5. Investments

On February 15, 2021, the Company entered into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with LINICO Corporation, a Nevada Corporation, or LiNiCo, that provided for the Company's issuance of 375,000 shares (“Aqua Shares”) of the Company's common stock in consideration of LiNiCo’s issuance of 1,500 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock, at a stated aggregate value of $1,500,000, along with a three-year warrant (“Series A Warrant”) to purchase an additional 500 shares of LiNiCo Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1,000 per share. The 1,500 shares of the Series A Preferred Stock represents approximately 9% of LiNiCo common stock on a fully diluted basis, before giving effect to the Company's exercise of the Series A Warrant or any other outstanding warrants of LiNiCo. 

The Company accounted for the LiNiCo investment under ASC 321, Investments-Equity Securities, using the measurement alternative of recording at cost as the investment in LiNiCo doesn’t have a readily determinable fair value.

The LiNiCo Series A Preferred Stock is senior to all other capital stock of LiNiCo with regard to dividends and distributions upon liquidation, dissolution and sale of the company. Each share of LiNiCo Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote per share and votes with the common stock on all matters, subject to certain protective provisions that require the approval of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock voting as a class. The Series A Preferred Stock accrues a cumulative dividend of 8% per annum on the original stated value of $1,000 per share, and all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock must be paid in full prior to the payment of any dividends on any other shares of LiNiCo capital stock. In the event of any liquidation or dissolution of LiNiCo, which would include a sale of LiNiCo, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall receive the return of their stated value of $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends prior to any distribution to the holders of any other capital stock of LiNiCo, following which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall participate in the distribution of any remaining assets with the holders of the junior stock on an as-converted basis. The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of LiNiCo common stock at the Company's option and is automatically converted into LiNiCo common stock upon the election of the holders of a majority of the LiNiCo Series A Preferred Stock or upon a qualifying IPO of LiNiCo common stock. The Series A Preferred Stockholders are also provided with preemptive rights allowing them the right to purchase their proportional share of certain future LiNiCo equity issuances.

The Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement includes customary representations, warranties, and covenants by LiNiCo and the Company.

As LiNiCo’s sale of the 375,000 of Aqua Shares resulted in net proceeds to LiNiCo that were less than $1,500,000, the Company was required to pay LiNiCo the difference of $232,000 in cash. 

In connection with the investment transactions, the Company also entered into an Investors Rights Agreement and a Voting Agreement, each dated February 15, 2021, pursuant to which LiNiCo granted the Company customary demand and piggyback registration rights, information rights and the right to nominate one person to the LiNiCo board of directors as long as the Company is the owner of at least 10% of the LiNiCo common stock on a fully-diluted basis.

Comstock Mining Inc., a Nevada corporation (NYSE-MKT: LODE), is the beneficial owner of approximately 50% of the common shares of LiNiCo. The Company's Chief Financial Officer, Judd Merrill, is a member of the board of directors of Comstock Mining.