securities including sales of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Distribution Agreement or the availability of our securities for future issuance or sale, will have on the market price of our common stock. Issuances or sales of substantial amounts of our securities, including sales of our common stock pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, or the perception that such issuances or sales might occur, could negatively impact the market price of our common stock and the terms upon which we may obtain additional equity financing in the future.

 

 

 

 S-4 
 

 

It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares of our common stock we will sell under the Distribution Agreement, or the gross proceeds resulting from those sales.

 

Subject to certain limitations in the Distribution Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to the sales agent at any time throughout the term of the Distribution Agreement. The number of shares of our common stock that are sold through the Sales Agents after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the market price of our common stock during the sales period, the limits we set with the sales agent in any applicable placement notice, and the demand for our common stock during the sales period. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate during the sales period, it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares that will be sold or the gross proceeds to be raised in connection with those sales.

 

The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

 

Investors who purchase common stock in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold in this offering. In addition, there is no minimum or maximum sales price for shares to be sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

 

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per common share you purchase.

 

The price per common share being offered may be higher than the net tangible book value per common share outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate 3,849,114 shares are sold at a price of $12.99 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 27, 2022, for aggregate proceeds of up to $50 million in this offering, and after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, you will suffer immediate dilution of $10.29 per share, representing the difference between the as adjusted net tangible book value per common share as of March 31, 2022 after giving effect to this offering and the assumed offering price. See the section entitled “Dilution” below for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock in this offering.

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock in this offering, you may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings or other equity issuances

 

We may in the future offer and issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell shares or other securities in any offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in previous offerings, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share in previous offerings In addition, the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants would result in further dilution of your investment.

 

We have not paid dividends in the past and have no immediate plans to pay dividends. 

 

We plan to reinvest all of our earnings, to the extent we have earnings, to cover operating costs and otherwise become and remain competitive. We do not plan to pay any cash dividends with respect to our securities in the foreseeable future. We cannot assure you that we would, at any time, generate sufficient surplus cash that would be available for distribution to the holders of our common stock as a dividend. Therefore, you should not expect to receive cash dividends on our common stock.

 

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and you may not agree with how we use the proceeds and the proceeds may not be invested successfully.

 

Our management will have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of this offering. We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby. We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could include hiring additional personnel and procuring additional wafer processing and metrology tools. See the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” below for a more detailed discussion. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds will be used appropriately. It is possible that the proceeds will be invested in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for the Company and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

 

 S-5 
 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, from time to time we or our representatives have made or will make forward-looking statements in various other filings that we make with the SEC or in other documents, including press releases or other similar announcements. Forward-looking statements concern our current plans, intentions, beliefs, expectations and statements of future economic performance. Statements containing terms such as “will,” “may,” “believe,” “do not believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and other phrases of similar meaning are considered to be forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include, among others, those set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and those discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our future periodic reports filed with the SEC, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference herein and therein, which reflect management’s views and opinions only as of their respective dates. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we have made or will make in the filings we make with the SEC, including reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any related issuer free writing prospectus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 S-6 
 

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock offered under this prospectus supplement for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could include hiring additional personnel and procuring additional wafer processing and metrology tools. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for such purposes. As a result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds. Additionally, the amounts and timing of our actual use of proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including the factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement as well as the information and documents incorporated herein by reference herein and in the accompanying base prospectus. Pending the uses described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade interest-bearing securities such as money market accounts, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 S-7 
 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our common stock, you will experience immediate dilution to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.

 

Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2022 was approximately $25.2 million, or approximately $1.08 per share. Net tangible book value is determined by subtracting our total liabilities from our total tangible assets, and net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock. After giving effect to the sale of $50 million of our common stock during the term of the Distribution Agreement at an assumed offering price of $12.99 per share, the last reported sale price per common share on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 27, 2022, and after deducting commissions of 3.0% of the offering proceeds and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, our adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2022 would have been approximately $73.4 million, or approximately $2.70 per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of approximately $1.62 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of approximately $10.29 per share to investors participating in this offering. The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis:

 

Public offering price per share of common stock         $12.99  
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2022   $ 1.08          
Increase per share attributable to investors participating in this offering   $  1.62          
Adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering           $ 2.70   
Dilution per share to investors participating in this offering           $ 10.29   

 

The table above assumes for illustrative purposes that an aggregate of 3,849,114 shares of our common stock are sold during the term of the Distribution Agreement at a price of $12.99 per share, the last reported sale price per common share on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 27, 2022, for aggregate gross proceeds of $50 million. The shares subject to the Distribution Agreement are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $2.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price per share shown in the table above, assuming all common stock in the aggregate amount of $50 million during the remaining term of the Distribution Agreement are sold at that price, would increase our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $2.75 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $12.24 per share, after deducting commissions payable by us. A decrease of $2.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price per share shown in the table above, assuming all common stock in the aggregate amount of $50 million during the term of the Distribution Agreement are sold at that price, would instead decrease our adjusted net tangible book value per share after the offering to $2.63 per share, and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering to $8.36 per share, after deducting commissions payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.

 

The number of shares of our common stock expected to be outstanding after this offering is based on 23,393,248 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and excludes the following:

 

·3,008,499 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2022, which have a weighted average exercise price of $7.02 per share;
·730,521 shares of common stock reserved for issuance and available for future grant under our 2017 Stock Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2022; and
·976 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2022, which have a weighted average exercise price of $33.75 per share.

 

The above illustration of dilution per share to investors participating in this offering assumes no exercise of outstanding options or warrants to purchase our common stock. To the extent that the options or warrants are exercised, investors participating in this offering will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital depending on market conditions, our capital requirements and strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through our sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

 

 

 S-8 
 

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Our board of directors currently intends to retain any future earnings, to the extent we have earnings, to cover operating costs and otherwise become and remain competitive. Any future determination to pay dividends will also be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our results of operations and cash flows, our financial position and capital requirements, general business conditions, legal, tax, regulatory and any contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends, and any other factors our board of directors deems relevant. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 S-9 
 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into the Equity Distribution Agreement, or the Distribution Agreement, with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, under which we may issue and sell from time to time shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of not more than $50,000,000 through Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC as our Sales Agents. Sales of the common stock, if any, will be made by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, or in privately negotiated transactions. The Distribution Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

The applicable Sales Agent will offer our common stock at prevailing market prices subject to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement as agreed upon by us and such Sales Agent. We will designate the number of shares which we desire to sell, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of shares that may be sold in one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement, such Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us. We or the Sales Agents may suspend the offering of the common stock being made through such Sales Agent under the Distribution Agreement upon proper notice to the other party.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable placement notice, settlement for sales of our common stock will occur on the second trading day (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following the time at which an acquiror of common stock entered into a contract, binding upon such acquiror, to acquire such common stock, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

We will pay the Sales Agents in cash, upon each sale of our shares of common stock pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, a commission equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of shares of our common stock. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the Distribution Agreement, we agreed to reimburse the Agents for the fees and disbursements of its counsel in an amount not to exceed (i) $75,000 in connection with the establishment of the at-the-market offering, and (ii) thereafter, $10,000 on a quarterly basis. We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding commissions payable to the Sales Agents under the Distribution Agreement, will be approximately $250,000. We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through the Agents under the Distribution Agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to such Sales Agent in connection with the sales of common stock.

 

In connection with the sales of common stock on our behalf, the Sales Agents will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to such Sales Agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed in the Distribution Agreement to provide indemnification and contribution to the Sales Agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

 

The offering of our shares of common stock pursuant to the Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of the (i) sale of all of our shares of common stock provided for in this prospectus supplement, or (ii) termination of the Distribution Agreement as permitted therein.

 

Each Sales Agent and its respective affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, the Sales Agents will not engage in any market making activities involving our shares of common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement. This summary of the material provisions of the Distribution Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. We are filing a copy of the Distribution Agreement with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K concurrently with the filing of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

 S-10 
 

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Irvine, California. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the sales agent by White & Case LLP, New York, New York.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements of Atomera Incorporated as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated by reference herein, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information and reports we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to another document. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement, and later information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, except to the extent information in those documents is different from the information contained in this prospectus supplement, and all future documents filed with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than filings or portions thereof, including exhibits, deemed to be furnished to the SEC pursuant to Item 9 or Item 12 of Form S-3) until we terminate the offering of these securities:

 

·Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed on February 15, 2022;
·Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, which was filed on April 27, 2022;
·Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2022 and May 6, 2022; and
·The description of our common stock in our Form 8-A12B, which was filed on August 2, 2016, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating this description.

 

To the extent that any statement in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any statement that is incorporated by reference and that was made on or before the date of this prospectus supplement, the statement in this prospectus supplement shall supersede such incorporated statement. The incorporated statement shall not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of each contract or document filed as an exhibit to our various filings made with the SEC.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus supplement is delivered, without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement but not delivered with the prospectus supplement, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

 

Atomera Incorporated

750 University Avenue, Suite 280

Los Gatos, California 95032

Attention: Corporate Secretary

Telephone: (408) 442-5248

 

 

 

 

 

 S-11 
 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act (SEC File No. 333-262750) that registers the securities offered hereby. The registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules attached thereto and the information incorporated by reference therein, contains additional relevant information about the securities and our Company, which we are allowed to omit from this prospectus supplement pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and current reports and proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may access the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, and the documents incorporated by reference herein, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.atomera.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement the information on our website and it is not a part of this document.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 S-12 
 

PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

 

ATOMERA INCORPORATED

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

______________________

 

We may issue securities from time to time in one or more offerings of up to $100,000,000 in aggregate offering price. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements will also describe the specific manner in which these securities will be offered and may also supplement, update or amend information contained in this document. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest.

 

e may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The securities may be sold directly to you, through agents, or through underwriters and dealers. If agents, underwriters or dealers are used to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

 

ur common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “ATOM”. On February 14, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $16.28 per share.

______________________________

 

Investing in these securities involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” included in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase these securities.

______________________________

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

____________________________

 

The date of this prospectus is ____________, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
ABOUT ATOMERA INCORPORATED 1
RISK FACTORS 3
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 3
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER 4
COMMON STOCK 4
PREFERRED STOCK 4
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 5
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 11
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 11
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 12
LEGAL MATTERS 14
EXPERTS 14
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 14
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 14
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 15

 

 

 

 i 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings for an aggregate initial offering price of up to $100,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. From time to time, we may provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus.

 

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. We do not take any responsibility for, and cannot provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus filed by us with the SEC. Neither this prospectus nor any accompanying prospectus supplement constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities described in the accompanying prospectus supplement or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference and any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed materially since those dates.

 

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our” and “us” refer, collectively, to Atomera Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.

 

ABOUT ATOMERA INCORPORATED

 

We are engaged in the business of developing, commercializing and licensing proprietary materials, processes and technologies for the $550+ billion semiconductor industry. Our lead technology, named Mears Silicon TechnologyTM, or MST®, is a thin film of reengineered silicon, typically 100 to 300 angstroms (or approximately 20 to 60 silicon atomic unit cells) thick. MST can be applied as a transistor channel enhancement to CMOS-type transistors, the most widely used transistor type in the semiconductor industry. MST is our proprietary and patent-protected performance enhancement technology that we believe addresses a number of key engineering challenges facing the semiconductor industry. We believe that by incorporating MST, transistors can be made smaller, with increased speed, reliability and energy efficiency. In addition, since MST is an additive and low-cost technology, we believe it can be deployed on an industrial scale, with equipment commonly used in semiconductor manufacturing. We believe that MST can improve existing products due to the physical properties of the film and can also enable customers to design products with performance, power and scaling characteristics that are not possible using their current process technologies. We believe that MST can be incorporated into a wide range of the most common types of semiconductor products, including analog, logic, optical and memory integrated circuits.

 

We do not intend to design or manufacture integrated circuits directly. Instead, we develop and license technologies and processes that we believe offer the designers and manufacturers of integrated circuits a low-cost solution to the industry’s need for greater performance and lower power consumption. Our customers and partners include:

 

·foundries, which manufacture integrated circuits on behalf of fabless manufacturers;
·integrated device manufacturers, or IDMs, which are the fully integrated designers and manufacturers of integrated circuits;
·fabless semiconductor manufacturers, which are designers of integrated circuits that outsource the manufacture of their chips to foundries;
·original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, which manufacture the epitaxial, or EPI, deposition machines used to deposit semiconductor layers, such as the MST film onto the silicon wafer; and
·electronic design automation companies, which make tools used throughout the industry to simulate the performance of semiconductor products using different materials, design structures and process technologies.

 

 

 

 1 

 

 

Our commercialization strategy is to generate revenue through licensing arrangements whereby foundries, IDMs and fabless semiconductor manufacturers pay us a license fee for their right to use MST technology in the manufacture of silicon wafers as well as a royalty for each silicon wafer or device that incorporates our MST technology. To date we have generated revenue from (i) a joint development agreement, or JDA, with a leading semiconductor provider that includes license grants and engineering services, (ii) licensing agreements with two IDMs, one fabless manufacturer and one foundry and (iii) engineering services provided to foundries, IDMs and fabless companies.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 750 University Avenue, Suite 280, Los Gatos, California 95032, and our telephone number is (408) 442-5248.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the risk factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K, together with all of the other information appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement relating to a specific offering.

 

Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any or all of these risks or by additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial that may adversely affect us in the future.

 

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains, and any accompanying prospectus supplement will contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1993. Also, documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus, including documents that we subsequently file with the SEC, will contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are those that predict or describe future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements as statements containing the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “believe,” “project,” “plan,” “assume” or other similar expressions, or negatives of those expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement regarding our business strategy, future operations, projected financial position, potential strategic transactions, proposed licensing arrangements, projected sales growth, estimated future revenues, cash flows and profitability, projected costs, potential outcome of litigation, potential sources of additional capital, future prospects, future economic condit0ions, the future of our industry and results that might be obtained by pursuing management's current plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.

 

You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date on the cover of this prospectus, the date of any prospectus supplement, or, in the case of forward-looking statements incorporated by reference, the date of the filing that includes the statement. Over time, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such difference might be significant and materially adverse to our security holders. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

We have identified some of the important factors that could cause future events to differ from our current expectations and they are described in this prospectus and supplements to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors,” as well as in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in other documents that we may file with the SEC, all of which you should review carefully. Please consider our forward-looking statements in light of those risks as you read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 3 

 

 

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, units and debt securities having an aggregate initial offering price not exceeding $100,000,000. In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and units that we may offer collectively as “securities.”

 

Common Stock

 

We are authorized to issue 47,500,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders generally. Stockholders are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, and in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities. The holders of shares of common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription rights or cumulative voting rights.

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer other than our common stock. Each time we sell any of our securities under this prospectus, we will, to the extent required by law, provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information in this prospectus. For more information, see “About this Prospectus.”

 

Preferred Stock

 

We are authorized to issue 2,500,000 shares of $0.001 par value preferred stock. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders (unless such stockholder action is required by applicable law or the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market), to designate and issue up to 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each wholly unissued series, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. Shares of our preferred stock, if issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

We will fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights of the preferred stock of each series, as well as the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, in the certificate of designation relating to that series. We will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation that describes the terms of the series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include:

 

·the title and stated value;
·the number of shares we are offering;
·the liquidation preference per share;
·the purchase price;
·the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends;
·whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate;
·the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any;
·the provisions for a sinking fund, if any;
·the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights;
·any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange or market;
·whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period;
·whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period;
·voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;
·preemptive rights, if any;
·restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;
·whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;
·a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;
·the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs;
·any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; and
·any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.

 

 

 

 4 

 

 

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, the state of our incorporation, provides that the holders of preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class (or, in some cases, as a series) on an amendment to our certificate of incorporation if the amendment would change the par value or, unless the certificate of incorporation provided otherwise, the number of authorized shares of the class or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the class or series so as to adversely affect the class or series, as the case may be. This right is in addition to any voting rights that may be provided for in the applicable certificate of designation.

 

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. Preferred stock could be issued quickly with terms designed to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

 

Description of Debt Securities

 

We may offer debt securities which may be senior or subordinated. We refer to the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities collectively as debt securities. The following description summarizes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions summarized below apply to any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the series and any applicable free writing prospectus that we authorize to be delivered.

 

We may issue senior debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, which may be issued under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and a senior trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the senior trustee. We may issue subordinated debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, which may be issued under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and a subordinated trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, which we refer to as the subordinated trustee. While it is highly likely that any debt securities we issue will be issued under an indenture, we reserve the right to issue debt securities other than under an indenture pursuant to an exemption from the indenture requirement under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Any debt securities issued by us other than pursuant to an indenture will subject the purchasers of such debt securities to certain unique risks arising from the lack of a trustee charged with the responsibility of monitoring the debt securities and enforcing the rights of the holders of such debt securities, which will be set forth in a prospectus supplement filed with regard to such unindentured debt securities.

 

The forms of senior indenture and subordinated indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are referred to as the indentures and, together, the senior trustee and the subordinated trustee are referred to as the trustees. This prospectus briefly outlines some of the provisions of the indentures. The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indentures, including definitions of certain terms used in the indentures. Wherever we refer to particular sections or defined terms of the indentures, those sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement. You should review any indentures that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part for additional information.

 

If we issue debt securities other than under an indenture, we will likely be limited to issuing a maximum of $100 million of such debt securities and it is also likely that such debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated. Any indenture regarding debt securities issued by us will not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. The debt securities or applicable indenture, if any, will provide that debt securities may be issued up to an aggregate principal amount authorized from time to time by us and may be payable in any currency or currency unit designated by us or in amounts determined by reference to an index.

 

General

 

The following is a summary of the general terms of the debt securities we may issue under an indenture or otherwise, except as otherwise described in a prospectus supplement.

 

The senior debt securities will constitute our unsubordinated general obligations and will rank pari passu with our other unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will constitute our subordinated general obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our senior indebtedness (including senior debt securities).

 

 

 

 5 

 

 

The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any secured debt or other secured obligations will be effectively senior to the debt securities to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt or other obligations.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus will include any additional or different terms of the debt securities or any series being offered, including the following terms:

 

·the title and type of the debt securities;
·whether the debt securities will be issued under an indenture;
·whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities, and, with respect to subordinated debt securities, the terms on which they are subordinated;
·the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
·the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;
·the maturity date or dates of the debt securities and the right, if any, to extend such date or dates;
·the rate or rates, if any, per year, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates;
·the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest will be payable or the manner of determination of such interest payment dates and the related record dates;
·the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of that extension;
·the manner of paying principal and interest and the place or places where principal and interest will be payable;
·provisions for a sinking fund, purchase fund or other analogous fund, if any;
·any redemption dates, prices, obligations and restrictions on the debt securities;
·the currency, currencies or currency units in which the debt securities will be denominated and the currency, currencies or currency units in which principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities may be payable;
·any conversion or exchange features of the debt securities;
·whether and upon what terms the debt securities may be defeased;
·any events of default or covenants in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in the indenture;
·whether the debt securities will be issued in definitive or global form or in definitive form only upon satisfaction of certain conditions;
·whether the debt securities will be guaranteed as to payment or performance;
·if the debt securities of the series will be secured by any collateral and, if so, a general description of the collateral and the terms and provisions of such collateral security, pledge or other agreements; and
·any other material terms of the debt securities.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences. When we refer to “principal” in this section with reference to the debt securities, we are also referring to “premium, if any.”

 

We may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of any series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of such series in all respects (or in all respects other than (1) the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or (2) the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of such series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of such series.

 

You may present debt securities for exchange and you may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. We will provide you those services without charge, although you may have to pay any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any exchange or transfer, as set forth in the debt securities or any indenture.

 

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate (original issue discount securities) may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount.

 

We may issue debt securities with the principal amount payable on any principal payment date, or the amount of interest payable on any interest payment date, to be determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, securities or baskets of securities, commodity prices or indices. You may receive a payment of principal on any principal payment date, or a payment of interest on any interest payment date, that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending on the value on such dates of the applicable currency, security or basket of securities, commodity or index. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest payable on any date, the currencies, securities or baskets of securities, commodities or indices to which the amount payable on such date is linked.

 

 

 

 6 

 

 

Certain Terms of the Senior Debt Securities

 

The following is a summary of the general terms of the senior debt securities we may issue under a senior indenture, except as otherwise described in a prospectus supplement.

 

Covenants. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will not contain any financial or restrictive covenants, including covenants restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guaranteeing any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries’ property or capital stock, or restricting either us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into sale and leaseback transactions.

 

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, in either case, unless:

 

·the successor entity, if any, is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust (subject to certain exceptions provided for in the senior indenture);
·the successor entity assumes our obligations on the senior debt securities and under the senior indenture;
·immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
·certain other conditions are met.

 

No Protection in the Event of a Change in Control. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the senior debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the senior debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control).

 

Events of Default. Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement with respect to a particular series of senior debt securities, the following are events of default under the senior indenture for any series of senior debt securities:

 

·failure to pay interest on any senior debt securities of such series when due and payable, if that default continues for a period of 90 days (or such other period as may be specified for such series);
·failure to pay principal on the senior debt securities of such series when due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise (and, if specified for such series, the continuance of such failure for a specified period);
·default in the performance of or breach of any of our covenants or agreements in the senior indenture applicable to senior debt securities of such series, other than a covenant breach which is specifically dealt with elsewhere in the senior indenture, and that default or breach continues for a period of 90 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or from the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the senior debt securities of such series;
·certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether or not voluntary; and
·any other event of default provided for in such series of senior debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the default by us under any other debt, including any other series of debt securities, is not a default under the senior indenture.

 

If an event of default other than an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs with respect to a series of senior debt securities and is continuing under the senior indenture, then, and in each such case, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series then outstanding under the senior indenture (each such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to us and to the trustee, if such notice is given by the holders, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal amount of and accrued interest on such series of senior debt securities to be immediately due and payable, and upon this declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

If an event of default specified in the fourth bullet point above occurs with respect to us and is continuing, the entire principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, on each series of senior debt securities then outstanding shall become immediately due and payable.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities originally issued at a discount, the amount due upon acceleration shall include only the original issue price of the senior debt securities, the amount of original issue discount accrued to the date of acceleration and accrued interest, if any.

 

 

 

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Upon certain conditions, declarations of acceleration may be rescinded and annulled and past defaults may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the senior debt securities of such series affected by the default, each series voting as a separate class. Furthermore, prior to a declaration of acceleration and subject to various provisions in the senior indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities, by notice to the trustee, may waive an existing default or event of default with respect to such senior debt securities and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal of or interest on such senior debt securities or in respect of a covenant or provision of the senior indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each such senior debt security. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any event of default with respect to such senior debt securities shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of the senior indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or event of default or impair any right consequent thereto. For information as to the waiver of defaults, see “—Modification and Waiver.”

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of a series of senior debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such senior debt securities. However, the trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the senior indenture, that may involve the trustee in personal liability or that the trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of holders of such series of senior debt securities not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from holders of such series of senior debt securities. A holder may not pursue any remedy with respect to the senior indenture or any series of senior debt securities unless:

 

·the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;
·the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy in respect of such event of default;
·the requesting holder or holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any costs, liability or expense;
·the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
·during such 60-day period, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of senior debt securities do not give the trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

 

These limitations, however, do not apply to the right of any holder of a senior debt security to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such senior debt security in accordance with the terms of such debt security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment in accordance with the terms of such debt security, on or after the due date for the senior debt securities, which right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the holder.

 

The senior indenture requires certain of our officers to certify, on or before a fixed date in each year in which any senior debt security is outstanding, as to their knowledge of our compliance with all covenants, agreements and conditions under the senior indenture.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge. We can satisfy and discharge our obligations to holders of any series of senior debt securities if:

 

·we pay or cause to be paid, as and when due and payable, the principal of and any interest on all senior debt securities of such series outstanding under the senior indenture; or
·all senior debt securities of such series have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year) and we deposit in trust a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of that series on their various due dates.

 

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the senior debt securities would be treated as a taxable event, and beneficial owners of such debt securities would generally recognize any gain or loss on such senior debt securities. Purchasers of the senior debt securities should consult their own advisers with respect to the tax consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the U.S. federal income tax law.

 

Defeasance. Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, the following discussion of legal defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance will apply to any senior series of senior debt securities issued under the indentures.

 

 

 

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Legal Defeasance. We can legally release ourselves from any payment or other obligations on the senior debt securities of any series (called “legal defeasance”) if certain conditions are met, including the following:

 

·We deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the senior debt securities of the same series a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the senior debt securities of that series on their various due dates.
·There is a change in current U.S. federal income tax law or an IRS ruling that lets us make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the senior debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the senior debt securities ourselves when due.
·We deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming the tax law change or ruling described above.

 

If we ever did accomplish legal defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the event of any shortfall.

 

Covenant Defeasance. Without any change of current U.S. federal tax law, we can make the same type of deposit described above and be released from some of the covenants in the senior debt securities (called “covenant defeasance”). In that event, you would lose the protection of those covenants but would gain the protection of having money and securities set aside in trust to repay the senior debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following (among other things):

 

·We must deposit in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the senior debt securities of the same series a combination of cash and U.S. government or U.S. government agency obligations that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the senior debt securities of that series on their various due dates.
·We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that under current U.S. federal income tax law we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the senior debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit and instead repaid the senior debt securities ourselves when due.

 

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the senior debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit. In fact, if one of the events of default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities become immediately due and payable, there may be such a shortfall. Depending on the events causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.

 

Modification and Waiver. We and the trustee may amend or supplement the senior indenture or the senior debt securities without the consent of any holder:

 

·to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act;
·to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any assets as security for the senior debt securities of one or more series;
·to evidence the succession of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust to us, and the assumption by such successor of our covenants, agreements and obligations under the senior indenture;
·to add to our covenants such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default;
·to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the senior indenture or in any supplemental indenture or to conform the senior indenture or the senior debt securities to the description of senior debt securities of such series set forth in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement;
·to provide for or add guarantors with respect to the senior debt securities of any series;
·to establish the form or forms or terms of the senior debt securities as permitted by the senior indenture;
·to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the senior indenture by a successor trustee, or to make such changes as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts in the senior indenture by more than one trustee;
·to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of any series of senior debt securities;
·to make any change to the senior debt securities of any series so long as no senior debt securities of such series are outstanding; or
·to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect.

 

 

 

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Other amendments and modifications of the senior indenture or the senior debt securities issued may be made, and our compliance with any provision of the senior indenture with respect to any series of senior debt securities may be waived, with the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of all series affected by the amendment or modification (voting together as a single class); provided, however, that each affected holder must consent to any modification, amendment or waiver that:

 

·extends the final maturity of any senior debt securities of such series;
·reduces the principal amount of any senior debt securities of such series;
·reduces the rate or extends the time of payment of interest on any senior debt securities of such series;
·reduces the amount payable upon the redemption of any senior debt securities of such series;
·changes the currency of payment of principal of or interest on any senior debt securities of such series;
·reduces the principal amount of original issue discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity or the amount provable in bankruptcy;
·waives a default in the payment of principal of or interest on the senior debt securities;
·changes the provisions relating to the waiver of past defaults or changes or impairs the right of holders to receive payment or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or conversion of any senior debt securities of such series on or after the due date therefor;
·modifies any of the provisions of these restrictions on amendments and modifications, except to increase any required percentage or to provide that certain other provisions cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each senior debt security of such series affected by the modification; or
·reduces the above-stated percentage of outstanding senior debt securities of such series whose holders must consent to a supplemental indenture or to modify or amend or to waive certain provisions of or defaults under the senior indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the holders to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if the holders’ consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver of the senior indenture in accordance with the provisions described in this section becomes effective, the trustee must give to the holders affected thereby certain notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure by the trustee to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers, Directors. The senior indenture provides that no recourse shall be had under any obligation, covenant or agreement of ours in the senior indenture or any supplemental indenture, or in any of the senior debt securities or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, against any of our incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, past, present or future, or of any predecessor or successor entity thereof under any law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise. Each holder, by accepting the senior debt securities, waives and releases all such liability.

 

Concerning the Trustee. The senior indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will not be liable except for the performance of such duties as are specifically set forth in the senior indenture. If an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the senior indenture and will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

The senior indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein contain limitations on the rights of the trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of ours or any of our subsidiaries, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

 

We may have normal banking relationships with the senior trustee in the ordinary course of business.

 

Unclaimed Funds. All funds deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, premium, interest or additional amounts in respect of the senior debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal, premium or interest became due and payable will be repaid to us. Thereafter, any right of any holder of senior debt securities to such funds shall be enforceable only against us, and the trustee and paying agents will have no liability therefor.

 

 

 

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Governing Law. The senior indenture and the senior debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

 

Certain Terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities

 

The following is a summary of the general terms of the subordinated debt securities we may issue under a subordinated indenture, except as otherwise described in a prospectus supplement.

 

Other than the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities relating to subordination or otherwise as described in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordinated indenture and subordinated debt securities are identical in all material respects to the terms of the senior indenture and senior debt securities.

 

Additional or different subordination terms may be specified in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series.

 

Subordination. The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities is subordinate to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness, as defined in the subordinated indenture. During the continuance beyond any applicable grace period of any default in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any of our senior indebtedness, we may not make any payment of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities (except for certain sinking fund payments). In addition, upon any payment or distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of and interest on the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the extent provided in the subordinated indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all our senior indebtedness. Because of this subordination, if we dissolve or otherwise liquidate, holders of our subordinated debt securities may receive less, ratably, than holders of our senior indebtedness. The subordination provisions do not prevent the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated indenture.

 

The term “senior indebtedness” of a person means with respect to such person the principal of, premium, if any, interest on, and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following, whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or incurred by that person in the future:

 

·all of the indebtedness of that person for money borrowed;
·all of the indebtedness of that person evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other securities sold by that person for money;
·all of the lease obligations that are capitalized on the books of that person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
·all indebtedness of others of the kinds described in the first two bullet points above and all lease obligations of others of the kind described in the third bullet point above that the person, in any manner, assumes or guarantees or that the person in effect guarantees through an agreement to purchase, whether that agreement is contingent or otherwise; and
·all renewals, extensions or refundings of indebtedness of the kinds described in the first, second or fourth bullet point above and all renewals or extensions of leases of the kinds described in the third or fourth bullet point above;

 

unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, the instrument creating or evidencing it or the assumption or guarantee relating to it expressly provides that such indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding is not superior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities. Our senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness for purposes of the subordinated debt indenture.

 

Description of Warrants

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of shares of common stock, debt securities, and/or units from time to time. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock and/or debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from those securities.  If we issue warrants, they will be evidenced by warrant agreements or warrant certificates issued under one or more warrant agreements, which will be contracts between us and the holders of the warrants or an agent for the holders of the warrants. We encourage you to read the prospectus supplement that relates to any warrants we may offer, as well as the complete warrant agreement or warrant certificate that contain the terms of the warrants. If we issue warrants, the forms of warrant agreements and warrant certificates, as applicable, relating to the warrants will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus, or as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Description of Units

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination from time to time. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. If we issue units, they will be evidenced by unit agreements or unit certificates issued under one or more unit agreements, which will be contracts between us and the holders of the units or an agent for the holders of the units. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date. We encourage you to read the prospectus supplement that relates to any units we may offer, as well as the complete unit agreement or unit certificate that contain the terms of the units. If we issue units, the forms of unit agreements and unit certificates, as applicable, relating to the units will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus, or as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

 

 

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell our securities from time to time in any manner permitted by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, including any one or more of the following ways:

 

·through agents;
·to or through underwriters;
·to or through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);
·in “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; and/or
·directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise.

 

The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the offered securities so offered and sold.

 

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of our securities, including:

 

·the name or names of any agents, underwriters or dealers;
·the purchase price of our securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
·any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;
·any agency fees or underwriting discounts and commissions and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;
·the public offering price;
·any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
·any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed.

 

If offered securities are sold to the public by means of an underwritten offering, either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the offered securities. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of the offered securities, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

·transactions on The NASDAQ Capital Market or any other organized market where the securities may be traded;
·in the over-the-counter market;
·in negotiated transactions; or
·under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments.

 

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional offered securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price with additional underwriting discounts or commissions, as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of the over-allotment option will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

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We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

 

We may indemnify agents, underwriters and dealers against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. Agents, underwriters or dealers, or their respective affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our respective affiliates, in the ordinary course of business.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange and, in the case of our common stock, on any additional exchange. However, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

 

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

To comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities offered by this prospectus will be offered and sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

 

 

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the issuance of the securities offered by this prospectus has been passed upon for us by Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Irvine, California.

 

EXPERTS

 

The financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings with the SEC also are available from the SEC's internet site at http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement that we may file, which form a part of the registration statement, do not contain all of the information that is included in the registration statement. The registration statement contains more information regarding us and our securities, including certain exhibits. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s website.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC permits us to “incorporate by reference” the information and reports we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to another document. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC automatically updates and supersedes this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, except to the extent information in those documents is different from the information contained in this prospectus, and all future documents filed with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the portions thereof deemed to be furnished to the SEC pursuant to Item 9 or Item 12) until we terminate the offering of these securities:

 

·Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed on February 15, 2022;

 

·Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which were filed on January 6, 2022 and February 15, 2022;

 

·The description of our common stock in our Form 8-A12B, which was filed on August 2, 2016, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating this description; and

 

·All documents we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering made by way of this prospectus.

 

To the extent that any statement in this prospectus is inconsistent with any statement that is incorporated by reference and that was made on or before the date of this prospectus, the statement in this prospectus shall supersede such incorporated statement. The incorporated statement shall not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, we refer you to the copy of each contract or document filed as an exhibit to our various filings made with the SEC.

 

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

 

Atomera Incorporated
Attn: Investor Relations
750 University Avenue, Suite 280
Los Gatos, California 95032
(408) 442-5248

 

 

 

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INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that corporations may include a provision in their certificate of incorporation relieving directors of monetary liability for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that directors are not liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition to the foregoing, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we may indemnify directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law and we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers.

 

The above provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders. However, we believe that the foregoing provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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