Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)

Registration No. 333-272603

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT    

(To the Prospectus dated June 21, 2023)

   

Duos Technologies Group, Inc.

 

          duostech

Up to $7,500,000

 

COMMON STOCK

We have entered into an ATM Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC (the “Sales Agent” or “ACM”) relating to the sale of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock bearing an aggregate offering price of up to $7,500,000 from time to time through or to ACM, acting as an agent or principal.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DUOT.” On May 16, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market was $2.75 per share.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we are subject to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, which limits the amounts that we may sell under the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part. As of March 22, 2024, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, or public float, was $23,914,525, based on 7,531,986 shares of common stock, of which 2,888,389 shares were held by affiliates, and a price of $5.15 per share, which was the price at which our common stock was last sold on Nasdaq on March 22, 2024. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell, pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, securities with a value exceeding one-third of the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates remains below $75.0 million. During the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus supplement, we have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3.

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made in sales deemed to be an "at the market offering" as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. ACM is not required to sell any specific amount of securities but will be acting as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between ACM and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

The compensation to ACM for sales of common stock sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement will be up to 3% of the gross proceeds of any shares of common stock sold under the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, ACM will be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of ACM will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to ACM with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any of our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors described in "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

ASCENDIANT CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is May 17, 2024.

 

 
 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT S-ii
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS S-iii
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY S-1
RISK FACTORS S-3
USE OF PROCEEDS S-5
DIVIDEND POLICY S-5
DILUTION S-5
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING S-6
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION S-6
LEGAL MATTERS S-7
EXPERTS S-7
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION S-8
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE S-8

 

Prospectus

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 1
THE COMPANY 3
RISK FACTORS 8
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 9
USE OF PROCEEDS 9
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 10
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 13
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 19
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS 20
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 21
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 22
LEGAL MATTERS 24
EXPERTS 24

 

  

S-i

 
 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus of Duos Technologies Group, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), form part of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272603) that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 12, 2023, as amended on June 20, 2023, and that was declared effective on June 21, 2023.

By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell an unspecified amount of securities from time to time. Under this prospectus supplement, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $7,500,000 from time to time through or to ACM acting as our agent or principal at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. The $7,500,000 of shares of our common stock that may be sold under this prospectus supplement are included in the $50,000,000 of shares of common stock that may be sold under the registration statement.

 

This prospectus supplement relates to the offering of our common stock. Before buying any of the common stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement, together with the information incorporated by reference as described under the heading "Incorporation of Documents by Reference." These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

This prospectus supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this prospectus supplement, on the one hand, and the information contained in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, on the other hand, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date – for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement – the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

We have not, and ACM has not, authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, any applicable prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We and ACM take no responsibility for and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and ACM is not, making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy our securities in any jurisdiction where an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, any applicable prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, and in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus supplement, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, any applicable prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision.

 

S-ii 

 
 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and any accompanying prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and include statements regarding, among other things, our projected revenue growth and profitability, our growth strategies and opportunity, anticipated trends in our market and our anticipated needs for working capital. They are generally identifiable by use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “we believe,” “we intend” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, prospective products, market acceptance, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, and the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings and financial results. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this prospectus supplement.

Examples of forward-looking statements in this prospectus include, but are not limited to, our expectations regarding our business strategy, business prospects, operating results, operating expenses, working capital, liquidity and capital expenditure requirements. Important assumptions relating to the forward-looking statements include, among others, assumptions regarding demand for our products, the cost, terms and availability of components, pricing levels, the timing and cost of capital expenditures, competitive conditions and general economic conditions. These statements are based on our management’s current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future events affecting us, which in turn are based on currently available information. These assumptions could prove inaccurate. They are subject to risks and uncertainties known and unknown that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Although we believe that the estimates and projections reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may prove to be incorrect.

You should read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and therein and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement is part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and any accompanying prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement. Because the risk factors referred to above, as well as the risk factors included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and those incorporated herein by reference, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and except as may be required under applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of the information presented in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference herein and therein, and particularly our forward-looking statements, by these cautionary statements.

S-iii

 
 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to invest in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section contained in this prospectus supplement and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Our Corporate History

 

Information Systems Associates, Inc. (“ISA”) was incorporated in Florida on May 31, 1994. Our original business operations consisted of consulting services for asset management of large corporate data centers and the development and licensing of information technology (“IT”) asset management software. In late 2014, ISA entered negotiations with Duos Technologies, Inc. (“duostech™”) for the purposes of executing a merger between the two organizations (also known as a “reverse triangular merger”). Incorporated under the laws of Florida on November 30, 1990, duostech™ operated in various industry segments, specializing in the design, development and deployment of proprietary technology applications and turn-key engineered systems. This transaction was completed on April 1, 2015, whereby duostech™ became a wholly owned subsidiary of ISA. After the merger was completed, ISA changed its corporate name to Duos Technologies Group, Inc. The Company, based in Jacksonville, Florida, oversees its wholly owned subsidiary, duostech™ and employs approximately 71 people and is a technology company which designs, develops, deploys and operates intelligent technology solutions with a focus on software applications and artificial intelligence (“AI”). The Company has a strong portfolio of intellectual property.

 

Overview

 

The Company, operating under its brand name duostech, develops and deploys technology systems with focus on inspecting and evaluating moving vehicles. Its technology focus is within the Vision Technology market sector and, more specifically, the Machine Vision subsector. Machine Vision companies provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for process control for industry with potential expansion into other markets. Duos has developed key technologies over the past several years in software, industry specific hardware and artificial intelligence and has demonstrated industrial strength usability of its systems supporting rail, logistics and intermodal businesses that streamline operations, improve safety and reduce costs. Our team includes engineering subject matter expertise in hardware, software, and information technology as well as industry specific applications of artificial intelligence also referred to as Expert Artificial Intelligence. We also have specific industry experts in the rail industry on staff and as consultants.

 

Duos is currently developing industry solutions for its target markets which will address rail, trucking, aviation and other vehicle-based processes. Duos’ initial offering, the Railcar Inspection Portal (RIP), provides both freight and transit railroad customers and select government agencies the ability to conduct fully remote railcar inspections of trains while they are moving at full speed. The RIP utilizes a variety of sophisticated optical, laser and speed sensors to scan each passing railcar to create a high-resolution image-set of the top, sides and undercarriage. These images are then processed with our edge data center using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to identify safety and security defects on each railcar. The algorithms are developed in conjunction with industrial application experts, in this case resident Railcar Mechanical Engineers, to provide specific guidance in the analysis (“human in the loop”). Within seconds of the railcar passing through the RIP, a detailed report is sent to the customer where they are able to take action on identified issues. This solution has the potential to transform the railroad industry immediately increasing safety, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The Company has already deployed this system with several Class 1 railroads and anticipates an increased demand from transit and other railroad customers along with selected government agencies that operate and/or manage rail traffic. The Company has deployed RIPs in Canada, Mexico and the United States and anticipates expanding this solution into Europe, Asia and the Middle East in coming years.

 

The Company has also developed the Automated Logistics Information System (ALIS) which automates gatehouse operations where transport trucks enter and exit large logistics and intermodal facilities. This solution incorporates a similar set of sensors, data processing and artificial intelligence to streamline the customer’s logistics transactions and tracking and can also automate the security and safety inspection if called for. The Company is evaluating other solutions for moving vehicles including aircraft, which could provide similar benefits in terms of safety and efficiency for required inspections as part of an operations process. The Company is not currently actively pursuing further customers for ALIS but will continue to analyze the potential market and expects to deploy an upgraded Truck Inspector Portal (TIP) which uses the same technology and lessons learned from ALIS and RIP systems at some point in the future.

 

S-1 
 

We have developed two proprietary solutions that operate our software and artificial intelligence. centraco® is an Enterprise Information Management Software platform that consolidates data and events from multiple sources into a unified and distributive user interface. Customized to the end user’s Concept of Operations (CONOPS), it provides improved situational awareness and data visualization for operational objectives compared to traditional manual inspections. truevue360is our fully integrated platform that we utilize to develop and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, including Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Object Detection and Deep Neural Network-based processing for real-time applications.

 

These same Artificial Intelligence applications have begun to open up other opportunities for the Company to provide revenue producing solutions with potentially high market adoption.

 

In 2021, the Company ended support of its IT Asset Management (ITAM) solution which cataloged results for data center asset inventory and audit services. We are currently evaluating using our current operations experience within “edge data centers” (as deployed for our Railcar Inspection Portal) to drive additional revenues within other markets requiring this type of solution although no specific offering has been developed at this time.

 

In the last quarter of 2022, the Company elected not to renew a support contract for its Integrated Correctional Automation System (iCAS) for one customer. The Company subsequently sold its iCAS assets to a buyer during the second quarter of 2023 for $165,000 via a convertible note.

 

The year 2022 ushered in a new phase in the Company’s development. Although we continue to see an extension of challenges faced in past years, we also see positive changes and opportunities for our business that will be discussed in greater detail herein. They include:

 

·Introducing a new “subscription” based offering for access to data and images by a much broader target market including Class 1 railroads, railcar owners and lessors, and short-line railroads.
·Owning and operating a network of RIPs with multiple subscribers outside of the Company’s traditional customer base.
·Selling customized RIPs to Class 1, short-line and other industrial companies where specialized applications or routes demand a bespoke solution.

The Company’s strategy is to deliver operational and technical excellence to our customers, expand our RIP and ALIS solutions into current and new customers focused in the Rail, Logistics, and U.S. Government Sectors, offer both one-time equipment sales and capital lease pricing models, as well as a new "subscription" based pricing model, to customers that increases recurring revenue, grows backlog and improves profitability, responsibly grow the business both organically and through selective acquisitions, and promote a performance-based work force where employees enjoy their work and are incentivized to excel and remain with the Company.

 

Our principal executive office is located at 7660 Centurion Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida 32256, and our telephone number is (904) 296-2807. Our website address is www.duostechnologies.com. The information available on, or accessible through, our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and should not be relied upon.

For a further description of our business, financial condition, results of operations and other important information regarding us, we refer you to our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. For information on how to find copies of these documents, see “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference.”

Recent Developments

On April 3, 2024, the Company received aggregate proceeds of $250,000 related to the sale of 250 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price of $3.00 per share.

On April 23, 2024, the Company changed the name of its dormant subsidiary “Duos Technologies International, Inc.” to “Duos Edge AI, Inc.”

On April 23, 2024, a holder of our Series D Preferred Stock converted 225 shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 75,000 shares of Common Stock.

On April 30, 2024, two holders of our Series D Preferred Stock converted an aggregate of 350 shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 116,668 shares of Common Stock.

On May 7, 2024, a holder of our Series D Preferred Stock converted 75 shares of Series D Preferred Stock into 25,000 shares of Common Stock.

S-2 
 

The Offering

The following summary is provided solely for your convenience and is not intended to be complete. You should read the full text and more specific details contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. For a more detailed description of the common stock, see “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

  Issuer Duos Technologies Group, Inc.  
       
  Common stock offered by us Shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price up to $7,500,000  
       
     
  Plan of Distribution

"At the market offering" that may be made from time to time on The Nasdaq Capital Market or other market for common stock in the United States through or to ACM, as our sales agent or principal.  See "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus supplement.  
       
  Use of Proceeds We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes and working capital. See “Use of Proceeds” for further information.  
       
  Risk Factors See “Risk Factors” of this prospectus supplement and other information included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before investing in our securities.  
       
  NASDAQ Capital Market trading symbol  DUOT  
         

 

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks we are not presently aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In assessing these risks, you should also refer to the risk factors and other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, specifically including the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Three Months ended March 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on May 13, 2024 and the financial statements and related notes filed therewith.

Risks Relating to this Offering

 

If you purchase shares of our common stock sold in this offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of your shares. In addition, we may issue additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future, which may result in additional dilution to investors.

 

The price per share of our common stock being offered may be higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of 2,727,273 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $2.75 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 16, 2024, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $7,500,000, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, new investors in this offering would incur immediate dilution of $1.49 per share. For a more detailed discussion of the foregoing, see the section entitled “Dilution” below. To the extent outstanding stock options or warrants are exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. In addition, to the extent we need to raise additional capital in the future and we issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible or exchangeable for our common stock, our then existing stockholders may experience dilution and the new securities may have rights senior to those of our common stock offered in this offering.

 

S-3 
 

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

 

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. Our management might not apply our net proceeds in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline. 

 

The actual number of shares we will issue under the Sales Agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.

 

Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver instructions to ACM to sell shares of our common stock at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares that are sold through ACM after our instruction will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the market price of our common stock during the sales period, the limits we set with ACM in any instruction to sell shares, and the demand for our common stock during the sales period. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate during this offering, it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares that will be sold or the gross proceeds to be raised in connection with those sales.

 

The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.

 

Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

 

Future sales of our common stock could lower our stock price and dilute existing stockholders.

 

We may, in the future, sell additional shares of common stock in subsequent public or private offerings. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future sales and issuances of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. In addition, these sales may be dilutive to existing stockholders.

 

A large number of shares may be sold in the market following this offering, which may depress the market price of our common stock.

 

All of our shares of common stock sold in the offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. As a result, a substantial number of our shares of common stock may be sold in the public market following this offering, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. If there are more shares of common stock offered for sale than buyers are willing to purchase, then the market price of our common stock may decline to a market price at which buyers are willing to purchase the offered shares of common stock and sellers remain willing to sell the shares of common stock.

 

Our outstanding options, warrants and preferred stock and the availability for resale of the underlying shares may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

As of May 17, 2024, there were outstanding stock options to purchase 1,340,901 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $5.22 per share, warrants to purchase 44,644 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $7.70 per share and shares of preferred stock convertible into 5,048,003 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average conversion price of $3.00 per share. Our outstanding options, warrants and preferred stock could adversely affect our ability to obtain future financing or engage in certain mergers or other transactions, since the holders of options, warrants and preferred stock can be expected to exercise or convert them at a time when we may be able to obtain additional capital through a new offering of securities on terms more favorable to us than the terms of outstanding options, warrants or preferred stock. The issuance of shares upon the exercise or conversion of outstanding options, warrants or preferred stock will also dilute the ownership interests of our existing stockholders.

S-4 
 

The rights of the holders of common stock may be impaired by the potential issuance of preferred stock.

Our board of directors has the right, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting, dividend, conversion, liquidation or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power and equity interest of the holders of common stock, which could be issued with the right to more than one vote per share, and could be utilized as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change of control. The possible negative impact on takeover attempts could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Although we have no present intention to issue any shares of preferred stock or to create any new series of preferred stock, we may issue such shares in the future.

Because we do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our stock only if it appreciates in value.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our shares of common stock. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, for use in the operations and expansion of the business. As a result, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on factors the Board of Directors deems relevant, including, among others, our results of operations, financial condition and cash requirements, business prospects, and the terms of our financing arrangements, if any. Accordingly, realization of a gain on stockholders’ investments will depend on the appreciation of the price of our common stock. There is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate in value.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $7,500,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.

 

We expect to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital.

 

The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, for use in our business and therefore do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion.

DILUTION

 

If you purchase our securities in this offering, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per share of our common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing our net tangible assets (tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.

Our net tangible book value at March 31, 2024 was $5,440,786, or $0.74 per share, based on 7,315,318 shares of our common stock outstanding as of such date. After giving effect to the sale of our common stock in the aggregate value of $7,500,000 at an assumed offering price of $2.75 per share, the last reported sale price of our common stock on May 16, 2024, and after deducting offering commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value at March 31, 2024 would have been $12,668,286 or $1.26 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $0.52 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of ($1.49) per share to investors in this offering at the assigned public offering price. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:

Public offering price per share of common stock $    2.75 
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024 $    0.74 
Increase per share attributable to this offering $    0.52 
As adjusted net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024 after this offering $    1.26 
Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering $    (1.49)

 

S-5 
 

To the extent that outstanding options or warrants are exercised or shares of preferred stock are converted, or any additional options, warrants or other equity awards are granted and exercised or become vested or other issuances of shares of our common stock are made, you will experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of common stock or securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable into common stock, such issuance could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

The above information is based on 7,315,318 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, and excludes as of such date:

  4,266,334 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of all outstanding shares of our preferred stock;
     
  1,057,775 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options under our equity incentive plans at a weighted-average exercise price of $5.67 per share, with 105,133 additional shares reserved for future issuance under such plans;
     
  330,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options issued outside of our equity incentive plans at a weighted-average exercise price of $4.22 per share;
     
  44,644 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants with a weighted-average exercise price of $7.70 per share; and
     
  Up to 888,462 shares of our common stock issuable under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING

The material terms and provisions of our common stock are described under the captions "Description of Capital Stock" and "Common Stock" of the accompanying prospectus.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into an At-The-Market Issuance Sales Agreement with Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC, as Sales Agent, under which we may issue and sell over a period of time, and from time to time, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $7,500,000 through the Sales Agent acting as sales agent or directly to the Sales Agent acting as principal. This prospectus supplement relates to our ability to issue and sell over a period of time, and from time to time, shares of our common stock to or through the Sales Agent pursuant to the Sales Agreement. Sales of the shares to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate, if any, may be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on or through the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”), the trading market for our common stock, or any other trading market in the Unites States for our common stock, sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, directly to the Sales Agent as principal for its account in negotiated transactions at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. To the extent required by Regulation M, the Sales Agent acting as our sales agent will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement.

 

Upon written instructions from us, the Sales Agent will offer the shares of our common stock, subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, on a daily basis or as otherwise agreed upon by us and the Sales Agent. We will designate the maximum amount of shares of our common stock to be sold through the Sales Agent on a daily basis or otherwise determine such maximum amount together with the Sales Agent, subject to certain limitations set forth by the SEC. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Sales Agent will use commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the shares of our common stock so designated or determined. We may instruct the Sales Agent not to sell shares of our common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any such instruction. The Sales Agent may also sell our common stock in negotiated transactions with our prior approval. We or the Sales Agent may suspend the offering of shares of our common stock being made under the Sales Agreement upon proper notice to the other party.

 

S-6 
 

For their services as sales agent in connection with the sale of shares of our common stock that may be offered hereby, we will pay the Sales Agent an aggregate fee of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share for any shares sold through it acting as our sales agent. The remaining sales proceeds, after deducting any expenses payable by us and any transaction fees imposed by any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization in connection with the sales, will equal our net proceeds for the sale of such shares. We have agreed to reimburse the Sales Agent for certain of its expenses in an amount not to exceed $30,000, and, thereafter, reasonable fees and expenses of the Sales Agent’s incurred in conjunction of performing legal services related to the Sales Agreement for the Company.

 

The Sales Agent will provide written confirmation to us no later than the opening of the trading day immediately following the day in which shares of common stock are sold by it on our behalf under the Sales Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on that day, the compensation payable by us to the Sales Agent and the proceeds to us net of such compensation.

 

Settlement for sales of our common stock will occur, unless the parties agree otherwise, on the second business day (or such earlier day as is industry standard for regular-way trading) following the date on which any sales were made in return for payment of the proceeds to us net of compensation paid by us to the Sales Agent. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Unless otherwise required, we will report at least quarterly the number of shares of common stock sold through the Sales Agent under the Sales Agreement, the net proceeds to us and the compensation paid by us to the Sales Agent in connection with the sales of common stock.

 

In connection with the sale of common stock on our behalf, the Sales Agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to it will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed, under the Sales Agreement, to provide indemnification and contribution to the Sales Agent against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

In the ordinary course of its business, the Sales Agent and/or its affiliates may perform investment banking, broker-dealer, financial advisory or other services for us for which it may receive separate fees.

 

We estimate that the total expenses from this offering payable by us, excluding compensation payable to the Sales Agent under the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $47,500. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, we agreed to reimburse the Sales Agent for the reasonable fees and expenses of its legal counsel incurred in connection with quarterly and annual bring-downs required under the Sales Agreement in an amount not to exceed $2,500 in the aggregate for each such bring-down.

 

The offering of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earliest of (1) the sale of shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of $7,500,000 subject to the Sales Agreement, (2) May 17, 2026 and (3) the termination of the Sales Agreement, pursuant to its terms, by either the Sales Agent or us.

 

The Company and the Sales Agent may in the future agree to add one or more additional sales agents to the offering, in which case the Company will file a further prospectus supplement providing the name of such additional sales agents and any other required information.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Shutts & Bowen LLP, Miami, Florida. ACM is being represented in connection with this offering by Clyde Snow & Sessions, P.C., Salt Lake City, Utah.

EXPERTS

The consolidated balance sheets of Duos Technologies Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years then ended have been audited by Salberg & Company, P.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein (by reference) in reliance on the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

S-7 
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, and do not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete, and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document.

Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We also maintain a web site at www.duostechnologies.com, through which you can access our SEC filings. The information set forth on our web site is not part of this prospectus supplement.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” certain information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings (other than information in current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offering of the common stock covered by this prospectus supplement (Commission File No. 333-272603):

  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024;
     
  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Three Months ended March 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on May 13, 2024;
     
  our Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 7, 2023;
     
 

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2024, April 2, 2024, April 5, 2024 and April 30, 2024; and

 

  a description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating such description.

 

This prospectus supplement may contain information that updates, modifies or is contrary to information in one or more of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Reports we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus supplement may also contain information that updates, modifies or is contrary to information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Investors should review these reports as they may disclose a change in our business, prospects, financial condition or other affairs after the date of this prospectus supplement.

Our website is www.duostechnologies.com. Our website contains links to our filings available on the SEC website. We will also provide electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon written or oral request. The information available on or through our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and should not be relied upon. You may request and obtain a copy of these filings or any filings subsequently incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or phone number:

Duos Technologies Group, Inc.

7660 Centurion Parkway, Suite 100

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

(904) 296-2807

Attn: Adrian G. Goldfarb, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

S-8 
 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

DUOS TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

 

$50,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

——————————

 

We may offer and sell up to $50 million in the aggregate of the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered.

 

Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices, and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

 

We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers, and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers, or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 8 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.

 

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DUOT”. On June 7, 2023, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market was $5.32 per share.

 

The aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates is $23,409,399 based on 7,169,339 shares issued and 7,168,015 shares of outstanding common stock, of which 2,767,752 are held by affiliates, and a price of $5.32 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on June 7, 2023. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell our common stock in a public primary offering with a value that exceeds more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period so long as our public float remains below $75,000,000. We have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6. of Form S-3 during the prior 12 calendar month period that ends on and includes the date of this prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is June 21, 2023.

 

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS 1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 1
THE COMPANY 3
RISK FACTORS 8
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 9
USE OF PROCEEDS 9
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK 10
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES 13
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS 19
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS 20
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS 21
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 22
LEGAL MATTERS 24
EXPERTS 24

 

 

 

 
 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $50 million as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

When we refer to “Duos,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean Duos Technologies Group, Inc., unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the holders of the applicable series of securities.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Available Information

 

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Information filed with the SEC by us can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

 

Our website address is https://www.duostechnologies.com. The information on our website, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. or through the SEC’s website, as provided above.

 

Incorporation by Reference

 

The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.

 

 

1 
 

We incorporate by reference our documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the “Exchange Act” in this prospectus, after the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement as well as on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or related exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

 

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

  ·

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.

 

  ·

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2023.

 

  · Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 3, 2023March 29, 2023 and May 19, 2023.
     
  · The description of our Common Stock contained in Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022, and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description.
     

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

 

For purposes of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits, unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in the documents) by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Duos Technologies Group, Inc.

7660 Centurion Parkway, Suite 100

Jacksonville, Florida 32256

(904) 294-2807

 

Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

 

2 
 

THE COMPANY

 

Overview

 

The Company, operating under its brand name duostech, develops and deploys technology systems with focus on inspecting and evaluating moving vehicles. Its technology focus is within the Vision Technology market sector and, more specifically, the Machine Vision subsector. Machine Vision companies provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for process control for industry with potential expansion into other markets. Duos has developed key technologies over the past several years in software, industry specific hardware and artificial intelligence and has demonstrated industrial strength usability of its systems supporting rail, logistics and intermodal businesses that streamline operations, improve safety and reduce costs. Our team includes engineering subject matter expertise in hardware, software, and information technology as well as industry specific applications of artificial intelligence also referred to as Expert Artificial Intelligence. We also have specific industry experts on staff and as consultants in the rail industry.

 

Duos is currently developing industry solutions for its target markets which will address rail, trucking, aviation and other vehicle-based processes. Duos’ initial offering, the Railcar Inspection Portal (RIP), provides both freight and transit railroad customers and select government agencies the ability to conduct fully automated railcar inspections of trains while they are moving at full speed. The RIP utilizes a variety of sophisticated optical, laser and speed sensors to scan each passing railcar to create a high-resolution image-set of the top, sides and undercarriage. These images are then processed with our edge data center using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to identify safety and security defects on each railcar. The algorithms are developed in conjunction with industrial application experts, in this case resident Railcar Mechanical Engineers, to provide specific guidance in the analysis (“human in the loop”). Within minutes of the railcar passing through the RIP, a detailed report is sent to the customer where they are able to action identified issues. This solution has the potential to transform the railroad industry by increasing safety, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The Company has already deployed this system with several Class 1 railroads and anticipates an increased demand from transit and other railroad customers along with selected government agencies that operate and/or manage rail traffic. The Company has deployed RIPs in Canada, Mexico and the United States and anticipates expanding this solution into Europe, Asia and the Middle East in coming years.

 

The Company has also developed the Automated Logistics Information System (ALIS) which automates gatehouse operations where transport trucks enter and exit large logistics and intermodal facilities. This solution incorporates a similar set of sensors, data processing and artificial intelligence to streamline the customer’s logistics transactions and tracking and can also automate the security and safety inspection if called for. The Company has already deployed this system with one large North American retailer and anticipates increased demand from other large retailers, railroad intermodal operators and select government agencies that manage logistics and border crossing points. The Company is evaluating other solutions for moving vehicles including aircraft, which could provide similar benefits in terms of safety and efficiency for required inspections as part of an operations process.

 

We have developed two proprietary solutions that operate our software and artificial intelligence. centraco® is an Enterprise Information Management Software platform that consolidates data and events from multiple sources into a unified and distributive user interface. Customized to the end user’s Concept of Operations (CONOPS), it provides improved situational awareness and data visualization for operational objectives compared to traditional manual inspections. truevue360is our fully integrated platform that we utilize to develop and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, including Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Object Detection and Deep Neural Network-based processing for real-time applications.

 

These same Artificial Intelligence applications have begun to open up other opportunities for the Company to provide revenue producing solutions with potentially high market adoption.

 

In 2021, the Company ended support of its IT Asset Management (ITAM) solution which cataloged results for data center asset inventory and audit services. We are currently evaluating using our current operations experience within “edge data centers” (as deployed for our Railcar Inspection Portal) to drive additional revenues within other markets requiring this type of solution although no specific offering has been developed at this time.

 

In the last quarter of 2022, the Company elected not to renew a support contract for its Integrated Correctional Automation System (iCAS) for one customer. The Company is currently looking to sell the assets related to that business but due to the limited nature of this business, any impact is not expected to be material.

 

 

3 
 

The year 2022 ushered in a new phase in the Company’s development. Although we continue to see an extension of challenges faced in 2021, we also see positive changes and opportunities for our business that will be discussed in greater detail herein. They include:

 

  · Introducing a new “subscription” based offering for access to data and images by a much broader target market including Class 1 railroads, railcar owners and lessors, and short-line railroads.

 

  · Owning and operating a network of RIPs with multiple subscribers outside of the Company’s traditional customer base.

 

  · Selling customized RIPs to Class 1, short-line and other industrial companies where specialized applications or routes demand a bespoke solution.

  

duostech™

  

Railcar Inspection Portal (rip®)

 

Federal regulations require each railcar/train to be inspected for mechanical defects prior to leaving a rail yard. Founded in 1934, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) is responsible for setting the standards for the safety and productivity of the U.S./North American freight rail industry, and by extension, has established the inspection parameters for the rail industry’s rolling stock. Also known as the “Why Made” codes, the AAR established approximately 110 inspection points under its guidelines for mechanical inspections.

 

Under current practice, inspections are conducted manually, a very labor intensive and inefficient process that only covers a select number of inspection points and can take several hours per train. We believe our Railcar Inspection Portal has the potential to reduce this inspection to minutes while the train is moving at speed, improving safety, reducing dwell time and optimizing maintenance.

 

Our system combines high-definition image and data capture technologies with our AI-based analytics applications that are typically installed on active tracks located between two rail yards. We inspect railcars traveling through our inspection portal at speeds of up to 70 mph and report mechanical anomalies detected by our system to the inbound train yard, well ahead of the train entering the yard.

 

Currently, three Class 1 railroads and several transit and international railroads use our rip® technology with one of those railroads broadly deploying the technology across its network.

 

The Company continues to expand its detection capabilities through the development and integration of additional sensor technologies to include laser, infrared, thermal, sound and x-ray to process AI-based analytics of inspection points. Currently the Company has a high-reliability catalog of over 35 artificial intelligence algorithms which can be integrated into the RIP to enhance mechanical anomalies detections. These detections support railroads in the active maintenance and overall safety of their railcar fleet and networks.

 

Markets

 

We believe the opportunity for our Railcar Inspection Portal business is substantial and continues to be our number one priority. We are currently engaged with the RIP solution with three of seven Class 1 railroad operators with 13 systems already deployed across the North American rail network. Because of our early leadership position, we have been able to accumulate experience and intellectual property that we believe would be time consuming and expensive for a new competitor to replicate. Furthermore, we believe we have the ability to upgrade and scale our solutions with additional technologies in the future. We believe that the current market for our technologies is substantial. At the same time, we recognize that the technology life cycle is fast and evolving. Potential competitors could move into this sector, and it is possible that some Class 1 railroads could develop their own solutions that limit our total addressable market.

 

In late 2022, the Company announced it will pursue a subscription platform for the RIPs. Under this new model, the Company will build, own and operate its RIP product and offer the data access for each portal to potential customers. This expansion of the RIP offering would potentially open up the addressable market to other railroads, railcar owners, and car lessors. This shift increases the pool of potential customers by lowering the entry point for the RIP and would reshape the Company’s working capital needs to invest in the construction of a RIP ahead of customer revenue inflows. The Company continues to explore this expansion on the long-term effects it may have on future cash flows.

 

 

4 
 

Another market we are pursuing as our second priority is using our Automated Logistics and Information Systems solution (alis). Potential customers include commercial retail logistics and intermodal operators, Class 1 rail intermodal operators that are moving large amounts of automobiles, and U.S. Government agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Today, we currently have 20 production systems in use, but we believe the greenfield opportunity here to be substantial. We have identified over 900 lanes of traffic within nearly 300 facilities as potential business opportunities in the near-term.

 

Currently, we are focused on the North American market, but plan to expand globally in the future with interest from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

The Company holds a number of patents and trademarks for our technology solutions. We protect our intellectual property rights by relying on federal, state, and common law rights, as well as contractual restrictions. We control access to our proprietary technology by entering into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with all of our employees and contractors, and confidentiality agreements with third parties. We also actively engage in monitoring activities with respect to infringing uses of our intellectual property by third parties.

 

Specific Areas of Competition

 

One of our primary commercial goals is to develop innovative technology solutions and target potential “greenfield” market spaces in order to maximize our business footprint and give us the ability to help define the market parameters for the future.

 

Other companies that participate in the visual and optical (laser) based railcar inspection systems market include Wabtec (Beena Vision), KLD Labs, WID, IEM, and Camlin Rail. Some Class 1 railroads have stated that they are developing “in-house” solutions. We believe that Duos has a significant competitive advantage in that we have multiple years of deployment experience, have access to millions of images where our RIP has performed scans with AI analysis and in-house industry expertise to train our systems and make identification of common problems more automated.

 

Our Automated Logistics Information System (ALIS) also represents an opportunity to expand into a mature market that we believe has a significant technology gap.  While most facilities, such as distribution centers, that process commercial trucks in and out have sophisticated software management applications for logistics control, they have most often not implemented an advanced gatehouse automation solution. Historically, this category was referred to as “Automated Gate Systems” or AGS.  The purpose of AGS technology is to streamline entry in to and exit out of facilities.  The marketplace for this was mostly seaports and intermodal transfer facilities and was relatively expensive technology to deploy. 

 

Our Growth Strategy

 

Vision

 

The Company designs, develops, deploys and operates intelligent technology solutions for inspecting and evaluating moving objects. Its technology application focus is within the rail and intermodal markets which offers imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for process control for industry with potential expansion into other markets.

 

Objectives

 

  · Improve our operational and technical execution, customer satisfaction and implementation speed.

  

  · Expand Rail Inspection Portal and Automated Logistics Information System with current and future customers in Rail, Logistics and U.S. Government sectors.

 

  · Offer both CAPEX (one-time sale) and Subscription pricing models that seek to increase recurring revenue and improve profitability.

 

  · Form strategic partnerships that improve market access and credibility.

 

  · Improve policy, processes, and toolsets to become a viable platform for internal growth and for mergers and acquisitions.

 

  · Thoughtfully execute mergers and acquisitions to expand offerings and/or capabilities.
     
·Promote a performance-based work force where employees enjoy their work and are incentivized to excel and innovate.

 

 

5 
 

 

Organic Growth

 

Our organic growth strategy is to continue our focus and prioritization in the rail, logistics and intermodal market space. In this regard, the Company has made significant changes in the senior management team to include a new Chief Executive Officer, who joined the Company in September 2020 and has years of experience successfully leading start-up and turn-around companies. In addition, a key account executive from one of duos’ competitors has joined the executive team during late 2022 as the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing to support the continued revenue growth of the business and brings with him over 20 years of sales experience focused in the rail market. In 2021, the Company also hired a new Chief Technology Officer bringing 25 years of experience in designing and delivering value driven technologies. Our new CTO has already led the team through instrumental changes to its approach to software and artificial intelligence development. The team also saw a change in CFO in late 2022 with the new CFO bringing significant experience in growth for asset-intensive businesses which aligns with the subscription format the Company will expand into.

 

The new leadership team’s focus is to improve operational and technical execution which will in turn enable the commercial side of the business to expand RIP and ALIS delivery into existing and new customers. Even though supply chain issues are expected to continue through 2023, the Company’s primary customers have indicated readiness to order more equipment and services based upon the Company’s current performance and the new subscription offerings expands the universe of potential customers.

 

Additionally, the CEO has directed that the Company make continual engineering and software upgrades to the RIP to meet anticipated Federal Railroad Association (FRA) and Association of American Railroad (AAR) standards.

 

Manufacturing and Assembly

 

The Company designs and develops technology solutions using a combination of in-house fabrication, commercial off-the-shelf technology, and outsourced manufacturing. On-site installations are performed using a combination of in-house project managers and engineers and using third-party sub-contractors as needed. Throughout the process of design, develop, deploy and operate, the Company maintains responsibility for all aspects. Our internal manufacturing operations consist primarily of materials procurement, assembly, testing and quality control by our engineers. If not manufactured internally, we use third-party manufacturing partners to produce our hardware related components and hardware products and we most often complete final assembly, testing and quality control processes for these components and products. Our manufacturing processes are based on standardization of components across product types, centralization of assembly and distribution centers, and a “build-to-order” methodology in which products generally are built only after customers have placed firm orders. For most of our hardware products, we have existing alternate sources of supply.

 

For 2023 and possibly beyond, we expect to face significant challenges with macro-economic impacts, specifically inflation and supply chain disruption. Although these started to be identified in late 2021, we believe they continue to manifest themselves in ways that could challenge our business growth in the future. Specifically, the ability to source key components and certain implementation services will dictate just how quickly the Company can meet desired installation deadlines. In the industries in which we operate, the time from concept to contract can be substantial. Although we are now adapting to these challenges, previous bids that have been submitted could be challenging to execute within the financial framework and execution times originally envisaged. We continue to have dialogue with our customers regarding potential price increases and implementation delays, but we may suffer some economic impacts as a result of this. Revenue recognition could be delayed as a result of these factors and profitability could be impacted due to higher costs for materials and other services. The Company will continue to monitor the situation and update shareholders as the situation unfolds.

 

Research and Development

 

The Company’s R&D and software development teams design and develop all systems and software applications with a combination of full-time in-house software engineers and outside contractors. Internal development allows us to maintain technical control over the design and development of our products. Rapid technological advances in hardware and software development, evolving standards in computer hardware and software technology, and changing customer requirements characterize the markets in which we compete. We plan to continue to dedicate significant resources to research and development efforts, including software development, to maintain and improve our current product and services offerings.

 

 

6 
 

 

Government Regulations

 

The Company has worked with various agencies of the federal government for more than 10 years including the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). When our solutions have been deployed into these agencies, they meet specific requirements for certification, safety and security that are stipulated in requirements and contract documents. The Company is currently competing for other government related work and strictly follows the rules and regulations outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

 

The Company’s primary customers are all governed by regulations related to the safe and effective transportation of goods, primarily by rail, but in future scenarios by air, road and sea. While changes in the regulatory environment could impact the Company in future years, we believe any changes will be overall positive for the Company. We continuously review potential changes in the regulatory environment and maintain contact with key personnel at certain agencies including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Transportation Safety Agency (TSA) as well as the DHS previously mentioned. We expect to develop similar relationships with governmental agencies in target markets both in the US and internationally. At this time, we believe our offerings are complementary to the current and evolving standards and that we will adapt to any new regulations as they are promulgated.

 

Employees

 

We have a current staff of 75 employees, of which 67 are full-time, the majority of which work in the Jacksonville area, none of which are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We have not experienced any work stoppages and we consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

 

Recent Developments

 

As previously reported, on May 16, 2023 the Company held its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Certain matters were approved at the meeting including election of Board members, the issuance of shares of common stock upon conversion of shares of Series D Preferred Stock, approval of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and ratification of the auditors.

 

Our Corporate History

 

Information Systems Associates, Inc. (“ISA”) was incorporated in Florida on May 31, 1994. Our original business operations consisted of consulting services for asset management of large corporate data centers and the development and licensing of information technology (“IT”) asset management software. In late 2014, ISA entered negotiations with Duos Technologies, Inc. (“duostech™”) for the purposes of executing a merger between the two organizations (also known as a “reverse triangular merger”). Incorporated under the laws of Florida on November 30, 1990, duostech™ operated in various industry segments, specializing in the design, development and deployment of proprietary technology applications and turn-key engineered systems. This transaction was completed on April 1, 2015, whereby duostech™ became a wholly owned subsidiary of ISA. After the merger was completed, ISA changed its corporate name to Duos Technologies Group, Inc. The Company, based in Jacksonville, Florida, oversees its wholly owned subsidiary, duostech™ and employs approximately 75 people and is a technology company which designs, develops, deploys and operates intelligent technology solutions with a focus on software applications and artificial intelligence (“AI”). The Company has a strong portfolio of intellectual property. The Company’s headquarters are located at 7660 Centurion Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida 32256 and main telephone number is (904) 296-2807.

 

 

7 
 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2023, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

 

8 
 

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, principally in the sections entitled “Risk Factors.” All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should,” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from what is expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

 

9 
 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which have been publicly filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.001 per share. As of May 31, 2023, there were 7,169,339 shares of our common stock issued and 7,168,015 shares outstanding held by 292 holders of record. We currently have (i) 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock authorized of which 0 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding; (ii) 15,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock authorized of which 0 shares of Series B Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding; (iii) 5,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock authorized of which 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding; (ii) 4,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock authorized of which 1,299 shares of Series D Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding; (iv) 30,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock authorized of which 4,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding; and (v) 9,446,000 shares of undesignated “blank check” preferred stock.

 

Common Stock

 

Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to one vote in the election of each director and on all other matters voted on generally by our stockholders. No share of our common stock affords any cumulative voting rights. This means that the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares voting for the election of directors can elect all directors to be elected if they choose to do so.

 

Holders of our common stock will be entitled to dividends in such amounts and at such times as our Board of Directors in its discretion may declare out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. We currently do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future dividends will be paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including:

 

  · general business conditions;
     
  · industry practice;
     
  · our financial condition and performance;
     
  · our future prospects;
     
  · our cash needs and capital investment plans;
     
  · our obligations to holders of any preferred stock we may issue;
     
  · income tax consequences; and
     
  · the restrictions Florida and other applicable laws and our credit arrangements may impose, from time to time.

 

If we liquidate or dissolve our business, the holders of our common stock will share ratably in all our assets that are available for distribution to our stockholders after our creditors are paid in full and the holders of all series of our outstanding preferred stock, if any, receive their liquidation preferences in full.

 

Our common stock has no preemptive rights and is not convertible or redeemable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund.

 

10 
 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company has 10,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock par value $0.001 per share, which have five series. As of June 9, 2023, the Series A Preferred Stock has 0 shares issued and outstanding, the Series B Preferred Stock has 0 shares issued and outstanding, the Series C Preferred Stock has 0 shares issued and outstanding, the Series D Preferred Stock has 1,299 shares issued and outstanding, and the Series E Preferred Stock has 4,000 shares issued and outstanding.

 

Our Board has the authority, within the limitations and restrictions in our certificate of incorporation, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of any series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control without further action by the stockholders. The issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock. In some circumstances, this issuance could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

 

Undesignated preferred stock may enable our Board to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. For example, any shares of preferred stock issued may rank senior to the common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of common stock. As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase shares of preferred stock, may discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal or bids for our common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any existing preferred stock.

 

Series A Preferred Stock

 

Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 1.59 shares of common stock, and is senior to any other class or series of capital stock of the Company. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of common stock on an as-converted basis on all matters on which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote.

 

There are currently 0 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

Series B Preferred Stock

 

Each share of the Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into 143 shares of common stock. Holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of common stock on an as-converted basis (subject to the applicable beneficial ownership limitation) on all matters on which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote.

 

There are currently 0 shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

Series C Preferred Stock

 

Each share of the Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into 182 shares of common stock. Holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall have 172 votes (subject to the applicable beneficial ownership limitation) for each share of Series C Preferred Stock and shall vote together with the holders of common stock on all matters on which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote.

 

There are currently 0 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

Series D Preferred Stock

 

Each share of the Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into 333 shares of common stock. Holders of Series D Preferred Stock shall have 333 votes (subject to the applicable beneficial ownership limitation) for each share of Series D Preferred Stock, and shall vote together with the holders of common stock on all matters on which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote.

 

There are currently 1,299 shares of Series D Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

Series E Preferred Stock

 

Each share of the Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into 333 shares of common stock. Holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall have 333 votes (subject to the applicable beneficial ownership limitation) for each share of Series E Preferred Stock, and shall vote together with the holders of common stock on all matters on which holders of the common stock are entitled to vote.

 

There are currently 4,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock outstanding.

 

 

11 
 

Options and Warrants

 

As of June 9, 2023, there are 924,658 outstanding options to purchase shares of our common stock. The weighted average exercise price of these options is $5.73, the average term when issued was five years and the average term remaining is three years.

 

As of June 9, 2023, there are warrants outstanding to purchase 80,091 shares of our common stock of which none are subject to full ratchet price protection on the exercise price. The warrants are exercisable for a term of five years with a weighted average remaining term of one year and a weighted average exercise price of $8.53.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Florida Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions

 

Certain provisions of Florida law and our Charter and bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, may discourage certain types of takeover practices and takeover bids, and encourage persons seeking to acquire control of our company to first negotiate with us. We believe that the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweighs the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because, among other things, negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Florida Law

 

As a Florida corporation, we are subject to certain anti-takeover provisions that apply to public corporations under Florida law.

 

Pursuant to Section 607.0901 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, or the FBCA, a publicly held Florida corporation may not engage in a broad range of business combinations or other extraordinary corporate transactions with an interested shareholder without the approval of the holders of two-thirds of the voting shares of the corporation (excluding shares held by the interested shareholder), unless:

 

The transaction is approved by a majority of disinterested directors before the shareholder becomes an interested shareholder;

 

The interested shareholder has owned at least 80% of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares for at least five years preceding the announcement date of any such business combination;

 

The interested shareholder is the beneficial owner of at least 90% of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, exclusive of shares acquired directly from the corporation in a transaction not approved by a majority of the disinterested directors; or

 

The consideration paid to the holders of the corporation’s voting stock is at least equal to certain fair price criteria.

 

An interested shareholder is defined as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns more than 10% of a corporation’s outstanding voting shares. We have not made an election in our amended Articles of Incorporation to opt out of Section 607.0901.

 

In addition, we are subject to Section 607.0902 of the FBCA which prohibits the voting of shares in a publicly held Florida corporation that are acquired in a control share acquisition unless (i) our Board of Directors approved such acquisition prior to its consummation or (ii) after such acquisition, in lieu of prior approval by our Board of Directors, the holders of a majority of the corporation’s voting shares, exclusive of shares owned by officers of the corporation, employee directors or the acquiring party, approve the granting of voting rights as to the shares acquired in the control share acquisition. A control share acquisition is defined as an acquisition that immediately thereafter entitles the acquiring party to 20% or more of the total voting power in an election of directors.

 

The NASDAQ Capital Market Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “DUOT”.

 

Transfer Agent

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company located at 1 State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004.

 

 

12 
 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

General

 

The debt securities that we may offer by this prospectus consist of notes, debentures, or other evidence of indebtedness. The debt securities may constitute either senior or subordinated debt securities, and in either case may be either secured or unsecured. Any debt securities that we offer, and sell will be our direct obligations. Debt securities may be issued in one or more series. All debt securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a series of debt securities may be reopened, with the required consent of the holders of outstanding debt securities, for issuance of additional debt securities of that series or to establish additional terms of that series of debt securities (with such additional terms applicable only to unissued or additional debt securities of that series). The form of indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and is subject to any amendments or supplements that we may enter into with the trustee(s), however, we may issue debt securities not subject to the indenture provided such terms of debt securities are not otherwise required to be set forth in the indenture. The material terms of the indenture are summarized below and we refer you to the indenture for a detailed description of these material terms. Additional or different provisions that are applicable to a particular series of debt securities will, if material, be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities of that series. These provisions may include, among other things and to the extent applicable, the following:

 

  · the title of the debt securities, including, as applicable, whether the debt securities will be issued as senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and any subordination provisions particular to the series of debt securities;
  · any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
  · whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured;
  · if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount, the percentage of the aggregate principal amount at which we will sell the debt securities, such as an original issuance discount;
  · the date or dates, whether fixed or extendable, on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
  · the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which we will pay any such interest, the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and, in the case of registered securities, the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable;
  · the place or places where the principal of and any premium or interest on the debt securities will be payable and where the debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange;
  · whether we may, at our option, redeem the debt securities, and if so, the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
  · if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date thereof or provable in bankruptcy, or, if applicable, which is convertible or exchangeable;
  · any obligation we may have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the price or prices at which, the currency in which and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation, and any provision for the remarketing of the debt securities;
  · the issuance of debt securities as registered securities or unregistered securities or both, and the rights of the holders of the debt securities to exchange unregistered securities for registered securities, or vice versa, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges, if permitted, may be made;
  · the denominations, which may be in United States Dollars or in any foreign currency, in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;
  · whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities, and if so, the form of the debt securities (or forms thereof if unregistered and registered securities are issuable in that series), including the legends required by law or as we deem necessary or appropriate, the form of any coupons or temporary global security which may be issued and the forms of any other certificates which may be required under the indenture or which we may require in connection with the offering, sale, delivery or exchange of the debt securities;
       

 

13 
 

 

  · if other than United States Dollars, the currency or currencies in which payments of principal, interest and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities will be denominated, payable, redeemable or repurchasable, as the case may be;
  · whether the debt securities may be issuable in tranches;
  · the obligations, if any, we may have to permit the conversion or exchange of the debt securities into common stock, preferred stock or other capital stock or property, or a combination thereof, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange will be effected (including conversion price or exchange ratio), and any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged;
  · if other than the trustee under the indenture, any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the debt securities;
  · any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default with respect to the debt securities or the right of the Trustee or the holders of the debt securities in connection with events of default;
  · any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants with respect to the debt securities;
  · if the amount of payments of principal of, and make-whole amount, if any, and interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amount will be determined;
  · whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the global form of one or more debt securities and, if so, the depositary for such debt securities, the circumstances under which any such debt security may be exchanged for debt securities registered in the name of, and under which any transfer of debt securities may be registered in the name of, any person other than such depositary or its nominee, and any other provisions regarding such debt securities;
  · whether, under what circumstances and the currency in which, we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities to any holder of the debt securities who is not a United States person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem such debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts, and the terms of any such option;
  · whether the debt securities will be secured by any collateral and, if so, a general description of the collateral and the terms of any related security, pledge or other agreements;
  · the persons to whom any interest on the debt securities will be payable, if other than the registered holders thereof on the regular record date therefor; and
  · any other material terms or conditions upon which the debt securities will be issued.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, and interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, then the payment will be made on the next business day without additional interest and with the same effect as if it were made on the originally scheduled date. “Business day” means any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in New York, New York, and on which the trustee and commercial banks are open for business in New York, New York.

 

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, each series of our senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment and be subordinate to all of our unsubordinated debt.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities under the indenture. We may act as paying agent under the indenture.

 

The prospectus supplement will contain a description of United States federal income tax consequences relating to the debt securities, to the extent applicable.

 

Covenants

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any covenants, such as restrictive covenants restricting us or our subsidiaries, if any, from incurring, issuing, assuming or guarantying any indebtedness or restricting us or our subsidiaries, if any, from paying dividends or acquiring any of our or its capital stock.

 

 

14 
 

Consolidation, Merger and Transfer of Assets

 

The indenture permits a consolidation or merger between us and another entity and/or the sale, conveyance or lease by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets, provided that:

 

  · the resulting or acquiring entity, if other than us, is organized and existing under the laws of a United States jurisdiction and assumes all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the covenants in the indenture;
  · immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture exists; and
  · we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the transaction and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent to the transaction contained in the indenture have been satisfied.

 

If we consolidate or merge with or into any other entity, or sell or lease all or substantially all of our assets in compliance with the terms and conditions of the indenture, the resulting or acquiring entity will be substituted for us in the indenture and the debt securities with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture and the debt securities. As a result, such successor entity may exercise our rights and powers under the indenture and the debt securities, in our name and, except in the case of a lease, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and under the debt securities.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may transfer all of our property and assets to another entity if, immediately after giving effect to the transfer, such entity is our wholly owned subsidiary. The term “wholly owned subsidiary” means any subsidiary in which we and/or our other wholly owned subsidiaries, if any, own all of the outstanding capital stock.

 

Modification and Waiver

 

Under the indenture, some of our rights and obligations and some of the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. However, the following modifications and amendments will not be effective against any holder without its consent:

 

  · a change in the stated maturity date of any payment of principal or interest;
  · a reduction in the principal amount of or interest on any debt securities;
  · an alteration or impairment of any right to convert at the rate or upon the terms provided in the indenture;
  · a change in the currency in which any payment on the debt securities is payable;
  · an impairment of a holder’s right to sue us for the enforcement of payments due on the debt securities; or
  · a reduction in the percentage of outstanding debt securities required to consent to a modification or amendment of the indenture or required to consent to a waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults under the indenture.

 

Under the indenture, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may, on behalf of all holders of the debt securities:

 

  · waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture; and
  · waive any past default under the indenture in accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture, except a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any series of debt securities.

 

Events of Default

 

Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, “event of default” under the indenture will mean, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

  · failure to pay interest on any debt security for 30 days after the payment is due;
  · failure to pay the principal of any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;
  · failure on our part to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement in the indenture that applies to the debt securities for 90 days after we have received written notice of the failure to perform in the manner specified in the indenture; and
  · certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

 

 

15 
 

Remedies Upon an Event of Default

 

If an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities to be due and payable immediately, except that, if the event of default is caused by certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the entire principal of all of the debt securities of such series will become due and payable immediately without any act on the part of the trustee or holders of the debt securities. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration.

 

The indenture requires us to furnish to the trustee not less often than annually, a certificate from our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, as the case may be, as to such officer’s knowledge of our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except defaults in the payment of principal of or interest on any debt securities if the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in the best interests of the holders. For purposes of this paragraph, “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an event of default under the indenture.

 

The trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders of debt securities, unless the holders offer the trustee satisfactory security or indemnity. If satisfactory security or indemnity is provided, then, subject to other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities may direct the time, method and place of:

 

  · conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or
  · exercising any trust or power conferred upon the trustee.

 

The holder of a debt security will have the right to begin any proceeding with respect to the indenture or for any remedy only if:

 

  · the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;
  · the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have made a written request of, and offered reasonable indemnity to, the trustee to begin such proceeding;
  · the trustee has not started such proceeding within 60 days after receiving the request; and
  · no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee under the indenture.

 

However, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute right to receive payment of principal of and interest on the debt security when due and to institute suit to enforce this payment.

 

 

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Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if at any time,

 

  · we have paid the principal of and interest on all the debt securities of any series, except for debt securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid in accordance with the indenture, as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or
  · we have delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of any series theretofore authenticated, except for debt securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in the indenture, or
  · all the debt securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or are by their terms are to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and we have deposited with the trustee, in trust, sufficient money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, to pay the principal, any interest and any other sums due on the debt securities, on the dates the payments are due or become due under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities,

 

then the indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of such series, except for:

 

  · rights of registration of transfer and exchange, and our right of optional redemption;
  · substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;
  · rights of holders to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration) and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any;
  · the rights, obligations and immunities of the trustee under the indenture; and
  · the rights of the holders of such series of debt securities as beneficiaries thereof with respect to the property so deposited with the trustee payable to all or any of them.

 

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to any debt securities of any series either:

 

  · to defease and be discharged from all of our obligations with respect to such debt securities (“defeasance”), with certain exceptions described below; or
  · to be released from our obligations with respect to such debt securities under such covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to such debt securities (“covenant defeasance”).

 

We must comply with the following conditions before the defeasance or covenant defeasance can be effected:

 

  · we must irrevocably deposit with the indenture trustee or other qualifying trustee, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the trustee, trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, sufficient money or government obligations, or a combination thereof, to pay the principal, any interest and any other sums on the due dates for those payments; and
  · we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, to be effected with respect to such debt securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, had not occurred.

 

In connection with defeasance, any irrevocable trust agreement contemplated by the indenture must include, among other things, provision for:

 

  · payment of the principal of and interest on such debt securities, if any, appertaining thereto when due (by redemption, sinking fund payments or otherwise),
  · the payment of the expenses of the trustee incurred or to be incurred in connection with carrying out such trust provisions,
  · rights of registration, transfer, substitution and exchange of such debt securities in accordance with the terms stated in the indenture, and
  · continuation of the rights, obligations and immunities of the trustee as against the holders of such debt securities as stated in the indenture.

 

The accompanying prospectus supplement may further describe any provisions permitting or restricting defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.

 

Global Securities

 

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security offered by this prospectus will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities representing all or part of that series of debt securities. This means that we will not issue certificates for that series of debt securities to the holders. Instead, a global debt security representing that series will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a securities depositary and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. Any such depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

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Notices

 

We will give notices to holders of the debt securities by mail at the addresses listed in the security register. In the case of notice in respect of unregistered securities or coupon securities, we may give notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in New York, New York.

 

Governing Law

 

The particular terms of a series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities. Any indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and may be supplemented or amended from time to time following their execution. Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will not be limited in the amount of debt securities that we may issue, and neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of our property or assets. Thus, by owning debt securities, you are one of our unsecured creditors.

 

Regarding the Trustee

 

From time to time, we may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee to be appointed under the indenture or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may offer to sell warrants from time to time. If we do so, we will describe the specific terms of the warrants in a prospectus supplement. In particular, we may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. We may also issue warrants independently or together with other securities and the warrants may be attached to or separate from those securities.

 

We will evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We will enter into the warrant agreement with a warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of the warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

 

  · the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
  · the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
  · if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
  · if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
  · in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
  · in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
  · the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;
  · the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
  · any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
  · the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
  · the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;
  · certain United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;
  · the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
  · any other specific material terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

Holders may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with other requested information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.

 

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If a holder exercises fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants.

 

Holder will not have any of the rights of the holders of the securities purchasable upon the exercise of warrants until you exercise them. Accordingly, holder will not be entitled to, among other things, vote or receive dividend payments or similar distributions on the securities you can purchase upon exercise of the warrants.

 

The information provided above is only a summary of the terms under which we may offer warrants for sale. Accordingly, investors must carefully review the applicable warrant agreement for more information about the specific terms and conditions of these warrants before investing in us. In addition, please carefully review the information provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, which contains additional information that is important for you to consider in evaluating an investment in our securities.

 

  

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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

 

We may issue rights to our stockholders to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock described in this prospectus. We may offer rights separately or together with one or more additional rights, preferred stock, common stock, warrants or any combination of those securities in the form of units, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent. The rights agent for any rights we offer will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of the series of certificates and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the rights to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the rights so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the rights, rights agreement or rights certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described below, then the terms described below will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable rights agreement and rights certificate for additional information before you decide whether to purchase any of our rights.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:

 

  · the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
     
  · the aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;
     
  · the exercise price;
     
  · the aggregate number of rights issued;
     
  · whether the rights are transferrable and the date, if any, on and after which the rights may be separately transferred;
     
  · the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the right to exercise the rights will expire;
     
  · the method by which holders of rights will be entitled to exercise;
     
  · the conditions to the completion of the offering;
     
  · the withdrawal, termination and cancellation rights;
     
  · whether there are any backstop or standby purchaser or purchasers and the terms of their commitment;
     
  · whether stockholders are entitled to any oversubscription right;
     
  · any U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
     
  · any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.

 

If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering.

 

 

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units consisting of any combination of the other types of securities offered under this prospectus in one or more series. We may evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we will issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into unit agreements with a unit agent. We will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of units.

 

The following description, together with the additional information included in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the general features of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. You should read any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you related to the series of units being offered, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units. Specific unit agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and we will file as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from another report that we file with the SEC, the form of each unit agreement relating to units offered under this prospectus.

 

If we offer any units, certain terms of that series of units will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, the following, as applicable:

 

  · the title of the series of units;
     
  · identification and description of the separate constituent securities comprising the units;
     
  · the price or prices at which the units will be issued;
     
  · the date, if any, on and after which the constituent securities comprising the units will be separately transferable;
     
  · a discussion of certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units; and
     
  · any other terms of the units and their constituent securities.

 

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods or through underwriters or dealers, through agents and/or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:

 

  · at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
     
  · at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
     
  · at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
     
  · at negotiated prices.

 

Each time that we sell securities covered by this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the method of distribution and set forth the terms and conditions of the offering of such securities, including the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us, if applicable.

 

Offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus may be solicited directly. Agents may also be designated to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be identified in a prospectus supplement.

 

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, the securities will be sold to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

 

If an underwriter is utilized in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter at the time of sale and the name of any underwriter will be provided in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

 

Any compensation paid to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

 

Any common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, but any other securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

 

 

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We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

 

We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above might have on the price of the securities. In addition, we do not make any representation that underwriters will engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

To comply with applicable state securities laws, the securities offered by this prospectus will be sold, if necessary, in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, securities may not be sold in some states unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

 

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

 

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

Shutts & Bowen LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Duos Technologies Group, Inc. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

EXPERTS

 

Our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of those two years have been audited by Salberg & Company, P.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report incorporated by reference and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

 

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