Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock Based Compensation

v3.5.0.2
Stock Based Compensation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]  
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
Note 6 – Stock Based Compensation
 
Private Placement
 
On August 9, 2016, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Ascend Legend Master Fund, Ltd., pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Ascend Legend Master Fund, Ltd. 1,618,123 shares of common stock at a price of $12.36 per share and a warrant to purchase up to 1,618,123 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $23.00 per share.
 
Equity Incentive Plans
 
2013 Equity Incentive Plan
 
In December 2013 the Company’s board and stockholders approved the “2013 Equity Incentive Plan”, providing for the issuance of equity based instruments covering up to an initial total of 1,042,167 shares of common stock.
 
Effective on March 10, 2014, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the First Amendment to the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan which provided for an increase in the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan to equal 18% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately following the completion of the IPO (assuming for this purpose the issuance of all shares issuable under the Company’s equity plans, the conversion into common stock of all outstanding securities that are convertible by their terms into common stock and the exercise of all options and warrants exercisable for shares of common stock and including shares and warrants issued to the underwriters for such IPO upon exercise of its over-allotment options).
 
Effective March 27, 2014, the aggregate total shares which may be issued under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan were increased to 2,335,967.
 
Effective on May 19, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder by 2,150,000 shares, bringing the total number of approved shares to 4,485,967 under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
As of September 30, 2016, 2,421,782 shares of common stock remain eligible to be issued through equity-based instruments under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan
 
On March 6, 2014, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan for the issuance of equity-based instruments covering up to 250,000 shares of common stock to directors and other non-employees.
 
Effective on May 19, 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved the amendment and restatement of the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder by 350,000 shares, bringing the total number of approved shares to 600,000 under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan.
 
As of September 30, 2016, 349,899 shares of common stock remain eligible to be issued through equity-based instruments under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan.
 
2015 Performance Share Unit Plan
 
On April 10, 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved the Energous Corporation 2015 Performance Share Unit Plan (the “Performance Share Plan”), under which 1,310,104 shares of common stock became available for issuance as PSUs to a select group of employees and directors, subject to approval by the stockholders. On May 21, 2015 the Company’s stockholders approved the Performance Share Plan.
 
As of September 30, 2016, 31,951 shares of common stock remain eligible to be issued through equity based instruments under the Performance Share Unit Plan.
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
On April 10, 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved the ESPP, under which 600,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for purchase by the Company’s employees, subject to approval by the stockholders. On May 21, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved the ESPP. Employees may designate an amount not less than 1% but not more than 10% of their annual compensation, but for not more than 7,500 shares during an offering period. An offering period shall be six months in duration commencing on or about January 1 and July 1 of each year. The exercise price of the option will be the lesser of 85% of the fair market of the common stock on the first business day of the offering period and 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the applicable exercise date.
 
As of September 30, 2016, 506,292 shares of common stock remain eligible to be issued through equity based instruments under the ESPP. As of September 30, 2016, eligible employees have contributed $194,325 through payroll withholdings to the ESPP for the current eligibility period. Shares will be deemed to be delivered on December 31, 2016 for the current eligibility period.
 
Stock Option Award Activity
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
Number of
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life In
Years
 
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
 
 
1,487,785
 
$
4.43
 
 
8.0
 
$
5,310,340
 
Granted
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Exercised
 
 
(106,441)
 
 
2.54
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Forfeited
 
 
(47,987)
 
 
2.44
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
 
1,333,357
 
$
4.55
 
 
7.4
 
$
20,079,293
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exercisable at January 1, 2016
 
 
860,970
 
$
4.34
 
 
8.0
 
$
3,076,767
 
Vested
 
 
248,936
 
 
4.45
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Exercised
 
 
(106,441)
 
 
2.54
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Forfeited
 
 
(1,932)
 
 
2.49
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
Exercisable at September 30, 2016
 
 
1,001,533
 
$
4.56
 
 
7.4
 
$
15,074,220
 
 
As of September 30, 2016, the unamortized value of options was $846,248. As of September 30, 2016, the unamortized portion will be expensed over a weighted average period of 1.0 years.
 
Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
 
On January 4, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted to various directors, RSUs under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate of 26,916 shares of the Company’s common stock. These awards were granted under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan. The awards granted vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.
 
On January 4, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted to John Gaulding, director and chairman of the board, RSUs under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan for which Mr. Gaulding has the right to receive 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. These shares were issued to Mr. Gaulding in connection with his role as an independent director and chairman of the Board of Directors. The award granted vests fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.
 
On February 25, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted certain employees inducement RSU awards under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate 38,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards granted vest over four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of hire.
 
On March 4, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted an employee inducement RSU awards under which the holder has the right to receive an aggregate of 12,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award granted vests over four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of hire and is contingent upon meeting certain job performance milestones.
 
On May 19, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted certain employees inducement RSU awards under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate of 126,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The awards granted vest over four years beginning on the first anniversary of the dates of hire.
 
On May 19, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted a consultant an RSU award under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan for which the holder has the right to receive an aggregate of 3,250 shares of the Company’s common stock. The award granted vests immediately.
 
On June 10, 2016, the board of directors granted non-employee directors RSU awards under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan under which the holders have the right to receive an aggregate of 70,040 shares of the Company’s common stock. These awards vest annual over three years beginning on June 13, 2017.
 
The Company accounts for RSUs granted to consultants using the accounting guidance included in ASC 505-50 “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” (“ASC 505-50”). In accordance with ASC 505-50, the Company estimates the fair value of the unvested portion of the RSU award each reporting period using the closing price of the Company’s common stock.
 
At September 30, 2016, the unamortized value of the RSUs was $10,232,019. The unamortized amount will be expensed over a weighted average period of 2.7 years. A summary of the activity related to RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is presented below:
 
 
 
Total
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
 
 
1,560,996
 
$
8.83
 
RSUs granted
 
 
303,206
 
$
9.76
 
RSUs forfeited
 
 
(92,637)
 
$
9.90
 
RSUs vested
 
 
(328,036)
 
$
9.41
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
 
1,443,529
 
$
8.82
 
 
Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)
 
PSUs shall be earned based on the Company’s achievement of market capitalization growth between the effective date of the Employment Agreement and the end of the Initial Employment Period. If the Company’s market capitalization is $100 million or less, no PSUs will be earned. If the Company reaches a market capitalization of $1.1 billion or more, 100% of the PSUs will be earned. For market capitalization between $100 million and $1.1 billion, the percentage of PSUs earned will be determined on a quarterly basis based on straight line interpolation.
 
On March 4, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted an executive inducement PSUs under which the executive is eligible to receive 63,908 shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
The Company determined that the PSUs were equity awards with both market and service conditions. The Company utilized a Monte Carlo simulation to determine the fair value of the market condition, as described above. Grantees of PSUs are required to be employed through December 31, 2018 in order to earn the entire award, if and when vested.
 
 
 
Performance Share Units 
(PSUs) Granted During the 
Nine Months Ended 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Performance Share Units 
(PSUs) Granted During the
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
Market capitalization
 
$
102,600,000
 
 
$
106,270,000
 
Dividend yield
 
 
0
%
 
 
0
%
Expected volatility
 
 
75
%
 
 
60
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
1.04
%
 
 
0.95
%
 
The fair value of the grant of PSUs to purchase a total of 1,342,061 shares of common stock (including 1,278,153 PSUs granted under the 2015 Performance Share Unit Plan and 63,908 granted as an inducement) was determined to be approximately $3,217,528, and is amortized over the service period of May 21, 2015 through December 31, 2018, on a straight-line basis. Amortization was $230,276 and $277,031 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amortization was $673,405 and $320,409 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2016, the unamortized value of the PSUs was approximately $2,054,884. The unamortized amount will be expensed over a weighted average period of 2.3 years. A summary of the activity related to PSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is presented below:
 
 
 
Total
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
 
 
1,135,614
 
$
2.62
 
PSUs granted
 
 
63,908
 
$
3.15
 
PSUs forfeited
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
PSUs vested
 
 
(128,554)
 
$
2.65
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
 
1,070,968
 
$
2.65
 
 
 
Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs”)
 
On January 4, 2016, the compensation committee of the board of directors granted to John Gaulding, director and chairman of the board, DSUs under the 2014 Non-Employee Equity Compensation Plan for which Mr. Gaulding has the right to receive 14,953 shares of the Company’s common stock. These shares were issued to Mr. Gaulding in lieu of $125,000 of his anticipated compensation for his services on the board, including $75,000 worth of DSUs and $50,000 of his regular board stipends. The award granted vests fully on the first anniversary of the grant date. Amortization was $31,337 and $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Amortization was $92,307 and $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2016, the unamortized value of the DSUs was $32,700. The unamortized amount will be expensed over a weighted average period of 0.3 years. A summary of the activity related to DSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is presented below:
 
 
 
Total
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
DSUs granted
 
 
14,953
 
$
8.36
 
DSUs forfeited
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
DSUs vested
 
 
-
 
$
-
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2016
 
 
14,953
 
$
8.36
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)
 
The recently completed offering period for the ESPP was January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016. The current offering period began July 1, 2016 and runs through December 31, 2016.
 
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the purchase option for each designated share purchased under this plan was approximately $2.57 for the recently completed offering period and is approximately $5.20 for the current offering period, which represents the fair value of the option, consisting of three main components: (i) the value of the discount on the enrollment date, (ii) the proportionate value of the call option for 85% of the stock and (iii) the proportionate value of the put option for 15% of the stock. The Company recognized compensation expense for the plan of $97,830 and $220,546 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and the Company recognized compensation expense for the plan of $29,967 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.
 
The Company estimated the fair value of options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair values of stock options granted were estimated using the following assumptions:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September
30, 2016
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2016
 
Stock price
 
$
12.16
 
 
 
$8.36 - $12.16
 
Dividend yield
 
 
0
%
 
 
0
%
Expected volatility
 
 
100
%
 
 
56% - 100
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
0.37
%
 
 
0.37% - 0.49
%
Expected life
 
 
6 months
 
 
 
6 months
 
 
 
The following tables summarize total stock-based compensation costs recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
Stock options
 
$
296,272
 
$
232,286
 
$
842,569
 
$
724,708
 
RSUs
 
 
1,204,982
 
 
968,385
 
 
3,577,081
 
 
3,145,520
 
IR warrants
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
-
 
 
85,831
 
PSUs
 
 
230,276
 
 
277,031
 
 
673,405
 
 
320,409
 
ESPP
 
 
97,830
 
 
29,967
 
 
220,546
 
 
29,967
 
DSUs
 
 
31,337
 
 
-
 
 
92,307
 
 
-
 
Total
 
$
1,860,697
 
$
1,507,669
 
$
5,405,908
 
$
4,306,435
 
 
The total amount of stock-based compensation was reflected within the statements of operations as:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
Research and development
 
$
960,362
 
$
582,320
 
$
2,628,454
 
$
2,116,631
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
89,072
 
 
185,507
 
 
213,842
 
 
516,377
 
General and administrative
 
 
811,263
 
 
739,842
 
 
2,563,612
 
 
1,673,427
 
Total
 
$
1,860,697
 
$
1,507,669
 
$
5,405,908
 
$
4,306,435