Liquidity and Capital Resources, and Ability of the Company to Continue as a Going Concern.
The Company has incurred losses from operations since inception. The Company incurred net losses of $63.1 million and $18.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and accumulated deficit amounts of $349.1 million and $286.1 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $30.3 million and $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The Company’s liquidity is based on its ability to enhance its operating cash flow position, obtain capital financing from equity interest investors, and borrow funds to fund its general operations, research and development activities and capital expenditures. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s balance of cash and cash equivalents was $126.2 million and $157.6 million, respectively. As Embark has not earned any revenue to date, it has financed its operations primarily through the sale of shares of common stock and preferred stock to fund operations, invest in research and development (“R&D”) and repay borrowings. Embark has explored and exhausted avenues following an extended evaluation by Embark of alternative markets in which to commercialize its technology, and with the lack of success in bringing Embark’s product to those markets, it will not generate revenues in the near future, and may not be able to raise additional financing on terms that are favorable, or at all. As such, Embark believes that its operating losses and negative operating cash flows will continue into the foreseeable future requiring Embark to explore strategic alternatives. These conditions and events raise substantial doubt about Embark’s ability to continue as a going concern.
In response to these conditions, as part of management’s plans, on March 1, 2023, the Board approved a process to explore, review and evaluate a range of potential strategic alternatives, including, without limitation, exploring alternative uses of Embark’s assets to commercialize its technology, additional sources of financing, as well as potential dissolution or winding up of Embark and liquidation of its assets. In addition, on March 3, 2023, Embark announced a workforce restructuring plan and initiated a workforce reduction of approximately 230 employees. Management’s plan cannot be considered probable and thus does not alleviate the substantial doubt about Embark’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Emerging Growth Company
The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm
attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.
Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company that is either a) not an emerging growth company or b) an emerging growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
Segment Information
The Company operates in one segment, the truck business unit, which is focused on enhancing self-driving truck software technology. Therefore, the Company’s chief executive officer, who is also the CODM, makes decisions and manages the Company’s operations as a single operating segment for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. All long-lived assets are maintained in, and all losses are attributable to, the United States of America.
Concentration of Risks
Embark’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. Embark maintains its cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with high-quality financial institutions with investment-grade ratings. A majority of the cash balances are with U.S. banks and are insured to the extent defined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, as well as reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period.
The Company’s most significant estimates and judgments involve the useful lives of long-lived assets, the recoverability and impairment of long-lived assets, the incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) applied in lease accounting, the capitalization of software development costs, the valuation of the Company’s stock-based compensation, including the valuation of warrants to purchase the Company’s stock and the valuation allowance for income taxes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $126.2 million and $157.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, respectively.
The Company maintains letters of credit to secure leases of the Company’s offices and facilities. A portion of the Company’s cash is collateralized in conjunction with the letter of credit and is classified as restricted cash on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $0.9 million and $0.9 million in restricted cash, respectively. The Company determines short-term or long-term classification based on the expected duration of the restriction.
The reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents to amounts presented in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of March, | | As of December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2022 |
| | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 126,202 | | $ 244,488 | | $ 157,622 |
| Restricted cash, short-term | 667 | | 65 | | 65 |
| Restricted cash, long-term | 210 | | 812 | | 812 |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ 127,079 | | $ 245,365 | | $ 158,499 |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, short-term and long-term notes payable and other current liabilities. The assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis are cash equivalents and warrant liabilities. The Company believes that the carrying values of the remaining financial instruments approximate their fair values. The Company applies fair value accounting in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements for valuation of financial instruments. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP that expands disclosures about fair value measurements, establishes a fair value hierarchy, and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows:
Level 1 — Fair value is based on observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Fair value is determined using quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3 — Fair value is determined using one or more significant inputs that are unobservable in active markets at the measurement date, such as an option pricing model, discounted cash flow, or similar technique.
Public and Private Warrants
As part of NGA’s initial public offering on October 13, 2020, NGA issued to third party investors 41.4 million units, consisting of one share of Class A common stock of NGA and one-third of one warrant, at a price of $10.00 per unit. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per warrant
(the “Public Warrants”). Further, NGA completed the private sale of 6.7 million warrants to NGA's sponsor at a purchase price of $1.50 per warrant (the “Private Placement Warrants” or “Private Warrants”). Following the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split on August 16, 2022, the Public and Private Warrants were impacted by the same ratio upon exercise. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the number of warrants issued and outstanding or the exercise price of the warrants. Each whole warrant is now exercisable for 1/20th of one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per warrant. Subsequent to the Business Combination, 13.8 million Public Warrants and 6.7 million Private Warrants remained outstanding as of March 31, 2023.
The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants did not become transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis and are non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants are redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.
The Company evaluated the Public and Private Warrants under ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity, and concluded that they do not meet the criteria to be classified in stockholders' equity. Since the Public and Private Warrants meet the definition of a derivative under ASC 815, the Company recorded these warrants as liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value upon the closing of the Business Combination, with subsequent changes in their respective fair values recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) at each reporting date.
Property, Equipment and Software
Property, equipment and software is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are recorded on a straight-line basis over each asset’s estimated useful life.
| | | | | | | | |
| Property, Equipment and Software | | Useful life (years) |
| Machinery and equipment | | 5 years |
| Electronic equipment | | 3 years |
| Vehicles and vehicle hardware | | 3 – 7 years |
| Leasehold improvements | | Shorter of useful life or lease term |
| Furniture and fixtures | | 7 years |
Leases
The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception of the arrangement based on whether the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset and whether the Company has the right to direct the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration, which relates to an asset which the Company does not own. Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are recognized as the lease liability, adjusted for lease incentives received. Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is the Company’s IBR, because the interest rate implicit in most of its leases is not readily determinable. The IBR is a hypothetical rate based on the Company’s understanding of what its credit rating would be to borrow and resulting interest we would pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment over the lease term on a collateralized basis. Lease payments may be fixed or variable; however, only fixed payments or in-substance fixed payments are included in the Company’s lease liability calculation. Variable lease
payments may include costs such as common area maintenance, utilities, real estate taxes or other costs. Variable lease payments are recognized in operating expenses in the period in which the obligation for those payments are incurred.
Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, operating lease liabilities, current and operating lease liabilities, non-current on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. For operating leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis in operations over the lease term. The Company elected the practical expedient not to separate non-lease components from lease components, therefore, the Company accounts for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. The Company also elected the short-term lease recognition practical expedient for all leases that qualify.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying amount of such assets or asset group to the future undiscounted cash flows it expects the assets or asset group to generate. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the sum of the expected long-term discounted cash flows that the long-lived asset is expected to generate is less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset being evaluated. The Company analyzed its long-lived assets for impairment and recorded a $23.3 million impairment charge related to property and equipment and its right-of-use assets in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Due to the Company’s lack of earnings history, the net deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are accounted for using the more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense related to stock option awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”) granted to employees, directors and non-employees are accounted for based on estimated grant-date fair values. For stock option awards and RSUs with service conditions, the Company uses the straight-line method to recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, and estimates the fair value of share-based awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including expected volatility, expected dividend yield, expected term, risk-free rate of return and the stock price of the underlying common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of each RSU is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation for RSUs granted with a performance condition is recognized on a graded vesting basis. Stock-based compensation tor PSUs, is recognized on a graded vesting basis, as the PSUs are associated with market conditions over the holder’s derived service period. The fair value of the PSUs are estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation. The Company accounts for the effect of forfeitures as they occur.
Internal Use Software
The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with creating and enhancing internally developed software for the Company’s technology infrastructure and such costs are recorded within property, equipment and software, net. These
costs include personnel and related employee benefit expenses for employees directly associated with and who devote time to software development projects. Software development costs that do not qualify for capitalization are expensed as incurred and recorded in research and development expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Software development activities typically consist of three stages: (1) the planning phase; (2) the application and infrastructure development stage; and (3) the post implementation stage. Costs incurred in the planning and post implementation phases, including costs associated with training and repairs and maintenance of the developed technologies, are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes costs associated with software developed when the preliminary project stage is completed, management implicitly or explicitly authorizes and commits to funding the project and it is probable that the project will be completed and perform as intended. Costs incurred in the application and infrastructure development phases, including significant enhancements and upgrades, are capitalized. Capitalization ends once a project is substantially complete, and the software is ready for its intended purpose. Software development costs are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, commencing when the software is ready for its intended use. The straight-line recognition method approximates the manner in which the expected benefit will be derived. Internal use software is tested for impairment in accordance with the Company’s long- lived assets impairment policy.
In March 2023, the Company ceased further development of its capitalized software in line with its restructuring decision. The Company analyzed its internal use software and recorded a full impairment of the asset for $11.2 million in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the time period for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expense consist of outsourced engineering services, allocated facilities costs, depreciation, internal engineering and development expenses, materials, labor, and stock-based compensation related to development of the Company’s products and services. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred except for amounts capitalized to internal-use software if applicable.
General, and Administrative Expenses
General, and administrative expense consist of personnel costs, allocated facilities expenses, depreciation and amortization, travel, and business development costs.
Restructuring Costs
In March 2023, the Company initiated a reduction in workforce restructuring plan and simultaneously proceeded with potential liquidation of its assets. As a result of this workforce reduction initiative, the Company incurred $9.5 million in employee severance pay and related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company is expected to implement further reductions in workforce as a part its restructuring plan in the near future.
Change in fair value of warrant liability
Change in fair value of warrant liability represents the change in fair value of Public, Private, Working Capital and Forward Purchase Agreement (“FPA”) Warrants. For each reporting period, Embark will determine the fair value of the warrant liability, and record a corresponding non-cash benefit or non-cash charge, due to a decrease or increase in fair value, respectively, of the calculated warrant liability.
Other Income
The Company has subleased office space to a third party, as a result of the sublease arrangements, the company has earned rental income which is included as a part of other income. The Company had also received consideration from
certain arrangements related to truck transfer services resulting from research and development activities, this has also been presented as other income in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Interest Income
Interest income primarily consists of investment and interest income from marketable securities, long- term investments and the Company’s cash and cash equivalents.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consisted primarily of interest on the Company’s various truck financing arrangements.
Net Loss Per Share
Prior to the Merger and prior to effecting the recapitalization, the Company had one class of common stock. Subsequent to the Merger, the Company has two classes of common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, including the liquidation and dividend rights, except with respect to electing members of the Board of Directors and voting rights. As the liquidation and dividend rights are identical, undistributed earnings and losses are allocated on a proportionate basis and the resulting net loss per share attributable to common stockholders are the same for both Class A common stock and Class B common stock on an individual and combined basis.
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities. Net loss is attributed to common stockholders and participating securities based on their participation rights. Net loss attributable to common stockholders is not allocated to the redeemable convertible preferred stock as the holders of the redeemable convertible preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in any losses. No dividends were declared or paid for three months ended March 31, 2023. No preferred stock was outstanding as of March 31, 2023.
Under the two-class method, basic net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders adjusts basic earnings per share for the potentially dilutive impact of redeemable convertible preferred stock, stock options, and warrants. As the Company has reported losses for all periods presented, all potentially dilutive securities including preferred stock, stock options, and warrants, are antidilutive and accordingly, basic net loss per share equals diluted net loss per share.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss is defined as the total change in stockholders’ equity during the period other than from transactions with stockholders. Comprehensive loss consists of net loss and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss is comprised of unrealized losses on investments classified as available-for-sale. There was no other comprehensive loss for three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The Company adopted “ASC 842” on January 1, 2022, using the modified retrospective transition method, specifically the "Comparatives under ASC 840 approach", and used the effective date as the date of initial application. The Company elected the “package of practical expedients,” which permits Embark not to reassess under ASC 842 its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and
initial direct costs. The Company also elected the use of hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of the entity’s right-of-use assets. Upon adoption of the new leasing standard on January 1, 2022, the Company recognized right-of-use assets of $4.4 million and lease liabilities of $4.5 million, respectively, which are related to its various operating leases. The difference between the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities is primarily attributed to the elimination of deferred rent. There was no adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit as a result of the adoption of ASC 842.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2022. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to its financial statements.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Modification of equity-classified written call options. ASU 2021-04 provides clarification and reduces diversity in an issuer’s accounting for certain modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options, such as warrants, that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. The adoption of ASU 2021-04 was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2022. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to its financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
As an emerging growth company (“EGC”), the JOBS Act allows the Company to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are applicable to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act until such time the Company is no longer considered to be an EGC. The adoption dates discussed below reflect this election.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments, which, together with subsequent amendments, amends the requirement on the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on the Company’s financial statements and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. There was no impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of adopting this standard on January 1, 2023.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging — Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815- 40): Accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing certain separation models required under current GAAP. The ASU also removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, and it revises the guidance in ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, to require entities to calculate diluted earnings per share for convertible instruments by using the if-converted method. The amendments are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2024, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03 to clarify the guidance on the fair value measurement of an equity security that is subject to a contractual sale restriction, and require specific disclosures for equity securities that are subject to such restrictions. The amendments are effective in periods beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04, "Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50)." ASU 2022-04 is intended to establish disclosures that enhance the transparency of a supplier finance program used by an entity in connection with the purchase of goods and services. Supplier finance programs, which also may be referred to as reverse factoring, payables finance or structured payables arrangements, allow a buyer to offer its suppliers the option for access to payment in advance of an invoice due date, which is paid by a third-party finance provider or intermediary. Under the guidance, a buyer in a supplier finance program would disclose qualitative and quantitative information about its supplier finance programs. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, except for the amendment on roll forward information, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance.
3.BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| | | |
| Prepaid insurance | $ 3,085 | | $ 3,411 |
| Prepaid software | 1,643 | | 2,648 |
| Income tax receivable | 494 | | 494 |
| Short-term deposits | 431 | | 452 |
| Prepaid salary | 558 | | 558 |
| Other current assets | 1,122 | | 323 |
| Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ 7,333 | | $ 7,886 |
Property, Equipment and Software
Property, equipment and software consist of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| | | |
| Machinery and equipment | $ 248 | | $ 569 |
| Electronic equipment | 776 | | 1,645 |
| Vehicles and vehicle hardware | 7,741 | | 10,777 |
| Leasehold improvements | — | | 1,037 |
| Developed software | — | | 11,261 |
| Other | 27 | | 116 |
| Property, equipment and software, gross | 8,792 | | 25,405 |
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (4,038) | | (4,797) |
| Total property, equipment and software, net | $ 4,754 | | $ 20,608 |
Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 was $0.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The Company recognized $16.4 million as impairment on Property, equipment and software during the three months ended March 31, 2023. See Note 5, “Restructuring costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.”
Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| | | |
| Lease deposits | $ 3,230 | | $ 3,224 |
| Prepaid insurance | 1,455 | | 2,000 |
| Other long term assets | 189 | | 555 |
| Total Other Assets | $ 4,874 | | $ 5,779 |
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Payroll expenses | $ 3,059 | | $ 1,342 | | | |
| General expenses | 257 | | 412 | | | |
| Legal expenses | 2,253 | | 232 | | | |
| Software expenses | 821 | | 529 | | | |
| Consultant expenses | 1,158 | | 959 | | | |
| Other accrued expenses and current liabilities | 354 | | 411 | | | |
| Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities | $ 7,902 | | $ 3,885 | | | |
4.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 (in thousands) |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
| Assets | | | | | | | |
| Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | |
| United States money market funds | $ 100,246 | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 100,246 |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | |
Warrant liabilities - FPA warrants (1) | $ 13 | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 13 |
Warrant liabilities - public warrants | $ 259 | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 259 |
Warrant liabilities - working capital warrants | $ — | | $ — | | $ 38 | | $ 38 |
Warrant liabilities - private warrants | $ — | | $ — | | $ 126 | | $ 126 |
(1)FPA are the “Forward Purchase Agreements” entered into, or amended and restated, by NGA on April 21, 2021.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 (in thousands) |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
| Assets | | | | | | | |
| Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | |
| United States money market funds | $ 1,379 | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 1,379 |
| Liabilities | | | | | | | |
Warrant liabilities - FPA warrants | $ 13 | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 13 |
Warrant liabilities - public warrants | $ 276 | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 276 |
Warrant liabilities - working capital warrants | $ — | | $ — | | $ 40 | | $ 40 |
Warrant liabilities - private warrants | $ — | | $ — | | $ 134 | | $ 134 |
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no transfers made among the three levels in the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of the above liability classified Public, Private, Working Capital and FPA Warrants have been measured based on the listed market price of such warrants on November 10, 2021. The FPA warrants and Public Warrants were valued using the public price as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Private and Working Capital Warrants were fair valued using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations resulting from a change in the fair value of warrants of approximately $28,000, presented as other income (expense) on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.
5.RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
In March 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved a process to explore, review and evaluate a range of potential strategic alternatives available to the Company, including, without limitation, exploring alternative uses of the Company’s assets to commercialize its technology, additional sources of financing, as well as potential dissolution or winding up of the Company and liquidation of its assets.
Restructuring costs
On March 3, 2023, Embark announced a workforce restructuring plan and initiated a workforce reduction of approximately 230 employees. The Company incurred $9.5 million in employee severance pay and related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company reviewed its long-lived assets for impairment following Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360 for Property, Plant, and Equipment. The Company tested its long-lived assets for recoverability due to changes in circumstances that indicated that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Following Board’s decision to explore alternative uses of the Company’s assets, the process of winding up Embark operations begun while continuing to explore the sale to a strategic buyer and the liquidation of the Company. Contemporaneous with the wind up process, the Company began the process of selling its long-lived assets and stopped the development of its capitalized internal use software as part of the process of reducing the Company’s footprint following a reduction in force on March 3, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, no decision was made as to whether the Company will be liquidated or sold to a strategic buyer.
The Company reviewed its property and equipment related assets for impairment by comparing the carrying values of the assets with their estimated future undiscounted cash flows. Impairment charge was calculated as the difference between asset carrying values and fair value as determined by prices of similar items, indicative fair market quotes received which are considered level three fair value estimates.
The Company analyzed its right-of used assets for impairment based on fair values calculated as discounted cash flows estimated to be received from the lease assets where applicable. The difference between fair value and carrying value of the right of use asset was recognized as an impairment in March 2023.
The following table presents gross asset values, impairment charges and fair value of property, equipment and software as on March 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Gross Book Value | | Impairment | | Fair Value as on March 31, 2023 |
| Property, equipment and software | | | | | | |
| Developed software | | $ 11,261 | | $ 11,261 | | $ — |
| Property and equipment | | 15,546 | | 6,754 | | 8,792 |
| Gross Property, equipment and software | | 26,807 | | 18,015 | | 8,792 |
| Less: Accumulated Depreciation | | (5,637) | | (1,599) | | (4,038) |
| Net Property, equipment and software | | $ 21,170 | | $ 16,416 | | $ 4,754 |
| | | | | | |
| Right-of-use Assets | | | | | | |
| Headquarter lease | | $ 14,228 | | $ 6,241 | | $ 7,987 |
| Other leases | | 2,039 | | 631 | | 1,408 |
| Right-of-use Assets | | $ 16,267 | | $ 6,872 | | $ 9,395 |
| | | | | | |
| Total | | $ 37,437 | | $ 23,288 | | $ 14,149 |
The Company recognized partial impairment on all property and equipment for a total of $5.2 million, net of depreciation and full impairment on developed software for $11.2 million, net of amortization. The Company has stopped development of its internal use software because it is not expected to be used given Company’s plan to liquidate or sell its assets and seek other strategic business alternatives. The Company also recognized an additional $6.9 million on right-of-use assets pertaining to property leases during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
6.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Reverse Stock Split
The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the number of authorized shares of Embark’s common stock or the par value of the common stock.
Following the Reverse Stock Split effectiveness on August 16, 2022, all references in these financial statements to number of common shares issued or outstanding, price per share and weighted average number of shares outstanding prior to the 1 for 20 reverse split have been adjusted to reflect the stock split on a retroactive basis as of the earliest period presented, unless otherwise noted.
Shares Authorized and Issued
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had authorized a total of 4,110,000,000 shares for issuance with 4,000,000,000 shares designated as Class A common stock, 100,000,000 shares designated as Class B common stock and 10,000,000 shares designated as preferred stock.
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had 19,532,651 shares issued as Class A common stock and 4,353,948 shares issued as Class B common stock.
Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no shares of preferred and founders preferred stock issued or outstanding. The Company’s preferred stock does not contain any mandatory redemption features, nor are they redeemable at the option of the holder.
Class A and Class B Common Stock
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized two class of common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are not entitled to preemptive or other similar subscription rights to purchase any of Embark’s securities.
Class A common stock is neither convertible nor redeemable. Class B common stock is convertible into Class A common stock. Unless Embark’s board of directors determines otherwise, Embark will issue all of its capital stock in certificated form. Embark’s founders, Alex Rodrigues and Brandon Moak (the “Founders”), held, and continue to hold, all outstanding shares of Class B common stock issued upon consummation of the Business Combination.
In connection with the merger with NGA on November 10, 2021, the Embark Founders exchanged 4,353,948 shares of Founder’s common stock, which were entitled to one vote per share, into the same number of shares of Class B common stock, which are entitled to ten votes per share. The Company recorded the incremental value of $13.6 million associated with this transaction as stock-based compensation in general and administrative expenses.
The significant rights, privileges and preferences of common stock as of March 31, 2023 are as follows:
Liquidation Preference
If Embark is involved in voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Embark’s affairs, or a similar event, each holder of Embark Common Stock will participate pro rata in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of Embark preferred stock, if any, then outstanding.
Dividends
Each holder of shares of Embark Common Stock is entitled to the payment of dividends and other distributions as may be declared by the Board from time to time out of Embark’s assets or funds legally available for dividends or other distributions. These rights are subject to the preferential rights of the holders of Embark’s Preferred Stock, if any, and any contractual limitations on Embark’s ability to declare and pay dividends.
Voting
Each holder of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders, as provided by the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. II (the “Charter”). Each holder of Class B common stock is entitled to ten votes per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders, as provided by the Embark Charter. Following the Business Combination, holders of Class B common stock have the ability to control the business affairs of Embark. Embark’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) provide that the holders of a majority of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. When a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is required to take action, unless otherwise specified by law, the Bylaws or the Charter, and except for the election of directors, which is determined by a plurality vote. There are no cumulative voting rights.
Stock purchase agreement
On May 31, 2022, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a Registration Rights Agreement, each with CF Principal Investments LLC (“Cantor”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company has the right to sell to Cantor up to the lesser of (i) 1,500,000 of newly issued shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) the Exchange Cap (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), from time to time during the 36-month term of the Purchase Agreement. Sales of Class A common stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the timing of any sales, are solely at the option of the Company, and the Company is under no obligation to sell any securities to Cantor under the Purchase Agreement. The total number of shares to be sold to Cantor is limited to the extent that shares sold to Cantor would not result in Cantor and its affiliates having shares in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation. The purchase price of shares sold to Cantor will be equal to 97% of the volume weighted average price on the trading day the shares are put to Cantor. The Company determined that the right to sell shares of the Company’s Class A common stock to Cantor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement represents a freestanding put option under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The fair value of the put option was determined to be zero as the shares to be issued and the purchase price is settled within one business day. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company did not sell shares of Class A common stock to Cantor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
As consideration for Cantor’s commitment to purchase shares of Class A common stock at the Company’s direction upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue 22,500 shares of Class A common stock (the “Commitment Shares”) to Cantor at the time of execution of the Purchase Agreement. On May 31, 2022, the Company issued the Commitment Shares to Cantor with a fair value of $0.7 million. The fair value associated with the Commitment Shares was recorded as a component of other expense in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations and a component of common stock and additional paid-in capital in the company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
7.WARRANTS
As of March 31, 2023, the following warrants were issued and outstanding:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Description | | Classification | Issue Date | | Warrants Outstanding | | Fair Value Price Per Share | | Exercise Price per Share | | Expiration |
| FPA warrants | | Liability | November 10, 2021 | | 666,663 | | $ 0.02 | | $ 11.50 | | November 10, 2026 |
| Public warrants | | Liability | November 10, 2021 | | 13,799,936 | | $ 0.02 | | $ 11.50 | | November 10, 2026 |
| Private warrants | | Liability | November 10, 2021 | | 6,686,667 | | $ 0.02 | | $ 11.50 | | November 10, 2026 |
| Working capital warrants | | Liability | November 10, 2021 | | 2,000,000 | | $ 0.02 | | $ 11.50 | | November 10, 2026 |
The Company determined the FPA, Public, Private and Working Capital warrants to be classified as a liability and fair valued the warrants on the issuance date using the publicly available price for the warrants, of $41.2 million. The fair value of the FPA and Public warrants are remeasured as of the reporting date with the change in value reflected as part of other income (expense).
The fair value of $0.4 million of Private and Working Capital warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model using the following assumptions for values as of March 31, 2023:
| | | | | | | | |
| Risk – free interest rate | | 3.75% |
| Expected term (in years) | | 3.61 |
| Expected dividend yield | | 0% |
| Expected volatility | | 123.7% |
The Company estimates the volatility of its warrants based on a combination of volatility from the Company’s traded warrants and from historical volatility of select peer company’s common stock that matches the expected remaining life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the warrants is assumed to be
equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company anticipates remaining at zero.
Reverse Stock Split
Following the Reverse Stock Split effectiveness on August 16, 2022, warrants will be impacted by the same ratio upon exercise. The Reverse Stock Split did not affect the number of warrants issued and outstanding or the exercise price of the warrants. Each whole warrant exercisable is now for 1/20th share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per warrant.
8.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Stock Option Plan
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company adopted the 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “2021 Plan”), under which the Company grants cash and equity incentive awards to directors, employees (including named executive officers) and consultants in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which the Company competes. The Company terminated the 2016 Stock Plan, provided that the outstanding awards previously granted under the 2016 Plan continue to remain outstanding under the 2016 Plan. Under the 2021 Plan, as of March 31, 2023, the Company has authorized the issuance of a maximum number of 4,807,138 shares of Class A common stock, with annual increases that began on January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031 of 5% of the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding on the last day of the preceding calendar year. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company issued 1,966,961 shares of restricted stock units under the 2021 Plan.
Embark Trucks adopted the 2016 Stock Plan in October 2016 (the “2016 Plan”). The 2016 Plan authorized the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, and restricted stock awards to employees, directors, and consultants. The 2016 Plan also initially reserved 993,542 shares of common stock for issuance and designated forfeited option shares to be returned to the option reserve. Options may be early exercised and are exercisable for a term of 10 years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had registered 3,937,824 shares to be reserved for option grants, RSUs and PSUs previously issued under the 2016 Plan. The Company will not issue additional awards under the 2016 Plan.
Stock Option Valuation
The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the fair value of options granted, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions.
The Company calculates the fair value of each option grant on the grant date using the following assumptions:
Expected Term — The Company uses the simplified method when calculating expected term due to insufficient historical exercise data.
Expected Volatility — The volatility is based on a benchmark of comparable companies within the automotive and energy storage industries.
Expected Dividend Yield — The dividend rate used is zero as the Company does not have a history of paying dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.
Risk-Free Interest Rate — The interest rates used are based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
The Company did not grant any stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Option Activity
Changes in stock options are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Outstanding Options | | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic value (in thousands |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 725,721 | | $ 3.17 | | 6.77 | | $ 1,288 |
| Exercised | (177,166) | | $ 1.22 | | — | | 284 |
| Cancelled | (31,979) | | $ 2.53 | | — | | — |
| Outstanding at March 31, 2023 | 516,576 | | $ 3.84 | | 6.04 | | $ 659,703 |
| Vested and Exercisable as of March 31, 2023 | 447,111 | | $ 2.81 | | 5.39 | | $ 622,407 |
The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table is calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value of the Company's common stock price and the exercise price of the stock options. The company did not grant any stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. As of March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation related to unvested stock option awards granted was $2.18 million, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.67 years.
Restricted Stock Units
Prior to the Business Combination, Embark Trucks also granted employees RSUs which are subject to performance and service-based vesting conditions. As the Company went public upon the completion of the Business Combination in November 2021, the performance condition had been met. The RSUs generally vest over either a four year period with 25% of the award vesting after the first-year anniversary and one-thirty sixth of the remainder of the award vesting monthly thereafter, vesting over a four year period with one forty-eighth of the award vesting monthly, or over a four year period with a 40/30/20/10 monthly schedule. Vesting is contingent upon such employee’s continued service on such vesting date. RSUs are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the release of vesting restrictions. The Company may grant RSUs with different vesting terms from time to time.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted 1,966,961 shares of RSUs under the 2021 Equity Plan: there was no grant of RSUs under the 2016 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The company did not grant any RSUs for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The weighted average grant date fair value per share for the RSUs granted for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $2.61. As of March 31, 2023 there was $20.0 million unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding RSUs granted to employees, with a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 2.7 years.
A summary of the Company’s RSU activities and related information is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Number of Shares | | Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share |
| | | | |
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | | 1,152,405 | | $ 52.05 |
| Granted | | 1,966,961 | | 2.61 |
| Forfeited | | (475,200) | | 29.44 |
| Vested | | (304,047) | | 34.29 |
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | | 2,340,119 | | $ 17.25 |
Performance Stock Units
During 2021, Embark Trucks granted PSUs to its Founders. The PSUs are subject to certain market and performance-based conditions which require the Company to become a registered public company and meet market conditions that are based on the Company achieving six different valuation tranches as derived from the achievement of escalating share price thresholds of $400.00, $700.00, $1000.00, $1300.00, $1600.00 and $2000.00 (calculated based on the 90-day volume weighted average price or, in the event of a change in control, the fair market value based on the terms of such change in control) following the first anniversary of the consummation of the Business Combination. The market condition can be achieved over ten years in relation to the pre-money valuation prior to the Business Combination. Once the performance condition has been achieved or is considered probably of being achieved, the related stock-based compensation is recognized based on a graded attribution method.
As of March 31, 2023, there was $70.4 million unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding PSUs granted to employees, with a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 6.9 years.
The Company had no PSUs granted, forfeited or vested for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company had 2,235,788 PSUs outstanding with weighted average grant date fair value of $39.40 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2023
Common Stock Units
The Company is obligated to issue shares of Class A common stock upon the vesting of certain restricted stock awards that resulted from Embark Trucks warrants that were issued prior to the Business Combination. Pursuant to the terms of these warrant awards, the restricted stock awards were issued for services at the time of consummation of the Business Combination, and are subject to service vesting terms, with the shares being subject to cancellation. The pre-Business Combination warrants were exercised in their entirety on a cashless basis, with the unvested shares being excluded from the stockholders’ equity and becoming subject to the service vesting condition going forward. Early exercises are reclassified to additional paid-in capital as the Company’s cancellation right lapses. The number of unvested shares of Class A common stock were 40,749 as of March 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2023, there was $2.3 million unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding Common Stock Units (“CSUs”) granted to non-employees, with a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.35 years.
The Company's CSUs activity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
Number of Shares | | Weighted Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share |
| | | | |
| Balance as of December 31, 2022 | | 47,410 | | $ 49.60 |
| Vested | | (6,661) | | 49.60 |
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | | 40,749 | | $ 49.60 |
Overview
The following table presents the impact of stock-based compensation expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | |
| | | | | |
| Research and development | | $ (674) |
| $ 3,765 | |
| General, and administrative | | 4,284 |
| 12,837 | |
| Total stock-based compensation expense | | $ 3,610 | | $ 16,602 | |
Total stock-based compensation that was capitalized into internally developed software asset was nil and $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table presents the impact of stock-based compensation expense by award type for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| Award Type | | 2023 | | 2022 | |
| | | | | |
| Options | | $ 470 |
| $ 727 | |
| RSUs | | 48 |
| 12,937 | |
| PSUs | | 2,601 |
| 2,603 | |
| CSUs | | 491 |
| 491 | |
| Total stock-based compensation expense | | $ 3,610 | | $ 16,758 | |
| SBC capitalized into internally developed software | | — | | (156) | |
| Total stock-based compensation expense, net | | $ 3,610 | | $ 16,602 | |
9.RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
The Company sponsored a savings plan available to all eligible employees, which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees may contribute to the plan amounts of their pre-tax salary subject to statutory limitations. The Company does not currently offer a match and has not provided a match as of March 31, 2023.
10.NOTES PAYABLE
Since inception, the Company has entered into multiple financing agreements to finance the purchase of trucks that the Company utilizes for research and development purposes, (collectively, the “Notes Payable”). The Notes Payable comprise multiple loans between $0.1 million and $0.5 million that accrue interest at rates between 6.01% and 8.39% per annum, with terms of 60 months. The Company makes equal monthly installment payments over the terms of the Notes Payable, which are allocated between interest and the principal balances. Notes payable as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are $1.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
The following table presents future payments of principal as of March 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| Years ended December 31, | | Amounts |
| 2023 (remaining nine months) | | $ 367 |
| 2024 | | 403 |
| 2025 | | 379 |
| 2026 | | 382 |
| 2027 | | 133 |
| Total future payments | | $ 1,664 |
11.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to legal and regulatory actions that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The assessment as to whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and as to whether such loss or a range of such loss is estimable, often involves significant judgment about future events. In the opinion of management, all such matters are not expected to have a material effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. However, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain.
On April 1, 2022, Tyler Hardy filed, a putative securities class action lawsuit against Embark, certain of Embark’s executive officers, and former executive officers of Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp., captioned Hardy v. Embark Technology, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:22-cv-02090-JSC, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (“Hardy Action”). Hardy brought the action purportedly on behalf of a class consisting of those who purchased or otherwise acquired Embark common stock between January 12, 2021 and January 5, 2022. The complaint alleges that defendants made false and/or misleading statements in violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On July 7, 2022, the Court appointed Tyler Hardy as lead plaintiff in the case, and his counsel at Pomerantz LLP as lead counsel.
On August 25, 2022, pursuant to Court-approved stipulation, Plaintiff Hardy filed a consolidated amended complaint, naming an additional plaintiff, Danny Rochefort, and additional individual defendants that formerly served as directors of Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. prior to its business combination with Embark. The amended complaint alleges that defendants committed violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act Claims”) and Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act Claims”) through the inclusion of allegedly inaccurate and misleading statements in the Form S-4 registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus filed in connection with the business combination. Plaintiffs do not quantify any damages in the complaint, but in addition to attorneys’ fees and costs, seek to recover damages on behalf of two classes: 1) a class that acquired shares traceable to the registration statement at issue in the Securities Act Claims and 2) a class that voted in favor of the business combination based on the information in the proxy statement/prospectus at issue in the Exchange Act Claims and purportedly suffered financial harm as a result.
On October 24, 2022 Embark moved to dismiss the amended complaint pursuant to Rules 9 and 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as well as under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act on the grounds that the Amended Complaint fails to plead facts sufficient to state a claim against Defendants. This motion was heard on March 23, 2023. On April 6, 2023, the parties entered a memorandum of understanding to resolve the Hardy Action release the Company from any liability thereunder with no admissions of liability or other concessions made by the Company or other defendants and subject to court approval of a joint stipulation and motion to approve the settlement. We anticipate that plaintiffs and the Company will submit the settlement to the court on or about May 15, 2023 as part of a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement. In the event the court approves the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, the Company would be obligated to pay a settlement amount of two million five hundred thousand dollars to an escrow account for payment of attorneys' fees and costs, administration expenses and distributions to putative class members.
On September 23, 2022, Josh Luberisse filed a purported derivative action against current and former directors and against Embark as a nominal defendant captioned Luberisse v. Ian Robertson et al., Case No. 3:22-cv-05455 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Luberisse Action”). The Luberisse Action complaint alleges violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and for alleged common law claims including breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement and for contribution under Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 arising from allegedly wrongful conduct including the wrongful conduct alleged in the original and amended complaint in the Hardy Action. On November 30, 2022, Robert Manning II filed a second derivative action and on December 13, 2022, Sergio Tron filed a derivative action, both derivative actions being brought against current and former directors and against Embark as a nominal defendant and alleging similar facts and claims as the Luberisse Action (collectively, the “Derivative Actions”). In addition to fees and costs, the Derivative Actions seek damages and restitution to Embark from the named individual defendants as well as certain injunctive relief. Embark cannot determine the probability of loss or estimate damages at this stage of the proceeding.
Operating leases
The Company’s leases primarily include corporate offices. The lease term of operating leases vary from less than 1 year to 7.1 years. The Company has leases that include one or more options to extend the lease term to a total term of 3 years as well as options to terminate the lease within one year. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend
or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not contain any residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. The Company has subleased office space to a third party where the Company remains primarily liable to the landlord for the performance of all obligations in the event that the sub-lessee does not perform its obligations under the lease. As a result of the sublease arrangements, future rental commitments under the operating lease will be offset by sublease amounts to be paid by the sub-lessee. In general, the terms of the sublease are similar to the terms of the master lease.
In March 2023, the Company executed an agreement for the termination of two office spaces locations effective March 24, 2023 and March 27, 2023, respectively, and recognized $0.6 million for early termination fees. The original term of each lease was through 2024 and 2027, respectively.
In March 2023, the Company remeasured its lease liabilities as the Company is reasonably certain to exercise a lease option affecting the remaining lease term. The remeasurement resulted in a $1.9 million decrease in lease liability with a corresponding reduction to right of use assets.
Subsequently, it was determined that the carrying value of one of its corporate office lease is not recoverable as well as ceased use of its transfer point sites. Accordingly, the Company recognized a right of use asset impairment charge of $6.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. See Note 5, “Restructuring costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.”
The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| Lease cost | | | |
| Operating lease cost | $ 1,741 | | $ 600 |
| Short-term lease cost (1) | 5 | | 102 |
| Sublease income | (210) | | — |
| Total lease cost | $ 1,536 | | $ 702 |
| | | |
___________________
(1) The Company elected to account for short-term leases in accordance with ASC 842. ASC 842 defines a short-term lease as a lease whose lease term, at commencement, is 12 months or less and that does not include a purchase option whose exercise is reasonable certain. The Company will recognize the lease payments in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 |
| Other Information | | | | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | | | | |
Operating cash flows used in operating leases | | $ 1,445 | | 477 |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations | | | | |
Operating lease liabilities | | $ — | | 6,587 |
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | | $ 9,395 | | $ 21,958 |
| Liabilities | | | | |
| Operating lease liability, current | | 2,498 | | 3,250 |
| Operating lease liability, non-current | | 14,224 | | 19,222 |
| Total operating lease liability | | $ 16,722 | | $ 22,472 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| | | | |
| Weighted Average Lease Term (in years) | | | | |
| Operating Leases | | 4.92 | | 5.00 |
| Weighted Average Discount Rate | | | | |
| Operating Leases | | 11.73 % | | 10.79 % |
Total future minimum lease payments over the term of the lease as of March 31, 2023, are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, | | Operating leases |
| 2023 (remaining nine months) | | $ 3,155 |
| 2024 | | 4,281 |
| 2025 | | 3,591 |
| 2026 | | 4,292 |
| 2027 | | 4,332 |
| Thereafter | | 2,554 |
| Total undiscounted lease payments | | 22,205 |
| Less: imputed interest | | (5,483) |
| Total lease liabilities | | $ 16,722 |
12.NET LOSS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (in thousands, except share and per share data).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Numerator: | | | |
| Net loss | $ (63,062) | | $ (18,447) |
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders | $ (63,062) | | $ (18,447) |
| Denominator: | | | |
Net loss per share attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ (2.67) | | $ (0.82) |
| Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | 23,630,012 | | 22,631,150 |
| Class A | 19,276,064 | | 18,277,202 |
| Class B | 4,353,948 | | 4,353,948 |
Since the Company was in a loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share is the same as diluted net loss per share for all periods as the inclusion of all potential common shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive.
The following weighted-average outstanding common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders for the periods presented because including them would have been anti-dilutive.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | |
| | | | |
| Outstanding options | 516,576 | | 1,073,982 | |
| Warrants issued and outstanding | 1,157,663 | | 1,157,663 | |
| Restricted stock units | 2,340,119 | | 465,861 | |
| Common stock units | 40,749 | | 67,392 | |
| Performance stock units | 2,235,788 | | 2,235,788 | |
Total | 6,290,895 | | 5,000,686 | |
13.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In April, 2023, the Company initiated the process of sale and auction of its property and equipment with certain providers. The Company expects to receive approximately $2.3 million in proceeds from sale of assets that were auctioned in April 2023.
On April 28, 2023, Richard Hawwa and Embark Trucks, Inc. (the “Company”) reached an agreement regarding Mr. Hawwa’s resignation from his position as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective April 28, 2023 (“Separation Date”). On April 26, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the appointment of Morgan Dioli to serve as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer and designated Mr. Dioli to serve as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, succeeding Mr. Hawwa. Mr. Dioli’s appointment became effective upon the Separation Date.
Embark has implemented a number of initiatives following March 31, 2023, in furtherance of this process including: continued headcount reduction, termination of the TTP and return of the Embark-powered truck provided to Knight-Swift, cancellation of all reservations for future deliveries, termination of certain outstanding warrants issued to Werner
Enterprises, Inc. and ZX Ventures LLC, termination of our PDP and termination of leases to a substantial part of identified transfer points.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of Embark’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Embark’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes and other information included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Embark’s Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Embark’s actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the Annual Report. Additionally, Embark’s historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period.
Overview
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Embark’s history as the industry’s longest running autonomous truck driving program in the U.S. is replete with technological firsts that include, but are not limited to:
•First coast-to-coast autonomous truck drive,
•First to reach 100,000 autonomous miles on public roads,
•First operational transfer point network for self-driving trucks;
•First autonomous trucking company to adopt an OEM-agnostic approach;
•First autonomous vehicle trucking software to handle work zone lane closures;
•First autonomous vehicle trucking software to self-park;
•First to complete on-road autonomous testing in winter conditions;
•First to complete a public demonstration of an autonomous truck being pulled over by law enforcement and participating in a routine traffic stop on a public highway; and
•First autonomous developer to handover trucks to a carrier, through the Truck Transfer Program (TTP), for operation within the carrier’s fleet with the carrier’s drivers.
Embark has evaluated all sub-segments of the growing truck freight market, which is segmented by criteria such as type of goods transported, geographies covered and trailer type. Embark may continue to evaluate a variety of different segments within the truck freight industry in the future.
On March 1, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved a process to explore, review and evaluate a range of potential strategic alternatives, including, without limitation, exploring alternative uses of the Company’s assets to commercialize its technology, additional sources of financing, as well as potential dissolution or winding up of the Company and liquidation of its assets. To the extent Embark is unable to execute or identify strategic alternatives, its liquidity will be negatively impacted and may not be sufficient to fund its operations. These conditions and events raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
In response to these conditions, on March 3, 2023, the Company announced a restructuring plan after an extensive review of its organization and programs and in response to current ongoing market headwinds. In connection with this restructuring plan, the Company is reducing its workforce by approximately 230 employees, which represents 70% of its headcount. No assurance can be given that the Company’s exploration of strategic alternatives will result in any change in strategy. To the extent Embark is unable to execute or identify strategic alternatives, the Board may explore potential alternatives including, without limitation, the potential dissolution or winding up of the Company and liquidation of its assets. As a result, management’s plan cannot be considered probable and thus does not alleviate the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Recent Developments Affect Comparability
As described in “Liquidity and Capital Resources and Ability of the Company to Continue as a Going Concern,” on March 1, 2023 the Board approved a process to explore, review and evaluate a range of strategic alternatives. Embark has implemented a number of initiatives following March 31, 2023, in furtherance of this process including: continued headcount reduction, termination of the TTP and return of the Embark-powered truck provided to Knight-Swift, cancellation of all reservations for future deliveries, termination of certain outstanding warrants issued to Werner Enterprises, Inc. and ZX Ventures LLC, termination of our PDP and termination of leases to a substantial part of identified transfer points.
Key Factors Affecting Embark’s Operating Performance
Embark’s financial condition, results of operations, and future success depend on several factors that present significant opportunities for Embark but also pose risks and challenges, including those set forth the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report, and as set forth below.
The following key factors pertain to Embark’s operating plan of developing an autonomous driving offering for the United States truck freight market and may be inapplicable depending on the outcome of Embark’s evaluation of its strategic alternatives following the decision of the Embark board of directors to review strategic alternatives in March 2023:
Embark’s Ability to Achieve Key Technical Milestones and Deliver a Commercial Product
Embark’s growth will depend on the introduction of Embark Driver and Embark Guardian products which will drive demand from potential customers. Embark has developed a platform agnostic interface, Embark Universal Interface, which will serve as the foundation to utilize Embark Driver and Guardian products in trucks manufactured by a broad range of OEMs. Embark’s ability to introduce its products will be driven by a variety of factors including strategic use of the testing capacity of Embark’s research and development fleet capacity, the number of autonomous miles driven (measured as the number of miles driven by Embark’s research & development fleet as well as partner fleet autonomous miles), simulated miles and encounters, and the ability to effectively collect and act upon information gathered from the operation of Embark’s research and development fleet to develop a safe and sustainable solution. Embark develops most key technologies in-house to achieve a rapid pace of innovation and tests it extensively through research and development fleet operations. To date, Embark has not generated any revenue and until its products reach commercialization, autonomous miles driven will be comprised of autonomous miles driven by its research and development fleet and the fleet of its partners.
Embark’s Ability to Expand its Coverage Map Across the United States
Embark’s long-term growth potential will benefit from strategic network expansion across the United States. Network breadth is measured by the number of transfer points on Embark’s coverage map, which are representative of the cities which Embark plans to support. Embark expects to achieve significant network growth by partnering with key real-estate partners which will enable it to quickly bring their properties into its coverage map. Additionally, Embark has partnered with carriers and shippers who currently move, or have in the past moved, a significant amount of freight on Embark’s network to add their properties to the network. Embark believes that expanding its network over the long run will enable it to create a significant and sustainable competitive advantage.
Adoption and Support of Autonomous Technology in the Freight Industry
Embark’s business model is supported by a large addressable market that Embark believes will benefit from the introduction of autonomous trucking technology. The freight industry is currently facing significant challenges, notably driver shortages and utilization limitations, which it believes it will address through its product offerings. Embark has
identified participants from across the freight ecosystem who have expressed support for Embark’s offerings and the potential solutions they provide to the challenges they are facing.
Key Components of Embark’s Results of Operations
The following discussion describes certain line items in Embark’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consist of research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses. Personnel-related costs are the most significant component of Embark’s operating expenses and include salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation expenses..
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expenses and travel expenses related to Embark’s engineers performing research and development activities to originate, develop and enhance Embark’s products. Additional expenses include consulting charges, component purchases, and other costs for performing research and development on Embark’s software products.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expenses, and travel expenses related to Embark’s executives, finance team, and the administrative employees. They also consists of legal, accounting, consulting, and professional fees, rent and lease expenses pertaining to Embark’s offices, business insurance costs and other costs.
Restructuring Costs
In March 2023, the Company initiated a reduction in workforce restructuring plan and simultaneously proceeded with potential liquidation of its assets. As a result of this workforce reduction initiative, the Company incurred significant costs in employee severance pay and related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company is expected to implement further reductions in workforce as a part its restructuring plan in the near future.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company has recorded impairment of long-lived assets in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 in line with the Company’s long-lived asset impairment policy. The Company recorded an impairment on its property, equipment and software and on its right-of-use assets.
Non-Operating Expenses and Other Items
Other Income (expense), net
Other income (expense) consists of sublease income, income generated certain arrangements related to truck transfer services resulting from research and development activities, the change in fair value of derivative liabilities and the change in fair value of Public, Private, Working Capital and Forward Purchase Agreement (“FPA”) Warrants. Change in fair value of derivative liabilities represents the increase or decrease in the fair value of the embedded conversion and redemption features, which are presented as a derivative liability, related to the convertible note payable, which was converted to Embark Class A common stock upon consummation of the Business Combination. Change in fair value of warrants represents the increase or decrease in the estimated fair value of such warrant. For each reporting period, Embark will
determine the fair value of the derivative liability and warrants, and record a corresponding non-cash benefit or non-cash charge, due to a decrease or increase, respectively, in the calculated derivative liability or warrants.
Interest Income
Interest income consists of interest earned on Embark’s cash and cash equivalents. Embark invests in highly liquid securities such as money market funds, as well as treasury bills.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consisted primarily of interest on the Company’s various truck financing arrangements.
Results of Operations
The results of operations presented below should be reviewed in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Comparisons for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table sets forth Embark’s unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations data for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | $ | % |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Change | | Change |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Research and development | $ 14,462 | | $ 18,695 | | $ (4,233) | | (22.6) % |
General and administrative | 17,850 | | 21,926 | | (4,076) | | (18.6) % |
| Restructuring costs | 9,531 | | — | | 9,531 | | N.M. |
| Impairment of long-lived assets | 23,288 | | — | | 23,288 | | N.M. |
Total operating expenses | 65,131 | | 40,621 | | 24,510 | | 60.3 % |
| Loss from operations | (65,131) | | (40,621) | | (24,510) | | 60.3 % |
| Other income (expense), net | 2,069 | | 22,174 | | (20,105) | | (90.7) % |
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (63,062) | | (18,447) | | (44,615) | | 241.9 % |
| Provision for income taxes | — | | — | | — | | N.M |
Net loss | $ (63,062) | | $ (18,447) | | (44,615) | | 241.9 % |
_________________________________________________
N.M. — Percentage change not meaningful
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expense decreased by $4.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due $6.5 million of lower headcount and personnel costs on account of restructuring and reduction in workforce. This was offset by $1.4 million increase in occupancy and infrastructure expenditure related to R&D activities, absence of software capitalization credit in the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $0.9 million of reduction in R&D spend in the three months ended March 31, 2022; and $0.1 million increase in other administrative costs.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expense decreased by $4.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to $6.9 million in lower headcount and personnel costs on account of restructuring and reduction in workforce; and $0.3 million decrease in insurance expenses. This was
offset by an increase of $3.1 million in administrative expenses, primarily legal and consulting services resulting from the restructuring plan approved by Embark management.
Restructuring costs
The Company recorded $9.5 million in employee severance pay and related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to nil during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Impairment on long-lived assets
The Company recorded $23.3 million in impairment of long-lived assets during the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company recognized partial impairment on all property and equipment for a total of $5.2 million and full impairment on internal use software for $11.2 million. The Company also recognized an additional $6.9 million on right-of-use assets pertaining to property leases during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Other income (expense), net
Other income decreased by $20.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $22.1 million change in the estimated fair value of Public, Private, Working Capital and FPA Warrants during the three month ended March 31, 2022. This was offset by $1.8 million increase in interest income and $0.2 million increase in other income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources and Ability of the Company to Continue as a Going Concern
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
The Company has incurred losses from operations since inception and, as a result, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 had an accumulated deficit of $349.1 million and $286.1 million, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was $30.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. As Embark has not earned any revenue to date, it has financed its operations primarily through the sale of shares of common stock and preferred stock to fund operations, invest in R&D and repay borrowings. Embark has explored and exhausted avenues following an extended evaluation by Embark of alternative markets in which to commercialize its technology, and with the lack of success in bringing Embark’s product to those markets, it will not generate revenues in the near future, and may not be able to raise additional financing on terms that are favorable, or at all. As such, Embark believes that its operating losses and negative operating cash flows will continue into the foreseeable future requiring Embark to explore strategic alternatives. These conditions and events raise substantial doubt about Embark’s ability to continue as a going concern.
In response to these conditions, as part of management’s plans, on March 1, 2023, the Board approved a process to explore, review and evaluate a range of potential strategic alternatives, including, without limitation, exploring alternative uses of Embark’s assets to commercialize its technology, additional sources of financing, as well as potential dissolution or winding up of Embark and liquidation of its assets. In addition, on March 3, 2023, Embark announced a workforce restructuring plan. Management’s plan cannot be considered probable and thus does not alleviate the substantial doubt about Embark’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The following table shows Embark’s cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the stated periods (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| Net cash (used in) provided by: | |
| Operating activities | $ (30,345) | | $ (18,225) |
| Investing activities | $ (1,147) | | $ (1,717) |
| Financing activities | $ 72 | | $ 287 |
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $30.3 million, an increase of $12.1 million from $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $44.6 million in net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase was offset by $33.1 million of non-cash adjustments to net loss (comprised of $22.1 million of change in fair value of warrant liability, $23.3 million of impairment loss on long-lived assets (see Note 5, “Restructuring costs and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” and $0.8 million of depreciation and amortization expenses; which was offset by $13.0 million of stock-based compensation ). In addition, the increase was offset further by $0.6 million net cash decrease by changes in Embark’s operating assets and liabilities, which was primarily attributable to prepaid expenses and other current assets, accrued expenses and other current liabilities primarily due to overall growth and timing of payables.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $1.1 million, a decrease of $0.6 million from $1.7 million of net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was due to a decrease of purchase of property, equipment, and software of $0.6 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $0.1 million, a decrease of $0.2 million from the $0.3 million of net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to $0.2 million of cash proceeds received from the exercise of stock options .
Financing Arrangements
There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in Embark’s financing arrangements as previously disclosed in Embark’s Annual Report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Embark did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Management Estimates
The preparation financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions in the preparation of Embark’s financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
As a result of the Embark’s decision to wind up operations, Embark believe that the following should be added to our critical accounting polices given the level of judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements:
Restructuring Costs
In March 2023, the Company initiated a reduction in workforce restructuring plan and simultaneously proceeded with potential liquidation of its assets. As a result of this workforce reduction initiative, the Company incurred $9.5 million in employee severance pay and related costs during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company is expected to implement further reductions in workforce as a part its restructuring plan in the near future.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment annually, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company analyzed its long-lived assets for impairment in line with its impairment policy and recorded a $23.3 million impairment charge to property and equipment and its right-of-use assets in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
There have been no other material changes to Embark’s critical accounting policies or estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2023, from those discussed in Embark’s Annual Report.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For information on recently issued accounting pronouncements, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Embark’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
JOBS Act Accounting Election
Embark is an emerging growth company (“EGC”), as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, EGCs can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. Embark intends to elect to adopt new or revised accounting standards under private company adoption timelines. Accordingly, the timing of Embark’s adoption of new or revised accounting standards will not be the same as other public companies that are not EGCs or that have opted out of using such extended transition period.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market.
Embark is exposed to certain market risks in the ordinary course of Embark’s business.
Credit Risk
Embark is exposed to credit risk on its investment portfolio. Investments that potentially subject Embark to credit risk consist principally of cash and investments in debt securities. Embark places cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions with high credit standing and excess cash in marketable investment grade debt securities.
Interest Rate Risk
Embark is exposed to interest rate risk on its investment portfolio. Investments that potentially subject Embark to interest rate risk consist principally of cash and investments in debt securities. As of March 31, 2023, Embark has cash and cash equivalents of $126.2 million, consisting of interest-bearing money market accounts for which the fair market value would be affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. However, due to the short-term maturities and the low-risk profile of Embark’s investments, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of its cash, cash equivalents, and investments.
Inflation Risk
Embark is exposed to impact of wage inflation, and can experience wage inflation during 2023. As wages have not increased during the first quarter of 2023, Embark does not believe that inflation has had a material effect on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. If Embark’s costs were to become subject to more significant inflationary pressures, Embark will not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Embark’s inability to do so could harm its business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Embark’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Interim Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of Embark’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, Embark’s CEO and CFO concluded that, as of March 31, 2023, due to the material weakness described in Form 10-K for 2022 fiscal year, Embark’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” in Embark’s Annual Report, we identified the following material weakness in internal control over financial reporting: our controls over user access and program change management over certain IT systems were not appropriately designed to address the IT risks. Furthermore, the business process controls (automated and manual) that are dependent on the affected IT General Controls (ITGCs) were deemed ineffective.
Status of Remediation Efforts
In response to the material weaknesses identified and described above, Embark’s management, with the oversight of the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors, will continue through 2023 to further improve Embark’s control environment and to take steps to remediate these material weaknesses.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except for changes in connection with Embark’s implementation of the remediation measures or as described above, there were no changes in its internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.