UPDATE ON XTI/XERI RELATIONSHIP AS PER 10-Q (page F-13)
...as of the date of this filing, Eco-Aero, LLC has not been dissolved and the distribution of the TriFan 600 design IP has not been executed. As per the Agreement, Xeriant is entitled to receive shares of XTI, the number of which is in the process of being determined by the parties involved.
On May 17, 2022, the Company executed a confidential Letter Agreement with XTI, the material terms of which are briefly delineated as follows:
Xeriant would be entitled to compensation for its role in introducing XTI to a Nasdaq-listed company, contingent upon the occurrence of any merger, combination, or transactional event between XTI and the Nasdaq company, which has since been identified as Inpixon.
XTI would assume the financial obligations related to the Senior Secured Note with Auctus Fund, LLC, including the $6.05 million principal balance of the note and warrant obligations. Additionally, Xeriant was to be granted a fully diluted equity interest amounting to 6% in XTI, issued immediately prior to any prospective combination with Inpixon.
On July 25, 2023, Inpixon filed an 8-K, announcing their intention to merge with XTI having executed an Agreement of Plan and Merger with XTI. The filing also showed that XTI had engaged in a transaction with Inpixon on March 10, 2023, receiving $300,000 in funding. Inpixon filed an S-4 registration statement on August 14, 2023, and subsequently filed an S-4/A amended registration statement on October 6, 2023.
On June 5, 2023, after suspecting that the obligations under the Letter Agreement were possibly being evaded, the Company transmitted a formal demand letter to XTI requesting compliance with the provisions outlined in the Letter Agreement, and in accordance with section 8 of the JV Agreement with XTI.
On December 6, 2023, the Company initiated legal proceedings against XTI in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case no. 1:23-cv-10656-JPO), along with other unnamed defendants, alleging fraudulent acts, breach of contract and misappropriation of intellectual property. In the complaint, the Company contends that XTI, utilizing false promises, induced substantial investments from the Company, in terms of millions of dollars together with valuable intellectual property, for the development of the TriFan 600 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The Company believes that the completed designs of the TriFan 600, a product of the Company’s significant investment, were integral to XTI’s merger with Inpixon. Despite the Company’s pivotal role in facilitating this merger, as memorialized in a formal agreement, XTI has publicly disclaimed any obligation to compensate the Company. In response to XTI’s alleged fraudulent conduct, deceptive maneuvers and intentional breaches, the Company is seeking a range of remedies. These include the recovery of losses, expenses, attorneys’ fees, punitive damages and a compensatory damage award exceeding $500 million. The legal action aims to address the alleged misconduct comprehensively and to protect the Company’s interests in the face of XTI’s actions. The foregoing description of the legal action does not purport to be complete and is subject in its entirety by the full text of the Complaint, a copy of which was filed in an 8-K on December 12, 2023, Exhibit 99.1.
The Company analyzed the transaction under ASC 810, Consolidation, to determine if the joint venture classifies as a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). The JV qualifies as a VIE based on the fact the JV does not have sufficient equity to operate without financial support from Xeriant. According to ASC 810-25-38, a reporting entity shall consolidate a VIE when that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that provides the reporting entity with a controlling financial interest on the basis of the provisions in paragraphs 810-10-25-38A through 25-38J. The reporting entity that consolidates a VIE is called the primary beneficiary of that VIE. According to the JV operating agreement, the ownership interests are 50/50. However, the agreement provides for a Management Committee of five members. Three of the five members are from Xeriant. Additionally, Xeriant had a right to invest up to $10,000,000 in the JV. As such, Xeriant has substantial capital at risk. Based on these two factors, the conclusion is that Xeriant is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Accordingly, Xeriant has consolidated the VIE.
