Form 4: Datavault AI Director Receives 250,000 Share Grant

Director Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba was awarded 250,000 shares of Datavault AI Inc. as compensation for board service.

Summary

• Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba, a director at Datavault AI Inc., received a grant of 250,000 shares of common stock on April 20, 2026.
• The shares were issued at a price of $0.00 as part of the company's 2018 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan (LTIP).
• Following this transaction, the reporting person's total direct ownership in the company increased to 581,565 shares.
• The grant is subject to a quarterly vesting schedule that begins in September 2026 and concludes in September 2029.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as slightly positive due to increased insider ownership and long-term vesting, though it is a routine compensation event.

Positives

• Significant increase in director's equity stake, aligning management interests with those of shareholders.
• The three-year vesting period encourages long-term commitment from the director.
• Total beneficial ownership for this director increased by approximately 75%.

Negatives

• The issuance of 250,000 new shares results in minor dilution for existing shareholders.
• The shares were granted at no cost to the director, representing a non-cash compensation expense.

Risks

• Vesting is contingent upon the director's continued service through September 2029; early departure would result in forfeiture of unvested shares.

Future Outlook

The director is incentivized to remain with the company through late 2029 to fully realize the value of the equity grant, suggesting a stable board composition for the near term.

Management Comments

• The shares were received as compensation for the reporting person's service as a member of the issuer's board of directors pursuant to the issuer's 2018 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that equity-heavy compensation for directors is standard in the technology and AI sectors to preserve cash while ensuring board members have 'skin in the game' regarding long-term stock performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of a 3-year vesting period is consistent with industry standards for mid-cap technology firms.
• Quarterly vesting schedules are a common practice to provide incremental liquidity and retention incentives compared to annual cliffs.
• The grant size is typical for non-executive directors in the AI software industry.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of 250,000 shares to Director Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba constitutes a related party transaction as part of director compensation.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Experience minor dilution of approximately 250,000 shares.
• Directors: Increased personal wealth tied directly to company stock performance.

Next Steps

• First vesting installment occurs on September 20, 2026.
• Subsequent vesting installments will occur every March 20, June 20, September 20, and December 20 through 2029.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This is a routine compensation filing that does not change the underlying fundamentals of the company, though it confirms director commitment.

Keywords

Datavault AI, DVLT, Insider Trading, Director Compensation, Stock Grant, LTIP, Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba, Equity Incentive