Form 4: Datavault AI Director Sriram Peruvemba Receives Equity Compensation Grant

Datavault AI Inc. director Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba was granted 26,372 shares of common stock as compensation, vesting over three years.

Summary

• Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba, a Director of Datavault AI Inc. (DVLT), acquired 26,372 shares of common stock on June 25, 2025.
• These shares were received as compensation for his service on the company's board of directors, granted under the issuer's 2018 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.
• The shares were acquired at a price of $0, indicating they were granted as equity compensation rather than purchased.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Peruvemba beneficially owns a total of 120,362 shares of Datavault AI Inc. common stock.
• The 26,372 shares are scheduled to vest in equal installments quarterly, from September 20, 2025, through June 20, 2028, contingent on his continued service to the company.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of equity compensation to a director is a standard corporate governance practice that aligns the director's interests with shareholders. It's a neutral to slightly positive event as it indicates ongoing compensation and retention of a board member, without implying any immediate financial distress or significant strategic shift.

Positives

• The grant of 26,372 shares aligns the director's interests with those of shareholders, as the compensation is tied to the company's long-term performance through a vesting schedule.
• It demonstrates the company's commitment to its Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, utilizing equity to compensate and retain key personnel.

Risks

• The vesting of the granted shares is contingent upon the director's continued service to the issuer, meaning the shares could be forfeited if service ceases before full vesting.
• The value of the compensation is subject to the future market price fluctuations of Datavault AI Inc.'s common stock.

Future Outlook

The 26,372 shares granted to Director Peruvemba are scheduled to vest in equal installments quarterly, from September 20, 2025, to June 20, 2028, provided he remains in service to Datavault AI Inc.

Industry Context

This is a standard equity compensation practice for directors in publicly traded companies, common across various industries to align executive and board interests with shareholder value and promote long-term retention.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of equity as compensation for board service is a common practice among U.S. public companies, aligning director incentives with long-term shareholder value.
• The use of a multi-year vesting schedule (September 2025 to June 2028) is typical for long-term incentive plans, promoting retention and sustained performance focus, similar to practices seen in technology and AI companies like Palantir Technologies or C3.ai, which often use equity to compensate and retain key talent.
• The $0 price for the acquired shares is standard for compensation grants, distinguishing them from open market purchases.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The transaction involves a director (Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba) receiving compensation from the company (Datavault AI Inc.), which constitutes a related party transaction.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of shares as compensation dilutes existing shareholders slightly over time as shares vest, but also aims to align the director's interests with long-term shareholder value.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees mentioned, but it reflects the company's broader compensation philosophy which may include equity incentives.

Next Steps

• Continued service of Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba as a director of Datavault AI Inc.
• Quarterly vesting of the 26,372 LTIP shares from September 20, 2025, to June 20, 2028.

Key Dates

Keywords

Datavault AI Inc., DVLT, Sriram Krishnamurthy Peruvemba, Director Compensation, Equity Grant, SEC Form 4, Stock Incentive Plan, Long-Term Incentive Plan, Share Vesting, Insider Transaction