Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, BLEST, and Clyra Medical. Management believes Clyra Medical’s financial statements are appropriately consolidated with that of the Company after reviewing the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), 810, “Consolidation” (“ASC 810), and concluding that BioLargo controls Clyra Medical. While BioLargo does not have voting interest control through a majority stock ownership of Clyra Medical (it owns 45% of the outstanding voting stock), it does exercise control under the “Variable Interest Model.” There is substantial board overlap, BioLargo is the primary beneficiary since it has the power to direct Clyra Medical’s activities that most significantly impact Clyra Medical’s performance, and it has the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits (through royalties and licensing) that could be potentially significant to Clyra Medical. BioLargo has consolidated Clyra Medical’s operations for all periods presented. (See Note 9.) All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the financial statement presentation.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency

The Company has designated the functional currency of BioLargo Water, Inc., our Canadian subsidiary, to be the Canadian dollar. Therefore, translation gains and losses resulting from differences in exchange rates are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Substantially all cash equivalents are held in short-term money market accounts at one of the largest financial institutions in the United States. From time to time, our cash account balances are greater than the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of $250,000 per owner per bank, and during such times, we are exposed to credit loss for amounts in excess of insured limits in the event of non-performance by the financial institution. We do not anticipate non-performance by our financial institution.

As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our cash balances were made up of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
BioLargo, Inc. and subsidiaries	$	1,064	$	637
Clyra Medical Technologies, Inc.		34		79
Total	$	1,098	$	716

Receivable [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Estimates for allowances for doubtful accounts are determined based on payment history and individual customer circumstances. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of  September 30, 2021 was $12,000 and at December 31, 2020, was $13,000.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Credit Concentration

We have a limited number of customers that account for significant portions of our revenue. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we had the following customers that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues, as follows:

	September 30, 2021			September 30, 2020
Customer A		14	%		<10	%
Customer B		11	%		<10	%
Customer C		<10	%		12	%
Customer D		12	%		<10	%

We had three customers that each accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable at September 30, 2021, and two customers at December 31, 2020, as follows:

	September 30, 2021			December 31, 2020
Customer C		19	%		<10	%
Customer D		16	%		<10	%
Customer E		13	%		<10	%
Customer F		<10	%		32	%
Customer G		<10	%		10	%

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost method. The allowance for obsolete inventory as of  September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, was $3,000. Inventories consisted of (in thousands):

	September 30, 2021		December 31, 2020
Raw material	$	100	$	111
Finished goods		150		166
Total	$	250	$	277

Other Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Assets

Other Assets consisted of security deposits of $35,000 related to our business offices.

Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]

Equity Method of Accounting

On March 20, 2020, we invested $100,000 into a South Korean entity (Odin Co. Ltd., “Odin”) pursuant to a Joint Venture agreement we had entered into with BKT Co. Ltd. and its U.S. subsidiary, Tomorrow Water. We received a 40% non-dilutive equity interest, and BKT and Tomorrow Water each received 30% equity interests for an aggregate $150,000 investment.

We account for our investment in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting. We have determined that while we have significant influence over the joint venture through our technology license and our position on the Board of Directors, we do not control the joint venture or are otherwise involved in managing the entity and we own less than a majority of the equity. Therefore, we record the asset on our consolidated balance sheet and record an increase or decrease the recorded balance by our percentage ownership of the profits or losses in the joint venture. The joint venture incurred a loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and our 40% ownership share reduced our investment interest by $0 and $23,000.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment

Long-lived and definite lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset, then an impairment loss is recognized. The impairment loss is measured based on the fair value of the asset. Any resulting impairment is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset in excess of fair value and a charge to operating results. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, management determined that there was no impairment of its long-lived assets, including its In-process Research and Development (see Note 8).

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

We report basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) for common and common share equivalents. Basic EPS is computed by dividing reported earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by adding to the weighted average shares the dilutive effect if stock options and warrants were exercised into common stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the denominator in the diluted EPS computation is the same as the denominator for basic EPS due to the anti-dilutive effect of the warrants and stock options on the Company’s net loss.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for stock-based transactions, debt transactions, derivative liabilities, allowance for bad debt, asset depreciation and amortization, among others.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying these most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results of our financial statements.

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

Share-Based Compensation Expense

We recognize compensation expense for stock option awards on a straight-line basis over the applicable service period of the award, which is the vesting period. Fair value is determined on the grant date. Share-based compensation expense is based on the grant date fair value estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

For stock and stock options issued to consultants and other non-employees for services, the Company measures and records an expense as of the earlier of the date at which either: a commitment for performance by the non-employee has been reached or the non-employee’s performance is complete. The equity instruments are measured at the current fair value, and for stock options, the instruments are measured at fair value using the Black Scholes option model.

The following methodology and assumptions were used to calculate share-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:

	2021							2020
	Non Plan			2018 Plan				Non Plan				2018 Plan
Risk free interest rate		1.73	%		0.93	–	1.73%		0.66	–	1.02%		0.64	–	1.90%
Expected volatility		124	%		121	–	124%		129	-	131%		126	–	133%
Expected dividend yield		—				—				—				—
Forfeiture rate		—				—				—				—
Life in years		10				10				10				10

Expected price volatility is the measure by which our stock price is expected to fluctuate during the expected term of an option. Expected volatility is derived from the historical daily change in the market price of our common stock, as we believe that historical volatility is the best indicator of future volatility.

The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes calculation is based on the prevailing U.S. Treasury yield as determined by the U.S. Federal Reserve. We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

Historically, we have not had significant forfeitures of unvested stock options granted to employees and Directors. A significant number of our stock option grants are fully vested at issuance or have short vesting provisions. Therefore, we have estimated the forfeiture rate of our outstanding stock options as zero.

Warrant Policy [Policy Text Block]

Warrants

Warrants issued with our convertible promissory notes, note payables, line of credit are accounted for under the fair value and relative fair value method.

The warrant is first analyzed per its terms as to whether it has derivative features or not. If the warrant is determined to be a derivative and not qualify for equity treatment, then it is measured at fair value using the Black Scholes option model, and recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The warrant is re-measured at its then current fair value at each subsequent reporting date (it is “marked-to-market”).

If the warrant is determined to not have derivative features, it is recorded into equity at its fair value using the Black Scholes option model, however, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the convertible note.

Convertible debt instruments are recorded at fair value, limited to a relative fair value based upon the percentage of its fair value to the total fair value including the fair value of the warrant. Further, the convertible debt instrument is examined for any intrinsic beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) of which the conversion price is less than the closing common stock price on date of issuance. If the relative fair value method is used to value the convertible debt instrument and there is an intrinsic BCF, a further analysis is undertaken of the BCF using an effective conversion price which assumes the conversion price is the relative fair value divided by the number of shares the convertible debt is converted into by its terms. The BCF value is accounted for as equity.

The warrant and BCF relative fair values are also recorded as a discount to the convertible promissory notes. At present, these equity features of the convertible promissory notes have recorded a discount to the convertible notes that is substantially equal to the proceeds received.

Non Cash Transactions [Policy Text Block]

Non-Cash Transactions

We have established a policy relative to the methodology to determine the value assigned to each intangible we acquire, and/or services or products received for non-cash consideration of our common stock. The value is based on the market price of our common stock issued as consideration, at the date of the agreement of each transaction or when the service is rendered, or product is received.

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contacts with Customers”. The guidance focuses on the core principle for revenue recognition, which is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, the guidance provides that an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Products sold a through a contract with the customer and written purchase order, in which the details of the contract are defined including the transaction price and method of shipment. The only performance obligation is to create and ship the product and each product has separate pricing. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when the goods are shipped if the agreement is FOB manufacturer, and when goods are delivered if FOB destination. Revenue is recognized with a reduction for sales discounts, as appropriate and negotiated in the customer’s purchase order.

Service contracts are performed through a written contract, which specifies the performance obligations and the rate at which the services will be billed, typically by time and materials. Each service is separately negotiated and priced. Revenue is recognized as services are performed and completed, or, for services related to product installations, at the completion of the installation. A few contracts have called for milestone or fixed cost payments, where we invoice an agreed-to amount per month for the life of the contract. In these instances, completed work, billed hourly, is recognized as revenue. If the billing amount is greater or lesser than the completed work, a receivable or payable is created. These accounts are adjusted upon additional billings as the work is completed. To date, there have been no discounts or other financing terms for the contracts.

In the event that we generate revenues from royalties or license fees from our intellectual property, we anticipate a licensee would pay a license fee in one or more installments and ongoing royalties based on their sales of products incorporating or using our licensed intellectual property. Upon entering into a licensing agreement, we will determine the appropriate method of recognizing the royalty and license fees.

Clyra also has certain distribution agreements that call for consigned inventory. Although the product is shipped to a third party, it is not revenue until that consigned inventory is sold to end user customer.

Government Grants [Policy Text Block]

Government Grants

We have been awarded multiple research grants from the Canadian National Research Institute – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The grants received are considered other income and are included in our consolidated statements of operations. We received our first grant in 2015 and have been awarded over 80 grants totaling over $3.7 million. Some of the funds from these grants are given directly to third parties (such as the University of Alberta or a third-party research scientist) to support research on our technology. The grants have terms generally ranging between nine and eighteen months and support a majority, but not all, of the related research budget costs. This cooperative research allows us to utilize (i) a depth of resources and talent to accomplish highly skilled work, (ii) financial aid to support research and development costs, (iii) independent and credible validation of our technical claims.

The grants typically provide for (i) recurring monthly amounts, (ii) reimbursement of costs for research talent for which we invoice to request payment, and (iii) ancillary cost reimbursement for research talent travel related costs. All awarded grants have specific requirements on how the money is spent, typically to employ researchers. None of the funds may be used for general administrative expenses or overhead in the United States. These grants have substantially increased our level of research and development activities in Canada. We continue to apply for Canadian government and agency grants to fund research and development activities. Not all of our grant applications have been awarded, and no assurance can be made that any pending grant application, or any future grant applications, will be awarded.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of asset and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax asset and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We account for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  Under GAAP, the tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date.  If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are recognized.  Management believes there are no unrecognized tax benefits or uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020.

The Company assessed its earnings history, trends and estimates of future earnings and determined that the deferred tax asset could not be realized as of September 30, 2021. Accordingly, a 100% valuation allowance was recorded against the net deferred tax asset.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense, should such an expense be realized.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes the carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments (excluding debt and equity instruments) as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, approximate their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Such instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, prepaid assets, accounts payable, lines of credit, and other assets and liabilities.

Tax Credits [Policy Text Block]

Tax Credits

Our research and development activities in Canada may entitle our Canadian subsidiary to claim benefits under the “Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program”, a Canadian federal tax incentive program designed to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada. Benefits under the program include credits to taxable income. If our Canadian subsidiary does not have taxable income in a reporting period, we instead receive a tax refund from the Canadian Revenue Authority. Those refunds are classified in Other Income on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block]

Leases

In accordance with ASC 842, the Company elects to use hindsight as a practical expedient with respect to determining the lease terms (as we considered our updated expectations of acceptance of the Westminster California facility lease renewal) and in assessing any impairment of right-of-use assets for existing leases. No impairment is expected at this time.  As of September 30, 2021, the right of use assets on our balance sheet related to our operating leases total $296,000.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-06, “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity”. For convertible instruments, the FASB decided to reduce the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. Limiting the accounting models results in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract as compared with current GAAP. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception from derivative accounting and (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in capital. The FASB decided to amend the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. The FASB observed that the application of the derivatives scope exception guidance results in accounting for some contracts as derivatives while accounting for economically similar contracts as equity. The FASB also decided to improve and amend the related EPS guidance. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities that meet the definition of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filer, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the effect on the Company’s financials if and when future convertible securities are issued. This Update does not affect the Company’s current financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No 2020-01, “Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815”. This Update relates to the Company’s equity method of accounting and the potential interactions between the measurement alternative in Topic 321 and the equity method of accounting in Topic 323 and that diverse views have emerged about the application of the measurement alternative and the equity method of accounting since the adoption of Update 2016-01.  The measurement alternative is the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, minus impairment, if any. Paragraph 321-10-35-2, as amended, states that if an entity identifies observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer, it should measure the equity security at fair value as of the date that the observable transaction occurred (hereinafter referred to as the measurement alternative). The amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. Management adopted the updates, and after evaluation, did not make any modifications to the financial statements.