UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 20-F

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Or

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

Or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Or

☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 333-206723

P.V. NANO CELL LTD.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A

(Translation of the Registrant’s name into English)

State of Israel

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

8 Hamasger Street, Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel 2310102

(Address of principal executive offices)

Ran Eisenberg

Chief Executive Officer

8 Hamasger Street

Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel 2310102

Tel: 972.4.654.6881

Fax: 972.4.654.6880

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.

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

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

Ordinary Shares, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share

Indicate the number of outstanding ordinary shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 26,986,203 ordinary shares, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share, as of December 31, 2020.

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

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐  No ☒

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 a 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 ☐  No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

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

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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. ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Registrant has elected to follow: Item 17 ☐  Item 18 ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS ANNUAL REPORT

All references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “the Company”, “PV Nano”, “our company” and “our Company”, in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, or our annual report, are to P.V. Nano Cell Ltd., unless the context otherwise requires. All references to “Group” in this annual report on Form 20-F, are to the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. All references to “shares”, “ordinary shares” or “our ordinary shares” are to our ordinary shares, NIS 0.01 (approximately $0.003) nominal value per share. All references to “Israel” are to the State of Israel. “U.S. GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Unless otherwise stated, all of our financial information presented in this annual report has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any discrepancies in any table between totals and sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding. Unless otherwise indicated, or the context otherwise requires, references in this annual report to financial and operational data for a particular year refer to the fiscal year of our company ended December 31 of that year.

Our reporting currency and financial currency is the U.S. dollar. In this annual report on Form 20-F, “NIS” means New Israeli Shekel, and “$,” “US$” and “U.S. dollars” mean United States dollars. Unless stated otherwise, the conversion rate between US$ to NIS used in this annual report on Form 20-F is 3.215, the conversion rate of the Bank of Israel as of December 31, 2020.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this annual report on Form 20-F are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

Any forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 20-F reflect our current views with respect to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under “Item 3 D. — Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

This annual report on Form 20-F also contains estimates, projections, and other information concerning our industry, our business, and the markets for our products, including data regarding the estimated size of those markets. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research, or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances reflected in this information. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market, and other data from reports, research surveys, studies, and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties, industry and general publications, government data and similar sources.

PART I

ITEM 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers.

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable.

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. Key Information.

A. [Reserved].

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

Our business faces significant risks. You should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this annual report and in our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the following risk factors which we face and which are faced by our industry. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. In that event, the trading price of our ordinary shares would likely decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. This report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our results could materially differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, as a result of certain important factors including the risks described below and elsewhere in this report and our other SEC filings. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page ii.

Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Capital Requirements

We have a relatively limited operating history on which to assess our business, have incurred significant losses since our inception, and anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future.

We have a limited operating history. We have incurred net losses since our inception in 2009, including a net loss of approximately $12.5 million for the year ended on December 31, 2020 and an accumulated deficit of approximately $33.6 million as of December 31, 2020. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through the issuance of equity instruments and convertible notes as well as through government grants. The amount of our future net losses will depend, in part, on the rate of our future expenditures and our ability to generate significant revenues via commercialization of our products or technologies. We do not know whether or when we will become profitable. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on an ongoing basis. Our inability to achieve and then maintain profitability would negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our history of net losses has raised substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. If we do not continue as a going concern, investors could lose their entire investment.

We generated relatively limited revenues, which are not presently sufficient to sustain our operations. Our total revenues generated from sales were $761,319, $478,520 and $460,739 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. We have incurred net losses since our inception in 2009, including a net loss of approximately $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, and as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F we had limited cash resources.

Our history of net losses has raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and as a result, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph in its report on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to this uncertainty. We believe that we will need to raise significant additional funds before we have significant cash flow from operations. Accordingly, our ability to continue as a going concern will require us to seek alternative financing to fund our operations. The substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern could materially limit our ability to raise additional funds through the issuance of new debt or equity securities or otherwise. Future reports on our consolidated financial statements may include an explanatory paragraph with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern.

We will need significant additional capital, which we may be unable to obtain.

As of December 31, 2020, we had cash reserves of $31,327. As of the date of this report, we had sufficient cash to fund operations as presently maintained through August 2022. We will need to raise additional capital to continue our operations beyond such period. There can be no assurance that additional funds will be available when needed from any source or, if available, will be available on terms that are commercially acceptable to us. We may be required to pursue sources of additional capital through various means, including debt or equity financings. Future financings through equity investments are likely to be dilutive to existing shareholders. Furthermore, the terms of securities we may issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable for our new investors. Newly issued securities may include preferences, superior voting rights, the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, and the issuances of incentive awards under equity employee incentive plans, which may have additional dilutive effects. Further, we may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital and/or financing, including finder fees, investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertible notes and warrants, which will adversely impact our financial condition. Our ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets and our history of losses, which could impact the availability or cost of future financings. If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our revenues from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital needs, even to the extent that we reduce our operations accordingly, we may be required to cease operations.

Risks Relating to COVID-19

The global COVID-19constraints may continue to negatively impact the global economy in a significant manner for a further extended period of time, and may also adversely affect our operating results in a material manner.

The coronavirus pandemic has created macro-economic uncertainty and disruption in the business and financial markets. Many countries around the world, including Israel, have been taking measures designated to limit the continued spread of the coronavirus, including closing workplaces, restricting travel, prohibiting assembling, closing international borders and quarantining populated areas. These measures have impacted, and may further impact, our workforce and operations, the operations of our customers and our partners, and those of our respective vendors and suppliers (including our subcontractors and third-party contract manufacturers). Our customers worldwide, as well as the end markets that we support have also been affected and may continue to be affected by coronavirus-related implications, and may recover at different rates. In addition, as the implementation of the above-mentioned measures extends, and as additional measures may be required in the event that the measures already taken prove to be insufficient or ineffective, we may face new and/or increasing concerns that may dramatically affect our ability to conduct our business effectively, including, but not limited to, adverse effect on employees’ health, a slowdown and stoppage of manufacturing, commerce, delivery, work, travel and other activities which are essential and critical for maintaining on-going business activities.

During 2020, due to COVID-19 constraints, we have had to adjust our working mode (mainly changing working hours and make sure the Company complies with the government guidelines which have included full and partial lockdowns). While our business grew in 2020, our growth has been limited (sales grew less than expected) due to slow down of our customers and partners, and also due to traveling constrains imposed by governments due to COVID-19. Two of our main customers have purchased inks and services from us much less than forecasted and expected. Our plans to upgrade our DemonJet printers, develop the inks and technologies to print passive components have been slowed down due to the reduction of activities of our partners in Europe and reduced available resources. We have placed one of our employees on unpaid leave and reduced the team by two team members. Furthermore, due to the influence of COVID-19 on the world economy, the price of silvers (our main raw material) have increased by almost 50% from January 2019 through December 2020. Given the continued uncertainty around the extent and timing of the future spread or mitigation of the coronavirus outbreak and around the imposition or relaxation of protective measures, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact to our future results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance, including our ability to execute our business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on future developments, including, but not limited to, the duration and continued spread of the pandemic, its severity, the actions to contain the disease or treat its impact, further related restrictions on travel, and the duration, timing and severity of the impact on customer spending, including any recession resulting from the pandemic, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption as a result of COVID-19 could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity and financial condition, though the full extent and duration is uncertain; infections may become more widespread and the limitation on our ability to work, travel and timely sell and distribute our products, as well as any closures or supply disruptions, may be extended for longer periods of time and to other locations, all of which would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, as the scale and duration of these developments remain uncertain, they may have, or continue to have, macro and micro negative effects on the financial markets and global economy, which could result in an economic downturn that could affect demand for our products and have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results, earnings, cash flow, financial condition and share price. These effects could be material and long-term in duration.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, we have been closely monitoring the developments and continually assessing the potential impact on our business. Below are some of the risks and challenges that we may face as a result of the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic for a further extended period of time:

Risks Related to Our Business

We have generated only minimal revenue from product sales and may never be profitable.

We have generated only minimal revenue in the past, from limited sales of our Sicrys™ inks. The contribution of our subsidiary Digiflex Ltd. or Digiflex, to our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2020 was limited to the sale of inks, foils and maintenance of the three (3) printers sold since inception. Our ability to generate revenue and achieve profitability depends on our ability to successfully commercialize our Sicrys™ inks, Digiflex printers for the conducive and printed passive components market and future products and technologies. Our ability to generate revenues will also depend on (i) our ability to modify and bring to market Digiflex printers so we will be able to serve the electronics market and to use our Sicrys™ inks; and (ii) our ability to adapt Digiflex’s inks and/or develop additional inks to allow for the printing of full printed circuit boards, embedded passive components or PCBs. There is no assurance that we will be successful in any of these endeavors.

Our ability to generate future revenue from product sales depends heavily on our success in many areas, including but not limited to:

If our conductive inks and Digiflex printers fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance or if market penetration occurs more slowly than expected, our future revenues will be adversely affected.

Our success depends, among other things, on our ability to gain additional market acceptance of our Sicrys™ inks and Digiflex printers as a reliable and cost-saving alternative to existing production technologies. Compared to some competing technologies, our nano-metric conductive ink technology is relatively new, and most potential customers have limited knowledge of, or experience with, our conductive inks, may have substantial investments and know-how related to their existing printing technologies, and may perceive risks relating to the reliability, quality, usefulness and profitability of adopting our conductive inks when compared to other production technologies available in the market. Our potential customers may also need to devote significant time and effort to testing and validating our technology prior to its adoption. Any failure of our technology to meet our potential customer benchmarks could result in customers choosing to retain their existing technology or to purchase technologies other than ours. If we fail to achieve market acceptance of our conductive inks or if market penetration is slower than expected, then our opportunities to grow our revenues and reach profitability will be severely limited. In addition, our success depends on our ability to implement our Complete Solution Approach or End-to-End Approach (providing customers with the whole system of printers, process and inks), and gain market acceptance of Digiflex printers. There is no assurance that we will succeed in any of the foregoing.

We believe that our future success depends on our ability to deliver products and services that meet changing technology and customer needs.

Our business may be affected by rapid technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies and the emergence of new standards and practices, any of which could render our existing products and proprietary technology obsolete. Accordingly, our ongoing research and development programs are intended to enable us to maintain technological leadership. We believe that to remain competitive we must continually enhance and improve the functionality and features of our products, services and technologies. However, there is a risk that we may not be able to:

If we are unable to meet changing technology and customer needs, our competitive position, revenue, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our ink products may not be compatible with all commercially available printers and printer heads.

Printer heads generally require compatible inks. An ink may be incompatible for use with a particular printer head for a number of reasons, including, without limitations, because the chemicals used in the ink are not compatible with the materials used in the manufacture of the printer head or because the physical properties of the ink (e.g., viscosity, surface tension, etc.) are not compatible with the printer head. As a result, there can be no assurance that our inks will be compatible with additional sufficient number of printer heads, to support wide scale sales of our inks for digital inkjet printing. Although we have successfully certified our ink with several manufacturers of commercially available printers and printer heads and we are in the process of certifying our ink products with additional manufacturers, if we are unable to certify our ink products with a sufficient number of such manufacturers our ability to widely market our ink products and to gain market penetration will be impaired and we may be unable to generate additional revenues.

Given our limited resources, there is no assurance that we will be able to enter into additional contracts or comply with our existing contracts.

We have several customers which have started to purchase recurring growing amounts of inks, including Dip Tech Ltd (with which we had an exclusive agreement which was terminated by us in 2020). Two additional customers in the Automotive glass field and an additional customer in the solar cell field in final stages of qualification. There is no assurance that these customers will continue to purchase inks from us and that we will successfully enter into additional contracts. In addition, there is no assurance that we will be able to produce and supply all the ink required to satisfy all orders under our current or future supply contracts.

We currently have minimal marketing and sales capabilities. If we are unable to establish significant sales and marketing capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties to market and sell our products, we may be unable to generate significant revenue.

We have limited experience and capabilities in selling and marketing our conductive inks and our marketing and sales efforts are currently being led primarily by our chief executive officer, chief technology officer and chief business development officer. In order to successfully commercialize our Sicrys™ inks or any other products, we will need to either further develop these capabilities on our own or by collaboration with third party distributors and sales agents with established sales and marketing operations and industry experience. We have entered into distribution and sales agreements with respect to the United States, Italy and Japan. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into other agreements with such third-party distribution and sales agents agreements on terms acceptable to us, or at all, or that such distributors or sales agents will be successful in marketing our inks. If we are not successful entering into such agreement our results of operation may be adversely affected.

Our ability to grow our business successfully depends, among other things, on our ability to develop and implement our production and operating infrastructure in a way that would effectively support our growth in our target markets.

We manufacture our inks at our Migdal Ha’Emek facilities. We currently have capacity to produce an estimated two (2) tons of ink per year (three shifts work) and intend to upgrade our facilities (capital cost estimated at $500,000) to increase production capacity to 20 tons per year, if and when demand for our inks is projected to surpass our production capabilities.

Our future success requires among others that we have adequate capacity in our manufacturing facilities to manufacture the quantities of products to support our current sales level and the anticipated increased levels that may result from our growth. There can be no assurance as to the timing or our ability to achieve planned, needed, or desired manufacturing capacity levels. We believe that the capacity of our current manufacturing facilities is sufficient to meet anticipated demand for our products through the end of 2022. If the demand for our conductive inks does not increase, we may have significant excess manufacturing capacity and under-absorption of our fixed costs, which could in turn adversely affect our gross margins. In the event that demand for our inks outgrows our internal manufacturing capacity, we intend to engage third-party manufacturers to produce additional inks. There can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into agreements with such manufacturers on terms acceptable to us, or at all, or that, once contracted, such manufacturers will perform as expected. If we are not successful entering into such agreement our results of operation may be adversely affected.

We are subject to a multitude of manufacturing risks, any of which could substantially increase our costs and limit supply of our products and technologies.

We currently only have one operating manufacturing line. The process of manufacturing our products and technologies is complex and subject to several risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to availability and prices of the raw materials (including silver in particular) necessary for production of our inks, and any major malfunctions in our manufacturing line. Any adverse developments affecting manufacturing operations for our products and technologies may result in shipment delays, inventory shortages, lot failures, withdrawals or recalls, or other interruptions in the supply of our products and technologies. We may also have to take inventory write-offs and incur other charges and expenses for products and technologies that fail to meet specifications, undertake costly remediation efforts, or seek more costly manufacturing alternatives.

We are subject to risks resulting from fluctuations in the price of silver.

The manufacturing process for our silver-based inks utilizes a silver salt, the price of which is linked to the price of silver. The price of silver is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including inflation, fluctuation of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, speculative activities by commodities traders and others and the political and economic conditions of major silver producing countries throughout the world, and recently affected by the COVID-19 influence on the world economic environment. The volatility of mineral prices represents a substantial risk which no amount of planning or technical expertise can fully eliminate. In the event silver prices increase and remain high for prolonged periods of time, we may not be able to produce silver-based inks at a price which is cost effective for manufacturers of printed electronics. Furthermore, if the price of silver decreases substantially and remains low for prolonged periods of time, the value proposition that we believe is offered by our copper-based nano-metric ink may be substantially decreased, since a low price of the silver used in their manufacturing processes reduces the incentive for manufacturers of electronic devices to replace silver with another metal, such as copper. Any of the foregoing would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

We are subject to risks resulting from fluctuations in the price of some raw materials.

The manufacturing process for our silver-based inks utilizes a range of raw materials, the prices of which are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including inflation, fluctuation of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, and recently affected by the COVID-19 influence on the world economic environment. In the event raw materials prices increase and remain high for prolonged periods of time, we may not be able to produce silver-based inks at a price which is cost effective for manufacturers of printed electronics.

Our business involves the use of hazardous materials, and we must comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business. 

Our business involves the blending, controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials. We and our suppliers are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these hazardous materials. Although we believe the safety procedures we utilized for handling and disposing of these materials comply with the standards prescribed by these laws and regulations, we cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. In the event of an accident, local, state, federal or foreign authorities may curtail the use of these materials and interrupt our business operations. If we are subject to any liability as a result of activities involving hazardous materials, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected and our reputation may be harmed.

We face competition in the markets in which we operate and the possibility that our competitors may develop products that are similar to, more advanced than, or more effective than ours, which may adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to successfully commercialize our products and technologies.

We are currently aware of various existing products in the market and in development that may compete with our products and technologies, directly and indirectly. To our knowledge, other companies are currently developing and selling silver-based inkjet inks for printed electronics, or PE, digital electronic inkjet printing applications. To our knowledge and feedbacks received from customers most of these products in the market are not suitable and compatible for mass production applications as our inks. There can be no assurance that this knowledge is complete and/or if complete that it will continue to be like this in the future.

We are aware of several companies seeking to develop copper-based inks for printing, however, to our knowledge, none of our competitors has copper-based low viscosity inks in mass production and at a commercially viable price and quantity to be used in digital printing, and some are using copper oxide as a precursor in their inks instead of copper. Copper precursors are less effective for thick patterns and high throughput. To our knowledge, we are the only company offering as much as a 50% copper inkjet low viscosity ink, although we are not yet in mass production. As, to our knowledge, no one has proven our strategy to be effective, there is no assurance that we will be successful and the utilization of 50% copper inkjet ink may not prevail.

Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, and other resources, such as larger research and development staff and experienced marketing and manufacturing organizations. Mergers and acquisitions in the conductive ink industry may result in even more resources being concentrated in our competitors. As a result, these companies may be more effective in selling and marketing their products. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large, established companies. Competition may increase further as a result of advances in the commercial applicability of technologies and greater availability of capital for investment in this industry. Our competitors may succeed in developing, acquiring, or licensing on an exclusive basis, products that are more effective or less costly than our current or future products or technologies, or achieve earlier patent protection, product commercialization, and market penetration than we do. Additionally, technologies developed by our competitors may render our potential products and technologies uneconomical or obsolete, and we may not be successful in marketing our products and technologies against competitors.

We may not be successful in our efforts to identify, license, or discover additional products and technologies.

Although we intend to focus a substantial amount of our research and development efforts on the continued development and commercialization of our existing products and technologies, the success of our business also depends upon our ability to identify, license, or discover additional products and technologies. Given our limited resources it would be difficult to license or otherwise begin development of additional products. Our research programs or licensing efforts may fail to yield additional products and technologies for development for a number of reasons, including but not limited to the following:

If any of these events occurs, we may be forced to abandon our development efforts for a program or programs, or we may not be able to identify, license, or discover additional products and technologies, which would have a material adverse effect on our business. Research programs to identify new products and technologies require substantial technical, financial, and human resources. We may focus our efforts and resources on potential programs or products and technologies that ultimately prove to be unsuccessful.

International expansion of our business exposes us to business, regulatory, political, operational, financial, and economic risks associated with doing business outside of Israel.

Our headquarters are located in Israel and we have an active subsidiary in the United States. Nevertheless, our business strategy incorporates potentially significant international expansion. Doing business internationally involves a number of risks, including but not limited to:

Any of these factors could significantly harm our future international expansion and operations and, consequently, our results of operations.

The health effects of nanotechnology are unknown.

There is no scientific agreement on the health effects of nanomaterials, but some scientists believe that, in some cases, nanomaterials may be hazardous to an individual’s health or the environment. The science of nanotechnology is based on arranging atoms in such a way as to modify or build materials. Depending on the nanomaterials used, the resulting material may not be found in nature; therefore, the effects are unknown. Our technologies are based on nanometals that are, at most times, dispersed in a liquid minimizing the exposures risks. Moreover, once the metal particles have been printed and sintered they are no longer nanometals, therefore lowering exposure risks. Although, we take appropriate precautions for employees working with our materials and believe that any health risks related to the nanometals used in potential products can be minimized, we cannot assure that such precautions will be effective. Future research in the field of nanomaterials, in general, on health and environmental issues may have an adverse effect on products using our technology.

Public perceptions of ethical and social issues may discourage the use of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology has received both positive and negative publicity and is the subject of public discussion and debate. Governments and regulatory bodies may, for social or health purposes, prohibit or regulate the use of nanotechnology. This may restrict our ability to license our technology, or the ability of our future licensees (if any) to sell products.

Our future success depends in part on our ability to retain our Chief Technology Officer and to attract, retain, and motivate other qualified personnel.

We are highly dependent on Dr. Fernando de la Vega, our co-founder and current chief technology officer (formerly chief executive officer), and the loss of his services without proper replacements would adversely impact the achievement of our objectives. Under the terms of his services agreement with us, Dr. de la Vega may cease providing services to us at any time by providing three (3) months’ prior written notice. Recruiting and retaining another chief technology officer and other qualified employees, consultants, and advisors for our business, including scientific and technical personnel, will also be critical to our success. We may not be able to attract and retain personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among numerous high-tech companies for individuals with similar skill sets. The inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel, or the loss of the services of Dr. de la Vega without proper replacement, may impede the progress of our research, development, and commercialization objectives.

If we fail to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, we could become subject to fines or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.

We are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements mainly in Israel, including those governing the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into ground, air or water; the generation, storage, use, management and disposal of hazardous waste; the registration of chemicals and in the future also import and export of chemicals; the clean-up of contaminated sites; and the health and safety of our employees. We expect to be subject to similar regulations in any other jurisdictions in which we may establish manufacturing operations in the future. Some of these laws and regulations require us to obtain licenses or permits to conduct our operations. Environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations, licenses or permits, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. We cannot predict the impact on our business of new or amended laws or regulations or any changes in the way existing and future laws and regulations are interpreted or enforced, nor can we ensure we will be able to obtain or maintain any required licenses or permits.

Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property

If we are unable to obtain and maintain effective patent rights for our products and technologies or any future products and technologies, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

We rely upon a combination of patents, trade secret protection, and confidentiality agreements to protect the intellectual property related to our products and technologies. Our success depends in large part on our and our licensors’ ability to obtain and maintain patent and other intellectual property protection in the United States and in other countries with respect to our proprietary technology and products.

We have sought to protect our proprietary position by filing patent applications in the United States and in other countries, as well as related to our novel technologies and products that are important to our business. The silver ink-related patent applications have been granted in the United States, China, Japan, Europe, Israel, India, Korea, Brazil and Russia and are pending in a number of additional countries. The applications for copper ink-related patents have been granted in the United States, Japan and Russia and are pending in a number of countries. This process is expensive and time consuming, and we may not be able to file and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection.

The patent position of technology companies generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions for which legal principles remain unsolved. The patents or patent applications that we own or in-license may fail to result in issued patents with claims that cover our products and technologies in the United States or in other foreign countries. There is no assurance that all potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications has been found. The discovery of relevant prior art can invalidate a patent or prevent a patent from issuing from a pending patent application. Even if patents do successfully issue, and even if such patents cover our products and technologies, third parties may challenge their validity, enforceability, or scope, which may result in such patents being narrowed, found unenforceable or invalidated. Furthermore, even if they are unchallenged, our patents and patent applications may not adequately protect our intellectual property, provide exclusivity for our products and technologies, or prevent others from designing around our claims. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties, which may have an adverse impact on our business.

We, independently or together with our licensors, have filed several patent applications covering various aspects of our products and technologies. Even though some have already been granted, we cannot provide any assurances about which, if any, additional patents will issue, the breadth of any such patent or whether any issued patents will be found invalid and unenforceable or will be threatened by third parties. Any successful opposition to these patents or any other patents owned by or licensed to us after patent issuance could deprive us of rights necessary for the successful commercialization of any products and technologies that we may develop. Further, if we encounter delays in regulatory approvals, the period of time during which we could market a product under patent protection could be reduced.

If we cannot obtain and maintain effective patent rights for our products and technologies, we may not be able to compete effectively and our business and results of operations would be harmed.

If we are unable to maintain effective proprietary rights for our products and technologies or any future products and technologies, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets.

In addition to the protection afforded by patents, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect proprietary knowhow that is not patentable or that we elect not to patent, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and any other elements of our product candidate discovery and development processes that involve proprietary knowhow, information or technology that is not covered by patents. However, trade secrets can be difficult to protect. We seek to protect our proprietary technology and processes, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors, and contractors. We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and trade secrets by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical security of our information technology systems. While we have confidence in these individuals, organizations and systems, agreements or security measures may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors.

Although we expect all of our employees and consultants to assign their inventions to us, and all of our employees, consultants, advisors, and any third parties who have access to our proprietary knowhow, information, or technology to enter into confidentiality agreements, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed or that our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets could impair our competitive position and may have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if the steps taken to maintain our trade secrets are deemed inadequate, we may have insufficient recourse against third parties for misappropriating the trade secret.

Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement may prevent or delay our development and commercialization efforts.

There have been many lawsuits and other proceedings involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the high-technology industries, including patent infringement lawsuits, interferences, oppositions, and reexamination proceedings before the USPTO and corresponding foreign patent offices. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which we are developing products and technologies. As the conductive ink industry expands and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our products and technologies may be subject to claims of infringement of the patent rights of third parties. We have never conducted a freedom to operate study.

Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. There may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to materials, formulations, or methods of manufacture related to the use or manufacture of our products and technologies. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending patent applications that may later result in issued patents that our products and technologies may infringe. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of our technologies infringes upon these patents. If any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover the manufacturing process of any of our products and technologies, the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to commercialize such product or technology unless we obtained a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire or are finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable.

Similarly, if any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover aspects of our formulations, processes for manufacture, or methods of use, the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to develop and commercialize the applicable product or technology unless we obtained a license or until such patent expires or is finally determined to be invalid or unenforceable. In either case, such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Parties making claims against us may obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop and commercialize one or more of our products and technologies. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of employee resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may have to pay substantial damages (including treble damages and attorneys’ fees for willful infringement), pay royalties, redesign our infringing products or obtain one or more licenses from third parties, which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure.

We may become subject to claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties or may be required to indemnify our distributors or other third parties against such claims, which, regardless of their merit, could result in litigation, distract our management and materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

We have in the past and may in the future become subject to third-party claims that assert that our solutions, services and intellectual property infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate third-party intellectual property or other proprietary rights.

Intellectual property disputes can be costly and disruptive to our business operations by diverting the attention and energies of management and key technical personnel, and by increasing our costs of doing business. Even if a claim is not directly against us, our agreements with distributors generally require us to indemnify them against losses from claims that our products infringe third-party intellectual property rights and entitle us to assume the defense of any claim as part of the indemnification undertaking. Our assumption of the defense of such a claim may result in similar costs, disruption and diversion of management attention to that of a claim that is asserted directly against us. We may not prevail in any such dispute or litigation, and an adverse decision in any legal action involving intellectual property rights could harm our intellectual property rights and the value of any related technology or limit our ability to execute our business.

Adverse outcomes in intellectual property disputes could:

We may become subject to claims for remuneration or royalties for assigned service invention rights by our employees, which could result in litigation and adversely affect our business.

All of our intellectual property has been developed by our employees in the course of their employment for us. Under the Israeli Patent Law, 5727-1967, or the Patent Law, inventions conceived by an employee in the course and as a result of or arising from his or her employment with a company are regarded as “service inventions,” which belong to the employer, absent a specific agreement between the employee and employer giving the employee proprietary rights. The Patent Law also provides under Section 134 that if there is no agreement between an employer and an employee as to whether the employee is entitled to consideration for service inventions, and to what extent and under which conditions, the Israeli Compensation and Royalties Committee, or the Committee, a body constituted under the Patent Law, shall determine these issues. Section 135 of the Patent law provides criteria for assisting the Committee in making its decisions. According to case law handed down by the Committee, an employee’s right to receive consideration for service inventions is a personal right and is entirely separate from the proprietary rights in such invention. Therefore, this right must be explicitly waived by the employee. A decision handed down in May 2014 by the Committee clarifies that the right to receive consideration under Section 134 can be waived and that such waiver can be made orally, in writing or by behavior like any other contract. The Committee will examine, on a case by case basis, the general contractual framework between the parties, using interpretation rules of the general Israeli contract laws. Further, the Committee has not yet determined one specific formula for calculating this remuneration, nor the criteria or circumstances under which an employee’s waiver of his right to remuneration will be disregarded. Similarly, it remains unclear whether waivers by employees in their employment agreements of the alleged right to receive consideration for service inventions should be declared as void being a depriving provision in a standard contract. We generally enter into assignment-of-invention agreements with our employees pursuant to which such individuals assign to us all rights to any inventions created in the scope of their employment or engagement with us. Although our employees have agreed to assign to us service invention rights and have specifically waived their right to receive any special remuneration for such service inventions beyond their regular salary and benefits, we may face claims demanding remuneration in consideration for assigned inventions.

We may not be successful in obtaining or maintaining necessary rights to our products and technologies through intellectual property rights in-licenses.

We currently have rights to the intellectual property, through licenses from third parties and under patents that we own, to develop our products and technologies. Because our programs may require the use of proprietary rights held by third parties, the growth of our business will likely depend in part on our ability to in-license, or use these proprietary rights. In addition, our products and technologies may require specific formulations to work effectively and efficiently and the rights to these formulations may be held by others. We may be unable to acquire or in-license any compositions, methods of use, processes, or other third-party intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify as necessary for our products and technologies. The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and a number of more established companies are also pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider attractive. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources, and greater development and commercialization capabilities.

In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. If we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights, we may have to abandon development of that program and our business and financial condition could suffer.

We may not be able to fully enforce covenants not to compete with our key employees, and therefore we may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of such employees.

Our employment agreements with our key employees contain non-compete provisions. These provisions prohibit our key employees, if they cease working for us, from competing directly with us or working for our competitors for a limited period of time. We may be unable to enforce these provisions under applicable laws in Israel where all of our key employees reside. In Israel, the Basic Law: Freedom of Occupation, as interpreted by binding case law, may restrict our ability to enforce non-compete provisions against our employees. If we cannot enforce our non-compete provisions against our employees, we may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of such employees. Even if these provisions are enforceable, they may not adequately protect our interests. As a result, if one or more of our employees leaves our employment and subsequently becomes employed by one of our competitors, our business, results of operations and ability to capitalize on our proprietary information may be materially adversely affected.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

Filing, prosecuting, and defending patents on products and technologies in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States.

Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and may also export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our products and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets, and other intellectual property protection, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

Risks Related to Our Operations in Israel

Our headquarters and other significant operations are located in Israel and, therefore, our results may be adversely affected by political, economic and military instability in Israel.

Our executive offices, application department, labs, production site and warehouse are located in Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel. In addition, all of our officers and directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in Israel may directly affect our business. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and its neighboring countries and militia groups. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners could adversely affect our operations and results of operations. Certain of these conflicts involved missile strikes against civilian targets in various parts of Israel, including the city in which our headquarters are located as well as areas in which our employees and some of our consultants are located, and negatively affected business conditions in Israel.. Any armed conflicts, terrorist activities or political instability in the region could adversely affect business conditions and could harm our results of operations and could make it more difficult for us to raise capital. Parties with whom we do business may sometimes decline to travel to Israel during periods of heightened unrest or tension, forcing us to make alternative arrangements when necessary in order to meet our business partners face to face. In addition, the political and security situation in Israel may result in parties with whom we have agreements involving performance in Israel claiming that they are not obligated to perform their commitments under those agreements pursuant to force majeure provisions in such agreements. Israel also faces threats from more distant neighbors, in particular, Iran, an ally of Hezbollah and Hamas.

Several countries, principally in the Middle East, still restrict doing business with Israel and Israeli companies, while some of these countries are eliminating these constrains, additional countries may impose restrictions on doing business with Israel and Israeli companies if hostilities in Israel or political instability in the region continues or increases. These restrictions may limit materially our ability to obtain raw materials from these countries or sell our products to companies or persons in these countries. Any hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could adversely affect our operations and product development, cause our sales to decrease and, if our securities become publicly traded, adversely affect the share price of our securities.

Our commercial insurance does not cover losses that may occur as a result of an event associated with the security situation in the Middle East. Although the Israeli government is currently committed to covering the reinstatement value of direct damages that are caused by terrorist attacks or acts of war, we cannot assure you that this government coverage will be maintained, or if maintained, will be sufficient to compensate us fully for damages incurred. Any losses or damages incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business. Any armed conflicts or political instability in the region would likely negatively affect business conditions generally and could harm our results of operations.

The Israeli government grants we have received for research and development expenditures restrict our ability to manufacture products and transfer technologies outside of Israel and require us to satisfy specified conditions. If we fail to satisfy these conditions, we may be required to refund grants previously received together with interest and penalties.

We have received grants from the Israel National Authority for Technology and Innovation (“NATI”), for research and development programs and intend to apply for further grants in the future. In order to maintain our eligibility for these grants, we must comply with the requirements of the Encouragement of Research, Development and Technological Innovation in the Industry Law 5744-1984 (formerly known as the Law for the Encouragement of Research and Development in Industry 5744-1984), and the regulations and guidelines promulgated thereunder, or the Innovation Law. Under the terms of the grants under the Innovation Law also generally requires that the products developed as part of the programs under which the grants were given be manufactured in Israel and that the know-how developed thereunder may not be transferred outside of Israel, unless a prior written approval is received from NATI (such approval is not required for the transfer of a portion of the manufacturing capacity which does not exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the portion declared to be manufactured outside of Israel in the applications for funding, in which case only notification is required) and additional payments are required to be made to NATI. It should be noted, that this does not restrict the export of products that incorporate the funded know-how. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, we have not sought to obtain such approvals, as we do not have immediate plans to manufacture outside of Israel. We may not receive the required approvals for any transfer of manufacturing activities, if such transfer will be contemplated in the future. Even if we do receive approval to manufacture products developed with government grants outside of Israel, the royalty rate may be increased and we may be required to pay up to 300% of some or all of the grant amounts requiring repayment plus interest, depending on the manufacturing volume that is performed outside of Israel. This restriction may impair our ability to outsource manufacturing or engage in our own manufacturing operations for those products or technologies.

Additionally, under the Innovation Law, we are prohibited from transferring, including by way of license, the Authority-financed technologies and related intellectual property rights and knowhow outside of the State of Israel, except under limited circumstances and only with the approval of the Authority’s Research Committee. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, we have not sought to obtain such approvals, as we do not have immediate plans to transfer the Authority-financed technologies and related intellectual property rights and knowhow outside of Israel. We may not receive the required approvals for any proposed transfer, if any, and even if received, we may be required to pay the Authority a portion of the consideration that we receive upon any sale of such technology to a non-Israeli entity up to 600% of the grant amounts plus interest. The scope of the support received, the royalties that we have already paid to the Authority, the amount of time that has elapsed between the date on which the knowhow or the related intellectual property rights were transferred and the date on which the Authority grants were received and the sale price and the form of transaction will be taken into account in order to calculate the amount of the payment to the Authority. Approval of the transfer of technology to residents of the State of Israel is required, and may be granted in specific circumstances only if the recipient abides by the provisions of applicable laws, including the restrictions on the transfer of knowhow and the obligation to pay royalties. No assurance can be made that approval to any such transfer, if requested, will be granted.

These restrictions may impair our ability to sell our technology assets or to perform or outsource manufacturing outside of Israel, engage in change of control transactions or otherwise transfer our knowhow outside of Israel and may require us to obtain the approval of the Authority for certain actions and transactions and pay additional royalties and other amounts to the Authority. In addition, any change of control and any change of ownership of our ordinary shares that would make a non-Israeli citizen or resident an “interested party,” as defined in the Innovation Law, requires a written notice to the Authority, and such non-Israeli “interested party” will be required to execute an undertaking to the Authority to abide with the provisions of the Innovation Law.

These restrictions will continue to apply even after we have repaid the full amount of royalties on the grants. If we fail to satisfy the conditions of the Innovation Law, we may be required to refund certain grants previously received together with interest and penalties, and may become subject to criminal charges.

The Government of Israel has reduced the grants available under the Authority’s program in recent years, and this program may be discontinued or curtailed in the future. If we do not receive additional grants in the future, we will be required to allocate other funds to product development at the expense of other operational costs.

We have received a grant from the Office of the Authority of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources, or the Ministry of Infrastructures, for one of our research and development programs. In order to maintain our eligibility for this grant, we must meet specified conditions, including the payment of royalties with respect to the grant received. If we fail to comply with these conditions in the future, sanctions (such as the cancellation of the grant) might be imposed on us, and we could be required to refund any payments previously received. Even following full repayment of any Ministry of Infrastructures grants, we must nevertheless continue to comply with the requirements of our agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructures. The terms of the Ministry of Infrastructures’ grant require us to obtain the Ministry of Infrastructures’ approval prior to any assignment of knowhow developed under the research and development program funded with its grant. The Ministry of Infrastructures also has a right to receive a nonexclusive royalty free license to the know how developed under any such program to the extent necessary for national needs (as determined by the Minister of Science and Technology, the Minister of Treasury and the Minister of Justice). Pursuant to the terms of the grant, we will be required to notify the Ministry of Infrastructures of any new investment we receive, and any new investor will be required to undertake in writing to the Ministry of Infrastructures to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the Company shall observe the terms of the research and development agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructures and the law governing the grant program of the Ministry of Infrastructures. In addition, in any case where one or more new investors makes an investment with the Company, the Ministry of Infrastructures has a right to negotiate with such investor(s) for the repayment by us of the grant provided to us by the Ministry of Infrastructures. At our request, the Ministry of Infrastructures confirmed our interpretation that the registration of the securities herein will not be deemed as a new investment.

Exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the NIS currencies may negatively affect our earnings.

We incur expenses both in U.S. dollars and NIS, but our consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, we are exposed to the risks that the New Israeli Shekel may appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar, or, if the New Israeli Shekel instead devalues relative to the U.S. dollar, that the inflation rate in Israel may exceed such rate of devaluation of the New Israeli Shekel, or that the timing of such devaluation may lag behind inflation in Israel. In any such event, the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel would increase and our U.S. dollar-denominated results of operations would be adversely affected. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation in Israel or the rate of devaluation (if any) of the New Israeli Shekel against the U.S. dollar.

Provisions of Israeli law and our Fourth Amended Articles of Association, or our Articles of Association, may delay, prevent or make undesirable an acquisition of all or a significant portion of our shares or assets.

Provisions of Israeli law and our Articles of Association could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our Company; may make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us; may make it more difficult for our shareholders to elect different individuals to our board of directors, even if doing so would be considered to be beneficial by some of our shareholders; and may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares. Among other things:

On September 24, 2015, we held a general meeting of shareholders at which our shareholders approved, among other things, an amendment to the provisions of our Articles of Association applicable to the election of directors to provide for a board of directors consisting of no less than three (3) and no more than seven (7) directors, with all directors (other than the external directors, whose appointment is required under the Companies Law, as described below) divided into three (3) classes with staggered three-year terms with each class of directors to consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors other than the external directors. This provision may make it more difficult for our shareholders to elect different individuals to our board of directors, even if doing so would be considered to be beneficial by some of our shareholders, may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares, and may make it more difficult for a potential acquiror to effect a change of control of our Company or may deter potential acquirors from seeking to effect a change of control. On November 29, 2018, we held a general meeting of shareholders at which our shareholders approved, among other things, an amendment to the provisions of our Articles of Association applicable to the election of directors to provide for GTRIMG Investments Ltd., or GTRIMG, to designate one non-voting observer to the board of directors, or the Observer. The Observer is entitled to attend and participate in all meetings of the board of directors in a non-voting, observer capacity. Subject to limitations, the Observer is entitled to receive notice of, to attend and to receive copies of any documentation distributed to the directors before, during or after, all meetings of the board of directors at the same time such notice or material is provided or delivered to members of the board of directors. In addition, in the event that and conditioned upon the conversion of the loan amount or the investment of at least US $2,000,000, GTRIMG shall be entitled to appoint one director for election to our board of directors. Such director shall serve as the chairman of the board of directors, provided that such nominee has the required qualifications under applicable laws including the stock exchange rules then applicable to us.

Further, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions undesirable to us or to some of our shareholders whose country of residence does not have a tax treaty with Israel granting tax relief to such shareholders from Israeli tax. With respect to mergers, Israeli tax law allows for tax deferral in certain circumstances but makes the deferral contingent on the fulfillment of numerous conditions, including a holding period of two (2) years from the date of the transaction during which certain sales and dispositions of shares of the participating companies are restricted. Moreover, with respect to certain share swap transactions, the tax deferral is limited in time, and when such time expires, the tax becomes payable even if no actual disposition of the shares has occurred.

The tax benefits that are available to us as a preferred enterprise require us to continue to meet various conditions and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which could increase our costs and taxes.

We have not yet elected to be treated as a preferred enterprise for Israeli tax purposes, a designation which would allow us to receive certain tax benefits, since we are still not at a stage where we have to pay tax due to carry forward losses. Once we are liable for tax payments, we may be entitled to reduced tax rates and other tax benefits. See “Item 10 E. — Taxation — Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959”. If these tax benefits were reduced or eliminated or if we no longer comply with the various pre-conditions required, the amount of taxes that we pay would consequently be subject to corporate tax at the standard rate, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

It may be difficult to enforce a judgment of a United States court against us and our officers and directors and the Israeli experts named in this annual report on Form 20-F located in Israel or the United States, to assert United States securities laws claims in Israel or to serve process on our officers and directors and these experts.

We were incorporated in Israel. Our executive officers and all of our directors reside outside of the United States, and all of our assets and most of the assets of these persons are located outside of the United States. Therefore, a judgment obtained against us, or any of these persons, including a judgment based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible in the United States and may not necessarily be enforced by an Israeli court. It also may be difficult for you to effect service of process on these persons in the United States or to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor, or any other person or entity, to initiate an action with respect to United States securities laws in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on an alleged violation of United States securities laws, reasoning that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not United States law is applicable to the claim. If United States law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable United States law must be proven as a fact by expert witnesses, which can be a time consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel that addresses the matters described above. As a result of the difficulty associated with enforcing a judgment against us in Israel, you may not be able to collect any damages awarded by either a United States or foreign court.

Risks Related to Our Securities

Our U.S. investors may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company.

Generally, if for any taxable year 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or at least 50% of our assets are held for the production of, or produce, passive income, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We have not determined whether we have been a PFIC for 2020 or any previous year, or whether we will be a PFIC in any future year. Because PFIC status is determined annually and is based on our income, assets and activities for the entire taxable year, there can be no assurance that we will not be classified as a PFIC in any year. If we were to be characterized as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year during which a U.S. Investor, as defined in “Item 10 E. — Taxation — Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”, owns ordinary shares, such U.S. Investor could face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares classified as ordinary income, rather than as capital gain, the loss of the preferential rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares by individuals who are U.S. Investors, and having interest charges apply to distributions by us and the proceeds of share sales. A “qualified electing fund” election may alleviate some of the adverse consequences of PFIC status; however, we do not intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. Investors to make qualified electing fund elections if we are classified as a PFIC. See “Item 10 E. — Taxation — Certain Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Your rights and responsibilities as a shareholder will be governed by Israeli law which differs in some material respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders of U.S. companies.

The rights and responsibilities of our shareholders are governed by Israeli law and our Articles of Association. These rights and responsibilities differ in some material respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in typical U.S.-based corporations. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has a duty to act in good faith and in a customary manner in exercising its rights and performing its obligations towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting at general meetings of shareholders on certain matters, such as an amendment to the company’s articles of association, an increase of the company’s authorized share capital, a merger of the company and approval of related party transactions that require shareholder approval. A shareholder also has a general duty to refrain from discriminating against other shareholders. In addition, a controlling shareholder or a shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholders’ vote or to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder in the company has a duty to act in fairness towards the company. However, Israeli law does not define the substance of this duty of fairness. There is limited case law available to assist us in understanding the nature of this duty or the implications of these provisions. These provisions may be interpreted to impose additional obligations and liabilities on our shareholders that are not typically imposed on shareholders of U.S. corporations.

We have never paid cash dividends on our share capital, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our share capital, nor do we anticipate paying any cash dividends on our share capital in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our ordinary shares will be investors’ sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. In addition, Israeli law limits our ability to declare and pay dividends, and may subject our dividends to Israeli withholding taxes. Furthermore, our payment of dividends (out of tax-exempt income) may retroactively subject us to certain Israeli corporate income taxes, to which we would not otherwise be subject.

Our directors, executive officers and controlling persons as a group have significant voting power and may take actions that may not be in the best interest of shareholders.

Our directors (including shareholders’ they represent, as applicable), executive officers, certain controlling persons, as a group beneficially owned approximately 49.6% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of May 16, 2022. As a result, they will have the ability to exert substantial influence over all matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election and removal of directors and any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, due to their share ownership, our executive officers and controlling persons could dictate the management of our business and affairs. Following conversion of its CLAs and the most recent investment, GTRIMG holds in the aggregate approximately 38.8% of our outstanding common stocks. . This concentration of ownership could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that could be favorable to you. This significant concentration of share ownership may also adversely affect the trading price for our ordinary shares, if a public market further develops for such securities, because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in a company with controlling affiliated shareholders.

We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management is required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.

We are subject to the requirements to file periodic and annual reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and are otherwise subject to laws applicable to public reporting companies in the United States. As a public reporting company, we incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, have imposed various requirements on public companies. Shareholder activism, the current political environment, and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which we operate our business in ways we cannot currently anticipate. Our management and other personnel need to devote a substantial amount of time to these compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time consuming and costly.

Due to lack of available resources, we have not been able to comply with our SEC periodic filing obligations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021. This report and consolidated financial statements contained herein is part of our efforts to regain compliance under SEC reporting regulations.

We are a “foreign private issuer” and have disclosure obligations that are different from those of U.S. domestic reporting companies.

We are a foreign private issuer and are not subject to the same requirements that are imposed upon U.S. domestic issuers by the SEC. Under the Exchange Act, we are subject to reporting obligations that, in certain respects, are less detailed and less frequent than those of U.S. domestic reporting companies. For example, we are not required to issue quarterly reports, proxy statements that comply with the requirements applicable to U.S. domestic reporting companies. Furthermore, although under a recent amendment to the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law, as an Israeli public company listed overseas we are required to disclose the compensation of our five (5) most highly compensated officers on an individual basis (rather than on an aggregate basis, as was previously permitted for Israeli public companies listed overseas prior to such amendment), this disclosure is not as extensive as that required of U.S. domestic reporting companies. We also have four (4) months and an automatic extension of 15 days after the end of each fiscal year to file our annual reports with the SEC and are not required to file current reports as frequently or promptly as U.S. domestic reporting companies. Furthermore, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the requirements to report short-swing profit recovery contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Also, as a “foreign private issuer,” we are also not subject to the requirements of Regulation FD (Fair Disclosure) promulgated under the Exchange Act. These exemptions and leniencies will reduce the frequency and scope of information and protections available to you in comparison to those applicable to a U.S. domestic reporting companies.

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

If our shareholders sell substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market (if one develops) or if there is a perception in the market that substantial sales may occur in the future upon the expiration of any statutory holding period, under Rule 144, or upon the exercise of outstanding options or Warrants, the market price of our ordinary shares could fall. The occurrence of such substantial sales or the perception that substantial sales of common stock may occur in the future could also make it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

Furthermore, we issued a significant number of warrants to an investor, which, if exercised, will have a material dilutive effect on our share capital. For more information see “Item 7 A. — Major Shareholders”.

The market price of our ordinary shares may fluctuate significantly.

If a public trading market further develops for our ordinary shares, the market price of the ordinary shares may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as:

Further, in recent years, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Continued or renewed market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the price of our ordinary shares, which could cause a decline in the value of the ordinary shares. Price volatility of our ordinary shares might be significant if the trading volume of the ordinary shares is low, which often occurs with respect to securities quoted on the OTCQB or the OTC Pink.

Because our ordinary shares are traded as a “penny stock,” it may be more difficult for investors to sell our ordinary shares, and the market price of our ordinary shares may be adversely affected.

Our ordinary shares are deemed a “penny stock” since, among other things, the stock price is currently trading below $5.00 per share. Broker-dealers who sell penny stocks must provide purchasers of these stocks with a standardized risk-disclosure document prepared by the SEC. This document provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks involved in investing in the penny-stock market. A broker must also give a purchaser, orally or in writing, bid and offer quotations and information regarding broker and salesperson compensation, make a written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and obtain the purchaser’s written agreement to the purchase. Broker-dealers must also provide customers that hold penny stock in their accounts with such broker-dealer a monthly statement containing price and market information relating to the penny stock. If a penny stock is sold to an investor in violation of the penny stock rules, the investor may be able to cancel its purchase and get its money back.

The penny stock rules may make it difficult for investors to sell their ordinary shares. Because of the rules and restrictions applicable to a penny stock, there is less trading in penny stocks and the market price of the ordinary shares may be adversely affected. Also, many brokers choose not to participate in penny stock transactions. Accordingly, investors may not always be able to resell their ordinary shares publicly at times and prices that they feel are appropriate.

Compliance with changing regulations concerning corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses.

There have been changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, new regulations promulgated by the SEC and rules promulgated by the national securities exchanges. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. As a result, our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards are likely to continue to result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. Our directors and executive officers could face an increased risk of personal liability in connection with the performance of their duties. As a result, we may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified directors and executive officers, which could harm our business. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, we could be subject to liability under applicable laws or our reputation may be harmed.

ITEM 4. Information on the Company

A. History and development of the company

P.V. Nano Cell Ltd. was incorporated in Israel on June 24, 2009 as a private limited liability company, organized under the laws of State of Israel. In September 2015, we successfully filed our Registration Statement on Form F-1 in the United States. We have three (3) wholly owned subsidiaries, Nano Size Ltd., or Nano Size, a private company organized under the laws of the state of Israel which we acquired on December 31, 2009, Digiflex, which we acquired on December 3, 2017 and Jet CU commencing July 26, 2020.

Our Registration Statement on Form F-1 was declared effective by the SEC on September 30, 2015, and a FINRA-registered market maker subsequently filed an application on Form 211 with FINRA to quote the ordinary shares on the OTCQB. On March 31, 2016, the application on Form 211 with FINRA to make a market in our ordinary shares was approved by FINRA, and on December 15, 2016, quotation of our ordinary shares began on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol “PVNNF”. Since December 18, 2019, our ordinary shares are quoted on the OTC Pink. However, due to lack of available resources, we have not been able to comply with our SEC periodic filing obligations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021. Accordingly, as of September 29, 2021, the public quote for our stock has been removed form OTC Pink and trading in our stock has been restricted. Once we file our annual report on Form 20-F for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, the public reporting of our trading prices is expected to resume. Thereafter, a new Form 211 will need to be filed with FINRA and following approval thereof by FINRA, unrestricted trading in our stock on OTC Markets is expected to resume.

Our principal offices are located at 8 Hamasger Street, Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel 2310102. Our telephone number is (972) 4-654-6881. Our website address is www.pvnanocell.com. This website address is included in this annual report on Form 20-F as an inactive textual reference only. The information and other content appearing on our website are not part of this annual report on Form 20-F. The Company does not have a registered agent in the United States.

B. Business Overview

We are a conductive ink manufacturing company focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing and commercializing conductive inks for digital conductive printing applications (mainly inkjet and aerosol printing technologies). We have developed the Sicrys™ family of single crystal nano-metric conductive inks, which we believe enables a significantly less costly and less wasteful alternative to current screen printing and, in some cases, photolithography etching processes for photovoltaic (PV) and digital printed electronics (PE) applications. Our main strategy includes providing a “Complete Solution” or “End-to-End Solution” approach to our costumer, meaning we provide the printing equipment, process and inks as a package. In some cases, we will subsidize the printer, thus implementing a razor razor-blade model. We also adapt our basic inks to specific customer requirements. We began low volume sales of our Sicrys™ silver-based inks for PV and PE applications in 2010 and are in the process of seeking to expand our sales efforts to include sales of Sicrys™ inks for a wider range of digital PE applications, including for the printing of windshields in automotive applications, photovoltaic devices, printed passive components, circuit boards, mobile phone antennas, 3D printed electronic devices, radio-frequency identification chips, sensors and touchscreens, among other digitally printed electronics. We have also developed what we believe is the first available commercially viable copper-based nano-metric low viscosity stable ink for mass-production of printed electronics. We believe that copper inks represent a significant improvement over silver-based inks given copper’s significantly lower cost and nearly identical electrical and conductive properties. We began low volume sales of our copper-based ink for printed electronics applications in the second half of 2014.

During 2020, we increased the sale of our Sicrys™ inks, During 2021 we have continued to expand our potential customer base, proceeding with qualification processes (which are quite long). COVID-19 related constrains in Israel and worldwide have slowed these processes. In this period, we have also continued to expand our ink portfolio adding additional silver, copper, gold, resistor and dielectric inks.

Background

Printed Electronics

Digital printed electronics is a set of methodologies by which electrical devices are digitally printed onto various substrates (i.e., base material) by depositing electrically functional inks (and possibly other additional functional inks such as insulating materials) on the substrate, creating active or passive devices, such as conductors, capacitors or resistors. The use of digital printed electronics presents an opportunity to facilitate widespread, production of new electronics, more efficient electronics, new electronic designs and customized and personalized electronics while keeping production costs low.

According to our internal estimates based on various market studies and publications which are expecting substantial market growths in all the relevant fields for PVN products and technologies (due to the constant growth of demand of electronics, autonomous cars and renewable energy), we expect that the total addressable worldwide market for the sale of inks which the Company is aiming to penetrate will be in excess of $40 billion by 2027 (assuming the metallization is around 10% of the market). The total addressable market could be increased by an increase in the need and future capability to print embedded passive components economically and if we are able to address additional available market segments.

The total addressable worldwide market is more specifically projected as set forth below (partial relevant market sectors):

We believe that the current analog printing and etching methods have inherent limitations when implemented in flexible electronics, 3D (three dimensional) electronics and in customized and small-scale printing. Furthermore, these processes currently utilize expensive materials and produce toxic by products which must be disposed of, which increases overall production costs. We believe that a significant market opportunity exists for inks, such as ours, that enable digital inkjet conductive printing, enabling printing on flexible substrates, three-dimensional printing and customized and small-scale printing at a lower price.

Photovoltaic Cell Metallization

PV cells (commonly known as solar cells) are the building blocks of solar module arrays that convert energy from sunlight into electricity. Multiple PV cells in an integrated group, all oriented in one plane, constitute a solar photovoltaic panel or module, and a group of connected modules make up an array. An array of PV cells is capable of converting solar energy into a usable amount of direct current electricity.

Most modern solar cells are made from either crystalline silicon or thin-film semiconductor material. Crystalline silicon cells are more efficient at converting sunlight to electricity, but generally have higher manufacturing costs. Thin-film materials are typically less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity, but can be cheaper to manufacture.

A key part of the PV crystalline silicon cell manufacturing process is the metallization of the cell – i.e., laying down metal electrodes to collect the electricity generated by the cell when exposed to sunlight. Typically, the metallization process is completed by the application of a silver paste to the front side and aluminum-silver pastes on the rear side of the cell using a screen-printing process. This process is one of the main bottlenecks to reducing the costs of the cells and the cost of electricity produced by the cells due to: high usage of metal (expensive silver), loss of paste in the process (some paste stays in the screens), cell breakage in the printing process (contact printing), wide printed patterns (higher shading of cells, less surface exposed to the light) and limited electrical properties of the pastes.

Although silver demand for photovoltaic applications is hard to estimate as markets and technologies are constantly changing, the leading new PV cells need only one-fifth or less as much silver as a decade before. According to a 2020 report from the Silver Institute, the photovoltaic sector accounts for ~ 10% of the total silver consumption, which is around 25,00 metric tons per year (or ~ 17.6 ton/W).

Silicon crystalline solar cells are been replaced by different types of cells like thin fil, HTJ, CIGS and others. By 2025 is expected that more than 40% of the market will be these type of cells (up from 15-20% today). Most of these cells are temperature sensitive, therefore the screen printing process not really compatible with them. Inkjet printing with our low temperature sintering inks is compatible with these cells. PVN has demonstrated with one of its customers that implementing Sicrys™ silver inks with inkjet printing increases substantially the efficiency of the cells.

We believe that a significant market opportunity exists for a non-contact metallization low temperature sintering solution that is competitive with traditional screen printing process, does not break silicon cells, allows for thinner PV cell wafers (thus reducing silicon costs, which we believe to be a major obstacle to the wider proliferation of solar cell technologies), increases the active area of the cell by printing narrower conductors, and yields better electrical performance than screen-printed conductors. We believe that the market for inks to be used in inkjet printing for PV applications is a small subset of the market for silver pastes and inks in PV cell production generally, as described above. We further believe that such market has a potential to grow over time given the benefits of inkjet printers and the benefits of our silver and copper based Sycris™ inks, which, among others, apply to a range of printer devices, and have lower costs and simpler operating procedures when compared to photolithography processes commonly used. See “ITEM 4 B. — Business Overview — Our Solutions — Printed Electronics”.

The Market

The analog process used to produce electronics are very complicated, environmentally unfriendly, and inefficient as it contains many production steps, and is capex expensive and limited in its performance.

Digitally printing electronics present many advantages over the traditional analog method, including:

While there are quite a few companies that have silver conductive inks (which are not compatible with mass production processes), there are very few companies offering copper nano particle dispersions, which, to our knowledge, are not inks. The Company offers silver and copper-based inks. Over 2019-2021we have expanded our ink portfolio to include gold, resistors and dielectric inks.

As of December 15, 2020, the silver metal was approximately 100 times more expensive than copper metal which may eventually allow us to price copper inks at two to three times lower than silver inks and easily compete with analog conductive inks and processes.

Product Development

We offer and sell several conductive inks based on either silver or copper. Inks are sold through our web site as well as directly to customers or through distributors. Our operations team is well-trained for prompt delivery at a consistently high quality. To date, although we have had limited sales, we have not had any product returns.

Our Application and Research and Development, or R&D, team’s efforts are focused on four main goals:

This printer is intended to include all the necessary elements to print electronics in the same tool. These capabilities include the capability to print up to ten inks in parallel with very high accuracy, sintering, drying, and inspection capabilities at an affordable price.

Our Solutions

Printed Electronics

We currently offer silver-based Sicrys™ inks and our developed copper-based Sicrys™ for use in the production of PE utilizing inkjet printers. We believe that inkjet production of PE utilizing our Sicrys™ inks results in the following benefits relative to traditional screen printing and photolithography processes:

Photovoltaic Cell Metallization

Our Sicrys™ family of inks are low viscosity, nano-particle inks optimized for inkjet printing. We believe that PV cell metallization via inkjet printing utilizing our Sicrys™ inks results in the following benefits relative to traditional screen-printing processes:

Our Strategy

Our goal is to become a leading producer of conductive inks for digital electronic printing applications. Our strategy is to concentrate our efforts on mass production applications opportunities by selling inks to be used in mass production printers with high throughputs and high consumption of inks per year. We are currently striving to apply our “Complete Solution” or “End-to-End” Approach, in which we will supply our customers with equipment, process and inks for their applications. We intend to provide a service to customers by not only selling inks, but also securing equipment suitable for implementation in their production lines, including Digiflex printers, and by working with them to develop the production processes suitable to the relevant applications and their needs (including printing strategy, printing temperature, sintering temperatures and time).

To date, we have generated limited sales and market our products primarily online presence and printed electronics exhibitions. However, we are also working on supplying conductive dispersions and inks based on our nano metal particles (Sicrys™) that may yield additional sales.

A significant amount of our expenditures will be used to implement our “Complete Solution Approach” for mass production processes. We are also considering different business models to allow us to quickly and efficiently implement the “Complete Solution Approach”.

In addition, we are continuing our efforts to:

We have several development consortiums in the framework of the European Horizon 2020, an R&D support programs in Europe, which provides grants for research and development, including to companies in Israel which are a part of the organization. The grants are used to expand our knowhow and network through research and development that we commit to, the costs of which will be reimbursed in part by European Horizon 2020 and local financing entities Two consortiums have been successfully finalized during 2019 and 2020 (HIPERLAM and DigiMan).

The DigiMan project commenced its activities in December 2018 and was successfully finished in November 2020. The goal of the project was to develop digitally printed sensors in a roll-to-roll continuous digital printing system. The partners in this project were commercial companies and research entities in Israel, Germany and Russia. Namely, Chemnitz University (Germany), National Research Nuclear University (Russia), MEPHI (Russia), IKTS (Germany), Kerafol Keramische Folien (Germany) and CPC (Israel).

Additional projects have been approved for financing in 2019 and 2021 which are active:

Competition

The digital electronic printing and inkjet conductive ink manufacturing industries are extremely competitive. We are currently aware of various existing products in the market and in development that may compete with our products and technologies. To our knowledge, more than twenty other companies are currently developing silver-based inkjet inks for PE digital electronic inkjet printing applications. Some of these companies already sell conductive inkjet inks for PE applications. While at the same time we are seeing that some of these companies don’t succeed to develop and commercialize products with the quality and price tag that the market needs. We also see a trend of bigger companies buying out some of the smaller players, and still not been able to supply products for mass production. Of those, to our knowledge, no other company claims to have metallization inkjet inks for silicon nitride-based PV applications. We are aware of companies seeking to develop copper-based inks for inkjet printing, including NovaCentrix Corp, Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd., Promethean Particles Ltd., Copprint Technologies Ltd., Printcb Ltd and Nanotec Electronic U.S. Inc. However, to our knowledge none of our competitors has copper based low viscosity inks compatible with digital printing in mass production and at a commercially viable price and quantity. 

We believe that a number of other companies and entities, that we are not completely familiar with, claim to be able to supply nano silver particles, dispersions or inks. These include, but not limited to:

To our knowledge, our competitors’ inks differ substantially from our inks. We believe that our inks have the following competitive advantages, relative to those currently being sold by our competitors, especially when aiming to print on mass production applications and throughputs:

Furthermore, we believe that there is a high barrier to entry for competitors to develop and successfully bring competing inks to market due to the long lead times required to develop nano particles of an appropriate size to formulate inks compatible with inkjet printing and the difficulty in producing nano-based inks in large-scale quantities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, and other resources, such as larger research and development staff and experienced marketing and manufacturing organizations. Mergers and acquisitions in the conductive ink industry may result in even more resources being concentrated in our competitors. As a result, these companies may be more effective in selling and marketing their products. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large, established companies. Competition may increase further as a result of advances in the commercial applicability of technologies and greater availability of capital for investment in this industry. Our competitors may succeed in developing, acquiring, or licensing on an exclusive basis, products that are more effective or less costly than our current or future products or technologies, or achieve earlier patent protection, product commercialization, and market penetration than we do. Additionally, technologies developed by our competitors may render our potential products and technologies uneconomical or obsolete, and we may not be successful in marketing our products and technologies against competitors.

System Competition to our Digiflex Printer

To our knowledge, most print producers offer printers that can print one or two prints at a time and do not have the additional capabilities that the Digiflex printers include, such as drying, laser sintering and inspection. We note that one of our competitors, Nano Dimension Ltd (Nasdaq: NNDM), focuses on the 3D PCB prototype market, using silver & Dielectric inks to print at very low speeds.

Research and Development Agreements, License Agreements and Material Contracts

We are engaged in R&D programs with the Authority, pursuant to the Encouragement of Research, Development and Technological Innovation in the Industry Law 5744-1984 (formerly known as the Law for the Encouragement of Research and Development in Industry 5744-1984), and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Under the terms of these programs, we are required to pay to a royalty of 3.0% of sales of products resulting from research and development partially financed by the Authority. However, such royalty obligations will not exceed the grant amount received, as linked to the U.S. dollar and including accrued interest at the LIBOR rate. The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of the products and in the absence of such sales, no payment is required. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, we paid royalties to the Authority in the amount of $10,067, $2,091 and $2,551, respectively. The total grants we and Nano Size received as of December 31, 2020 aggregated to $1,445,622. Our total contingent liability (including interest) as of December 31, 2020 with respect to royalty-bearing participation received, net of royalties paid, amounted to $1,930,769. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, Digiflex, received grants for research and development efforts from the Authority in an aggregate amount of approximately $2.2 million, out of which an amount of approximately $1.1 million was repaid to the Authority by Jet CU as a result of their technology and know-how sale to a foreign company which was authorized by the Authority and resulted in such payment in January 2018. The remaining liability (after additional payments) was reduced to approximately $1.0 million and recorded in Jet CU, see Note 3 to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F

Intellectual Property

An important part of our business and product development strategy is to seek, when appropriate, protection for our products and proprietary technology through the use of various United States and foreign patents. Our patent application covering silver single crystal particle inks and dispersions have been granted in China, Russia, Japan, Europe, India, Israel, Korea, Brazil and the U.S. We currently have patent applications pending in the European Union and Israel supporting our silver-based inks. We have patent applications based on PCT/IB2015/051536, relating to copper-based ink, filed on March 3, 2015, which have been submitted to national phase and has been granted in the Russia and United States and are pending in additional countries. We have an approved joint patent with Ramot (Tel Aviv University) for “Conductive Nanowire Films” (WO 2013/128458, US 9,373,515 B2) which Ramot maintains pursuant to the termination settlement of the Magneton Program.

The silver family (granted in the United States (9,556,350), Russia (RU 2593311 and RU 2013130145), China (CN 103282969), Europe (EP 2649621 and EP 3113897), Israel (226665), India (324986), Korea (10-1932781), Brazil (11 2013 013885-8 A2) and Japan (JP 6067573 & JP 6363138)) main claims are on the concentrated dispersions and inks made of a majority of single crystal Nano silver particles and the method for producing them. Patent applications are in different stages of qualification in additional countries. The single crystal particles are easy to police against infringement. The priority date is December 6, 2010.

The copper family relates to nano-metric copper formulations and stable dispersions containing single-crystal metallic copper particles, and to the method of producing such formulations and dispersions. It is in national phase in the United Kingdom, Europe, Brazil, India, South Korea, Japan, China, Israel, Russia and the United States. The priority date is March 3, 2015. The patent has been granted in the United States (1/1/2019 number 10,166,602) and in Russia (RU 2730285).

In 2013, we submitted a joint patent with Tel Aviv University: Device and process to make transparent conductive coatings based on very high aspect ratio nano-wires, which form on the substrate: US 9,373,515 B2 Conductive Nanowires Films.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nano Size, has been granted several patents in the field of ultrasonic manufacturing of nano materials (7,157,058 (US); 7,504,075 (US); 144638 (IL); 149932 (IL)). We do not believe that these patents are material to our business. We intend to continue to seek patent protection for our products that we may develop in the future.

Digiflex has been granted several patents for inks, primers and primer lamination in the field of graphic arts in several countries, including, but not limited to, the United States, European Union, Canada, China, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Germany, India and Israel. These include: Process for Producing a Photomask on a Photopolymeric Surface; USA 9,513,551 and 12 countries and Process for Dry-coating of Flexographic Surfaces; USA 9,352,544.

The patenting of technology-related products and processes involves uncertain and complex legal and factual questions. To date, no consistent policy has emerged regarding the breadth of claims of such technology patents. Therefore, there is no assurance that our pending applications will issue, or what scope of protection any issued patents will provide, or whether any such patents ultimately will be upheld as valid by a court of competent jurisdiction in the event of a legal challenge. The costs of such proceedings would be significant and an unfavorable outcome could result in the loss of rights to the invention at issue in the proceedings. If we fail to obtain patents for our technology and are required to rely on unpatented proprietary technology, there is no assurance that we can protect our rights in such unpatented proprietary technology, or that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary products and techniques, or otherwise gain access to our proprietary technology.

Competitors have filed applications for, or have been issued patents, and may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights relating to products or processes used in, necessary to, competitive with, or otherwise related to, our patents. The scope and validity of these patents, and the extent to which we may be required to obtain licenses under these patents or under other proprietary rights and the cost and availability of licenses is unknown. This may limit our ability to license our technology. Litigation concerning these or other patents could be protracted and expensive. If suit were brought against us for patent infringement, a challenge in the suit by us as to the validity of the other patent would have to overcome a legal presumption of validity. There can be no assurance that the validity of the patent would not be upheld by the court or that, in such event, a license of the patent to us would be available. Moreover, even if a license were available, the payments that would be required are unknown and could materially reduce the value of our interest in the affected products.

We also rely upon unpatented trade secrets. No assurances can be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or disclose such technology or that we can meaningfully protect our rights to our unpatented trade secrets. We require our employees, consultants, advisors, and any third parties who have access to our proprietary know-how, information, or technology to enter into confidentiality agreements with us, which provide that all confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the course of the relationship is to be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties except in specific circumstances. In the case of employees and consultants, the agreements provide that all inventions conceived by the individual will be our exclusive property or will be assigned to us. There is no assurance, however, that these agreements will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of such information.

Marketing and Sales

We currently have a small marketing and sales operation consisting of two full-time employees (Chief Business Development Officer and Inside Sales Manager). In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Technology Officer generally devote a portion of their efforts to increasing awareness of, and marketing, our products. We are already working with distributors in the United States, South Korea, Italy, Japan and China and intend to collaborate with additional third-party distributors and sales agents with established sales and marketing operations and industry experience to market our inks. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into distribution and/or sales agency agreements on terms acceptable to us or at all, or that such distributors or sales agents will be successful in marketing our inks. We are not currently aiming to expand the Digiflex graphics arts fields, as we transition and integrate its printers into the electronics field. As such we are not yet marketing these printers for the graphic arts field and just have started to market them for the electronics field now.

Seasonality

Our business and operations are generally not affected by seasonal fluctuations or factors.

Raw Materials and Suppliers

We believe that the raw materials that we require to manufacture our inks are readily available in adequate quantities from multiple sources. In addition, the manufacturing process for our silver-based inks utilizes a silver salt the price of which is linked to the price of silver. The price of silver is affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including inflation, fluctuation of the United States dollar and foreign currencies, global and regional demand, speculative activities by commodities traders and others and the political and economic conditions of major silver producing countries throughout the world. See “Item 3 D. — Risk Factors — We are subject to risks resulting from fluctuations in the price of silver.”

Manufacturing

We manufacture our inks at our Migdal Ha’Emek facilities. We currently have capacity to produce an estimated two (2) tons of ink per year, and intend to upgrade our facilities (at an estimated cost of $500,000) to increase production capacity to 19 tons per year, if and when demand for our inks is projected to surpass our production capabilities and we have sufficient financing to do so. In the event that demand for our inks outgrows our internal manufacturing capacity, we intend to engage third-party manufacturers to produce additional inks. There can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into agreements with qualified manufacturers on terms acceptable to us, or at all, or that, once contracted, such manufacturers will perform as expected.

Government Regulation

We are subject to various environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements, including those governing the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into ground, air or water; noise emissions, the generation, storage, use, management and disposal of hazardous waste; the registration of chemicals and in the future also import and export; the clean-up of contaminated sites; and the health and safety of our employees. Under such laws and regulations, we are required to obtain environmental permits from governmental authorities for certain operations. The manufacture of our products requires storing or using certain hazardous materials. Pursuant to the Israeli Dangerous Substances Law - 1993, we are required to (and did) obtain a toxin permit from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Our permit is valid until May 10, 2025.

Other than applicable local laws in Israel relating to the handling and disposal of hazardous materials and waste, there are no government regulations that are material to the conduct of our business. If we establish manufacturing operations in other jurisdictions, we expect to become subject to environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements in those jurisdictions, which may be similar to or more onerous than those described above.

C. Organizational structure

We have three (3) wholly owned subsidiaries, Nano Size Ltd., or Nano Size, a private company organized under the laws of the state of Israel which we acquired on December 31, 2009, Digiflex, which we acquired on December 3, 2017. Additionally, we indirectly own, through Digiflex, two (2) subsidiaries of Digiflex, one in the USA (Digiflex Inc.) and one in Hong Kong, Digiflex HK Limited, which was inactive since inception and materially dissolved during March 2019 and Jet CU, a private company organized under the laws of the state of Israel which we acquired on July 26, 2020.

D. Property, plants and equipment

We currently leases, through Nano Size, approximately 7,300 square feet of space in Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel for its principal offices and manufacturing facilities at a monthly cost of approximately NIS 15,493 (approximately $4,818). Those current lease agreements expire on June 30, 2022.

Additionally, Digiflex currently leases approximately 1,200 square feet of space in Migdal Ha’Emek, Israel for its principal office and laboratory at a monthly cost of approximately NIS 5,000 (approximately $1,555). This lease agreement expires on March 14, 2023.

 We currently own production equipment, housed in our Migdal Ha’Emek facilities, capable of producing up to two (2) tons of ink per year. We intend to upgrade our facilities (at an estimated cost of $500,000) to increase production capacity to 20 tons per year, if and when demand for our inks is projected to surpass our production capabilities.

ITEM 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.

A. Operating results

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Item 3 A. — Selected Financial Data” above and our consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F, particularly in the sections titled “Item 3 D. — Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a conductive ink manufacturing company focused on developing, manufacturing, marketing and commercializing conductive inks for digital conductive printing applications (mainly inkjet and aerosol printing technologies). We have developed the Sicrys™ family of single crystal nano-metric conductive inks, which we believe enables a significantly less costly and less wasteful alternative to current screen printing and, in some cases, photolithography etching processes for photovoltaic (PV) and printed electronics (PE) applications. Our main strategy includes providing a “complete solution” to our costumer, meaning we provide the printing equipment, process and inks as a package. In some cases we subsidize the printer, thus implementing a razor blade model). We also adapt our basic inks to specific customer requirements. We began low volume sales of our Sicrys™ silver-based inks for PV and PE applications in 2010 and are in the process of seeking to expand our sales efforts to include sales of Sicrys™ inks for a wider range of PE applications, including for the printing of windshields in automotive applications, circuit boards, mobile phone antennas, 3D printed electronic devices, radio-frequency identification chips, sensors and touchscreens, among other digitally printed electronics. We have also developed what we believe is the first available commercially viable copper-based nano-metric ink for mass-production of printed electronics. We believe that copper inks represent a significant improvement over silver-based inks given copper’s significantly lower cost and nearly identical electrical and conductive properties. We began low volume sales of our copper-based ink for printed electronics applications in the second half of 2014. The sales of our Sicryssilver inks have continued to increase from 2018 to 2020 through 2019.

Notwithstanding the effects of COVID-19, our business (sales and projects) has continued to grow. Our growth has been limited (sales grew less than expected) due to slow down of our customers and partners, and also due to traveling constrains imposed by governments due to COVID-19. Two of our main customers have purchased inks and services from us much less than forecasted and expected. Our plans to upgrade our DemonJet printers, develop the inks and technologies to print passive components have been slowed down due to the reduction of activities of our partners in Europe and reduced available resources. One of our employees has been put in unpaid leave and we have reduced the team by two team members. Due to the COVID-19 influence on the world economics, silver prices (our main raw material have increased substantially (from $17.1/oz in January 2019 to $24.08/oz in December 14 2020, https://ycharts.com/indicators/silver price). Until now we have managed to raise our product prices to counter effect this price increase of silver. We have started to test the anti-viral activity of our nano particles. First tests have shown positive results but these tests have not been completed yet.

Financial Overview

We have incurred net losses since our inception in 2009, including a net loss of approximately $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $33.6 million. We have devoted substantially all of our financial resources to identifying, acquiring, licensing, and developing our products and technologies and providing general and administrative support for these operations. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through the sale of equity and convertible securities and government grants. The amount of our future net losses will depend, in part, on the rate of our future expenditures and our ability to generate significant revenues via commercialization of our products or technologies. We are dependent upon external sources to finance our operations and there can be no assurance that we will succeed in obtaining the necessary financing to continue our operations. As a result, our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Key Components of our Statements of Comprehensive Loss

Revenues

Sources of revenues - we derive revenues primarily from sales of inks.

Cost of Revenues

Our total cost of revenues includes expenses for the manufacturing of inks, including: the cost of raw materials; employee-related expenses, including salaries, equity-based compensation and other benefits and related expenses, lease payments, utility payments, depreciation, changes in inventory of finished products, royalties and other manufacturing expenses. These expenses are partially reduced by an allotment of manufacturing costs associated with research and development activities to research and development expenses.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses, net

Research and development activities are central to our business model. We expect research and development costs to increase significantly for the foreseeable future as we continue to expand our business. However, we do not believe that it is possible at this time to accurately project total program-specific expenses.

Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation for employees engaged in research and development activities, including salaries, equity-based compensation, benefits and related expenses, clinical trials, contract research organization sub-contractors, development materials, external advisors and the allotted cost of our manufacturing facility for research and development purposes.

In addition, from time to time, we participate in several development consortiums European Horizon 2020 and others in which we receive supporting grants which we record as a deduction to the research and development expenses. The grants are used to expand our knowhow and network through research and development that we commit to, the costs of which will be reimbursed in part by European Horizon 2020 and local financing entities.

Selling and Marketing Expenses

Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation expenses for personnel engaged in sales and marketing, including salaries, equity-based compensation and benefits and related expenses, as well as promotion, marketing, market access and sales and distribution activities.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist principally of compensation for employees in executive and administrative functions, including salaries, equity-based compensation, benefits and other related expenses, professional consulting services, including legal and audit fees, as well as costs of office and overhead.

Financial Income/Financial Expense

Financial income/expenses includes primarily change in fair value of warrants and capital note presented at fair value, Interest and accretion back in connection with convertible loans and exchange rate differences.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of our operating results:

Year ended December 31, 2020, compared to year ended December 31, 2019:

Revenues

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, total revenues amounted to $761,319 and $478,520, respectively, an increase of $282,799 or 59%. The increase in revenues relates primarily to sales of more inks and represents our growing business in the Company. Such increase was partially offset by a decrease in Digiflex business, as the Digiflex business is not consistent with our shift towards printed electronics technology. Therefore, we expect this decrease trend to continue.

Cost of revenues

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, total cost of revenues amounted to $307,713 and $236,493, respectively, an increase of $71,220 or 30%. The increase in cost of revenues is consistent with the increase in revenues as mentioned above.

Amortization of intangible assets

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, total amortization of intangible assets amounted to $428,434 and $428,431, respectively. The amortization in both years (which is basically the same) related to amortization of Technology we recorded as part of the Digiflex purchase as of December 3, 2017.

Gross loss (income)

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, total gross loss (income) amounted to $(25,172) and $186,404, respectively, an increase of $211,576. The increase related to an increase of $282,799 in revenues, partially offset by an increase of $71,220 in cost of revenues and an increase of $3 in amortization of intangible assets.

Research and development expenses, net

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, net research and development expenses, were $400,859, net of $525,838 grants recorded and $731,021, net of $256,423 grants recorded, respectively, a decrease of $330,162 or 45%, respectively. The decrease in research and development related primarily to higher grants recorded year over year. Over the last few years, we have succeeded to build several network projects which helped us with research and development efforts and at the same time resulted in receiving supporting research and development grants.

Sales and marketing expenses

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, sales and marketing expenses amounted to $673,986 and $673,983, respectively, an increase of $3. No significant change year over year.

General and administrative expenses

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, general and administrative expenses amounted to $1,414,370 and $1,319,239, respectively, an increase of $95,131 or 7%. No significant change year over year.

Goodwill impairment

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, goodwill impairment amounted to $265,089_and $0, respectively. Such goodwill impairment for the year ended December 31, 2020 was recorded following the purchase of Jet CU since that company have no activity.

Operating expenses

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, operating expenses amounted to $2,754,304 and $2,724,243 respectively, an increase of $30,061 or 1%. The increase related to an increase of $265,089 in goodwill impairment, $95,131 in general and administrative expenses and $3 in sales and marketing expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $330,162 in research and development, net.

Operating loss

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, operating loss amounted to $2,729,132 and $2,910,647, respectively, a decrease of $181,515 or 6%. The decrease in operating loss related to an increase of $211,576 in gross loss (income), partially offset by an increase of $30,061 in operating expenses.

Financial expenses, net

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, financial expenses, net, amounted to $9,814,605 and 1,042,358, an increase of $8,772,247 or 841%. The increase in financial expenses, net related primarily to a change in fair value of warrants and capital note presented at fair value of $7,044,819 and by an increase of $1,647,184 in interest and accretion back in connection with convertible loans.

Net loss

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, net loss amounted to $12,543,737 and $3,953,005, respectively, an increase of $8,590,732 or 217%. The increase in net loss related to an increase of $8,772,247 in financial expenses (income), net, partially offset by a decrease of $181,515 in operating loss.

Year ended December 31, 2019, compared to year ended December 31, 2018:

Revenues

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total revenues amounted to $478,520 and $460,739, respectively, an increase of $17,781 or 4%. The slight increase in revenues related primarily to organic growth year over year in PVN due to the sales of more Inks and engineering service which was introduced in 2019, partially offset by a decrease in Digiflex business, as the Digiflex business is not consistent with our shift towards printed electronics technology. Therefore, we expect this decrease trend to continue. Our revenues continued to grow significantly in 2020.

Cost of revenues

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total cost of revenues amounted to $236,493 and $388,265, respectively, a decrease of $151,772 or 39%. The decrease as a percentage of revenues or the increase in the gross margin is due to on-going efforts to optimize and improve our production process (higher yields per raw materials, workforce and lower costs) as well as increases in the prices of some products.

Amortization of intangible assets

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total amortization of intangible assets amounted to $428,431 and $470,773, respectively, a decrease of $42,342 or 9%. We recorded Technology and Backlog as Intangible assets as part of the Digiflex purchase as of December 3, 2017 and commenced amortizing both on that date over ten (10) years and one (1) year, respectively. The slight decrease relates to the fact that the Backlog amortization ended on December 2, 2018.

Gross loss

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total gross loss amounted to $186,404 and $398,299, respectively, a decrease of $211,895 or 53%. The decrease related to an increase of $17,781 in revenues, a decrease of $151,772 in cost of revenues and a decrease of $42,342 in amortization of intangible assets.

Research and development expenses, net

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, net research and development expenses, were $731,021, net of $256,423 grants recorded and $775,643, net of $314,652 grants recorded, respectively, a decrease of $44,622 or 6%, respectively. The decrease in research and development related primarily to lower workforce which was partially offset by lower grants year over year. Over the last few years, we have succeeded to build several network projects which helped us with research and development efforts and at the same time resulted in receiving supporting research and development grants.

Sales and marketing expenses

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, sales and marketing expenses amounted to $673,983 and $550,008, respectively, an increase of $123,975 or 23%. The increase in sales and marketing expenses related primarily to additional workforce year over year.

General and administrative expenses

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, general and administrative expenses amounted to $1,319,239 and $1,297,711, respectively, an increase of $21,528 or 2%. The increase in general and administrative expenses related primarily to additional workforce year over year.

Goodwill impairment

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, goodwill impairment amounted to $0 and $161,381, respectively. The goodwill was recorded as part of the Digiflex purchase as of December 3, 2017. We adopted the quantitative goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of its reporting unit with its carrying value. The result of that test as of December 31, 2019 was that the fair value was greater than the reporting unit’s carrying value and therefore no goodwill impairment was recorded as of that date while as of December 31, 2018 the reporting unit’s carrying value was greater than its fair value and as a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $161,381 and presented such charge as a separate line item within its statement of comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Operating expenses

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, operating expenses amounted to $2,724,243 and $2,784,743 respectively, a decrease of $60,500 or 2%. The decrease related to a decrease of $161,381 in goodwill impairment and $44,622 in research and development, net, partially offset by an increase of $123,975 in sales and marketing expenses and an increase of $21,528 in general and administrative expenses.

Operating loss

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, operating loss amounted to $2,910,647 and $3,183,042, respectively, a decrease of $272,395 or 9%. The decrease in operating loss related to a decrease of $211,895 in gross loss and a decrease of $60,500 in operating expenses.

Financial expenses (income), net

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, financial expenses (income), net, amounted to $1,042,358 and ($1,210,484). The change in financial expenses (income), net relates primarily to a change in fair value of warrants and capital note presented at fair value of $2,246,936, partially offset by a decrease of $69,110 in financial expenses in connection with convertible loans.

Net loss

With respect to the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, net loss amounted to $3,953,005 and $1,972,558, respectively, an increase of $1,980,447 or 100%. The increase in net loss related to an increase of $2,252,842 in financial expenses (income), net, partially offset by a decrease of $272,395 in operating loss.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared according to United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).  The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. The Company’s management believes that the estimates, judgments and assumptions used are reasonable based upon information available at the time they are made. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

Revenue recognition

For information with respect to revenue recognition, see Note 2.i. to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

Fair value of financial instruments

For information with respect to fair value of financial instruments, see Note 2.p. to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information with respect to recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2.t. to the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

Share-Based Compensation and Liabilities Presented at Fair Value

Ordinary Share Valuations

The fair value of the ordinary shares was used to determine the value of the warrants presented as a liability and share-based compensation. The following table sets forth the fair value of our ordinary shares as of the following dates:

Up to mid-2019, the fair value of our ordinary shares was determined by our management. Even though we are a publicly traded company, our ordinary shares were traded at a very low volume and therefore we concluded that our traded ordinary share fair value does not represent a reliable fair value. As such, we selected a market approach and relied primarily on the late 2018 third-parties convertible loans transactions to determine our ordinary share fair value which was utilized as the basis for our warrants and options fair value calculations. Our management exercised significant judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the fair value of our ordinary shares in that period. Commencing mid-end 2019, our ordinary shares were traded at a decent volume and therefore we relied on the stock trading fair value.

Option Valuations

Under U.S. GAAP, we account for share-based compensation for employees and others in accordance with the provisions of the FASB’s ASC Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Based Compensation,” or ASC 718, which requires us to measure the cost of options based on the fair value of the award on the grant date.

We selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the most appropriate method for determining the estimated fair value of options. The resulting cost of an equity incentive award is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period of the award, which is usually the vesting period. We recognize compensation expense over the vesting period using the straight-line method and classify these amounts in the consolidated financial statements based on the department to which the related employee reports.

The determination of the grant date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model is affected by estimates and assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables are estimated as follows: 

If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model change significantly, share-based compensation for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards previously granted.

The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted to employees, officers and consultants during the periods presented.

Liabilities Presented at Fair Value

Some of our warrants are classified as liabilities in accordance with ASC No. 815-40, “Distinguishing Liabilities From Equity”. Accordingly, these warrants are required to be marked to market at each reporting date.

We estimated the fair value of these warrants and such conversion feature using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is affected by estimates and assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables are estimated as follows: 

In addition, the conversion feature of the Capital Note (as defined in “Item 7 B. — Related Party Transactions”) issued to a shareholder, is required to be marked to market at each reporting date. We estimated the fair value of the Capital Note by taking into account the expected occurrence of certain trigger events (such as Public Offering or M&A), multiplied by the value in a probability that the event will occur (based on our subjective assumptions) and discounting the value in an appropriate discount factor (based on the weighted average cost of capital of the Company) for a period of one (1) year.

Reporting Currency

Our functional currency is the U.S. Dollar, although substantial portion of our costs are incurred in NIS. We finance our operations mainly in U.S. dollars and a substantial portion of our costs and revenues from its primary markets are anticipated to be incurred and generated in U.S. dollars. As such, we believe that the U.S. dollar is the currency of the primary economic environment in which we operate.

Transactions and balances that are denominated in dollars are presented at their original amounts. Non-dollar transactions and balances have been re-measured to dollars in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”. All foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reflected in the statements of operations as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

We currently have limited liquidity. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our cash and cash equivalents on hand was $31,327 and $34,382, respectively. Based on our current cash burn rate, strategy and operating plan, we believe that our cash reserves as of the date of this report will enable us to operate through August 2022. In order to fund our anticipated liquidity needs beyond such period (or possibly earlier if our current cash burn rate, strategy or operating plan change in a way that accelerates or increases our liquidity needs), we will need to raise additional capital.

Significant financing activities:

To date, we have financed our operations primarily through the sale of equity and convertible securities as well as through government grants.

On October 10, 2018, we entered into a Convertible Loan Agreement with GTRIMG, or the GTRIMG Convertible Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the GTRIMG Convertible Loan Agreement, GTRIMG loaned us an initial amount of $1,000,000, or the Initial Loan Amount, structured as a 24 month- convertible loan or less in case of a public offering of our shares, bearing interest at Israeli prime plus 4% per annum. Under the terms of the GTRIMG Convertible Loan Agreement, GTRIMG was granted an option to lend us an additional amount of up to $2,000,000, or the Additional Loan Amount, out of which we received up to the date of this report an amount aggregated to $1,266,748 in several installments (all of such loans matured in October 2020). We also granted GTRIMG a warrant to purchase ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000, and an additional warrant conditioned upon the investment of an Additional Loan Amount to purchase ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of up to $5,000,000 calculated pro-rata to the amount out of Additional Loan Amount provided. As of December 31, 2020, an amount of $3,166,870 of the purchase price of the additional warrant has become exercisable.

The conversion price for both the Initial Loan Amount, the Additional Loan Amount and the warrants shall is to be calculated as provided in the notes but is never to fall below $0.17 per share: 

On December 31, 2019, the Company and GTRIMG entered into a memorandum of understanding, or the MOU, pursuant to which GTRIMG agreed to provide additional loans to the Company and GTRIMG would receive additional Warrants. The MOU also provided for certain amendments to the existing Convertible Loan Agreement. We agreed to adopt a forecast, providing that, during 2020 grants, plus revenues, plus convertible loans (other than those received from GTRIMG) less liabilities on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 should not be less than $2,500,000, or the Management Minimum Forecast, out of which $1,250,000 shall be available in our bank account as of March 31, 2020, or the Target. Under the MOU, GTRIMG agreed to provide an additional loan as of the execution of the MOU in the amount of $150,000 under the existing Convertible Loan Agreement, or the Initial MOU Loan.

In addition, the MOU provides that if we fail to meet the Target, then: (a) the Company’s valuation for purposes of all investments after January 1, 2018 shall be $2.0 million pre-money as of such date, thereby reflecting a price per share of $0.068, and (b) GTRIMG shall make loans to the Company of $100,000 per month for a period of 12 months commencing April 1, 2020, and under the same terms as the Convertible Loan Agreement, as adjusted under (a) above, or the Additional MOU Loans; provided, that following each six month period, GTRIMG may review whether the Company has complied with the Management Minimum Forecast as defined therein, and if it was not met for any six month period (beginning with the six month period ended June 30, 2020), then, three months after such review, GTRIMG may determine not to fund additional amounts.

Furthermore, under the MOU, we agreed to call a meeting of shareholders within 15 days of the date of the MOU in order to approve (i) the transactions contemplated by the MOU, (ii) an amendment to the articles of association of the Company to provide that GTRIMG may appoint a number of directors as shall reflect its holding should the Target not be met (assuming all convertible loans are converted) and (iii) an increase in authorized share capital as necessary. The Company also agreed to immediately appoint a representative of GTRIMG as chairman of the board of directors.

In January 2020, GTRIMG made the Initial MOU Loan.

In March 2021, the Company directors received a notice before legal action letter from GTRIMG’s lawyer associated with their previous agreements (including the MOU mentioned above). The main request derives from this letter is to convert all the CLA so far at a price per share of $0.068.

In December 2020, we called a meeting of shareholders in accordance with the terms of the MOU and the transactions contemplated by the MOU were not approved by our shareholders.

All of the convertible loans received from GTRIMG were required to be repaid by October 2020. GTRIMG did not exercise its conversion right under the convertible loans prior to their repayment date and therefore became repayable in cash as such time. We did not timely repay such loans due to financial difficulties and therefore we are currently in default under the Convertible Loan Agreement.

At the annual shareholders’ meeting held in September 2021, the shareholders approved (i) a capital raise at a per share purchase price of $0.07 and (ii) an adjustment to the conversion price of the Company’s outstanding convertible loans (collectively, the “CLA”) from $0.17 to $0.07 per Ordinary Share, subject to the holders’ agreement to cancel the outstanding related warrants that were issued in connection with the CLA.

As of May 2022, the Company entered into agreements with the holders of approximately $4,010,429 in principal amount and accrued interest of CLAs for the conversion of the Company’s indebtedness into an aggregate of 57,291,838 Ordinary Shares (at the rate of $0.07 per share). Furthermore therewith, all the warrants that were issued previously in connection with those CLAs were cancelled and no longer have any force or effect.

For additional information regarding how we financed our operations, please refer to Note 8 and Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements appear elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F for information regarding our loans and convertible loans and sale of equity, respectively.

We expect to continue to fund our operations through equity or debt financings, strategic collaborations, grants and, to the extent our marketing and commercialization efforts are successful, sales of our products or technologies.

We have experienced cumulative losses of $33.6 million from inception through December 31, 2020. In addition, we have not yet established a stable recurring source of revenues sufficient to cover our operating costs and expect to continue to generate losses for the foreseeable future. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain an adequate level of financing needed for our near-term requirements or the long-term development and commercialization of our product. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern”.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our consolidated statement of cash flows for the periods presented:

Net cash used in operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $793,757, 1,979,138 and $2,592,047, respectively, a decrease of $1,185,381 or 60% (from 2019 to 2020) and a decrease of $612,909 or 24% (from 2018 to 2019). The decrease in net cash used in operating activities for both years was primarily attributable to a change in fair value of warrants and capital note, partially offset by an increase in the net loss.

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $808,913, $(11,906) and $(18,237), respectively, an increase of $820,819 (from 2019 to 2020) and an increase of $6,331 or 34% (from 2018 to 2019). The increase in net cash provided by (used in) investing activities in 2020 relative to 2019 was attributable to the acquisition of Jet CU. The increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2019 relative to 2018 was attributable to lower purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $(34,126), $1,881,719 and $2,304,221, respectively, a decrease of $1,915,845 (from 2019 to 2020) and a decrease of $422,502, or 18% (from 2018 to 2019). The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 relative to 2019 was primarily attributable lower proceeds from convertible loans, net of issuance costs. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in 2019 relative to 2018 was primarily attributable to a change in in short term bank credit and lower proceeds from convertible loans, net of issuance costs.

C. Research and Development, patents and licenses, etc.

For information regarding our research and development activities, see “Item 4 B. — Business Overview” and “Item 5 A. — Operating Results”.

D. Trend Information

We are a development stage company and it is not possible for us to predict with any degree of accuracy the outcome of our research, development or commercialization efforts. As such, it is not possible for us to predict with any degree of accuracy any significant trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net sales or revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause financial information to not necessarily be indicative of future operating results or financial condition. However, to the extent possible, certain trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments and events are in this “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

In addition, COVID-19 has impacted companies in Israel and around the world, and as its trajectory remains highly uncertain, we cannot predict the duration and severity of the outbreak and its containment measures. Further, we cannot predict impacts, trends and uncertainties involving the pandemic’s effects on economic activity, the size of our labor force, our third-party partners, our investments in marketable securities, and the extent to which our revenue, income, profitability, liquidity, or capital resources may be materially and adversely affected. See also “ITEM 3.D. – Risk Factors – “The global COVID-19 constraints may continue to negatively impact the global economy in a significant manner for a further extended period of time, and may also adversely affect our operating results in a material manner.”

Other than the foregoing and as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the period from January 1, 2020 to the present time that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenue, income, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial condition.

ITEM 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees.

A. Directors and Senior Management

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and senior management team as of May 16, 2022, and the date of this annual report on Form 20-F.

The address of each of our directors and executive officers is c/o P.V. Nano Cell Ltd., 8 Hamasger Street Migdal Ha’Emek 2310102, Israel.

Dov Farkash has served as our executive chairman since April 2020. Mr. Farkash has more than 25 years of experience in business leadership and technology development in the Electronics industry. From January 2000 to September 2019 Mr. Farkash has served in a range of senior business leadership and technology development positions at Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd., including Senior Vice President Strategic Development, Senior Corporate Vice President Modeling Software Division, Vice President Sales and Vice President Business Development. Prior to joining Nova, Mr. Farkash served as worldwide Sales and Marketing Manager of AFCON Ltd., and AFCON Inc. in the USA. Prior to that, Mr. Farkash served in various software development managerial positions at various hi-tech companies. Mr. Farkash holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and an MBA from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.

Ran Eisenberg has served as our Chief Executive Officer since June 10, 2021. Mr. Eisenberg has served as active Chairman of Hip-Hope Technologies, a medical device company has developed an inflatable medical class device, designed to prevent hip fractures, by detecting imminent falls and inflating protective air bags. From 2015 to 2018, Mr. Eisenberg served as the chief executive officer of NovaTrans, a company developing technologies based on Terahertz (THz) electronics. In 2013, Mr. Eisenberg co-founded Iskadu Ltd., which owns Innwaze.com, an Internet application enabling real-time booking with B&Bs. Since 2007, Mr. Eisenberg has provided financing and consulting services to a number of business in Israel. Previously, from 2009 to 2010, he also served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of EVS Ltd. (formerly Elbit Vision Systems Ltd.), a company whose shares were then traded on OTC Markets, that manufactures and markets non-destructive testing equipment, where he led a recovery that resulted in a management buyout. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Eisenberg served as chief executive officer of Wavion Ltd., a publicly traded company that developed and marketed WiFi systems for metropolitan areas. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Eisenberg served as CEO of Microsense Ltd. and prior thereto, from 1994 to 2004, Mr. Eisenberg served as CEO of Optibase Ltd., which he led during its initial pubic offering on Nasdaq. Mr. Eisenberg holds a B.Sc. in aeronautical engineering from the Technion and an M.B.A from the University of California (UCLA).

Dr. Fernando de la Vega co-founded PV Nano Cell Ltd. in 2009 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a Director of our board of directors since that time (and as a Chairman the majority of that time). Dr. de la Vega has more than 35 years industrial and entrepreneurial experience, having served in managerial positions with responsibility over research and development, quality and operations and has founded or co-founded several businesses in the fields of nano technology and functional materials. From 2001 to early 2009, Dr. de la Vega served as General Manager and a Director of Cima, a company focused on the development of innovative technologies in the field of flexible printed electronics. Dr. de la Vega also co-founded and, from 2003 through 2009, served as Chairman of the Nano Functional Materials Consortium, a five-year, $25 million research consortium which performed general research on nanotechnology, sponsored by Israel’s Office of the Authority as part of the MAGNET program, a special program intended to encourage cooperation between industry and academia. Dr. de la Vega has also co-founded three European research and development consortiums. He is a co-inventor of more than 11 patent families in the fields of nanomaterials and nanotechnology and author and co-author of many scientific and technical publications (including on conductive inks for inkjet printing). Dr. de la Vega holds a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry from the Casali Institute at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as a M.Sc. in Applied Chemistry and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Dr. Astorre Modena has served as a director of the Company since 2010. In 2005, he co-founded, and currently serves as General Partner of, Terra Venture Partners, an Israeli venture capital fund focused on clean technology. Prior to co-founding Terra Venture Partners, from 2001 to 2005, Dr. Modena was Associate and then Principal at Israel Seed Partners, a leading Israeli seed-stage venture capital firm. From 1998 to 2001, Dr. Modena was a consultant with McKinsey & Co., where he consulted for leading Italian, French and Israeli manufacturing and financial corporations on strategic and operational issues. Dr. Modena holds a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from Imperial College in London and a B.Sc. in Physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (where he was a part of the Honors Program for Outstanding Students). Dr. Modena was also a researcher in the laser-plasma physics department at Imperial College in London and École Polytechnique in Paris.

Orly Solomon has served as an external director of the Company since December 2017. Ms. Solomon is Chief Financial Officer of Inuitive Ltd. Ms. Solomon currently serves as Financial Director and Advisor to board of directors of Med and Beyond Ltd. Ms. Solomon served on the board of directors of Shikmona, a governmental and city owned corporation in Haifa from 2014 to 2017 as a director with financial expertise. From 2014 to 2016, Ms. Solomon served as Chief Financial Officer of Future Values Ltd. During 2013, Ms. Solomon served as Chief Executive Officer of D. Medical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ /TASE: DMED). She was also the chairman of the board of directors of RSL Electronics Ltd. (TASE: RSL) from 2011 to 2012. From 2010 to 2012, Ms. Solomon served as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy to the Chief Executive Officer of Lito Group Ltd. (TASE: LTGR-M). From 2009 to 2010, Ms. Solomon served as co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Atid Team, Israel. From 2006 to 2010, Ms. Solomon served as co-founder and a director of Altshuler Shacham Benefits Israel. Ms. Solomon holds an MBA in Finance and Economics from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and a Bachelor of Science Accounting, with honors, from Rutgers University at Newark, New Jersey.

Ido Lapidot has served as an external director of the Company since December 2017. Mr. Lapidot is a “TRIZ- Effective Innovation” consultant for various companies, inter alia, Elbit, Verint, Edwards Lifesciences, Tama and HP. From 2016 to 2020, he is a partner at Next Leap Ventures, a former Intel employees investment club. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Lapidot served as a Strategic Technologies Planner and TRIZ Program Leader at Intel R&D and Intel Labs. From 2008 to 2014, Mr. Lapidot served as an External Teacher for TRIZ and Systematic Innovation at Afeka College for Engineering, Israel. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Lapidot served as LEAN Manufacturing and TRIZ Program Leader at Intel Corporate Services-EMEA. From 1995 to 2005, Mr. Lapidot served as Environment, Health and Safety Manager at Intel’s factories. Mr. Lapidot also serves as a director of Carrar, Nanofabrica, and Sanolla. Mr. Lapidot holds an MA in Environmental Science, a BA in Chemistry, and a B.A. in Atmospheric Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a TRIZ L3 certification from MA-TRIZ GEN3 Partners.

Evyatar Cohen has served as our Chief Financial Officer since November 2017. Currently and prior to his appointment as our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Cohen serves and has served as a Chief Financial Officer and financial consultant for several public companies traded in the United States, Israel and Europe as well as privately held companies. Mr. Cohen worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in both the Tel-Aviv and New York. Mr. Cohen has gained vast experience in many industries such as high-tech, bio-tech, oil and gas, entertainment and media, and venture capital. Mr. Cohen holds a B.A. in Business Management from the College of Management in Israel with B.A in Business Management in 2000 and was awarded his Masters of Law degree from the Bar Ilan University, Israel in 2003. Mr. Cohen is a licensed and certified public accountant in both the United States and Israel.

Hanan Markovich has served as our Chief Business Development Officer since February 2019. Mr. Markovich is also a self-employed technology consultant. From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Markovich served as Chief Product & Marketing Officer of Robust E2C, a company focused on IoT framework solutions. Mr. Markovich also co-founded, and from 2015 through 2017, served as Chief Executive Officer of IllumaSense, a company that helps cities manage their infrastructure and gather information from the urban environment. Prior to co-founding IllumaSense, from 2014 to 2015, Mr. Markovich served as Executive Vice President Business Development of Gaash Lighting. Mr. Markovich holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Haifa, Israel.

New Appointments to the Board

As part of the $3.0 million investment described above, we agreed to the request of certain of the Private Placement investors to nominate three members to the Company’s Board of Directors. Upon the appointment of the three new directors, Ran Eisenberg, the Company CEO and Dr. Astorre Modena, a Company director, have agreed to resign from the Company Board.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships between any members of our executive management and our directors.

B. Compensation

The table below reflects the compensation granted to our five most highly compensated office holders (as defined in the Companies Law) during or with respect to the year ended December 31, 2020 (we actually present six (6) since the compensation for both of our external Directors were the same and were fifth together). We refer to the five individuals for whom disclosure is provided herein as our “Covered Executives”. For purposes of the table below, “compensation” includes amounts accrued or paid in connection with salary cost, consultancy fees, bonuses, share-based compensation, retirement or termination payments, benefits and perquisites (as applicable) to provide such compensation. All amounts reported in the table are in terms of cost to the Company, as recognized in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, plus compensation accrued or paid to such Covered Executives following the end of the year in respect of services provided during the year. Each of the Covered Executives was covered by our director and officer liability insurance policy and was entitled to indemnification and exculpation in accordance with applicable law and our articles of association.

Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors as a Group

The aggregate compensation paid by us to our executive officers and directors for the year ended December 31, 2020, was approximately $1,006,663, including share-based compensation expenses of approximately $300,171. This amount does not include business travel, relocation, professional and business association dues and expenses reimbursed to officers, and other benefits commonly reimbursed or paid by companies in Israel. We did not set aside or accrue any amounts to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to any officers or directors of the Company in the year ended December 31, 2020.

On January 7, 2020 and June 22, 2020, in connection with their services as board members, we issued options to purchase 10,394,541 ordinary shares at an exercise price per ordinary share of $0.068 to each of the following directors: Dov Farkash (was elected as our active chairman in April 19, 2020), Dr. Fernando de la Vega, Dr. Astorre Modena, Orly Solomon and Ido Lapidot. The options will vest over three (3) years, subject to earlier termination in accordance with our 2010 Israeli Option Plan, or the Plan.

We do not have any written agreements with any director providing for benefits upon the termination of such director’s relationship with our company, other than our consulting agreement with our chief executive officer as described below.

Our office holders are also employed under the terms and conditions prescribed in personal contracts. These personal contracts provide for notice periods of varying duration for termination of the agreement by us or by the relevant executive officer, during which time the executive officer will continue to receive base salary and benefits. These agreements also contain acceleration provisions upon material events such as a change of control or entry into a material agreement, customary provisions regarding non-competition, confidentiality of information and assignment of inventions. However, the enforceability of the non-competition and assignment of inventions provisions may be limited under applicable law. See “Item 3 D. — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property”. Under current Israeli law, we may not be able to enforce office holders’ covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former officer holders.

Our employees are employed under the terms prescribed in their respective personal contracts, in accordance with the decisions of our management. Under these employment contracts, the employees are entitled to the social benefits prescribed by law and as otherwise provided in their personal contracts. Each of these employment contracts contains provisions standard for a company in our industry regarding non-competition, confidentiality of information and assignment of inventions. Under current applicable employment laws, we may not be able to enforce covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former employees. See “Item 3 D. — Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property” for a further description of the enforceability of non-competition clauses. We also provide certain of our employees with a company car, which is leased from a leasing company.

Compensation of External Directors

In 2020, each of our external directors was compensated in accordance with the Israeli Companies Regulations (rules regarding compensation and expense reimbursement of external directors) - 2000.

Directors and Officers Equity-Based Compensation

As of May 16, 2022, a total of 14,682,148 options to purchase our ordinary shares were outstanding and held by certain current executive officers and directors (consisting of eight (8) persons), of which 11,527,338 options are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of May 16, 2022. See “Item 6 E. — Share Ownership” in this annual report on Form 20-F.

Compensation of nonemployee Directors

Our directors, other than our External Directors, do not receive any cash compensation.

During fiscal 2020, we were not party to any service agreements with any of the members of our board of directors, other than the services agreement with respect to Dr. de la Vega’s service as our chief executive officer, which is described below.

Employment or Service Agreements with our Active Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Development Officer

Dov Farkash. On April 19, 2020, an Active Chairman Agreement, or the Chairman Agreement with Exoro Ltd., or Exoro, a company wholly owned by Mr. Dov Farkash. The Chairman Agreement provides that Exoro, through Mr. Farkash is to provide certain services to us as active chairman, focusing on go-to-market strategy. We agreed to enter into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Farkash and to include him in our directors and officers insurance. Mr. Farkash has agreed not to provide any services that would conflict with or complete with ours. We agreed to pay a monthly service fee of NIS 40,000 (approximately $12,441) plus Value Added Tax (“VAT”) to Exoro. Mr. Farkash is entitled to options to purchase 939,164 shares under our 2010 Option Plan, in accordance with our director compensation plan, at an exercise price of $ 0.068 per share, vesting over three (3) years from April 19, 2020 with one-third vesting after one year and the remainder monthly over a 24-month period. Exoro is entitled to reimbursement of expenses in connection with the provision of the services and shall have a budget of $10,000/month for travel. The term of the Chairman Agreement was for four (4) months, with our right to renew for an additional nine months, which was utilized. Either party could terminate upon 45 days prior written notice. The Chairman Agreement could also be terminated by us for Cause (as defined in the Chairman Agreement).

Ran Eisenberg On June 1, 2021, we entered into a consultancy agreement with Mr. Ran Eisenberg to serve as our Chief Executive Officer during the term of the agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Eisenberg was entitled to a current monthly fee of NIS 40,000 (approximately $12,441) plus VAT, which was increase to 60,000 NIS (approximately $18,662) plus VAT following four (4) months from his commencement date. In addition, he was awarded options to purchase up to 2,003,346 of our shares at a pe share exercise price of $0.17 which was reduced to $0.07. Vesting of the options continue over three (3) years from June 1, 2021 with one-third vesting after one year and the remainder monthly over a 24-month period. The option are accelerated upon an Exit Event (as defined below).

Either we or Mr. Eisenberg may terminate the agreement by providing a 60 days prior notice

Dr. Fernando de la Vega. On September 9, 2009, we entered into a services agreement, or the DBG Services Agreement, as amended, with Dr. de la Vega’s wholly-owned service company, Dolev Bar-Guy Consulting and Management Ltd., or DBG, as amended, or the DBG Services Agreement, pursuant to which Dr. de la Vega provides us management services as our chief executive officer through June 1, 2021, whereupon he resigned from such position and assumed the position as Chief Technology Officer. Pursuant to the terms of the DBG Services Agreement, as amended, Dr. de la Vega is currently entitled to a monthly consultancy fee in the amount of NIS 51,750 (approximately $16,096) plus VAT and car allowance in the amount of NIS 2,500 (approximately $777) plus VAT per month plus reimbursement for fuel expenses and tolls. The monthly consultancy fee shall be updated to NIS 65,000 (approximately $20,217) plus VAT per month, if the company will secure an additional investment of $1,000,000 (such update commenced in April 2018). Dr. de la Vega may terminate the DBG Services Agreement at any time for any reason upon a three months’ prior written notice. If we wish to terminate the engagement with Dr. de la Vega, not as a result of Dr. de la Vega’s breach of his terms of office, the Company shall be required to provide a six months’ prior written notice.

In addition, he may receive:

Upon the occurrence of an Exit Event, an equity-based award, in accordance with the following calculation:

An ‘Exit Event’ is defined as: (i) the consummation of an initial public offering of ordinary shares of the Company on a recognized stock exchange; or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the share capital of the Company to any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental authority or other entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity, or a Person; (iii) a sale, lease, conveyance or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (iv) a merger of the Company with or into another entity in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger do not hold a majority of the share capital and voting rights of the surviving entity held by them by virtue of their holdings in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction or a transaction or series of transactions in which a Person or group of Persons acquire more than 50% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company (other than an acquisition of such share capital from the Company); or (v) an up-listing to a higher exchange.

Evyatar Cohen. On November 12, 2017, we entered into a consultancy agreement with Mr. Evyatar Cohen to serve as our Chief Financial Officer during the term of the agreement. Mr. Cohen’s services include, among others, the services of Ms. Moran Cohen as our controller. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Mr. Cohen is entitled to a monthly fee of NIS 33,000 (approximately $10,264) plus VAT. As agreed in his engagement agreement, the monthly fee was increased to NIS 45,000 (approximately $13,997) plus VAT commencing May 15, 2018, following the filing of our 2017 annual report on Form 20-F. Either we or Mr. Cohen may terminate the agreement by providing a 45 days prior notice.

Hanan Markovitch. We have entered into an employment agreement dated February 10, 2019 with Mr. Hanan Markovitch to serve as chief business development officer. Mr. Markovitch, as a full-time employee, is entitled to a gross monthly salary of NIS 28,000 (approximately $8,709); overtime pay of NIS 7,000 per month (approximately $2,177); a car allowance of NIS 5,000 (approximately $1,555) per month; social benefits and special bonus as detailed in his employment agreement. Each party can terminate this employment agreement with a three (3) months’ notice. Commencing November 2021, Hanan’s gross monthly salary and overtime pay increased to NIS 32,000 (approximately $9,953) and NIS 8,000 (approximately $2,488), respectively.

Incentive Compensation Plan

The purpose of the Plan is to serve as an incentive to attract new employees, directors, consultants and service providers, and to retain persons of training, experience and ability by providing them with opportunities to purchase securities, including shares of the Company, pursuant to the Plan, as approved by the board of directors of the Company. As of December 31, 2020, a total of 2,463,488 ordinary shares were reserved for issuance under the Plan. The number of ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the Plan may be changed from time to time in the sole discretion of the board of directors.

The Plan is administered by our board of directors, provided that the board of directors may delegate responsibility for the administration of the Plan to a committee designated by the board of directors. The board of directors has authority to: designate grantees of awards under the Plan and the terms of any award granted, including the type of securities to be granted, the vesting terms of any securities granted, and any restrictions on transfer of any securities granted under the Plan.

Pursuant to the Plan, the Company may (1) grant awards of securities under the Plan under the capital gains track pursuant to Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, or the Ordinance, to our directors, officers and employees who are not holders of 10% or more of our total share capital and are not otherwise controlling shareholders, and (2) grant awards pursuant to Section 3(i) of the Ordinance to non-employee Israeli service providers, consultants and shareholders who hold 10% or more of our total share capital or are otherwise controlling shareholders.

Section 102 of the Ordinance allows employees, directors and officers, who are not controlling shareholders and are considered Israeli residents, to receive favorable tax treatment for compensation in the form of shares or options. Our non-employee Israeli service providers, consultants and controlling shareholders, which includes any shareholder holding 10% or more of the Company’s ordinary shares on a fully diluted basis, may only be granted options under Section 3(i) of the Ordinance, which does not provide for similar tax benefits. Section 102 of the Ordinance includes two alternatives for tax treatment involving the issuance of options or shares to a trustee for the benefit of the grantees and also includes an additional alternative for the issuance of options or shares directly to the grantee. Section 102(b)(2) of the Ordinance, the most favorable tax treatment for grantees, permits the issuance to a trustee under the “capital gains” track. However, under this track we are not allowed to deduct any expense with respect to the issuance of the options or shares. In order to comply with the terms of the capital gains track, all options granted under the Plan pursuant and subject to the provisions of Section 102 of the Ordinance, as well as the ordinary shares issued upon exercise of these options and other shares received subsequently following any realization of rights with respect to such options, such as share dividends and share splits, must be granted to a trustee for the benefit of the relevant employee, director or officer and should be held by the trustee for at least two (2) years after the date of the grant. If such options or shares are sold by the trustee or are transferred to the grantee before the end of the two-year period, then the grantee would be taxed at top marginal rates upon selling the shares.

Options granted under the Plan will vest in accordance with the vesting dates determined by the board of directors with respect to each grant. Options that are not exercised within seven years from the grant date will expire, unless a shorter or longer term is provided for by the board of directors. Generally, if we terminate a grantee’s employment or services to the Company, all options granted to such grantee that are then vested will be exercisable for a period of six (6) months after the termination date (unless a shorter period is determined by the board of directors) or, if earlier, the expiration date of such options if we terminate a grantee’s employment or service for cause, all of the grantee’s vested and unvested unexercised options will expire and terminate on the date of termination. In case of termination for reasons of disability or death, the grantee or his legal successor may exercise options that have vested prior to termination within a period of twelve (12) months from the date of disability or death.

In the event of a merger or consolidation of our Company subsequent to which we would no longer exist as a legal entity, or a sale of all, or substantially all, of our ordinary shares or assets or other transaction having a similar effect on us, the Company will seek to cause the acquirer in such transaction to substitute all outstanding and unexercised options under the Plan for an appropriate number of the same type of shares or other securities of the successor company as were distributed to the Company or the shareholders in connection with such transaction. If the acquirer refuses to substitute the options, unvested options held by any grantee will vest in accordance with the following formula: X+Y*X/Z, where X = the number of vested options held by the grantee, Y = the number of unvested options held by the grantee, and Z = the number of options held by the grantee.

C. Board Practices

Board of Directors

Under the Companies Law, the management of our business is vested in our board of directors. Our board of directors may exercise all powers and may take all actions that are not specifically granted to our shareholders or to management. Our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for our day-to-day management and has responsibilities established by our board of directors. Our Chief Executive Officer is appointed by, and serves at the discretion of, our board of directors, subject to the terms of a consulting agreement that we have entered into with him. Our Chief Executive Officer may retain additional executive officers to assist in the day to day management of our business.

Election and Removal of Directors

Our Articles of Association provide for a board of directors consisting of no less than three (3) and no more than seven (7) directors, with all directors (other than the external directors, whose appointment is required under the Companies Law, as described below) divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, with each class of directors to consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors other than the external directors. At each annual general meeting of our shareholders thereafter, the election or re-election of directors following the expiration of the term of office of the directors of that class of directors will be for a term of office that expires on the third annual general meeting following such election or re-election. Each director so elected will hold office until the annual general meeting of our shareholders for the year in which his or her term expires, unless the tenure of such director expires earlier pursuant to the Companies Law or unless he or she is removed from office as described below. Our board of directors is divided among the three staggered classes of directors (except for the external directors) as follows:

In addition, our shareholders have elected two (2) external directors who are not part of the staggered board, as described further below.

Observer

On November 29, 2018, we held a general meeting of shareholders at which our shareholders approved, among other things, an amendment to the provisions of our Articles of Association applicable to the election of directors to provide for GTRIMG the right to designate one (1) non-voting observer to the board of director, or the Observer, provided that the Observer shall not be a competitor of ours, or employed by a competitor of ours. In October 2018, Rami Zeevi, the son of Gadi Zeevi who is the controlling shareholder of GTRIMG was appointed as an observer to our board of directors.. Such director will serve as our chairman of the board of directors, provided that such nominee has the required qualifications under applicable laws including the stock exchange rules then applicable. The rights of GTRIMG will remain effective as long as GTRIMG holds at least 5% of our issued and outstanding share capital. The MOU provided that GTRIMG would have the right to nominate one (1) director, who would be the chairman of the board. We appointed Mr. Dov Farkash as executive chairman in accordance with the terms of the MOU.

Chairman of the Board

Our amended and restated articles of association provide that, unless otherwise appointed as described above, the chairman of the board is appointed by the members of the board of directors and serves as chairman of the board throughout his term as a director, unless resolved otherwise by the board of directors. Under the Companies Law, the Chief Executive Officer (referred to as a “general manager” under the Companies Law) or a relative of the Chief Executive Officer may not serve as the chairman of the board of directors, and the chairman of the board of directors or a relative of the chairman may not be vested with authorities of the Chief Executive Officer without shareholder approval consisting of a majority vote of the shares present and voting at a shareholders meeting, provided that either: 

A person subordinated, directly or indirectly, to the Chief Executive Officer may not serve as the chairman of the board of directors; the chairman of the board of directors may not be vested with authorities that are granted to those subordinated to the Chief Executive Officer; and the chairman of the board of directors may not serve in any other position in the company or a controlled company, but he or she may serve as a director or chairman of the board of directors of a subsidiary.

External Directors

Under the Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel whose shares are publicly traded are required to appoint at least two (2) external directors who meet the qualification requirements set forth in the Companies Law.

At our general meeting of shareholders held in 2017, we appointed Ms. Orly Solomon and Mr. Ido Lapidot as our external directors for three (3) years and they were re-elected in our general meeting of shareholders held in 2020 for additional three (3) years.

The Companies Law provides for special approval requirements for the election of external directors. External directors must be elected by a majority vote of the shares present and voting at a shareholders meeting, provided that either:

After an initial term of three (3) years, an external director may be re-elected to serve in that capacity for up to two (2) additional terms of three (3) years each under one of two alternatives. Under the first alternative, the external director may be nominated by the board of directors, and such external director’s re-election is approved by a majority of the shareholders that was required to elect such external director in such director’s initial election. Under the second alternative, the external director may be nominated by a shareholder(s) holding 1% or more of the voting power and at the general meeting of shareholders such re-election is approved by a majority of those shares present and voting that are held by shareholders who are non-controlling shareholders and do not have a personal interest in the re-election, provided that such shares represent at least 2% of the total voting power in the company.

The term of office for external directors for Israeli companies traded on certain foreign stock exchanges (which does not include the OTCQB or OTC Pink), may be extended indefinitely in increments of additional three-year terms, provided that, prior to each nomination for re-election, the board of directors of the company confirm that, in light of the external director’s expertise and special contribution to the work of the board of directors and its committees, the re-election for such additional period is beneficial to the company and provided that the reasons for such confirmation are presented to the shareholders at the general meeting at which such re-election is being sought and the external director is re-elected in accordance with the appropriate approval method described above.

Under the Companies Law, an external director cannot be dismissed from office unless the board of directors has learned there is a concern that: the external director no longer meets the statutory requirements for his appointment as an external director; or the external director is in breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the company. The board of directors shall discuss the matter no later than in the first board of directors meeting convened after the board had become aware of such circumstances. In the event the board of directors has determined that an external director had ceased to comply with the requirements set forth under the Companies Law or that he or she breached his or her duty of loyalty to the company, than the board of directors shall convene a general meeting of the shareholders and will include on the agenda a resolution for the removal from office of such external director. The shareholders vote required to removal of an external director from office is the same majority required for the appointment; provided, however, that the external director has been given the opportunity to present his or her position. In addition, a court of law may determine, upon a request of a director or a shareholder, to dismiss the external director after finding that such external director no longer meets the statutory requirements of an external director set under the Companies Law or that the external director is in breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the company.

Each committee of the board of directors that exercises powers of the board of directors is required to include at least one external director, and the audit and compensation committees are required to all of such company’s external directors.

Under the Companies Law, external directors of a company are prohibited from receiving, directly or indirectly, any compensation from the company other than for their services as external directors pursuant to the provisions and limitations set forth in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law, which compensation is determined prior to their appointment and may not be changed throughout the term of their service as external directors (except for certain exceptions set forth in the regulations).

The Companies Law provides that a person is not qualified to serve as an external director if, as of the appointment date or at any time during the two (2) years preceding his or her appointment, that person or a relative, partner or employer of that person, any person to whom that person is subordinate (whether directly or indirectly), or any entity under that person’s control, had any affiliation or business relationship with the company, any controlling shareholder or relative of a controlling shareholder or an entity that, as of the appointment date is, or at any time during the two (2) years preceding that date was, controlled by the company or by any entity controlling the company.

The term affiliation for this purpose includes (subject to certain exceptions):

The Companies Law defines the term “office holder” of a company to include a general manager, chief business manager, deputy general manager, vice general manager, any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of these positions regardless of such person’s title, a director and any other manager directly subordinate to the general manager.

The following additional qualifications apply to an external director:

Furthermore, no person may serve as an external director if that person’s professional or other activities create, or may create, a conflict of interest with that person’s responsibilities as a director or otherwise interfere with that person’s ability to serve as an external director or if such person is an employee of the Israel Securities Authority or of an Israeli stock exchange. Following the termination of an external director’s membership on the board of directors, such former external director and his or her spouse and children may not be provided a direct or indirect benefit by the company, its controlling shareholder or any entity under its controlling shareholder’s control, including serving as an executive officer or director of the company or a company controlled by its controlling shareholder and cannot be employed by or provide professional services to the company for pay, either directly or indirectly, including through a corporation controlled by that former external director, for a period of two (2) years (the prohibition also applies to relatives of the former external director who are not his or her spouse or children, but only for a period of one year).

If at the time an external director is appointed, all members of the board of directors who are not controlling shareholders or their relatives are of the same gender, the external director must be of the other gender. A director of one company may not be appointed as an external director of another company if a director of the other company is acting as an external director of the first company at such time.

Pursuant to the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law, a person may be appointed as an external director only if he or she either has professional qualifications or has accounting and financial expertise as defined in those regulations. In addition, at least one of the external directors must be determined by our board of directors to have accounting and financial expertise and the board is required to determine the minimum number of board members who are required to possess accounting and financial expertise. In determining the number of directors required to have such expertise, the members of our board of directors must consider, among other things, the type and size of the company and the scope and complexity of its operations.

Our board of directors has determined that the minimum number of directors with financial and accounting expertise is one and that Ms. Orly Solomon qualifies as such. The external director who qualifies to have such expertise is Ms. Orly Solomon. In addition, our Board has determined that Ms. Orly Solomon qualifies as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to the applicable SEC rules.

A director with accounting and financial expertise is a director who, due to his or her education, experience and skills, possesses a high degree of proficiency in, and an understanding of, business-accounting matters and financial statements, such that he or she is able to understand the financial statements of the company, in depth, and initiate a discussion about the manner of presentation of the financial data. A director is deemed to have professional qualifications if he or she has any of (i) an academic degree in economics, business management, accounting, law or public administration, (ii) an academic degree or has completed another form of higher education in the primary field of business of the company or in a field which is relevant to his/her position in the company, or (iii) at least five (5) years of experience serving in one of the following capacities, or at least five (5) years of cumulative experience serving in two or more of the following capacities: (a) a senior business management position in a company with a significant volume of business; (b) a senior position in the company’s primary field of business; or (c) a senior position in public administration or service. Our board of directors is charged with determining whether a director possesses financial and accounting expertise or professional qualifications.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee is comprised of the following members: Ms. Solomon (external director), Mr. Lapidot (external director) and Dr. Modena. Ms. Solomon is the Chairwoman of the Audit Committee.

Pursuant to the Companies Law, the audit committee must be comprised of at least three (3) directors, including all of the external directors, and a majority of its members must be unaffiliated directors. An unaffiliated director is an external director or a director who is appointed or classified as such, and who meets the qualifications of an external director (other than the professional qualifications/accounting and financial expertise requirement), whom the audit committee has confirmed to meet the external director qualifications, and who has not served as a director of the company for more than nine (9) consecutive years (with any period of up to two (2) years during which such person does not serve as a director not being viewed as interrupting a nine-year period).

For Israeli companies traded on certain foreign stock exchanges (which does not include the OTCQB or the OTC Pink), a director who qualifies as an independent director for the purposes of such director’s membership on our audit committee in accordance with the rules of such stock exchange is also deemed to be an unaffiliated director under the Companies Law. Such person must meet the non-affiliation requirements as to relationships with the controlling shareholder (and any entity controlled by the controlling shareholder, other than the company and other entities controlled by the company) and must meet the nine-year requirement described above. Following the nine-year period, a director of an Israeli company traded on such foreign stock exchange may continue to be considered an unaffiliated director for unlimited additional periods of three (3) years each, provided the audit committee and the board of directors of the company confirm that, in light of the director’s expertise and special contribution to the work of the board of directors and its committees, the re-election for such additional period is beneficial to the company.

Under the Companies Law, the audit committee may not include the chairman of the board, any director employed by the company or who regularly provides services to the company (other than as a board member), a controlling shareholder or any relative of the controlling shareholder, as each term is defined in the Companies Law. In addition, the audit committee may not include any director employed by the company’s controlling shareholder or by a company controlled by such controlling shareholder, or who provides services to the company’s controlling shareholder or a company controlled by such controlling shareholder, on a regular basis, or a director whose main livelihood is from the controlling shareholder. The chairman of the audit committee is required to be an external director.

Audit Committee Role

Our board of directors adopted an audit committee charter that sets forth the responsibilities of the audit committee as well as the requirements for such committee under the Companies Law, including the following:

Our audit committee provides assistance to our board of directors in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions by pre-approving the services performed by our independent auditors and reviewing their reports regarding our accounting practices and systems of internal control over financial reporting. Our audit committee also oversees the audit efforts of our independent auditors and takes those actions that it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the auditors are independent of management.

Under the Companies Law, our audit committee is responsible for:

Our audit committee may not approve any actions requiring its approval (see “—Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law”), unless at the time of the approval a majority of the committee’s members are present, which majority consists of unaffiliated directors including at least one external director.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Ms. Solomon (external director), Mr. Lapidot (external director) and Dr. Modena.

Ms. Solomon is the chairwoman of the compensation committee. We have a Compensation Committee Charter and a Compensation Policy.

Under the Companies Law, the compensation committee is required to be comprised of at least three (3) directors, including all of the external directors. The additional members of the Compensation Committee must be directors that receive compensation subject to the provisions and limitations set forth in the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law. Under the Companies Law, an external director must serve as the chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Under the Companies Law, the external directors shall constitute a majority of our compensation committee.

Our compensation committee’s duties include, among other things, recommending compensation policies to the board of directors, overseeing compensation policy implementation, and ratifying the compensation of executive officers.

Compensation Policy under the Companies Law

In adopting the compensation policy, the compensation committee is required to take into account factors such as the office holder’s education, experience, past compensation arrangements with the Company, and the proportional difference between the person’s compensation and the average compensation of the Company’s employees. The compensation policy must be approved at least once every three (3) years at the Company’s general meeting of shareholders, and is subject to the approval of a majority vote of the shares present and voting at a shareholders meeting, provided that either:

Our board of directors approved and adopted the compensation policy on February 22, 2018 and was approved by our shareholders at our annual general meeting on September 12, 2019.

The compensation policy serves as the basis for decisions concerning the financial terms of employment or engagement of executive officers and directors, including exculpation, insurance, indemnification or any monetary payment or obligation of payment in respect of employment or engagement. The compensation policy relates to certain factors, including advancement of the company’s objectives, the company’s business and its long-term strategy, and creation of appropriate incentives for executives. It also considers, among other things, the Company’s risk management, size and the nature of its operations. The compensation policy furthermore considers the following additional factors: 

The compensation policy also includes the following principles:

The compensation committee is responsible for (a) recommending the compensation policy to the Company’s board of directors for its approval (and subsequent approval by our shareholders) and (b) duties related to the compensation policy and to the approval of the terms of engagement of office holders, including:

The Compensation Committee’s duties include recommending compensation policies to the board of directors, overseeing compensation policy implementation, and ratifying the compensation of executive officers.

Compensation of Directors

Under the Companies Law, the compensation of our directors requires the approval of our Compensation Committee, the subsequent approval of the board of directors and, unless exempted under the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law, the approval of the shareholders at a general meeting. Where the director is also a controlling shareholder, the requirements for approval of transactions with controlling shareholders apply, as described below under “—Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law—Disclosure of Personal Interests of a Controlling Shareholder and Approval of Acts and Transactions.”

The directors are also entitled to be paid reasonable travel, hotel and other expenses expended by them in attending board meetings and performing their functions as directors of the Company, all of which is to be determined by the board of directors.

External directors are entitled to remuneration subject to the provisions and limitations set forth in the regulations promulgated under the Companies Law.

Internal Auditor

Under the Companies Law, we are required to appoint an internal auditor recommended by the audit committee and appointed by the board of directors. The role of the internal auditor is, among other things, to examine whether a company’s actions comply with applicable law and orderly business procedure. Under the Companies Law, the internal auditor cannot be an interested party or an office holder or a relative of an interested party or an office holder, nor may the internal auditor be the company’s independent auditor or its representative. An “interested party” is defined in the Companies Law as: (i) a holder of 5% or more of the issued share capital or voting power in a company, (ii) any person or entity who has the right to designate one or more directors or to designate the chief executive officer of the company, or (iii) any person who serves as a director or as a chief executive officer of the company. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, the board of directors has not appointed an internal auditor, and the Company is therefore not currently in compliance with the requirements of the Companies Law. Due to such non-compliance with the Companies Law, the Company may be subject to third parties’ and/or shareholders’ claims under the Israeli Torts Ordinance.

Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law

Fiduciary duties of office holders

The Companies Law imposes a duty of care and a duty of loyalty on all office holders of a company. An office holder is defined in the Companies Law as a general manager, chief business manager, deputy general manager, vice general manager, any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of these positions regardless of such person’s title, a director and any other manager directly subordinate to the general manager. The duty of care of an office holder is based on the duty of care set forth in connection with the tort of negligence under the Israeli Torts Ordinance (New Version) 5728-1968. This duty of care requires an office holder to act with the degree of proficiency with which a reasonable office holder in the same position would have acted under the same circumstances. The duty of care includes a duty to use reasonable means, in light of the circumstances, to obtain information on the advisability of a given action brought for his or her approval or performed by virtue of his or her position and all other important information pertaining to these actions.

The duty of care includes a duty to use reasonable means to obtain:

The duty of loyalty requires an office holder to act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, and includes the duty to:

We may approve an act performed in breach of the duty of loyalty of an office holder provided that the office holder acted in good faith, the act or its approval does not harm the company, and the office holder discloses his or her personal interest a sufficient amount of time before the date for discussion of approval of such act.

Disclosure of personal interests of an office holder and approval of acts and transactions

The Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly disclose to the company any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information or documents relating to any existing or proposed transaction by the company. A personal interest includes an interest of any person in an act or transaction of a company, including a personal interest of one’s relative or of a corporate body in which such person or a relative of such person is a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager, but excluding a personal interest stemming solely from one’s ownership of shares in the company. A personal interest includes the personal interest of a person for whom the office holder holds a voting proxy or the personal interest of the office holder with respect to his or her vote on behalf of a person for whom he or she holds a proxy, discretionary or otherwise, even if such shareholder has no personal interest in the matter.

An interested office holder’s disclosure must be made promptly and in any event no later than the first meeting of the board of directors at which the transaction is considered. An office holder is not obliged to disclose such information if the personal interest of the office holder derives solely from the personal interest of his or her relative in a transaction that is not considered an extraordinary transaction.

Under the Companies Law, extraordinary transactions that require approval are defined as any of the following:

Under the Companies Law, once an office holder has complied with the disclosure requirement described above, a company may approve a transaction between the company and the office holder or a third-party in which the office holder has a personal interest, or approve an action by the office holder that would otherwise be deemed a breach of duty of loyalty. However, a company may not approve a transaction or action that is adverse to the company’s interest or that is not performed by the office holder in good faith.

Approval first by the company’s audit committee and subsequently by the board of directors is required for an extraordinary transaction (meaning, any transaction that is not in the ordinary course of business, not on market terms or that is likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities) in which an office holder has a personal interest.

A director and any other office holder who has a personal interest in a transaction which is considered at a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee may generally (unless it is with respect to a transaction which is not an extraordinary transaction) not be present at such a meeting or vote on that matter unless a majority of the directors or members of the audit committee, as applicable, have a personal interest in the matter. If a majority of the members of the audit committee or the board of directors has a personal interest in the approval of such a transaction then all of the directors may participate in deliberations of the audit committee or board of directors, as applicable, with respect to such transaction and vote on the approval thereof and, in such case, shareholder approval is also required.

Pursuant to the Companies Law, public company compensation arrangements such as insurance, indemnification or exculpation arrangements with office holders who are not the Chief Executive Officer or a director require compensation committee approval and subsequent approval by the board of directors. Compensation arrangements must comply with the compensation policy of the company.

In special circumstances, the compensation committee and the board of directors may approve compensation arrangements that do not match the compensation policy of the company, subject to the approval of a majority vote of the shares present and voting at a shareholders meeting, provided that either: (a) such majority includes at least a majority of the shares held by all shareholders who are not controlling shareholders and do not have a personal interest in such compensation arrangement; or (b) the total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the compensation arrangement and who vote against the arrangement does not exceed two percent of the company’s aggregate voting rights, or Special Majority Vote for Compensation. In the event that the Special Majority Vote for Compensation is not obtained, the compensation committee and the board of directors may reconsider the compensation arrangement and approve it, after a detailed review.

Pursuant to the Companies Law, public company compensation arrangements with the Chief Executive Officer require compensation committee approval, approval by the board of directors and Special Majority for Compensation approval at the shareholders’ meeting. Compensation arrangements with the Chief Executive Officer must comply with the compensation policy of the company. In the event that Special Majority Vote for Compensation is not obtained, then the compensation committee and the board of directors may reconsider the compensation arrangement and approve it after a detailed review. Notwithstanding the above, the compensation committee is authorized to refrain from submitting a proposed compensation arrangement with a Chief Executive Officer candidate for shareholder approval, if (a) doing so would jeopardize the company’s engagement of the candidate and (b) the proposed arrangement complies with the company’s compensation policy.

With respect to amending an existing compensation arrangement, only the approval of the compensation committee is required, provided the committee determines that the amendment is not material in relation to the existing compensation arrangement. With respect to amending an existing related-party transaction, only the approval of the audit committee is required, provided the committee determines that the amendment is not material in relation to the existing arrangement.

Compensation arrangements with directors who are not controlling shareholders, including compensation arrangements with directors in their capacities as executive officers, (unless exempted under the applicable regulations), require the approval of the compensation committee, the board of directors and the company’s shareholders, in that order.

Disclosure of personal interests of a controlling shareholder and approval of acts and transactions

Pursuant to the Companies Law, the disclosure requirements regarding personal interests that apply to directors and executive officers also apply to a controlling shareholder of a public company. A controlling shareholder is a shareholder who has the ability to direct the activities of a company, including a shareholder who holds 25% or more of the voting rights if no other shareholder holds more than 50% of the voting rights. For this purpose, the holdings of all shareholders who have a personal interest in the same transaction will be aggregated.

An extraordinary transaction between a public company and a controlling shareholder, or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and the terms of any compensation arrangement of a controlling shareholder who is an office holder or his relative, require the approval of a company’s audit committee (or compensation committee with respect to compensation arrangements), board of directors and shareholders, in that order. In addition, the shareholder approval must fulfill one of the following requirements:

To the extent that any such transaction with a controlling shareholder or his relative is for a period extending beyond three (3) years, shareholder approval is required once every three (3) years, unless, in respect to certain transactions, the audit committee determines that the duration of the transaction is reasonable under the circumstances.

Duties of Shareholders

Under the Companies Law, a shareholder has a duty to refrain from abusing its power in the company and to act in good faith and in an acceptable manner in exercising its rights and performing its obligations to the company and other shareholders, including, among other things, voting at general meetings of shareholders on the following matters:

A shareholder also has a general duty to refrain from discriminating against other shareholders.

The remedies generally available upon a breach of contract will also apply to a breach of the above-mentioned duties, and in the event of discrimination against other shareholders, additional remedies are available to the injured shareholder.

In addition, any controlling shareholder, any shareholder that knows that its vote can determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder that, under a company’s articles of association, has the power to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder, or has another power with respect to a company, is under a duty to act with fairness towards the company. The Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty except to state that the remedies generally available upon a breach of contract will also apply in the event of a breach of the duty to act with fairness, taking the shareholder’s position in the company into account.

Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification of Office Holders

Under the Companies Law, a company may not exculpate an office holder from liability for a breach of the duty of loyalty. A company may exculpate an office holder in advance from liability to the company, in whole or in part, for damages caused to the company as a result of a breach of the duty of care but only if a provision authorizing such exculpation is included in its articles of association. Our amended and restated articles of association include such a provision. An Israeli company may not exculpate a director from liability arising out of a breach of the duty of care with respect to a dividend or distribution to shareholders.

Under the Companies Law and the Securities Law, 5738—1968, or the Securities Law, a company may indemnify an office holder in respect of the following liabilities, payments and expenses incurred for acts performed as an office holder, either pursuant to an undertaking made in advance of an event or following an event, provided a provision authorizing such indemnification is contained in its articles of association:

Administrative Procedure” is defined as a procedure pursuant to chapters H3 (Monetary Sanction by the Israeli Securities Authority), H4 (Administrative Enforcement Procedures of the Administrative Enforcement Committee) or I1 (Arrangement to prevent Procedures or Interruption of procedures subject to conditions) to the Securities Law.

Under the Companies Law and the Securities Law, a company may insure an office holder against the following liabilities incurred for acts performed by him or her as an office holder if and to the extent provided in the company’s articles of association:

Under the Companies Law, a company may not indemnify, exculpate or insure an office holder against any of the following:

Under the Companies Law, exculpation, indemnification and insurance of office holders must be approved by the compensation committee and the board of directors and, with respect to certain office holders or under certain circumstances, also by the shareholders. See “Item 6 C. — Board Practices — Fiduciary duties and approval of specified related party transactions under Israeli law.”

Our amended and restated articles of association permit us to, exculpate, indemnify and insure our office holders as permitted under the Companies Law. Our office holders are currently covered by a directors and officers’ liability insurance policy. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, no claims for directors’ and officers’ liability insurance have been filed under this policy, we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors or officers in which indemnification is sought, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any director or officer.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors exculpating them from a breach of their duty of care to us to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to limited exceptions. This indemnification is limited to events determined as foreseeable by the board of directors based on our activities, and to an amount or according to criteria determined by the board of directors as reasonable under the circumstances. We intend to enter into new agreements with each of our directors and executive officers exculpating them from liability to us for damages caused to us as a result of a breach of duty of care and undertaking to indemnify them, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by our amended and restated articles of association to be effective upon the effectiveness of our registration statement and the Companies Law, including with respect to liabilities resulting from this offering to the extent that these liabilities are not covered by insurance. The maximum aggregate amount of indemnification that we may pay to all of our directors and office holders together based on the indemnification agreement is $5,000,000. Such indemnification amounts will be in addition to any amounts available under our directors’ and office holders’ liability insurance policy.

D. Employees

As of May 16, 2022, we had nine (9) full time employees in PVN and one (1) full time employees in Digiflex, located in Israel. There was one additional employee in the United States, employed by Digiflex Inc and his contract was terminated in September 2020. Israeli labor laws govern the length of the workday, minimum wages for employees, procedures for hiring and dismissing employees, determination of severance pay, annual leave, sick days, advance notice of termination of employment, equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws and other conditions of employment of our Israeli employees. Subject to certain exceptions, Israeli law generally requires severance pay upon the retirement, death or dismissal of an employee, and requires us and our employees to make payments to the National Insurance Institute, which is similar to the U.S. Social Security Administration. Our Israeli employees have pension plans in accordance with the applicable Israeli legal requirements.

While none of our employees are party to any collective bargaining agreements, certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the Coordination Bureau of Economic Organizations (including the Industrialists’ Associations) are applicable to our employees by extension orders issued by the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. These provisions primarily concern the length of the workday, minimum daily wages for professional workers, pension fund benefits for all employees, insurance for work-related accidents, procedures for dismissing employees, determination of severance pay and other conditions of employment. We generally provide our employees with benefits and working conditions beyond the required minimums.

E. Share Ownership

Share ownership by Directors and Executive Officers

For information regarding ownership of our ordinary shares by our directors and executive officers, see “Item 7 A. — Major Shareholders”.

Share Option Plans

For information on our share option plan see “Item 6 B. — Compensation — Incentive Compensation Plans”.

ITEM 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

A. Major Shareholders.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of May 16, 2022, by:

The beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of the security. For purposes of the table below, we deem ordinary shares issuable pursuant to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days as of May 16, 2022, if any, to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the options or warrants for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but we do not treat them as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The percentage of ordinary shares beneficially owned is based on 130,274,079 ordinary shares outstanding as of May 16, 2022.

Except where otherwise indicated, we believe, based on information furnished to us by such owners and based on public information, that the beneficial owners of the ordinary shares listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares. In addition, none of our shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders.