Akerna Regains Compliance with NASDAQ Continued Listing Requirements

Rhea-AI Summary

Akerna (Nasdaq: KERN) announced on February 1, 2023, that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share. Previously, on May 24, 2022, Nasdaq notified Akerna that its stock had failed to meet this requirement. However, as of January 27, 2023, Akerna’s stock closed at $1.00 or higher for ten consecutive days, leading to Nasdaq's confirmation of compliance. Akerna also indicated ongoing proposed transactions with Gryphon and POSaBIT, with plans to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4, detailing these transactions.

Positive

• Regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement, strengthening market position.
• Stock has been trading at $1.00 or greater for ten consecutive days, reflecting improved investor confidence.

Negative

• Previous non-compliance with Nasdaq's bid price rule raises concerns about stock stability.
• Risks associated with ongoing transactions, including potential delays and uncertainties in approvals.

DENVER, Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akerna (Nasdaq: KERN), an emerging technology firm, today announced that the company has received confirmation from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) and currently meets all other applicable criteria for continued listing.

On May 24, 2022, Staff of Nasdaq notified the Company that its common stock failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 over the previous 30 consecutive business days as required by the Listing Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market. On January 27, 2023, Staff notified the company that for the last 10 consecutive business days, from January 12 to January 26, 2023, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock has been at $1.00 per share or greater. Accordingly, Staff concurrently determined that the Company has regained compliance with Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) and has deemed this matter closed.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material with respect to the proposed transactions between Akerna and Gryphon and between Akerna and POSaBIT. In connection with the proposed transactions, Akerna intends to file relevant materials with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 that will contain a prospectus and a proxy statement. Akerna will mail the proxy statement/prospectus to the Akerna stockholders, and the securities may not be sold or exchanged until the registration statement becomes effective. Investors and securityholders of Akerna and Gryphon are urged to read these materials when they become available because they will contain important information about Akerna, Gryphon and the proposed transactions. This communication is not a substitute for the registration statement, definitive proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that Akerna may file with the SEC or send to securityholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Investors and securityholders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC, once available, on Akerna’s website at www.akerna.com, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Akerna’s Investor Relations at (516) 419-9915.

This communication is not a proxy statement or a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transactions, and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Participants in the Solicitation

Each of Akerna, Gryphon, POSaBIT and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Akerna in connection with the proposed transactions. Information about the executive officers and directors of Akerna are set forth in Akerna’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 19, 2022. Other information regarding the interests of such individuals, who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies for the stockholders of Akerna, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus, which will be included in Akerna’s registration statement on Form S-4 when it is filed with the SEC. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements based upon the current expectations of Akerna. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and include, but are not limited to, statements about the structure, timing and completion of the proposed transactions; the listing of the combined company on Nasdaq after the closing of the proposed merger; expectations regarding the ownership structure of the combined company after the closing of the proposed merger; the expected executive officers and directors of the combined company; the expected cash position of each of Akerna and Gryphon and the combined company at the closing of the proposed merger; the future operations of the combined company; and other statements that are not historical fact. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: (i) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the proposed transactions are not satisfied, including the failure to timely obtain stockholder approval for the transactions, if at all; (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transactions and the ability of each of Akerna, Gryphon and POSaBIT to consummate the proposed merger or asset sale, as applicable; (iii) risks related to Akerna’s ability to manage its operating expenses and its expenses associated with the proposed transactions pending closing; (iv) risks related to the failure or delay in obtaining required approvals from any governmental or quasi-governmental entity necessary to consummate the proposed transactions; (v) the risk that as a result of adjustments to the exchange ratio, Akerna stockholders and Gryphon stockholders could own more or less of the combined company than is currently anticipated; (vi) risks related to the market price of Akerna’s common stock relative to the exchange ratio; (vii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from either or both of the proposed transactions; (viii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transactions; (ix) risks related to the inability of the combined company to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance its business plan; and (x) risks associated with the possible failure to realize certain anticipated benefits of the proposed transactions, including with respect to future financial and operating results. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in periodic filings with the SEC, including the factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Akerna’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 filed with the SEC, and in other filings that Akerna makes and will make with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions, including the proxy statement/prospectus described under “Additional Information and Where to Find It.” You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Akerna expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

About Akerna 
Akerna (Nasdaq: KERN) is an emerging technology firm focused on innovative technology.

To be included on the Company's email distribution list, please sign up at https://ir.akerna.com/news-events/email-alerts

For more information, visit https://www.akerna.com/.

Contacts:
Media
Meghan Shine, VP of Strategic Communications & Marketing
mmshine@akerna.com

Investor
Peter Seltzberg
peters@coreir.com
516-419-9915

FAQ

What was the reason for Akerna's earlier non-compliance with Nasdaq rules?

Akerna's stock failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 over 30 consecutive business days as required by Nasdaq.

When did Akerna regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement?

Akerna regained compliance on January 27, 2023, after its stock closed at $1.00 or greater for ten consecutive days.

What future actions is Akerna planning regarding its proposed transactions with Gryphon and POSaBIT?

Akerna plans to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC and mail a proxy statement/prospectus to its stockholders.

What implications does Akerna's compliance with Nasdaq have for investors?

Regaining compliance stabilizes Akerna's stock listing and may enhance investor confidence in the company's future performance.

What risks does Akerna face with its proposed transactions?

Akerna faces risks including the possibility of failing to satisfy closing conditions and potential adverse reactions in business relationships.