Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.25.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), under the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in preparation of these consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the (i) estimates of future costs to complete customer contracts recognized over time, (ii) valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, (iii) valuation of stock-based compensation awards, (iv) the valuation of conversion options, warrants and earnouts, (v) fair value of the New Convertible Debentures, (vi) fair value of November 2024 Debentures, and (vii) fair value of Preferred Stock. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company classifies all highly-liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts, which at times may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000. Historically, the Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Restricted Certificate of Deposit The Company has a restricted certificate of deposit, held by a bank on our behalf, of $52,151 and $201,822, as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The balance at December 31, 2024 relates to a guarantee against corporate credit cards. The balance at December 31, 2023 consisted of $150,000, relating to a restricted certificate of deposit which was required to collateralize a letter of credit, with the remainder held as a guarantee against corporate credit cards.
Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Revenues, And Allowance for Credit Losses With the adoption of ASU 2016-13, accounts receivable and contract assets are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not typically bear interest. The Company regularly monitors and assesses its risk of not collecting amounts owed by customers. At each balance sheet date, the Company recognizes an expected allowance for credit losses. In addition, at each reporting date, this estimate is updated to reflect any changes in credit risk since the receivable was initially recorded. This estimate is calculated on a pooled basis where similar risk characteristics exist. If applicable, accounts receivable and contract assets are evaluated
individually when they do not share similar risk characteristics which could exist in circumstances where amounts are considered at risk or uncollectible.
The allowance estimate is derived from a review of the Company’s historical losses based on the aging of receivables. This estimate is adjusted for management’s assessment of current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts regarding future events, and any other factors deemed relevant by the Company. The Company believes historical loss information is a reasonable starting point in which to calculate the expected allowance for credit losses as the Company’s portfolio segments have remained constant since the Company’s inception.
The Company writes off receivables when there is information that indicates the debtor is facing significant financial difficulty and there is no possibility of recovery. If any recoveries are made from any accounts previously written off, they will be recognized in income in the year of recovery, in accordance with the entity’s accounting policy election.
Assets Held For Sales and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets identified as assets held for sale are categorized on the balance sheet as current assets and are measured at the lower of carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any liabilities associated with the assets being sold are categorized on the balance sheet as current liabilities. Assets held for sale are no longer depreciated or amortized.The Company reviews long-lived assets for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. In this assessment, future pre-tax cash flows (undiscounted) resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal are estimated. If the undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between its carrying value and estimated fair value.
Property and Equipment Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method. Expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment are capitalized. Those costs which do not extend the useful lives are expensed as incurred. Upon disposition, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gain or loss on the disposal is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Segment Reporting In November of 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments are intended to increase reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The ASU is effective on a retrospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Operating segments refer to components of a company that engage in activities for which separate financial information is available and reviewed regularly by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. The CODM reviews the Balance Sheet and Statement of Operations quarterly and reviews as a single reportable segment. The CODM is the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Company manages its operations as a single segment because each revenue stream possesses similar production methods, distribution methods, and customer quality and consumption characteristics, resulting in similar long-term expected financial performance. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 has not had a material impact on our financial statements.
Revenue Our primary sources of revenue are from providing technology engineering services and products to the offshore industry and governmental entities. Revenue is generated pursuant to contractual arrangements to design and develop subsea robots and software and to provide related engineering, technical, and other services according to the specifications of the customers. These contracts can be service sales (cost plus fixed fee or firm fixed price) or product sales and typically have terms of up to 18 months. The Company had no product sales in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer distinct goods or services to a customer. For all contracts, we assess if there are multiple promises that should be accounted for as separate performance obligations or combined into a single performance obligation. We generally separate multiple promises in a contract as separate performance obligations if those promises are distinct, both individually and in the context of the contract. If multiple promises in a contract are highly interrelated or require significant integration or customization within a group, they are combined and accounted for as a single performance obligation.
Our performance obligations under service agreements generally are satisfied over time as the service is provided. Revenue under these contracts is recognized over time using an input measure of progress (typically costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion). This requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions to estimate contract sales and costs associated with its contracts with customers. At the outset of a long-term contract, the Company identifies risks to the achievement of the technical, schedule and cost aspects of the contract. Throughout the contract term, on at least a quarterly basis, we monitor and assess the effects of those risks on its estimates of sales and total costs to complete the contract. Changes in these estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations. Where the current estimate of total costs at completion for contracts exceeds the total consideration we expect to receive we recognize the entire expected loss in the period that becomes evident. Estimated contract costs include costs that relate directly to the contract including direct labor, direct materials, and allocations of certain overhead costs.
Firm-fixed price contracts present the risk of unreimbursed cost overruns, potentially resulting in lower-than-expected contract profits and margins. This risk is generally lower for cost plus fixed fee contracts which, as a result, generally have a lower margin.
Inventories Inventories consist of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods, as applicable, and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Work in progress and finished goods inventories include raw materials, direct labor and production overhead. The Company periodically reviews inventories on hand and current market conditions to determine if the cost of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods inventories exceed current market prices and impairs the cost basis of the inventory accordingly. The associated impairment is charged as a standalone expense on the statements of operations. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage requirement is written down to its net realizable value if those amounts are determined to be less than cost. The associated write-downs or write-offs of inventory are charged to cost of sales.
Leases The Company’s lease arrangements are operating leases which are capitalized on the balance sheet as right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and obligations. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. These are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of payments over the lease term. If leases do not provide for an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term as the lease payments. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less ("short term leases") are not recorded on the balance sheet; and the lease expense on short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception based on whether the Company has the right to control the use of an identified asset, the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. After the criteria are satisfied, the Company accounts for these arrangements as leases in accordance with ASC 842, Leases. Right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term, including payments at commencement that depend on an index or rate. For leases in which the Company is the lessee that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate, an incremental borrowing rate, based on the information available at the lease commencement date, is utilized to determine the present value of lease payments. When a secured borrowing rate is not readily available, unsecured borrowing rates are adjusted for the effects of collateral to determine the incremental borrowing rate. The Company uses the implicit rate for agreements in which it is a lessor. The Company has not entered into any material agreements in which it is a lessor. Lease expense and lease income are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases.
Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for employee stock-based compensation using the fair value method. Compensation cost for equity incentive awards is based on the fair value of the equity instrument generally on the date of grant and is recognized over the requisite service period. The Company’s policy is to issue new shares upon the exercise or conversion of options and recognize option forfeitures as they occur.
Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax asset (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods), projected future taxable income, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. A
valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs.
Foreign Currency Gains and Losses Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included on determining net loss. The Company purchases certain materials and equipment from foreign companies and these transactions are generally denominated in the vendors’ local currency.
Common Stock Warrants We account for Common Stock warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance. This assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments, meet the definition of a liability or requirements for equity classification, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s Common Stock, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period end date while the warrants are outstanding.
We have determined that the private warrants sold in a private placement to CLAQ’s co-sponsors in connection with CLAQ’s initial public offering (the “Private Warrants”) and warrants sold to the public in CLAQ’s initial public offering (the “Public Warrants”) should be accounted for as liabilities. The Private Warrants and Public Warrants were initially recorded at their estimated fair value on the issuance. They are then revalued at each reporting date thereafter, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. Derivative warrant liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. The fair value of the Private Warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model (a Level 3 measurement). The Public Warrants are valued using their publicly-traded price at each measurement date (a Level 1 measurement).
We have determined that the SPA Warrants should be accounted for as liabilities. The SPA Warrants were initially recorded at their estimated fair value on the issuance and are then revalued at each reporting date thereafter, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. Derivative warrant liabilities are classified in our balance sheets as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement or conversion of the instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. On issuance, the fair value of the Original SPA Warrants upon issuance was estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation model (a Level 3 measurement).
Fair Value Election for New Convertible Debentures and November Convertible Debentures The Company has elected to measure its new 5% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Debentures (the "New Convertible Debentures") and the 2% Original Issue Discount Senior Secured Convertible Debentures (the "November 2024 Debentures") at fair value under the fair value option in accordance with ASC 825-10, Financial Instruments – Fair Value Option. This election was made to provide greater transparency and to more accurately reflect the economic value of the New Convertible Debentures and November 2024 Debentures in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Under the fair value option, the New Convertible Debentures and the November 2024 Debentures are recorded at their estimated fair value at each reporting date, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings within "Other (income) expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the New Convertible Debentures and November 2024 Debentures are determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model that uses inputs such as the Company’s stock price (KITT), stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and conversion terms.

As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of the New Convertible Debentures was $0 compared to an initial fair value of $99,195,791 as of January 30, 2024, as a result of the New Convertible Debentures being exchanged to Series A Preferred stock on December 27, 2024 and December 31, 2024. A loss on extinguishment of debt of $48,870,991 related to this transaction was reported in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
November 2024 Debentures
The November 2024 Debentures were estimated to have a fair value of $2,583,832 as of December 31, 2024.
The fair value option eliminates the requirement to separately account for embedded conversion features that would otherwise be bifurcated under ASC 815-15, Derivatives and Hedging – Embedded Derivatives. Instead, all economic impacts of the New Convertible Debentures and November 2024 Debentures—including interest, conversion features, and market fluctuations—are captured in the fair value measurement.

The Company believes that the fair value measurement provides a more relevant representation of the liability’s impact on financial position and performance, as it reflects the new convertible debentures’ current economic value and reduces potential measurement inconsistencies.
Earnout Shares Earnout Shares, issuable to former holders of Nauticus Robotics Holdings, Inc.’s Common Stock, are held in escrow. The Earnout Shares will be released upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event within 5 years of September 9, 2022. The Earnout Shares are considered legally issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock subject to restrictions on transfer and potential forfeiture pending the achievement of the earnout targets. The Company evaluated the Earnout Shares and concluded that they meet the criteria for equity classification. The Earnout Shares were classified in stockholders’ equity, recognized at fair value upon issuance and will not be subsequently remeasured. A Monte Carlo valuation model (a Level 3 measurement) determined their estimated fair value upon issuance.
Capitalized Interest The Company capitalizes interest costs incurred to work in progress during the related construction periods. Capitalized interest is charged to costs of revenue when the related completed project is delivered to the buyer.
Earnings (Loss) per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed in the same manner as basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares of Common Stock that could have been outstanding assuming the exercise of stock options and warrants (determined using the treasury stock method) and conversion of convertible debt. The Earnout Shares, which are subject to forfeiture if the achievement of certain stock price thresholds is not met, are not considered participating securities and are not included in the weighted-average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating loss per share.
Major Customer and Concentration of Credit Risk We have a limited number of customers. During the year ended December 31, 2024, sales to three customers accounted for 82% of total revenue. Sales to Customer A accounted for 39% of total revenue; sales to Customer B accounted for 27% of total revenue; and sales to Customer C accounted for 16% of total revenue. Total accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2024 was made up by three customers. During the year ended December 31, 2023, sales to two customers accounted for almost 100% of total revenue. Sales to Customer D accounted for 61% of total revenue; and sales to Customer C accounted for 39% of total revenue. The total balance due from these customers as of December 31, 2023 comprised 68% of accounts receivable with the remaining due from one other customer. No other customer represented more than 10% of our revenue. Loss of these customers could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Reclassifications Financial statements presented for prior periods include reclassifications that were made to conform to the current year presentation. There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements for these changes.
Accounting Standards Issued but not adopted as of December 31, 2024
Accounting Standards Issued but not adopted as of December 31, 2024 In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments require disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold and further disaggregation of income taxes paid for individually significant jurisdictions. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on the disclosures within our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, an update that improves income statement expense disclosure requirements. Under ASU 2024-03 issuers will be required to incorporate new tabular disclosures disaggregating prescribed expense categories within relevant income statement captions in the notes to their financial statements. These categories include purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation and intangible asset amortization. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and
should be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2024-03 will require us to provide additional disclosures related to certain income statement expenses, but otherwise will not materially impact our financial statements.
All other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued, but not yet effective are currently being evaluated and at this time are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.