Nauticus Robotics Secures Additional Funding, Appoints New Executive Management, Improves Operations and Cost Structures, and Engages Strategic Advisor
HOUSTON, Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nauticus Robotics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KITT) ("Nauticus" or the "Company"), a developer of subsea autonomous robotic systems and software, today announced that it secured an investment before the close of 2023 and eliminated many of the dilutive warrants and ratchet provisions of the original de-SPAC financing in the process. The new investment is the first tranche of financing led by existing investors. Nauticus anticipates executing a second tranche of investment, discussions for which are ongoing and aimed at providing funding for the year.
The new investment shows continued support from existing stakeholders and is an integral component of several strategic activities initiated by the Company's Board of Directors to optimize its operations and to improve its near and long-term financial viability. This includes the engagement of a new executive management team, culminating in the promotion of John W. Gibson, Jr. to interim CEO on January 4, 2024.
"We currently have the intellectual property, prototypes, and the talent to deliver robust products and services," said Gibson. "Team Nauticus is now laser-focused on converting our intellectual property, including both patents and trade secrets, into differentiated solutions that bring significant value to both commercial and government customers. We are shifting from prototypes to creating reliable solutions for the blue economy. We are pleased that our financing partners worked with us to address the ratchet provisions associated with earlier issued convertible securities, thereby enabling potential equity investment from others. We appreciate the engagement of the Company's Board in addressing earlier challenges, and, as a result of our recent changes, are excited about the year ahead."
Gibson has over 35 years of experience in the energy and IT industries, including serving as President of Halliburton Energy Services. He has served as the President of Nauticus since last October and on the Board of Directors since 2022.
He is joined by Victoria Hay, the Company's interim Chief Financial Officer, and Nicholas Bigney, the Company's General Counsel, both of whom were appointed during Q4 of 2023. JD Yamokoski, the Company's long-time Chief Technology Officer, remains with Nauticus and rounds out the executive management team.
Hay has been a contracted CFO for several smaller private startups, and was previously the Senior Director of Global Accounting and Reporting Services at Weatherford International plc.
Bigney has nearly 20 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sector, with a background in complex financing and M&A and has been general counsel of both public and private companies.
Nauticus' new finance and corporate structure enables the Company to realize its tightened strategic focus on providing proven and innovative solutions to the blue economy. This focus includes working with oil and gas producers to improve subsea inspections in the near term and expanding into maintenance and repair with the next generation of Aquanaut autonomous undersea robots. Nauticus expects to be offshore certifying its new Aquanaut Mk2 vehicle beginning in early 2024, and, upon completion of the certification, anticipates transitioning to contracted operations at a deepwater field for a major oil and gas producer.
The Company's Board hired Piper Sandler & Co. as its investment banking advisor to help facilitate the financing efforts and to assist in evaluating other strategic alternatives, including pursuing closing of the recently announced merger with 3D at Depth.
Nauticus Robotics, Inc. develops autonomous robots for the ocean industries. Autonomy requires the extensive use of sensors, artificial intelligence, and effective algorithms for perception and decision allowing the robot to adapt to changing environments. Nauticus' robotic systems and services are designed to address both commercial and government-facing customers. The company has targeted the Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) business model complemented by direct product sales of vehicles, components, and licensing of related software. Nauticus has designed and is currently testing and certifying a new generation of vehicles to reduce operational cost and gather data to maintain and operate a wide variety of subsea infrastructure.
Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Act as well as protections afforded by other federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the expected timing of product commercialization or new product releases; customer interest in Nauticus' products; estimated 2024 operating results and use of cash; and Nauticus' use of and needs for capital. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates," "intends," or "continue" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Nauticus' management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. There can be no assurance that the events, results, or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Nauticus is not under any obligation and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports which Nauticus has filed or will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and that could cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated in the forward-looking statements made by the Company, in particular the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in documents filed from time to time with the SEC, including Nauticus' Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 14, 2023. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties, or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. The documents filed by Nauticus with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Important Information for Investors and Stockholders
This press release relates to a proposed transaction between Nauticus and 3DAD. It does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Nauticus intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which will include a document that serves as a prospectus and proxy statement of Nauticus, referred to as a proxy statement/prospectus. A proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all Nauticus stockholders. Nauticus will also file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of Nauticus are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Nauticus through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.
Participants in the Solicitation
Nauticus, 3DAD and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Nauticus' stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of the respective directors and executive officers of Nauticus and 3DAD and information regarding their interests in the business combination will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such other jurisdiction.
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Released January 10, 2024