UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

[X](X)ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20212023

 

()[ ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _______ to _______.

 

Commission file number 1-13810

 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 94-3155066

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

39700 Eureka Drive40675 Encyclopedia Circle,
NewarkFremont, CA 9456094538

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

 

(510) 933-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.001 Par Value per ShareSCKTNASDAQ

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: NONE

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES [ ] NO [X]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES [ ] NO [X]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES [ X ] NO [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated Filerfiler [X] Smaller reporting company [X]

 

Emerging growth company [ ]]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. [ ]

 

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES [ ] NO [X][X]

 

As of June 30, 2021,2023, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock ($0.001 par value) held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $35,357,3598,420,685 based on the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ Marketplace system.

NumberThe number of shares of Common Stock ($0.001 par value) outstanding as of March 25, 2022:22, 2024: 7,273,051 7,547,327shares.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III are incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on JuneMay 15, 2022.2024. Such Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I
Item 1.Business1
Item 1A.Risk Factors8
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments1817
Item 1C.Cybersecurity17
Item 2.Properties1817
Item 3.Legal Proceedings1817
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures18
PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities19
Item 6.Selected Financial Data2120
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2221
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk2927
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data3028
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure5553
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures5653
Item 9B.Other Information5754
Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections5754
PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance5855
Item 11.Executive Compensation5855
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters5855
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence5855
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services5855
PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules5956
SIGNATURES6057
Index to Exhibits6158

Table of Contents

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report contains 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 statements include statements forecasting our future financial condition and results, our future operating activities, market acceptance of our products, expectations for general market growth of mobile computing devices, growth in demand for our data capture products, expansion of the markets that we serve, expansion of the distribution channels for our products, and the timing of the introduction and availability of new products, as well as other forecasts discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Words such as “may,” “will,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties; therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially include, but are not limited to: volatility in the world economy generally and in the markets we serve in particular, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s military action against Ukraine; the risk of delays in the availability of our products due to technological, market or financial factors including the availability of product components and necessary working capital; our ability to successfully develop, introduce and market future products; our ability to effectively manage and contain our operating costs; the availability of third-party hardware and software that our products are intended to work with; product delays associated with new model introductions and product changeovers by the makers of products that our products are intended to work with; continued growth in demand for barcode scanners; market acceptance of emerging standards such as RFID/Near Field Communications and of our related data capture products; the ability of our strategic relationships to benefit our business as expected; our ability to enter into additional distribution relationships; and other factors described in this Form 10-K including “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and recent Form 8-K and Form 10-Q reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update such forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

 

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this report, and other information contained in other reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 1. Business

General

We are a leading provider of data capture and delivery solutions, enhancing productivity for enhanced productivity ina mobile workforce mobilization. Ourthrough innovative technology and tailored applications. Historically, we began as a hardware peripheral company but have transitioned into a comprehensive data capture organization. Our evolution has enabled us to generate revenue through software solutions, as well as hardware solutions like barcode scanners and NFC/RFID readers. Initially building our foundation on hardware, we later expanded into software, creating a robust, integrated offering that covers all aspects of data capture for our customers. Our solutions are incorporated into mobile applications used in point of sale (POS), commercial services (field workers), asset tracking, manufacturing process and quality control processes, transportation and logistics (goods tracking and movement), event management (ticketing, entry, access control, and identification), medical and education.

1
Table of Contents

We were founded in March 1992 as Socket Communications, Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware in 1995 prior to our initial public offering in June 1995. We have financed our operations since inception primarily from the sale ofselling equity capital or convertible debt, receivables-based revolving lines of credit and term loans with our bank. We began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 to better reflect our market focus on the mobile business market and changed our legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “SCKT”. Our principal executive offices are located at 39700 Eureka Drive, Newark,40675 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94560,94538, and our phone number is (510) 933-3000.

1

Table of Contents

 

Our Internet home page is located at http:https://www.socketmobile.com; however, the information on or that can be accessed through our home pageit is not part of this Annual Report. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to such reports are available free of charge on or through our internet home page as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Products

 

Our primary products are cordless data capture devices incorporating barcode scanning or RFID/Near Field Communications (NFC) technologies that connect over Bluetooth. All products work with applications running on smartphones, mobile computers and tablets using operating systems from Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). We offer an easy-to-use software developer kit (Capture-SDK)(CaptureSDK) to application providers, which enables them to provide their consumers with our advanced barcode scanning features. Our products are integrated by the application providers and are marketed by the application providers or their resellers. The number of application providers supporting our data capture solutions continues to grow.

 

Companion SocketScanXtremeScan family. In August 2023, the Company made entry into the industrial barcode scanning market with the XtremeScan family. XtremeScan combines the versatility and user-friendliness of iPhones with the ruggedness and top-of-the-line protection required for extreme, industrial work environments. XtremeScan Case XC100 offers ultimate iPhone protection with its rugged outer shell and fully enclosed, rubberized shielding for maximum durability. It's the toughest iPhone case on the market, offering military-grade protection against drops, dirt, water, and even more unpredictable elements found in harsh industrial environments. XtremeScan XS930 & XS940 are built upon the XtremeScan Case and provide the same rugged iPhone protection, adding a high-performance Socket Mobile data reader. With both 1D (XS930) and powerful 1D/2D (XS940) options, these data readers can scan through various types of packaging materials under different lighting conditions. They provide the perfect solution for users who wish to utilize iPhones for data capture within rough, industrial settings. XtremeScan Grip XG930 & XG940 provides 1D or 1D/2D barcode scanning capabilities and builds even further on the XS by providing an added pistol grip handle. The ergonomic grip enables an easy point-and-shoot approach and comfort during extended scanning sessions.

SocketCam family. Our Companion SocketScan family consistscamera-based barcode scanning software includes SocketCam C820 and C860 for both iOS and Android. The C820 is a free, easily integrated camera scanning solution. The C860 offers a significant upgrade for users with advanced scanning needs. It stands out due to its swift and accurate reading of damaged barcodes, coupled with exceptional performance in poor lighting conditions, setting it apart from others in the industry. The C820 and C860 enable App providers to service a wide range of customers with various data capture requirements, from price-sensitive to performance-sensitive. End-users whose data capture requirements exceed the capabilities of the ergonomic and independent S700 series, including 1D Linear Imaging (S700), 1D Laser (S730), 1D/2D Universal Barcode (S740) and 1D/2D/MRZ Ultimate Barcode Scanner(S760), available in multiple vivid colors: blue, green, red, white, yellow and black.free camera-based scanners will have the choice of upgrading to an advanced camera-based scanner, C860, or purchase a Socket hardware scanner.

Companion DuraScanDuraScan® Family. Our DuraScan® family consists of 700 Series 1D Linear Imaging (D700), 1D Laser (D730), 1D/2D Universal Barcode((D700, D720, D730, D740, D745, D750, D755)D755, D760) companion scanners, 800 Series (D800, D820, D840, D860) attachable scanners and Wearable (DW930, DW940), and 1D/2D/MRZ Ultimate Barcode Scanner (D760),which are designed to be durable barcode scanners with IP54-rated outer casing to withstand tougher environments. Universal Barcode Scanners (D740, D750, D760) read all common 1D, stacked, 2D and postal codes. D740The D720 is priced competitively with a 1D barcode scanner, making D740it the affordable 2D option available in the market. The D820 provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning. The D745 and D755 are medical-grade, universal scanners. The D760 includesand D860 include MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, making it capable of scanning passports, visas, and other travel documents. D745 and D755 are medical-grade, universal scanners.Additionally, the 800 Series scanners may be used as stand-alone devices as well.

 

 2 

Table of Contents

DuraScan Wear DW930 & DW940 are the first wearable additions to the DuraScan Product Family, introducing a new era of innovative scanning technologies for the Company. The DW930 offers 1D laser scanning technology, while the DW940 provides powerful 1D/2D barcode scanning functionality. Their glove-like, wearable design allows workers to use both hands freely, enhancing speed and flexibility. This makes them perfect for scanning in industries such as warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution.

 

AttachableSocketScan family. Our SocketScan family consists of the 700 Series (S700, S720, S730, S740) companion scanners and 800 Series (S800, S820, S840, S860) attachable scanners. The 700 Series are available in multiple vivid colors: blue, green, red, white, yellow and black. The S720 reads both 1D and 2D barcodes on paper and screen, serving as a drop-in replacement for our previously popular S700 model while also adding QR code functionality. The 800 Series comprises 1D linear imaging (S800) and 2D (S820, S840, S860), which can be easily clipped onto smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices using an easily detachable clip or DuraCase, creating a one-handed solution. The S860 includes MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, allowing it scan passports, visas, and other travel documents in addition to barcodes. Additionally, the 800 Series scanners may be used as stand-alone devices as well.

DuraSled Family. Our attachable scanners include DuraSled and SocketScan 800 Series scanners. DuraSled(DS800, DS820, DS840, DS860) is a barcode scanning sled designed for durability. It combines a phone with a scanner to create a one-handed solution. DuraSled protects phones from impact damage and provides a robust charging solution for all environments. It is easy-to-use and ideal for delivery services, stock counting, ticketing and other application-driven,App-driven mobile solutions. The DuraSled series isproducts are compatible with iPod, iPhone,Apple and Samsung..Samsung devices. The DS820 provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning.

 

SocketScan 800 Series cordless barcode scanners, 1D linear imaging (S800) and 2D (S840, S860) are attachable to smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices with an easily detachable clip or DuraCase, creating a one-handed solution. S860 includes MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, making it capable of scanning passports, visas and other travel documents in addition to barcodes. SocketScan 800 Series scanners may be used stand-alone as well.

NFC & RFID Contactless RFID/NFC reader writer.Reader/Writer.  Our contactlessThe product line includesconsists of the D600, S550 and S550.S370. The D600 is an ergonomically handheld model with an IP54-rated outer casing that can read and write many differentvarious types of electronic SmartTags or transfer data with near fieldnear-field communication. The S550 is a contactless membership card reader/writer is designed to facilitatefor tap-and-go smart card and Near Field Communication (“NFC”) applications. The S370 supports both barcode scanning and NFC applications. Both combinesreading and writing technologies. It provides App providers the latest 13.56 MHz contactless technologyability to read both QR code-based and NFC-based credentials, enabling them to accept multiple formats with Bluetooth LE connectivityjust one device. Additionally, the S370 can read credentials following ISO 18013-5, the Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) standard being adopted in some states and countries.

Software Developer Kit (Capture-SDK)(CaptureSDK). Our Software Developer Kit (Capture-SDK)(CaptureSDK) supports all our data capture devices with a single integration, making it easier for a developerApp providers to integrate our data capture capabilities into their application.applications. With the installation of our data capture software, the applicationApp providers’ consumercustomers can choose any of our products that work best for them. Our Capture-SDKCaptureSDK enables the application providerApp providers to modify captured data, control the placement of the barcoded or RFID data in their application,applications, and control the feedback to the user that the transaction and transmission waswere successfully completed. Our Capture-SDKCaptureSDK also supports the built-in camera in a customer’s smartphone or tablet to be used for occasional or lower volumelower-volume data collection requirements. The Capture-SDKCaptureSDK uses tools integrated with software building environments such as CocoaPods,Swift Package Manager, Maven and NuGet, adds support for high levelhigh-level frameworks such as Flutter, Xamarin,MAUI, ReactNative, Java, JavaScript, and Java, andFlutterand adds other features to make it easier for applicationApp providers to integrate our data capture software into their applications.

3

Table of Contents

 

We design our own products and are responsible for all associated test equipment. We subcontract the manufacturing of all our product components to independent third-party contract manufacturers located in the United States, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and China that have the equipment, know-how and capacity to manufacture products to our specifications. We perform final product assembly, testtesting and packaging at, and distribute our products from, our Newark,Fremont, California facility. We offer our products worldwide through two-tier distribution enabling customers to purchase from large numbers of on-lineonline resellers around the world including application providers who resell their own solutions along with our data capture products. Our products are also available on our online stores.

 

We believe growth in mobile applications and the mobile workforce are resulting from technical advances in mobile technologies, cost reductions in mobile devices and the growing adoption by businesses of mobile applications for smartphones and tablets, buildingbuilds a growing demand for our products. Our data capture products address the need for speed and accuracy by today’s mobile workers and by the systems supporting those workers, thereby enhancing their productivity and allowing them to exploit time sensitivetime-sensitive opportunities and improve customer satisfaction.

3
Table of Contents

 

Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Our missionis to supply innovative and cost-effective data capture tools for businesses that use mobile platforms to conduct business in mobile environments.

 

Our visionis to manage the complexity of capturing and delivering data across a spectrum of data sources, network technologies, and mobile systems so that our customers can concentrate on applications of the data. Our customers are application providers and their consumers in need of data capture solutions.

 

We have embraced the following core values:

 

Accountability:Accountability: We take ownership and responsibility for our actions and performance. We learn from our mistakes and celebrate our successes.

Customer Focus: We live by and for our customers'customer’s success. We want to earn their top-of-mind choice, enhance their final customer experience, and create value through our relationship.

Excellence: We take pride in what we make and do and value the creativity, talent, ambition, and drive of each employee to be his or her best and to achieve superior results.

 

Integrity: We are honest and ethical in all our dealings with each other, customers, business partners, suppliers, competitors, and other stakeholders. We say what we mean and mean what we say.

Mutual Respect: We value people's differences and diverse opinions, and we treat each other fairly.

Marketing Dynamics

 

Application provider relationships. We actively support application providers to integrate our data capture solutions into their applications. We provide an easy-to-use software developer kit (Capture-SDK)(CaptureSDK) and training and technical support to our application providers. We support the marketing activities of our application providers in promoting the applications that include our products. Once our data capture products are integrated by the application provider, our products become an ingredient of the application solution and part of the application provider’s marketing program. We provide regular Capture-SDKCaptureSDK updates including updates that support the latest operating system updates provided by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. We spend extensive engineering time and resources to ensure that our cordless data capture products are compatible with a wide variety of the most popular smartphones, tablets, and mobile computers running a variety of operating systems. We comply with the standards set by the standard-setting bodies whose technologies are used in our products such as Bluetooth SIG, NFC Forum, GS1, AIM Global, CIPURSE, and AIM Global.

FeliCa.

 

 4 

Table of Contents

Mobile Markets. Our revenues are primarily driven by sales of barcode scanners integrated into mPOS (moble(mobile Point of Sale) applications used with Apple tablets and other mobile devices. Many mPOS application providers develop software for smaller retailers an underserved market, using tablets as cash registers. Other mobile markets addressed by application providers include commercial services (field workers), asset tracking, manufacturing process and quality control, transportation and logistics (goods tracking and movement), event management (ticketing, entry, access control, and identification), medical and education. We expect these markets to increase the use of mobile applications and the demand for barcode scanners.

Expanded and improved product offerings. We offer a wide range of products that enable application providers and their consumers to design their mobile systems to meet their specific requirements, and we encourage our distributors to support the full range of our products. The goal is for customers to view Socket Mobile as a primary source for their mobile data capture needs. Our products include stand-alone barcode scanners in both durable and standard cases, attachable barcode scanners, and RFID/NFC reader/writer.writer and camera-based scanning software. We provide a software developer kit to application providers to enable our advanced data capture software to be easily integrated into applications. See “Item 1 Business. The Company and its Products” for a more detailed description of our products.

 

We design our products to comply with the regulations of the many worldwide agencies that regulate the safety, performance, and use of electronic products.

 

Competitive pricing.We have designed our products to be priced competitively although we are subject to changes in component pricing by our suppliers. We update our products from time to time and work with our vendors to achieve reductions in component pricing.

 

Worldwide product availability. We distribute our products through a worldwide distribution network that places products into geographic regions to shorten purchasing time and provides a credit shield to us. Our largest distributors are Ingram Micro®, ScanSource® and Blue Star, and they support a worldwide network of on-lineonline resellers including Shopify®, Amazon.com, and CDW®. We also offer products onin our own online stores.

Strong Brand Name. We believe that our products make a difference in the daily work life of mobile workers and the people they serve. We are building a brand image focused on business mobility. This image closely associates us with business mobility solutions and to reflect this image, we began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 and changed our legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. We stress withto customers the design of our products for the markets they serve, emphasizing quality and standards-based connectivity. Mobility requires products that are compact and designed to be handled while mobile, with low power consumption to extend the time between charges and are easy to use. We strive to offer high performancehigh-performance products inat a wide range of competitive prices. Through our developer support program, we work closely with application providers who are developing productivity enhancingproductivity-enhancing applications for the mobile workforce. Our overall company brand identity and positioning goal is to be a leading provider of easy-to-deploy business mobility data capture systems to the business mobility market.

 

 5 

Table of Contents

Competition and Competitive Risks

The overall market for mobile handheld data capture solutions is both complex and competitive. Our barcode scanning hardware products compete with similar hardware products in all our markets in the United States, Europe and Asia, and we differentiate our products with our software developer kit and our underlying data capture software designed to work with smartphones, tablets, and other mobile computers running the Apple, Android and Windows operating systems. Our longtime focus on creating innovative mobile solutions for the mobile workforce has resulted in good brand name recognition and reputation. We believe that our brand name identifies our products as durable, dependable, ergonomic, and easy to use, all features designed for a mobile worker while mobile, and the breadth of our product offerings, including the extensiveextensively advanced features of our software and software developer kit, will continue to differentiate us relative to our competitors.

 

Cordless Barcode Scanning. We offer a full range of handheld cordless barcode scanners connectingdesigned to connect to smartphones, tablets, and other computing devices overvia Bluetooth. Our Software Developer Kit (Capture-SDK) enables(CaptureSDK) empowers application providers to integrate the featurescapabilities of our Data Capture software into their applications, and helps differentiatesetting our products.products apart. Our Cordless Barcode Scannerscordless barcode scanners face competition from similar products fromby Koamtec, Code Corporation and Opticon (Japan). Barcodes may also be scanned using the built-in camera in smartphones or tablets with applications from Scandit or Manatee Works. However, scanning using the built-in camera is typically slower and harder to aim than a dedicated device. Users may choose a barcode scanner that connects directly to an Apple tablet, iPhone or a computer, such as offered by Infinite Peripherals and Honeywell. Users alsoAlternatively, users may choose more rugged barcode scanners, as an alternative,with some of which are integrated into computing devices from manufacturers such as Datalogic, Honeywell®, and Zebra Technologies. Many of these devices are notlack Apple certified. Manycertification and connect to Apple devices overvia Bluetooth in keyboard emulation mode and domode. They may not offer extensive tools for application providers, such as our software developer kit (Capture-SDK)(CaptureSDK), to integrate the features of our sophisticated data collection scanning software and hardware neededhardware. This could potentially limit their ability to meet the consumers’ requirement.consumer’s requirements fully.

 

NFC & RFID Contactless RFID/NFC Reader/Writer. We developedoffer products that are certified by Apple Pay® Value Added Service (VAS), Google Wallet Smart Tap, NFC Forum, FeliCa®, and commenced salesBluetooth SIG. Additionally, we provide a combo NFC & QR code mobile wallet reader, which combines NFC contactless technology with Bluetooth barcode scanning data capture. These devices are compatible with Android, Apple iOS and Windows. They support all NFC Forum tag types and devices compliant with the ISO 18092 standard, as well as ISO 14443 Type A and B smart cards, ISO 15693 tags, MIFARE®, FeliCa®, NXP, and STMicro tags. They can also read Digital ID / mDL (Mobile Driver’s License). We face challenges with the limitations on NFC usage in 2017 ofiPhones, although Apple has opened up some NFC capabilities to developers. We are exploring new markets while working with current App developers to adopt our NFC reader/writer, giving us an advantage against competitors.

Camera Barcode Scanning. We offer two camera-based barcode scanning products: the C820, a Contactless RFID/NFC Reader/Writer, D600 version of our durable handheld barcode scanner.free and easily integrated camera scanning solution, and the C860, an upgraded and advanced scanning solution. The D600 canC860's standout feature is its ability to read damaged barcodes swiftly and write many different types of electronic SmartTags which are usedaccurately, even in manypoor lighting conditions, setting it apart from others in the industry. Our camera-scanning solutions face competition from applications today, like digital wallet applications for loyalty cards, identification cards, payment cards, coupons and event tickets. In 2020, we launched a Contactless Membership Card Reader/Writer, S550 which enables us to expandprovided by Scandit or Manatee Works. However, our business intomodel ensures affordability and flexibility, making our camera-scanning solutions accessible to a wide range of businesses. Our App partners receive camera scanning solutions at no charge, which encourages them to adopt our solutions. Users of their apps pay for the emerging marketsolutions only if the C860 is selected. For end users, most of their needs can be met with our free camera scanning solution, except for tap-and-go solutions that have traditionally been limited to payment solutions, sucha small percentage of needs requiring the advanced solution, C860. This makes our camera scanning solution ideal for end users as Apple Pay, but can now be used for ticketing, access and identification applications. We believe we are an early entrant into this market and do not face significant head to head competition from alternative reader/writer devices.well.

6

Table of Contents

Proprietary Technology and Intellectual Property

We have been granted 56 U.S. patents and 13 design patents and have other patent applications under review. We have registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the mark “Socket”, our logo, DuraScan, SocketScan, SocketCam, and SocketScan.XtremeScan.

 

We have developed technological building blocks that enhance our ability to design new hardware and software products, to offer products whichthat run on multiple software and hardware platforms, and to manufacture and package products efficiently.

 

We own and control the design of our barcode scanners,products, enabling us to modify its features or software to meet specific customer requirements.

6
Table of Contents

 

We have developed software programs that provide unique functions and features for our data collection products. For example, our data collection software enables our barcode scanning products to scan a variety of barcodes and to route the data to many different types of data files on operating systems used in Apple, Android, and Windows mobile devices. We use Bluetooth technology to provide a completely functional Bluetooth solution enabling connections and data transfers between Bluetooth-enabled devices. Our companion applications assist Apple iOS, Android and Windows users with the proper setup and use of our data capture products.

 

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and confidentiality procedures to protect our proprietary rights. As part of our confidentiality procedures, we generally enter into non-disclosure agreements with our employees, distributors and strategic partners, and limit access to our software, documentation and other proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our products or technology without authorization, or to develop similar technology independently. In addition, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights in certain foreign countries. From time to time, we receive communications from third parties asserting that our products infringe, or may infringe, their proprietary rights. Litigation could be brought against us that could result in significant additional expense or compel us to discontinue or redesign some of our products.

 

Personnel

Our future success will depend in significant part upon the continued service of certain of our key technical and senior management personnel, and our continuing ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified technical, managerial, and sales and marketing personnel. Our total employee headcount was 5361 and 4856 as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively. Our employees are not represented by a union, and we consider our employee relationships to be good. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had 1419 persons in sales, marketing, and customer service, 1516 persons in development engineering, 78 persons in finance and administration, and 1718 persons in operations.

 

 7 

Table of Contents

Item 1A. Risk FactorsFactors.

Ownership of the Company’s securities involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Potential investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission before deciding whether to invest in the Company’s securities. The Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The risks described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks that are currently unknown to the Company or that the Company currently considers immaterial may also impair its business or adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.

We could be materially adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for which we are unable to predict the ultimate impact as the extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread impacts on the global economy, and the unfavorable impacts we may experience include:

Reductions or volatility in demand for one or more of our products which may be caused by the temporary inability of consumers to purchase our products due to illness, business closures, or financial hardship; and shifts in demand away from one or more of our higher-priced products to lower-priced products. If prolonged, such impacts can further increase the difficulty in planning our operations, which may adversely impact our results, liquidity and financial condition.
Inability to meet our customers’ needs due to disruptions in our manufacturing operations.
Failure of third parties on which we rely, including our suppliers, contract manufacturers, and distributors, to meet their obligations to the Company, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, which may be caused by their own financial or operational difficulties, which may adversely impact our operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Despite our efforts to manage and remedy these impacts to the Company, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will spread and the extent and duration of measures to try to contain the virus. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control. Additionally, other new variants of COVID-19 could emerge in the future. The potential impact of possible future variants cannot be predicted at this time, and we cannot predict with any certainty the degree to, or the time period over, which our liquidity, financial position, results of operations and cash flows will be affected by this pandemic.

8
Table of Contents

A deterioration in global economic conditions may have adverse impacts on our business and financial condition in ways that we currently cannot predict and may limit our ability to raise additional funds.

If global economic conditions deteriorate, it may have a negative impact on our business and our financial condition. We may face significant challenges if conditions in the financial markets worsen. The impact of such future developments on our business, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’songoing military action againstin Ukraine by Russia, is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the overall economy is negatively impactedcontinues to decline for an extended period, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected. In addition, a severe prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to the business, including weakeningimpairing our ability to developpursue potential businessesopportunities and a decreasedlimiting our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all.

 

We may not maintain ongoingreturn to profitability.

 

To maintain ongoingreturn to profitability, we must accomplish numerous objectives, including achieving continued growth in our business, providing ongoing support to applicationregistered App providers whowhose applications support the use of our data capture solutions,products, and developing successful new products. We cannot foresee with any certainty whether we will be able to achieve these objectives in the future. Accordingly, we may not generate sufficient revenue or control our expenses enough to maintain ongoing profitability. If we cannot maintain ongoingreturn to profitability, we will not be able to support our operations from positive cash flows, and we would be required to use our existing cash to support operating losses. If we are unable to secure the necessary capital to replace that cash, we may need to suspend some or all of our current operations.

 

We may require additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all, or on terms that would not cause substantial dilution to investors’ stock holdings.

We may need to raise capital to fund our growth or operating losses in future periods. Our forecasts are highly dependent on factors beyond our control, including market acceptance of our products and delays in deployments by businesses of applications that use our data capture products. Even if we maintain profitable operating levels, we may need to raise capital to provide sufficient working capital to fund our growth. If capital requirements vary materially from those currently planned, we may require additional capital sooner than expected. There can be no assurance that such capital will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

If application providers are not successful in their efforts to develop, market and sell their applications into which our software and products are incorporated, we may not achieve our sales projections.

We are dependent upon application providers to integrate our scanning and software products into their applications designed for mobile workers using smartphones, tablets and mobile computers, and to successfully market and sell those application products and solutions into the marketplace. We focus on serving the needs of application providers as sales of our data capture products are application driven. However, these application providers may take considerable time to complete development of their applications, may experience delays in their development timelines, may develop competing applications, may be unsuccessful in marketing and selling their application products and solutions to customers, or may experience delays in customer deployments and implementations, which would adversely affect our ability to achieve our revenue projections.

 

 98 

Table of Contents

Failure to maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and stock price.

 

We have evaluated and will continue to evaluate our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires an annual management assessment of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition and access to assets, are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to helping prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and the trading price of our stock could drop significantly.

Despite security protections, our business records and information could be hacked by unauthorized personnel.

We protect our business records and information from access by unauthorized personnel and are not aware of any instances where such data has been compromised. We maintain adequate segregation of duties in safeguarding our assets and related records and monitor our systems to detect any attempts to bypass our controls and procedures which we evaluate and update from time to time. We are aware that unauthorized efforts to access our business records and information with sophisticated tools could bypass our controls and procedures and we remain alert to that possibility.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate in future periods, which could cause our stock price to decline.

We expect to experience quarterly fluctuations in operating results in the future. We generally ship orders as received, and as a result we may have little backlog. Quarterly revenues and operating results therefore depend on the volume and timing of orders received during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. Historically, we have often recognized a substantial portion of our revenue in the last month of the quarter. This subjects us to the risk that even modest delays in orders or in the manufacture of products relating to orders received, may adversely affect our quarterly operating results. Our operating results may also fluctuate due to factors such as:

the demand for our products;
the size and timing of customer orders;
unanticipated delays or problems in our introduction of new products and product enhancements;

10
Table of Contents

the introduction of new products and product enhancements by our competitors;
the timing of the introduction and deployments of new applications that work with our products;
changes in the revenues attributable to royalties and engineering development services;
product mix;
timing of software enhancements;
changes in the level of operating expenses;
competitive conditions in the industry including competitive pressures resulting in lower average selling prices;
timing of distributors’ shipments to their customers;
delays in supplies of key components used in the manufacturing of our products; and
general economic conditions and conditions specific to our customers’ industries.

Because we base our staffing and other operating expenses on anticipated revenues, unanticipated declines or delays in the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter. As a result of any of the foregoing factors, or a combination, our results of operations in any given quarter may be below the expectations of public market analysts or investors, in which case the market price of our common stock would be adversely affected.

In order to maintain the availability of our bank lines of credit we must remain in compliance with the covenants as specified under the terms of the credit agreements and the bank may exercise discretion in making advances to us.

Our credit agreements with our bank requiresrequire us to remain in compliance with the covenants specified under the terms of the agreement. The agreements also contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict our ability to, among other things, grant liens, make investments, incur indebtedness, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, make acquisitions, pay dividends or make distributions, repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates and enter into restrictive agreements, in each case subject to customary exceptions for a credit facility of this size and type. The agreements also contain customary events of default including, among others, payment defaults, breaches of covenants, bankruptcy and insolvency events, cross defaults with certain material indebtedness, judgment defaults, and breaches of representations and warranties. Upon an event of default, our bank may declare all or a portion of our outstanding obligations payable to be immediately due and payable and exercise other rights and remedies provided for under the agreement. During the existence of an event of default, interest on the obligations could be increased. The agreements may be terminated by us or by our bank at any time. Upon such termination, our bank would no longer make advances under the credit agreement and outstanding advances would be repaid as receivables are collected. All advances are at our bank’s discretion and our bank is not obligated to make advances.

 

If application providers are not successful in their efforts to develop, market and sell the applications into which our software and products are incorporated, we may not achieve our sales projections.

We are dependent upon App providers to integrate our scanning and software products into their applications designed for mobile workers using smartphones, tablets and mobile computers, and to successfully market and sell those application products and solutions into the marketplace. We focus on serving the needs of App providers as sales of our data capture products are application driven. However, these providers may take considerable time to complete the development of their applications, may experience delays in their development timelines, may develop competing applications, may be unsuccessful in marketing and selling their application products and solutions to customers, or may experience delays in customer deployments and implementations, which would adversely affect our ability to achieve our revenue projections.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and stock price.

We have evaluated and will continue to evaluate our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires an annual management assessment of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition and access to assets, are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to helping prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and the trading price of our stock could drop significantly.

9

Table of Contents

Despite security protections, our business records and information could be hacked by unauthorized personnel.

We protect our business records and information from access by unauthorized personnel and are not aware of any instances where such data has been compromised. We maintain adequate segregation of duties in safeguarding our assets and related records and monitor our systems to detect any attempts to bypass our controls and procedures which we evaluate and update from time to time. We are aware that unauthorized efforts to access our business records and information with sophisticated tools could bypass our controls and procedures and we remain alert to that possibility.

Deferred tax assets comprise a significant portion of our assets and are dependent upon future tax profitability to realize the benefits.

 

We have recorded deferred tax assets on our balance sheet because we believe that it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient tax profitability in the future to realize the tax savings that our deferred tax assets represent. If we do not achieve and maintain sufficient profitability, the tax savings represented by our deferred tax assets may never be realized and we would need to recognize a loss for those deferred tax assets.

 

11
Table of Contents

We may be unable to manufacture our products because we are dependent on a limited number of qualified suppliers for our components.

 

Several of our component parts are produced by one or a limited number of suppliers. Shortages or delays could occur in these essential components due to an interruption of supply or increased demand in the industry. Suppliers may choose to restrict credit terms or require advance payment causing delays in the procurement of essential materials. If we are unable to procure certain component parts, we could be required to reduce our operations while we seek alternative sources for these components, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. To the extent that we acquire extra inventory stocks to protect against possible shortages, we would be exposed to additional risks associated with holding inventory, such as obsolescence, excess quantities, or loss.

If we fail to develop and introduce new products rapidly and successfully, we will not be able to compete effectively, and our ability to generate sufficient revenues will be negatively affected.

 

The market for our products is prone to rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and short product life cycles. If we are unsuccessful at developing and introducing new products and services on a timely basis that include the latest technologies, conform to the newest standards, and that are appealing to end users, we will not be able to compete effectively, and our ability to generate significant revenues will be seriously harmed.

 

The development of new products and services can be very difficult and requires high levels of innovation. The development process is also lengthy and costly. Short product life cycles for smartphones and tablets expose our products to the risk of obsolescence and require frequent new product upgrades and introductions. We will be unable to introduce new products and services into the market on a timely basis and compete successfully if we fail to:

invest significant resources in research and development, sales and marketing, and customer support;
identify emerging trends, demands and standards in the field of mobile computing products;
enhance our products by adding additional features;
maintain superior or competitive performance in our products; and
anticipate our end users’ needs and technological trends accurately.

 

We cannot be sure that we will have sufficient resources to make adequate investments in research and development or that we will be able to identify trends or make the technological advances necessary to be competitive.

 

 1210 

Table of Contents

We may not be able to collect receivables from customers who experience financial difficulties.

 

Our accounts receivables arereceivable is derived primarily from distributors. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions but generally require no collateral from our customers. Reserves are maintained for potential credit losses, and such losses have historically been within such reserves. However, many of our customers may be thinly capitalized and may be prone to failure in adverse market conditions. Although our collection history has been good, from time to time a customer may not pay us because of financial difficulty, bankruptcy or liquidation. If global financial conditions have an impact on our customers’customer’s ability to pay us in a timely manner, and consequently, we may experience increased difficulty in collecting our accounts receivable, and we may have to increase our reserves in anticipation of increased uncollectible accounts.

 

We could face increased competition in the future, which would adversely affect our financial performance.

The market in which we operate is very competitive. Our future financial performance is contingent on a number of unpredictable factors, including that:

 

some of our competitors have greater financial, marketing, and technical resources than we do;
we periodically face intense price competition, particularly when our competitors have excess inventories and discount their prices to clear their inventories; and
certain manufacturers of tablets and mobile phones offer products with built-in functions, such as Bluetooth wireless technology or barcode scanning, that compete with our products.

 

Increased competition could result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced margins, and loss of market share. Our failure to compete successfully against current or future competitors could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

If we do not correctly anticipate demand for our products, our operating results will suffer.

The demand for our products depends on many factors and is difficult to forecast as we introduce and support more products, and as competition in the markets for our products intensifies. If demand is lower than forecasted levels, we could have excess production resulting in higher inventories of finished products and components, which could lead to write-downs or write-offs of some or all of the excess inventories, and reductions in our cash balances. Lower than forecasted demand could also result in excess manufacturing capacity at our third-party manufacturers and in our failure to meet minimum purchase commitments, each of which may lower our operating results.

 

If demand increases beyond forecasted levels, we wouldwill have to rapidly increase production at our third-party manufacturers. We depend on suppliers to provide additional volumes of components, and suppliers might not be able to increase production rapidly enough to meet unexpected demand. Even if we were able to procure enough components, our third-party manufacturers might not be able to produce enough of our devices to meet our customer demand. In addition, rapid increases in production levels to meet unanticipated demand could result in higher costs for manufacturing and supply of components and other expenses. These higher costs could lower our profit margins. Further, if production is increased rapidly, manufacturing yields could decline, which may also lower operating results.

 

 1311 

Table of Contents

We rely primarily on distributors to distribute our products, and our sales would suffer if any of these distributors stopsstopped distributing our products effectively.

Because we distribute and fulfill resellers’ orders for our products primarily through distributors, we are subject to risks associated with channel distribution, such as risks related to their inventory levels and support for our products. Our distribution channels may build up inventories in anticipation of growth in their sales. If such growth in their sales does not occur as anticipated, the inventory build-up could contribute to higher levels of product returns. The lack of sales by any one significant participant in our distribution channels could result in excess inventories and adversely affect our operating results and working capital liquidity. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2021December 31, 2023 and 2020,2022, Ingram Micro® and BlueStar together represented approximately 54%44% and 55%50%, respectively, of our worldwide sales. We expect that a significant portion of our sales will continue to depend on sales to a limited number of distributors.

 

Our agreements with distributors are generally nonexclusive and may be terminated on short notice by them without cause. Our distributors are not within our control, are not obligated to purchase products from us, and may offer competitive lines of products simultaneously. Sales growth is contingent in part on our ability to enter into additional distribution relationships and expand our sales channels. We cannot predict whether we will be successful in establishing new distribution relationships, expanding our sales channels or maintaining our existing relationships. A failure to enter into new distribution relationships, to expand our sales channels, or to maintain our existing relationships could adversely impact our ability to grow our sales.

 

We allow our distribution channels to return a portion of their inventory to us for full credit against other purchases. In addition, in the event we reduce our prices, we credit our distributors for the difference between the purchase price of products remaining in their inventory and our reduced price for such products. Actual returns and price protection may adversely affect future operating results and working capital liquidity by reducing our accounts receivable and increasing our inventory balances, particularly since we seek to continually introduce new and enhanced products and are likely to face increasing price competition.

 

We depend on alliances and other business relationships with third parties, and a disruption in these relationships would hinder our ability to develop and sell our products.

We depend on strategic alliances and business relationships with leading participants in various segments of the mobile applications market to help us develop and market our products. Our strategic partners may revoke their commitment to our products or services at any time in the future or may develop their own competitive products or services. Accordingly, our strategic relationships may not result in sustained business alliances, successful product or service offerings, or the generation of significant revenues. Failure of one or more of such alliances could result in delay or termination of product development projects, failure to win new customers or loss of confidence by current or potential customers.

 

We have devoted significant research and development resources to design products to work with a number of operating systems used in mobile devices including Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). Such design activities have diverted financial and personnel resources from other development projects. These design activities are not undertaken pursuant to any agreement under which Apple, Google or Microsoft is obligated to collaborate or to support the products produced from such collaboration. Consequently, these organizations may terminate their collaborations with us for a variety of reasons, including our failure to meet agreed-upon standards or for reasons beyond our control, such as changing market conditions, increased competition, discontinued product lines, and product obsolescence.

 

 1412 

Table of Contents

 

Our intellectual property and proprietary rights may be insufficient to protect our competitive position.

 

Our business depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property. We rely primarily on patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret laws, and other restrictions on disclosure to protect our proprietary technologies. We cannot be sure that these measures will provide meaningful protection for our proprietary technologies and processes. We cannot be sure that any patent issued to us will be sufficient to protect our technology. The failure of any patents to provide protection tofor our technology would make it easier for our competitors to offer similar products. In connection with our participation in the development of various industry standards, we may be required to license certain of our patents to other parties, including our competitors that develop products based upon the adopted standards.

 

We also generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, distributors, and strategic partners, and generally control access to our documentation and other proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our products, services, or technology without authorization, develop similar technology independently, or design around our patents.

 

Additionally, effective copyright, trademark, and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries.

 

We may become subject to claims of intellectual property rights infringement, which could result in substantial liability.

In the course of operating our business, we may receive claims of intellectual property infringement or otherwise become aware of potentially relevant patents or other intellectual property rights held by other parties. Many of our competitors have large intellectual property portfolios, including patents that may cover technologies that are relevant to our business. In addition, many smaller companies, universities, and individuals have obtained or applied for patents in areas of technology that may relate to our business. The industry is moving towards aggressive assertion, licensing, and litigation of patents and other intellectual property rights.

 

If we are unable to obtain and maintain licenses on favorable terms for intellectual property rights required for the manufacture, sale, and use of our products, particularly those products which must comply with industry standard protocols and specifications to be commercially viable, our results of operations or financial condition could be adversely impacted.

 

In addition to disputes relating to the validity or alleged infringement of other parties’ rights, we may become involved in disputes relating to our assertion of our own intellectual property rights. Whether we are defending the assertion of intellectual property rights against us or asserting our intellectual property rights against others, intellectual property litigation can be complex, costly, protracted, and highly disruptive to business operations by diverting the attention and energies of management and key technical personnel. Plaintiffs in intellectual property cases often seek injunctive relief, and the measures of damages in intellectual property litigation are complex and often subjective or uncertain. Thus, any adverse determinations in this type of litigation could subject us to significant liabilities and costs.

 

 1513 

Table of Contents

New industry standards may require us to redesign our products, which could substantially increase our operating expenses.

 

Standards for the form and functionality of our products are established by standards committees. These independent committees establish standards, which evolve and change over time, for different categories of our products. We must continue to identify and ensure compliance with evolving industry standards so that our products are interoperable and we remain competitive. Unanticipated changes in industry standards could render our products incompatible with products developed by major hardware manufacturers and software application providers.developers. Should any major changes, even if anticipated, occur, we would be required to invest significant time and resources to redesign our products to ensure compliance with relevant standards. If our products are not in compliance with prevailing industry standards for a significant period of time, we would miss opportunities to sell our products for use with new hardware components from mobile computer manufacturers and OEMs, thus affecting our business.

 

Undetected flaws and defects in our products may disrupt product sales and result in expensive and time-consuming remedial action.action

Our hardware and software products may contain undetected flaws, which may not be discovered until customers have used the products. From time to time, we may temporarily suspend or delay shipments or divert development resources from other projects to correct a particular product deficiency. Efforts to identify and correct errors and make design changes may be expensive and time consuming.time-consuming. Failure to discover product deficiencies in the future could delay product introductions or shipments, require us to recall previously shipped products to make design modifications, or cause unfavorable publicity, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

The loss of one or more of our senior personnel could harm our existing business.

 

A number of our officers and senior managers have been employed for more than twenty years by us, including our President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Engineering/Chief Technical Officer. Our future success will depend upon the continued service of key officers and senior managers. Competition for officers and senior managers is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our existing senior personnel. The loss of one or more of our officers or key senior managers could adversely affect our ability to compete.

 

The expensing of stock options and restricted stocks will continue to reduce our operating results such that we may find it necessary to change our business practices to attract and retain employees.

We have been using stock options and restricted stocks as a key componentcomponents of our employee compensation packages. We believe that stock options and restricted stocks provide an incentive to our employees to maximize long-term stockholder value and, through the use of vesting, encourage valued employees to remain with us. The expensing of employee stock options and restricted stocks adversely affects our net income and earnings per share, will continue to adversely affect future quarters, and will make profitability harder to achieve. In addition, we may decide in response to the effects of expensing stock options and restricted stockstocks on our operating results to reduce the number of stock options or restricted stocks granted to employees or to grant to fewer employees. This could adversely affect our ability to retain existing employees or attract qualified candidates, and also could increase the cash compensation we would have to pay to them.

 

16
Table of Contents

If we are unable to attract and retain highly skilled sales and marketing and product development personnel, our ability to develop and market new products and product enhancements will be adversely affected.

We believe our ability to achieve increased revenues and to develop successful new products and product enhancements will depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled sales and marketing and product development personnel. Our products involve a number of new and evolving technologies, and we frequently need to apply these technologies to the unique requirements of mobile products. Our personnel must be familiar with both the technologies we support and the unique requirements of the products to which our products connect. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain such key personnel. In addition, our ability to hire and retain such key personnel will depend upon our ability to raise capital or achieve increased revenue levels to fund the costs associated with such key personnel. Failure to attract and retain such key personnel will adversely affect our ability to develop and market new products and product enhancements.

 

14

Table of Contents

Our operating results could be harmed by economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with export sales.

 

Our operating results are subject to the risks inherent in export sales, including:

longer payment cycles;
unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, import and export restrictions and tariffs;
difficulties in managing foreign operations;
the burdens of complying with a variety of foreign laws;
greater difficulty or delay in accounts receivable collection;
potentially adverse tax consequences; and
political and economic instability (such as Russia’s military action against Ukraine)...

Our export sales are primarily denominated in Euros for our sales to European distributors and in British pounds for our sales to UK distributors. Accordingly, an increase in the value of the United States dollar relative to the Euro or British pound could make our products more expensive and therefore potentially less competitive in European markets. Declines in the value of the Euro or pound relative to the United States dollar may result in foreign currency losses relating to the collection of receivables denominated if left unhedged.

 

17
Table of Contents

Our facilities or operations could be adversely affected by events outside our control, such as natural disasters or health epidemics.

Our corporate headquarters is located in a seismically active region in Northern California. If major disasters such as earthquakes occur, or our information system or communications network breaks down or operates improperly, our headquarters and production facilities may be seriously damaged, or we may have to stop or delay production and shipment of our products. In addition, we may be affected by health epidemic or pandemics, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, or geopolitical instability, such as Russia’s military action against Ukraine. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate in future periods, which could cause our stock price to decline.

We expect to experience quarterly fluctuations in operating results in the future. Quarterly revenues and operating results depend on the volume and timing of orders received, which sometimes are difficult to forecast. Historically, we have recognized a substantial portion of our revenue in the last month of the quarter. This subjects us to the risk that even modest delays in orders or in the manufacture of products relating to orders received, may adversely affect our quarterly operating results. Our operating results may also fluctuate due to factors such as:

the demand for our products;
the size and timing of customer orders;
unanticipated delays or problems in our introduction of new products and product enhancements;
the introduction of new products and product enhancements by our competitors;
the timing of the introduction and deployment of new applications that work with our products;
changes in the revenues attributable to royalties and engineering development services;
product mix;
timing of software enhancements;
changes in the level of operating expenses;
competitive conditions in the industry including competitive pressures resulting in lower average selling prices;
timing of distributors’ shipments to their customers;
delays in supplies of key components used in the manufacturing of our products; and
general economic conditions and conditions specific to our customers’ industries.
15

Table of Contents

Because we base our staffing and other operating expenses on anticipated revenues, unanticipated declines or delays in the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter. As a result of any of the foregoing factors, or a combination, our results of operations in any given quarter may be below the expectations of public market analysts or investors, in which case the market price of our common stock would be adversely affected.

The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price for our common stock. The market price of our common stock could also decline if one or more of our significant stockholders decided for any reason to sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market.

 

As of March 25, 2022,22, 2024, we had 7,273,0517,547,327 shares of common stock outstanding. Substantially all of these shares are freely tradable in the public market, either without restriction or subject, in some cases, only to Form S-3 prospectus delivery requirements and, in other cases, only to the manner of sale, volume, and notice requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

As of March 25, 2022,22, 2024, we had 1,353,9231,126,114 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options under our stock option plans, 1,127,207 shares of restricted stock outstanding, and 288,393432,181 shares of common stock were available for future issuance under the plans. We have registered the shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and restricted stock and reserved them for issuance under our stock option plans. Accordingly, the shares of common stock underlying vested options and unvested restricted stock will be eligible for resale in the public market as soon as the options are exercised.exercised or the restricted stock vests, as applicable.

 

Volatility in the trading price of our common stock could negatively impact the price of our common stock.

During the period from January 1, 20212023 through March 25, 2022,the date of the report, our common stock price fluctuated between a high of $35.00$2.48 and a low of $0.76.$0.90. We have experienced low trading volumes in our stock, and thus relatively small purchases and sales can have a significant effect on our stock price. The trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the outlook of securities analysts and investors on our industry. In addition, the stock markets in general, and the markets for high technology stocks in particular, have experienced high volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

16

Table of Contents

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

Item 1C. Cybersecurity

18
Table

We recognize the importance of Contents

assessing, identifying and managing material risks associated with cybersecurity threats. These risks include, among other things: operational risks, intellectual property theft, fraud, extortion, harm to employees or customers and violation of data privacy or security laws. Our cybersecurity programs are built on operations and compliance foundations. Operations focus on continuous detection, prevention, measurement, analysis and response to cybersecurity alerts and incidents, and on emerging threats. Compliance establishes oversight of our cybersecurity programs by creating risk-based controls to protect the integrity, confidentiality, accessibility and availability of company data stored, processed or transferred. Our cybersecurity program is integrated within our overall risk management processes.

Our cybersecurity program is led by our Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) who is responsible for our overall information security strategy, policy, security engineering, operations and cyber threat detection and response. Our CTO has extensive information technology and program management experience and many years of experience with our organization. Our CTO reports to our president and CEO.

Recognizing the complexity and evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, we engage with external experts in evaluating and testing our risk management systems. The partnerships enable us to leverage specialized knowledge and insights, ensuring our cybersecurity strategies and processes remain at the forefront of industry best practices. Our collaboration with the third-party includes threat assessments and consultation on security enhancements. All employees are required to complete cybersecurity training at least once a year and have access to more frequent cybersecurity training through online updates.

Our board of directors oversees management’s processes for identifying and mitigating risks, including cybersecurity risks, to help align our risk exposure with our strategic objectives. Senior leadership briefs the board of directors on our cybersecurity and information security posture, and our board of directors is informed of cybersecurity incidents deemed to have a high or critical business impact, even if immaterial to us.

While acknowledging the existence of various cybersecurity risks, to date, they have not materially affected our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. Although we have not experienced any breaches, we have encountered occasional attempts, albeit of minor significance, targeting our data and systems, including instances of malware and computer virus infiltration. Thus far all such incidents have been minor.

Item 2. Properties

We lease a 37,100 square-foot office facility in Newark, California under a lease expiring in June 2022. This facility houses our headquarters and manufacturing operations and is used by all segments of the Company.

 

In February 2022, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for an approximately 35,913 square footsquare-foot facility in Fremont, California, where it will move itsour office and manufacturing operations.operations are located. The lease agreement is for a base term of 87 months andwith a monthly rent obligation of $50,278.20,$50,278, subject to annual increases of 3%. The lease commences on May 1, 2022 and the Company is provided with three months of free rent.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We are currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.

17

Table of Contents

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

18

Table of Contents

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Common Stock

The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Marketplace under the symbol “SCKT.”

 

On March 25, 2022,22, 2024, the closing sales price for our common stock of 7,547,327 shares and approximately 8,490 beneficial shareholders of record, as reported on the NASDAQ Marketplace was $3.89. We had approximately 10,000 beneficial stockholders of record as of March 25, 2022.$1.03. We have not paid dividends on our common stock, and we currently intend to retain future earnings for use in our business and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

The information required by this item regarding equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Shares repurchase activity during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was as follows:

Periods

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

 Average Price Paid Per Share Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
January 3, 2023 to March 29, 2023     
     Open market purchases92,959 $2.24 $0
      

Performance Graph

As a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we have elected scaled disclosure reporting and therefore are not required to provide the stock performance graph.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

None.

 19 

Performance Graph

The performance graph shown below shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Socket Mobile, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The performance graph below shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total stockholder return, calculated on a dividend reinvestment basis and based on a $100 investment, from December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2021 comparing the return on the Company's common stock with the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ Computer & Data Processing Index. No dividends have been declared or paid on the common stock during such period. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

 

20

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

None.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Income Statement Data:                                        
Revenues $21,286  $16,454  $19,253  $15,700  $23,199  $19,253  $15,700  $23,199  $21,238  $17,034 
Gross profit $11,390  $8,456  $10,101  $8,335  $12,436  $10,101  $8,335  $12,436  $10,366  $8,463 
Operating expenses $8,972  $9,042  $9,494  $12,686  $9,739  $9,494  $12,686  $9,739  $10,812  $11,584 
Net income (loss) before income taxes $2,338  $(715) $506  $(3,330) $2,564  $506  $(3,330) $2,564  $(621) $(3,363)
Income tax benefit (expense) $(3,218) $144  $(219) $51  $1,903  $(219) $51  $1,903  $708  $1,444 
Net income (loss) $(880) $(571) $287  $(3,279) $4,466  $287  $(3,279) $4,466  $87  $(1,919)
Net income (loss) per share:                    

Basic

 $(0.14) $(0.09) $0.05  $(0.51) $0.58 

Net income (loss) per share:

Basic

 $0.05  $(0.51) $0.58  $0.01  $(0.27)
Diluted $(0.14) $(0.09) $0.05  $(0.51) $0.48  $0.05  $(0.51) $0.48  $0.01  $(0.27)
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                        
Basic  6,293   6,095   5,984   6,036   6,991   5,984   6,036   6,991   7,185   7,230 
Diluted  6,293   6,095   6,208   6,036   8,923   6,208   6,036   8,923   7,533   7,230 
                                        
  At December 31,  At December 31,
  2017   2018   2019   2020   2021   2019   2020   2021   2022   2023 
Balance Sheet Data:                                        
Cash and cash equivalents $3,380  $1,085  $959  $2,122  $6,096  $959  $2,122  $6,096  $3,624  $2,827 
Total assets $20,405  $19,148  $20,009  $15,609  $25,575  $20,009  $15,609  $25,575  $28,598  $28,742 
                                        
Bank line of credit $—    $1,317  $1,413  $—    $—    $1,413  $—    $—    $—    $—   
Term loan $—    $833  $333  $—    $625  $333  $—    $625  $125  $—   
Related party convertible notes payable $—    $—    $—    $1,272  $1,201  $—    $1,272  $1,201  $1,231  $2,836 
Convertible notes payable $—    $—    $—    $170  $144  $—    $170  $144  $147  $150 
Capital leases and deferred rent - long term portion $271  $—    $—    $—    $—   
Operating lease $—    $1,511  $1,134  $741  $258  $1,134  $741  $258  $3,737  $3,292 
                                        
Total stockholders’ equity $17,781  $12,956  $13,785  $11,173  $20,046  $13,785  $11,173  $20,046  $20,322  $19,420 

 2120 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We financed our business in 2021 through availableOur primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have been cash and cash flowsprovided from operating activitiesoperations and financing activities. As of December 31, 2021, our cash balance was $6.1 million as compared to $2.1 million at December 31, 2020.

Generally, our net cash provided by operating activities is used to fund our day-to-day operating activities. Our largest source of operating cash flows is cash collections from our customers. Our primary short-requirements for liquidity and long-term liquidity requirements primarilycapital arise from employee-related expenditures, inventory purchases, employee-relatedcapital expenditures, leasing of facilities, and general operating expenses, and interest and principal repayments related to our outstanding indebtedness.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.1 million$48,562 for 20212023, compared to $0.8 million in 2020.net cash used of $111,415 for 2022.

 

In 20212023 and 2020,2022, we used $0.7invested approximately $2.2 million and $0.5$1.2 million, respectively, in investing activities related to expenditures on production tooling for new products and purchases of computer software development, website development, and hardware.manufacturing tooling. We expect to continue our investing activities, including planned capital expenditures. Furthermore, cash reserves may be used to repurchase common stock under our stock repurchase programs.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities during 2021in 2023 was $2.5approximately $1.3 million, compared to $895,000 during 2020. Financingapproximately $1.2 million in net cash used for financing activities in 20212022. In 2023, financing activities primarily consisted primarily of $1.9proceeds from related party notes convertible of approximately $1.6 million inand proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options totaling approximately $213,000. These proceeds were partially offset by approximately $208,000 spent on repurchasing treasury stock and a$125,000 in repayments of notes payable. In 2022, net borrowingcash used in financing activities was primarily due to approximately $830,000 spent on repurchasing treasury stock and $500,000 in repayment of $625,000 on the CalCap Loan (as defined in Note 3, Bank Financing Arrangements, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on From 10-K). Financing activities in 2020 consisted ofloan. These outflows were partially offset by proceeds of a loan of $1.06 million under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) and a loan of $150,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) under its Economic Injury Disaster (“EIDL”) assistance program, offset by anexercise of stock options totaling approximately $1.41 million net payment of borrowings under our bank lines of credit, an approximately $333,000 repayment on our term loan and a $150,000 repayment on the SBA loan. The subordinated convertible note financing added approximately $1.43 million to net cash in 2020.$152,000.

 

We can also borrow under the existing $2.5 million revolving credit facility that matures on January 31, 2023.2025. On December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had no outstanding drawings against the revolving credit facility.

 

The primary factors that influence our liquidity include the amount and timing of our revenues, cash collections from our customers, cash payments to our suppliers, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and share repurchases. We believe that our existing balances of cash, and capital resources, inclusive of available borrowing capacity on the revolving credit facility and funds generated from operations, are sufficient to meet anticipated capital requirements, fund our operations and support our growth. Our cash requirements, however, are subject to change as business conditions change.

 

22

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1, Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-Kfor10-K for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020.2022. The application of these policies requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on a combination of historical experience and reasonable judgment applied to other facts. Actual results may differ from these estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. In addition, the use of different assumptions or judgments may result in different estimates. We believe our critical accounting policies that are subject to these estimates are: Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Reserves, Revenue Recognition, Inventory Valuation, Stock-Based Compensation, Intangible Assets, Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Income Taxes and Valuation of Goodwill.Taxes.

 

21

Use of EstimatesAccounts Receivable Allowances 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States “”GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilitiesTrade accounts receivables are recorded at the datenet invoice value and are not interest bearing. The Company estimates the amount of uncollectible accounts receivable at the end of each reporting period based on the aging of the financial statements,receivable balance, current and historical customer trends, and communications with its customers. Amounts are written off only after considerable collection efforts have been made and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences mayare determined to be material to the financial statements.uncollectible.

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share 

The basic computation of earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period presented in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings Per Share”.  The computation of diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the common stock equivalents which would arise from the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding using the treasury stock method and the average market price per share during the period.  Common stock equivalents are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation when their effect is antidilutive.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On January 1, 2017, we adoptedWith the adoption of ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and implemented a new revenue recognition policy. Underin 2017, the new policy, we recognizeCompany recognizes revenue on sales to distributors when shipping of product is completed and title transfers to the distributor, less a reserve for estimated product returns (sales and cost of sales). The reserves are based on estimates of future returns calculated from actual return history, primarily from stock rotations, plus knowledge of pending returns outside of the norm. As of December 31, 2021, the deferred revenue and deferred cost on shipments to distributors were approximately $407,000 and $159,000, respectively, compared to approximately $451,000 and $170,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.

23

 

WeThe Company generally recognizerecognizes revenues on sales to customers other than distributors upon shipment provided that contract with the customer is identified, performance obligations in the contract are satisfied, and the price is determined. Most of our customers other than distributors do not have rightsa right of return except under warranty.

 

We earnThe Company also generates revenue from anthrough its SocketCare services program, which offers extended warranty service program offered onand accidental breakage coverage for select products. RevenuesThe service, which can be purchased at the time of product acquisition, provides coverage for three-year and five-year terms. Revenue from the extended warranty serviceSocketCare services program areis recognized ratably over the lifeduration of the extended warranty contract. The amount of unrecognized warrantySocketCare service revenue is classified as deferred service revenue and presented on ourthe Company’s balance sheet in its shortboth short-term and long-term components.

We also earn revenue from services performed in connection with consulting and engineering development arrangements. For those contracts that include contract milestones or acceptance criteria we recognize revenue as such milestones are achieved or as such acceptance occurs. In some instances, the acceptance criteria in the contract requires acceptance after all services are complete and all other elements have been delivered, in which case revenue recognition is deferred until those requirements are met.

Accounts Receivable AllowanceInventories 

We estimate the amountInventories consist principally of uncollectible receivablesraw materials and sub-assemblies stated at the endlower of each reporting period based on the agingstandard cost, which approximates actual costs (first-in, first-out method), or market. Market is defined as replacement cost, but not in excess of the receivable balance, historical trends, and communications with our customers. If actual bad debts are significantly different from our estimates our operating results will be affected.

Inventory Valuation

Our inventories primarily consist of component parts used to assemble our products after we receive orders from our customers.estimated net realizable value or less than estimated net realizable value less a normal margin. We purchase or have manufactured the component parts required by our engineering bill of materials. The timing and quantity of our purchases are based on order forecasts,forecast, the lead time requirements of our vendors, and on economic order quantities. At the end of each reporting period, we compare ourthe Company compares its inventory on hand to ourits forecasted requirements for the next nine-monthtwelve-month period and reservereserves the cost of any inventory that is a surplus, less any amounts that we believe wethe Company believes it can recover from the disposal of goods or that wethe Company specifically believebelieves will be saleable past a nine-monthtwelve-month horizon. OurThe Company’s sales forecasts are based upon historical trends, communications from customers, and marketing data regarding market trends and dynamics. Surplus or obsolete inventory can also be created by changes to our engineering bill of materials. Charges forChanges in the amounts we record asrecorded for surplus or obsolete inventory are included in cost of revenue.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

We account for share-based awards toThe Company has incentive plans that reward employees including grants of employeewith stock options and shares of restricted stocks, in our financial statementsstocks. The amount of compensation cost for these stock-based awards is measured based on the fair value of the awards as of the grant datedate. The fair values of the share-based awards. We usestock options are generally determined using a binomial lattice valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants. The binomial lattice modelwhich incorporates calculations forassumptions about expected volatility, risk-free interest rates, employee exercise patternsrate, dividend yield, and post-vesting employment termination behavior,expected life. Compensation cost for stock-based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is usually the service period.

22

Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consist of completed technologies and these factors affectacquired license rights. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon the estimateestimated economic value derived from the related intangible assets. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the fair value of the stock option grants.assets.

 

ValuationImpairment of GoodwillLong-Lived Assets

In January 2017,The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU) 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwillcarrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and Other (Topic 350): Simplifyingused is measured by a comparison of the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this update eliminate Step 2 fromcarrying amount of an asset to the goodwillfuture net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are impaired, the impairment test. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment testrecognized is performedmeasured by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.

24

asset exceeds its fair value.

 

The Company tests its goodwill for impairment annually as of September 30th or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the Company’s single reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its fair value. The Company wrote off its entire goodwill of $4.4 million as measured on September 30, 2020.

Income Taxes

The Company accountsWe account for income taxes under the asset and liability method under ASC 740 “Income Taxes,” which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, The Company determineswe determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company recognizesWe recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that it believeswe believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considerswe consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If the Company determineswe determine that itwe would be able to realize itsour deferred tax assets in the future in excess of thetheir net recorded amount, itwe would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company records

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) the Company determineswe determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizeswe recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

 

23

 

Results of Operations for Years Ended December 31, 20212023 and 20202022

 

Revenues

RevenueThe revenue for 20212023 was $23.2$17.0 million, an increasea decrease of 48%20% compared to revenue of $15.7$21.2 million for 2020. Revenue2022. However, we believe that the $17.0 million in reported revenue does not accurately reflect the underlying demand for our products and services. In 2023, our sales through distribution partners to resellers and end customers totaled $19.1 million, making a 2.8% decrease from the $19.7 million in sales through distributor partners to resellers and end customers in 2022. While the demand softened in 2023, the timing of Companion SocketScan products represented 69% of our 2021shipments to distributors in late 2022 had a positive impact on 2022 and a negative impact on 2023, contributing to the more dramatic decline. Additionally, reductions in distributor inventory and adjustments to distribution reserves also impacted the reported revenue and increased 58% compared to 2020. Our Companion DuraScan products, which are weatherproof and ruggedized and primarily targeted at commercial, industrial, warehousing and outdoor application and their associated customers, represented about 16% of 2021 revenue and increased 37% compared to 2020. We upgraded all our DuraScan products to support themed field-replaceable battery, increased the durability and added healthcare specific options. Our Attachable scanners, DuraSled and 800 Series, made up of approximately 7% of our 2021 revenue and increased approximately 4% compared to 2020. The increase in revenue was driven by strong application-driven demand, particularly in retail as the economy reopened.for 2023. 

25

 

Gross Margins

AnnualThe annual gross margins on revenue increased slightly to 53.6%49.7% in 20212023 from 53.1%48.8% in 2020. The improvement in margins compared to last year can be primarily2022. This rise is attributed to higher revenues and the absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead. The improvement was partially offset by higherdecreased component costs, which contrasts with 2022 when we faced elevated costs due to shortages and higher shipping costs.extended lead times.

 

Research and Development ExpenseExpenses

ResearchFor the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our research and development expenses in 2021 were approximately $4.0$4.8 million and $4.4 million, respectively. This represents an increase of 26% comparedapproximately $470,000, or 11%. The rise in research and development expenses is primarily due to higher payroll-related expenses of approximately $3.1 million in 2020. Theresulting from annual salary increases were primarily attributable toand an increase in personnel expenses, (as we had realizedheadcount. Additionally, a benefitsubstantial amount has been accounted for in 2020 fromthe amortization of software development costs related to our short-term cost reduction initiatives in this area), higher employee incentive-based compensation expense associated with improved financial performance, the inclusion of amortization and depreciation expenses of newly acquired intangible assets and equipment, and increased fees paid for contractors and consultants assisting with product development.released products.

 

Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenue were 17%28% in 20212023 and 20%21% in 2020.2022. We believe that a continued commitment to Research and Development activities is essential to maintain or achieve a leadership position for our existing products, to provide innovative new product offerings, and to provide engineering support for key customers. In addition, we consider our ability to accelerate time to market for new products to be critical to our revenue growth. Therefore, we expect to continue to make significant Research and Development investments in the future. The investment percentage is impacted by revenue levels and investing cycles.

Sales and Marketing Expense

Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses in 20212023 were approximately $3.0$4.0 million, an increase of approximately 5%10% compared to $2.8$3.6 million in 2020.2022. The increaseincreases in expenseexpenses in 2021 was2023 were primarily due to increased fees paid for contractors and consultants assisting with website development and upgrades, the hiringimpact of additional employee, and a reductionthe increase in the benefit realized fromnumber of employees and an annual salary increase. We anticipate that our short-term cost reduction initiatives of 2020, such benefit having not continued into 2021.compensation expense to increase as we selectively add new talent and adjust compensation to market conditions.

 

General and Administrative Expense

Expenses

General and administrative expenseexpenses in 20212023 was $2.8$2.74 million, an increasemarking a decrease of 22%approximately $77,000 or 3% compared to $2.3$2.81 million in 2020.2022. The increasedecrease can be attributed primarily to the absence of expenses associated with a company event held in expense during 2021 was2022 and the lack of management bonus due to higher employee incentive-based compensation expense associated with improvedunmet financial performance (as we had realized a benefit in 2020 from our short-term cost reduction initiatives in this area), higher professional fees associated with the filing of a shelf registration statement, higher proxy distribution costs resulting from a greatly increased number of beneficial owners of the Company’s stock and increased insurance costs.goals.

 

26

Interest Expense, net of Interest Income

Interest expense and other, net of interest income and other, was approximately $199,000$242,000 in 20212023 compared to approximately $97,000$175,000 in 2020.2022. Interest expense in 2021both 2023 and 2022 was primarily related to the subordinated convertible notes (see Note 4, Secured Subordinated Convertible Notes Payable, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information) and interest on bank term loan. Interest expense in 2020 was primarily related to interest on the bank term loan and credit line facilities, as well as secured subordinated convertible notes payable. Average total outstanding balance of bank term loan and credit lines during 2020 was $0.48 million. Additionally, interest expense in each of the comparable periods includes interest on equipment lease financing obligations..

 

Interest income reflects the interest earned on cash balances. Interest income was nominal in each of the comparable periods, reflecting low average ratesperiods.

24

 

Income Taxes

The Company'sWe recorded an income tax benefit of $1.44 million (an effective tax rate was negative 45.6%of 42.9%) in 20212023, compared to 0% in 2020. The 2021$708,000 (an effective tax rate included discrete income tax benefits of $9.2 million resulting fromnegative 114.1%) in 2022. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), which was signed into U.S. law in December 2017, eliminated the disqualifying disposition of incentive stock optionsoption to immediately deduct research and $0.5 million relating to stock-based compensation. The 2020development expenditures in the year incurred under Section 174 effective tax rate included the goodwill impairment charge of $4.47 million and stock-based compensation of $0.51 million, partially offset by $1.06 million for PPP loan forgiveness, which arrived a Federal taxable income of $0.29 million. The State taxable income, however, was $1.3 million due to the expenses on which the PPP loan proceeds were spent on are non-deductible in California. No deferred tax expense or benefit was recorded in 2020. As of January 1, 2020,2022. The amended provision under Section 174 requires us to capitalize and amortize these expenditures over five years (for U.S.-based research). We are monitoring legislation for any further changes to Section 174 and the Company recognized a net cumulative-effect adjustment of $2.6 million ($0.5 million tax effected) related to the recognition of previously unrecognized windfall tax benefits resulting from the adoption of ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.”. The adjustment increased net deferred tax assets and reduced Accumulated Deficit by the same amount.potential impact on our financial statements in 2024.

 

Our net operating loss carryforwards do not begin expiring until the end of 2023 if not used.will expire at various dates from 2025 through 2033. The Company’s deferred tax asset, primarily representing future income tax savings from the application of net operating loss carry forwards,carryforwards, was valued at $7.96$10.1 million and $6.06$8.7 million as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively.

 

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of quarterly statements of operations data for each of the quarters in 20202022 and 2021.2023. This unaudited quarterly information has been prepared on the same basis as the annual information presented elsewhere herein, and, in our opinion, includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring entries) necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the quarters presented. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

  

Quarter Ended

(unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) 

Mar 31,

2022

 

 

Jun 30,

2022

 

 

Sep 30,

2022

 

 

Dec 31,

2022

 

 

Mar 31,

2023

 

 

Jun 30,

2023

 

 

Sep 30, 

2023

 

 

Dec 31, 

2023

 

Summary Quarterly Data:                                
  Revenue $6,293  $6,046  $3,728  $5,171  $4,312  $5,117  $3,206  $4,399 
  Cost of revenue  3,165   3,010   2,073   2,623   2,240   2,466   1,788   2,078 
  Gross profit  3,128   3,036   1,655   2,548   2,072   2,651   1,418   2,321 
  Operating expenses:                                
    Research and development  1,054   1,121   1,096   1,091   1,247   1,190   1,207   1,188 
    Sales and marketing  900   964   865   909   1,006   1,004   1,002   1,003 
    General and administrative  710   761   641   700   774   749   608   605 
  Total operating expenses  2,664   2,846   2,602   2,700   3,027   2,943   2,817   2,796 
  Interest expense, net  (46)  (45)  (43)  (41)  (38)  (55)  (76)  (73)
  Income tax (expense) benefit  (76  (40  116   708   —     (166  150   1,460 
  Net income (loss) $342  $104  $(874) $515  $(993) $(513) $(1,325) $912 
  Basic net income (loss) per share $0.04  $0.01  $(0.11) $0.06  $(0.12) $(0.06) $(0.16) $0.11 
  Fully diluted net income (loss) per share $0.04  $0.01  $(0.11) $0.06  $(0.12) $(0.06) $(0.16) $0.08 
 2725 

  

  

Quarter Ended

(unaudited)

(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) 

Mar 31,

2020

 

Jun 30,

2020

 

Sep 30,

2020

 

Dec 31,

2020

 

Mar 31,

2021

 

Jun 30,

2021

 

Sep 30,

2021

 

Dec 31,

2021

Summary Quarterly Data:                                
  Revenue $4,221  $2,715  $4,109  $4,655  $4,813  $5,953  $6,319  $6,114 
  Cost of revenue  1,997   1,354   1,835   2,179   2,239   2,698   2,896   2,929 
  Gross profit  2,224   1,361   2,274   2,476   2,574   3,255   3,423   3,185 
  Operating expenses:                                
    Research and development  881   859   681   719   931   972   1,014   1,047 
    Sales and marketing  768   722   658   700   660   734   788   820 
    General and administrative  666   590   486   529   741   735   667   630 
    Goodwill impairment charges  —     —     4,427   —     —     —     —     —   
  Total operating expenses  2,315   2,171   6,252   1,948   2,332   2,441   2,469   2,497 
  Extinguishment of debt income and other income  —     50   —     1,049   10   —     —     55 
  Interest income (expense) and other, net  1   (8)  (24)  (46)  (49)  (51)  (50)  (49)
  Income tax (expense) benefit  —     —     (1  52   —     1,864   (260  299 
  Net income (loss) $(90) $(768) $(4,003) $1,583 $203 $2,627 $644 $993
  Basic net income (loss) per share $(0.01) $(0.13) $(0.62) $0.24 $0.03 $0.34 $0.08 $0.13
  Fully diluted net income (loss) per share $(0.01) $(0.13) $(0.62) $0.22  $0.03  $0.27  $0.07  $0.11 

We generally ship orders as received and thereforeOur quarterly revenue and operating results depend on the volume and timing of orders received, during the quarter, which are difficult to forecast. Historically, we have recognized a substantial portion of our revenue in the last month of the quarter. Operating results may also fluctuate due to factors such as the demand for our products, the size and timing of customer orders, the introduction of new products and product enhancements by us or our competitors, product mix, the timing of software enhancements, manufacturing supply shortages, changes in the level of operating expenses, and competitive conditions in the industry. Because our staffing and other operating expenses are based on anticipated revenue, a substantial portion of which is not typically generated until the end of each quarter, delays in the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter.

 

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 20212023 are outlined in the table shown below:

 

  Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

 

Total

 1 year 

2 to 3

years

 

4 to 5

years

 

More than

5 years

           
Unconditional purchase obligations with contract manufacturers $12,624,000  $11,911,000  $713,000  $—    $—   
Operating leases  263,000   263,000   —     —     —   
Total contractual obligations $12,887,000 $12,174,000 $713,000 $—   $—  

  Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 1 year 

2 to 3

years

 

4 to 5

years

 

More than

5 years

           
Unconditional purchase obligations with contract manufacturers $5,821,000  $5,734,000  $87,000  $—    $—   
Operating leases  3,794,000   637,000   1,325,000   1,406,000   426,000 
Total contractual obligations $9,615,000  $6,371,000  $1,412,000  $1,406,000  $426,000 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K.

 

28

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1, Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the status of recent accounting pronouncements.

 2926 


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our bank term loan and credit line facilities. Amounts outstanding under theThe term loan bear interest at lender'srate is the lender’s prime rate (minimum of 4.25%) plus 1.75%0.75%. Our bank credit line facilities, with a total limit of up to $2.5 million, have variable interest rates based upon the lender'slender’s prime rate (minimum of 4.25%) plus 0.75%, for both the domestic line (up to $2.0 million) and the international line (up to $0.5 million). Accordingly,Consequently, interest rate increases could theoretically increase our interest expense on outstanding term loanloans and credit line, but at the moment, there is no outstanding balances.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

A substantial majority of our revenue, expense and purchasing activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, we require our European distributors to purchase our products in Euros and we pay the expenses of our European employees in Euros and British pounds. We may enter into selected future purchase commitments with foreign suppliers that may be paid in the local currency of the supplier. We hedge a significant portion of our European receivables balance denominated in Euros to reduce the foreign currency risk associated with these assets, and we have not been subject to significant losses from material foreign currency fluctuations. Based on a sensitivity analysis of our net foreign currency denominated assets and expenses at the beginning, during and at the end of the quarter ended December 31, 2021,2023, an adverse change of 10% in exchange rates would have resulted in a decrease in our net income for the fourth quarter 20212023 of approximately $71,900$36,000 if left unprotected. For the fourth quarter of 2021,2023, the total net adjustment for the effects of changes in foreign currency on cash balances, collections, payables, and derivatives used to hedge foreign currency risks, was a net loss of $31,100.$12,500. We will continue to monitor, assess, and mitigate through hedging activities, our risks related to foreign currency fluctuations.

30

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The supplementary information required by this item is included in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

27

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Socket Mobile, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Socket Mobile, Inc. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 20212023 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021,2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, 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.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit mattermatters communicated below is a matterare matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that waswere communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) related to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgements. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical mattermatters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit mattermatters or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.they relate. 

 3128 

 

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Assessment

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company uses theis in a net deferred tax asset and liability method to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.position before valuation allowance. The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets whenconsist principally of net operating loss carryforwards. The future realization of the tax benefits from existing temporary differences and tax attributes ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income. In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that suchsome portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company utilizesrealized through the preparation of an undiscounted projected future cash flow model to help determine the expected usage of the deferred tax asset and related need for a valuation allowance.analysis.

We identified the evaluation of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance assessment as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions management used in the undiscounted cash flow analysis. Performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of these estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

 

32

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures consisted of the following:

·Testing management’s process for developing the accounting estimate for the allowance.
·Evaluating the appropriateness of the undiscounted cash flow model used by management.
·Testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the undiscounted cash flow model.
·Evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to revenues, gross margin, other operating expenses, and income taxes to discern whether they are reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the entity; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

• EvaluatingLong-Lived Asset Impairment Assessment

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in note 1 to the appropriatenessfinancial statements, the Company performs impairment testing for its long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Due to challenging industry and economic conditions, the Company tested its long-lived assets at December 31, 2023. The long-lived asset group included approximately $1,559,000 in amortizable intangible assets, $3,033,000 in property and equipment, $3,088,000 in operating lease assets and $250,000 in other long-term assets. The Company’s evaluation of the recoverability of the long-lived asset group involved comparing the undiscounted future cash flow model usedflows expected to be generated by management.the long-lived asset group to its carrying amount. The Company’s recoverability analysis requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasted sales growth rates and cash flows over the remaining useful life of the long-lived asset group.

29

• Testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the undiscounted cash flow model.

• Evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to revenues, gross margin, other operating expenses, and income taxes to discern whether they are reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the entity; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

• Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were utilized by the Firm to assist inWe identified the evaluation of the undiscountedrecoverability analysis for these long-lived assets as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions management used in the related cash flow model.analysis. Performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of these estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment Assessment

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

 

Our audit procedures related to the following:

·Testing management’s process for developing the tests for recoverability.
·Evaluating the appropriateness of the undiscounted cash flow model used by management.
·Testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the undiscounted cash flow model.
·Evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to revenues, EBITDA, and future capital asset and working capital needs to discern whether they are reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the entity; (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data; and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
·Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were utilized by the Firm to assist in the evaluation of the discounted cash flow model and discount rate assumptions.

/s/ Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.

Draper, UT

March 30, 202225, 2024

Auditor Firm ID: 3627

30
SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
         
  December 31,
  2023 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:        
   Cash and cash equivalents $2,826,630  $3,623,469 
   Accounts receivable, net  1,699,696   2,659,861 
   Inventories, net  5,409,047   5,601,691 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  440,730   617,188 
   Deferred cost on shipments to distributors  322,580   266,327 
      Total current assets  10,698,683   12,768,536 
         
Property and equipment:        
   Machinery and office equipment  2,700,759   1,533,087 
   Computer equipment  3,631,945   2,715,121 
     Property and equipment, gross  6,332,704   4,248,208 
   Accumulated depreciation  (3,299,503)  (2,590,999)
      Property and equipment, net  3,033,201   1,657,209 
         
Intangible assets, net  1,559,369   1,693,927 
Other long-term assets  249,715   250,239 
Deferred tax assets  10,112,419   8,668,419 
Operating lease right-of-use asset  3,088,087   3,559,658 
      Total assets $28,741,474  $28,597,988 
         
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
         
Current liabilities:        
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses $1,605,231  $1,665,028 
   Accrued payroll and related expenses  579,974   742,541 
   Deferred revenue on shipments to distributors  825,670   594,793 
   Short term portion of deferred service revenue  19,885   22,599 
   Notes payable – current portion       125,000 
   Subordinated convertible notes payable, net of discount  150,000   147,409 
   Subordinated convertible notes payable, net of discount-related party  2,835,864   1,230,530 
   Operating lease – current portion  483,161   444,529 
      Total current liabilities  6,499,785   4,972,429 
         
Long-term portion of operating lease  2,808,872   3,292,035 
Long-term portion of deferred service revenue  12,813   11,767 
   Total liabilities  9,321,470   8,276,231 
         
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ equity:        
Common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized – 20,000,000 shares, Issued – 7,695,371 and 7,355,967; and outstanding 7,336,121 and 7,089,676 at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively  7,336   7,090 
   Additional paid-in capital  68,383,230   67,157,650 
   Treasury stock, at cost (359,250 and 266,291 shares at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)  (1,037,988)  (829,563)
   Accumulated deficit  (47,932,574)  (46,013,420)
      Total stockholders’ equity  19,420,004   20,321,757 
         Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $28,741,474  $28,597,988 

See accompanying notes.

31

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
       
  Years Ended December 31,
  2023 2022
     
Revenues $17,033,593  $21,237,768 
         
Cost of revenues  8,570,739   10,871,312 
         
Gross profit  8,462,854   10,366,456 
         
Operating expenses:        
   Research and development  4,831,905   4,362,119 
   Sales and marketing  4,016,373   3,638,113 
   General and administrative  2,735,569   2,812,243 
      Total operating expenses  11,583,847   10,812,475 
         
Operating loss  (3,120,993)  (446,019)
         
Interest expense, net  (242,161)  (175,050)
         
Net loss before income taxes  (3,363,154)  (621,069)
Income tax benefit  1,444,000   708,000 
Net income (loss) $(1,919,154) $86,931 
         
Net income (loss) per share:        
   Basic $(0.27) $0.01 
   Fully diluted $(0.27) $0.01 
         
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
   Basic  7,230,074   7,184,847 
   Fully diluted  7,230,074   7,532,924 

See accompanying notes.

32

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

              
     Additional       Total
 Common Stock Paid-In Treasury Stock Accumulated Stockholders’
 Shares Amount Capital Shares Amount Deficit Equity
Balance on December 31, 2021 7,183,874  $7,184  $66,139,630   —    $    $(46,100,351) $20,046,463 
Vesting of restricted stocks 92,734   92   (92)  —                  
Restricted stock retired for tax withholding (26,831)  (26)  (132,489)  —               (132,515)
Exercise of stock options 106,190   106   151,643   —               151,749 
Stock-based compensation —          998,692   —               998,692 
Treasury shares purchased (266,291)  (266)  266   266,291   (829,563)       (829,563)
Net income —               —          86,931   86,931 
Balance on December 31, 2022 7,089,676  $7,090  $67,157,650   266,291  $(829,563 $(46,013,420 $20,321,757 
Vesting of restricted stocks 255,687   256   (256)  —                  
Restricted stock retired for tax withholding (55,192)  (56)  (143,315)  —               (143,371)
Exercise of stock options 138,909   139   212,676   —               212,815 
Stock-based compensation —          1,156,382   —               1,156,382 
Treasury shares purchased (92,959)  (93)  93   92,959   (208,425)       (208,425)
Net loss —               —          (1,919,154  (1,919,154
Balance on December 31, 2023 7,336,121  $7,336  $68,383,230   359,250  $(1,037,988 $(47,392,574 $19,420,004 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 33 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS

         
  December 31,
  2021 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:        
   Cash and cash equivalents $6,095,886  $2,121,763 
   Accounts receivable, net  2,576,240   2,112,514 
   Inventories, net  5,154,524   3,195,842 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets  395,161   335,386 
   Deferred cost on shipments to distributors  158,977   170,016 
      Total current assets  14,380,788   7,935,521 
         
Property and equipment        
   Machinery and office equipment  2,436,897   2,286,268 
   Computer equipment  1,909,895   1,412,030 
 Property and equipment, gross  4,346,792   3,698,298 
   Accumulated depreciation  (3,277,979)  (2,850,635)
      Property and equipment, net  1,068,813   847,663 
         
Intangible assets, net  1,813,961      
Other long-term assets  140,281   159,039 
Deferred tax assets  7,960,419   6,057,690 
Operating lease right-of-use asset  210,839   609,331 
      Total assets $25,575,101 $15,609,244
         
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
         
Current liabilities:        
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses $2,169,055  $1,372,701 
   Accrued payroll and related expenses  692,994   375,511 
   Deferred revenue on shipments to distributors  407,235   450,591 
   Short term portion of deferred service revenue  17,128   25,522 
   Notes payable – current portion  500,000      
   Subordinated convertible notes payable, net of discount  143,514   169,619 
   Subordinated convertible notes payable, net of discount-related party  1,201,334   1,272,138 
   Operating lease – current portion  258,097   483,254 
      Total current liabilities  5,389,357   4,149,336 
         
Long-term portion of note payable  125,000      
Long term portion of operating lease       258,097 
Long-term portion of deferred service revenue  14,281   28,794 
   Total liabilities  5,528,638   4,436,227 
         
Commitments and contingencies          
Stockholders’ equity:        

Common stock, $0.001 par value: Authorized – 20,000,000 shares, Issued and outstanding – 7,183,874 shares at December 31, 2021 and 6,102,630 shares at December 31, 2020

  7,184   6,103 
   Additional paid-in capital  66,139,630   61,733,522 
   Accumulated deficit  (46,100,351)  (50,566,608)
      Total stockholders’ equity  20,046,463   11,173,017 
         Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $25,575,101 $15,609,244

See accompanying notes.

34

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

         
  Years Ended December 31,
  2021 2020
     
Revenues $23,199,061  $15,700,036 
         
Cost of revenues  10,762,617   7,365,135 
         
Gross profit  12,436,444   8,334,901 
         
Operating expenses:        
   Research and development  3,964,599   3,140,104 
   Sales and marketing  3,002,573   2,848,549 
   General and administrative  2,771,891   2,269,819 
   Goodwill impairment charges       4,427,000 
      Total operating expenses  9,739,063   12,685,472 
         
Operating income (loss)  2,697,381   (4,350,571)
         
Interest expense, net  (198,935)  (97,488)
Other income  65,082   60,000 
Extinguishment of debt       1,058,700 
         
Net income (loss) before income taxes  2,563,528   (3,329,359)
Income tax benefit (expense)  1,902,729   50,578 
Net income (loss) $4,466,257 $(3,278,601)
         
Net income (loss) per share:        
   Basic $0.58 $(0.51)
   Fully diluted $0.48 $(0.51)
         
Weighted average shares outstanding:        
   Basic  6,991,194  6,036,310
   Fully diluted  8,923,487  6,036,310

See accompanying notes.

35

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYCASH FLOWS

 

                    
  Common Stock  Additional Paid-In   Accumulated   Total Stockholders’  
  Shares   Amount   Capital   Deficit   Equity 
Balance at December 31, 2019 6,017,674  $6,018  $61,066,971  $(47,288,007) $13,784,982 
Repurchase of common stock (5,538)  (5)  (8,475)       (8,480)
Cancellation of restricted stock (9,745)  (10)  10           
Exercise of stock options 100,239   100   167,965        168,065 
Stock-based compensation —          507,051        507,051 
Net loss —               (3,278,601  (3,278,601
Balance at December 31, 2020 6,102,630   6,103   61,733,522   (50,566,608)  11,173,017 
Vesting of restricted stock 40,125   40   (40)          
Repurchase of common stock (758)  (1)  (2,396)       (2,937)
Cancellation of restricted stock (14,128)  (15)  15           
Conversion of convertible note 89,040   89   129,911        130,000 
Issuance of common stock for intangible assets 184,332   184   1,686,956        1,687,140 
Exercise of stock options 782,633   782   1,898,779        1,899,561 
Stock-based compensation —          693,425        693,425 
Net income —               4,466,257   4,466,257 
Balance at December 31, 2021 7,183,874  $7,184  $66,139,630  $(46,100,351 $20,046,463 

         
  Years Ended December 31,
  2023 2022
Operating activities        
  Net income (loss) $(1,919,154) $86,931 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
      Stock-based compensation  1,156,382   998,692 
      Depreciation and amortization  922,438   765,659 
      Deferred tax benefits  (1,444,000)  (708,000)
      Amortization of debt discount  25,473   33,091 
      Amortization of operating lease ROU asset  471,571   513,692 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
      Accounts receivable  960,165   (83,621)
      Inventories  192,644   (447,167)
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets  176,458   (222,027)
      Other assets  524   (160,791)
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses  (59,797)  (504,027)
      Accrued payroll and related expenses  (162,567)  (82,968)
      Net deferred revenue on shipments to distributors  174,624   80,208 
      Deferred service revenue  (1,668)  2,957 
      Net change in operating lease liability  (444,531)  (384,044)
        Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  48,562  (111,415)
Investing activities        
    Purchases of PP&E including software and website development  (2,163,872)  (1,183,188)
          Net cash used in investing activities  (2,163,872)  (1,183,188)
Financing activities        
  Common stock repurchased and related expenses  (208,425)  (829,563)
  Proceeds from note payable  1,582,452      
  Repayments of note payable  (125,000)  (500,000)
  Acquisition of common stock for tax withholding obligations  (143,371)     
  Proceeds from stock options exercised  212,815   151,749 
          Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  1,318,471   (1,177,814)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (796,839)  (2,472,417)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  3,623,469   6,095,886 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $2,826,630  $3,623,469 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
  Cash paid for interest $207,510  $160,945 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities        
  Payroll tax liability for retired restricted stock $    $158,314 
  Operating lease inception cost $    $3,862,511 

  

See accompanying notes.

 

 3634 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

         
  Years Ended December 31,
  2021 2020
Operating activities        
  Net income (loss) $4,466,257  $(3,278,601)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:        
      Stock-based compensation  693,425   507,051 
      Depreciation and amortization  759,158   596,900 
      Deferred tax benefits  (1,902,729)     
      Forgiveness of PPP loan       (1,058,700)
      Amortization of debt discount  33,091   11,030 
      Goodwill impairment charges       4,427,000 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
      Accounts receivable  (463,726)  724,492 
      Inventories  (1,958,682)  (16,934)
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (59,774)  (23,259)
      Other non-current assets  (24,813)     
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses  424,566   (712,147)
      Accrued payroll and related expenses  317,483   (190,839)
      Net deferred revenue on shipments to distributors  (32,317)  (96,631)
      Deferred service revenue  (22,907)  (19,295)
      Net change in operating lease  (84,762)  (65,622)
        Net cash provided by operating activities  2,144,270   804,445 
Investing activities        
  Purchase of equipment  (691,771)  (536,481)
          Net cash used in investing activities  (691,771)  (536,481)
Financing activities        
  Payments on operating leases       (8,291)
  Common stock repurchase and related expenses  (2,937)  (8,480)
  Proceeds from borrowings under bank line of credit agreement       5,630,000 
  Repayments of borrowings under bank line of credit agreement       (7,042,449)
  Repayments of bank term loan       (333,333)
  Proceeds from note payable  1,000,000   1,208,700 
  Repayments of note payable  (375,000)  (150,000)
  Proceeds from subordinated convertible notes payable, net of discount       168,321 
  Proceeds from subordinated convertible notes payable, net of discount-related party       1,262,406 
  Stock options exercised  1,899,561   168,065 
          Net cash provided by financing activities  2,521,624   894,939 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  3,974,123   1,162,903 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  2,121,763   958,860 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $6,095,886 $2,121,763
Supplemental cash flow information        
  Cash paid for interest $176,091  $94,417 
  Cash paid for income taxes $6,289  $4,918 
Non-cash investing and financing activities        
  Conversion of note payable $130,000      
  Acquisition of intangible assets $1,909,433      

 

See accompanying notes.

37

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Organization and Business

Socket Mobile, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading manufacturerprovider of data capture productsand delivery solutions for mobile applications used in Retail, Commercial Services, Industrial & Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, and Health Care. The Company produces a family ofOur products include data capture productsdevices that connect overutilize Bluetooth and workor RFID/NFC technology, designed to interface with applications running on smartphones, tablets and mobile computers usingcomputers. These applications operate on diverse operating systems, fromincluding Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). Additionally, the Company offers camera-based barcode scanning software. The Company focuses on serving the needs of software application providers, aswith our sales are primarily driven by the deployment of barcode and RFID/NFC enabled mobile applications.

 

The Company designs its own products and subcontracts the manufacturing of product components to independent third-party contract manufacturers who are in the U.S., Mexico, Singapore, China, Malaysia and Taiwan and who have the equipment, know-how and capacity to manufacture products to the Company’s specifications. Final products are assembled, tested, packaged, and distributed at and from its Newark,Fremont, California facility. TheIn addition to its own online stores, the Company offers its products worldwide through two-tier distribution, enablingallowing customers to purchase from a large number of on-linenumerous online resellers around the worldworldwide, including some application providers. The geographic regions served by the Company include the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa.

 

The Company was founded in March 1992 as Socket Communications, Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware in 1995 prior to the Company’s initial public offering in June 1995. The Company began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 to better reflect its market focus on the mobile business market, and changed its legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Marketplace under the symbol “SCKT.” The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 39700 Eureka Drive, Newark,40675 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94560.94538.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make 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 revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

 

38

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity date of 90 days or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. In March 2023, the Company entered into an Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) Deposit Placement Agreement with IntraFi Network LLC through its bank, Bridge Bank – a division of Western Alliance Bank. The ICS program allows the Company’s demand or savings products to benefit from unlimited FDIC insurance, which helps the Company maintain the entire deposit on its balance sheet and provides additional security during times of market uncertainty. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, all of2023, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents consisted of amountswas held in demand deposit accounts in banks. The aggregate cash balance on deposit in these accounts are insured byunder FDIC insurance through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company’s cash balance on deposit in these accounts may, at times, exceed the federally insured limits.ICS program. The Company has never experienced any losses in suchits funds in bank accounts. 

35

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and foreign exchange contracts approximateis close to their fair value due to the relatively short period of time to maturity.

 

Foreign Currency

The functional currency for the Company is the U.S. dollar. However, the Company requires European distributors to purchase products in Euros and British pounds and pays the expenses of European employees in Euros and British pounds. The Company hedges a significant portion of the European receivables balance denominated in Euros to reduce the foreign currency risk associates with these assets. In 2021,2023, the total net adjustment for the effects of changes in foreign currency on cash balances, collections, payables, and derivatives used to hedge foreign currency risks,payables was a net lossgain of $31,10012,550 compared to a net gainloss of $10,70041,300 in 2020.2022.

Accounts Receivable Allowances

Trade accounts receivables are recorded at the net invoice value and are not interest bearing. The Company estimates the amount of uncollectible accounts receivable at the end of each reporting period based on the aging of the receivable balance, current and historical customer trends, and communications with its customers. Amounts are written off only after considerable collection efforts have been made and the amounts are determined to be uncollectible. The following table describes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020:2022:

 

         
Year Balance at
Beginning of Year
 Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
 Amounts
Written Off
 Balance at
End of
Year
         
 2021  $40,651  $    $    $40,651 
 2020  $40,651  $    $    $40,651 
         
Year Balance at
Beginning of Year
 Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
 Amounts
Written Off
 Balance at
End of
Year
 2023  $40,651  $    $    $40,651 
 2022  $40,651  $    $    $40,651 

 

39

Inventories 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Inventories

Inventories consist principally of raw materials and sub-assemblies stated at the lower of standard cost, which approximates actual costs (first-in, first-out method), or market. Market is defined as replacement cost, but not in excess of estimated net realizable value or less than estimated net realizable value less a normal margin. We purchase or have manufactured the component parts by our engineering bill of materials. The timing and quantity of our purchases are based on order forecast, the lead time requirements of our vendors, and economic order quantities. At the end of each reporting period, the Company compares its inventory on hand to its forecasted requirements for the next nine-monthtwelve-month period and reserves the cost of any inventory that is surplus, less any amounts that the Company believes it can recover from the disposal of goods or that the Company specifically believes will be saleable past a nine- monthtwelve-month horizon. The Company’s sales forecasts are based upon historical trends, communications from customers, and marketing data regarding market trends and dynamics. Changes in the amounts recorded for surplus or obsolete inventory are included in cost of revenue. Inventories, net of write-downs, at December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 consisted of the following:

         
  December 31,
  2023 2022
Raw materials and sub-assemblies $5,839,176  $6,193,453 
Finished goods  500,814   289,181 
Inventory reserves  (930,943)  (880,943)
Inventory, net $5,409,047  $5,601,691 

36

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

         
  December 31,
  2021 2020
Raw materials and sub-assemblies $5,757,869  $3,642,377 
Finished goods  277,598   281,104 
Inventory reserves  (880,943)  (727,639)
Inventory, net $5,154,524 $3,195,842

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of various payments that the Company has made in advance for goods or services to be received in the future. Prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 consisted of the following:

 

          
  December 31,
  2021 2020
Prepaid insurance $94,923  $82,296 
Product certification costs  61,557   75,592 
Prepaid inventory purchases  131,635   93,859 
Prepaid maintenance contracts and other prepaid expenses  107,046   83,639 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets $395,161 $335,386

         
  December 31,
  2023 2022
Prepaid insurance $75,626  $92,644 
Product certification costs  75,604   87,293 
Prepaid inventory purchases  123,736   196,512 
Prepaid maintenance contracts and other prepaid expenses  165,764   240,739 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets $440,730  $617,188 

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method, over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from one to five years. Computer software and hardware are amortized over two to three years, while machinery and equipment are typically amortized over three years. Manufacturing tooling is amortized over a span of two to three years, and improvements to leasehold are amortized over the remaining lease term. Assets under finance leases are amortized in a manner consistent with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for owned assets, or the remaining lease term as applicable. Depreciation expenseexpenses in the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020, was 2022, were $620,115787,881 and $594,793553,328, respectively.

Goodwill

As of September 30, 2020, the Company experienced a triggering event due to a drop in its stock price, which had been negatively impacted by the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 pandemic and performed a quantitative analysis for potential impairment of its goodwill. The Company’s fair value measurement approach combines the income approach, which estimates fair value based upon projections of future revenues, expenses, and cash flows discounted to its present value, and market valuation technique. The income valuation technique uses estimates and assumptions including the projected future cash flows, discount rate reflecting the risk attributable to the Company, perpetual growth rate, and projected future economic and market conditions. Under the market approach, the principal assumption included an estimate for a control premium. As a result of the analysis, the Company determined the carrying value exceeded its fair value and recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $4,427,000 as of September 30, 2020. NaN impairment of goodwill was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2021.

40

 

Intangible Assets 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.The Company’s intangible assets consist of completed technologies and acquired license rights. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon the estimated economic value derived from the related intangible assets. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the amortization expenses of intangible assets were $127,296, respectively.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not recognize any impairment loss of its long-lived assets.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk include cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company invests its cash in demand deposit accounts in banks. To date, the Company has not experienced losses on the investments.

37

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company’s trade accounts receivables arereceivable is primarily with distributors. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, but the Company generally requires no collateral. Reserves are maintained for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. Customers who accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balances as of December 31, 20212023 and December 31, 20202022 were as follows:

 

          
  December 31,
  2021 2020
Ingram Micro, Inc.  28%  34%
ScanSource, Inc.  24%  

13

%
BlueStar, Inc. 21%  29%
Bluestar Europe Distribution BV  *  11%
 

 *Customer accounted for less than 10% of the Company accounts receivable balances

         
  December 31,
  2023 2022
Ingram Micro Inc.  20%  14%
Synnex Corporation  14%  * 
ScanSource, Inc.  13%  11%
Nippon Primex, Inc.  11%  14%
Bluestar, Inc.  *   46%
* Customer accounted for less than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balances

 

Concentration of Suppliers

Several of the Company’s component parts are produced by a sole or limited number of suppliers. Shortages could occur in these essential materials due to increased demand, or to an interruption of supply. Suppliers may choose to restrict credit terms or require advance payments causing delays in the procurement of essential materials. If the Company were unable to procure certain of such materials, it could have a material adverse effect upon its results. As of December 31, 2021,2023, 2027%% of the Company’s accounts payable balances were concentrated with the top two suppliers.supplier. For the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, 55% and 56% of inventory purchases, respectively, were from top three suppliers accounted for 54% and 64%, respectively, of inventory purchases.suppliers.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On January 1, 2017,With the Company adoptedadoption of ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and implemented a new revenue recognition policy. Instead of deferring 100% of revenue and cost of revenue until products are sold by distributors,in 2017, the new policyCompany recognizes revenue on sales to distributors when shipping of product is completed and title transfers to the distributor, less a reserve for estimated product returns (sales and cost of sales). The reserves are based on estimates of future returns calculated from actual return history, primarily from stock rotations, plus knowledge of pending returns outside of the norm. OnAs of December 31, 2021,2023, the deferred revenue and deferred cost on shipments to distributors were approximately $407,235825,670 and $158,977322,580 respectively, compared to approximately $450,591594,793 and $170,016266,327, respectively, as of December 31, 2020.2022.

The Company generally recognizes revenues on sales to customers other than distributors upon shipment provided that contract with the customer is identified, performance obligations in the contract are satisfied, and the price is determined. Most of our customers other than distributors do not have a right of return except under warranty.

 

The Company also earnsgenerates revenue fromthrough its SocketCare services program, which provides foroffers extended warranty and accidental breakage coverage for selectedselect products. For the year ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, the SocketCare revenue was revenues were approximately $26,00021,400 and $35,00022,000, respectively. ServiceThe service, which can be purchased at the time of product purchaseacquisition, provides for coverage infor three-year and five-year terms. The Company additionally offers comprehensive coverage and program term extensions. RevenuesRevenue from the SocketCare services program areis recognized ratably over the lifeduration of the extended warranty contract. The amount of unrecognized SocketCare service revenue is classified as deferred service revenue and presented on the Company’s balance sheet in itsboth short-term and long-term components. As of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, the balances of unrecognized SocketCare service revenue were $31,40932,698 and $54,31634,366, respectively.

 

 4138 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cost of Sales and Gross Margins

 Cost of sales primarily consists of the costs to manufacture our products, including the costs of materials, contract manufacturing, shipping costs, personnel and related expenses including stock-based compensation, equipment and facility expenses, warranty costs and inventory excess and obsolete provisions. The factors that impactaffect our gross margins are the cost of materials, the mix of products and the extent to which we are able to efficiently utilize our manufacturing capacity.

Leases 

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to recognize a liability representing future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For operating leases, a lessee is required to recognize at inception a right-of-use asset and a lease liability equal to the net present value of the lease payments, with lease expense recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, ASU 2016-02 allows a reporting entity to make an accounting policy election to not recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, and to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019. On May 1, 2022, the Company entered into a building lease agreement for its corporate headquarters located in Fremont, CA. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the balances of right-of-use assets and liabilities for the existing operating leases were approximately $210,839 3.09 million and $258,0973.29, million, respectively, compared to approximately $609,3313.56, million and $741,3513.74, million, respectively, onas of December 31, 2020. In February 2022, the Company entered into a 87-month lease agreement in Fremont, CA. The new space is approximately 35,913 square feet and will serve as the location for the Company’s new Corporate Headquarters, including office space and manufacturing. The Company will account for this lease as an operating lease under ASC 842, “Leases.”.2022.

 

Warranty

The Company’s products typically carry a one-year warranty. The Company reserves for estimated product warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized based upon the Company’s historical warranty experience, and additionally for any known product warranty issues. If actual costs differ from initial estimates, the Company records the difference in the period they are identified. Actual claims are charged against the warranty reserve. The following table describes activity in the reserves for product warranty costs for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020: 2022:

 

         
Year Balance at
Beginning of Year
 Additional Warranty Reserves Amounts
Charged to Reserves
 Balance at
End of
Year
         
 2021  $78,871  $13,910  $(13,910) $78,871 
 2020  $78,871  $73,734  $(73,734) $78,871 

42

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         
Year Balance at
Beginning of Year
 Additional Warranty Reserves Amounts
Charged to Reserves
 Balance at
End of
Year
 2023  $78,871  $13,417  $(13,417) $78,871 
 2022  $78,871  $14,475  $(14,475) $78,871 

 

Research and Development

Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. The major components of research and development costs include salaries and employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, third party development costs including consultants and outside services,, and allocations of overhead and occupancy costs. In 2023, these costs amounted to $4.83 million, an increase from $4.36 million in 2022.

Software Development Costs

Costs incurred to develop computer software to be sold or otherwise marketed are charged to expense until technological feasibility of the product has been established. Once technological feasibility has been established, computer software development costs (consisting primarily of internal labor costs) are capitalized and reported at the lower of amortized cost or estimated realizable value. Purchased software development cost is recorded at cost. When a product is ready for general release, its capitalized costs are amortized on a product-by-product basis. The annual amortization is the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life (a period of three to five years) of the product. Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in the cost of revenues line on the statements of operations.  If the future revenue of a product is less than anticipated, impairment of the related unamortized development costs could occur, which could impact the Company’s results of operations. Amortization expense on software development costs included in costs of revenues for 20212023 and 2020 was 2022 were $7,262 and $43,572 for both periods., respectively. The amount of unamortized capitalized software costs as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020 was approximately $51,0002022 were zero and $94,000,$7,262, respectively.

39

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are charged to sales and marketing as incurred. The Company incurred $13,62723,827 and $19,86331,146, in advertising costs during 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method under ASC 740 which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

43



SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included in the cost of revenues in the statement of operations.

40

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Net IncomeEarnings (Loss) Per Share

The basic computation of earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period presented in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings Per Share”. The computation of diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the common stock equivalents which would arise from the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding using the treasury stock method and the average market price per share during the period. Common stock equivalents are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation when their effect is anti-dilutive. 

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

 

            
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2021 2020 2023 2022
Numerator:        
Net income (loss) $4,466,257 $(3,278,601) $(1,919,154) $86,931 
Net income (loss) allocated to restricted stock award  (380,547)  188,375        (8,820)
Adjusted net income (loss) for basic earnings per share $4,085,710 $(3,090,223) $(1,919,154) $78,111 
Convertible note interest  175,876              
Adjusted net income (loss) before interest for diluted earnings per share $4,261,586 $(2,571,114) $(1,919,154) $78,111 
        
Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing net income (loss) per share:                
Basic  6,991,194  6,036,310  7,230,074   7,184,847 
Dilutive impact of stock compensation awards
Fully diluted  8,923,487  6,036,310  7,230,074   7,532,924 
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common stockholders:                
Basic $0.58 $(0.51) $(0.27) $0.01 
Fully diluted $0.48 $(0.51) $(0.27) $0.01 

 

In 2021,2023, the shares used in computing diluted net loss per share do not include 1,151,114 stock options, 991,199 shares of unvested restricted stocks, 50,000 warrants, and 2,152,934 shares for convertible notes as their effects are anti-dilutive. In 2022, the shares used in computing diluted net income per share do not include 691,125342,765 dilutive stock options andthat were out of the money under the treasury stock method approach, along with 844,976 shares of unvested restricted stocksstocks. Furthermore, 958,904 shares for convertible notes are excluded as their anti-dilutive effects, stemming from the effect is anti-dilutive. In 2020,convertible note interest exceeding the shares used in computing diluted net lossearnings per share do not include 2,437,006 dilutive stock options and shares of restricted stocks, nor 1,047,945 dilutive conversion shares as the effect is anti-dilutive given the Company’s loss.share.

 

44

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company has incentive plans that reward employees with stock options and shares of restricted stocks. The amount of compensation cost for these stock-based awards is measured based on the fair value of the awards as of the date that the awards are issued.grant date. The fair values of stock options are generally determined using a binomial lattice valuation model which incorporates assumptions about expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, and expected life. Compensation cost for stock-based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is usually the service period.

 

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief executive officer in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

 

The Company operates in the mobile barcode scanning and RFID reader/writer market. Mobile scanning typically consists of mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, with mobile scanning peripherals for data collection, and third-party vertical applications software. The Company distributes its products in the United States and foreign countries primarily through distributors and resellers. The Company markets its products primarily through application providers whose applications are designed to work with Company’s products.

 

41

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenues for the geographic areas for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 are as follows:

 

         
  Years Ended December 31,
Revenues: (in thousands) 2021 2020
   United States $17,455  $12,137 
   Europe  3,493   2,209 
   Asia and rest of world  2,251   1,354 
 Total $23,199 $15,700

        
  Years Ended December 31,
Revenues: (in thousands) 2023 2022
   United States $12,539  $15,765 
   Europe  2,426   2,612 
   Asia and rest of world  2,069   2,861 
   Total $17,034  $21,238 

 

Export revenues are attributable to countries based on the location of the Company’s customers. The Company does not hold long-lived assets in foreign locations.

 

Major Customers

Customers who accounted for at least 10% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 were as follows:

          
  Years Ended December 31,
  2021 2020
Ingram Micro, Inc.  30%  31%
BlueStar, Inc. 23%  23%
ScanSource, Inc.  11%  *
*Customer accounted for less than 10% of the Company’s total revenues 

45
     
  Years Ended December 31,
  2023 2022
Ingram Micro Inc. 22% 26%
BlueStar, Inc. 22% 24%
ScanSource, Inc. 14% 11%
*Customer accounted for less than 10% of total revenues

 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards 

In December 2019,June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - SimplifyingNo. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments," which changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU replaces the Accounting"incurred loss" approach with an "expected loss" model for Income Taxes, which simplifiesinstruments measured at amortized cost. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, contract assets, loans and other instruments, entities are now required to use a new forward-looking "expected loss" model that generally will result in the accountingearlier recognition of allowances for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of ASC 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Depending on the amendment, adoption may be applied on a retrospective, modified retrospective, or prospective basis.losses. The Company adoptedbegan reporting on topics required by ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021 and it2016-13 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The adoption did not have ana material impact on the Company's financial statements. position or results of operations.

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards setting bodies that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, management believes that all other recently issued accounting standards are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

 

 

NOTE 2 — Acquisition of Intangible Assets

On February 26,In 2021, the Company entered into the 2021 Technology Transfer Agreement with SpringCard SAS (“SpringCard”). SpringCard is, a market leader at the forefront of innovative electronic design and development. Its contactless and wireless solutions support a wide range of customers, ranging from large internationalmultinational corporations to locally focused companies.

Under the 2021 Technology Transfer Agreement, the Company acquired an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, worldwide, unlimited, unrestricted, royalty-free, fully paid-up right and license to SpringCard’s Contactless Technology Package for use in the Company’s Contactless Reader/Writer products, D600 and S550. SpringCard received 184,332 sharesbusinesses. As of the Company’s common stock, subject to a collar, and a 10-year warrant to purchase up to an aggregate of 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at the price of $10.85 per share in four equal lots of 12,500 shares each, with each lot exercisable on or after January 1st of 2022,December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively, until the expiration date of the warrant. The common stock was issued on March 29, 2021. The fair value of intangible assets acquired is based on the closing stock price of $7.65 on March 29, 2021. On April 20, 2021, the Company agreed to pay SpringCard the sum of $192,293 to resolve all issues that have arisen due to clerical issues in the implementation of the 2021 Technology Transfer Agreement. The Company and SpringCard both agreed that, with this payment, the Company shall have no further financial obligation to SpringCard under the 2021 Technology Transfer Agreement.

The Condensedour Balance Sheets includereflect the intangible assets of the acquired technology at thea net carrying amount net of amortization of $1,813,9611,559,369 as of December 31, 2021., after accumulated amortization.

46

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The SpringCard intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives of fifteen years on a straight-line basis, which commenced on April 1, 2021. The estimatedanticipated future amortization of these intangible assets as of December 31, 2023, is as follows:

 

Fiscal Year Amount
 2022  $127,296 
 2023   127,296 
 2024   127,296 
 2025   127,296 
 Thereafter   1,304,777 
 Total   $1,813,961
   
Fiscal Year Amount
 2024   127,296 
 2025   127,296 
 2026   127,296 
 2027   127,296 
 2028   127,296 
 Thereafter   922,889 
 Total   $1,559,369 

42

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 3 — Bank Financing Arrangements

The Company initially entered into a Business Financing Agreement with Western Alliance Bank (the “Bank”), an Arizona corporation, on February 27, 2014, and this agreement has been amended and extended through the years.

 

Seventh Financing Agreement

On January 8, 2020, the Company entered into the Seventh Business Financing Modification Agreement with the Bank which extended the maturity date of the Company’s revolving line of credit to January 31, 2022.

Eighth Financing Agreement

On August 28, 2020, the Company entered into the Eighth Business Financing Modification Agreement and Consent with the Bank. The Bank consented to the issuance of subordinated debt in an amount less than $2,000,000, at an annual interest rate of less than 10%, such debt maturing in no sooner than 3 years.

Amended and Restated Business Financing Agreement

On January 29, 2021,, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Business Financing Agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) with the Bank. The Financing Agreement increased the Company’s Domestic Line of Credit to $3.0 million, including a $2.0$2.0 million revolving facility and a $1.0$1.0 million nonformula loan. The $1.0 million nonformula loan was enrolled in the CalCap Collateral Support Program (the “CalCap Loan”) and advanced on February 16, 2021. The Company will make a principal reduction payment of $125,000, plus all accrued but unpaid interest on the 30th day of each of April, July, October and January. The Financing Agreement also extended the maturity date of both the Domestic Line of Credit and EXIM Line of Credit to January 31, 2023.2023.

 

First Business Financing Modification Agreement

On February 9, 2022, the Company entered intoand the Bank executed the First Business Financing Modification Agreement withAgreement. Under the Bank. Theterms of the agreement, the Bank consented to the share repurchase program of up to $1.8 million. Future auditAdditionally, the Bank will now conduct future audits of accounts receivables will be performed once every twelve months.receivable annually. The Bank increasedhas also raised the credit limit for business credit cards to $250,000.

 

47

Defaults

 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.On January 25, 2023, the Company entered into the Second Business Financing Modification Agreement and Waiver of Defaults with the Bank which extended the maturity date of the Company’s revolving lines of credit to January 31, 2025.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Amounts outstanding under the CalCap Loan asThird Business Financing Modification Agreement and Waiver of December 31, 2021 are as follows:Defaults

 

   
  December 30, 2021
Current portion of CalCap Loan $500,000 
Long-term portion of CalCap Loan  125,000 
CalCap Loan $625,000

On May 26, 2023, the Company entered into the Third Business Financing Modification Agreement, Waiver of Defaults and Consent with the Bank. Under the terms of the agreement, the Bank agreed to waive the default resulting from the Company’s failure to meet the minimum adjusted EBITDA requirement in the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Additionally, the Bank granted its consent for the issuance of additional subordinated debt in May 2023.

 

Waiver of Defaults

On October 30, 2023, the Company entered into the Waiver of Default with the Bank. As part of the agreement, the bank waived the default resulting from the Company’s failure to meet the minimum adjusted EBITDA requirement in the quarter ended September 30, 2023.

 

Interest expense on the CalCap Loan for twelve months ended December 31, 20212022 was $36,302.$19,355. Accrued interest payable related to the amounts outstanding under the CalCap Loan as of December 31, 20212022 was $1,858.$372.

 

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, total repayment of the term loan, initiated in March 2018 (the “Term Loan”), was $333,333. The total amount borrowed under the domestic and international lines of credit was $5,630,000 and the total repayment was $7,042.449.

Interest expense on the Term Loan for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $6,152. Interest expense on the amounts drawn under the Company’s bank credit lines during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $20,461. There were no amounts borrowed at year end on the Company’s bank credit lines as of December 31, 20212023 and December 31, 2020.2022.

43

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 4 — Secured Subordinated Convertible Notes Payable

On August 31, 2020, the Company completed a secured subordinated convertible note financing of $1,530,000,$1,530,000, including $1,350,000$1,350,000 from officers, directors, and family members. Because the Financing involved such parties related to the Company, a special committee of the Board comprising the Board’s disinterested directors approved the Financing.

 

The funds raised are used to increase the Company’s working capital balances. The notes have a three-year term that accrueaccrues interest at 10% per annum and mature on August 30, 2023. The interest on the notes is payable quarterly in cash. The holder of each note may require the Company to repay the principal amount of the note plus accrued interest at any time after August 31, 2021. The principal amount of each note is convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.46$1.46 per share, which was the market closing price of the common stock on Friday, August 28, 2020, the closing date of the financing. The notes did not contain a beneficial conversion feature because the conversion price is higher than the market closing price on the date of the notes payable. The notes are secured by the assets of the Company and are subordinated to amounts outstanding under the Company’s working capital bank line of credit with Western Alliance Bank.

Total issuance costs associated with the financing isare $96,515, and the costs are presented inon the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the notes payable balance of $1,530,000$1,530,000 as a contra-liability. The issuance costs are amortized over three years, the term of the notes payable, and the amortization expense is reported as interest expense. The amortization of debt discount was $33,091 and $11,030 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The remaining debt discount of $55,152 will be amortized through August 30, 2023.

48

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Total interest expenses recognized related to the convertible note were $174,842 and $62,172 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

During the year ended December 31,In 2021, two noteholders elected to convert note principal of $130,000 into shares of the Company’s common. Therefore, the outstanding notes payment balance is $1,400,000.

On November 16, 2022, the Company and the requisite holders of the outstanding notes entered into a Secured Subordinated Convertible Note Extension Agreement (the “Extension Agreement”), extending the maturity date of the notes from August 30, 2023 to August 30, 2024. All other terms and conditions of the notes remain in full force and effect.

The amortization of debt discount was $25,473 and $33,091 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

On May 26, 2023, the Company completed a secured subordinated convertible note financing of $1,600,000. The proceeds from the Financing are used to increase the Company’s working capital balances. The secured subordinated convertible notes have a three-year term and will mature on May 26, 2026. The interest rate on the Notes is 10% per year, payable quarterly in cash. The holder of each Note may require the Company to repay the principal amount of the Note plus accrued interest at any time after May 26, 2024. The Notes are secured by the assets of the Company and are subordinated to the Company’s debts with Western Alliance Bank, its senior lender. The principal amount of each Note is convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock $0.001 par valueat a conversion price of $1.34 per share. Failure to pay the principal payment or any interest payment (with 5 days delinquency) when due are events of default under the Notes. The Company filed and caused to be declared effective pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in June 2023 a Registration Statement to provide for resales of the shares atof Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the conversion price.Notes.

44

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Total interest expenses recognized related to the convertible note were $262,102 and $173,091 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

NOTE 5 — Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease Obligations

The Company leases office space under a non-cancelable operating lease that provides the Company approximately 37,100 square feet in Newark, California. The lease agreement expires on June 30, 2022.

In February 2022, the Company entered into a 87-month lease agreement for approximately 35,913 square feet at 40675 Encyclopedia Circle in Fremont, CA. The new space is approximately 35,913 square feet and will serveCalifornia. This location serves as the location for the Company’s new Corporate Headquarters, including office space and manufacturing. The base monthly rent in the amount of $50,278, subject to annual increases of 3%.

The Company will accountaccounted for thisthe lease as an operating lease under ASC 842. 842 using the bank loan interest rate in effect on May 1, 2022 at 5.0% to discount future lease payments. The lease term expires on July 31, 2029, with a one-time option to renew for a period of five years. The renewal period is not included in the measurement of the leases as the Company is not reasonably certain of exercising it.

In June 2020,July 2022, the Company also signed a new two-year equipment operating lease agreement. The Company pays $1,519 in monthly installments from Septemberagreement and the future lease payments are discounted at the interest rate of 2020 through June5.5%.

As of December 31, 2023, the balances of right-of-use assets and liabilities were approximately $3.09 million and $3.29 million, respectively, compared to approximately $3.56 million and $3.74 million, respectively, on December 31, 2022.

 

The operating lease expense under the existing agreement was allocated in cost of goods sold and operating costs based on department headcount and amounted to $428,873648,434 and $418,909646,821 for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively.

On December 31, 2021, the balances of right-of-use assets and liabilities for the existing operating leases were approximately $210,839 and $258,097, respectively, compared to approximately $609,331, and $741,351, respectively, on December 31, 2020.

 

Cash payments included in the measurement of our existing operating lease liabilities were $515,822622,243 and $478,461517,174 for the twelve-month periods ended December 30, 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively.

 

Future minimum lease payments under the existing operating lease as of December 31, 20212023 are shown below:

 

      
Annual minimum payments: Amount Amount
2022  262,789 
2024  636,861 
2025  652,883 
2026  672,470 
2027  692,644 
2028  713,423 
Thereafter  425,646 
Total minimum payments  262,789   3,793,927 
Less: Imputed interest  (4,692)
Less: Present value factor  (501,894)
Total operating lease liabilities  258,097   3,292,033 
Less: Current portion of operating lease  (258,097)  (483,161)
Long-term portion of operating lease $   $2,808,872 

45

 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Purchase Commitments

On December 31, 2021,2023, the Company’s non-cancelable purchase commitments for inventory to be used in the ordinary course of business during 20222024 were approximately $11,911,0005,821,000.

 

49

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Legal Matters

The Company is subject to disputes, claims, requests for indemnification and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Under the indemnification provisions of the Company’s customer agreements, the Company routinely agrees to indemnify and defend its customers against infringement of any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights arising from customers’ legal use of the Company’s products or services. The exposure to the Company under these indemnification provisions is generally limited to the total amount paid for the indemnified products. However, certain indemnification provisions potentially expose the Company to losses in excess of the aggregate amount received from the customer. To date, there have been no claims against the Company by its customers pertaining to such indemnification provisions, and no amounts have been recorded. The Company is currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.

NOTE 6 — Stock-Based Compensation Plan

Stock-Based Compensation Program

The Company has one share-based compensation plan in effect in the two years presented: the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The 2004 Plan providesallows for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, and performance awards to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. Upon ratification of the 2004 Plan by the shareholders in June 2004, shares in the 1995 Plan that had been reserved but not issued, as well as any shares issued that would otherwise return to the 1995 Plan as a result of termination ofStock options or repurchase of shares, were added to the shares reserved for issuance under the 2004 Plan. The Company grants incentive stock options and restricted stockare granted at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stocks are granted at zero cost. The vesting and exercise provisions are determined by the Board of Directors, with a maximum term of ten years. The termination date of 2004 Plan expires onwas approved to extend from April 23, 2024.2024 to April 23, 2034 at our annual meeting of shareholders in June 2022.

 

The 2004 Plan providesallows for an annual increase in the number of shares authorized under the plan to be added on the first day of each fiscal year equal to the least amount of 400,000 shares, 4% of the outstanding shares on that date, or an amount as determined by the Board of Directors. On January 1, 20212024 and 2020,2023, a total of 244,105293,445 and 240,707283,587 additional shares, respectively, became available for grant from the 2004 Plan.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Information

The stock-based compensation expense included in the Company’s statements of income for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, consisted of the following:

 

         
  Years Ended December 31,
Income Statement Classification 2021 2020
  Cost of revenues $96,254  $86,649 
  Research and development  218,559   137,537 
  Sales and marketing  166,266   121,802 
  General and administrative  212,346   161,063 
 Stock-based compensation expenses $693,425 $507,051

         
  Years Ended December 31,
Income Statement Classification 2023 2022
  Cost of revenues $137,116  $119,456 
  Research and development  358,632   313,904 
  Sales and marketing  295,704   251,862 
  General and administrative  364,930   313,470 
    Stock-based compensation expenses $1,156,382  $998,692 

 

 5046 

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense was $1,843,981$1,922,788 and is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 3.22.4 years.

 

Stock Options – Stock option awards have an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant, expire in ten years from the date of grant and vest over a four-year period at 25% per year. The Company calculates the value of each stock option grant, estimated on the date of grant, using binomial lattice option pricing model. No stock options were granted in 2023. The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during 2021 and 20202022 was $4.46 and $0.501.74, respectively, using the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

           
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2021 2020 2023 2022
Risk-free interest rate (%)  1.64%  0.68%       3.22%
Dividend yield                    
Volatility factor  102.26%  43.62%       105.44%
Expected option life (years)  3.9   7.4   —     2.0 

The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant; the dividend yield is calculated as the ratio of dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of grant; the expected life is based on historical and expected exercise behavior; and volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected life of the option.

 

The table below presents the information related to stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020:2022:

 

           
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2021 2020 2023 2022
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised $9,985,639  $167,882  $(11,982) $164,176 
Cash received from stock option exercises $1,899,561  $168,065  $212,815  $151,749 

47

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following summarizes stock option activity under the 2004 Plan as of and for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020:2022:

 

                
  Outstanding Options
  

 

Number

of Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price Per Share

   Remaining Contractual Term
(in years)
   

 

 

Intrinsic
Value

 
Balance as of December 31, 2019 2,392,786  $2.40         
 Granted 37,000  $1.08         
 Exercised (100,239) $1.68         
 Canceled (334,741) $2.84         
Balance as of December 31, 2020 1,994,806  $2.42         
 Granted 182,000  $6.39         
 Exercised (782,633) $2.43         
 Canceled (16,051) $2.41         
Balance as of December 31, 2021 1,378,122  $2.81   4.50  $2,174,052 
Exercisable 1,027,508  $2.36   9.92  $1,824,936 
Unvested 350,614  $4.16   9.83  $349,116 

51

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

      
   Outstanding Options
   

Number

of Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price Per Share 

   Remaining Contractual Term
(in years)
   

Intrinsic
Value

 
 Balance as of December 31, 2021 1,378,122  $2.81         
    Granted 49,000  $3.03         
    Exercised (106,190) $1.43         
    Canceled (24,210) $3.12         
 Balance as of December 31, 2022 1,296,722  $2.93         
    Granted     $           
    Exercised (138,909) $1.53         
    Canceled (6,698) $1.46         
 Balance as of December 31, 2023 1,151,115  $3.11   4.75  $8,210 
 Exercisable 1,068,449  $2.88   4.50  $8,210 
 Unvested 82,666  $6.08   7.58  $0 

 

Stock options outstanding as of December 31, 20212023 are summarized below:

 

                      
    Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable
 

 

Range of

Exercise

Prices

  

 

Number of

Options Outstanding

   Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)   

 

Weighted

Average Exercise Price

   

 

Number of Options Exercisable

   

 

Weighted Average Exercise Price

 
 $0.95. - $1.25  226,438   2.67  $1.07   218,730  $1.07 
 $1.50 - $1.90  217,825   5.50  $1.84   169,826  $1.84 
 $2.00 - $2.32  359,196   6.50  $2.29   246,921  $2.28 
 $2.36 - $2.75  149,475   5.08  $2.61   145,725  $2.61 
 $2.92 - $2.93  116,824   6.25  $2.93   101,650  $2.93 
 $3.70 - $4.49  126,365   5.25  $4.08   126,365  $4.08 
 $5.00 - $8.58  182,000   9.92  $6.39   18,292  $6.47 
 $0.95 - $8.58  1,378,123   4.50  $2.81   1,027,509  $2.36 
                    
   Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise

Prices

  

Number of

Options Outstanding

   Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)   

Weighted

Average Exercise Price 

   

Number of Options Exercisable

   

Weighted Average Exercise Price

$0.95 - $1.25  86,000   2.92  $1.09   86,000  $1.09
$1.59 - $1.90  147,825   3.33  $1.87   147,825  $1.87
$2.00 - $2.32  329,196   4.92  $2.30   329,196  $2.30
$2.40 - $2.75  138,775   3.42  $2.63   138,775  $2.63
$2.93 - $2.95  106,991   4.75  $2.93   104,658  $2.93
$3.05 - $4.22  160,253   4.50  $3.82   153,253  $3.85
$4.49 - $8.58  182,075   7.42  $6.39   108,742  $6.34
$0.95 - $8.58  1,151,115   4.75  $3.11   1,068,449  $2.88

As of December 31, 2021, the remaining unamortized stock option compensation expense was $839,317 and is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 3.66 years.

Restricted stock – The Company issues restricted stocks to employees and consultants and holds shares of such stock in escrow until the shares vest on the schedule of 15% after year one, 20% after year two, 25% after year three and 40% after year four, subject to the employees and consultants being a continuing service provider on the vesting dates. If the service or employment is terminated, unvested shares revert to the Company. Shares are registered at grant, so share owners may vote at the annual stockholder meeting. Shares of restricted stocks are granted at zero cost basis. Compensation cost of the shares of restricted stocks issued by the Company is recognized on a straight-line basis over the 4-year vesting period.

 

52

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following summarizes information related to restricted stock activity under the 2004 Plan for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020:2022:

 

    
 Number of
Restricted
Stocks
 Weighted
Average
Price Per Share
Unvested as of December 31, 2019  110,071  $1.94 
   Granted  392,680  $1.50 
   Vested  (17,306) $1.94 
   Forfeited  (43,245) $1.65 
Unvested as of December 31, 2020  442,200  $1.58 
   Granted  312,112  $2.89 
   Vested  (59,659) $1.65 
   Forfeited  (48,528) $2.00 
Unvested as December 31, 2021  646,125  $3.32 
    
 Number of Restricted Stocks Weighted
Average
Price Per Share
 Unvested as of December 31, 2021  646,125  $2.18 
    Granted  330,700  $3.82 
    Vested  (111,719) $2.11 
    Forfeited  (20,130) $2.29 
 Unvested as of December 31, 2022  844,976  $2.84 
    Granted  463,720  $2.30 
    Vested  (286,062) $2.02 
    Forfeited  (31,435) $2.66 
 Unvested as December 31, 2023  991,199  $2.83 

48

As of December 31, 2021, the remaining unamortized restricted stock compensation expense was $1,004,664 and is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.83 years.SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 7 — Shares Reserved

Common stock reserved for future issuance was as follows:

 

            
 December 31, December 31,
 2021 2020 2023 2022
Stock option grants outstanding (see Note 6)  1,378,122   1,994,806   1,151,115   1,296,722 
Secured subordinated convertible notes (see Note 4)  958,904   1,047,945   2,152,934   958,904 
Stock warrants issued to SpringCard SAS (see Note 2)  50,000      50,000   50,000 
2004 Equity Incentive Plan  208,681   393,351 
Reserved for future grants  459,950   453,798 
  2,595,707   3,436,102   3,813,999   2,759,424 

 

NOTE 8 — Retirement Plan

The Company has a tax-deferred savings plan, the Socket Mobile, Inc. 401(k) Plan (“401(k) Plan”), for the benefit of qualified employees. The 401(k) Plan is designed to provide employees with an accumulation of funds at retirement. Qualified employees may elect to make contributions to the 401(k) Plan on a monthly basis. Effective September 1, 2019, themonthly. The Company started to provideprovides a match to employees’ 401(k) savings at 3% of employees’ contribution, up to $100 per month. For the years ended December 31,2023 and 2022, total company matching contributions amounted to $50,950 and $49,200, respectively. Administrative expenses relating to the 401(k) Plan are not significant.

 

NOTE 9 — Income Taxes

The Company's entire pretax income / (loss) for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and December 31, 20202022 was from its U.S. domestic operations.

53

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The components of income taxes for the periods ended December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 are as follows:

 

           
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2021 2020 2023 2022
Current:        
Federal $    $(55,676) $  $ 
State       4,918       
Total Current       (50,758)      
Deferred:                
Federal  (1,354,991)       (967,300)  (313,000)
State  (547,738)       (476,700)  (395,000)
Total Deferred  (1,902,729)      $(1,444,000) $(708,000)
Income tax (benefit) expense $(1,902,729) $  
Income tax benefit $(1,444,000) $(708,000)

49

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company's effective tax rate is as follows:

 

           
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
 2021 2020 2023 2022
Income at US statutory rate  21.0%  21.0%  21.0%  21.0%
State taxes, net of federal benefit  -11.2%  -1.9%  13.9%  62.6%
Goodwill impairment  0.0%  -27.9%
PPP loan forgiveness  0.0%  6.7%
Valuation allowance  0.7%  2.4%  0.5%  18.1%
Stock compensation  -50.2%  -1.8%  -0.8%  -11.2%
NOL true up  -1.2%  0.0%
Tax credits  -2.5%  1.0%  0.3%  -21.1%
Other  -2.2%  -0.5%  8.6%  44.8%
Provision for taxes  45.6%  0%  42.8%  114.1%

 

The principal components of deferred tax assets and (liabilities) are as follows for the period ended:

 

         
  December 31,
Deferred tax assets: 2021 2020
  Net operating loss carryforwards $6,390,000  $4,330,000 
  Tax credits  1,032,000   948,000 
  Amortization       37,000 
  Accruals & reserves  786,000   560,000 
  Lease liabilities  70,000   200,000 
  Depreciation  167,000   140,000 
  Share-based compensation  154,000      
     Total deferred tax assets  8,599,000   6,215,000 
  Valuation allowance  (577,000)  (545,000)
     Net deferred tax assets  8,022,000   5,670,000 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
  Amortization  3,000     
  ROU assets  59,000  163,000
Net deferred tax asset (liability) $7,960,000 $5,507,000

54

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         
  December 31,
Deferred tax assets: 2023 2022
  Net operating loss carryforwards $6,201,000  $5,906,000 
  Tax credits  891,000   901,000 
  Accruals & reserves  1,118,000   951,000 
  Lease liabilities  920,000   1,043,000 
  Depreciation  12,000   45,000 
  Share-based compensation  229,000   190,000 
  Capitalized Research Costs  2,078,000   1,105,000 
     Total deferred tax assets  10,449,000   10,141,000 
  Valuation allowance  (446,000)  (464,000)
     Net deferred tax assets  11,003,000   9,677,000 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
  Amortization  (29,000)  (11,000)
  ROU assets  (864,000)  (996,000)
Net deferred tax asset (liability) $10,110,000  $8,670,000 

 

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had U.S. federalFederal net operating loss carryforwards of $25.221.7 million which includes $19.8$16.0 million that expire at various dates from 20232025 through 2033, and $5.4$6.8 million that have an unlimited carryforward period. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of $15.723.6 million that will expire at various dates from 2029 through 2041. 2040.

 

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had U.S. federalFederal research and development credit carryforwards of $1.2 0.4million that begin to expire at various dates through 2041.2043. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company had state research and development credit carryforwards of $1.20.6 million that have an unlimited carryforward period.

 

50

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2021,2023, the Company is in a net deferred tax asset position before valuation allowance.position. The deferred tax assets consist principally of net operating loss carryforwards. The future realization of the tax benefits from existing temporary differences and tax attributes ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income. In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company also considers past operating results, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. As of December 31, 2021,2023, after consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, the Company continues to maintain a full valuation allowance against the Company’sCompany's deferred tax assets related tofor U.S. federalFederal R&D tax credits because they are more likely than not to expire unused. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 was an increase of less than $0.1 million and a decrease of less than $0.1 million,$200,000 for both years, respectively.

On August 9, 2022 and August 16, 2022, the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) were signed into law by the US President, respectively. The new legislation contains many tax provisions, however none had an impact to the Company's financials.

  

The future realization of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes may also be limited by the change in ownership rules under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (“Section 382”).382. Under Section 382, if a corporation undergoes an ownership change (as defined in Section 382)defined), the corporation’s ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes to offset income may be limited. The Company has not completed a study to assess whether an ownership change has occurred or whether there have been multiple ownership changes.

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company's unrecognized tax benefits:

 

  Amount     
Balance as of January 1, 2020 $1,019,000 
 Amount
Balance as of January 1, 2021 $1,153,000 
Increases (decreases) for current year tax provisions  77,000   23,000 
Increases (decreases) for prior year tax provisions  (32,000)  (160,000)
Decreases for expiration of statute of limitations  —     —   
Settlements  —     —   
Balance as of December 31, 2020  1,064,000
Balance as of December 31, 2022  1,016,000 
Increases (decreases) for current year tax provisions  115,000   24,000 
Increases (decreases) for prior year tax provisions  (26,000)  (31,000)
Decreases for expiration of statute of limitations  —     —   
Settlements  —     —   
Balance as of December 31, 2021 $1,153,000
Balance as of December 31, 2023 $1,009,000 

 

55

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in California, and is therefore subject to tax examination by twocouple taxing authorities. The Company is not currently under examination, and is not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its tax positions. To the extent the Company has tax attribute carryforwards, the tax years in which the attribute was generated may still be adjusted upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities to the extent utilized in a future period. As of December 31, 2021,2023, the tax years from 20182020 to present remain open to examination by relevant taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. However, to the extent the Company utilizes net operating losses from years prior to 2018,2020, the statute remains open to the extent of the net operating losses or other credits that are utilized.

51

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The calculation and assessment of the Company's tax exposures generally involve the uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations for federal and state jurisdictions. A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation, on the basis of the technical merits. As of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, the Company had 1,153,000 $1.0 million and $1,064,0001.0, million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. Of the $1.2$1.0 million as ofat December 31, 2021, $1.22023, $1.0 million if recognized would affectimpact the effective tax rate. In addition, the Company believes it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits will not change significantly within the next twelve months. As of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, the Company has not accrued any interest and penalties related to its uncertain tax positions. The Company has elected to recognize accrued interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in tax expense in its financial statements.

 

NOTE 10 — Subsequent Events

In January 2022,Other than described below, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $1.8 million. The Company has entered into a share repurchase arrangement with adid not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the audited financial institution during the trading window.statements.

 

In February 2022, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for an approximately 35,913 square foot facility in Fremont, California where it will move its office and manufacturing operations. The lease agreement is for a base term of 87 months and a monthly rent obligation of $50,278.20, subject to annual increases of 3%. The lease commences on May 1, 2022 and the Company is provided with three months of free rent.441,750

On February 1, 2022, 233,800 shares of restricted stocks at a weighted average price of $3.77$1.09 per share have been granted from the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan subsequent to December 31, 2021.2023. The shares include annual refresher grants to all continuing employees with a weighting reflecting the level of responsibility and performance of the employee and initial grants to threetwo newly hired employees.

 

As of March 25, 2022, theThe Company has issued 24,20025,000 shares of common stock for the exercise of stock options.

 

 5652 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose 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 Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

We assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.2023. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued in 2013. This assessment included review of the documentation of controls, testing of operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this assessment.

 

Based on our assessment using those criteria, we believe that, as of December 31, 2021,2023, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.

53

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which exempts non-accelerated filers from Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

57

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

 

Not applicable.

 

 5854 

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information required hereunder is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on JuneMay 15, 2022.2024.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required hereunder is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on JuneMay 15, 2022.2024.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Certain information required hereunder is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on JuneMay 15, 2022.2024.

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 20212023 about our common stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans. For additional information about the stock-based compensation plans see Note 6, Stock-Based Compensation Plan, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K .

 

  

 

Number of

securities to be issued

upon exercise of

outstanding options

 

 

 

Weighted average

exercise price of

outstanding options

 

Number of securities

remaining available

for future issuance

under equity

compensation plans

       

Equity compensation plans approved

by security holders (1)

 

 

1,378,122

 

 

$ 2.81

 

 

208,681

  

Number of

 

securities to be issued

 

upon exercise of

 

outstanding options

 

 

Weighted average

 

exercise price of

 

outstanding options

 

 

Number of securities

 

remaining available

 

for future issuance

 

under equity

 

compensation plans

 

       

Equity compensation plans approved

 by security holders (1)

 

 

1,151,114

 

 

$ 3.11

 

 

459,950

 

(1)Consists of the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan. Pursuant to an affirmative vote by security holders in June 2004, an annual increase in the number of shares authorized under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan is added on the first day of each fiscal year equal to the least of (a) 400,000 shares, (b) four percent of the total outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock on that date, or (c) a lesser amount as determined by the Board of Directors. As a result, a total of 287,355293,445 shares became available for grant under the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan on January 1, 2022,2024, in addition to those set forth in the table above.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Certain information required hereunder is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on JuneMay 15, 2022.2024.

59

 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Certain information required hereunder is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on JuneMay 15, 2022.2024.

 

55

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

 

1.All financial statements.

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE
Report of Sadler Gibb, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ((PCAOB ID No: 3627)3029
Balance Sheets3331
Statements of Income3432
Statements of Stockholders' Equity3533
Statements of Cash Flows3634
Notes to Financial Statements3735

 

2.Financial statement schedules.

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not required or because the required information is included in the financial statements or notes herein.

 

3.Exhibits.

See Index to Exhibits on page 61.58. The Exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this report.

 

(b) Exhibits:

 

See Index to Exhibits on page 61.58. The Exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this report.

 

 6056 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  SOCKET MOBILE, INC.
  Registrant
   
Date: March 30, 202225, 2024 /s/ Kevin J. Mills
  Kevin J. Mills
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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

 

/s/ Kevin J. Mills
Kevin J. Mills
 



President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

 March 30, 202225, 2024
/s/ Charlie Bass
Charlie Bass
 Chairman of the Board March 30, 202225, 2024
/s/ Lynn Zhao
Lynn Zhao
 

Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and Director

 March 30, 202225, 2024
/s/ Bill Parnell
Bill Parnell
 Director March 30, 2022
/s/ Brenton E. MacDonald.25, 2024
Brenton E. MacDonald
DirectorMarch 30, 2022
/s/ David W. Dunlap
David W. Dunlap
DirectorMarch 30, 2022
/s/ Ivan Lazarev
Ivan Lazarev
 Director March 30, 202225, 2024
/s/ Laura Weinstein
Laura Weinstein
DirectorMarch 25, 2024
/s/ Giacomo Marini
Giacomo Marini
DirectorMarch 25, 2024

 6157 

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit Number

Description



3.1 (1)Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

3.2Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate, as filed June 20, 20132013.

 

3.3 (2)Bylaws, as amended February 17, 2008.

 

4.1 (3)Form of Secured Subordinated Convertible Note issued August 31, 2020.

 

10.1 (4)*Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and its directors and officers.

 

10.2 (5)*

2004 Equity Incentive Plan and forms of agreement thereunder.

 

10.3 (6)*

Form of Management Incentive Variable Compensation Plan between the Company and certain eligible participants.

10.4 (7)

Standard Industrial/Commercial Multi-Tenant Lease by and between Del Norte Farms, Inc. and the Company dated October 24, 2006 (assigned to Newark Eureka Industrial Capital, LLC September 17, 2007).

10.5 (8)

Second Amendment to Standard Industrial/Commercial Multi-Lessee Lease – Net dated August 3,30, 2010.

10.6 (9)

Third Amendment to Standard Industrial/Commercial Multi-Tenant Lease – Net dated December 28, 2012.

 

10.7 (10)

Warrants for the Purchase of Shares of Common Stock Issued November 19, 2010 to the Investor and the Placement Agent in connection with a private placement.

 

10.8 (11)

Loan and Security Agreement dated February 27, 2014 by and between the Company and Bridge Bank, National Association.

10.9 (12)

Form of Employment Agreement dated May 1, 2017 between the Company and the officers of the Company.

 

10.10 (13)

Business Financing Modification Agreement dated February 26, 2016 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

 

62

10.11 (14)

Business Financing Modification Agreement dated March 20, 2017 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

58
 

10.12 (15)

Business Financing Modification Agreement dated January 31, 2018 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

 

10.13 (16)

Tender Offer Statement to purchase up to 1,250,000 shares of common stock at a price not greater than $4.25 nor less than $3.75 per share.

 

10.14 (17)

Business Financing Modification Agreement dated June 4, 2018 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

 

10.15 (18)

Business Financing Modification Agreement dated January 8, 2020 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

 

10.16 (19)

Amended and Restated Business Financing Agreement dated January 29, 2021 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

 

10.17First Business Financing Modification Agreement dated February 9, 2022 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.
10.18 (20)Second Business Financing Modification Agreement and Waiver of Defaults dated January 25, 2023 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.

10.19 (21)2021 Technology Transfer Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2021, by and between the Company and SpringCard SAS.

SAS
10.20 (22)Secured Subordinated Convertible Note Extension Agreement, effective as of November 16, 2022

 

10.21Third Business Financing Modification Agreement and Waiver of Defaults dated May 26, 2023 by and between the Company and Western Alliance Bank, an Arizona corporation.
10.22 (23)Secured Subordinated Convertible Note Extension Agreement, effective as of May 26, 2023.
11.1Computation of Earnings per Share (see Statements of Operations in Item 8).

 

14.1 (21)(24)Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

  

23.1Consent of Sadler Gibb & Associates, LLC, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
59
 

31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

   

101Inline XBRL Document.

 

104Cover Page Interactive Data File.

_________

* Executive compensation plan or arrangement.

 

(1)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009

 

63

(2)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2008.

 

(3)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 1, 2020.

 

(4)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2012.

 

(5)Incorporated by reference to Appendix C filed with the Company’s Form DEF 14A filed on April 29, 2004 and Item 4 on Form 8-K filed on June 5, 2013 reporting extension of the Plan to April 23, 2024.

 

(6)Incorporated by reference to Appendix B filed with the Company’s Form DEF 14A filed on March 16, 2011.

 

(7)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2006.

 

(8)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 30, 2010.

 

(9)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2013.

 

(10)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2010.

 

(11)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2014.
60
 

(12)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2017.

 

(13)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2016.

 

(14)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2017.

 

64

(15)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2018.

 

(16)Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Schedule TO filed on February 2, 2018.

 

(17)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2018.

 

(18)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2020.

 

(19)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2021.

(20)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2023.
(21)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2021.

(21)(22)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2022.
(23)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K filed on May 30, 2023.
(24)Incorporated by reference to exhibits filed with the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2006.