8-K: Peraso Appoints Kevin Liu as Interim CFO

Peraso Inc. announced the appointment of Kevin Liu as its interim Chief Financial Officer, effective November 18, 2026, succeeding CEO Ronald Glibbery in the role.

Summary

• Peraso Inc. has appointed Kevin D. Liu as its interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and principal financial and accounting officer, effective November 18, 2026.
• Mr. Liu succeeds CEO Ronald Glibbery, who has served as interim CFO since October 2, 2026, and will continue as CEO.
• Mr. Liu brings over a decade of experience in investor relations and sell-side equity research, previously serving as founder and CEO of K. Liu & Company LLC.
• He will provide services as a fractional CFO on a consulting basis, dedicating approximately 24 hours per week.
• K. Liu & Company LLC will receive a monthly fee of $12,500 plus reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses.
• Mr. Liu is not eligible for Peraso's employee benefit plans.
• The consulting agreement was approved by the compensation committee and ratified by the Board on November 11, 2026.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a neutral to slightly positive development, primarily due to the appointment of an experienced professional to a critical role, though the interim nature and consulting arrangement suggest a temporary solution.

Positives

• Appointment of Kevin Liu, an experienced investor relations professional with a background in equity research, to the critical interim CFO role.
• Mr. Liu has prior experience working with Peraso through his consulting firm, suggesting familiarity with the company's business.
• The CEO, Ronald Glibbery, can now fully focus on his role as Chief Executive Officer.
• The company has secured services through a consulting agreement, providing flexibility.
• Mr. Liu is a CFA charterholder, indicating a strong financial background.

Negatives

• The CFO role is designated as 'interim', suggesting a potentially temporary solution and ongoing search for a permanent CFO.
• Mr. Liu will serve as a non-employee independent contractor, meaning he will not participate in employee benefit plans.
• The company previously paid K. Liu & Company LLC $5,000 monthly for research coverage, indicating a prior financial relationship that has now transitioned to a higher-cost CFO role.
• The consulting arrangement involves a fixed monthly fee of $12,500, which could be a significant expense for a company.

Risks

• The interim nature of the CFO appointment may indicate underlying issues or a lack of suitable permanent candidates.
• Reliance on a fractional CFO might limit the depth of financial oversight and strategic integration compared to a full-time executive.
• Potential for conflicts of interest, although the filing states no such arrangements exist, given Mr. Liu's prior research coverage of the company.

Future Outlook

The filing does not contain specific forward-looking statements or guidance related to financial performance. The focus is on the executive appointment and the terms of the consulting agreement.

Management Comments

• "I am excited to welcome Kevin to Peraso. He brings a deep knowledge of our business built over years of working closely with our team."
• "His experience navigating the capital markets is highly complementary to the strong finance team already in place and will be invaluable as we execute against our growth initiatives."

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that the appointment of an interim CFO, especially one with a background in investor relations and equity research, is a common strategy for companies seeking experienced financial leadership without an immediate permanent commitment. This can be particularly relevant for smaller public companies navigating capital markets and investor communications.

Management Changes

Related Party Transactions

• K. Liu & Company LLC, founded and led by Kevin Liu, provided company-sponsored research coverage of Peraso Inc. from June 2022 to October 2026 under an agreement with a monthly fee of $5,000. The company paid $60,000 in 2024 and 2025, and $50,000 in 2026 under this prior agreement.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The appointment of an interim CFO with relevant experience may provide some reassurance, but the interim nature could also signal ongoing challenges in securing permanent leadership.
• Employees: The finance team will work under new interim leadership, with potential adjustments to reporting structures and processes.
• Creditors/Suppliers: The company's financial operations will continue under the oversight of an interim CFO, with no immediate indication of impact on payment terms.

Next Steps

• Kevin Liu to assume duties as interim CFO effective November 18, 2026.
• K. Liu & Company LLC to provide consulting services as per the agreement.
• Company to continue operations with Ronald Glibbery as CEO and Secretary, and Kevin Liu as interim CFO.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing details a routine executive appointment for an interim role. While the appointee has relevant experience, the interim status and consulting arrangement do not provide strong signals for a significant shift in the company's valuation or future performance. Therefore, a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate pending further developments or a permanent CFO appointment.

Keywords

Interim CFO, Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Liu, Peraso Inc., Consulting Agreement, Investor Relations, Financial Consulting, Corporate Governance