UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

OR

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 001-39332

VERIFYME, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨  No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨ No  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes x   No ¨  

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨   Yes  x No 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $11,984,934 as of June 30, 2023. Shares of common stock held by executive officers and directors of the registrant have been excluded from this computation in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of the registrant. As of June 30, 2023, there were no persons known to the registrant to own 5% or more of the outstanding common stock, and therefore no other persons have been deemed affiliates of the registrant. This determination of affiliate status is not a conclusive determination for other purposes.

The registrant had 10,144,853 shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on March 18, 2024. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of VerifyMe, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report”) includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Report, including among others, our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth are forward-looking statements.

Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth under Item 1A - Risk Factors and those other risks and uncertainties detailed in our periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  We caution that these risk factors may not be exhaustive.   

All forward-looking statements in this Report are made only as of the date hereof or as indicated and represent our views as of the date of this Report or as indicated. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS. 

Overview

VerifyMe, Inc. (“VerifyMe”) together with its subsidiaries, including PeriShip Global, LLC (“PeriShip Global”) and Trust Codes Global Limited (“Trust Codes Global”), (together the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is a traceability and customer support services provider using specialized software and process technology. The company operates a Precision Logistics Segment and an Authentication Segment to provide specialized logistics for time-and-temperature sensitive products, as well as item level traceability, anti-diversion and anti-counterfeit protection, brand protection and enhancement technology solutions. Through our Precision Logistics segment, we provide a value-added service for sensitive parcel management driven by a proprietary software platform that provides predictive analytics from key metrics such as pre-shipment weather analysis, flight-tracking, sort volumes, and traffic, delivered to customers via a secure portal. The portal provides real-time visibility into shipment transit and last-mile events which is supported by a service center. Through our Authentication segment our technologies enable brand owners to gather business intelligence through the supply chain, cross-sell products, detect counterfeit activities, monitor product diversion, and build brand loyalty utilizing our unique dynamic codes which are read by consumers with their smart phones. Further information regarding our business segments is discussed below:

Precision Logistics: The Precision Logistics (formerly PeriShip Global Solutions) segment specializes in predictive analytics for optimizing delivery of time and temperature sensitive perishable products. We manage complex industry-specific shipping logistic processes that require critical time, temperature control and handling to prevent spoilage and extreme delivery times and brand impairment. Utilizing predictive analytics from multiple data sources including flight-tracking, weather, traffic, major carrier feeds, and time of day data, we provide our clients an end-to-end vertical approach for their most critical service delivery needs. Using our proprietary IT platform, we provide real-time information and analysis to mitigate supply chain flow interruption, as well as delivering last-mile resolution for key markets, including the perishable healthcare and food industries.

Through our proprietary PeriTrack ® customer dashboard, we provide an integrated tool that gives our customers an in-depth look at their shipping activities and allows them access to critical information in support of the specific needs of the supply chain stakeholders. We offer post-delivery services such as customized reporting for trend analysis, system performance reports, power outage maps, and other tailored reports.

Precision Logistics generates revenue from two business service models.

Products: The Precision Logistics segment includes the following bundled services as part of our service offerings to our customers:

Authentication: The Authentication (formerly VerifyMe Solutions) segment specializes in traceability to connect brands with consumers through their product. This is critical in the current landscape of increased regulations, as well as increased counterfeit activity and product diversion. The ability to detect fraud or abnormal behavior while tracing an item’s journey from production through to the consumer’s hands provides consumers and brands the assurance they require. VerifyMe has custom software, patented technologies, and a cloud environment that combines machine learning and data science to meet the needs of consumers and brands. In addition, the personalized consumer experience with the brand creates a connection that increases brand perception and loyalty.

Products: We have a custom suite of products that offer clients traceability and brand solutions. These products are combined with “software as a service” or “SaaS” which is stored in the cloud and accessed through the internet.

Opportunities

Precision Logistics: Traditionally, most shipping businesses utilize the carrier’s data platform for tracking which generally informs the shipping enterprise, and their customers, when a package is in transit, when a package has been delivered, and some level of detail of the path which a package traveled. We believe taking the data feeds from a carrier and adding real-time visibility with predictive analytics and the human intervention factor of our service center gives us a competitive advantage against other third-party platforms that solely rely on the carrier’s data feeds. We utilize a variety of input sources beyond the carrier’s data feed. Our proprietary “Predictive Analytics” technology is fed real-time meteorology data, traffic and road construction data, and power grid information to help predict issues before they happen. If an alert is created the shipper and our service center will work to address the issue and save the perishable product from spoiling, saving the shipper significant costs and reducing the need to replace products that are no longer viable. We have meteorologists on staff that track world-wide weather patterns to address predicted issues before they happen. We believe the company has two significant areas of opportunity. First, our services are specifically designed to address the needs of small and medium size agriculture, food and beverage companies. Second, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries represent significant opportunities due to the enhanced tracking and customer service associated with distribution of these products. We are focusing our sales emphasis on those industries. In addition, we believe that combining our authentication solutions into the product offering for Precision Logistics clientele, gives our Precision Logistics segment a competitive advantage to generate revenue by enhancing clients’ ability to grow revenue, gain business intelligence and build brand loyalty.

The U.S. logistics industry is facing an economic slowdown. We believe this represents an opportunity since major global carriers are cutting internal staff. These carriers are looking for lower cost alternatives to service their customers as well as partners that can help the carrier increase revenues. To maintain their credibility in the market, these carriers will need to ensure they meet their customers’ demands for time and temperature sensitive shipments, while maintaining their overheads. We believe outsourcing this function to our Precision Logistics segment provides the ideal solution for all parties involved.

Building logistics infrastructure is a capital-intensive process as the investment is locked in for a considerably long period. Due to the current economic environment, and our cost competitive offering, we believe companies will opt to outsource their precision logistics services to reduce their operational costs. The outsourcing of supply chain related and other logistics operations to service providers such as ours allows companies to improve the efficiency of their businesses by focusing their resources on core competencies.

Authentication: We believe the products in our Authentication segment have applications in many areas. Currently, we are aggressively marketing opportunities in the following areas:

In addition, in each of these markets, our SaaS software allows brand owners and consumers to track the products and will alert the consumer or brand owner of product diversion with 24/7 monitoring. As each product has a unique code, this allows consumers and brand owners to authenticate the product in real time and link directly to the brand owner’s website for additional product information, discounts, and more.

Synergies: We believe that Precision Logistics and Authentication segments have synergistic product centric technology platforms and combined have a compelling technology offering for brand owners. For example, currently our Precision Logistics segment ships vaccines for major pharmaceutical companies. With the addition of our Authentication technology, we can add unit level traceability and authentication to protect clients’ vaccines from product diversion and sub-standard counterfeits. In addition, our Authentication segment brand enhancement solutions could give the Precision Logistics food and beverage clients the ability to gather rich business intelligence and build customer loyalty with engagement functions like videos, discounts, contests, recipes, etc.

Partnerships:

Precision Logistics has a direct partnership with a major global carrier company. This partnership includes the ability for both companies to white label each partner’s services. In addition, Precision Logistics has data feeds directly from the carrier into our proprietary logistics optimization software which provides shippers much more detailed information and predictive analytics on their shipment versus a standard shipping code look up which is provided by the carrier.

Our Authentication segment has a contract with HP Indigo, and a strategic partnership with INX, the third largest producer of inks in North America. We believe these partnerships can be used to enable brand owners to securely prevent counterfeiting, prevent product diversion and authenticate labels, packaging and products alleviating liability from counterfeit products that harm consumers.

Current Economic Environment

In response to market conditions and lower demand some carriers have implemented strategies to address a potential global recession. In April 2023, the major carrier that PeriShip Global partners with laid out steps it was taking to slash $4 billion in permanent costs by the end of its 2025 fiscal year in response to these market conditions and lower demand. In June 2023, the major carrier stated that due to ongoing demand its plans to ground 29 more aircraft in its fiscal year that started in June 2024. In mid-December 2023, the carrier forecasted a low single digit percentage decline in revenue year over year for 2024.

We have seen a softening in demand for some services related to high-end perishable items and cannabis products which seem to be impacted by reduced discretionary spending by U.S. consumers. While a recession, whether global or more localized to the U.S., may decrease the demand for our services that are more discretionary in nature, we believe that the internal cost cutting measures, if implemented by the major global carrier may benefit out-sourced service providers. We are working with this major global carrier to address their small and medium-sized business clients, which we believe is an underserved market and presents considerable growth opportunities for our Precision Logistics segment. However, we can provide no assurances that a decline in discretionary consumer spending will not have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations.

Business Combinations

On March 1, 2023, we acquired, through Trust Codes Global, the business and certain assets of Trust Codes, a company specializing in brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and consumer engagement technology with an expertise in the food and agriculture industry. Trust Codes Global uses unique QR codes or IoT, coupled with GS1 standards to deliver cloud-based brand protection based on a unique per-item digital identity to protect brand and product authenticity, increase data visualization of a product through the end-to-end supply chain and creates a data driven engine to inform and educate consumers of the product. The purchase price was approximately $1.0 million which consisted of approximately $0.36 million in cash paid at closing, and 353,492 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, representing $0.65 million in stock consideration. In addition, the purchase agreement requires consideration contingent upon the achievement of earnings targets during a five-year period subsequent to the closing of the acquisition. The earn-out consideration estimated at $1.1 million at the acquisition date, however the maximum amount of the payment is unlimited. Trust Codes Global is included in the Authentication segment and the results of its operations are included in the consolidated financial statement beginning March 1, 2023.

On April 22, 2022, we acquired, through PeriShip Global, the business and certain assets of PeriShip, LLC, a value-added service provider for time and temperature sensitive parcel management.  PeriShip Global provides shipping logistics services utilizing proprietary predictive analytics software and supporting service center services.  Using our proprietary IT platform, we provide real-time information and analysis to mitigate supply chain flow interruption, delivering last-mile resolution for key markets, including the perishable healthcare and food industries. The purchase price was $10.5 million which consisted of $7.5 million in cash paid at closing, a promissory note of $2.0 million with a fixed interest rate of 6% per annum on the unpaid principal balance, to be paid in three installments on the sixth, fifteenth, and eighteenth month anniversaries of the closing, and 305,473 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, representing $1.0 million in stock consideration. We expect that all of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired PeriShip Global business is included in the Precision Logistics segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning April 22, 2022.

Seasonality

We experience seasonal fluctuations in our net revenues from sales in our Precision Logistics segment. Revenues from sales are generally higher in the fourth quarter than in other quarters due to increased holiday shipments. The seasonality of our business may cause fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.

Our Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is important to our business. As of December 31, 2023, our current patent and trademark portfolios consist of nine granted U.S. patents and two granted European patents, one validated in four countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom, and Italy), and the second patent validated in three countries (France, Germany, and United Kingdom), three pending U.S. and foreign patent applications, twenty-six registered U.S. trademarks (of which nineteen are in the name of VerifyMe, Inc., and seven trademarks were acquired through our wholly owned subsidiary, PeriShip Global), two EU trademark registrations, one Colombian trademark registration, one Australian trademark registration, one Japanese trademark registration, one Mexican trademark registration, one Singaporean trademark registration, two UK trademark registrations, seven NZ trademark registration (of which six are in the name of Trust Codes Limited and/or Trust Codes Global Limited), one OAPI (African Intellectual Property Organization) trademark registration (in the name of Trust Codes Global Limited), and two pending US and foreign trademark applications. The Company abandoned two patents during the year ended December 31, 2023. 

While some of our granted patents are commercially ready, we believe that others may have commercial application in the future but will require additional capital and/or a strategic partner in order to reach the potential markets. All of our patents are related to the inventions described above. Our registered patents expire between the years 2024 and 2039. The expiration date of a pending application that matures into a registration depends upon the issuance date and any adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154(b).

It is cost prohibitive to register patents in every country. We continue to develop new technologies and we apply for patent protection for these technologies in countries with the most market potential and strong patent enforcement tools. When a new product or process is developed, we may seek to preserve the economic benefit of the product or process by applying for a patent in each jurisdiction in which the product or process is likely to be exploited.

The issuance of a patent is considered prima facie evidence of validity.  The granting of a patent does not prevent a third party from seeking a judicial determination that the patent is invalid. Such challenges to the validity of a patent are not uncommon and can be successful. There can be no assurance that a challenge will not be filed to one or more of our patents, if granted, and that if filed, such a challenge will not be successful.

We have trademarked the VerifyMe^TM brand in the United States and have registered and pending applications with respect to our brand internationally. However, our name and brand could be confused with brands that have similar names, including but not limited to Verified.Me, a service offered to Canadians by SecureKey Technologies Inc. We are aware of names and marks similar to our service marks being used from time to time by other persons that could result in confusion and may diminish the value of our brands and adversely affect our business. See Item 1A “Risk Factors” for additional information regarding the risk of confusion of our name with other brands and other intellectual property risks.

Research and Development

Current research and development efforts are focused on expanding our technology into new areas of implementation and to develop unique customer applications. We spent approximately $107 thousand and $89 thousand during the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively, on research and development.

Research in our Precision Logistics segment is currently focused on developing:

Research in our Authentication segment is currently focused on developing new innovative solutions, and enhancement of our existing solutions to counterfeiting and traceability so that we continue to expand what we believe is our long-term competitive advantage: 

VerifyMe continues to monitor the market for state-of-the-art innovation and may either develop, partner to deploy or seek to acquire new technologies, products and services in the future, if we believe it would provide a competitive market advantage and could be successfully monetized.

Sales and Marketing Strategy

Business development and sales resources are aligned to support existing customer accounts and new customer development. We use social media channels, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter as a means of marketing our services. By staying in contact and engaging with customers, we are able to identify possible needs and look for opportunities to expand the services we are providing. We are currently revising and optimizing our websites to improve customer engagement and SEO. We believe many of the clients of PeriShip Global will benefit from the legacy VerifyMe business consumer engagement and food safety technologies. We will also continue to participate in trade show attendance which had declined during the height of the COVID pandemic. 

In lieu of building, training, and supporting a world-wide internal sales force, we continue to have strategic partners who have existing relationships in their particular geographical locations. For our Authentication segment, these strategic partners have relationships with government and brands and include both paid and commissioned sales only contract arrangements.

Competition

PeriShip Global has developed its own software portal with predictive analytics for weather, traffic, power grids, and data feeds it receives from one of the world’s largest logistics carriers. There are other companies that operate a similar business model, however most of these companies specialize in a particular field such as healthcare or non-perishable building materials. PeriShip Global is operating in all of the perishable segments. In addition, the major carriers such as FedEx, UPS and DHL all have internal operations servicing the critical time, temperature, and cold storage shipping segment, however we believe with the economic downturn, major carriers are seeking to outsource perishable shipping services rather than invest additional funds to provide internal support.

The market for protection from diversion, theft and forgery is a highly fragmented industry that includes smaller companies as well as a number of large, well-established companies. Security printing for currency production began in Europe over a century ago and has resulted in the establishment of old-line security printers which have branched out into brand and product protection as well. In North America, brand protection products, such as tamper-resistant packaging, security labels, and anti-theft devices are readily available and utilized on a widespread basis. In recent years, however, demand has increased for more sophisticated overt and covert security technologies with a strong desire for technologies that can provide variable images and data. Competitors can be segregated into the following groups: (i) security ink manufacturers who are generally well-established companies whose core business is manufacturing and selling printing inks; (ii) system integrators who have often evolved from other sectors in the printing industry, mainly security printing manufacturers, technology providers, or packaging and label manufacturers, and who typically offer a range of security solutions that enable them to provide a complete suite of solutions tailored to the customer’s specific needs and requirements; (iii) system consultancy groups who offer a range of technologies from several different providers and tailor specific solutions to end-users; (iv) traditional authentication technology providers which provide holograms and digital watermarking; (v) product diversion tracking providers which provide on-product and in-product tagging technologies; and (vi) traditional security printers whose core products are printing the world’s currencies. In general, we believe competition in our principal markets is primarily driven by product performance, features and liability; price; ease of implementation, technology effectiveness, digital instant verification; new laws and regulations; product innovation and timing of new product introductions; ability to develop, maintain and protect proprietary products and technologies; sales and distribution capabilities; technical support and service; brand loyalty; applications support; and breadth of product line.

Amazon has an anti-counterfeit service with their “Project Zero” brand protection system utilizing their “Transparency” serialization product. Amazon’s product serialization service provides a unique code for every unit that is manufactured, and the brand puts these codes on its products as part of its manufacturing process, which Amazon scans and verifies. Our traceability and authentication solutions are interoperable with Amazon’s Transparency solutions. While Amazon’s customers could use our solution when using Amazon, they would not be required to in order to use Amazon’s Transparency solutions. However, Amazon’s solution must be used within the Amazon ecosystem. Competition is building in the consumer engagement market as more companies enter the space but are using mainly NFC technology imbedded into apparel. In addition to this technology, we have the ability to print labels on more applications including fabrics and metals.

Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial, human and other resources than we have. As a result, we may not have sufficient resources to develop and market our services to the market effectively. We expect competition with our products and services to continue and intensify in the future.

Major Customers/Vendors

During the year ended December 31, 2023, one customer represented 17% of revenues and one customer represented 13% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022.

As of December 31, 2023, three customers made up 47% of accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2022, two customers accounted for 23% of total accounts receivable.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, one vendor accounted for 99% of transportation costs, in our Precision Logistics segment.

Employees and External Sales Force

As of December 31, 2023, we employed approximately fifty persons and eight consultants. Of these employees, approximately forty were employed in our Precision Logistics operations and 10 were employed by our Authentication operations. Because of the nature of our business, many of our employees and consultants can, and do, conduct their work for us remotely.

We have also entered into commissioned sales contract arrangement with our strategic partner, HP Indigo.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on our website, www.verifyme.com, all materials that we file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such materials with, or furnishing them to, the SEC. We have not incorporated by reference into this Report the information included, or that can be accessed through, our website and you should not consider it to be part of this Report.

The SEC maintains an Internet website, www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Any investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below and all information contained in this Report, before you decide whether to purchase our securities. If any of the following risks or uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects would likely suffer, possibly materially. In addition, the trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks or uncertainties, and you may lose part or all of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have engaged, and may engage in future, acquisitions or strategic partnerships that increase our capital requirements, dilute our stockholders, cause us to incur debt or assume contingent liabilities, and subject us to other risks.  

We may evaluate various acquisitions and strategic partnerships, including licensing or acquiring complementary products, intellectual property rights, technologies or businesses. For example, in April 2022, we acquired the business of PeriShip, LLC (“PeriShip”) through our wholly owned subsidiary PeriShip Global and in March 2023, we acquired the business of Trust Codes Limited, (“Trust Codes”) through our wholly owned subsidiary Trust Codes Global Limited (“Trust Codes Global”). To realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions, we must successfully integrate these businesses with ours. The integration of these businesses and any potential acquisition or strategic partnership entails numerous risks, including: 

In addition, if we undertake acquisitions, we may issue dilutive securities, assume or incur debt obligations, incur large one-time expenses and acquire intangible assets that could result in significant future amortization expense. Moreover, we may not be able to locate suitable acquisition opportunities and this inability could impair our ability to grow or obtain access to technology or products that may be important to the development of our business.

Our Precision Logistics segment relies on one key strategic partner for shipping services for our customers and as a source for customers representing a substantial percentage of our revenues.

Our business is dependent, and we believe that it will continue to depend, on our relationship with one strategic partner. PeriShip Global partners with one major global carrier for all its customers’ shipping needs. While we work closely with this key strategic partner and have transportation services and pricing agreements in place covering the shipping services they provide to our customers, such agreements are subject to termination or modification from time to time. If our strategic partner is unwilling or unable to supply to us the shipping services we market and sell on acceptable terms, or at all, or otherwise elects to terminate its business relationship with us, we may not be able to obtain alternative shipping services from other providers on acceptable terms, in a timely manner, or at all, and our business may be materially and adversely impacted. We do not currently have any alternative shipping service suppliers from which we can obtain the shipping services we currently receive from our strategic partner. Establishing the necessary information technology infrastructure and business relationship with another shipping services provider would be costly and time consuming and may ultimately not be successful or cost-effective. Further, any increase in the prices charged by our single strategic partner or failure to perform by our strategic partner could cause our costs to increase or could cause us to experience short-term unavailability of shipping services on which our business relies.

In particular, delays and other shipping disruptions at our strategic partner significantly negatively impact our business. Our business involves the shipment of time and temperature sensitive goods, so our customers are significantly negatively impacted by delays and other shipping disruptions that cause product loss, spoilage and reputational harm. An increase in delays and other shipping disruptions on the part of our strategic partner could cause our clients to seek shipping solutions from our competitors who use alternative shipping service providers. If these events occur, it may reduce our profitability or may cause us to increase our prices. In addition, any material interruptions in shipping services by this strategic partner may result in significant cost increases and reduce sales, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations and may have a material adverse impact on our business.

In addition to relying on this strategic partner for shipping services, a significant portion of our revenue is generated through a service agreement pursuant to which this strategic partner resells our services to its customers under a “white label” arrangement. Under this arrangement we provide our logistics services to our strategic partner’s customers in exchange for a pre-negotiated service fee per shipment. Sales through our strategic partner accounted for approximately 17% of revenue of our Precision Logistics segment for the year ended December 31, 2023. If we fail to maintain certain minimum service level requirements related to our service with this strategic partner, it may terminate our agreement to provide them with such service. If our strategic partner terminates our agreement, requires us to renegotiate the terms of our existing agreement or we are unable to renew such agreement on mutually agreeable terms, no longer makes our services available to its customers, replaces our services with one or more competitors, develops and supplants our services for its own service offerings, or we experience a significant reduction in business from this strategic partner, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

Our business is subject to seasonal trends.

Historically, our operating results in the Precision Logistics segment have been subject to seasonal trends when measured on a quarterly basis. Our first and second quarters have traditionally been the weakest compared to our third and fourth quarters. This trend is dependent on numerous factors including economic conditions, customer demand and weather. Because revenue is directly related to the available working days of shippers, national holidays and the number of business days during a given period may also create seasonal impact on our results of operations. After the winter holiday season and during the remaining winter months, our freight volumes are typically lower because some customers reduce shipment levels. In addition, a substantial portion of our revenue is derived from customers in industries whose shipping patterns are tied closely to consumer demand which can sometimes be difficult to predict or are based on just-in-time production schedules. Therefore, our revenue is, to a large degree, affected by factors that are outside of our control. There can be no assurance that our historic operating patterns will continue in future periods as we cannot influence or forecast many of these factors.

Severe climate conditions and other catastrophic events can have an adverse impact on our business.

Our business involves the shipment of time and temperature sensitive goods, so our customers are significantly negatively impacted by delays and other shipping disruptions that cause product loss, spoilage and reputational harm. Disasters, severe weather, public health issues, such as pandemics, earthquake, cyber-attack, heightened security measures, actual or threatened terrorist attack, strike, civil unrest, or other catastrophic event may cause shipment delays or an inability to ship, which could prevent, delay or reduce shipment volumes and could have an adverse impact on consumer spending and confidence levels, all of which could result in decreased revenues. In particular, certain weather-related conditions such as ice and snow can disrupt the operations of our carrier partners during the peak holiday season, which could have a disproportionately large negative impact on our business and revenues.

We operate in a highly competitive industry and our business may suffer if we are unable to adequately address potential downward pricing pressures and other competitive factors.

The transportation and logistics industry is highly competitive, cyclical, and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. The traceability and consumer engagement industry is also highly competitive. We face competition in all geographic markets and each industry sector in which we operate. We have and may face continued competition by strategic partners. Many of these competitors have significantly more resources and are actively pursuing acquisition opportunities and are developing new technologies to gain competitive advantages. The primary competitive factors are price and quality of service. Increased competition or our inability to compete successfully may lead to a reduction in our volume, reduced revenues, reduced profit margins, increased pricing pressure, or a loss of customer relationships, any one of which could affect our business and financial results. Numerous competitive factors could impair our ability to maintain our current profitability, including the following:

There can be no assurance that such competitive factors will not increase our cost of delivering our services to our customers, hinder our ability to deliver our services to our customers, entice our existing customers to discontinue using our services, or reduce the number of customers referred to us by strategic partners. Any of these factors could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations and may have a material adverse impact on our business.

The shipping and logistics industry is rapidly evolving. We expect to continue to face significant competition, which could materially adversely affect us.

The shipping and logistics industry is rapidly evolving, including demands for faster deliveries and increased visibility into shipments. We expect to face significant competition on a local, regional, national and international basis. Competitors include the U. S. and other international postal services, various motor carriers, express companies, freight forwarders, air couriers, large transportation and e-commerce companies that have made and continue to make significant investments in their own logistics capabilities, some of whom are currently our customers. We also face competition from start-ups and other smaller companies that combine technologies with crowdsourcing to focus on local market needs. Competition may also come from other sources in the future as new technologies are developed. Competitors have cost, operational and organizational structures that differ from ours and may offer services or pricing terms that we are not willing or able to offer. Additionally, to sustain the level of service and value that we deliver to our customers, from time to time we may raise prices and our customers may not be willing to accept these higher prices. If we do not timely and appropriately respond to competitive pressures, including replacing any lost volume or maintaining our profitability, we could be materially adversely affected.

Damage to our brand image and corporate reputation could materially adversely affect us.

Our success depends on our ability to consistently deliver operational excellence and strong customer service. Our inability to deliver our services and solutions as promised on a consistent basis, or our customers having a negative experience or otherwise becoming dissatisfied, can negatively impact our relationships with new or existing customers and adversely affect our brand and reputation, which could, in turn, adversely affect revenue and earnings growth. Adverse publicity (whether or not justified) relating to activities by our employees, contractors, suppliers, agents or others with whom we do business, such as customer service mishaps or noncompliance with laws, could tarnish our reputation and reduce the value of our brand. With the increase in the use of social media outlets such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter, adverse publicity can be disseminated quickly and broadly, making it increasingly difficult for us to effectively respond. Damage to our reputation and loss of brand equity could have a material adverse effect on us, and could require additional resources to rebuild our reputation and restore the value of our brand.

The Company has significant goodwill and other intangible assets, and future impairment of these assets could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial results.

The Company has recorded significant goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets on its balance sheet as a result of its acquisition of the PeriShip business in 2022 and Trust Codes business in 2023. A number of factors may result in impairments to goodwill and other intangible assets, including significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, increased competition and significant changes in the use of the assets. Impairment charges could adversely affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations in the periods recognized. 

Our customers’ businesses may be negatively affected by various economic and other factors such as recessions, downturns in the economy, inflation, global uncertainty and instability, the effects of pandemics, changes in United States social, political, and regulatory conditions and/or a disruption of financial markets, which may decrease demand for our services or increase our costs.

Adverse economic and other conditions, both in the United States and internationally, can negatively affect our customers’ business levels, the amount of logistics services they need, their ability to pay for our services and overall freight levels, any of which might impair our profitability. For example, inflation and uncertainty and instability in the global economy and geopolitical events may lead to fewer goods being transported. Many of the products our clients ship are luxury or discretionary products and the demand for such products may decrease in adverse economic times. Further, when adverse economic times arise, customers may select competitors that offer lower rates or choose to ship their goods without logistical support in an attempt to lower their costs. These and other economic factors such as recessions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations and we might be forced to lower our rates or lose customers.

Overall economic conditions that reduce freight volumes could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and ability to achieve growth.

We are sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions that impact customer shipping volumes. The transportation and logistics industry historically has experienced cyclical fluctuations in financial results due to economic recession, downturns in business cycles of our customers, interest and currency rate fluctuations, inflation and other economic factors beyond our control. Changes in U.S. trade policy could lead to ‘trade wars’ impacting the volume of economic activity in the United States, and as a result, shipping volumes may be materially reduced. Such a reduction may materially and adversely affect our business.

Reductions in discretionary consumer spending could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The services and products we provide are sensitive to reductions from time to time in discretionary consumer spending. For example, demand for high-end perishable items, and subsequently the demand for shipping, brand protection, and other services related to such, can be affected by changes in the economy and consumer tastes, both of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control. Unfavorable changes in general economic conditions, including recessions, economic slowdowns, sustained high levels of unemployment, and rising prices or the perception by consumers of weak or weakening economic conditions, may reduce consumer’s disposable income or result in a decrease in demand for our services and products. As a result, we cannot ensure that demand for our services and products will materialize or remain constant. In response to market conditions and lower demand some carriers have implemented strategies to address a potential global recession. In April 2023, the major carrier that PeriShip Global partners with laid out steps it was taking to slash $4 billion in permanent costs by the end of its 2025 fiscal year in response to these market conditions and lower demand. In June 2023, the major carrier stated that due to ongoing demand its plans to ground 29 more aircraft in its fiscal year that started in June 2024. In mid-December 2023 the carrier forecasted a low single digit percentage decline in revenue year over year for 2024.

We have seen a softening in demand for some services related to high-end perishable items which seem to be impacted by reduced discretionary spending by U.S. consumers. While a recession, whether global or more localized to the U.S., may decrease the demand for our services that are more discretionary in nature, we believe that the internal cost cutting measures, if implemented by the major global carrier may benefit out-sourced service providers, including PeriShip Global. Additionally, PeriShip Global is working with this major global carrier to address their small and medium sized business clients, which we believe is an underserved segment and presents considerable growth opportunities for PeriShip Global. However, we can provide no assurances that a decline in discretionary consumer spending will not have a negative impact on our revenues and results of operations. Adverse developments affecting economies throughout the world, including a general tightening of availability of credit, decreased liquidity in certain financial markets, increased interest rates, foreign exchange fluctuations, increased energy costs, acts of war or terrorism, transportation disruptions, natural disasters, declining consumer confidence, sustained high levels of unemployment or significant declines in stock markets, as well as concerns regarding pandemics, epidemics and the spread of contagious diseases, could lead to a further reduction in consumer discretionary spending and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results or operations.

Global supply-chain delays and shortages may adversely impact our customers or potential customers.

Global supply-chain delays and shortages, which are out of our control, are currently affecting a wide variety of businesses globally including one of our customers. Supply-chain delays shortages may affect our customers or potential customers which would adversely affect our operations.

We have a history of losses and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.

Since our inception, we have incurred operating losses in each year due to costs incurred in connection with research and development activities and general and administrative expenses associated with our operations. In addition, we have made significant expenditures on acquisitions and may continue to complete acquisitions in the future. We expect to continue to incur expenditures to develop and market our services and to make acquisitions and could continue to incur operating losses and negative operating cash flow. We may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business. Our ability to generate profits will depend, in part, on our expenses and our ability to generate revenue. Our prior losses and any future losses have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our working capital. If we fail to generate revenue and become profitable, or if we are unable to fund our continuing losses, our shareholders could lose all or part of their investments.

Our ability to use our net operating losses to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations.

Our net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"), and certain other tax attributes could be unavailable to offset future income tax liabilities because of restrictions under U.S. tax law. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the TCJA, federal NOLs generated in tax years ending after December 31, 2017, may be carried forward indefinitely. The carryforwards are limited to 80% of each subsequent year's net income.

In addition, Sections 382 and 383 of the Code, contain rules that limit the ability of a corporation that undergoes an "ownership change" (generally, any change in ownership of more than 50% of the corporation's stock over a three-year period) to utilize its pre-change NOLs and tax credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income. These rules generally operate by focusing on ownership changes involving stockholders owning directly or indirectly 5% or more of the stock of a corporation and any change in ownership arising from a new issuance of stock by the company. Generally, if an ownership change occurs, the yearly taxable income limitation on the use of NOLs and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses is equal to the product of the applicable long-term, tax-exempt rate and the value of the corporation's stock immediately before the ownership change. The Company completed an IRC Section 382 analysis in 2022, and determined that an ownership change occurred sufficient to impose additional limitations on the use of NOL carryforwards. The Company has not completed an IRC Section 382 analysis in 2023. In the event future ownership changes are determined, we might be unable to offset our taxable income with losses, or our tax liability with credits, before such losses and credits expire, in which event we could incur larger federal and state income tax liabilities than we would have had we not experienced an ownership change.

Because our name and brand could be confused with brands that have similar names, we may be adversely affected by any confusion or negative publicity related to others that use a name similar to VerifyMe in their brand names. 

We have trademarked the VerifyMe^TM brand in the United States and have pending applications with respect to our brand internationally. However, our name and brand has been and could be in the future confused with brands that have similar names, including but not limited to Verified.Me, a service offered to Canadians by SecureKey Technologies Inc. and www.verifyme.ng, a website offering verification services in Nigeria. We have deleted classifications in our Canada trademark application for the VerifyMe name, in an effort to avoid confusion with the prior-registered SecureKey trademark. We have also attempted to contact the operators of the Nigeria website to resolve the confusion caused there but to date have been unsuccessful in our efforts. Further, we have registered certain trademarks and service marks in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. We are aware of names and marks similar to our service marks being used from time to time by other persons. Although we oppose any such infringement, further or unknown unauthorized uses or other misappropriation of our trademarks or service marks may diminish the value of our brands and adversely affect our business. 

If our technologies do not work as anticipated once we achieve meaningful sales, we will not be successful.

Our business depends on our ability to market and sell our technology. Without material sales and acceptance from customers with respect to our technologies, we will not be successful. We can provide no assurances that the market will accept our products or that we will achieve any meaningful sales.

If our technology cannot be used successfully to proactively provide analytics logistics management, we may not be able to generate material revenue.

Our proprietary technology is the core of our PeriShip Global operations. The failure of our technology will result in the stoppage of our operation. Due to the fact our business is the monitoring of time sensitive goods movement, any stoppage will result in the financial loss and service liability damage. In order to stay competitive, we need to ensure the continuity and the timeliness of our service, it is essential that the technology platform has redundancy built in, high performing and scalable.

Because many of our current and target customers are large companies, their internal policies and resistance to change may impair our ability to successfully commercialize our products.

Our ability to become successful and generate positive cash flow will be dependent upon the extent of commercialization of products using our technology. Commercialization of new technology products often has a very long lead time. This problem is exacerbated when customers are large entities. Our current and target customers are large entities. These factors may adversely affect our ability to commercialize our technologies, or any products or services related to our technologies. Further, we cannot assure you that commercialization will result in profitability.

Our future growth will depend upon the success of our strategic partners who integrate our solutions into their product offerings. 

We rely on strategic partnerships with one large logistics carrier for our Precision Logistics segment and larger companies which integrate our technologies into their product offerings for our legacy Authentication segment. These strategies leave us largely dependent upon the success of our partners. If any of our strategic partners who include our technology in their products cease to do so, or we fail to obtain other partners who will incorporate, embed, integrate or bundle our technology, or these partners are unsuccessful in their efforts, expanding deployment of our technology, our business and future growth would be materially and adversely affected.

If we cannot manage our growth effectively, we may not become profitable. 

Businesses which grow rapidly often have difficulty managing their growth. If we continue to grow as rapidly as we anticipate, we will need to expand our management by recruiting and employing experienced key employees capable of providing the necessary support. We cannot assure you that our management will be able to manage our growth effectively or successfully. Our failure to meet these challenges could harm our financial condition and ability to become profitable.

We will need to expand our sales, marketing and support organizations and our distribution arrangements to increase market acceptance of our products and services.

We currently have a limited number of sales, marketing, customer service and support personnel and may need to increase our staff, or further outsource our sales process, to generate a greater volume of sales and to support any new customers or the expanding needs of existing customers. The employment market for sales, marketing, customer service and support personnel in our industry is very competitive, and we may not be able to hire the kind and number of sales, marketing, customer service and support personnel we are targeting. Our inability to hire or outsource qualified sales, marketing, customer service and support personnel may harm our business, operating results and financial condition. We may not be able to sufficiently build out our distribution network or enter into arrangements with qualified sales personnel on acceptable terms or at all. If we are not able to develop greater distribution capacity, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to continue our operations. 

If we fail to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, or if the costs involved in protecting and defending these rights are prohibitively high, our business and operating results may suffer. 

Our patent rights, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks, domain names and other product rights are critical to our success. We strive to protect our intellectual property rights by relying on federal, state and common law rights, as well as contractual restrictions. We may enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and confidentiality agreements with parties with whom we conduct business to limit access to, and disclosure and use of, our proprietary information. However, these contractual arrangements and the other steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary information or deter independent development of similar technologies by others. 

As management deems appropriate, we will pursue the registration of our domain names, trademarks, and service marks in the U.S. and in certain locations outside the U.S. We will seek to protect our trademarks, patents and domain names in an increasing number of jurisdictions, a process that is expensive and time-consuming and may not be successful or which we may not pursue in every location. It may be expensive and cost prohibitive to file patents worldwide and we may be financially required to file patents in select countries where we see the greatest potential for our technologies. We may, over time, increase our investment in protecting our innovations through increased patent filings that are expensive and time-consuming and may not result in issued patents that can be effectively enforced.

If we are required to sue third parties who we allege are violating our intellectual property rights, or if we are sued for violating a third party’s patents or other intellectual property rights, we may incur substantial expenses, and we could incur substantial damages, including amounts we cannot afford to pay. 

Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Patent and intellectual property litigation is extremely expensive and beyond our ability to pay. While third parties do, under certain circumstances, finance litigation for companies that file suit, we cannot assure you that we could find a third party to finance any claim we choose to pursue. Moreover, third parties frequently refuse to finance companies that are sued. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of outcome or merit, could result in substantial costs, adverse publicity or diversion of management and technical resources, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results. If we fail to maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights, our business and operating results may be harmed.

From time-to-time, we may face allegations that we have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties, including from our competitors and inactive entities. Patent and other intellectual property litigation may be protracted and expensive, and the results are difficult to predict. As the result of any court judgment or settlement, we may be obligated to cancel the launch of a new feature or product, stop offering certain features or products, pay royalties or significant settlement costs, purchase licenses or modify our products and features. 

If we fail to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired. 

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”). We expect that the requirements of these rules and regulations will continue to increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly, and place significant strain on our personnel, systems, and resources.

SOX requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We are continuing to develop and refine our disclosure controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we will file with SEC is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed in reports under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our principal executive and financial officers. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, we have expended, and anticipate that we will continue to expend, significant resources, including accounting-related costs and significant management oversight. 

Our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or improvement could harm our results of operations or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and may result in a restatement of our financial statements for prior periods. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting also could adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and annual independent registered public accounting firm attestation reports regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that we will eventually be required to include in our periodic reports that will be filed with the SEC.

Material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting may be identified in the future.  Any failure to maintain existing or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in additional material weaknesses, cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements. If we are unable to effectively remediate material weaknesses in a timely manner, investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on our stock price.

Because we do business outside of the United States, we may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, violations of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, or FCPA, and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have operations and agreements with third parties and make sales in jurisdictions which may be subject to corruption. These activities create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of the employees, consultants or agents of our Company, because these parties are not always subject to our control. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, sales agents or distributors of our company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our business depends on our ability to successfully develop, implement, maintain, upgrade, enhance, protect and integrate information technology systems.

We rely heavily on the proper functioning and availability of our information technology systems for our operations as well as for providing value-added services to our customers. Our information systems are integral to the efficient operation of our business. We strive to be best in class, and in order to do so, we must correctly interpret and address market trends and enhance the features and functionality of our technology platform in response to these trends, which may lead to significant ongoing software development costs and capital investments in information technology infrastructure. We may be unable to accurately determine the needs of our customers and integrate cohesively with our key strategic partner, and identify the trends in the transportation services industry, in a timely and cost-effective manner, which could result in decreased demand for our services and a corresponding decrease in our revenues. Despite testing, external and internal risks, such as malware, insecure coding, “Acts of God,” data leakage and human error pose a direct threat to our information technology systems and operations. We may also be subject to cybersecurity attacks and other intentional hacking. Any failure to identify and address such defects or errors or prevent a cyber-attack could result in service interruptions, operational difficulties, loss of revenues or market share, liability to customers or others, diversion of resources, injury to our reputation and increased service and maintenance costs. Addressing such issues could prove to be impossible or very costly and responding to resulting claims or liability could similarly involve substantial cost. We must maintain and enhance the reliability and speed of our information technology systems to remain competitive and effectively handle higher volumes of shipments. If our information technology systems are unable to manage additional volume for our operations as our business grows, or if such systems are not suited to manage the various service modes we offer or businesses we acquire, our service levels and operating efficiency could decline. If we fail to hire and retain qualified personnel to implement, protect and maintain our information technology systems or if we fail to upgrade our systems to meet our customers’ and strategic operating partners’ demands, our business and results of operations could be seriously harmed. This could result in a loss of customers or a decline in the volume of shipments we receive from customers.

Our information technology systems also depend upon the Internet, third-party service providers, global communications providers, satellite-based communications systems, the electric utilities grid, electric utility providers and telecommunications providers as well as their respective vendors. The services and service providers have all experienced significant system failures and outages at some point in the past. We have minimal control over the operation, quality, or maintenance of these services or whether vendors will improve their services or continue to provide services that are essential to our business. Disruptions due to transitional challenges in upgrading or enhancing our technology systems; failures in the services upon which our information technology platforms rely, including those that may arise from adverse weather conditions or natural calamities, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or tornadoes; illegal acts, including terrorist attacks; human error or systems modernization initiatives; and/or other disruptions, may adversely affect our business, which could increase our costs or result in a loss of customers that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

Our information technology systems are subject to cyber and other risks some of which are beyond our control. A security breach, failure or disruption of these services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

Our information systems are integral to the efficient operation of our business and handle sensitive customer and shipment data. It is critical that the data processed by these systems remain secure, as it often includes competitive customer information, confidential transaction data, employee records and key financial and operational results and statistics. The sophistication of efforts by hackers, foreign governments, cyber-terrorists, and cyber-criminals, acting individually or in coordinated groups, to launch distributed denial of service attacks, ransomware or other coordinated attacks that may cause service outages, gain inappropriate or block legitimate access to systems or information, or result in other business interruptions has continued to increase in recent years. We utilize third-party service providers who have access to our systems and certain sensitive data, which exposes us to additional security risks, particularly given the complex and evolving laws and regulations regarding privacy and data protection. While we and our third-party service providers have experienced cyber-attacks and attempted breaches of our and their information technology systems and networks or similar events from time to time, no such incidents have been, individually or in the aggregate, material to us. Cyber incidents that impact the security, availability, reliability, speed, accuracy or other proper functioning of our systems, information and measures, including outages, computer viruses, theft or misuse by third parties or insiders, break-ins and similar disruptions, could have a significant adverse impact on our operations. 

It is difficult to fully protect against the possibility of power loss, telecommunications failures, cyber-attacks, ransomware and other cyber incidents in every potential circumstance that may arise. A significant cyber incident, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware or ransomware, or other damage, could interrupt or delay our operations, damage our reputation and brand, cause a loss of customers, expose us to a risk of loss or litigation, result in regulatory scrutiny, investigations, actions, fines or penalties and/or cause us to incur significant time and expense to remedy such an event, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position. Furthermore, any failure to comply with data privacy, biometric privacy, data security or other laws and regulations could result in claims, legal or regulatory proceedings, inquiries or investigations. To comply with this changing landscape, we may be required to further segregate our systems and operations, implement additional controls, or adopt new systems, all of which could increase the cost and complexity of our operations. In addition, our insurance is intended to address costs associated with aspects of cyber incidents, network failures and privacy-related concerns, may not sufficiently cover all types of losses or claims that may arise.

Evolving regulations concerning data privacy may result in increased regulation and different industry standards, which could prevent us from providing our current products to our users, or require us to modify our products, thereby harming our business. 

The regulatory framework for privacy issues worldwide is currently in flux and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Practices regarding the collection, use, storage, transmission and security of personal information by companies operating over the Internet and mobile platforms have recently come under increased public scrutiny, and civil claims alleging liability for the breach of data privacy have been asserted against companies. The U.S. government, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, has announced that it is reviewing the need for greater regulation for the collection of information concerning consumer behavior on the Internet, including regulation aimed at restricting certain targeted advertising practices.

Many jurisdictions have already taken steps to restrict and penalize companies that collect and utilize information from their users and the general public. For example, in May 2018 the European Union made sweeping reforms to its existing data protection legal framework by enacting the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which resulted in a greater compliance burden for many companies with users in Europe. The GDPR includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the European Union that are broader and more stringent than those previously in place in the European Union and in most other jurisdictions around the world. The GDPR also imposes significant penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to €20 million or 4% of total worldwide revenue.

Additionally, we may be subject to increasingly complex and expansive data privacy regulations within the United States. For example, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), which became effective in 2020. The CCPA requires covered companies to provide California consumers with disclosures and expands the rights afforded consumers regarding their data. Fines for noncompliance of the CCPA can be as high as $8 thousand per violation. Since the CCPA was enacted, Nevada and Maine have enacted similar legislation designed to protect the personal information of consumers and penalize companies that fail to comply, and other states have proposed similar legislation. The costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, the GDPR, CCPA, and similar laws may limit the use and adoption of our products and services and/or require us to incur substantial compliance costs, which could have a material adverse impact on our business.

We rely on the services of third-party data center hosting facilities. Interruptions or delays in those services could impair the delivery of our service and harm our business.

We utilize cloud computing technology. It is hosted pursuant to agreements on technology platforms by third-party service providers. We do not control the operation of these providers or their facilities, and the facilities are vulnerable to damage, interruption or misconduct. Unanticipated problems at these facilities could result in lengthy interruptions in our services. If the services of one or more of these providers are terminated, disrupted, interrupted or suspended for any reason, we could experience disruption in our ability to provide our services, which may harm our business and reputation. Further, any damage to, or failure of, the cloud services we use could result in interruptions in our services. Interruptions in our service may damage our reputation, reduce our revenue, cause customers to terminate their agreements and adversely affect our ability to attract new customers. While we believe our strong partnerships reduce our risk, our business would be harmed if our customers and potential customers believe our services are unreliable. Additionally, if our service providers fail to meet their obligations, provide poor, inaccurate or untimely service, or we are unable to make alternative arrangements for these services, we may fail, in turn, to provide our services or to meet our obligations to our users, and our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.

Fluctuations in labor costs, changes in the availability of key suppliers, or catastrophic events may increase the cost of our products and services.

Increases in labor costs might be difficult to pass on to our customers. In our Authentication segment (formerly VerifyMe Solutions segment), security pigments, ink canisters, labels and bar codes are key elements in the cost of our products. Our inability to offset material price inflation could adversely affect our results of operations. We rely on one global carrier for transportation services, one supplier to procure our raw materials, one strategic partner to produce our ink canisters, and it is difficult to predict what effects shortages or price increases for the raw materials we use to make our products may have in the future. Our ability to manage inventory and meet delivery requirements may be constrained by our supplier’s inability to scale production and adjust delivery during times of volatile demand. Our inability to fill our supply needs would jeopardize our ability to fulfill obligations under current contracts or enter new contracts to sell our products, which would, in turn, result in reduced sales and profits, contract penalties or terminations, and damage to customer relationships.

Our ability to become profitable is largely dependent upon our ability to continually improve our platforms and acquiring new customers in increasingly competitive markets.

Our ability to become profitable depends upon a number of factors, including our ability to (i) identify and evolve with emerging technological and broader industry trends, (ii) develop and maintain competitive products, (iii) defend our market share against an ever-expanding number of competitors including many new and non-traditional competitors, (iv) enhance our products by adding innovative features that differentiate our products from those of our competitors and prevent commoditization of our products, (v) develop, manufacture and bring compelling new products to market quickly and cost-effectively, (vi) monitor disruptive technologies and business models, (vii) achieve sufficient return on investment for new products introduced based on capital expenditures and research and development spending, (viii) respond to changes in overall trends related to end market demand, (ix) leverage our strategic partnerships to develop and commercialize new and existing products and (x) attract, develop and retain individuals with the requisite skill, expertise and understanding of customers’ needs to develop new technologies and introduce new products and sell our current products. The failure of our technologies or products to gain market acceptance due to more attractive offerings by our competitors or the failure to address any of the above factors could significantly reduce our revenues and adversely affect our competitive standing and prospects.

The expenses or losses associated with lack of widespread market acceptance of our solutions may harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Rapid technological changes and frequent new product introductions are typical in the markets we serve. Our future success will depend in part on continuous, timely development and introduction of new products that address evolving market requirements. To the extent we fail to introduce new and innovative products, we may lose any market share we have to our competitors, which may be difficult or impossible to regain. Any inability, for technological or other reasons, to successfully develop and introduce new products could harm our business. Additionally, we may experience delays in the development and introduction of products, we may be unable keep pace with the rapid rate of change in anti-counterfeiting and security products’ research, and any new products acquired or developed by us may not meet the requirements of the marketplace or achieve market acceptance. If we are unable to develop new products to meet market demands, our business could be materially adversely affected.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We operate in the US and New Zealand, which exposes us to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our foreign currency exposure primarily relates to intercompany receivables and payables and third-party receivables and payables that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our legal entities. Our largest foreign currency exposure is unsettled intercompany payables and receivables which are reviewed on a regular basis. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in “General and administrative” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Our foreign subsidiary operates in a currency other than the United States dollar; therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies will affect our operating results and the value of our balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies. Our most significant exposures to translation risk relates to functional currency assets and liabilities that are denominated in the New Zealand dollar. The changes in the net investment of our foreign subsidiary are reflected in "Foreign currency translation adjustments” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. We have not used any exchange rate hedging programs to mitigate the effect of exchange rate fluctuations.

Risks Relating to our Common Stock 

Upon exercise of our outstanding options or warrants, conversion of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, conversion of our Convertible debt, vesting of our restricted stock units, and issuance of shares relating to the Trust Codes earnout, we will be obligated to issue a substantial number of additional shares of common stock which will dilute our present shareholders. 

We are obligated to issue additional shares of our common stock in connection with our outstanding options, warrants and shares of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. For the years ended December 31, 2023, there were approximately 8,286,000 anti-dilutive shares consisting 1,439,000 unvested performance restricted stock units, 816,000 restricted stock units, restricted stock awards and options under the stock purchase plan, 301,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, 4,629,000 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants, 957,000 shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debt, and 144,000 shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2023, there were no shares issuable related to the Trust Codes earnout. The exercise, conversion or exchange of warrants or convertible securities, including for other securities, will cause us to issue additional shares of our common stock and will dilute the percentage ownership of our shareholders. In addition, we have in the past, and may in the future, exchange outstanding securities for other securities on terms that are dilutive to the securities held by other shareholders not participating in such exchange.

Offers or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause the price of our common stock to decline. 

Sales of large blocks of our common stock could depress the price of our common stock. The existence of these shares and shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, warrants and options create a circumstance commonly referred to as an “overhang” which can act as a depressant to our common stock price. The existence of an overhang, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make our ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-linked securities more difficult in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate. If our existing shareholders and investors seek to sell a substantial number of shares of our common stock, such selling efforts may cause significant declines in the market price of our common stock.

Our common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and price fluctuations, which could adversely impact the value of our common stock. 

Our common stock has experienced, and is likely to experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our financial results and changes in the overall economy or the condition of the financial markets could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. These fluctuations may also cause short sellers to periodically enter the market in the belief that we will have poor results in the future. We cannot predict the actions of market participants and, therefore, can offer no assurances that the market for our common stock will be stable or appreciate over time.

Because we may issue preferred stock without the approval of our shareholders and have other anti-takeover defenses, it may be more difficult for a third party to acquire us and could depress our stock price.

In general, our Board of Directors may issue, without a vote of our shareholders, one or more additional series of preferred stock that have more than one vote per share, although the Company’s ability to designate and issue preferred stock is currently restricted by covenants under our agreements with prior investors. Without these restrictions, our Board of Directors could issue preferred stock to investors who support us and our management and give effective control of our business to our management. Additionally, issuance of preferred stock could block an acquisition resulting in both a drop in our stock price and a decline in interest of our common stock. This could make it more difficult for shareholders to sell their common stock. This could also cause the market price of our common stock shares to drop significantly, even if our business is performing well.

Because we do not intend to pay cash dividends on our shares of common stock, any returns will be limited to the value of our shares.

We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any return to shareholders will therefore be limited to the increase, if any, of our share price.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market, a failure of which could result in a de-listing of our common stock and certain warrants.

The Nasdaq Capital Market requires that the trading price of its listed stocks remain above one dollar in order for the stock to remain listed. If a listed stock trades below one dollar for more than 30 consecutive trading days, then it is subject to delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market. In addition, to maintain a listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, and certain corporate governance requirements. If we are unable to satisfy these requirements or standards, we could be subject to delisting, which would have a negative effect on the price of our common stock and warrants and would impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock or warrants when you wish to do so. In the event of a delisting, we would expect to take actions to restore our compliance with the listing requirements, but we can provide no assurance that any such action taken by us would allow our common stock or warrants to become listed again, stabilize the market price or improve the liquidity of our common stock, prevent our common stock from dropping below the minimum bid price requirement, or prevent future non-compliance with the listing requirements.

Provisions of our publicly traded warrants could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party. In addition to certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, as amended, and our amended and restated by-laws, certain provisions of our outstanding warrants could make it more difficult or expensive for a third party to acquire us. The warrants prohibit us from engaging in certain transactions constituting “fundamental transactions” unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the warrants. These and other provisions of the warrants could prevent or deter a third party from acquiring us even where the acquisition could be beneficial to you.

Risks Relating to our Debt

If we do not timely pay amounts due and comply with the covenants under our debt facilities, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely impacted.

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Term Note, among other things, requires high interest payments, and both the Term Note and the PNC Facility place encumbrances on our assets, and subject us to restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility. Additionally, under the terms of the Term Note, the Company is required to make monthly loan principal payments of $41,667 per month plus interest, through September 15, 2026.

The terms of the Term Note and the PNC Facility have been structured in such a way that, if we default under one, we will also default under the other. In the event of a continuing default, our senior secured lenders would have the right to accelerate the then-outstanding amounts under each such facility and to exercise their respective rights and remedies to collect such amounts, which would include foreclosing on collateral constituting substantially all of our assets and the assets of our PeriShip Global subsidiary. Any continuing default on the Term Note or the PNC Facility could result in the outstanding principal balance under each such facility becoming immediately due and payable, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations and may have a material adverse impact on our business.

On August 25, 2023, the Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with certain investors for the sale of convertible promissory notes for the aggregate principal amount of $1,100 thousand. The notes are subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company and accrue interest at a rate of 8% per year payable semiannually in arrears. The notes will mature on August 25, 2026, unless earlier converted or repurchased at a conversion price of $1.15 per share of common stock. Although we believe the majority of our investors will choose to convert into shares, if this does not occur, this may have a material adverse impact on our cash and as a result, a material adverse impact on our business.

Our cash flows and operating results could be adversely affected by required payments of debt or related interest and other risks of our debt financing.

We are generally subject to risks associated with debt financing. These risks include: (1) our cash flow may not be sufficient to satisfy required payments of principal and interest; (2) we may not be able to refinance existing indebtedness or the terms of any refinancing may be less favorable to us than the terms of existing debt; (3) debt service obligations could reduce funds available for other uses such as growing our business; (4) any default on our indebtedness could result in acceleration of those obligations and possible loss of assets or capital; and (5) the risk that necessary capital expenditures cannot be financed on favorable terms. Any of these risks could place strains on our cash flows, reduce our ability to grow, and adversely affect our results of operations.

Covenants in our debt agreements may restrict our operating activities and adversely affect our financial condition.

Our existing debt agreements contain, and future debt agreements may contain, financial and/or operating covenants including, among other things, certain coverage ratios, as well as limitations on the ability to incur additional secured and unsecured debt, and/or otherwise affect our distribution and operating policies. These covenants may limit our operational flexibility and acquisition and disposition activities. Moreover, if any of the covenants in these debt agreements are breached and not cured within the applicable cure period, we could be required to repay the debt immediately, even in the absence of a payment default. A default under one of our debt agreements could result in a cross-default under other debt agreements, and our lenders could elect to declare outstanding amounts due and payable, terminate their commitments, require the posting of additional collateral, and enforce their respective interests against existing collateral. The terms of the Term Note and the PNC Facility have been structured in such a way that, if we default under one, we will also default under the other. In the event of a continuing default, our senior secured lenders would have the right to accelerate the then-outstanding amounts under each such facility and to exercise their respective rights and remedies to collect such amounts, which would include foreclosing on collateral constituting substantially all of our assets and the assets of our PeriShip Global subsidiary As a result, a default under applicable debt covenants could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. These covenants may restrict our ability to engage in transactions that we believe would otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders. 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY.

Risk Management and Strategy

Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated and effective every day, and they are increasingly targeting enterprise software companies. All companies utilizing technology are subject to threats of breaches of their cybersecurity programs. To mitigate the threat to our business, we have begun to establish a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity risk management and hold securing the data customers and other stakeholders entrust to us as one of our top priorities. As described in more detail below, we have established policies, standards, processes and practices for testing, training, and monitoring material risks from cybersecurity threats. We have devoted financial and personnel resources to implement security measures to meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations, and we intend to continue to make investments to maintain the security of our data and cybersecurity infrastructure. There can be no guarantee that our policies and procedures will be properly followed in every instance or that those policies and procedures will be effective. Although our Risk Factors include further detail about the material cybersecurity risks we face, we believe that risks have not materially affected our business to date. We can provide no assurance that there will not be incidents in the future or that they will not materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.

We are in the process of establishing controls and procedures designed to ensure prompt escalation of material cybersecurity incidents so that decisions regarding public disclosure and reporting of such incidents can be made by management and the Board in a timely manner. We intend to continue to review and enhance our incident response and recovery plan for the Company Our policies require each of our employees to contribute to our data security efforts. We regularly remind employees of the importance of handling and protecting customer and employee data, including through annual privacy and security training to enhance employee awareness of how to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats. Our incident response and recovery plans and policies will address — and guide our employees, management and the Board on our response to a cybersecurity incident.

Our cybersecurity policies, standards, processes and practices are also assessed by third party cybersecurity providers. These assessments include a variety of activities including information security maturity assessments, audits and independent reviews of our information security control environment and operating effectiveness.

Governance

Our Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure related to cybersecurity risks, and our executive officers are responsible for the day-to-day assessment and management of the material risks we face. Our Board of Directors administers its cybersecurity risk oversight function directly as a whole.

Currently, Jack Wang, our chief information officer of our subsidiary PeriShip Global, has primary responsibility for managing material cybersecurity risks over our Precision Logistics Segment while Paul Ryan, Executive Vice President, Authentication Segment, has the primary responsibility for assessing and managing material cybersecurity risks over our Authentication Segment. Mr. Wang holds an undergraduate and master’s degree in computer science. Our CIO has served in various roles in information technology and security for over 20 years. Mr. Ryan has 30 years of experience in global software and technology businesses. Both Mr. Wang and Mr. Ryan are responsible for reporting any cybersecurity related incidents to our executive officers. Our executive officers are responsible for reporting material cybersecurity related incidents to our Board of Directors. We intend to review our current reporting structure and may implement other structures governing the day-to-day management and reporting of cybersecurity risks.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

We do not own any significant real property, but one of our subsidiaries leases approximately 5,000 square feet of primarily office space in Connecticut used in connection with our Precision Logistics segment. The lease expires in 2027. Our Trust Codes subsidiary leases premises approximately 2,000 square feet located in New Zealand. The lease expires in 2026. We believe that our properties have been well maintained, are suitable and adequate for us to operate and upon expiration of this lease, we do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining renewals or alternative space.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time-to-time, we may be a party to, or otherwise involved in, legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. As of the date of this Report, we are not aware of any proceedings, threatened or pending, against us which, if determined adversely, would have a material effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and warrants to purchase common stock are traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbols “VRME” and “VRMEW,” respectively.

Common Shareholders

As of March 18, 2024, we had approximately 1,450 shareholders of record of our common stock. Because many of our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of shareholders, this number is not indicative of the total number of shareholders represented by these shareholders of record.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid a cash dividend. At this time, we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of Board and will depend upon our earnings (if any), our financial condition, and our capital requirements. Nevada law permits a corporation to pay dividends out of earnings or surplus. Accordingly, we cannot pay dividends as a matter of law.

Share Repurchase Plan

The following table provides information about our share repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2023

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 6. [RESERVED.]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and other parts of this Report contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this Report are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The following should be read in conjunction with our annual financial statements contained elsewhere in this Report.

Overview

VerifyMe, Inc. (“VerifyMe”) together with its subsidiaries, including PeriShip Global, LLC (“PeriShip Global”) and Trust Codes Global Limited (“Trust Codes Global”), (together the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is a traceability and customer support services provider using specialized software and process technology. The company operates a Precision Logistics Segment and an Authentication Segment to provide specialized logistics for time-and-temperature sensitive products, as well as item level traceability, anti-diversion and anti-counterfeit protection, brand protection and enhancement technology solutions. Through our Precision Logistics segment, we provide a value-added service for sensitive parcel management driven by a proprietary software platform that provides predictive analytics from key metrics such as pre-shipment weather analysis, flight-tracking, sort volumes, and traffic, delivered to customers via a secure portal. The portal provides real-time visibility into shipment transit and last-mile events which is supported by a service center. Through our Authentication segment our technologies enable brand owners to gather business intelligence through the supply chain, cross-sell products, detect counterfeit activities, monitor product diversion, and build brand loyalty utilizing our unique dynamic codes which are read by consumers with their smart phones. Further information regarding our business segments is discussed below:

Precision Logistics: The Precision Logistics (formerly PeriShip Global Solutions) segment specializes in predictive analytics for optimizing delivery of time and temperature sensitive perishable products. We manage complex industry-specific shipping logistic processes that require critical time, temperature control and handling to prevent spoilage and extreme delivery times and brand impairment. Utilizing predictive analytics from multiple data sources including flight-tracking, weather, traffic, major carrier feeds, and time of day data, we provide our clients an end-to-end vertical approach for their most critical service delivery needs. Using our proprietary IT platform, we provide real-time information and analysis to mitigate supply chain flow interruption, as well as delivering last-mile resolution for key markets, including the perishable healthcare and food industries.

Through our proprietary PeriTrack ® customer dashboard, we provide an integrated tool that gives our customers an in-depth look at their shipping activities and allows them access to critical information in support of the specific needs of the supply chain stakeholders. We offer post-delivery services such as customized reporting for trend analysis, system performance reports, power outage maps, and other tailored reports.

Precision Logistics generates revenue from two business service models.

Products: The Precision Logistics segment includes the following bundled services as part of our service offerings to our customers:

Authentication: The Authentication (formerly VerifyMe Solutions) segment specializes in traceability to connect brands with consumers through their product. This is critical in the current landscape of increased regulations, as well as increased counterfeit activity and product diversion. The ability to detect fraud or abnormal behavior while tracing an item’s journey from production through to the consumer’s hands provides consumers and brands the assurance they require. VerifyMe has custom software, patented technologies, and a cloud environment that combines machine learning and data science to meet the needs of consumers and brands. In addition, the personalized consumer experience with the brand creates a connection that increases brand perception and loyalty.

Products: We have a custom suite of products that offer clients traceability and brand solutions. These products are combined with “software as a service” or “SaaS” which is stored in the cloud and accessed through the internet.

Opportunities

Precision Logistics: Traditionally, most shipping businesses utilize the carrier’s data platform for tracking which generally informs the shipping enterprise, and their customers, when a package is in transit, when a package has been delivered, and some level of detail of the path which a package traveled. We believe taking the data feeds from a carrier and adding real-time visibility with predictive analytics and the human intervention factor of our service center gives us a competitive advantage against other third-party platforms that solely rely on the carrier’s data feeds. We utilize a variety of input sources beyond the carrier’s data feed. Our proprietary “Predictive Analytics” technology is fed real-time meteorology data, traffic and road construction data, and power grid information to help predict issues before they happen. If an alert is created the shipper and our service center will work to address the issue and save the perishable product from spoiling, saving the shipper significant costs and reducing the need to replace products that are no longer viable. We have meteorologists on staff that track world-wide weather patterns to address predicted issues before they happen. We believe the company has two significant areas of opportunity. First, our services are specifically designed to address the needs of small and medium size agriculture, food and beverage companies. Second, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries represent significant opportunities due to the enhanced tracking and customer service associated with distribution of these products. We are focusing our sales emphasis on those industries. In addition, we believe that combining our authentication solutions into the product offering for Precision Logistics clientele, gives our Precision Logistics segment a competitive advantage to generate revenue by enhancing clients’ ability to grow revenue, gain business intelligence and build brand loyalty.

The U.S. logistics industry is facing an economic slowdown. We believe this represents an opportunity since major global carriers are cutting internal staff. These carriers are looking for lower cost alternatives to service their customers as well as partners that can help the carrier increase revenues. To maintain their credibility in the market, these carriers will need to ensure they meet their customers’ demands for time and temperature sensitive shipments, while maintaining their overheads. We believe outsourcing this function to our Precision Logistics segment provides the ideal solution for all parties involved.

Building logistics infrastructure is a capital-intensive process as the investment is locked in for a considerably long period. Due to the current economic environment, and our cost competitive offering, we believe companies will opt to outsource their precision logistics services to reduce their operational costs. The outsourcing of supply chain related and other logistics operations to service providers such as ours allows companies to improve the efficiency of their businesses by focusing their resources on core competencies.

Authentication: We believe the products in our Authentication segment have applications in many areas. Currently, we are aggressively marketing opportunities in the following areas:

In addition, in each of these markets, our SaaS software allows brand owners and consumers to track the products and will alert the consumer or brand owner of product diversion with 24/7 monitoring. As each product has a unique code, this allows consumers and brand owners to authenticate the product in real time and link directly to the brand owner’s website for additional product information, discounts, and more.

Synergies: We believe that Precision Logistics and Authentication segments have synergistic product centric technology platforms and combined have a compelling technology offering for brand owners. For example, currently our Precision Logistics segment ships vaccines for major pharmaceutical companies. With the addition of our Authentication technology, we can add unit level traceability and authentication to protect clients’ vaccines from product diversion and sub-standard counterfeits. In addition, our Authentication segment brand enhancement solutions could give the Precision Logistics food and beverage clients the ability to gather rich business intelligence and build customer loyalty with engagement functions like videos, discounts, contests, recipes, etc.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023, and 2022

The following discussion analyzes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022. The following information should be considered together with our financial statements for such periods and the accompanying notes thereto.

Revenue

Consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $25,313 thousand, a 29% increase compared to $19,576 thousand, for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenue primarily relates to the acquisition of the PeriShip Global business on April 22, 2022, which increased revenue by $6,462 thousand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, partially offset by a $725 thousand decline in the Authentication revenue. The Authentication segment maintained its existing client base but had reduced orders in the nutraceutical market in 2023.

Gross Profit 

Consolidated gross profit for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, was $9,003 thousand and $6,488 thousand, respectively. The resulting gross margin was 36% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 33% for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in our gross margin is due to the acquisition of the PeriShip Global business acquired on April 22, 2022, which is included for the full twelve months of 2023. The Precision Logistics segment had increased premium services revenue which has higher margins as well as process improvements to increase proactive services margins. With the acquisition of Trust Codes in March 2023, providing custom software, our margins in the Authentication segment also increased.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $10,586 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $8,428 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $2,158 thousand. The increase relates to the acquisition of the PeriShip Global business on April 22, 2022 included for the full twelve months of 2023, the deal transaction costs related to the acquisition of the Trust Codes Global business of $278 thousand, operations related to Trust Codes, as well as severance expense of approximately $590 thousand which has been paid in full by the end of January 2024, partially offset by costs related to the acquisition of the PeriShip Global business of $661 thousand in 2022 that did not recur in 2023. Stock-based compensation was $1,509 thousand, including $121 thousand relating to severance in 2023, compared to $1,375 thousand in 2022. Amortization and depreciation expense was $1,134 thousand and $770 thousand for the twelve months ended December 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses increased by $18 thousand to $107 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $89 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily related to research and development activities as a result of the acquisition of Trust Codes during the first quarter of 2023.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023, were $1,638 thousand compared to $1,718 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $80 thousand. The decrease is related to a reduction in employees and consultants in the Authentication segment partially offset by the PeriShip Global business included for the full twelve months of 2023.

Net Loss

Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $3,390 thousand, compared to $14,398 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decreased loss was primarily due to the impairment of the SPAC of $10,932 thousand during 2022. The resulting consolidated loss per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $0.35 compared to a consolidated loss per diluted share of $1.70 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our operations provided $244 thousand of cash during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $2,551 thousand cash used in operations during the year end December 31, 2022. The increase in cash from operations is due to a favorable change in working capital accounts during 2023 compared to 2022 from our acquisition of PeriShip Global in April of 2022.

Net cash used in investing activities was $1,195 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $7,884 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022.  During the year ended December 31, 2022, $7,500 thousand was used for the acquisition of the PeriShip Global business.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $634 thousand compared to $4,424 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2022, related to proceeds from issuance of convertible debt in 2023 and debt and offerings of our common stock in 2022.

On December 8, 2023, we announced a new $0.5 million share repurchase program to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock through December 14, 2024, but may be modified, suspended or discontinued at the discretion of the Board at any time.  To date, no shares have been purchased under the program.

On August 25, 2023, the Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with certain investors for the sale of convertible promissory notes for the aggregate principal amount of $1,100 thousand of which $475 thousand was purchased by relating parties including certain members of management and the Board of Directors. The notes are subordinated unsecured obligations of the Company and accrue interest at a rate of 8% per year payable semiannually in arrears on February 25 and August 25 of each year, beginning on February 25, 2024. The notes will mature on August 25, 2026, unless earlier converted or repurchased at a conversion price of $1.15 per share of common stock. The Company may not redeem the notes prior to the maturity date. As of December 31, 2023, the amount outstanding on the convertible debt was $1,100 thousand and included in Convertible Note, and Convertible Note – related party on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has accrued interest expense of $31 thousand related to the convertible note as of December 31, 2023.

On September 22, 2022, we entered into the PNC Facility with PNC Bank, National Association. The PNC Facility includes a $1 million RLOC. The RLOC has no scheduled payments of principal until maturity, and bears interest per annum at a rate equal to the sum of Daily SOFR plus 2.85% with monthly interest payments. The PNC Facility also includes a four-year Term Note for $2 million which matures in September of 2026 and requires equal quarterly payments of principal and interest. The Term Note incurs interest per annum at a rate equal to the sum of Daily SOFR plus 3.1%. The RLOC and Term Note are guaranteed by the Company and secured by the assets of PeriShip and the Company.

The PNC Facility includes a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants applicable to PeriShip, including, among others, a financial covenant to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.10 to 1.00 at the end of each fiscal year, affirmative covenants regarding delivery of financial statements, payment of taxes, and establishing primary depository accounts with PNC Bank, and restrictive covenants regarding dispositions of property, acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness or liens, investments and transactions with affiliates. PeriShip is also restricted from paying dividends or making other distributions or payments on its capital stock if an event of default (as defined in the PNC Facility) has occurred or would occur upon such declaration of dividend. On November 3, 2023, we entered into a waiver and amendment to loan documents and received a waiver for certain events of default. We also entered into an amended and restated loan agreement with PNC effective October 31, 2023, which provided amendments to a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants applicable to PeriShip Global and extended the RLOC to September 30, 2024.

We were in compliance with all affirmative and restrictive covenants under the PNC Facility at December 31, 2023.

Effective October 17, 2022, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement, with a notional amount of $1,958 thousand, effectively fixing the interest rate on our outstanding debt at 7.602%.

Of the proceeds of $2.0 million, we used $1.8 million to settle debt outstanding issued in connection with the PeriShip Global acquisition, including the redemption of 61,000 shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2023, our short-term debt outstanding under the Term Note was $0.5 million and total long-term debt outstanding under the Term Note was $0.9 million.

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, together with the proceeds from the convertible note, from debt issued and RLOC, will fund our operations for the next 12 months including expected capital expenditures.

We expect to grow our business organically and through key acquisitions that will help accelerate the growth of our business. We expect to continue to fund our operations primarily through utilization of our current financial resources and future revenue and may issue additional debt or equity.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements are impacted by the accounting policies used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during their preparation. We have identified below the accounting policies that are of particular importance in the presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows and which require the application of significant judgment by management. We have identified that the estimates used in the valuation of the assets of the PeriShip acquisition, and the Trust Codes acquisition are critical and require significant judgment. We believe estimates and assumptions related to these accounting policies are appropriate under the circumstances; however, should future events or occurrences result in unanticipated consequences, there could be a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue based on the principals established in ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Revenue recognition is made when our performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time of delivery of the service. Over 95% of our revenue is derived from logistics management for time and temperature sensitive packages with the remaining from our traceability solutions. Our terms vary based on the solutions we offer and are examined on a case-by-case basis. For licensing of our VerifyInk^TM technology we depend on the integrity of our clients’ reporting. Determining whether products and services in agreements with non-standard terms are distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately or combined to one unit of accounting may require significant judgement.

The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, and unbilled revenue when billings occur after the end of the month (contract assets) on the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts charged to our clients become billable when the performance obligation has been met at a point in time. Unbilled amounts will generally be billed and collected within 30 days but typically no longer than 60 days. These assets are reported on the consolidated balance sheets on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the contract assets have not significantly increased as of December 31, 2023, due to the business combination. No other factors materially impacted the balances.

Business Combinations

Accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made in relation to the acquisition of the PeriShip business are appropriate, they are based, in part, on historical experience and information obtained from management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. Critical estimates in valuing certain acquired intangible assets include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows including revenue growth rate assumptions from product sales, customer contracts and acquired technologies, estimated royalty rates used in valuing technology related intangible assets, and discount rates. The discount rates used to discount expected future cash flows to present value are typically derived from a weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”) analysis and adjusted to reflect inherent risks. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect either the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.

We allocate the fair value of the purchase price of our acquisitions to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values at acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of the purchase price over the fair values of these net tangible and intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but our estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which will not exceed one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. After the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of the purchase price of our acquisitions, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill

We have recorded goodwill as part of our acquisition of the PeriShip business and Trust Codes business, which represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in the business combinations. Pursuant to ASC 350, the Company will test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, or between annual tests, in certain circumstances. Under authoritative guidance, the Company first assessed qualitative factors to determine whether it was necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The assessment considers factors such as, but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, data showing other companies in the industry and our share price. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. Events or changes in circumstances which could trigger an impairment review include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance, other entity specific events and sustained decrease in share price. For our annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2023, we performed a qualitative assessment as permitted by ASU 2017-04 for our reporting units and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value exceeded their respective carrying value.

Stock-based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation under the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the grant date. We estimate the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model include risk-free interest rates, expected volatility and expected life of the stock options. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect estimates of fair value stock-based compensation, and the compensation expense recorded in future periods. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method.

For RSUs with stock price appreciation targets, we applied a lattice approach that incorporated a Monte Carlo simulation, which involved random iterations that took different future price paths over the RSU’s contractual life based on the appropriate probability distributions (which are based on commonly applied Black Scholes inputs). The fair value was determined by taking the average of the grant date fair values under each Monte Carlo simulation trial. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period and there is no ongoing adjustment or reversal based on actual achievement during the period.

We account for stock-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Based Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), which aligns accounting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees to that of employees under the existing guidance of Topic 718, with certain exceptions. This update supersedes previous guidance for equity-based payments to nonemployees under Subtopic 505-50, Equity – Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.

All issuances of stock options or other equity instruments to non-employees as consideration for goods or services received by the Company are accounted for based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued. Non-employee equity-based payments are recorded as an expense over the service period, as if we had paid cash for the services. At the end of each financial reporting period, prior to vesting or prior to the completion of the services, the fair value of the equity-based payments will be re-measured, and the non-cash expense recognized during the period will be adjusted accordingly. Since the fair value of equity-based payments granted to non-employees is subject to change in the future, the amount of the future expense will include fair value re-measurements until the equity-based payments are fully vested or the service completed. 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements are discussed in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes accompanying the financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not applicable for smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are appended to this Report beginning on page F-1 located immediately after the signature page and incorporated by reference in this Item 8.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, our principal executive officer, and Chief Financial Officer, our principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, using criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our management has concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2023, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Trust Codes Acquisition

On March 1, 2023, we acquired, through Trust Codes Global, the business and certain assets of Trust Codes Limited, a company specializing in brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and brand enhancement technology with an expertise in the food and agriculture industry. For additional information regarding the acquisition, refer to Note 4 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements appended to this Report and incorporated by reference into Item 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Item 7 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on the recent completion of this acquisition and, pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of an assessment for a period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 does not include Trust Codes Global. We plan to include Trust Codes Global in our assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting within the timeframe set forth by the SEC’s guidance. 

Auditor’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

This Report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Report.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

During the three months ended December 31, 2023, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

Not Applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference from our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders under the headings “Questions and Answers About these Proxy Materials and Voting,” “Proposal One: Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” “Management and Executive Officers” and, if necessary, “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the December 31, 2023, fiscal year end.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference from our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders under the headings “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the December 31, 2023, fiscal year end.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

Except for the information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans (which is set forth below), the information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference from our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders under the heading “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the December 31, 2023, fiscal year end.

The following table summarizes the number of shares subject to currently outstanding equity awards, their weighted-average exercise price, and the number of shares available for future grants under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023.

Equity Compensation Plan Information as of December 31, 2023

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference from our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the December 31, 2023, fiscal year end.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference from our proxy statement for our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders under the numbered proposal with the heading “Ratification of the Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which proxy statement will be filed within 120 days after the December 31, 2023, fiscal year end.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

* Filed or furnished herewith, as applicable

# Denotes management compensation plan or contract

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

SIGNATURES

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

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

INDEX TO

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

VerifyMe, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of VerifyMe, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

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

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

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

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP

www.malonebailey.com

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2018

Houston, Texas

March 29, 2024

VerifyMe, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

VerifyMe, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

VerifyMe, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(In thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

VerifyMe, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)