UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.__)
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
Amesite Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other
than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
AMESITE INC.
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214
Detroit, Michigan 48226
October 28, 2022
NOTICE OF 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on December 15, 2022
Dear Stockholder:
We are pleased to invite you
to attend the annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Amesite Inc. (the “Company”), which will
be held on December 15, 2022 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time.
Due to the continuing public
health impact of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and to support the health and well-being of our employees and stockholders, the Annual
Meeting will be held in a virtual-only meeting format at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022.
In addition to voting by submitting
your proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically during the Annual Meeting. Further details
regarding the virtual meeting are included in the accompanying proxy statement. At the Annual Meeting, the holders of our outstanding
common stock will act on the following matters:
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1. |
Election of two Class II Directors to hold office until successors are duly elected and qualified or until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; |
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2. |
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; and |
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To transact such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
Our board of directors has
fixed October 27, 2022 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND:
To be admitted to the Annual
Meeting, which is being held virtually, you must have your control number available and follow the instructions found on your proxy card
or voting instruction form. You may vote during the Annual Meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during
the meeting. Please allow sufficient time before the Annual Meeting to complete the online check-in process. Your vote is very important.
If you have any questions
or need assistance voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, Robert V. Johnson of Carideo Group:
Strategic Stockholder Advisor and Proxy Solicitation
Agent
7754 Lochmere Terrace, Minneapolis, MN 55439
Phone Number:
952-426-0479
Email: info@carideogroup.com
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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October 28, 2022 |
/s/ Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
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Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual
Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote your shares at your earliest convenience. This will ensure the presence of a quorum at the Annual
Meeting. Promptly voting your shares will save the Company the expenses and extra work of additional solicitation. An addressed envelope
for which no postage is required if mailed in the United States is enclosed if you wish to vote by mail. Submitting your proxy now will
not prevent you from voting your shares at the Annual Meeting if you desire to do so, as your proxy is revocable at your option. Your
vote is important, so please act today!
AMESITE INC.
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700PMB 214
Detroit, Michigan 48226
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE
2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held on December 15, 2022
The board of directors of
Amesite Inc. (“Amesite” or the “Company”) is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on December 15, 2022, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time, in a virtual format online by accessing
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022, and at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement contains
information relating to the Annual Meeting. This year’s Annual Meeting of stockholders will be held as a virtual meeting. Stockholders
attending the virtual meeting will be afforded the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting.
You will be able to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting online via a live webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022.
In addition to voting by submitting your proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically during
the Annual Meeting.
We intend to begin mailing
the attached notice of the Annual Meeting, the enclosed proxy card, and a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2022 on or about November 7, 2022 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders who
owned our common stock on October 27, 2022 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
AMESITE INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT
AND VOTING
What is a proxy?
A proxy is the legal designation
of another person to vote the stock you own. That other person is called a proxy. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written
document, that document is also called a proxy or a proxy card. By completing, signing and returning the accompanying proxy card, you
are designating Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Mark Corrao, Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
as your proxies for the Annual Meeting and you are authorizing such proxies to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting as you have instructed
on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual
Meeting, we urge you to vote in one of the ways described below so that your vote will be counted even if you are unable or decide not
to attend the Annual Meeting.
What is a proxy statement?
A proxy statement is a document
that we are required by the regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to give you when
we ask you to sign a proxy card designating Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark Corrao as proxies to vote on your behalf.
Why did you send me this proxy statement?
We sent you this proxy statement
and the enclosed proxy card because our board of directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement
summarizes information related to your vote at the Annual Meeting. All stockholders who find it convenient to do so are cordially invited
to attend the Annual Meeting virtually. However, you do not need to attend the meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete,
sign and return the enclosed proxy card or vote over the Internet or by phone.
We intend to begin mailing
the attached notice of Annual Meeting, the enclosed proxy card, and a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2022 on or about November 7, 2022 to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders who
owned our common stock on October 27, 2022 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
What does it mean if I receive more than one
set of proxy materials?
If you receive more than one
set of proxy materials, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please complete, sign, and return
each proxy card to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be
held on December 15, 2022, at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time in a virtual format online by accessing www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022.
Information on how to vote in person at the Annual Meeting is discussed below.
Who is entitled to vote?
The board of directors has
fixed the close of business on October 27, 2022 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. On the Record Date, there were 30,300,305
shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Each share of common stock represents one vote that may be voted on each proposal that
may come before the Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between holding shares
as a record holder and as a beneficial owner (holding shares in street name)?
If your shares are registered
in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are the “record holder” of those
shares. If you are a record holder, these proxy materials have been provided directly to you by the Company.
If your shares are held in
a stock brokerage account, a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares held
in “street name”. If your shares are held in street name, these proxy materials have been forwarded to you by that organization.
The organization holding your account is considered to be the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As the
beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct this organization on how to vote your shares. See “How Will my Shares be Voted
if I Give No Specific Instruction?” below for information on how shares held in street name will be voted without instructions provided.
Who may attend the Annual Meeting?
Only record holders and beneficial
owners of our common stock, or their duly authorized proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. If your shares of common stock are held in
street name, you will need to provide a copy of a brokerage statement or other documentation reflecting your stock ownership as of the
Record Date.
What am I voting on?
There are three matters scheduled for a vote:
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Election of two Class II Directors to hold office until successors are duly elected and qualified or until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and |
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2. |
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. |
What if another matter is properly brought
before the Annual Meeting?
The board of directors knows
of no other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the
Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the person named in the accompanying proxy to vote on those matters in accordance with his best
judgment.
How do I vote?
MAIL |
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INTERNET |
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PHONE |
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ONLINE AT THE MEETING |
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Mailing your signed proxy card or voter instruction card. |
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Using the Internet before the Meeting at:
www.proxyvote.com |
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By calling:
1-800-690-6903 |
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You can vote during the Meeting at:
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022 |
Stockholders of Record
If you are a registered stockholder,
you may vote by mail, phone or online at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions above. You also may submit your proxy by mail
by following the instructions included with your proxy card. The deadline for submitting your proxy by Internet is 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time on December 14, 2022. Our board of directors’ designated proxies, Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark Corrao, will vote your shares
according to your instructions. If you attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, you also will be able to vote your shares electronically
at the Annual Meeting up until the time the polls are closed.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street
Name
If you are a street name holder,
your broker or nominee firm is the legal, registered owner of the shares, and it may provide you with materials in connection with the
Annual Meeting. Follow the instructions on the materials you receive to access our proxy materials and vote or to request a paper or email
copy of our proxy materials. The materials include a voting instruction card so that you can instruct your broker or nominee how to vote
your shares. Please check the voting instruction card or contact your broker or other nominee to determine whether you will be able to
deliver your voting instructions by Internet in advance of the meeting and whether, or if you attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting,
if you will be able to vote your shares electronically at the meeting up until the time the polls are closed.
All shares entitled to vote
and represented by a properly completed and executed proxy received before the Annual Meeting and not revoked will be voted at the Annual
Meeting as instructed in a proxy delivered before the Annual Meeting. We provide Internet proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares
online, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware
that you must bear any costs associated with your Internet access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone
companies.
How many votes do I have?
On each matter to be voted
upon, you have one vote for each share of common stock you own as of the close of business on the Record Date.
Is my vote confidential?
Yes, your vote is confidential.
Only the inspector of elections, individuals who help with processing and counting your votes and persons who need access for legal reasons
will have access to your vote. This information will not be disclosed, except as required by law.
What constitutes a quorum?
To carry on business at the
Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum. A quorum is present when a majority of the shares entitled to vote, as of the Record Date, are
represented in person or by proxy. Thus, 15,150,153 shares must be represented in person or by proxy to have a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank
or other nominee) or if you vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum
requirement. Shares owned by the Company are not considered outstanding or considered to be present at the Annual Meeting. If there is
not a quorum at the Annual Meeting, either the chairperson of the Annual Meeting or our stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
may adjourn the Annual Meeting to a future date as allowed under applicable law.
How will my shares be voted if I give no specific
instruction?
We must vote your shares as
you have instructed. If there is a matter on which a stockholder of record has given no specific instruction but has authorized us generally
to vote the shares, they will be voted as follows:
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1. |
“For” the election of two Class II Directors to hold office until successors are duly elected and qualified or until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
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“For” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. |
This authorization would exist,
for example, if a stockholder of record merely signs, dates and returns the proxy card but does not indicate how such shares are to be
voted on one or more proposals. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting and you do not provide specific voting instructions,
your shares will be voted at the discretion of Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Mark Corrao, the board of directors’ designated proxies.
If your shares are held in
street name, see “What is a broker non-vote?” below regarding the ability of banks, brokers and other such holders of record
to vote the uninstructed shares of their customers or other beneficial owners in their discretion.
How are votes counted?
Votes will be counted by the
inspector of election appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will separately count, for the election of directors, “For”, “Withhold”
and broker non-votes; and, with respect to the other proposals, votes “For” and “Against,” abstentions and broker
non-votes. Broker non-votes will not be included in the tabulation of the voting results of any of the proposals and, therefore, will
have no effect on such proposals.
What is a broker non-vote?
A “broker non-vote”
occurs when shares held by a broker in “street name” for a beneficial owner are not voted with respect to a proposal because
(1) the broker has not received voting instructions from the stockholder who beneficially owns the shares and (2) the broker lacks the
authority to vote the shares at their discretion.
Our common stock is listed
on The Nasdaq Capital Market. However, under current New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules and interpretations that govern
broker non-votes: (i) Proposal No. 1 for the election of directors is considered a non-discretionary matter, and a broker will lack the
authority to vote uninstructed shares at their discretion on such proposal, and (ii) Proposal No. 2 for the ratification of the appointment
of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm is considered a discretionary matter, and a broker will
be permitted to exercise its discretion to vote uninstructed shares on the proposal. Because NYSE rules apply to all brokers that are
members of the NYSE, this prohibition applies to the Annual Meeting even though our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
What is an abstention?
An abstention is a stockholder’s
affirmative choice to decline to vote on a proposal. Under Delaware law, abstentions are counted as shares present and entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting. Generally, unless provided otherwise by applicable law, our Bylaws (“Bylaws”) provide that an action
of our stockholders (other than for the election of directors) is approved if a majority of the number of shares of stock entitled to
vote thereon and present (either in person or by proxy) vote in favor of such action. Therefore, abstentions will have no effect with
respect to Proposal 2.
How many votes are required to approve each
proposal?
The table below summarizes
the proposals that will be voted on, the vote required to approve each item, and how votes are counted:
Proposal |
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Votes Required |
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Voting
Options |
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Impact
of
“Withhold”
or
“Abstain”
Votes |
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Broker
Discretionary
Voting
Allowed |
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors |
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The plurality of the votes cast. This means that the nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. |
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“FOR”
“WITHHOLD” |
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None(1) |
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No(3) |
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Proposal No. 2: Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) at the Annual Meeting by the holders entitled to vote thereon. |
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“FOR”
“AGAINST”
“ABSTAIN” |
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None(2) |
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Yes(4) |
(1) |
Votes that are “withheld” will have the same effect as an abstention and will not count as a vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” a director, because directors are elected by plurality voting. |
(2) |
A vote marked as an “Abstention” is not considered a vote cast and will, therefore, not affect the outcome of this proposal. |
(3) |
As this proposal is not considered a discretionary matter, brokers lack authority to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. |
(4) |
As this proposal is considered a discretionary matter, brokers are permitted to exercise their discretion to vote uninstructed shares on this proposal. |
What are the voting procedures?
In voting by proxy with regard
to the election of directors, you may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold your votes as to all nominees, or withhold your votes as
to specific nominees. With regard to other proposals, you may vote in favor of or against the proposal, or you may abstain from voting
on the proposal. You should specify your respective choices on the accompanying proxy card or your vote instruction form.
Is my proxy revocable?
You may revoke your proxy
and reclaim your right to vote at any time before your proxy is voted by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company by delivering
a properly completed, later-dated proxy card or vote instruction form or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. All written notices
of revocation and other communications with respect to revocations of proxies should be addressed to: Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street,
Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attention: Secretary. Your most current proxy card or Internet proxy is the one that will
be counted.
Who is paying for the expenses involved in
preparing and mailing this proxy statement?
All of the expenses involved
in preparing, assembling and mailing these proxy materials and all costs of soliciting proxies will be paid by us. In addition to the
solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by our officers and other employees by telephone or in person. Such persons will receive
no compensation for their services other than their regular salaries. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such persons, and
we may reimburse such persons for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding solicitation materials. We have retained
Carideo Group as our strategic stockholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the
Annual Meeting. If you have any questions or require any assistance with completing your proxy, please contact Carideo Group by telephone
at 952-426-0479, or by email at info@carideogroup.com.
Do I have dissenters’ rights of appraisal?
Stockholders do not have appraisal
rights under Delaware law or under Amesite’s governing documents with respect to the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
How can I find out the results of the voting
at the Annual Meeting?
Preliminary voting results
will be announced at the Annual Meeting. In addition, final voting results will be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K that we expect
to file with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file
a Form 8-K with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Form 8-K to publish preliminary results
and, within four business days after the final results are known to us, file an amended Form 8-K to publish the final results.
PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board
Size and Structure
Our
Certificate of Incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Bylaws provide that our business is to be managed under
the direction of our board of directors. Our board of directors is required to consist of not less than one director.
Our
board of directors currently consists of seven directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the number of directors on our
board of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution adopted by our board of directors. The board of directors, by resolution adopted
at a meeting of the board of directors held on November 23, 2020, set the number of directors at 7, effective on the date of the Annual
Meeting. The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as
possible. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the board of directors.
At the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be
elected for a full term of three years. At the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the Class III directors shall
expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of
office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding
annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose
terms expire at such annual meeting. Each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his
or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall shorten
the term of any incumbent director. Our board of directors met eleven times during the year ended June 30, 2022. All members of our board
of directors attended at least 75% of board and applicable committee meetings during the year ended June 30, 2022.
When
considering whether directors have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable our board of directors
to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the board of directors focuses primarily
on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual
biographies set forth below. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and
nature of our business.
Except
as otherwise provided by the DGCL, pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the board of directors or any individual director
may be removed from office only for cause at a meeting of stockholders called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of voting stock
of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Nominees for Election
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Barbie Brewer have been nominated by the board of directors to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting. If
elected by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting, Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. and Barbie Brewer will serve for a term expiring at the annual
meeting to be held in 2025 (the “2025 Annual Meeting”) and the election and qualification of their successors or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal.
Each
person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and management has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable
to serve. If, however, prior to the Annual Meeting, the board of directors should learn that any nominee will be unable to serve for any
reason, the proxies that otherwise would have been voted for this nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee as selected by the board
of directors. Alternatively, the proxies, at the discretion of the board of directors, may be voted for that fewer number of nominees
as results from the inability of any nominee to serve. The board of directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable
to serve.
Information About
Board Nominees
The
following pages contain certain biographical information for the nominees for director, including all positions currently held, their
principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which such nominee
currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years.
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. –Chief
Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Board of Directors
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D. (55) has served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the board of directors since our incorporation
in November 2017. A biographical summary for Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. is included in the section titled “Executive Officers”.
Barbie Brewer - Director
Ms.
Brewer (46) has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2019. Ms. Brewer has been the Chief People Officer of Marqeta,
Inc., since February 2019. From May 2017 to present, Ms. Brewer has also been the founder and CEO of TNT Consulting LLC, a consulting
firm that advises early-stage growth companies. From September 2017 to February, 2019, Ms. Brewer was the Chief Culture Officer of GitLab
Inc., an information technology and services company that uses open-source software to create a single application that covers the entire
DevOps lifecycle. From 2011 through 2017, Ms. Brewer served as the Vice President of Human Resources at Netflix, where she led human resources
for Netflix’s product innovation, engineering/development, business development and digital supply chain organizations, managing
a team that supported over 1,500 employees. Prior thereto, from April 2008 to January 2011, Ms. Brewer worked as a Vice President of Human
Resources at Sportvision, a leading provider in sports entertainment products and data solutions. From 2000 through 2007, Ms. Brewer worked
at Cisco as the Human Resources Manager. She also has certifications in Situational Leadership and Project Management. Ms. Brewer received
a bachelor’s degree in communications and business from Santa Clara University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She also holds
a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from George Washington University. We believe that Ms. Brewer’s management
experience qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Information About
Board Members Not Currently up for Election
The
following pages contain certain biographical information for board members not currently up for election, including all positions currently
held, their principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which
such nominee currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years.
J. Michael Losh – Director
Mr. Losh (76) has
served as a member of our board of directors since February 2018. Mr. Losh served as the Chief Financial Officer at Cardinal Health from
July 2004 to May 2005. Mr. Losh was with General Motors from 1964 to 2000. He served as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President of General Motors Corp., from July 1994 to August 2000. He is a Director at Aon PLC (NYSE: AON) (2003-present) and a Director
at Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) (1996 to 2009 and 2018 to 2021). Mr. Losh has served as a director of AMB Corp., Care Fusion Inc.,
Electronic Data Systems Corp., Delphi Automotive Systems Corp., Hughes Electronics, Quaker Oats Company, TRW Automotive Inc., HB Fuller
Co, and Prologis, Inc. He served as Chairman of the boards of GMAC, Metaldyne Corp, and Masco Corp. (NYSE: MAS). Mr. Losh holds a B.S.
in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. We believe that Mr. Losh’s public company
experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Richard T. Ogawa - Director
Mr. Ogawa (60) has served
as a member of our board of directors since February 2018. From 2013 to 2021, Mr. Ogawa served as General Counsel of Inphi Corporation, responsible
for overseeing legal matters as well as corporate, intellectual property, and government affairs. Mr. Ogawa is a Registered United States
Patent Attorney and a Member of the California State Bar with more than 25 years of experience specializing in technology companies. Prior
to Inphi, he was a Partner at Townsend and Townsend, a law firm focused on intellectual property. He is the founder and owner of Ogawa
Professional Corporation, his own law firm, focusing on venture backed startup companies. He also previously served as General Counsel
for Soraa Laser Diode, Inc., a venture funded company by Khosla Ventures, and MCube, Inc. a venture funded company by Kleiner Perkins
Caufield & Byers. He has also held a variety of engineering and management positions at NEC Electronics. He is a Charter Member of
the Indus Entrepreneur Group (TIE) and had been a member of the boards of the Asian Law Alliance, American Intellectual Property Law Association,
and others. Mr. Ogawa also served as a Partner Member for Technology Group 2800 of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He received
a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis in 1984, and a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law, University of
Pacific in 1991. We believe that Mr. Ogawa’s experience as an attorney and his patent expertise qualifies him to serve on our board
of directors.
Anthony M. Barkett - Director
Mr. Barkett (57) has served
as a member of our board of directors since February 2018. Mr. Barkett is a California-based real estate developer. He holds Bachelor
of Arts degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles, as well as a Juris Doctor degree
from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Mr. Barkett practiced law from 1994-2003 specializing in land use, affordable
housing and government relations. He is currently the managing member of several limited liability companies which developed and now own
and manage commercial real estate in California, Arizona and Hawaii. He is the managing member of Oliveto, LLC which farms and manages
olive and walnut orchards in Linden, CA. He is the CEO of Trinity Solar and managing member of Affordable Energy Partners, LLC which built
and still owns and manages solar systems throughout CA. In 2013 he was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to the California Citizens Compensation
Commission, a State commission that sets compensation for the legislature. He is a board member and has been for 17 years of the Downtown
Stockton Alliance which is a property owner based 501(c)(3) organized to promote and restore downtown Stockton. He is also a political
consultant for Stockton East Water District and has held this position for 20 years. In 2016, he was a co-founder of Ready to Work a 501(c)(3)
corporation formed to help homeless and previously incarcerated men get paid work, job training and permanent housing. Additionally, Mr.
Barkett was appointed as a Commissioner to the Port of Stockton and is also a board member of Aspire Public Schools. We believe that Mr.
Barkett’s non-profit experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. - Director
Dr. Omenn (81) has served
as a member of our board of directors since March 2020. Prior to his appointment as a member of the board of directors, Dr. Omenn served
on our board of advisors. Dr. Omenn is the Harold T. Shapiro Distinguished University Professor of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics,
Internal Medicine, Human Genetics, and Public Health at the University of Michigan. Dr. Omenn brings decades of public-company board experience,
including 27 years with Amgen, Inc, (NASDAQ: AMGN) and 22 years with Rohm & Haas Company. He was Dean of the University of Washington
School of Public Health & Community Medicine (1982-1997) and then Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the University of
Michigan and CEO of the UM Health System (1997-2002). In addition, he was a White House Fellow at the Atomic Energy Commission (1973-1974),
Associate Director of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget (1977-1981), on
the advisory council for the AAAS “Project 2061: Science for all Americans” (1986-1996), chair of the Presidential/Congressional
Commission on Risk Assessment & Risk Management (1994-1997), President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS, 2006), member of the Scientific Management Review Board for the NIH (2012-2014), member of the Council of the National Academy
of Medicine (NAM, 2015-2017), and currently a member of the Policy & Global Affairs Committee of the National Academies. He is
a director of Angion Biomedica and of Galectin Therapeutics. We believe that Dr. Omenn’s public company, academic, science
education, and healthcare experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
George Parmer - Director
George Parmer (83) has served
as a member of our board of directors since November 2020. George sits on the board of Linkbancorp, Inc., is the former Chairman of the
Board of Trustees at Messiah University in Pennsylvania. He is the founder and president of residential home building and development
company Fine Line Homes, which has developments along the east coast from New York to North Carolina. He is also the founder and president
of nationwide company Residential Warranty Corporation and three insurance companies located in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Texas. We
believe that Mr. Parmer’s business and leadership experience qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.
Board Diversity Matrix (October 28, 2022) |
Total Number of Directors |
|
7 |
|
|
Female |
|
Male |
|
Non-Binary |
|
Did Not Disclose
Gender |
Part I: Gender Identity |
Directors |
|
2 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
Part II: Demographic Background |
African American or Black |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alaskan Native or Native American |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asian |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Hispanic or Latinx |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
White |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
Two or More Races or Ethnicities |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LGBTQ+ |
|
|
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
|
|
Information Concerning the Board and Corporate
Governance
Board Leadership Structure
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. has
served as our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the board of directors since our incorporation in November 2017. We believe
that this structure is the most effective governance framework for us and our stockholders at this time because it allows our Company
to benefit from Dr. Sastry’s talent, knowledge, and leadership as the founder of Amesite, and allows her to use the in-depth focus
and perspective gained in running the Company to effectively and efficiently lead our board of directors. As Dr. Sastry has experience
with advising boards of directors and senior management with respect to management and other business aspects, she is particularly well-suited
to serve as Chairman.
We recognize that different
board leadership structures may be appropriate for companies in different situations. We will continue to re-examine our corporate governance
policies and leadership structures on an ongoing basis to ensure that they continue to meet the Company’s needs.
Role in Risk Oversight
Management is responsible
for managing the risks that we face. The board of directors is responsible for overseeing management’s approach to risk management
that is designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational
performance and enhance stockholder value. The involvement of the full board of directors in reviewing our strategic objectives and plans
is a key part of the board of directors’ assessment of management’s approach and tolerance to risk. A fundamental part of
risk management is not only understanding the risks a company faces and what steps management is taking to manage those risks, but also
understanding what level of risk is appropriate for us. In setting our business strategy, our board of directors assesses the various
risks being mitigated by management and determines what constitutes an appropriate level of risk for us.
Stockholder Communications to the Board of
Directors
Stockholders wishing to submit
written communications directly to the board of directors, or a specified director, should send their communications to Secretary, Amesite
Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, addressed to the entire board of directors or to such specified director. All stockholder
communications will be considered by the independent members of our board of directors. Items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities
of the board of directors may be excluded, such as:
|
● |
junk mail and mass mailings; |
|
|
|
|
● |
resumes and other forms of job inquiries; |
|
|
|
|
● |
surveys; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
solicitations or advertisements. |
In addition, any material
that is unduly hostile, threatening, or illegal in nature may be excluded, provided that any communication that is filtered out will be
made available to any independent director upon request.
Director or Officer Involvement in Certain
Legal Proceedings
Except as set forth herein,
the Company’s directors, executive officers and director nominees were not involved in any legal proceedings described in Item 401(f)
of Regulation S-K during the past ten years. Further, there are no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of
the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of any class of voting securities of the Company, or any associate
of any such director, officer, affiliate of the Company, or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
The Company has directors’
and officers’ liability insurance insuring its directors and officers against liability for acts or omissions in their capacities
as directors or officers, subject to certain exclusions. Such insurance also insures the Company against losses, which it may incur in
indemnifying its officers and directors. In addition, officers and directors also have indemnification rights under applicable laws, and
the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Director Independence
The
listing rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that independent directors must comprise a majority of a listed company’s board
of directors. In addition, the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed
company’s audit, compensation, and nominating and governance committees be independent. Audit committee members must also satisfy
the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Under the rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion
of that company’s board of directors, that person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent
judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.
The
Company’s board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of the Company’s directors and director nominees
and considered whether any director has a material relationship that could compromise their ability to exercise independent judgment in
carrying out their responsibilities. Based upon information requested from and provided by each director concerning his background, employment
and affiliations, including family relationships, the board of directors has determined that each of Anthony M. Barkett, Barbie Brewer,
J. Michael Losh and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., currently representing four of the Company’s seven directors, are “independent”
as that term is defined under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market.
In making these determinations, the board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director
has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances the board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including
the beneficial ownership of the Company’s capital stock by each non-employee director, and any transactions involving them described
in the section captioned “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”.
Prohibited Transactions
Directors and executive officers
may not hedge Company securities and, subject to limited exceptions, may not pledge Company securities as collateral for any loan. Other
restrictions are detailed in the Company’s Insider Trading Compliance Program which is available at https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_6be070def9601c6df66acdbe1d988118/amesite/db/525/4557/file/AMST_Insider_Trading_Compliance_Program.pdf.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act requires our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of ownership
and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely on copies of these reports provided to us and written representations that no other
reports were required, we believe that these persons timely met all of the applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2022, with the exception of the following: (i) George Parmer filed two late reports on Form 4 covering two transactions,
(ii) Anthony Barkett filed two late reports on Form 4 covering four transactions, (iii) Mark Corrao filed one late report on Form 3 covering
no transactions, (iv) Barbie Brewer filed one late report on Form 4 covering one transaction, (v) Michael J. Losh filed one late report
on Form 4 covering one transaction, (vi) Richard Ogawa filed one late report on Form 4 covering one transaction, and (vii) Gilbert S.
Omenn filed one late report on Form 4 covering one transaction.
Board Committees
In September 2020, the board
of directors established an audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees, each of which are comprised of the
members and have the responsibilities described below. Each of the below committees has a written charter approved by the Company’s
board of directors, which are available on the Company’s website at https://ir.amesite.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents.
Each of the committees reports to the Company’s board of directors as such committee deems appropriate and as the Company’s
board of directors may request.
The composition and functions
of each committee are described below.
Name |
|
Independent |
|
Audit |
|
Compensation |
|
Corporate
Governance and
Nominating
Committee (1) |
Anthony M. Barkett |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
Barbie Brewer |
|
X |
|
|
|
X* |
|
X |
J. Michael Losh |
|
X |
|
X* |
|
|
|
X |
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
| * | Chairperson of the committee |
| (1) | Our independent directors perform the Nominating and Corporate
Governance function. |
Audit Committee
The
audit committee is currently comprised of Anthony M. Barkett, J. Michael Losh and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. Mr. Losh serves as the
chairperson of the audit committee. The Company’s board of directors has determined that each member of the audit committee meets
the requirements for independence and financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards
of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The Company’s board of directors has also determined that Mr. Losh is an “audit committee financial
expert” as defined in the rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the listing standards
of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The responsibilities of the audit committee include, among other things:
|
● |
selecting and hiring the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements; |
|
● |
overseeing the performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and taking those actions as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the accountants are independent of management; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing financial statements and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the Company’s annual audited and quarterly financial statements, the results of the independent audit and the quarterly reviews, and the reports and certifications regarding internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls; |
|
|
|
|
● |
preparing the audit committee report that the SEC requires to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, as may be required; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the Company’s policies on risk assessment and risk management, including risk related to cybersecurity; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing related party transactions; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
approving or, as required, pre-approving, all audit and all permissible non-audit services and fees to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. |
The
Company’s audit committee operates under a written charter which satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the
listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The audit committee met four times during the year ended June 30, 2022.
Compensation Committee
The
Company’s compensation committee is currently comprised of Anthony M. Barkett, Barbie Brewer and Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. Ms.
Brewer serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee. The Company’s board of directors has determined that each member
of the compensation committee meets the requirements for independence under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and listing
standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market. Each member of the compensation committee is a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act. The purpose of the compensation committee is to oversee the Company’s compensation policies,
plans and benefit programs and to discharge the responsibilities of the Company’s board of directors relating to compensation of
its executive officers. The responsibilities of the compensation committee include, among other things:
|
● |
reviewing and approving or recommending to the board of directors for approval compensation of the Company’s executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing and recommending to the board of directors for approval the compensation of directors; |
|
|
|
|
● |
overseeing the Company’s overall compensation philosophy and compensation policies, plans and benefit programs for service providers, including the Company’s executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
● |
reviewing, approving and making recommendations to the Company’s board of directors regarding incentive compensation and equity plans; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
administering the Company’s equity compensation plans. |
The
compensation committee met one time during the year ended June 30, 2022. In addition, the Company engaged Willis Towers Watson to serve
as a compensation consultant in fiscal year 2021, and to advise on executive and director compensation. Any recommendations from Willis
Towers Watson will not be implemented until at least fiscal year 2023, if at all, as such recommendations will apply to fiscal year 2023
compensation. The engagement of Willis Towers Watson did not raise any conflicts of interest.
The Role of Management in the Compensation-Setting
Process
Management’s role in
the compensation-setting process, includes the following:
|
● |
to establish the operating
budget approved by the board of directors, which forms the basis for evaluating corporate achievements and the achievements of the
divisions our Named Executive Officers manage that are taken into consideration when evaluating compensation levels for Named Executive
Officers; and |
|
● |
to make recommendations to the Compensation Committee on salary levels and stock option and restricted stock awards (or RSUs). |
Management also prepares information
for each Compensation Committee meeting. Our Chief Executive Officer also participates in committee meetings at the request of the Compensation
Committee to provide, among other things:
|
● |
background information regarding the Company’s strategic objectives; and |
|
● |
their evaluation of the performance of the Named Executive Officers, including accomplishments, and areas of strength and weakness. |
Corporate Governance and Nominating
The
independent directors of the Company’s board of directors are responsible for reviewing, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics,
skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. The independent directors of the Company’s
board of directors, in evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members) and recommending
candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, consider
many factors, including the following:
|
● |
diversity of personal and professional background, perspective and experience; |
|
|
|
|
● |
personal and professional integrity, ethics and values; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience in corporate management, operations or finance, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company, and a general understanding of marketing, finance and other elements relevant to the success of a publicly-traded company in today’s business environment; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience relevant to the Company’s industry and with relevant social policy concerns; |
|
|
|
|
● |
experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly held company; |
|
|
|
|
● |
relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area of the Company’s operations; |
|
● |
practical and mature business judgment, including ability to make independent analytical inquiries; |
|
|
|
|
● |
promotion of a diversity of business or career experience relevant to the Company’s success; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
any other relevant qualifications, attributes or skills. |
Currently, the independent
directors evaluate each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that
can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity
of experience in these various areas.
The independent directors
consider stockholder nominees made in accordance with our bylaws, and evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner
as all other candidates brought to the attention of the independent directors. Stockholder recommendations may be submitted to the independent
directors in care of the Secretary at the address set forth under “Stockholder Communications to the Board of Directors.”
Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation
None
of the Company’s executive officers serves, or in the past has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee,
or other committee serving an equivalent function, of any entity that has one or more executive officers who serve as members of the Company’s
board of directors or its compensation committee. None of the members of the Company’s compensation committee is, or has ever been,
an officer or employee of the Company.
Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics
The
Company’s board of directors adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to its employees, directors and officers,
in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market. The code of
business conduct and ethics is publicly available on the Company’s website. Any substantive amendments or waivers of the code of
business conduct and ethics may be made only by the Company’s board of directors and will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable
U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of The Nasdaq Capital Market.
Corporate Governance
Guidelines
The
Company’s board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of The
Nasdaq Capital Market.
Director Compensation
The Company accrued or paid
compensation to its directors for serving in such capacity, as shown in the table below. The Company is not aware of any agreements or
arrangements between any director or nominee for director, and any person or entity other than the Company, relating to compensation or
other payment in connection with such person’s candidacy or service as a director of the Company.
Name | |
Fiscal
Year | |
Fees
Earned
or
Paid in
Cash | | |
Stock
Awards | | |
Option
Awards
(1) | | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation | | |
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings | | |
Total | |
Anthony M. Barkett (2) | |
2022 | |
$ | 48,000 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 16,348 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 164,348 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Barbie Brewer (3) | |
2022 | |
$ | 55,500 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 16,348 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 171,848 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
J. Michael Losh (4) | |
2022 | |
$ | 58,000 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 16,348 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 174,348 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Richard T. Ogawa (5) | |
2022 | |
$ | 48,000 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 16,348 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 164,348 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. (6) | |
2022 | |
$ | 48,000 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 16,348 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 164,348 | |
| |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
George Parmer | |
2022 | |
$ | 48,000 | | |
$ | 100,000 | | |
$ | 90,962 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 238,962 | |
| (1) | Amounts shown in this column do not reflect dollar amounts actually
received. Instead, these amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards determined in accordance with FASB
ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are set forth in the notes to our financial statements, which are
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2022. |
| (2) | As of June 30, 2022, Anthony Barkett had 337,101 option awards
outstanding. |
| (3) | As of June 30, 2022, Barbie Brewer had 309,184 option awards outstanding. |
| (4) | As of June 30, 2022, Michael Losh had 418,559 option awards outstanding. |
| (5) | As of June 30, 2022, Richard Ogawa had 635,225 option awards outstanding. |
| (6) | As of June 30, 2022, Gilbert S. Omenn had 225,642 option awards
outstanding. |
On May 22, 2021, the board
of directors adopted a director compensation program for the Company’s independent directors consisting of equity compensation,
beginning in fiscal year 2021. Directors who are also officers do not receive any additional compensation for serving on any board committees.
These programs consist of the following equity compensation for independent directors:
Cash and Equity Compensation
On September 29, 2021, the
board of directors approved changes to our director compensation program for fiscal year 2022 and beyond. The board instituted an annual
cash retainer for our directors in an amount of $48,000, provided that the cash retainer for the chair of our Compensation Committee and
Audit Committee shall also contain an additional retainer of $7,500 and $10,000, respectively. In addition, our directors received an
annual $100,000 restricted stock unit grant, which will vest on the one-year anniversary of grant. Cash and equity payments for director
service are paid on a quarterly basis.
Finally, our board of directors
adopted a Deferred Fee Plan for our non-employee directors pursuant to which directors may defer all or a portion of their total cash
compensation into deferred stock units which will be payable to them on the earlier of, their departure from the board or a change in
control. Directors make an annual election before the start of the calendar year regarding what portion of cash compensation will be
deferred for the subsequent calendar year.
Interests of Executive Officers and Directors
in this Proposal
Except for our current director
nominees, our executive officers, directors and associates of our executive officers, directors and director nominees do not have any
substantial interest, direct or indirect, in this proposal.
Required Vote of Stockholders
A plurality of the votes cast
at the Annual Meeting is required to elect a nominee as a director.
Board Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously
recommends a vote “FOR” the election of Ann Marie Sastry and Barbie Brewer as directors of the Company.
PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our board of directors has
selected Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.
Deloitte has audited our financial statements since the Company’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. A representative of Deloitte
is expected to be available at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
Although stockholder approval
of the selection of Deloitte is not required by law, our board of directors believes it is advisable to give stockholders an opportunity
to ratify this selection. If this proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, the board of directors may reconsider its selection
of Deloitte.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
Deloitte acted as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and for the interim periods in such fiscal years.
The following table shows the fees that were incurred by the Company for audit and other services provided by Deloitte for the years ended
June 30, 2022 and 2021.
| |
Years Ended June 30, | |
| |
2022 | | |
2021 | |
Audit Fees (a) | |
$ | 155,000 | | |
$ | 140,000 | |
Audit-Related Fees (b) | |
$ | 9,912 | | |
| 2,533 | |
Tax Fees (c) | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Other Fees (d) | |
$ | 110,450 | | |
$ | 53,000 | |
Total | |
$ | 275,362 | | |
$ | 195,533 | |
(a) |
Audit fees include fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, the review of its financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the independent registered accounting firm for statutory and regulatory filings or engagements in the indicated fiscal year. |
(b) |
Audit-related include the fees for assurance and related services by the independent registered accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the company’s financial statements. |
(c) |
Tax fees represent fees for professional services related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. |
(d) |
Other fees represent fees for any other products and services provided by the independent registered accounting firm, including those related to our filing of certain registration statements. |
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
All services described under
“Audit-Related Fees” and “Other Fees” above rendered by Deloitte were pre-approved by the Company’s board
of directors. The board of directors has adopted a pre-approval policy that provides for the pre-approval of all services performed for
the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm and management are
required to periodically report to the board of directors regarding the extent of services provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date.
Interests of Executive Officers and Directors
in this Proposal
Our executive officers, directors
and director nominees, and associates of our executive officers, directors and director nominees do not have any substantial interest,
direct or indirect, in this proposal.
Required Vote of Stockholders
The affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting
firm.
Board Recommendation
The board of directors unanimously
recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte as our independent registered public
accounting firm.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following Audit Committee
Report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” deemed “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities
of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s previous filings under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act that might incorporate by reference future
filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Audit Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference
into any such filings.
We have reviewed and discussed
the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 with management and with the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”).
We have discussed with Deloitte
the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”)
and the SEC.
We have received the written
disclosures and the letter from Deloitte required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Deloitte’s communications with
the Audit Committee concerning independence, and we have discussed with Deloitte such firm’s independence from management and the
Company.
Based on the review and discussions
referred to above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements referred to above be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, for filing with the SEC.
The Audit Committee is comprised
of three independent directors (as defined under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2)): J. Michael Losh, Anthony M. Barkett, and Gilbert S.
Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which is available on our website at https://ir.amesite.com/corporate-governance/governance-documents.
|
|
Submitted by the Audit Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
J. Michael Losh – Chairman
Anthony M. Barkett
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D. |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The
table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and other information regarding our executive officers as of date of this proxy
statement. There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position(s) |
|
|
|
|
|
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
|
55 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board |
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Corrao |
|
64 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. - President,
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors
Dr. Sastry has been our President, Chief Executive
Officer, and Chairman since our incorporation in November 2017. From April 2008 to October 2015, Dr. Sastry served as the President, Chief
Executive Officer, member of the board of directors and co-founder of Sakti3, recognized as one of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s
50 Smartest Companies in 2015. Backed by a global team of venture capitalists Sakti3 was sold to Dyson Ltd. in 2015 for $90 million. Dr.
Sastry was invited to the White House in 2015 to be recognized for her technology entrepreneurship, and meet with President Barack Obama.
From October 2015 to November 2017, Dr. Sastry continued on with Dyson as head of the global solid state battery team, focusing on technology
strategy and advancement, staff and organizational growth, and partnership development. Her technology and business work have been featured
in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, the Economist, USA Today, the New York Times and on the cover of Inc.
Prior to starting her companies, Dr. Sastry was
a professor of engineering at the University of Michigan (UM). Dr. Sastry was named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor (UM’s highest
teaching honor) in 2008. Tenured and promoted early, Sastry was recognized with some of the highest honors in her scientific fields over
her 17 year academic career, including the ASME Frank Kreith Energy Award (2011) and NSF’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists
and Engineers (1997). She founded two academic research centers in intracellular signaling (Keck Foundation) and advanced automotive batteries
(GM/Department of Energy), and a global graduate program in Energy Systems Engineering. She has co-authored over 100 publications and
100 patents and filings, and has delivered over 100 invited lectures and seminars globally on a range of scientific and technology topics,
spanning mathematics, physics, bioscience and battery technology. Sastry is active in philanthropy and business mentorship, with a focus
on education and poverty alleviation. She holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Cornell University, and a B.S. degree from the University
of Delaware, all in mechanical engineering. We believe that Dr. Sastry’s experience working with successful companies and her experience
in education qualifies her to serve on our board of directors.
Mark Corrao – Chief Financial
Officer
Mark Corrao has served
as our Chief Financial Officer since December 15, 2021. Mr. Corrao has extensive experience in public accounting, specializing in certified
auditing, SEC accounting, corporate taxation and financial planning. Since 2012, Mr. Corrao has served as the Chief Financial Officer
of Neuropathix, Inc. (OTCQB:NPTX), a drug development company. From 2012 to 2020, Mr. Corrao was a Managing Director of The CFO Squad
LLC, an accounting and consulting services firm, and he currently serves as an advisor to the company. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Corrao served
as the Chief Financial Officer for Brain Scientific, Inc., a medical device company. From 2017 to 2021, Mr. Corrao served as the Chief
Financial Officer for Generex Biotechnology Corporation (OTCQB:GNBT), a drug development company, and its subsidiaries. From 2015 to 2017,
Mr. Corrao served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee for Success Holdings Group International. In 2003, Mr. Corrao founded Strikeforce
Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB:SFOR), a publicly traded software development and services company, serving as the Chief Financial Officer until
2010 and a director until 2013. Mr. Corrao’s background also includes previous experience on Wall Street with Merrill Lynch, Spear
Leeds & Kellogg, and Greenfield Arbitrage Partners.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth
the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 to (i) our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the
two most highly compensated individuals who were not serving as executive officers as of June 30, 2022, and (iii) two additional individuals
for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to prong (ii) but for the fact that they were not serving as an executive officer
as of June 30, 2022 (we refer to these individuals as the “Named Executive Officers”).
Name
and Principal Position | |
Year | | |
Salary | | |
Bonus | | |
Stock
Awards | | |
Option
Awards (1) | | |
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(2) | | |
Total | |
Ann
Marie Sastry, Ph.D., | |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 550,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 550,000 | |
Chief Executive Officer
and President | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 500,549 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 150,000 | | |
$ | 650,549 | |
Mark
Corrao, | |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 21,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
| | |
Chief Financial Officer
(3) | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
| | |
Matthew
Kern, | |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 90,615 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 90,615 | |
Former Chief Financial
Officer (4) | |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 53,304 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 108,996 | | |
$ | 14,027 | | |
$ | 176,327 | |
Jonathan M. Hunkapiller (5) | |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 184,615 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 15,640 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 200,256 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 78,846 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 78,846 | |
Brandon Owens (6) | |
| 2022 | | |
$ | 176,823 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 14,888 | | |
$ | | | |
$ | 191,711 | |
| |
| 2021 | | |
$ | 80,000 | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | - | | |
$ | 80,000 | |
| (1) | Amounts shown in this column do not reflect dollar amounts actually
received. Instead, these amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards determined in accordance with FASB
ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are set forth in the notes to our financial statements, which are
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on September 28, 2022. Mr. Kern received two different awards in 2021.
Upon joining the Company, he received 30,000 options with an exercise price of $5.50 per share and vest over a period of two (2) years,
with 50% shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining 50% vesting over the next twelve (12) months
in twelve (12) equal installments. Mr. Kern received an additional award on May 13, 2021 of 40,000 options with an exercise price of
$2.19 per share and vest over a period of four (4) years, with 25% shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and
the remaining 75% vesting over the next thirty-six (36) months in thirty-six (36) equal installments. Upon termination in fiscal year
2022, Mr. Kern forfeited his 70,000 options since they were not yet vested. |
| (2) | The amounts represent annual cash performance-based bonuses earned
by our named executive officers pursuant to the achievement of certain Company and individual performance objectives in the fiscal year
under the FY2021 Bonus Plan. See “FY2021 Bonus Plan” below. |
| (3) | Mr. Corrao was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer effective December 15, 2021. |
| (4) | Mr. Kern served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer
from February 2021 through December 15, 2021. |
| (5) | Mr. Hunkapiler served as the Company’s Director of Engineering,
Infrastructure from November 30, 2020 through July 27, 2022. |
| (6) | Mr. Owens is the Senior Director, Enterprise Sales effective
November 2, 2020. |
Employment Agreements
Ann Marie Sastry, Chief Executive Officer
On April 27, 2018 Amesite Parent entered into
an Executive Employment Agreement with Dr. Sastry (the “Sastry Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sastry
Employment Agreement, Dr. Sastry is entitled to a $350,000 base salary to be paid in accordance with our regularly established payroll
practice. Additionally, Dr. Sastry received a bonus of $200,000 for the year ended June 30, 2019 based upon achievement of certain performance
milestones (with determination of achievement of such milestones approved by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors). Dr.
Sastry is also eligible to receive other customary benefits, including paid time off, health insurance, and other benefits. Dr. Sastry’s
base salary is reviewed periodically by our board of directors and adjustments may be made upon the recommendations of the Compensation
Committee.
Except in situations where the employment of Dr.
Sastry is terminated for “Cause” (as that term is defined in the Sastry Employment Agreement) or by death, in the event that
we terminate Dr. Sastry’s employment at any time, Dr. Sastry will receive (i) an amount equal to twelve (12) months of the her then-current
base salary, payable in the form of salary continuation (“Severance” and such period, the “Severance Period”)
and (ii) if Dr. Sastry timely elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will pay the cost of continuation coverage for Dr. Sastry
and her eligible family members under the our group health plan until the earlier of (a) the end of the Severance Period, and (b) the
date Dr. Sastry becomes covered under another employer’s group health plan. Dr. Sastry’s eligibility for Severance is conditioned
on Dr. Sastry having first signed a release agreement with us. Executive shall not be entitled to any Severance if Dr. Sastry’s
employment is terminated for Cause or by death or if Dr. Sastry’s employment is terminated by Dr. Sastry without Good Reason (as
defined in the Sastry Employment Agreement).
We entered into an Executive
Agreement, effective June 1, 2020, with Dr. Sastry regarding her continued service as our Chief Executive Officer (the “May 2020
Sastry Agreement”). This agreement replaced and superseded the Sastry Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the May 2020
Sastry Employment Agreement, Dr. Sastry was entitled to a $350,000 base salary (the “Base Salary”) to be paid in accordance
with our regularly established payroll practice, which increased to $550,000 per year upon completion of our initial public offering.
Additionally, Dr. Sastry received 525,000 options to purchase our common stock, and is entitled to receive additional grants of options
each successive year she serves as Chief Executive Officer based on her Base Salary. Dr. Sastry is also eligible to earn an annual bonus
of up to $300,000, based on the achievement of certain performance-based milestones for each fiscal year mutually agreed upon by our
board of directors and/or our Compensation Committee and Dr. Sastry.
Dr. Sastry is also eligible to receive other customary
benefits offered by the Company to its senior executives and directors, including paid time off, retirement benefits, health insurance,
life insurance and other benefits. Dr. Sastry’s base salary is reviewed periodically by our board of directors and adjustments may
be made upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee.
Mark Corrao, Chief Financial Officer
In connection with Mr. Corrao’s appointment
as Chief Financial Officer on December 15, 2021, we entered into CFO Agreement with Mr. Corrao, pursuant to which he received $3,000 upon
signing of the agreement and $3,000 per month thereafter, payable in accordance with our standard payroll policies. The CFO Agreement
will terminate on December 15, 2022, and may only be extended thereafter by mutual agreement, unless terminated earlier by operation of
and in accordance with the CFO Agreement. The CFO Agreement and all compensation payable thereunder is contingent upon the continuance
of a separate consulting services agreement between the Company and The CFO Squad LLC.
Matthew Kern, Former Chief Financial Officer
In connection with Mr. Kern’s appointment
as Chief Financial Officer in February 2021, we entered into an Employment Letter with Mr. Kern, pursuant to which he was entitled to
receive a base salary at the annual rate of $152,000, payable in accordance with our standard payroll policies, and stock options to purchase
up to 30,000 shares of common stock under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, which vest as follows: 50% of the options shall vest on the
one year anniversary of the grant; and (ii) the remaining 50% of the options shall vest and become exercisable in twelve (12) successive
equal monthly installments thereafter. Mr. Kern will all be eligible to receive a $40,000 performance-based bonus, as awarded in the sole
discretion of our board of directors.
Mr. Kern was terminated on
December 15, 2021 by the board of directors and the Company and as such, all of his options were unvested and forfeited immediately upon
termination.
FY2021 Bonus Plan
Ann Marie Sastry, Chief Executive Officer
On September 20, 2020 2018 Amesite Parent entered
into a bonus plan agreement with Dr. Sastry (“FY2021 Bonus Plan”). pursuant to Section 5 of the Sastry Employment Agreement,
Dr. Sastry is entitled to be given the opportunity to earn an annual bonus of up to $300,000. Dr. Sastry’s bonus plan structure
is as follows:
| ● | Common
stock remains listed on national securities exchange as of June 30, 2021 – 25% or $75,000 |
| ● | Revenue
target of $5.5 million achieved (based on sales, not fundraising) – if $7 million in revenue is met, 50% is earned; if $3.0 - $5.5
million in revenue is met, 25% is earned – up to $150,000 to be paid |
| ● | Company
establishes a strategic channel partnership – 25% or $75,000 |
Dr. Sastry earned a $150,000
bonus in FY2022 as the stock remained listed on the NASDAQ securities exchange ($75,000 bonus earned), and the Company established a
strategic channel partnership in FY2022 ($75,000 bonus earned). The revenue target was not met resulting in no bonus payout related to
that objective.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth
information regarding outstanding stock options held by our named executive officers as of June 30, 2022:
NAME | |
GRANT DATE | |
VESTING COMMENCEMENT DATE | |
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS EXERCISABLE (#) | | |
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS UNEXERCISABLE (#) | | |
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE ($) | | |
OPTION EXPIRATION DATE |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. | |
5/22/2020 | |
5/22/2020 | |
| 525,000 | (1) | |
| 525,000 | (1) | |
$ | 2.00 | | |
5/21/2030 |
Brandon Owens | |
11/4/2020 | |
11/4/2020 | |
| - | | |
| 20,000 | (2) | |
$ | 4.16 | | |
11/4/2030 |
Brandon Owens | |
5/13/2021 | |
5/13/2021 | |
| - | | |
| 25,000 | (2) | |
$ | 2.19 | | |
5/13/2031 |
| (1) | 50% of the options vest on the one year anniversary of the grant and the remaining 50% vested on the two year anniversary. |
| (2) | 25% of the options vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant and the remaining 75% vest in thirty-six (36) successive
equal monthly installments thereafter. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth
certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of October 27, 2022, based on 30,300,305 shares issued
and outstanding by (i) each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors
and director nominees, (iii) our named executive officers and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Shares are beneficially
owned when an individual has voting and/or investment power over the shares or could obtain voting and/or investment power over the shares
within 60 days of the Record Date. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Unless otherwise indicated, the address
of each beneficial owner listed below is c/o Amesite Inc., 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Name of Beneficial Owner and Title of Officers and Directors | |
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | |
Percentage | |
| |
| | |
| |
Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board (1) | |
| 6,504,167 | | |
| 29.60 | % |
Mark Corrao, Chief Financial Officer | |
| - | | |
| * | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
J. Michael Losh, Director (3) | |
| 388,541 | | |
| 1.77 | % |
Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., Ph.D., Director (4) | |
| 220,624 | | |
| 1.00 | % |
Richard T. Ogawa, Director (5) | |
| 645,832 | | |
| 2.94 | % |
Anthony M. Barkett, Director (6) | |
| 324,792 | | |
| 1.48 | % |
Barbie Brewer, Director (7) | |
| 264,062 | | |
| 1.20 | % |
George Parmer, Director (8) | |
| 1,009,999 | | |
| 4.60 | % |
All Officers and Directors as a Group (8 persons) (9) | |
| 9,358,017 | | |
| 42.58 | % |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Beneficial Owner Greater than 5% Stockholders | |
| | | |
| | |
Mark Tompkins (10) | |
| 2,043,103 | | |
| 9.30 | % |
(1) |
Includes (i) 6,241,667 shares of common stock held by Dr. Sastry and (ii) 262,500 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Sastry. Does not include 262,500 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Sastry. |
(2) |
Does not include 70,000 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Kern. |
(3) |
Includes (i) 41,666 shares of common stock held by Mr. Losh and (ii) 346,875 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Losh. Does not include 62,500 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Losh. |
(4) |
Includes (i) 41,666 shares of common stock held by Dr. Omenn and (ii) 178,958 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Omenn. Does not include 37,500 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Dr. Omenn. |
(5) |
Includes (i) 66,666 shares of common stock held by Mr. Ogawa and (ii) 579,166 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Ogawa. Does not include 46,875 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Ogawa. |
(6) |
Includes (i) 50,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Barkett and (ii) 274,792 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Barkett. Does not include 53,125 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Barkett. |
(7) |
Includes (i) 25,000 shares of common stock held by Ms. Brewer and (ii) 239,062 shares of common stock underlying options that are presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Ms. Brewer. Does not include 60,938 shares underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Ms. Brewer. |
(8) |
Includes (i) 1,009,999 shares of common stock held by Mr. Parmer. |
(9) |
Includes 1,881,353 shares of common stock underlying options that are either presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by all directors and officers as a group. Does not include 593,438 shares of common stock underlying options that are not presently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by all directors and officers as a group. |
(10) |
Mr. Tompkins’s address is Apt 1, via Guidino 23, 6900 Lugano, Paradiso, Switzerland. Mr. Tompkins has voting and dispositive authority over the shares. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a description
of transactions since July 1, 2020 to which the Company party, in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent
of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any of our respective
directors, director nominees, executive officers or beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate
family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Related Party Advances
Since November 2017, Dr. Sastry
has advanced approximately $239,292 to us to fund our start-up operations, which included research and development, organizational costs,
and various professional fees in connection with the private placement offerings and insider investment. We did not have a formal arrangement
or agreement with Dr. Sastry pursuant to which these funds were paid. Dr. Sastry paid certain related expenses and was reimbursed out
of proceeds of private placement financings. Dr. Sastry was repaid without interest.
Indemnification Agreements and Directors’
and Officers’ Liability Insurance
We will enter into indemnification
agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, will require us to indemnify each
director and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’
fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any
action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.
Consulting Agreements
On March 29, 2018, Amesite
Parent’s board of directors approved a consulting agreement with Mr. Richard Ogawa whereby Mr. Ogawa provided certain consulting
services to us relating to the protection of our intellectual property and general business advice for our benefit. We agreed to pay Mr.
Ogawa $1,000 for each filed patent application and $1,000 for each issued or granted patent regardless of the jurisdiction or type of
patent, except for provisional patent applications for which no fee would be paid by us. In addition, we granted Mr. Ogawa a nonqualified
stock option to purchase 291,666 shares of Amesite Parent’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share (subject to adjustment
for the Merger).
Related Person Transaction Policy
We have not had a formal policy
regarding approval of transactions with related parties. We expect to adopt a related person transaction policy that sets forth our procedures
for the identification, review, consideration and approval or ratification of related person transactions. For purposes of our policy
only, a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements
or relationships, in which we and any related person are, were or will be participants in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser
of $120,000 or one percent of our total assets at year-end for our last two completed fiscal years. Transactions involving compensation
for services provided to us as an employee or director are not covered by this policy. A related person is any executive officer, director
or beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities, including any of their immediate family members and any entity
owned or controlled by such persons.
Under the policy, if a transaction
has been identified as a related person transaction, including any transaction that was not a related person transaction when originally
consummated or any transaction that was not initially identified as a related person transaction prior to consummation, our management
must present information regarding the related person transaction to our audit committee, or, if audit committee approval would be inappropriate,
to another independent body of our board of directors, for review, consideration and approval or ratification. The presentation must include
a description of, among other things, the material facts, the interests, direct and indirect, of the related persons, the benefits to
us of the transaction and whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to or from, as the case may be,
an unrelated third party or to or from employees generally. Under the policy, we will collect information that we deem reasonably necessary
from each director, executive officer and, to the extent feasible, significant shareholder to enable us to identify any existing or potential
related-person transactions and to effectuate the terms of the policy. In addition, under our code of business conduct and ethics, our
employees and directors will have an affirmative responsibility to disclose any transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected
to give rise to a conflict of interest. In considering related person transactions, our audit committee, or other independent body of
our board of directors, will take into account the relevant available facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:
|
● |
the risks, costs and benefits to us; |
|
● |
the impact on a director’s independence in the event that the related person is a director, immediate family member of a director or an entity with which a director is affiliated; |
|
● |
the availability of other sources for comparable services or products; and |
|
● |
the terms available to or from, as the case may be, unrelated third parties or to or from employees generally. |
The policy requires that,
in determining whether to approve, ratify or reject a related person transaction, our audit committee, or other independent body of our
board of directors, must consider, in light of known circumstances, whether the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, our best
interests and those of our shareholders, as our audit committee, or other independent body of our board of directors, determines in the
good faith exercise of its discretion.
OTHER MATTERS
The board of directors knows
of no other business, which will be presented to the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting,
proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.
We will bear the cost of soliciting
proxies in the accompanying form. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may also be solicited by our directors, officers or other
employees, personally or by telephone, facsimile or email, none of whom will be compensated separately for these solicitation activities.
We have engaged Carideo Group to assist in the solicitation of proxies. We will pay a fee of approximately $1,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket
charges to Carideo Group for such services.
If you do not plan to attend
the Annual Meeting, in order that your shares may be represented and in order to assure the required quorum, please sign, date and return
your proxy promptly. In the event you are able to attend the Annual Meeting virtually, at your request, we will cancel your previously
submitted proxy.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR
Stockholders who intend to
have a proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for presentation at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit
the proposal to us at our corporate headquarters no later than August 3, 2023, which proposal must be made in accordance with the provisions
of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and our Bylaws. Stockholders who intend to present a proposal, or nominate any person for election
to the board of directors, at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without inclusion of the proposal in our proxy materials are required
to provide notice of such proposal to our Secretary so that such notice is received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices
on or after August 3, 2023, but no later than September 2, 2023. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate
action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
Any director candidates recommended
by security holders would be referred to the governance and nominating committee for consideration. The committee would review the qualifications
of such director candidate and make a report to the board of directors. The board would then consider whether such candidate, taking into
account various relevant factors, such as diversity, equity position in the company, background, experience, reputation, membership in
other public company boards, business relationships, and potential contribution to the Company’s business and development, should
be offered a position on the board of directors, either by appointment or at the next stockholders meeting. Stockholders who intend to
solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the registrant’s nominees must provide notice to the Company not less
than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s
annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before
or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed
and received, not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following
the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made, which notice must comply with Rule 14a-19.
HOUSEHOLDING
The SEC has adopted rules
that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and other Annual Meeting
materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a proxy statement or other Annual Meeting materials
addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as householding, potentially provides extra convenience for
stockholders and cost savings for companies. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive
separate proxy cards.
If you share an address with
another stockholder and have received multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may write or call us at the address or phone number
below to request delivery of a single copy of the notice and, if applicable, other proxy materials in the future. We undertake to deliver
promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the proxy materials, as requested, to a stockholder at a shared address to which
a single copy of the proxy materials was delivered. If you hold stock as a record stockholder and prefer to receive separate copies of
our proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact us at 607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226, Attn:
Secretary, or by phone at (734) 876-8130. If your stock is held through a brokerage firm or bank and you prefer to receive separate
copies of our proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact your brokerage firm or bank.
ANNUAL REPORT
Additional copies of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 may be obtained without charge by writing to the Company’s Secretary,
607 Shelby Street, Suite 700 PMB 214, Detroit, Michigan 48226.
Our audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 and certain other related financial and business information are contained in our 2022 Annual
Report to Stockholders, which is being made available to our stockholders along with this proxy statement, but which is not deemed a part
of the proxy soliciting material.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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/s/ Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
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Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D. |
October 28, 2022 |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
PROXY CARD
AMESITE INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER
15, 2022
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints, Ann Marie Sastry,
Ph.D. and Mark Corrao, as proxies with full power of substitution, to represent and to vote all the shares of common stock of Amesite
Inc. (the “Company”), which the undersigned would be entitled to vote, at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held December 15, 2022 and at any adjournments thereof, subject to the directions indicated on this Proxy Card.
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized
to vote upon any other matter that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
SPECIFICATIONS MADE, BUT IF NO CHOICES ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXY HOLDERS FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AND
FOR THE PROPOSALS LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND IN THEIR DISCRETION ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT ARE PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE MEETING OR
ANY ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
IMPORTANT — This Proxy must be signed and
dated below.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Amesite
Inc. will be held virtually on December 15, 2022 at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022.
THIS IS YOUR PROXY
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Dear Stockholder:
We cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders of Amesite Inc. to be held virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AMST2022, on December 15, 2022 beginning at
8:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Please read the proxy statement which describes
the proposals and presents other important information, and complete, sign and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSALS
1-3.
1. Election of two Class II Director Nominees |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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01 – Ann Marie Sastry, Ph.D.
02 – Barbie Brewer |
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☐ |
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2. Proposal to ratify Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. |
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FOR
☐ |
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AGAINST
☐
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ABSTAIN
☐ |
NOTE: Such other business as may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof will be voted on by the proxy holders in their discretion.
Important: Please sign exactly as name appears
on this proxy. When signing as attorney, executor, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, etc., please indicate full title.
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Dated:________________, 2022 |
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Signature |
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Signature |
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(Joint Owners) |
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Name (printed) |
VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
You may vote your proxy in the following ways:
Login to www.proxyvote.xom
Enter your control number (12 digit number located below)
1-800-690-6903
Vote Processing
c/o Broadridge
51 Mercedes Way
Englewood, NY 11717
CONTROL NUMBER:
You may vote by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. Internet voting is available through 11:59 p.m.,
prevailing time, on December 14, 2022.
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