ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Unless otherwise stated or the context requires otherwise, references in this annual report on Form 10-K to “Hypersolar”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our” refer to Hypersolar, Inc.
Overview
Inspired by the photosynthetic process that plants use to harness the power of the sun to create energy molecules, we are developing a novel solar-powered particle system that mimics photosynthesis to separate hydrogen from water. On November 15, 2011, we filed a patent application to protect the intellectual property rights to the production of renewable hydrogen and natural gas using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Hydrogen is the lightest and abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the universe's chemical elemental mass (Palmer, D. (13 September 1997). "Hydrogen in the Universe" NASA). However, naturally occurring elemental hydrogen is relatively rare on earth and hydrogen gas is most often produced using fossil fuels. Industrial production is mainly from the steam reforming of natural gas and is usually employed near its production site, with the two largest uses being crude oil processing (hydrocracking) and ammonia production, mostly for the fertilizer market. We are developing what we believe is a cleaner and greener way to produce this high value product.
Our research is centered on developing a low-cost and submersible hydrogen production particle that can split water molecules under the sun, emulating the core functions of photosynthesis. Each particle is a complete hydrogen generator that contains a novel high voltage solar cell bonded to chemical catalysts by a proprietary encapsulation coating. On September 15, 2015, we announced that we had surpassed the critical voltage (1.5 Volts) threshold to split water molecules for renewable hydrogen fuel production. We believe this is an extremely important step towards commercialization, as 1.5 V is the minimum voltage needed to produce hydrogen in real world systems.
Market Opportunity
Hydrogen production has seen steady growth since 2010 with the global 2016 market value estimated to be USD 117.94 Billion growing to 152.09 Billion by 2021. (Markets and Markets Research; Hydrogen Generation Market). Major factors such as cleaner fuel as compared to fossil fuels, government regulations for desulfurization of petroleum products and decreasing crude oil quality are driving the market worldwide.
We believe fuel cell technology will be the major growth driver of hydrogen in the future as many major automobile manufacturers such as Honda, Hyundai, BMW and Toyota bring hydrogen-powered cars to market. On May 20, 2014 the first Hyundai fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) rolled onto U.S. soil marking the first delivery of mass-produced fuel cell hydrogen vehicles in the U.S. market. (Source: http://www.hyundainews.com/us/en-us/Media/PressRelease.aspx?mediaid=40852&title=hyundais-first-mass-produced-tucson-fuel-cell-cuvs-arrive-in-southern-california) In October 2015, the first hydrogen powered Toyota Mirais were delivered to customers in California and the Mirai is now for sale in the UK, Denmark, Belgium, Norway and Germany.
Large Fortune 500 companies have adapted hydrogen fuel cell technologies to serve their warehouse transportation needs, such as forklifts as well as backup power generation with fuel cells supplied by Plug Power (www.plugpower.com) and Fuel Cell Energy (www.fuelcellenergy.com).
A key aspect of our technology is that it has the potential to produce completely renewable hydrogen fuel, known as green hydrogen. Most hydrogen fuel currently on the market is produced from natural gas, known as brown hydrogen. The other key aspect is that the method of production for our technology can produce hydrogen onsite or at the point of distribution rather than requiring large, expensive hydrogen production infrastructure and high cost transportation. According to a US Department of Energy study in 2013, transportation added an additional $1.25 per kilogram (https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/hpep_report_2013.pdf).
Our Technology
Technology for Making Renewable Hydrogen from Sunlight
Hydrogen (H2) is the third most abundant element on earth and cleanest fuel in the universe (Dresselhaus, Mildred et al. (May 15, 2003) "Basic Research Needs for the Hydrogen Economy”). Unlike hydrocarbon fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas, where carbon dioxide and other contaminants are released into the atmosphere when used, hydrogen fuel usage produces only pure water (H2O) as the byproduct. Unfortunately, pure hydrogen does not exist naturally on earth and therefore must be manufactured. Historically, the cost of manufacturing hydrogen as an alternative fuel has been higher than the cost of the energy used to make it. This is the dilemma of the hydrogen economy, and one that we aim to address.
For over a century, splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis has been well known. This technology can be used to produce an unlimited amount of clean and renewable hydrogen fuel to power a carbon-free world. However, in practice, current commercial electrolysis technologies require (a) expensive electricity and (b) highly purified water to prevent fouling of system components. We believe these are the major barriers to affordable production of renewable hydrogen.
The Perfect and Sustainable Energy Cycle
As it turns out, Mother Nature has been making hydrogen using sunlight since the beginning of time by splitting water molecules (H2O) into its basic elements - hydrogen and oxygen. This is exactly what plant leaves do every day using photosynthesis. Since the produced hydrogen is immediately consumed inside the plant, we cannot simply grow trees to make hydrogen.
If technology can be developed to mimic photosynthesis to split water into hydrogen, then a truly sustainable, low cost, and renewable energy cycle can be created to power the earth. However, cost has been the biggest barrier to realizing this vision.
Water Splitting
In the process of splitting a water molecule, input energy is transferred into the chemical bonds of the resulting hydrogen molecule. So, in essence, manufactured hydrogen is simply a carrier or battery-like storage of the input energy. If the input energy is from fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, then dirty carbon fossil fuel energy is simply transferred into hydrogen. If the input energy is renewable such as solar and wind, then new and clean energy is stored in hydrogen.
While the concept of water splitting is very appealing, the following challenges must be addressed for renewable hydrogen to be commercially viable:
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Energy Inefficiency - Since hydrogen is an energy carrier, the most energy it can store is 100% of the input energy. However, conventional systems approach to electrolysis lose so much of the input energy in system components, wires and electrodes resulting in only a small portion of electricity making it into the hydrogen molecules. This translates to high production cost and is the fundamental problem with water splitting for hydrogen production. We intend to address this problem with our low cost and energy efficient particle technology.
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Need for Clean Water - Conventional electrolysis requires highly purified clean water to prevent fouling of system components. This prevents current technology from using large quantities of available water from oceans, rivers, industrial waste and municipal waste as feedstock. Our technology is being designed to use any natural water or waste water for the unlimited production of renewable hydrogen.
Technology
Electrolysis water-splitting in its simplest form is the transfer of "input electrons" in the following chemical reactions:
● Cathode (reduction): 2 H2O + 2e- -> H2 + 2 OH-
● Anode (oxidation): 4 OH- -> O2 + 2 H2O + 4 e-
From these equations it can be deduced that if every input electron (e-) is put to work and not lost, then a maximum amount of input electrons (i.e. energy) is transferred and stored in the hydrogen molecules (H2). Additionally, if there were a very high number of cathode and anode reaction areas within a given volume of water, then a very high number of these reactions could happen simultaneously throughout the medium to split each water molecule into hydrogen wherever electrons are available.
To address this fundamental electron transfer efficiency problem, we are developing a novel self-contained particle to maximally ensure that every single electron is put to work in splitting a water molecule. Our self-contained particle has two very important features:
● Self-Contained Photoelectrochemical System - Our low cost, self-contained particle is designed to mimic photosynthesis and contains a solar absorber that generates electrons from sunlight, as well as integrated cathode and anode areas to readily split water and transfer those electrons to the molecular bonds of hydrogen. Unlike solar panels or wind turbines that produce lots of electrons that will be lost before reaching the hydrogen bonds, our particles are optimized to ensure maximal electron generation and utilization efficiency. Consequently, our particles use much less photovoltaic elements, an expensive material, than conventional solar panels to achieve the same system level efficiency thereby significantly lowering the system cost of what is essentially an electrolysis process.
● Protective Coating - The biggest problem with submerging photovoltaic elements in water for direct electrolysis is corrosion and short circuiting. To address this problem, we are developing a protective coating that encapsulates key elements of the particle to allow it to function for a long period of time in a wide range of water conditions without corrosion. This allows the particles to be submerged or dissolved into any water such as sea water, runoff water, river water or waste water, instead of purified distilled water.
HyperSolar H2Generator™
Since our particles are intended to mimic the natural room temperature conditions of photosynthesis, they can be housed in very low cost reactors such as glass vessels or clear plastic bags. To facilitate the commercial use of our self-contained particle technology we are developing a modular system that will enable the daily production and storage of hydrogen for any time use in electricity generation, oil and gas refining, fertilizer manufacturing or any other current and future applications of hydrogen.
We refer to our technology as the HyperSolar H2Generator which is comprised of the following primary stages:
● Reactor Vessels - These reactors resemble transparent rectangular boxes containing water and tens of thousands of self-contained particles suspended in solution. When exposed to sunlight, hydrogen gas will bubble up into an air gap on top for separation and collection.
● Hydrogen Compressor - Produced hydrogen gas will be compressed for space efficient storage.
● Hydrogen Storage - Hydrogen can be stored in compressed gas tanks or chemical canisters depending on the application.
We anticipate that the HyperSolar H2Generator will be a self-contained renewable hydrogen production system that requires only sunlight and any source of water. As a result, it can be installed almost anywhere to produce hydrogen fuel at or near the point of distribution, for local use. This model of hydrogen production addresses one of the biggest challenges of using clean hydrogen fuel on a large scale, which is the transportation of hydrogen.
Each stage of the HyperSolar H2Generator can be scaled independently according to the hydrogen demands and length of storage required for a specific application. A small-scale system can be used to produce continuous renewable electricity for a small house, or a large scale system can be used to produce hydrogen to power a community. In the last eight months we have shown how energy from sunlight can be converted to high voltages that can be contained in a simple and inexpensive structure and how we can use the voltages to split inexpensive feedstocks like water and organic waste to produce hydrogen. Specifically, we demonstrated a novel multi-junction semiconducting device architecture, synthesized entirely by inexpensive wet chemical techniques, that can produce photovoltages exceeding 1.5 V. We also demonstrated stable activity for solar photosynthesis using these structures to make chemicals and fuels.
To compete with other fossil fuel driven hydrogen production techniques such as steam reforming, renewable hydrogen production systems need to be be cheap and highly efficient. It is estimated based largely on theoretical calculations that an autonomous solar H2 production system should be able to generate photovoltages exceeding 1.5 V, produce photocurrents reaching 10 mA/cm2 (~10% efficient) and the overall system cost should be ~$50/m2. Although our H2Generator achieved photovoltages greater than 1.5V and our system production cost is considerably lower than $50/m2, our focus is on improving photocurrents for our self-contained particles to boost efficiency and production volume in order to be commercially viable.
Intellectual Property
On November 15, 2011, we filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect the intellectual property rights for ”Photoelectrochemically Active Heterostructures, Methods For Their Manufacture, And Methods And Systems For Producing Desired Products.” Disclosed in that patent application are methods for producing desired chemical products, including hydrocarbons such as methane and other alkanes, synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen), and methanol, from carbon dioxide and oxidizable reactant compounds in wastewater as a feedstock using solar energy to drive at least a portion of the chemical reaction process (e.g., to produce hydrogen gas). Photoelectrochemical processes employ photoelectrochemically active heterostructures (PAHs) to absorb sunlight and transform the light energy into electrochemical potential energy, which converts reactants containing hydrogen atoms into products, which react with carbon dioxide to form desired chemical products. On November 14, 2012, we filed the utility patent application for the above and the examination and prosecution of this patent are ongoing.
In September of 2012, we jointly filed with the University of California, Santa Barbara ("UCSB") an additional patent application to protect the intellectual property rights of our proprietary coating for protecting our semiconductor devices from corrosion in various types of water. This patent is titled: “Process And Systems For Stable Operation of Electroactive Devices”. The invention is directed towards processes and systems for stable operation of electrical, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and photosynthetic devices with increased efficiency, stability, and low cost. In particular, what is disclosed are new functional coating materials and applications of those coatings that are optically transparent, electronically conducting, electrocatalytically active, thermally stable, and which can be applied conformally and easily on an electroactive unit for stable and efficient operation. We believe this patent will be valuable beyond our specific utilization in developing hydrogen from water using the power of the sun. In February of 2013 we filed the utility patent application for the above and the examination and prosecution of this patent are ongoing.
In March of 2015, we jointly filed a full utility patent application with UCSB for the "method of manufacture of multi-junction artificial photosynthetic cells." The patent’s full coverage excludes others from making, using, or selling the technology process, and creates licensing opportunities. We believe licensing opportunities can be created through various industry applications, such as for car charging stations, retail distribution centers, and facilities that would benefit from cost-efficient hydrogen developed at or near the point of distribution. Examination and prosecution of this patent are ongoing.
Strategic Partners
Effective May 1, 2016, we entered into a one-year extension of our agreement with the University of Iowa to help accelerate our research and development efforts to reach our goal of producing commercially viable renewable hydrogen. As consideration under the sponsorship research agreement (“SRA”), the University of Iowa will receive $78,944 from the Company. When expenditures reach that amount, we will no longer be obligated to fund any additional research activities, and the University of Iowa will not be obligated to perform any additional research activities pursuant to the SRA, unless mutually agreed upon.
In April of 2016, we extended our sponsorship research agreement (“SRA”) with the University of California, Santa Barbara (“UCSB”) through June 30, 2017. This agreement is intended to help achieve important milestones in the Company’s development plan.
Due to credit on our account and other funds available, the UCSB extension is at no cost to the Company. U.S. Patent Law and university policy will govern any patentable developments or discoveries throughout the course of the SRA. If such an invention is determined to be jointly owned by us and UCSB, we will prepare and file, at our cost, patent applications for such invention and claim it as a joint invention in the name of both the Company and UCSB, and shall prosecute and maintain such joint patent rights. Neither party may assign its joint ownership in such patents without the consent of the other party. We have a time-limited first right to negotiate a license to UCSB’s interest in any joint invention.
We believe the partnership with UCSB will enable us to refine our solar-powered particle technology for generating zero carbon hydrogen and renewable natural gas using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide (CO2). The research project is led by Professor Eric McFarland in the Department of Chemical Engineering at UCSB.
Competition
Currently, most hydrogen is produced by steam reforming of natural gas or methane. This production technology dominates due to easy availability and low prices of natural gas. Partial oxidation of petroleum oil is second in production capacity after steam reforming of natural gas. The third largest production technology in terms of production capacity is steam gasification of coal. The current industry is heavily dominated by large players such as Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and Air Liquide.
The energy source and feedstock used in these existing production technologies are fossil fuels. Therefore, the hydrogen produced is not considered renewable. We are developing a new low cost technology to use sunlight as the energy source to split water into hydrogen in a truly renewable fashion. To our knowledge, there are no commercially available technologies for producing large quantities of renewable hydrogen that are cost competitive with fossil fuel based hydrogen. Niche market electrolysis systems that split water for hydrogen production have existed for a long time but their capital and operating costs are much higher than conventional hydrogen. Various academic and research institutions around the world are attempting to develop renewable hydrogen production technologies as well. To our knowledge, none have reached commercial success.
If we are able to complete the commercial development of our technology, we do not intend to manufacture hydrogen and compete with companies such as Air Liquide. We intend to license our technology to companies like Air Products and Air Liquide for the production of renewable hydrogen used in applications such as hydrogen vehicle fueling stations and hydrogen power plants.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 18, 2009. Our executive offices are located at 510 Castillo Street, Suite 320, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Our telephone number is (805) 966-6566.
EMPLOYEES
As of September 20, 2016 we had 1 full-time employee and several consultants. We have not experienced any work stoppages and we consider relations with our employees and consultants to be good. Our Chief Technology Officer, hired on June 1, 2016, is on a full time consulting basis.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
OUR LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY DOES NOT AFFORD INVESTORS A SUFFICIENT HISTORY ON WHICH TO BASE AN INVESTMENT DECISION.
We were formed in February 2009 and are currently developing a new technology that has not yet gained market acceptance. There can be no assurance that at this time we will operate profitably or that we will have adequate working capital to meet our obligations as they become due.
Investors must consider the risks and difficulties frequently encountered by early stage companies, particularly in rapidly evolving markets. Such risks include the following:
● competition;
● need for acceptance of products;
● ability to continue to develop and extend brand identity;
● ability to anticipate and adapt to a competitive market;
● ability to effectively manage rapidly expanding operations;
● amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to expansion of our business, operations, and infrastructure; and
● dependence upon key personnel.
We cannot be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that we will successfully address these risks. In the event that we do not successfully address these risks, our business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected and we may have to curtail our business.
WE HAVE A HISTORY OF LOSSES AND HAVE NEVER REALIZED REVENUES TO DATE. WE EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO INCUR LOSSES AND NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT WE WILL REALIZE REVENUES. ACCORDINGLY, WE MAY NEVER ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN PROFITABILITY.
As of June 30, 2016, we have incurred an aggregate net loss, and had an accumulated deficit, of $(14,043,848). For the years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, we incurred net income (losses) of $6,035,993 and $(4,893,561), respectively. The net income (losses) for the years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 include non-cash (income) expenses of $(6,637,986) and $4,279,298, respectively, associated with the derivatives. We expect to continue to incur net losses until we are able to realize revenues to fund our continuing operations. We may fail to achieve any or significant revenues from sales or achieve or sustain profitability. Accordingly, there can be no assurance of when, if ever, we will be profitable or be able to maintain profitability.
We have historically raised funds through various capital raising transactions. We may require additional funds in the future to fund our business plans, either through additional equity or debt financings or collaborative agreements or from other sources. We have no commitments to obtain such additional financing, and we may not be able to obtain any such additional financing on terms favorable to us, or at all. In the event we are unable to obtain additional financing, we may be unable to implement our business plan. Even with such financing, we have a history of operating losses and there can be no assurance that we will ever become profitable.
WE MAY BE UNABLE TO MANAGE OUR GROWTH OR IMPLEMENT OUR EXPANSION STRATEGY.
We may not be able to develop our product and service offerings or implement the other features of our business strategy at the rate or to the extent presently planned. Our projected growth will place a significant strain on our administrative, operational and financial resources. If we are unable to successfully manage our future growth, establish and continue to upgrade our operating and financial control systems, recruit and hire necessary personnel or effectively manage unexpected expansion difficulties, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE OUR TECHNOLOGIES WHICH WOULD RESULT IN CONTINUED LOSSES AND MAY REQUIRE US TO CURTAIL OR CEASE OPERATIONS.
In May of 2012, we completed a lab scale prototype of our technology. This prototype demonstrates hydrogen production from small scale solar devices coated with our unique, low-cost polymer coating, and submerged in waste water from a pulp and paper mill. However, we have not completed a large scale commercial prototype of our technology and are uncertain at this time when completion of a commercial scale prototype will occur. Although, the lab scale prototype demonstrates the viability of our technology, there can be no assurance that we will be able to commercialize our technology.
OUR REVENUES ARE DEPENDENT UPON ACCEPTANCE OF OUR PRODUCTS BY THE MARKET; THE FAILURE OF WHICH WOULD CAUSE US TO CURTAIL OR CEASE OPERATIONS.
We believe that virtually all of our revenues will come from the sale or license of our products. As a result, we will continue to incur substantial operating losses until such time as we are able to develop our product and generate revenues from the sale or license of our products. There can be no assurance that businesses and customers will adopt our technology and products, or that businesses and prospective customers will agree to pay for or license our products. Our technology and product, when fully developed, may not gain market acceptance due to various factors such as not enough cost savings between our method of producing hydrogen and other more conventional methods. In the event that we are not able to significantly increase the number of customers that purchase or license our products, or if we are unable to charge the necessary prices or license fees, our financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION AND MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER RESOURCES THAN WE DO.
We operate in a competitive environment that is characterized by price fluctuation and technological change. We will compete with major international and domestic companies. Some of our current and future potential competitors may have greater market recognition and customer bases, longer operating histories and substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution, purchasing, manufacturing, personnel and other resources than we do. In addition, competitors may be developing similar technologies with a cost similar to, or lower than, our projected costs. As a result, they may be able to respond more quickly to changing customer demands or to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sales of solar and solar-related products than we can.
Our business plan relies on sales of our products based on either a demand for truly renewable clean hydrogen or economically produced clean hydrogen. If we fail to compete successfully, our business would suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain market share. Neither the demand for our product nor our ability to manufacture have yet been proven.
BECAUSE OUR INDUSTRY IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND HAS LOW BARRIERS TO ENTRY, WE MAY LOSE MARKET SHARE TO LARGER COMPANIES THAT ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO WEATHER A DETERIORATION IN MARKET CONDITIONS DUE TO INCREASED COMPETITION.
Our industry is highly competitive and fragmented, subject to rapid change and has low barriers to entry. We may, in the future, compete for potential customers with solar and heating companies and other providers of solar power equipment or electric power. Some of these competitors may have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources and greater name recognition than we have.
We believe that our ability to compete depends in part on a number of factors outside of our control, including:
● the ability of our competitors to hire, retain and motivate qualified personnel;
● the ownership by competitors of proprietary tools to customize systems to the needs of a particular customer;
● the price at which others offer comparable services and equipment;
● the extent of our competitors’ responsiveness to customer needs; and
● installation technology.
Competition in the solar power services industry may increase in the future, partly due to low barriers to entry, as well as from other alternative energy resources now in existence or developed in the future. Increased competition could result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of market share and greater competition for qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors. If we are unable to compete effectively, or if competition results in a deterioration of market conditions, our business and results of operations would be adversely affected.
A DROP IN THE RETAIL PRICE OF CONVENTIONAL ENERGY OR NON-SOLAR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR PROFITABILITY.
We believe that a customer’s decision to purchase or install solar power capabilities is primarily driven by the cost of electricity from other sources and their anticipated return on investment resulting from solar power systems. Fluctuations in economic and market conditions that impact the prices of conventional and non-solar alternative energy sources, such as decreases in the prices of oil and other fossil fuels, could cause the demand for solar power systems to decline, which would have a negative impact on our profitability. Changes in utility electric rates or net metering policies could also have a negative effect on our business.
OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROTECT AND MAY INFRINGE ON THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
Our success will depend, in part, on our technology’s commercial viability and on the strength of our intellectual property rights. The technology is not patented and the only intellectual property rights that exist at present, if any, are trade secret rights. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect and others could independently develop substantially equivalent technology, otherwise gain access to trade secrets relating to the technology. Accordingly, we may not be able to protect the rights to our trade secrets. In addition, any agreements we enter into with our employees, consultants, advisors, customers and strategic partners will contain restrictions on the disclosure and use of trade secrets, inventions and confidential information relating to our technology may not provide meaningful protection in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure.
Third parties may assert that the technology, or the products we, our customers or partners commercialize using the technology, infringes upon their proprietary rights. We have yet to complete an infringement analysis and, even if such an analysis were available at the current time, it is virtually impossible for us to be certain that no infringement exists, particularly in our case where our products have not yet been fully developed.
We may need to acquire licenses from third parties in order to avoid infringement. Any required license may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.
We could incur substantial costs in defending ourselves in suits brought against us for alleged infringement of another party’s intellectual property rights as well as in enforcing our rights against others, and if we are found to infringe, the manufacture, sale and use of our or our customers’ or partners’ products could be enjoined. Any claims against us, with or without merit, would likely be time-consuming, requiring our management team to dedicate substantial time to addressing the issues presented. Furthermore, the parties bringing claims may have greater resources than we do.
WE DO NOT MAINTAIN THEFT OR CASUALTY INSURANCE AND ONLY MAINTAIN MODEST LIABILITY AND PROPERTY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND THEREFORE, WE COULD INCUR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF AN UNINSURED LOSS.
We do not maintain theft, casualty insurance, or property insurance coverage. We cannot assure that we will not incur uninsured liabilities and losses as a result of the conduct of our business. Any such uninsured or insured loss or liability could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
IF WE LOSE KEY EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS OR ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT OR RETAIN QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, OUR BUSINESS COULD SUFFER.
Our success is highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain qualified scientific, engineering and management personnel. We are highly dependent on our CEO, Timothy Young, and our development team at the University of California, Santa Barbara and at the University of Iowa. The loss of these valuable resources could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Our officers are employed on “at will” basis. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that they will remain associated with us. Our management’s efforts will be critical to us as we continue to develop our technology and as we attempt to transition from a development stage company to a company with commercialized products and services. If we were to lose Mr. Young or the services of the development team at the university or any other key employees or consultants, we may experience difficulties in competing effectively, developing our technology and implementing our business strategies.
THE LOSS OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCES USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY COULD IMPEDE OUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE OUR PRODUCT AND RESULT IN A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT CAUSING THE BUSINESS TO SUFFER.
We pursue strategic alliances with other companies in areas where collaboration can produce technological and industry advancement. We have entered into a sponsorship research agreement (“SRA”) with the University of California, Santa Barbara. The SRA, as amended, will terminate on or prior to June 30, 2017. Also, we have entered into a research agreement with the University of Iowa which is set to terminate on April 30, 2017. If we are unable to extend the terms of the agreements, we could suffer delays in product development or other operational difficulties which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL DOUBT ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE AS A GOING CONCERN.
Our independent public accounting firm in their report dated September 20, 2016 included an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern without additional capital becoming available. Going concern contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business over a reasonable length of time. Our ability to continue as a going concern ultimately is dependent on our ability to generate a profit which is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies and, ultimately, to achieve profitable operations. As a result, our financial statements do not reflect any adjustment which would result from our failure to continue to operate as a going concern. Any such adjustment, if necessary, would materially affect the value of our assets.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON STOCK
BECAUSE THERE IS A LIMITED MARKET IN OUR COMMON STOCK, STOCKHOLDERS MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN SELLING OUR COMMON STOCK AND OUR COMMON STOCK MAY BE SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT PRICE SWINGS.
There is a very limited market for our common stock. Since trading commenced in May 26, 2010, there has been little activity in our common stock and on some days there is no trading in our common stock. Because of the limited market for our common stock, the purchase or sale of a relatively small number of shares may have an exaggerated effect on the market price for our common stock. We cannot assure stockholders that they will be able to sell common stock or, that if they are able to sell their shares, that they will be able to sell the shares in any significant quantity at the quoted price.
IF WE FAIL TO REMAIN CURRENT ON OUR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, WE COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE OTCQB WHICH WOULD LIMIT THE ABILITY OF BROKER-DEALERS TO SELL OUR SECURITIES AND THE ABILITY OF STOCKHOLDERS TO SELL THEIR SECURITIES IN THE SECONDARY MARKET.
Securities traded on the OTCQB must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the issuer must be current with its filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, in order to maintain price quotation privileges on the OTCQB. If we fail to remain current in our reporting requirements, we could be removed from the OTCQB. As a result, the market liquidity of our securities could be severely adversely affected by limiting the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market. In addition, we may be unable to get re-listed on the OTCQB which may have an adverse material effect on our Company.
WE DO NOT EXPECT TO PAY DIVIDENDS IN THE FUTURE; ANY RETURN ON INVESTMENT MAY BE LIMITED TO THE VALUE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
We do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our Common Stock will depend on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors affecting it at such time as the Board of Directors may consider relevant. Our current intention is to apply net earnings, if any, in the foreseeable future to increasing our capital base and development and marketing efforts. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever have sufficient earnings to declare and pay dividends to the holders of our Common Stock, and in any event, a decision to declare and pay dividends is at the sole discretion of the our Board of Directors. If we do not pay dividends, our Common Stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
OUR COMMON STOCK COULD BE SUBJECT TO EXTREME VOLATILITY.
The trading price of our Common Stock may be affected by a number of factors, including events described in the risk factors set forth in this report, as well as our operating results, financial condition and other events or factors. In addition to the uncertainties relating to future operating performance and the profitability of operations, factors such as variations in interim financial results or various, as yet unpredictable, factors, many of which are beyond our control, may have a negative effect on the market price of our Common Stock. In recent years, broad stock market indices, in general, and smaller capitalization companies, in particular, have experienced substantial price fluctuations. In a volatile market, we may experience wide fluctuations in the market price of our Common Stock and wide bid-ask spreads. These fluctuations may have a negative effect on the market price of our Common Stock. In addition, the securities market has, from time to time, experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.
THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED BUT UNISSUED SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK AVAILABLE FOR ISSUANCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION TO EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS.
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 1,500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001, of which 589,552,961 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding as of September 20, 2016. Our Board of Directors has the ability to authorize the issuance of an additional 910,447,039 shares of common stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without shareholder approval. Any such issuance will result in substantial dilution to existing shareholders. In addition, the availability of such a large number of capital stock could be utilized, under certain circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company.
WE HAVE NEVER PAID COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS AND HAVE NO PLANS TO PAY DIVIDENDS IN THE FUTURE, AS A RESULT OUR COMMON STOCK MAY BE LESS VALUABLE BECAUSE A RETURN ON AN INVESTOR’S INVESTMENT WILL ONLY OCCUR IF OUR STOCK PRICE APPRECIATES.
Holders of shares of our Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors. To date, we have paid no cash dividends on our shares of Common Stock and we do not expect to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to provide funds for operations of our business. Therefore, any return investors in our Common Stock will be in the form of appreciation, if any, in the market value of our shares of Common Stock. There can be no assurance that shares of our Common Stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have purchased their shares.
IF OUR COMMON STOCK REMAINS SUBJECT TO THE SEC’S PENNY STOCK RULES, BROKER-DEALERS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN COMPLETING CUSTOMER TRANSACTIONS AND TRADING ACTIVITY IN OUR SECURITIES MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
Unless our Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, including the Nasdaq Capital Market or we have stockholders’ equity of $5,000,000 or less and our Common Stock has a market price per share of less than $4.00, transactions in our Common Stock will be subject to the SEC’s “penny stock” rules. If our Common Stock remains subject to the “penny stock” rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, broker-dealers may find it difficult to effectuate customer transactions and trading activity in our securities may be adversely affected.
In accordance with these rules, broker-dealers participating in transactions in low-priced securities must first deliver a risk disclosure document that describes the risks associated with such stocks, the broker-dealer's duties in selling the stock, the customer's rights and remedies and certain market and other information. Furthermore, the broker-dealer must make a suitability determination approving the customer for low-priced stock transactions based on the customer's financial situation, investment experience and objectives. Broker-dealers must also disclose these restrictions in writing to the customer, obtain specific written consent from the customer, and provide monthly account statements to the customer. The effect of these restrictions will probably decrease the willingness of broker-dealers to make a market in our Common Stock, decrease liquidity of our Common Stock and increase transaction costs for sales and purchases of our Common Stock as compared to other securities. Our management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market.
As a result, if our Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock rules, the market price of our securities may be depressed, and you may find it more difficult to sell our securities.
WE MAY NEED ADDITIONAL CAPITAL, AND THE SALE OF ADDITIONAL SHARES OR OTHER EQUITY OR CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES COULD RESULT IN ADDITIONAL DILUTION TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS.
If our resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. Financing may not be available in amounts and on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the successful execution of our business plan requires significant cash resources, including cash for investments and acquisition. Changes in business conditions and future developments could also increase our cash requirements. To the extent we are unable to obtain external financing, we will not be able to execute our business plan effectively, if at all. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our principal office is located at 510 Castillo Street, Suite 320, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. We lease approximately 250 square feet, at an annual cost of approximately $10,000. The term of the lease is one (1) year, and expires on April 15, 2017. We believe that our current premises are sufficient to handle our activities for the near future.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are not currently a party to, nor is any of our property currently the subject of, any pending legal proceeding that will have a material adverse effect on our business.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
On May 26, 2010, our common stock became eligible for quotation on the OTCQB under the symbol "HYSR.QB."
For the periods indicated, the following table sets forth the high and low bid prices per share of common stock. These high and low bid prices represent prices quoted by broker-dealers on the OTCQB. These prices represent inter-dealer quotations without retail markup, markdown, or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Securities
Our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.
All outstanding shares of Common Stock are of the same class and have equal rights and attributes. The holders of our Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. All stockholders are entitled to share equally in dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available. In the event of liquidation, the holders of our Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all liabilities. The stockholders do not have cumulative or preemptive rights.
As of September 20, 2016, our common stock was held by 74 stockholders of record and we had 589,552,961 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. We believe that the number of beneficial owners is substantially greater than the number of record holders because a significant portion of our outstanding common stock is held of record in broker street names for the benefit of individual investors. The transfer agent of our common stock is Computershare Trust Company N.A., 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to stockholders in the foreseeable future. In addition, any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deem relevant. There are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that restrict us from declaring dividends.
Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
We do not have any compensation plans or arrangements under which equity securities are authorized for issuance.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There were no sales of unregistered securities during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 other than those transactions previously reported to the SEC on our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not applicable.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this discussion may 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. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our capital needs, business strategy and expectations. Any statements that are not of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue”, the negative of the terms or other comparable terminology. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Form 10-K to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” refer to Hypersolar, Inc. Forward-looking statements in this Report may also include references to anticipated sales volume and product margins, efforts aimed at establishing new or improving existing relationships with customers, other business development activities, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and similar matters. Actual events or results may differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, you should consider various factors, including the risks included from time to time in other reports or registration statements filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update these statements, or disclose any difference between actual results and those reflected in these statements.
Overview
Inspired by the photosynthetic process that plants use to harness the power of the sun to create energy molecules, we are developing a novel solar-powered particle system that mimics photosynthesis to separate hydrogen from water. On November 15, 2011, we filed a patent application to protect the intellectual property rights to the production of renewable hydrogen and natural gas using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Our research is centered on developing a low-cost and submersible hydrogen production particle that can split water molecules under the sun, emulating the core functions of photosynthesis. Each particle is a complete hydrogen generator that contains a novel high voltage solar cell bonded to chemical catalysts by a proprietary encapsulation coating. On September 15, 2015, we announced that we had surpassed the critical voltage (1.5 Volts) threshold to split water molecules for renewable hydrogen fuel production. We believe this is an extremely important step towards commercialization, as 1.5 V is the minimum voltage needed to produce hydrogen in real world systems.
Currently, the strategy of partnering with both the University of Iowa and University of California, Santa Barbara (“UCSB”), has advanced our technology significantly. In November of 2014, the University of Iowa was added to the research and development team, giving us the support of two leading universities as we continue our pursuit of commercially viable renewable hydrogen. As the technology progresses, the University of Iowa team will continue to focus on increasing the voltage of the technology, while the UCSB team will focus more on the technology’s production aspects and cost models for scaled up systems. We anticipate continuing this strategy of leveraging our existing relationship, as well as potentially exploring others with leading universities, to continue developing our technology.
Now that we have surpassed the 1.5 V threshold required for hydrogen fuel production in real world systems, we will identify next steps in terms of scaling up the technology. Following this breakthrough, we will focus our efforts on increasing the hydrogen production efficiencies of these particles by bonding the ideal fuel production catalyst to the low-cost high-voltage solar cell. In order to achieve this, the company is currently exploring two parallel approaches. The first is to identify materials that interface with well-known hydrogen production catalysts, such as the platinum on solar particles, to improve sunlight-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. The second is to pursue methods that further increase photo voltages of solar particles to greater than 1.7 V that allow integration of cheaper earth abundant catalysts without significant loss in hydrogen production efficiency. We believe this will bring us closer to developing a prototype or pilot.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended June 30, 2016 compared to the Year Ended June 30, 2015.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consists primarily of research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses incurred in connection with the operation our business. For the year ended June 30, 2016 operating expenses were $481,309 and $542,404 for the prior period ended June 30, 2015. The net decrease of $61,095 in operating expenses consisted primarily of research and development costs in the amount of $69,168 together with an overall increase in other general and administrative expenses of $8,073.
Other Income/(Expenses)
Other income and (expenses) for the year ended June 30, 2016 were $6,517,302 and $(4,351,157) for the prior period ended June 30, 2015. The increase in other income and (expenses) was the result of an increase in net gain on change in fair value of the derivative instruments of $11,070,783, amortization of debt discount of $153,499, with an increase in interest expense of $48,825. The net increase in other income and (expenses) was due to the loss in change in derivative liability.
Net Loss
For the year ended June 30, 2016, our net income was $6,035,993 as compared to a net loss of $(4,893,561) for the prior period June 30, 2015. The decrease in net loss was related primarily to other income and (expenses) due to a decrease in non-cash cost associated with the derivative liability created by the Company’s outstanding convertible notes. The Company has not generated any revenues.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis. Significant factors in the management of liquidity are funds generated by operations, levels of accounts receivable and accounts payable and capital expenditures.
As of June 30, 2016, we had a working capital deficit of $7,839,367 as compared to $14,072,573 as of June 30, 2015. This decrease in working capital deficit of $6,233,206 was due primarily to an increase in cash, accrued expenses, and the issuance of additional convertible notes, offset by a decrease in accounts payable, debt discount and non-cash derivative liability.
During the year ended June 30, 2016, we raised an aggregate of $580,000 in an offering of unsecured convertible notes. During the prior period ended June 30, 2015, we raised an aggregate of $515,000 through the sale of unsecured convertible notes. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the ability to raise capital from financing transactions and future revenue.
Cash flow used in operating activities was $495,317 for the year ended June 30, 2016 and $537,137 for the prior period ended June 30, 2015. The decrease in cash used by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in research and development cost. The Company has had no revenues.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $4,287 and $0, respectively. During the current period, the Company purchased intangible assets.
Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended June 30, 2016 was $580,000 and $515,000 for the prior period ended June 30, 2015. The increase in financing activities was due to the issuance of convertible notes through private placement offerings during the current period.
During the year ended June 30, 2016, we did not generate any revenue, incurred net income of $6,035,993, which includes the non-cash gain associated with the debt financing of $6,637,986, and used cash in the amount of $495,317 in our operations. As of June 30, 2016, we had a working capital deficiency of $7,839,367 and a shareholders’ deficit of $7,798,775. These factors, among others raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our independent auditors, Liggett & Webb P.A, in their report dated September 20, 2016 on our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2016, expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of us to continue as a going concern and appropriateness of using the going concern basis is dependent on our ability to generate a profit which is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies and, ultimately, to achieve profitable operations.
We have historically obtained funding from our shareholders. Management has historically obtained funds through private placement offerings of equity and debt. Management believes that it will be able to continue to raise funds by sale of its securities to its existing shareholders and prospective new investors to provide the additional cash needed to meet the Company’s obligations as they become due, and will allow the development of its core of business. There is no assurance that we will be able to continue raising the required capital for its operations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, result of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to impairment of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, deferred tax assets and fair value computation using the Black Scholes option pricing model. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions, such as the trading value of our common stock and estimated future undiscounted cash flows, that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions; however, we believe that our estimates, including those for the above-described items, are reasonable.
Use of Estimates
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, management utilizes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. These estimates and assumptions relate to recording net revenue, collectability of accounts receivable, useful lives and impairment of tangible and intangible assets, accruals, income taxes, inventory realization, stock-based compensation expense, Black Scholes valuation model inputs, and other factors. Management believes it has exercised reasonable judgment in deriving these estimates. Consequently, a change in conditions could affect these estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value of financial instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value information, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, where it is practicable to estimate that value. As of June 30, 2016, the amounts reported for cash, accrued interest and other expenses, notes payables, and derivative liability approximate the fair value because of their short maturities.
We adopted ASC Topic 820 for financial instruments measured as fair value on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Management adopted recently issued accounting pronouncements during the year ended June 30, 2016, as disclosed in the Notes to the financial statements included in this report.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
All financial information required by this Item is attached hereto at the end of this report beginning on page and is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our CEO and our CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and our CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed is made known to management and others, as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure and that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A controls system cannot provide absolute assurance, however, that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
Changes in Internal Controls.
We have also evaluated our internal control over financial reporting, and there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter of fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2016 based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2016, based on those criteria.
A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permanently exempts smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following table sets forth information about our executive officers, key employees and directors:
Timothy Young - President, CEO and Director
Tim Young is an accomplished executive with over fifteen years of management experience in media and Internet technology companies. Mr. Young was appointed President, CEO and Chairman of the Company in August 2009.
Mr. Young oversees the Company’s research and development initiatives and fundraising efforts.
From September 2007 through August 2009, Mr. Young was the President of Rovion, Inc., an internet media startup company, where he increased revenues through a channel sales strategy that included companies such as Clear Channel, Disney, CBS, and Fox Television and bolstered the company's technical capabilities through strategic acquisitions. Prior to Rovion, Inc., Mr. Young was employed by Time Warner Inc. from October 1998 through July 2007, where he served as Vice President and Regional Vice President of various divisions including America Online and Time Warner Cable. Mr. Young's track record of success and over fifteen years of management and leadership experience bringing new products to the market, qualifies him to be a board member of Hypersolar, Inc.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
There are no family relationships among our executive officers and directors.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Although we have not adopted a formal policy on whether the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions should be separate or combined, we have traditionally determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to combine these roles. Currently, we have only one executive officer, who is our Chief Executive Officer, who also serves as our sole director. Due to the small size and early stage of the Company, we believe it is currently most effective to have the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions combined.
INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
During the past ten years, none of our directors, executive officers, promoters, control persons, or nominees has been:
● the subject of any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
● convicted in a criminal proceeding or is subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
● subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or any Federal or State authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;
● found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law;
● the subject of, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of (a) any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; (b) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (c) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
● the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
We currently have no audit committee, compensation committee or nominations and governance committee of our board of directors. We do not have an audit committee financial expert.
CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics can be obtained without charge upon request to Timothy Young, CEO and President, 510 Castillo Street, Suite 320, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 and is also being incorporated by reference herein. Any waiver of the provisions of the Code of Ethics for executive officers and directors may be made only by the Board of Directors. Any such waivers will be promptly disclosed to our shareholders.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that our officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and persons owning more than ten percent of such securities are required by Commission regulation to file with the Commission and furnish the Company with copies of all reports required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. To our knowledge, based solely upon our review of the copies of such reports furnished to us, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with.
CHANGES IN NOMINATING PROCEDURES
None.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The table below sets forth the compensation earned by each person acting as our Principal Executive Officer and our other most highly compensated executive officers whose total annual compensation exceeded $100,000 during the last two fiscal years.
General
At no time during the last fiscal year with respect to any person listed in the table above was there:
● any outstanding option or other equity-based award re-priced or otherwise materially modified (such as by extension of exercise periods, the change of vesting or forfeiture conditions, the change or elimination of applicable performance criteria, or the change of the bases upon which returns are determined;
● any waiver or modification of any specified performance target, goal or condition to payout with respect to any amount included in non-stock incentive plan compensation or payouts;
● any option or equity grant;
● any non-equity incentive plan award made to a named executive officer
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
There were no grants of options to purchase our common stock to the named executive officers at June 30, 2016.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Our CEO, Timothy Young, is employed as an “at-will” employee whose employment with the Company may be terminated at any time by either party. We have agreed to pay Mr. Young an annual salary of $255,000, subject to modification in accordance with the Company’s policies, practices and procedures. In addition, we have agreed to pay Mr. Young three months base salary, in the event his employment is terminated by the Company. Mr. Young is eligible to receive a quarterly bonus as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and to participate in any benefit plan implemented by the Company.
Item 12.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of shares of our common stock owned beneficially based on 589,552,961 issued and outstanding shares of common stock as of the date of this Annual Report by: (i) each of our directors; (ii) each of our named executive officers; and (iii) each person or group known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock.
We believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them.
A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by him within 60 days from September 20, 2016 upon the exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities. Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options, warrants or convertible securities that are held by him, but not those held by any other person, and which are exercisable within 60 days of September 20, 2016 have been exercised and converted.
(1) Based upon 589,552,961 shares issued and outstanding as of September 20, 2016.
(2) The address for each of the officers and directors is c/o Hypersolar, Inc. 510 Castillo Street, Suite 320, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Since the beginning of our last fiscal year, there have been and there are no currently proposed transaction, in which we are or were a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Director Independence
We do not currently have any directors who are independent as that term is defined under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billable to us by Liggett & Webb P.A. during 2016 and 2015 for the audit of our annual financial statements and quarterly reviews of our financial statements for the fiscal years totaled approximately $23,000 and $23,000, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
We incurred assurance and audit-related fees during 2016 and 2015 of $0 and $0 to Liggett & Webb P.A. in connection with the audit of the financial statements of the Company for the years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.
Tax Fees
We incurred fees of $0 and $0 billed to us by Liggett & Webb P.A. for services rendered to us for tax compliance, tax advice, or tax planning for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
All Other Fees
As of the date of this filing, our current policy is to not engage Liggett & Webb P.A to provide, among other things, bookkeeping services, appraisal or valuation services, or international audit services. The policy provides that we engage Liggett & Webb P.A to provide audit, and other assurance services, such as review of SEC reports or filings.
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS.
* Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
Date: September 21, 2016 By: /s/ Timothy Young
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PRESIDENT (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER),
ACTING CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL OFFICER) AND CHAIRMAN
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
HyperSolar, Inc.
Santa Barbara, California
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of HyperSolar, Inc. as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the related statements of operations, stockholders' deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of HyperSolar, Inc. as of June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in the Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company does not generate revenue and has negative cash flows from operations. This raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1 to the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Liggett & Webb, P.A.
New York, New York
September 20,
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited financial statements
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited financial statements
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016 AND 2015
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited financial statements
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited financial statements
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
1. ORGANIZATION AND LINE OF BUSINESS
Organization
HyperSolar, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the state of Nevada on February 18, 2009. The Company, based in Santa Barbara, California, began operations on February 19, 2009 to develop and market a solar concentrator technology.
Line of Business
The company is currently developing a novel solar-powered nanoparticle system that mimics photosynthesis to separate hydrogen from water. We intend for technology of this system to be licensed for the production of renewable hydrogen to produce renewable electricity and hydrogen for fuel cells.
Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis of accounting, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets and liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The accompanying financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might result if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern. The Company does not generate revenue, and has negative cash flows from operations, which raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and appropriateness of using the going concern basis is dependent upon, among other things, additional cash infusion. The Company has historically obtained funds through private placement offerings of equity and debt. Management believes that it will be able to continue to raise funds by sale of its securities to its existing shareholders and prospective new investors to provide the additional cash needed to meet the Company’s obligations as they become due, and will allow the development of its core business. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to continue raising the required capital.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
This summary of significant accounting policies of HyperSolar, Inc. is presented to assist in understanding the Company’s financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company’s management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and have been consistently applied in the preparation of the financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalent
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements. Significant estimates made in preparing these financial statements include the estimate of useful lives of intangible assets, and the deferred tax valuation allowance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, and are depreciated using straight line over its estimated useful lives:
Computers and peripheral equipment 5 Years
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value of financial instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value information, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, where it is practicable to estimate that value. As of June 30, 2016, the amounts reported for cash, accrued interest and other expenses, notes payables, and derivative liability approximate the fair value because of their short maturities.
We adopted ASC Topic 820 for financial instruments measured as fair value on a recurring basis. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 established a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). These tiers include:
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)
●Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
●Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and
●Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
We measure certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows at June 30, 2016:
The following is a reconciliation of the derivative liability for which Level 3 inputs were used in determining the approximate fair value:
Net Earnings/(Loss) per Share Calculations
Net earnings/(Loss) per share dictates the calculation of basic earnings/(loss) per share and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings/(loss) per share are computed by dividing by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings/(loss) per share except that the denominator is increased to include the effect of stock options and stock based awards (Note 4), plus the assumed conversion of convertible notes (Note 5).
For the year ended June 30, 2016, the dilutive impact of outstanding stock options of 500,000, and notes convertible into 548,380,952 shares of common stock have been included in the calculation of net earnings per share, because their impact was dilutive.
For the year ended June 30, 2015, the dilutive impact of outstanding stock options of 500,000, and notes convertible into 531,109,481 shares of common stock, have been excluded, because their impact on the loss per share is anti-dilutive.
Income Taxes
The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on provisions of applicable tax law. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance based on the amount of tax benefits that, based on available evidence, is not expected to be realized.
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Stock based Compensation
The Company periodically issues stock options and warrants to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and for financing costs. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to employees based on the authoritative guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board whereas the value of the award is measured on the date of grant and recognized over the vesting period. The Company accounts for stock option and warrant grants issued and vesting to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board whereas the value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date as determined at either a) the date at which a performance commitment is reached, or b) at the date at which the necessary performance to earn the equity instruments is complete. Non-employee stock-based compensation charges generally are amortized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. In certain circumstances where there are no future performance requirements by the non-employee, option grants are immediately vested and the total stock-based compensation charge is recorded in the period of the measurement date.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Total research and development costs were $12,134 and $81,302 for the years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Accounting for Derivatives
The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. For stock-based derivative financial instruments, the Company uses a probability weighted average series Binomial lattice formula to value the derivative instruments at inception and on subsequent valuation dates.
The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
Recently issued pronouncements
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” this Update as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards (the Simplification Initiative). The Board received feedback that having different balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discount and premium creates unnecessary complexity. Recognizing debt issuance costs as a deferred charge (that is, an asset) also is different from the guidance in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which requires that transaction costs be deducted from the carrying value of the financial liability and not recorded as separate assets. Additionally, the requirement to recognize debt issuance costs as deferred charges conflicts with the guidance in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements, which states that debt issuance costs are similar to debt discounts and in effect reduce the proceeds of borrowing, thereby increasing the effective interest rate. Concepts Statement 6 further states that debt issuance costs cannot be an asset because they provide no future economic benefit. To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in this Update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements s issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of adopting this ASU, if it is deemed to be applicable.
On August 27, 2014, the Company adopted the amendment to ASU 2014-15 on Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40). The amendment provides for guidance to reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. The amendment requires management to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. The Company has to define the term of substantial doubt, which has to be evaluated every reporting period including interim periods. Management has to provide principles for considering the mitigating effect of its plan, and disclose when substantial doubt is alleviated as well as when it is not alleviated. The Company is required to assess managements plan for a period of one year after the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The amendment is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the accounting standards currently adopted will have a material effect on the accompanying condensed financial statements.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the accompanying condensed financial statements.
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
3.CAPITAL STOCK
During the year ended June 30, 2016, the Company issued 112,704,889 shares of common stock upon conversion of $159,500 in principal, plus $37,734 in accrued interest on an outstanding convertible note.
During the year ended June 30, 2015, the Company issued 47,499,633 shares of common stock upon conversion of $72,341 in principal, plus $10,783 in accrued interest on varies outstanding convertible notes.
4.STOCK OPTIONS
Options
As of June 30, 2016, 500,000 non-qualified common stock options were outstanding. Each option shall be exercisable to the nearest whole share, in installments or otherwise, as the respective agreements may provide. Each Option expires on the date specified in the Option agreement, which date is not later than the fifth (5th) anniversary from the grant date of the options. As of June 30, 2016, 250,000 options are fully vested with a maturity date of January 2, 2017, and are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.04 per share. On March 31, 2015, 250,000 stock options were granted, are subject to vesting conditions which provided that fifty (50%) percent of the options vest on March 31, 2016 and the remaining fifty (50%) on March 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2016, 125,000 of the 250,000 stock options were exercisable at an exercise price of $0.02245. These stock options are exercisable for a period of five years from the date of grant at an exercise price of $0.02245 per share.
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information follows:
During the year ended June 30, 2016, the company incurred $2,688 in stock compensation for options vested during the year.
5. CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTES
On August 9, 2013, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement entered into for the sale of a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $100,000. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of the lesser of a) $0.0048 per share; b) fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trading price after the effective date of each respective advance or c) the lowest conversion price offered by the Company with respect to any financing occurring before or after the date to acquire common stock. Upon execution of the securities purchase agreement, the Company received an advance of $15,000. The Company received additional advances in the aggregate amount of $85,000 for a total aggregate principal sum of $100,000. The Note matured on July 9, 2015, and the maturity date was extended to April 9, 2016. The note was fully converted during the year ended June 30, 2016, the Company issued 70,541,210 shares of common stock upon conversion of $100,000 in principal, plus accrued interest of $23,447.
On December 16, 2013, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement entered for the sale of a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $100,000. The Note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of the lesser of $0.0048 per share or fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trading price after the effective date to acquire common stock. Upon execution of the securities purchase agreement, the Company received an advance of $26,000.The Company received additional advances in the amount of $74,000 for an aggregate sum of $100,000. The Note matured on May 16, 2015, and the maturity date was extended to February 16, 2016. Subsequently, a third extension was granted to November 16, 2016. During the year ended June 30, 2016, the Company issued 42,163,679 shares of common stock upon conversion of $59,500, plus accrued interest of $14,286. As of June 30, 2016, the remaining principal balance is $40,500.
On March 5, 2014, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement into for the sale of a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $100,000. The Note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of the lesser of $0.0048 per share or fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trading price after the effective date to acquire common stock. Upon execution of the securities purchase agreement, the Company received an advance of $30,000. On April 15, 2014, the lender and borrower agreed to amend the note to increase the principle sum to $150,000. The Company received additional advances in the amount of $120,000 for an aggregate sum of $150,000. The Note matured on September 5, 2015 and was extended to June 5, 2016. Subsequently, a third extension was granted to March 5, 2017.
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
5. CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTES (Continued)
On May 23, 2014, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement for the sale of a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of the lesser of $0.0048 per share or fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trading price after the effective date to acquire common stock. Upon execution of the securities purchase agreement, the Company received an advance of $50,000.The Company received additional advances in the amount of $415,000 for an aggregate sum of $465,000. The Note matured on May 23, 2015 and was extended to February 23, 2016. Subsequently, a third extension was granted to November 23, 2016. The Company recorded amortization of debt discount, which was recognized as interest expense in the amount of $141,959 during the year ended June 30, 2016.
On April 9, 2015, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement into for the sale of a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of the lesser of $0.01 per share or fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trading price since the original effective date of each respective advance or the lowest effective price per share granted to any person or entity after the effective date to acquire common stock. Upon execution of the securities purchase agreement, the Company received an advance of $50,000. The Company received additional advances in the amount of $450,000 for an aggregate sum of $500,000. The note matured nine (9) months from the effective dates of each respective advance. The note matured on January 4, 2016. Subsequently, a second extension was granted to October 9, 2016. The Company recorded amortization of debt discount, which was recognized as interest expense in the amount of $423,026 during the year ended June 30, 2016.
On January 28, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement into for the sale of a 10% convertible promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of the lesser of $0.01 per share or fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trading price since the original effective date of each respective advance or the lowest effective price per share granted to any person or entity after the effective date to acquire common stock. Upon execution of the securities purchase agreement, the Company received an advance of $10,000. The Company received additional advances in the amount of $220,000 for an aggregate sum of $230,000. The note matures twelve (12) months from the effective dates of each respective advance. The Company recorded amortization of debt discount, which was recognized as interest expense in the amount of $15,713 during the year ended June 30, 2016.
ASC Topic 815 provides guidance applicable to convertible debt issued by the Company in instances where the number into which the debt can be converted is not fixed. For example, when a convertible debt converts at a discount to market based on the stock price on the date of conversion, ASC Topic 815 requires that the embedded conversion option of the convertible debt be bifurcated from the host contract and recorded at their fair value. In accounting for derivatives under accounting standards, the Company recorded a liability representing the estimated present value of the conversion feature considering the historic volatility of the Company’s stock, and a discount representing the imputed interest associated with the embedded derivative. The discount is amortized over the life of the convertible debt, and the derivative liability is adjusted periodically according to stock price fluctuations.
6. DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES
The convertible notes (the “Notes”) issued and described in Note 5 do not have fixed settlement provisions because their conversion prices are not fixed. The conversion features have been characterized as derivative liabilities to be re-measured at the end of every reporting period with the change in value reported in the statement of operations.
During the year ended June 30, 2016, as a result of the Notes issued that were accounted for as derivative liabilities, we determined that the fair value of the conversion feature of the convertible notes at issuance was $535,765, based upon the Binomial lattice formula. We recorded the full value of the derivative as a liability at issuance with an offset to valuation discount, which will be amortized over the life of the Notes.
During the year ended June 30, 2016, approximately $159,500 in principal of the Notes were converted. As a result of the conversion of these Notes, and the change in fair value of the remaining Notes, the Company recorded a net gain in change in derivative of $7,340,037 in the statement of operations for the year ended June 30, 2016. At June 30, 2016, the fair value of the derivative liability was $6,230,102.
For purpose of determining the fair market value of the derivative liability for the embedded conversion, the Company used the Binomial lattice formula. The significant assumptions used in the Binomial lattice formula of the derivative are as follows:
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
7.INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets that have finite useful lives continue to be amortized over their useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment when warranted by economic condition. Any impairment is included in the income statement.
8. INCOME TAXES
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction, and the state of California. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years before 2013.
Deferred income taxes have been provided by temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. To the extent allowed by GAAP, we provide valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets for amounts when the realization is uncertain. Included in the balances at June 30, 2016 and 2015, are no tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.
The Company's policy is to recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not recognize interest and penalties.
9.DEFERRED TAX BENEFIT
At June 30, 2016, the Company had net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $4,538,100 that may be offset against future taxable income from 2015 through 2035. No tax benefit has been reported in the financial statements since the potential tax benefit is offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount.
The income tax provision differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 40% to pretax income from continuing operations for the period ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 due to the following:
Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible differences and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the difference between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
HYPERSOLAR, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2016
9.DEFERRED TAX BENEFIT (Continued)
Net deferred tax liabilities consist of the following components as of June 30, 2016 and 2015:
Due to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carry-forwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes are subject to annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, net operating loss carry-forwards may be limited as to use in future years.
10. COMMITMENTS
The Company entered into a rental lease for office space on April 15, 2016 for a term of one year. If the lease is not renewed by either party, the lease will continue on a month-to-month basis. The monthly rent is $900 and is due by the fifteenth of each month.
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management evaluated subsequent events as of the date of the financial statements pursuant to ASC TOPIC 855, and has determined that there are the following subsequent events:
On August 15, 2016, the Company received an additional consideration of $60,000 on a securities purchase agreement entered into on January 28, 2016. The securities purchase agreement is a 10 % unsecured convertible note in the aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a price equal to a variable conversion price of a) the lesser of $0.01 per share of common stock, b) fifty percent (50%) of the lowest trade price recorded on any trade day after the effective date or c) the lowest effective price per share granted to any person or entity after the effective date to acquire common stock.