SEC Form 424B5 filed by Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc.
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-286323
PROSPECTUS
$50,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
From time to time, we may sell common stock, preferred stock, and/or warrants with a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000.
We will describe in one or more prospectus supplements the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the specific terms of the securities. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplements carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The securities may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus. We may also include specific risk factors in an applicable prospectus supplement under the heading “Risk Factors.” You should review that section of the prospectus supplement for a discussion of matters that investors in our securities should consider.
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OMEX.” On April 22, 2025, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $0.4565 per share. As of April 22, 2025, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or the public float, was approximately $12.8 million, which was calculated based upon approximately 28.1 million shares of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates and a price of $0.4565 per share, the closing price of our common stock on April 22, 2025. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our common stock in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75.0 million. We have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 23, 2025.
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. We are not making an offer of securities in any state or jurisdiction where such an offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of such document.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may sell common stock, preferred stock, and/or warrants in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $50,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information. We may also add, update, or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, includes all material information relating to this offering. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described below under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
In this prospectus, we use the terms “Odyssey,” “our company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” to refer to Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., or Odyssey, discovers, validates, and develops high-value seafloor mineral resources in an environmentally responsible manner, providing access to critical resources that can transform societies and economies for generations to come.
We have a diversified mineral portfolio that includes projects controlled by us and other projects in which we are a minority owner and service provider. In addition, our team is continually working to add new projects to the portfolio by identifying potential new assets through a proprietary “Global Prospectivity Program” leading to the acquisition of appropriate rights. Our development focus is on projects that can meet stringent standards for environmental responsibility and sustainability while unlocking benefits for the host country. Environmental protection remains at the forefront of the strategic and tactical decision-making processes in all our work.
Each project in the portfolio is advanced along a defined development path, decreasing risk and increasing value along the way. These steps may include, but are not limited to, verification and quantification of the mineral asset, collection of baseline environmental data essential for environmental permitting, environmental impact studies and reports, design and verification of extraction systems and definition and verification of commercial programs. Odyssey may elect to sell equity in individual projects to fund continued advancement of the project.
For nearly 30 years, we have deployed cutting-edge ocean technology and processes at depths up to 6,000 meters, under the direction of some of the industry’s most skilled and successful ocean exploration professionals, scientists, and environmental specialists.
Our corporate offices are located at 205 S. Hoover Boulevard, Suite 210, Tampa, Florida 33609. Our telephone number is (813) 876-1776. Our Internet website address is www.odysseymarine.com, and all of our filings with the SEC are available free of charge on our website. Any information that is included on or linked to our Internet site is not a part of this prospectus.
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The prospectus supplement applicable to each type or series of securities we offer will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in Odyssey and to the particular types of securities that we are offering under that prospectus supplement. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and which may be amended, supplemented, or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement includes and incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business, which are usually identified by the use of words such as “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “continues,” “intends,” “should,” “would,” or similar expressions. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions.
These forward-looking statements reflect our current views and expectations about our plans, strategies, and prospects, which are based on the information currently available and on current assumptions.
We cannot give any guarantee that these plans, intentions, or expectations will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” and any risk factors contained in any prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein.
You should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and therein completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We may not update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
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We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus. Except as described in any prospectus supplement, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus for working capital, capital expenditures, and other general corporate purposes. However, we currently have no commitments or agreements for any uses. Pending such uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities.
The following description of our capital stock, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of these types of securities but is not complete. You should read our certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws, as amended, and the certificate of designation relating to any particular series of preferred stock before you purchase any of our capital stock or securities convertible into shares of our capital stock because those documents, and not this description, set forth the terms of our capital stock.
We will describe in a prospectus supplement the specific terms of any capital stock we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. If indicated in a prospectus supplement, the terms of such capital stock may differ from the terms described below.
Authorized Capital Stock
Our authorized capitalization consists of 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 24,984,166 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
The authorized shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. If the approval of our stockholders is not so required, our board of directors may determine not to seek stockholder approval.
Common Stock
As of March 31, 2025, we had 29,161,833 shares of common stock outstanding. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by our shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to preferences applicable to shares of our preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking-fund provisions available to the common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
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Preferred Stock
We have authority under our articles of incorporation to issue up to 24,984,166 shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. As of March 31, 2025, there were no shares of our preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Our board of directors, without further stockholder approval (except as may be required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded) has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions thereof, including:
| • | dividend rights; |
| • | dividend rates; |
| • | conversion rights; |
| • | voting rights; |
| • | terms of redemption; |
| • | redemption prices; |
| • | liquidation preferences; and |
| • | the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series. |
If our board of directors elects to exercise this authority, the rights and privileges of holders of shares of our common stock could be made subject to the rights and privileges of such series of preferred stock.
Although our board of directors has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer, or other takeover attempt.
Nevada Laws
The Nevada Business Corporation Law contains a provision governing “Acquisition of Controlling Interest.” This law provides generally that any person or entity that acquires 20% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a publicly held Nevada corporation in the secondary public or private market may be denied voting rights with respect to the acquired shares, unless a majority of the disinterested stockholders of the corporation elects to restore such voting rights in whole or in part. The control share acquisition act provides that a person or entity acquires “control shares” whenever it acquires shares that, but for the operation of the control share acquisition act, would bring its voting power within any of the following three ranges:
| • | 20% to 33%; |
| • | 33% to 50%; and |
| • | more than 50%. |
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OMEX.”
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Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, Inc., Golden, Colorado.
General
We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants. The warrant agent will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of the warrants. This summary of certain provisions of the warrants is not complete. For the complete terms of a particular series of warrants, you should refer to the prospectus supplement and the warrant agreement for that series of warrants.
Stock Warrants
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants to purchase our common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following:
| • | the title of the warrants; |
| • | the offering price for the warrants, if any; |
| • | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
| • | the number of warrants outstanding as of the date specified in the applicable prospectus supplement; |
| • | the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants; |
| • | the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the exercise price for the warrants; |
| • | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants shall commence and expire; |
| • | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | if applicable, any provisions for changes or adjustments to the exercise price of the warrants; |
| • | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| • | if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; |
| • | the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| • | the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; |
| • | any provisions with respect to holder’s right to require us to repurchase the warrants upon a change in control; and |
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| • | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange, exercise, and settlement of the warrants. |
Holders of equity warrants will not be entitled:
| • | to vote, consent, or receive dividends; |
| • | receive notice as stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of our directors or any other matter; or |
| • | exercise any rights as stockholders of the Company. |
As set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the exercise price and the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant will be subject to adjustment in certain events, including the issuance of a stock dividend to any holders of common stock, a stock split, reverse stock split, combination, subdivision or reclassification of common stock, and such other events, if any, specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may sell the securities described in this prospectus and applicable prospectus supplements from time to time in one or more transactions:
| • | directly to one or more purchasers; |
| • | to or through underwriters; |
| • | in “at-the-market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act; |
| • | through agents; |
| • | through dealers; or |
| • | through a combination of any of the foregoing methods of sale. |
Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will name the issuer of the securities and any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will also set forth the terms of the offering, including:
| • | the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities; |
| • | any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; |
| • | any public offering or purchase price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; |
| • | any commissions allowed or paid to agents; |
| • | any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed; |
| • | the method of distribution of the securities; |
| • | the terms of any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into with the underwriters, brokers or dealers; and |
| • | any other information we think is important. |
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The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement by us, the underwriters or the third parties described above may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at:
| • | a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| • | market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| • | prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| • | negotiated prices. |
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OMEX.”
Direct Sales
We may sell the securities directly to one or more purchasers. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents would be involved. A prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any sale of securities we are offering hereunder.
Through Underwriters
If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, such underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. If we utilize an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions.
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of any underwriters to purchase securities or any series of securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased.
Through Agents and Dealers
We will name any agent involved in a sale of securities, as well as any commissions payable by us to such agent, in a prospectus supplement. Unless we indicate differently in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.
Delayed Delivery Contracts
If we so specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on future dates. Such contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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The underwriters, dealers and agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of the contracts. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the contracts the price to be paid for the securities, the commissions payable for solicitation of the contracts and the date in the future for delivery of the securities.
General Information
If any underwriters are involved in the offer and sale, they will be permitted to engage in transactions that maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. These transactions may include over-allotment transactions, purchases to cover short positions created by the underwriter in connection with the offering and the imposition of penalty bids. If an underwriter creates a short position in the securities in connection with the offering, i.e., if it sells more securities than set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriter may reduce that short position by purchasing the securities in the open market. In general, purchases of a security to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. As noted above, underwriters may also choose to impose penalty bids on other underwriters and/or selling group members. This means that if underwriters purchase securities on the open market to reduce their short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from those underwriters and/or selling group members who sold such securities as part of the offering. These activities will be described in more detail in the sections titled “Plan of Distribution” or “Underwriting” in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions, and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on the Nasdaq Stock Market may engage in passive market-making transactions in the securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.
Neither we nor any underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the securities. In addition, neither we nor any underwriter make any representation that such underwriter will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
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Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in a sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. We may have agreements with underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to reimburse them for certain expenses.
Underwriters, agents and dealers may engage in transactions with or perform services, including various investment banking and other services, for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, we will not list the securities on any securities exchange, other than shares of our common stock. The securities, except for our common stock, will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters that purchase securities for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the securities.
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Akerman LLP, Tampa, Florida.
The audited financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Where You Can Find Additional Information
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the common stock, the preferred stock, and the warrants offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. We have omitted parts of the registration statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. For further information with respect to us and the common stock, the preferred stock, and the warrants offered hereby, reference is made to such registration statement, exhibits, and schedules.
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, file periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements, other information, and a copy of the registration statement on Form S-3 may be inspected by anyone without charge and copies of these materials may be obtained upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC, at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain
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information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The registration statement on Form S-3 and the periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements, and other information filed by us are also available through the Internet web site maintained by the SEC at the following address: http://www.sec.gov.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and later information we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents filed with the SEC (in each case, Commission File No. 001-31895) are incorporated by reference in this prospectus:
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024; |
| • | our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 10, 2024; and |
| • | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 13, 2003, pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description. |
We are also incorporating by reference any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed, including those made between the date of filing of the initial registration statement and to the date of effectiveness of the registration statement, except for information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K, which is not deemed to be filed and not incorporated by reference herein.
At your verbal or written request, we will provide you, without charge, a copy of any of the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus (other than exhibits to such documents, unless those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the documents that this prospectus incorporates). If you want more information, write or call:
Susan Fennessey, Esq.
General Counsel
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
205 S. Hoover Boulevard
Suite 210
Tampa, Florida 33609
(813) 876-1776
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$50,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants