DEF 14A 1 innovativeeye_def14a.htm DEF 14A

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

 

 

(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant  
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement
   
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
   
Definitive Proxy Statement
   
Definitive Additional Materials
   
Solicitation Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or rule 14a-12

 

INNOVATIVE EYEWEAR, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.
   
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
   
Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

INNOVATIVE EYEWEAR, INC.

11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630

North Miami, Florida, 33181

 

August 4, 2023

 

To the Stockholders of Innovative Eyewear, Inc.:

 

You are cordially invited to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Innovative Eyewear, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on a virtual basis on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

 

1. To elect Harrison Gross, Kristen McLaughlin, Louis Castro and Olivia C. Bartlett as directors to the Company (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) to hold office until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;.

 

2. To ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

 

3. To approve on a nonbinding advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022;

 

4. To vote on the frequency of such nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers, every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years;

 

5. To transact any other business which may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES,AS WELL AS A VOTE FOR EACH OF PROPOSAL 2, PROPOSAL 3, and Three (3) years for PROPOSAL 4.

 

The Board has fixed the close of business on June 5, 2023 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof. Accordingly, only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and shall be entitled to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.

 

Your vote is important. You are requested to carefully read the Proxy Statement and accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting for a more complete statement of matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

 

  Sincerely yours,
   
  /s/ Harrison Gross
  Harrison R. Gross
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
  Innovative Eyewear, Inc.

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND PROMPTLY VOTE YOUR PROXY VIA THE INTERNET, BY TELEPHONE OR, IF YOU RECEIVED A PRINTED FORM OF PROXY IN THE MAIL, BY COMPLETING, DATING, SIGNING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN ORDER TO ASSURE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR SHARES AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. YOUR PROXY, GIVEN THROUGH THE RETURN OF THE PROXY CARD, MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE BY FILING WITH OUR CORPORATE SECRETARY PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING A WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION OR A DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE, OR BY ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING.

 

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY VOTED OR DELIVERED YOUR PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOUR VOTE WILL BE COUNTED, AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE YOUR SHARES AGAIN. IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE, YOU SHOULD REVOTE YOUR SHARES.

 

THE PROXY STATEMENT, OUR FORM OF PROXY CARD, AND OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 WILL BE MAILED IF REQUESTED BY A STOCKHOLDER.

 

 

 

 

Innovative Eyewear, INC.11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630

 

North Miami, Florida, 33181

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To be held on August 4, 2023

 

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Innovative Eyewear, Inc. (the “Company”) for use at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company and at all adjournments and postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2023 on a virtual basis for the following purposes:

 

1. To elect Harrison Gross, Kristen McLaughlin, Louis Castro and Olivia C. Bartlett as directors to the Company (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) to hold office until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;.

 

2. To ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

 

3. To approve, on a nonbinding advisory basis, the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022;

 

4. To vote on the frequency of such nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers, every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years;

 

5. To transact any other business which may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of each of the Director Nominees, and a vote “FOR” each of Proposal 2 and Proposal 3, and three years for Proposal 4.

 

Stockholders of record of our Common Stock at the close of business on June 5, 2023 (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to notice of, and are cordially invited to, attend the virtual Annual Meeting and to attend any adjournment or postponement thereof. However, to assure your representation at the Annual Meeting, please vote your proxy via the internet, by telephone, or by completing, dating, signing and returning the enclosed proxy. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please read the Proxy Statement and then promptly vote your proxy in order to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting.

 

You may cast your vote by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LUCY2023. You may also have access to the materials for the Annual Meeting by visiting the website: https://www.virtualshareholder.com/LUCY2023. You will need to use the control number appearing on your proxy card to vote prior to or at the Annual Meeting.

 

Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote. A complete list of stockholders of record entitled to vote at this Annual Meeting will be available for ten days before this Annual Meeting at the principal executive office of the Company for inspection by stockholders during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to this Annual Meeting.

 

You are urged to review carefully the information contained in the enclosed proxy statement prior to deciding how to vote your shares.

 

This notice and the attached proxy statement are first being mailed to stockholders on or about June 25, 2023.

 

  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
   
  /s/ Harrison Gross
  Harrison R. Gross
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
  Innovative Eyewear, Inc.

 

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND “FOR” EACH OF PROPOSAL 2 AND PROPOSAL 3, AND FOR THREE (3) YEARS IN PROPOSAL 4, AND FOR ANY OTHER PROPOSAL PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY YOU.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS   1
THE ANNUAL MEETING   6
FREQUENTLY USED TERMS    
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS   9
PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2023   20
PROPOSAL 3 — SAY ON PAY   22
PROPOSAL 4 — FREQUENCY   23
OTHER INFORMATION   24

 

i

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

INNOVATIVE EYEWEAR, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held virtually at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 4, 2023

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS

 

Why am I receiving these Proxy Materials?

 

These proxy materials are being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Innovative Eyewear, Inc. for use at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on a virtual basis on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, and at any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) thereof. This proxy statement gives you information on these proposals so that you can make an informed decision.

 

In this proxy statement, we refer to Innovative Eyewear, Inc. as the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” or similar terminology.

 

What is included in these materials?

 

These materials include:

 

This Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting; and

 

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022; and

 

a proxy card (if you are a stockholder of record) or a voting instruction form (if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name).

 

How do I attend the Annual Meeting?

 

In order to attend the virtual Annual Meeting, where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, submit questions and vote online, you must register in advance at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/LUCY2023. Registration will start beginning June 25, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Time. Enter the control number printed on your proxy card on the virtual meeting site and follow the instructions to register to attend the meeting. Prior to the start of the Annual Meeting, you will need to log into the meeting site using your control number.

 

Stockholders wishing to dial into the Annual Meeting by telephone can call 1-800-690-6903 and use the passcode [_________] beginning ten minutes before the start of the Annual Meeting. However, those dialing into the Annual Meeting through this means will not be able to submit questions or to vote online during the Annual Meeting.2

 

Who can vote at the annual meeting of stockholders?

 

Stockholders who owned shares of our Common Stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Common Stock”), on June 5, 2023 (the “Record Date”) may vote at the Annual Meeting. There were 7,715,757 shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date, each having one vote per share. Information about the stockholdings of our directors and executive officers is contained in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Beneficial Ownership of Principal Stockholders, Officers and Directors” on page [__] of this Proxy Statement.

 

 
2 NTD: Confirm with Broadridge.

 

1

 

 

What is the proxy card?

 

The proxy card enables you to appoint Harrison R. Gross, our Chief Executive Officer and and Konrad Dabrowski, our Chief Financial Officer, as your representatives at the Annual Meeting. By completing and returning the proxy card or voting online as described herein, you are authorizing Messrs. Gross and Dabrowski to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we think that it is a good idea to complete and return your proxy card before the Annual Meeting date just in case your plans change. If a proposal properly comes up for vote at the Annual Meeting that is not on the proxy card, the proxies will vote your shares, under your proxy, according to their best judgment. The proxy card (or voter information form) will also contain your control number. You will need to use the control number appearing on your proxy card to vote prior to or at the Annual Meeting.

 

What am I voting on?

 

You are being asked to vote:

 

1. To elect Harrison Gross, Kristen McLaughlin, Louis Castro and Olivia C. Bartlett as directors of the Company to hold office until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;.

 

2. To ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

 

3. To approve on a nonbinding advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022;

 

4. To vote on the frequency of such nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers, every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years;

 

5. To transact any other business which may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

How does the Board recommend that I vote?

 

Our Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote “FOR” all of the Director Nominees, and “FOR” each of Proposal 2 and Proposal 3, and for three (3) years in proposal 4.

 

What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

 

Most of our stockholders hold their shares in an account at a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee holder, rather than holding share certificates in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

 

Stockholder of Record

 

If, on the Record Date, your shares were registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company you are a “stockholder of record” who may vote at the Annual Meeting, and we are sending these proxy materials directly to you. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to direct the voting of your shares as described below. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted.

 

2

 

 

Beneficial Owner

 

If, on the Record Date, your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm or at a bank or other nominee holder, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held “in street name,” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by or at the direction of your broker or nominee who is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to vote your shares and to attend the Annual Meeting as described below. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote prior to the Annual Meeting as described below to ensure that your vote is counted.

 

How do I vote my shares?

 

There are four ways to vote:

 

(1) Via the Internet. Use the internet to vote by going to the internet address listed on your proxy; have your proxy card in hand as you will be prompted to enter your control number to create and submit an electronic vote. If you vote in this manner, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card or submit an electronic vote but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board.

 

(2) Via telephone. Using a touch-tone telephone, you may transmit your voting instructions to the number provided on your proxy card. Have your proxy card in hand as you will be prompted to enter your control number to create and submit a telephonic vote.

 

(3) In person on a virtual basis. You may vote at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions when you log-in for the Annual Meeting. Have your proxy card in hand as you will be prompted to enter your control number to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

(4) By Mail. You may vote by mail. If you are a record holder, you may vote by proxy by filling out the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided. If you are a beneficial holder you may vote by proxy by filling out the vote instruction form and sending it back in the envelope provided by your brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization that holds your shares.

 

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?

 

You may have multiple accounts at the transfer agent and/or with brokerage firms. Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

 

What if I change my mind after I return my proxy?

 

You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the polls close at the Annual Meeting. You may do this by:

 

sending a written notice to our Controller Oswald Gayle, stating that you would like to revoke your proxy of a particular date;

 

signing another proxy card with a later date and returning it before the polls close at the Annual Meeting; or

 

Voting at the Annual Meeting.

 

Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you may need to instruct your broker, bank or other nominee that you wish to change your vote by following the procedures on the voting form provided to you by the broker, bank or other nominee.

 

3

 

 

Will my shares be voted if I do not sign and return my proxy card?

 

If your shares are held in your name and you do not sign and return your proxy card, your shares will not be voted unless you vote at the Annual Meeting. If you hold your shares in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, your nominee may determine to vote your shares at its own discretion on certain routine matters, such as the ratification of the Auditor, absent instructions from you. However, due to voting rules that may prevent your bank or broker from voting your uninstructed shares on a discretionary basis in the election of directors and other non-routine matters, it is important that you cast your vote.

 

How may I vote with respect to each proposal and how are votes counted?

 

Your voting options will be dependent on the particular proposal for which you wish to cast a vote. With respect to proposal 1 (the election of directors), you may vote “for” all of the Director Nominees or “withhold” authority to vote for one or all of the Director Nominees. With respect to proposals 2 and 3 you may vote “for” or “against” the proposal or you may “abstain” from casting a vote on such proposal. With respect to proposal 4 you may vote for a frequency of every one (1) two (2) or three (3) years or abstain. Abstentions, votes marked “withheld” and broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting.

 

Broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. These matters are referred to as “non-routine” matters. The election of the directors, Say on Pay and Frequency are “non-routine.” Thus, in tabulating the voting result for these proposals, shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered votes cast on that proposal. The ratification of the appointment of the Auditor is a “routine” matter and therefore a broker may vote on this matter without instructions from the beneficial owner as long as instructions are not given.

 

How many votes are required to elect the Director Nominees as directors of the Company?

 

In the election of directors, the four persons receiving the highest number of affirmative votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected. Only shares that are voted in favor of a particular nominee will be counted toward that nominee’s achievement of a plurality. Shares present at the Annual Meeting that are not voted for a particular nominee or shares present by proxy where the stockholder properly withheld authority to vote for such nominee will not be counted toward that nominee’s achievement of a plurality.

 

How many votes are required to ratify the Company’s independent public accountants?

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote is required to ratify the Auditor as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. Abstentions will have no direct effect on the outcome of this proposal, but since this is a routine matter, brokers may vote at the Meeting on this proposal provided that they have not received instructions from a beneficial owner.

 

How many votes are required to approve the executive compensation for the year end December 31, 2022?

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting by the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote is required to approve on a nonbinding advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

How many votes are required to approve the frequency of director Say-on-Pay votes?

 

In determining the frequency of nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers, the choice of every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years receiving the highest number of affirmative votes at the Annual Meeting will be selected. Only shares that are voted in favor of a particular frequency will be counted toward that frequency. Shares present at the Annual Meeting that are not voted for a particular frequency or shares present by proxy where the stockholder properly withheld authority to vote for such frequency will not be counted.

 

4

 

 

What happens if I don’t indicate how to vote my proxy?

 

If you just sign your proxy card without providing further instructions, your shares will be counted as a “for” vote for all of the Director Nominees, “for” proposals 2 and 3, and for the frequency of say-on-pay votes to occur every three (3) years.

 

Is my vote kept confidential?

 

Proxies, ballots and voting tabulations identifying stockholders are kept confidential and will not be disclosed except as may be necessary to meet legal requirements.

 

Where do I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

 

We may announce voting results at the Annual Meeting and then file a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the voting results of the Annual Meeting.

 

Who can help answer my questions?

 

You can contact our Controller, Oswald Gayle, at (954) 826-0329 or by sending a letter to Mr. Gayle at the offices of the Company at 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630 North Miami, Florida 33181 with any questions about proposals described in this Proxy Statement or how to execute your vote.

 

Who bears the cost of soliciting proxies?

 

The cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card, and the cost of soliciting proxies relating to the Annual Meeting, will be borne by the Company. We expect to request nominee organizations to assist in the distribution of our proxy materials to their beneficial owner customers and may reimburse such organizations for certain of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related thereto. Our officers, directors and employees may assist in soliciting proxies or votes by telephone, electronic and personal communications, but no additional compensation will be paid to such individuals in connection with such activities.

 

5

 

 

THE ANNUAL MEETING

 

General

 

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to you, as a stockholder of Innovative Eyewear, Inc., as part of the solicitation of proxies by our Board for use at the Annual Meeting to be held on August 4, 2023, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This Proxy Statement is first being furnished to stockholders on or about June 25, 2023. This Proxy Statement provides you with information you need to know to be able to vote or instruct your proxy how to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Date, Time, Place of Annual Meeting

 

The Annual Meeting will be held on a virtual basis on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, or such other date, time and place to which the Meeting may be adjourned or postponed.

 

Purpose of the Annual Meeting

 

At the Annual Meeting, the Company will ask stockholders to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

 

1. To elect Harrison Gross, Kristen McLaughlin, Louis Castro and Olivia C. Bartlett as directors of the Company to hold office until the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified;.

 

2. To ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

 

3. To approve on a nonbinding advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022;

 

4. To vote on the frequency of such nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers, every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years;

 

5. To transact any other business which may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

Recommendations of the Board

 

After careful consideration of each nominee for director, the Board unanimously determined to recommend that the stockholders vote “FOR” all of the Director Nominees, and “FOR” each of Proposal 2, Proposal 3, and for three (3) years in proposal 4.

 

Record Date and Voting Power

 

Our Board fixed the close of business on June 5, 2023, as the record date for the determination of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to notice of, and to vote on, the matters presented at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 7,715,757 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote.

 

Quorum and Required Vote

 

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present at the meeting if a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Company that is issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is represented at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. Abstentions, votes marked “withheld” and broker non-votes will count as present for purposes of establishing a quorum.

 

6

 

 

In the election of directors, the four persons receiving the highest number of affirmative votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected. Only shares that are voted in favor of a particular nominee will be counted toward that nominee’s achievement of a plurality. Shares present at the Annual Meeting that are not voted for a particular nominee or shares present by proxy where the stockholder properly withheld authority to vote for such nominee will not be counted toward that nominee’s achievement of a plurality. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the Auditor as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. Abstentions will have no effect on the ratification of the appointment of the Auditor. Brokers may use their discretion to vote shares held by them of record for this proposal if they have not been provided with voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock.

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting is required to approve on a nonbinding advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022. Broker Non-Votes will have no effect on the approval of executive compensation for the year ending December 31, 2022.

 

In determining the frequency of nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers, the choice of every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years receiving the highest number of affirmative votes at the Annual Meeting will be selected. Only shares that are voted in favor of a particular frequency will be counted toward that frequency. Shares present at the Annual Meeting that are not voted for a particular frequency or shares present by proxy where the stockholder properly withheld authority to vote for such frequency will not be counted toward that any frequency y. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the approval of the frequency of Say-on-Pay votes.

 

Voting

 

There are four ways to vote:

 

1. Via the Internet. Use the internet to vote by going to the internet address listed on your proxy card; have your proxy card in hand as you will be prompted to enter your control number and to create and submit an electronic vote. If you vote in this manner, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card or submit an electronic vote but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board.

 

2. Via Telephone. Using a touch-tone telephone, you may transmit your voting instructions to the number provided on your proxy card. Have your proxy card in hand as you will be prompted to enter your control number to create and submit a telephonic vote.

 

3. In person on a virtual basis. You may vote at the Annual Meeting by following the instructions when you log-in for the Annual Meeting. Have your proxy card in hand as you will be prompted to enter your control number to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

4. By mail. You may vote by mail. If you are a record holder, you may vote by proxy by filling out the proxy card and sending it back in the envelope provided. If you are a beneficial holder you may vote by proxy by filling out the vote instruction form and sending it back in the envelope provided by your brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization that holds your shares.

 

While we know of no other matters to be acted upon at this year’s Annual Meeting, it is possible that other matters may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting. If that happens and you have signed and not revoked a proxy card, your proxy will vote on such other matters in accordance with his best judgment.

 

7

 

 

Expenses

 

The expense of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, exhibits and the proxies solicited hereby will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by officers, directors and regular employees of the Company, without additional remuneration, by personal interviews, telephone, email or facsimile transmission. The Company will also request brokerage firms, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock held of record and will provide reimbursements for the cost of forwarding the material in accordance with customary charges.

 

Revocability of Proxies

 

Proxies given by stockholders of record for use at the Annual Meeting may be revoked at any time prior to the exercise of the powers conferred. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, stockholders of record giving a proxy may revoke the proxy by an instrument in writing, executed by the stockholder or his attorney authorized in writing or, if the stockholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, and deposited either at the corporate headquarters of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments thereof, at which the proxy is to be used, or with the chairman of such Annual Meeting on the day of the Annual Meeting or adjournments thereof, and upon either of such deposits the proxy is revoked.

 

No Right of Appraisal

 

None of Florida law, our Certificate of Incorporation, or our Bylaws, each as amended, provides for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with any of the proposals to be voted upon at this Annual Meeting. Accordingly, our stockholders will have no right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

 

Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares

 

You can contact our Controller, Oswald Gayle, at (954) 826-0329 or by sending a letter to Mr. Gayle at offices of the Company at 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630 North Miami, Florida 33181with any questions about proposals described in this Proxy Statement or how to execute your vote.

 

Principal Offices

 

The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630 North Miami, Florida 33181. The Company’s telephone number at such address is (954) 826-0329.

 

ALL PROXIES RECEIVED WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHOICES SPECIFIED ON SUCH PROXIES. PROXIES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF A PROPOSAL IF NO CONTRARY SPECIFICATION IS MADE. ALL VALID PROXIES OBTAINED WILL BE VOTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXY WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” the ELECTION of each director nominee, AND “FOR” EACH OF PROPOSAL 2 AND PROPOSAL 3, AND FOR THREE (3) YEARS IN PROPOSAL 4, AND FOR ANY OTHER PROPOSAL PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

8

 

 

PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Introduction

 

The Board has nominated the Director Nominees to stand for election at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders will be asked to elect each of the Director Nominees, each to hold office until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The enclosed proxy, if returned, and unless indicated to the contrary, will be voted for the election of each of the Director Nominees.

 

We have been advised by each of the Director Nominees that he or she is willing to be named as a nominee and each is willing to serve or continue to serve as a director if elected. If some unexpected occurrence should make necessary, in the discretion of the Board, the substitution of some other person for the nominees, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote for the election of such other persons as may be designated by the Board.

 

Board Qualifications

 

We believe that the collective skills, experiences, and qualifications of our directors provide our Board with the expertise and experience necessary to advance the interests of our stockholders. In selecting directors, the Board considers candidates that possess qualifications and expertise that will enhance the composition of the Board, including the considerations set forth below. The considerations set forth below are not meant as minimum qualifications, but rather as guidelines in weighing all of a candidate’s qualifications and expertise. In addition to the individual attributes of each of our current directors described below, we believe that our directors should have the highest professional and personal ethics and values, consistent with our longstanding values and standards. They should have broad experience at the policy-making level in business, exhibit commitment to enhancing stockholder value and have sufficient time to carry out their duties and to provide insight and practical wisdom based on their past experience.

 

Director Nominees

 

Our Board currently consists of five directors. The Board of Directors has determined that at the 2023 Annual Meeting, only four directors are to be elected, each to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify. Each of the current director nominees listed below has determined to stand for reelection at the Annual Meeting and has been nominated for reelection to the Board. All of the Director Nominees are available for election as members of the Board. If for any reason a Director Nominee becomes unavailable for election, the proxies solicited by the Board will be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board.

 

The following sets forth the biographical background information for all of our Director Nominees:

 

Harrison Gross is one of the founders of Innovative Eyewear and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and as a director since August 2019, where he guides the company’s product and brand development. Prior to his employment at Innovative Eyewear, from August 2017 to August 2019, Mr. Gross served in various positions, including chief executive officer and media & UX lead, of Lucyd Ltd., our largest stockholder and the licensor of our technology which is also a smart eyewear development company where he developed the Lucyd brand identity and oversaw general operations and product development. Additionally, from November 2015 to August 2021, Mr. Gross served as the Digital Media Manager of Tekcapital PLC (“Tekcapital”) (LON: TEK), a university intellectual property investment firm that is the parent company of Tekcapital Europe Limited, and Lucyd Ltd, the holding company for Tekcapital’s shares in Innovative Eyewear, where he created, developed and marketed for the company’s licensed properties. Prior to that, from October 2013 to September 2014, Mr. Gross worked as a credit analyst for a Verizon, Inc. contractor, where he managed credit systems and provided support to Verizon agents. Mr. Gross is a graduate of Columbia University with a BA in Writing and received a BA in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Mr. Gross is well qualified to serve as a director due to his substantial knowledge of our product and his experience in marketing, product and app development.

 

9

 

 

Kristen Mclaughlin has served as one of our directors since August 2021. Ms. Mclaughlin has 20 years’ experience launching, managing and developing products in the eyewear, accessories, cosmetics and skincare industries. From March 2019 to April 2020, Ms. Mclaughlin served as the Global Marketing Director at DePasquale Companies, a skincare, hair care and cosmetics manufacturer, where she led the global marketing strategy and new product development. Prior to her employment at DePasquale Companies, from March 2000 to January 2019, Ms. Mclaughlin was employed at Silhouette International, an eyewear manufacturer, where she served as the Director of Marketing: Eyewear Manufacturer, Regional Sales Manager, and Brand Manager: Daniel Swarovski Crystal Eyewear. While at Silhouette International, Ms. Mclaughlin led the company’s brand portfolio in the U.S. and its brand direction, product development and campaign content. She has a BS and MBA from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Ms. Mclaughlin is well qualified to serve as a director due to her substantial experience in the eyewear industry and her experience in brand and product development.

 

Louis Castro has served as one of our directors since August 2021. Mr. Castro is an experienced public company director and chartered accountant. Mr. Castro is currently on the board of directors of the following public companies (1) Tekcapital where he has been a director since December 2019, (2) Orosur Mining Inc. (TSE:OMI), a company exploring for minerals in South America, where he has been chairman of the board since April 2020, (3) Stanley Gibbons Group plc (LON:SGI), a company that specializes in the retailing of collectable stamps and similar products, where he has been a director since June 2016, (4) Tomco Energy plc (LON:TOM), an oil exploration and technology company, where he has been a director since April 2021, (5) Predator Oil & Gas Holdings plc (LON:PRD), an oil and gas exploration company, where he has been a director since July 2020, and (6) Veteran Capital Corp. (TSX-V:VCC), a capital pool company, where he has been a director since January 2021. From September 2012 to June 2016, Mr. Castro was a director and, from September 2014 to June 2016 served as the Chief Financial Officer, of Eland Oil & Gas plc, a Nigerian focused upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production company, where he was responsible for the company’s finance, legal and corporate finance activities. Prior to his employment at Eland, from May 2011 to May 2014, Mr. Castro served as Head of Capital Markets and then as Chief Executive Officer of Northland Capital Partners, an investment bank, where he was responsible for the investment banks day-to-day activities. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales, has a double degree in Engineering Production and Economics from Birmingham University and attended the Postgraduate Advanced Course in Production Management and Methods at Cambridge University. Mr. Castro is well qualified to serve as a director due to his substantial experience as a director of public companies and his distinction as chartered accountant.

 

Olivia C. Bartlett has served as one of our directors since August 2021. Ms. Bartlett has been in the eyewear industry for over 40 years holding various roles including optician, optical manager, marketing manager and operations management. Since September 2015, Ms. Bartlett has been the Chief Operating Officer of Todd Rogers Eyewear, a specialty eyewear company, where she manages the day-to-day operations of the company. Prior to her time at Todd Rogers Eyewear, from March 2010 to May 2015, Ms. Bartlett was the sales representative for eyewear sales in the northeast of Massachusetts for Safilo USA, a specialty eyewear company. Additionally, from September 2013 to May 2018, Ms. Bartlett was an Adjunct Professor at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts. Since February 2020 Ms. Bartlett has been the President of the Opticians Association of America, a national organization representing the professional, business, educational, legislative and regulatory interests of opticianry. Prior to that, Ms. Bartlett was a director for ten years for the Opticians Association of Massachusetts. Ms. Bartlett has received a number of awards through her time in the industry, including but not limited to, the 2020 Eyecare Business Game Changer Award and the 2020 and 2018 Vision Monday Most Influential Woman Executive. Ms. Bartlett received her Massachusetts Opticians license in 1987 and is ABO certified. Ms. Bartlett received her BA in Political Science from Clark University. Ms. Bartlett is well qualified to serve as a director due to her substantial experience in the optical industry.

 

In addition to the foregoing, we believe that each of the Director Nominees that is nominated for reelection is well-qualified to serve as a member of our Board due to their prior experience and work with and on our Board.

 

Required Vote

 

In the election of directors, the four persons receiving the highest number of affirmative votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

 

10

 

 

Director Nominees and Executive Officers as of the Date of this Proxy Statement

 

Listed below are the names of the current director nominees and executive officers of the Company, their ages and positions held as of the Record Date and biographies if not disclosed above:

 

Name   Age   Position
Harrison R. Gross   30   Chief Executive Officer and Director
Konrad Dabrowski   40   Chief Financial Officer
Kristen Mclaughlin   50   Director
Louis Castro   64   Director
Olivia C. Bartlett   64   Director

 

Konrad Dabrowski, CPA served as a director of the company from June 2017 to August 2019. He has served as our Chief Financial Officer on a part-time basis since August 2019. Between June 2017 and July 2020, Mr. Dabrowski has served as the group controller, and starting on July 2020 the Chief Financial Officer of Tekcapital PLC (“Tekcapital”), where he co-manages the group’s investment strategy and oversees financial reporting for all of its portfolio companies. Prior to his employment at Tekcapital, from March 2016 to June 2017, Mr. Dabrowski was a Global Accounting Manager for Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR), a multinational fast food holding company, where he oversaw accounting and tax projects for Burger King within the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) market. Prior to his employment at Restaurant Brands International, Mr. Dabrowski was an Audit Manager at Deloitte, where he managed end-to-end accounting audits for a portfolio of public and private corporate clients. Mr. Dabrowski has a Master’s in Finance and Banking from the Warsaw School of Economics and is a Certified Public Accountant.

 

To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no other arrangements or understandings currently existing between any director, Director Nominee or executive officer and any other person pursuant to which any person was selected as a director, Director Nominee or executive officer. There are no family relationships between any of the Company’s directors, Director Nominees or executive officers.

 

To the Company’s knowledge there have been no material legal proceedings as described in instruction 4 to Item 103 of Regulation S-K or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K during the last ten years that are material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of any of the Company’s directors or executive officers.

 

Board of Directors and Corporate Governance

 

General

 

Our Board oversees the activities of our management in the handling of the business and affairs of our company. Our Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market and we are subject to listing requirements which include the requirement that our Board be comprised of a majority of “independent” directors. We have determined that Mr. Louis Castro, Mss. Kristen Mclaughlin and Olivia Bartlett are “independent” directors under NASDAQ listing standards. The Board of Directors has separately designated audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees.

 

Committees of the Board

 

We have three standing committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the board committees act pursuant to a separate written charter adopted by our board of directors, each of which is available on our website at www.lucyd.co. Our board of directors may at any time or from time to time appoint certain other committees in its sole discretion as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its functions.

 

11

 

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee consists of Mr. Louis Castro (Chair) and Mss. Kristen Mclaughlin and Olivia Bartlett. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are “independent,” as defined by NASDAQ listing standards and by applicable SEC rules. In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Castro is an audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined by the SEC rules, by virtue of having the following attributes through relevant experience: (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves; (iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; (iv) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions. The function of the Audit Committee relates to oversight of the auditors, the auditing, accounting, and financial reporting processes, and the review of the Company’s financial reports and information. In addition, the functions of the Audit Committee will include, among other things, recommending to the Board the engagement or discharge of independent auditors, discussing with the auditors their review of the Company’s quarterly results and the results of their audit, and reviewing the Company’s internal accounting controls.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee consists of Ms. Kristen Mclaughlin (Chair) and Mr. Louis Castro. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Compensation Committee are “independent,” as defined by NASDAQ listing standards. The responsibility of the Compensation Committee is to review and approve the compensation and other terms of employment of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers, including all of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading “Executive Compensation” below (the “named executive officers”). Among its other duties, the Compensation Committee oversees all significant aspects of the Company’s compensation plans and benefit programs. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives for the President and Chief Executive Officer’s compensation and evaluates the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee also recommends to the Board the compensation and benefits for members of the Board. The Compensation Committee has also been appointed by the Board to administer our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee does not delegate any of its authority to other persons.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Mss. Olivia Bartlett (Chair) and Kristen Mclaughlin and Mr. Harrison Gross. The majority of committee members are independent under applicable NASDAQ rules and regulations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, considering potential board members, making recommendations to the full board as to nominees for election to the board, assessing the effectiveness of the board and implementing our corporate governance guidelines.

 

Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a formal code of ethics that applies to our directors and principal executives and financial officers or persons performing similar functions. A copy of our Code of Ethical Conduct can be found on our website under “Investors” at www.lucyd.co.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock (referred to herein as the “reporting persons”) file with the SEC various reports as to their ownership of and activities relating to our common stock. Such reporting persons are required by the SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

 

12

 

 

Based solely upon a review of copies of Section 16(a) reports and representations received by us from reporting persons, and without conducting any independent investigation of our own, in fiscal year 2022, all Forms 3, 4 and 5 were timely filed with the SEC by such reporting persons.

 

Board Diversity Matrix

 

Board Diversity Matrix (as of June 5, 2023)

Part I:

Gender Identity

Male Female Non-Binary Did Not Disclose Gender
Directors (4 total) 2 2    

Part II:

Demographic Background

Male Female Non-Binary Did Not Disclose Gender
African American or Black        
Alaskan Native or American Indian        
Asian        
Hispanic, Latino or Latina        
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander        
White 2 2    
Two or More Races or Ethnicities        
LGBTQ+  
Undisclosed  

 

Executive Compensation

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Individuals we refer to as our “named executive officers” include our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position   Year     Salary(1)
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Option
Awards ($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 
Harrison Gross,   2022       114,758       -       -       -       -       -       114,758  
Chief Executive Officer   2021       69,584       -       1,781,980 (1)      -       -       -       1,851,564  
                                                               
Konrad Dabrowski,   2022       105,500       -       -       -       -       -       105,500  
Chief Financial Officer   2021       21,885       -       158,388       -       -       -       180,273  

 

 
(1) Consists of 700,000 options to purchase common stock of the Company issued to Mr. Gross for services rendered to the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

 

13

 

 

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

 

Agreements with the Company’s Named Executive Officers

 

Harrison Gross

 

On August 11, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Harrison Gross to serve in the capacity of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. We agreed to pay Mr. Gross an annual base salary of $85,800 for the remainder of 2021, and we also agreed that from the initial public offering date in August 2022, we increased his base salary to $150,000 per year. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, our Board may exercise its sole discretion to grant Mr. Gross an annual bonus, the amount of which bonus shall be determined in the sole discretion of our Board. Additionally, in 2021, we granted Mr. Gross an option to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock.

 

The employment agreement has an initial term of three years, and will terminate on the third anniversary of the effective date unless Mr. Gross and the Company agree otherwise in writing. If we terminate the employment agreement for any reason other than for cause (as such is defined in the agreement) or Mr. Gross terminates his employment for good reason (as such is defined in the agreement): (1) Mr. Gross shall be entitled to payment of his base salary for the balance of the agreement’s term; (2) if Mr. Gross elects to continue group health insurance benefits, we shall reimburse Mr. Gross for any COBRA premiums he pays for the duration of COBRA’s coverage; and, (3) we shall provide Mr. Gross with payment of all accrued amounts (as defined in the agreement).

 

Konrad Dabrowski

 

On August 11, 2021, we entered into an employment agreement with Konrad Dabrowski to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company on a part-time basis, which agreement became effective on September 1, 2021. Mr. Dabrowski devotes 50% of his business time to our Company. We agreed to pay Mr. Dabrowski an annual base salary of $100,000. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, we may exercise our discretion to grant Mr. Dabrowski an annual bonus, the amount of which bonus shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Company. Additionally, in 2021, we granted Mr. Dabrowski an option to purchase 60,000 shares of our common stock.

 

Following the effective date, the employment agreement shall continue, unless terminated by Mr. Dabrowski or the Company. Mr. Dabrowski’s employment is at-will, which may be terminated by the Company or by Mr. Dabrowski at any time and for any reason. Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement, a sixty days’ written notice of termination or resignation is required. If Mr. Dabrowski notifies us of his resignation, or if we terminate Mr. Dabrowski’s employment agreement, the Company reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether Mr. Dabrowski will be required to actively work during the sixty-day notice period; however, Mr. Dabrowski will be entitled to receive his base salary for the duration of the sixty day notice period. The Company has the right to terminate Mr. Dabrowski’s employment agreement for cause (as defined in the agreement), which termination shall be effective immediately.

 

14

 

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2022 FISCAL YEAR END

 

The following table presents information regarding outstanding equity awards held by the Company’s Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2022.

 

    Option awards   Stock awards  
Name   Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
exercisable
    Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
unexercisable
    Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#)
    Option
exercise
price
($)
    Option
expiration
date
  Number
of shares
or units
of stock
that
have not
vested
(#)
    Market
value of
shares
of units
of stock
that
have not
vested
($)
    Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights that
have not
vested
(#)
    Equity
incentive
plan awards:
Market or
payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other
rights that
have not
vested
($)
 
Harrison Gross     250,000       125,000       -     $ 1.00     04/01/2024     -       -       -       -  
Harrison Gross     200,000       400,000       -     $ 3.56     05/05/2025     -       -       -       -  
Harrison Gross     44,432       55,568       -     $ 3.56     11/11/2024     -       -       -       -  
Konrad Dabrowski     26,656       33,344       -     $ 3.56     11/11/2024     -       -       -       -  

 

Our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted by the Board and approved by our shareholders on July 1, 2021, under which:

 

(i) Harrison Gross was issued stock options on August 11, 2021, to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock;

 

(ii) Konrad Dabrowski was issued stock options on August 11, 2021, to purchase 60,000 shares of our common stock;

 

All of these stock options issued under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan are subject to time-based vesting, except for Mr. Castro’s July 21, 2021 option grant that vests upon an acquisition or flotation at a valuation greater than or equal to four times (400%) the most recent published annual Company valuation (2020: $2.7 million).

 

Additionally, the following awards were granted by the Company prior to the approval of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan:

 

(i) Mr. Gross was issued stock options on May 5, 2021 to purchase 600,000 shares of our common stock, which are subject to time-based vesting;

 

15

 

 

Director Compensation

 

The following table sets forth all compensation paid to our non employee Board members during the year ended December 31, 2022:

 

Name   Fees
Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)
    Option
Awards
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    Change in
Pension Value
and Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 
Kristen Mclaughlin     7,500       -       -       -       -       -       7,500  
Louis Castro     11,250       -       -       -       -       -       11,250  
Olivia C. Bartlett     3,750       -       -       -       -       -       3,750  

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owner and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The following table sets forth information as of May 26, 2023, regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock:

 

each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock;

 

each of our named executive officers and directors; and

 

all our executive officers and directors as a group.

 

The address of each holder listed in the following table, except as otherwise indicated, is 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630, North Miami, Florida, 33181.

 

Percentage ownership shown in the following table is based on 7,715,757 shares of our common stock outstanding.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner   Shares of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned(1)
    Percent of
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
 
Named Executive Officers and Directors                
Harrison Gross(2)     806,371       8.74 %
Konrad Dabrowski(3)     68,318       * %
David Eric Cohen(4)     58,318       * %
Frank Rescigna(5)     25,000       * %
Kristen McLaughlin(6)     25,000       * %
Louis Castro(7)     45,000       * %
Olivia Bartlett(8)     25,000       * %
All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)     1,053,007       11.12 %
5% Stockholders                
Lucyd Ltd.(9)     5,189,085       61.65 %

 

 

* Less than 1%.

 

16

 

 

(1) We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is generally determined by voting power and/or dispositive power with respect to securities. Unless otherwise noted, the shares of common stock listed above are owned as of the date of May 17, 2023, and are owned of record by each individual named as beneficial owner and such individual has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of common stock owned by each of them.
(2) Includes 806,371 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Mr. Gross exercisable within 60 days of the date of May 17, 2023.
(3) Includes 68,318 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Mr. Dabrowski exercisable within 60 days of the date of May 17, 2023.
(4) Includes 58,318 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Mr. Cohen exercisable within 60 days of the date of May 17, 2023.
(5) Includes 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Mr. Rescigna exercisable within 60 days of the date of May 17, 2023.
(6) Includes 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Ms. McLaughlin exercisable within 60 days of May 17, 2023.
(7) Includes 45,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Mr. Castro exercisable within 60 days of May 17, 2023.
(8) Includes 25,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Ms. Bartlett exercisable within 60 days of May 17, 2023.
(9) Tekcapital plc, a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange, owns all issued and outstanding securities of Tekcapital Europe Ltd., which owns all issued and outstanding securities of Lucyd Ltd. As such, Tekcapital plc may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held by Lucyd Ltd. by virtue of their control over Lucyd Ltd. Tekcapital plc disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Lucyd Ltd. Mr. Clifford Gross, the Chief Executive Officer of Tekcapital plc, is the father of Mr. Harrison Gross, our Chief Executive Officer.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

On occasion we may engage in certain related party transactions. All prior related party transactions were approved by our board of directors and a majority of our issued and outstanding shares of capital stock. Upon the consummation of offering, our policy is that all related party transactions will be reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors prior to our entering into any related party transactions.

 

License Agreement

 

On April 1, 2020, we entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Lucyd Ltd., the majority stockholder of the Company, for the use of the Lucyd brand, and the associated intellectual property and assets (the “License Agreement”). The License Agreement is royalty-free, fully paid up, and perpetual license for the exclusive use of certain assets of Lucyd Ltd. related to Innovative Eyewear current products and trademarks. As compensation for entrance into the License Agreement, we issued Lucyd Ltd. 3,750,000 shares of our common stock. On October 5, 2021, the parties to the License Agreement executed an Addendum, to the exclusive license agreement, which clarified that Innovative Eyewear shall commercialize, continue with any on-going intellectual property prosecutions and pay all maintenance or other patent fees (the “Addendum”). For all new intellectual property, Innovative Eyewear will own control it and be responsible for all prosecution and maintenance costs. The Addendum also confirms that Innovative Eyewear issued Lucyd Ltd. 3,750,000 shares of its common stock as consideration for the license. Please see “Business — Material Agreements” for a more complete description of the License Agreement and Addendum.

 

17

 

 

Management Service Agreement

 

On June 1, 2020, we entered into a management service agreement with Tekcapital Europe Ltd., an affiliate of our majority stockholder, Lucyd Ltd., whose Chief Executive Officer is the father of our Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which we agreed to pay Tekcapital Europe Ltd. $25,000 per fiscal quarter for rent-free office space, utilities, advisory services and any other services in accordance with Tekcapital Europe Ltd.’s areas of expertise. The management agreement provided for a perpetual term, with the right of either party to terminate for any reason with 30 days’ notice. Effective February 1, 2022, the original management service agreement was amended to have us billed at $35,000 quarterly for advisory and other services, and in addition, Tekcapital Europe Ltd. began to bill us for an allocation of rent paid by Tekcapital Europe Ltd. on our behalf.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we incurred $140,000 and $100,000, respectively, under our management services agreement with Tekcapital Europe Ltd., and we also recognized $74,442 of rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Convertible Note Financing

 

On December 1, 2020, we issued a convertible note for an aggregate principal amount of up to $2,000,000 to Lucyd Ltd., the majority stockholder of the Company (the “Note”).

 

On June 1, 2021, we completed the partial conversion of an aggregate of $778,500 of the outstanding balance on the Note, at $1.00 per share, into an aggregate of 778,500 shares of common stock. On September 5, 2021, we completed the partial conversion of an aggregate of $500,002 of the outstanding balance on the Note, at $3.56 per share, into an aggregate of 140,449 shares of common stock.

 

On November 1, 2021, we executed an amended and restated Note, increasing the amount of available financing from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000. On November 16, 2021, we completed the partial conversion of an aggregate of $901,271 of the outstanding balance of the Note, at $3.56 per share, into an aggregate of 253,166 shares of common stock.

 

On August 15, 2022, in connection with our initial public offering, we completed the partial conversion of an aggregate of $2,002,280 of the outstanding balance of the Note, at $7.50 per share, into an aggregate of 266,970 shares of common stock. As of the date of this proxy, $0 remains outstanding on the Note.

 

The Note has an interest rate of 10.0% per annum, is unsecured, matures on December 1, 2023 and provides for conversion, at the election of Lucyd Ltd., into our common stock upon the earlier of (i) the Company consummating an equity financing pursuant to which it raises an aggregate amount of not less than $750,000, (ii) the Company entering into a transaction pursuant to which the Company sells not less than 10% of the Company’s shares, excluding any and all convertible notes which are convertible into shares, (iii) the Company lists its shares on a national securities exchange or (iv) the holder determines to convert the Note. The Note can be converted by the Holder using the price of either (i) the per share purchase price paid for by investors under the terms of recent equity financing, (ii) the closing price of the Company’s trading shares on the relevant public exchange for the day immediately preceding the date of conversion of the Note or (iii) the valuation of the last equity investment. The principal amount and accrued but unpaid interest under each note will automatically convert into shares of our common stock at the stated conversion price per share.

 

Intercompany Loan and Debt Transfer Agreements

 

On June 1, 2021, we entered into an intercompany loan and debt transfer agreement, whereby Lucyd Ltd, Tekcapital plc, Tekcapital Europe Ltd or Tekcapital LLC incurred a debt on behalf of the Company in the amount of $387,328. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, there is no interest payable on the amount of the debt outstanding, unless we agree otherwise with Lucyd Ltd. The debt, along with any accrued interest and other amounts that may be due in connection with the debt, is repayable by the Company upon demand from Lucyd Ltd, at any time, unless we agree otherwise with Lucyd Ltd. The Company may prepay the whole or any part of the debt at any time unless we agree otherwise.

 

18

 

 

On September 5, 2021, we entered into an intercompany loan and debt transfer agreement, whereby Lucyd Ltd, Tekcapital plc, Tekcapital Europe Ltd or Tekcapital LLC incurred a debt on behalf of the Company in the amount of $500,002. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, there is no interest payable on the amount of the debt outstanding, unless we agree otherwise with Lucyd Ltd. The debt, along with any accrued interest and other amounts that may be due in connection with the debt, is repayable by the Company upon demand from Lucyd Ltd, at any time, unless we agree otherwise with Lucyd Ltd. The Company may prepay the whole or any part of the debt at any time unless we agree otherwise.

 

Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions

 

All future transactions between us and our officers, directors or five percent stockholders, and respective affiliates will be on terms no less favorable than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties and will be approved by a majority of our independent directors who do not have an interest in the transactions and who had access, at our expense, to our legal counsel or independent legal counsel.

 

Director Independence

 

Of our directors, we have determined that Mr. Louis Castro and Mss. Kristen Mclaughlin and Olivia Bartlett are “independent” directors under NASDAQ listing standards, while Harrison Gross is not independent under such standards. We have also determined that each of the three members of the Audit Committee is “independent” for purposes of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and under the NASDAQ listing standards. Further, the Board has determined that each of the two members of both the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is “independent” under NASDAQ listing standards.

 

19

 

 

PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 2023

 

Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee appoints our independent registered public accounting firm. In this regard, the audit committee evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and determines whether to re-engage our current firm. As part of its evaluation, the audit committee considers, among other factors, the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the firm, including the performance, technical expertise, industry knowledge and experience of the lead audit partner and the audit team assigned to our account; the overall strength and reputation of the firm; the firm’s capabilities relative to our business; and the firm’s knowledge of our operations. Cherry Bekaert LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2021. Neither the accounting firm nor any of its members has any direct or indirect financial interest in or any connection with us in any capacity other than as our auditors and providing audit and permissible non-audit related services. Upon consideration of these and other factors, the audit committee has appointed Cherry Bekaert LLP. to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection, it will be considered as notice to the Board and the audit committee to reconsider its appointment.

 

A representative of Cherry Bekaert LLP is not expected to attend the Annual Meeting.

 

Audit, Audit-Related and All Other Fees

 

Audit Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Cherry Bekaert LLP (PCAOB ID 00677), for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of our consolidated financial statements included in our quarterly reports, and other fees that are normally provided by the accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were approximately $88,800 and $69,300, respectively.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

There were approximately $58,700 and $13,800 of fees billed by our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for audit-related services for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively, which included consent and comfort letter procedures related to our Form S-1filings, initial public offering, and due diligence procedures.

 

Tax Fees

 

There were no fees billed for professional services rendered by our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

All Other Fees

 

There were no fees billed for non-audit services by our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 with both management and Cherry Bekaert LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. In its discussion, management has represented to the Audit Committee that our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

20

 

 

The Audit Committee meets with our independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their annual audit and quarterly reviews, our internal controls and the overall quality of our financial reporting. The Audit Committee has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T.

 

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from our independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has considered and discussed with Cherry Bekaert LLP, Certified Public Accountants, such firm’s independence and the compatibility of the non-audit services provided by the firm with its independence.

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review of the audited financial statements and the various discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

 

Mr. Louis Castro (Chair of the Audit Committee)

Kristen McLaughlin

Olivia Bartlett

 

Required Vote

 

Ratification of the appointment by the Audit Committee of the Auditor as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at this Annual Meeting.

 

Recommendation of the Board

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD OF CHERRY BEKAERT LLP, CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING December 31, 2023.

 

21

 

 

PROPOSAL 3
nONBINDING ADVISORY APPROVAL FOR
THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES (SAY ON PAY)

 

In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), enacted on July 21, 2010, we are required to seek, on a non-binding advisory basis, shareholder approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

Our executive compensation program is designed with the intention of effecting the following goals:

 

  Attract, motivate and retain highly-qualified executive officers in a competitive market;
     
  Provide compensation to our executives that are competitive and reward the achievement of challenging business objectives; and
     
  Align our executive officers’ interests with those of our shareholders by providing a significant portion of total compensation in the form of equity awards.

 

Our Board of Directors believes that our current executive compensation program must be regularly reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure alignment of our executive officers’ interests with those of our shareholders. Shareholders are urged to read the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement, which further discusses how our executive compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation philosophy and contains tabular information and narrative discussion about the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that these policies and procedures are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving our goals.

 

For more information about the compensation that we paid to our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, please refer to the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement, which we believe demonstrates that our executive compensation program was designed appropriately and is working to ensure management’s interests are aligned with our stockholders’ interests to support long-term stockholder value creation.

 

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding. Neither the outcome of this advisory vote nor of the advisory vote included in this proposal overrules any decision by the company or our board of directors (or any committee thereof), creates or implies any change to the fiduciary duties of the company or our board of directors (or any committee thereof), or creates or implies any additional fiduciary duties for the company or our board of directors (or any committee thereof). However, our Board and compensation committee, which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, value the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

 

Required Vote

 

Approval for the executive compensation of named executive employees requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at this Annual Meeting.

 

Recommendation of the board

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 

22

 

 

PROPOSAL 4
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY APPROVAL FOR
THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES (SAY ON FREQUENCY)

 

As required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Corporation is asking shareholders to cast a nonbinding, advisory vote to approve the frequency with which the Corporation should hold future say-on-pay advisory votes to approve the compensation of the Corporation’s named executive officers.

 

This advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-frequency” vote, gives shareholders the opportunity to express their views about how frequently the Corporation should conduct future say-on-pay votes. You may vote for future say-on-pay votes to be held every “One (1)”, “Two (2)” or “Three (3)” years in response to this proposal. The Corporation is required to hold a frequency vote at least once every six years. The next mandatory say-on-frequency vote would therefore be expected to take place at the Corporation’s 2029 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders. After careful consideration, the Board recommends that future non-binding advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers be held every three years. The Board believes this period is most consistent with the Company’s compensation objectives since our executive compensation program is intended to encourage long-term performance and a three-year voting cycle will provide shareholders with sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of our executive compensation program.

 

Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove our Board’s recommendation. Instead, stockholders may indicate their preference regarding the frequency of future non-binding advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers by selecting one year, two years, or three years. Stockholders that do not have a preference regarding the frequency of future advisory votes may abstain from voting on the proposal.

 

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding. However, our Board and compensation committee value the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future decisions regarding the frequency of holding future non-binding advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers. However, because this is an advisory vote and therefore not binding on our Board or the Company, our Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders that we hold an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers more or less frequently than the option preferred by our stockholders. The results of the vote will not be construed to create or imply any change or addition to the fiduciary duties of our Board.

 

Required Vote

 

Approval for the frequency of shareholder votes for the executive compensation of named executive employees requires that the choice of every one (1), two (2) or three (3) years receiving the highest number of votes at the Annual Meeting will be the frequency selected by the stockholders.

 

Recommendation of the board

 

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE CORPORATION TO CONDUCT SAY-ON-PAY VOTES EVERY THREE YEARS.

 

23

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Proxy Solicitation

 

All costs of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail, the Company’s officers and regular employees may solicit proxies personally or by telephone. The Company does not intend to utilize a paid solicitation agent.

 

Proxies

 

A stockholder may revoke his, her or its proxy at any time prior to its use by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by executing a revised proxy at a later date. Proxies in the form enclosed, unless previously revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the specifications made thereon or, in the absence of such specifications in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.

 

Securities Outstanding; Votes Required

 

As of the close of business on the Record Date there were 7,715,757 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock owned. In the election of directors, the four persons receiving the highest number of affirmative votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be elected. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock which voted at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of Proposals 2 and 3. The frequency of every one (1), two (2), or three (3) years receiving the highest number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting will be the approved frequency of Say-on-Pay voting. Shares of the Common Stock represented by executed proxies received by the Company will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum at the Annual Meeting, regardless of how or whether such shares are voted on any specific proposal.

 

Other Business

 

Our Board knows of no other matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any additional matter should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on any such matters.

 

Deadline for Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations for 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Stockholders intending to present a proposal at our 2024 Annual Meeting must comply with the requirements set forth in the Bylaws and comply with the requirement of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. The Bylaws require, among other things, that a stockholder must have given timely notice any proposal in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of one hundred twenty (120) days in advance of such annual meeting or ten (10) days following the day on which notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting is first made by the Corporation. SEC rules permit management to vote proxies in its discretion in certain cases if the stockholder does not comply with this deadline and, in certain other cases notwithstanding the stockholder’s compliance with this deadline. Proposals not submitted in accordance with such requirements will be deemed untimely or otherwise deficient; however, the Company will have discretionary authority to include such proposals in the proxy materials for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

The Chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine and declare to the meeting whether a proposal of business was made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Amended and Restated Bylaws, and if the Chairman should so determine that such proposal of business was not made in compliance with these Amended and Restated Bylaws, declare to the meeting that no action shall be taken on such proposal and such defective proposal shall be disregarded.

 

24

 

 

Stockholder Communications

 

Stockholders wishing to communicate with the Board may direct such communications to the Board c/o the Company, Attn: Secretary. A summary of all stockholder communications will be presented to the Board at subsequent Board meetings. The directors will have the opportunity to review the actual communications at their discretion.

 

Additional Information

 

Accompanying this Proxy Statement is a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Such Report includes the Company’s audited financial statements for the 2022 fiscal year and certain other financial information, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

In addition, we are subject to certain informational requirements of the Exchange Act and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements and other information are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Stockholders who have questions in regard to any aspect of the matters discussed in this Proxy Statement should contact Oswald Gayle, Company Controller, at 11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 630 North Miami, FL 33181.

 

Householding

 

SEC rules permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements and notices with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement or a single notice addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” provides cost savings for companies and helps the environment by conserving natural resources. Some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement or notice to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement or notice, or if your household is receiving multiple copies of these documents and you wish to request that future deliveries be limited to a single copy, please notify your broker.

 

25

 

 

PROXY

 

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON August 4, 2023

 

The undersigned, revoking any previous proxies relating to these shares, hereby acknowledges receipt of the notice of internet availability of proxy materials, dated June 25, 2023 (the “Proxy Statement”), in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders of Innovative Eyewear, Inc., (the “Company”) and at any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”) to be held at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2023 as a virtual meeting for the sole purpose of considering and voting upon the following proposals, and hereby appoints Harrison Gross and Konrad Dabrowski, and each of them (with full power to act alone), the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution to each, to vote all of the shares of the Company registered in the name provided, which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would have if personally present. Without limiting the general authorization hereby given, said proxies are, and each of them is, instructed to vote or act as follows on the proposals set forth in the Proxy Statement.

 

THIS PROXY, WHEN EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE ABOVE SIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH DIRECTOR IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, FOR THREE (3) YEARS IN PROPOSAL 4, AND FOR ANY OTHER PROPOSAL PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY YOU.

 

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY.

 

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed on reverse side)

 

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on August 4, 2023:

 

The notice of meeting and the accompanying Proxy Statement are available at
https://www.vitrualshareholdermeeting.com/LUCY2023.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH DIRECTOR IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3, AND FOR THREE (3) YEARS IN PROPOSAL 4, AND FOR ANY OTHER PROPOSAL PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL MEETING   Please mark 🖊☑ votes as indicated in this example
                 
Proposal 1 — Director Election Proposal   ALL   NONE   ALL EXCEPT    
A Proposal to elect Harrison R. Gross, Kristen McLaughlin, Louis Castro, and Olivia C. Bartlett to hold office until the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or their successors are elected and qualified.       ☐ Harrison R. Gross    
               
          ☐ Kristen McLaughlin    
               
          ☐ Louis Castro    
               
          ☐ Olivia C. Bartlett    
                 
Proposal 2 — Auditor Ratification Proposal   FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN    
A proposal to ratify the appointment of Cherry Bekaert LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.          
                 
Proposal 3 — Say on Pay Proposal   FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN    
A Proposal to approve on a nonbinding advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2022.          
                 
Proposal 4 — Frequency Proposal   ONE (1)   TWO (3)   THREE (3)   ABSTAIN
A Proposal to set the frequency of such nonbinding advisory votes regarding the executive compensation of named executive officers to occur every one, (1), two (2) or three (3) years.        

 

Date: ____________, 2023

 

Signature _________________________________

 

Signature (if held jointly) ______________________

 

Signature should agree with name printed hereon. If shares are held in the name of more than one person, EACH joint owner should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and attorneys should indicate the capacity in which they sign. Attorneys should submit powers of attorney.

 

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED TO BROADRIDGE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS, INC.. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE ABOVE SIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH DIRECTOR IN PROPOSAL 1, FOR PROPOSAL 2 AND PROPOSAL 3 FOR, AND FOR THREE (3) YEARS FOR PROPOSAL 4, AND FOR ANY OTHER PROPOSAL PROPERLY PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY YOU.