Form 4: Director Jeffrey Gilbert Receives 250,000 Share Grant

Datavault AI Inc. director Jeffrey M. Gilbert has been awarded 250,000 shares of common stock as compensation for board service, vesting over a three-year period.

Summary

• Jeffrey M. Gilbert, a Director of Datavault AI Inc., was granted 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, Gilbert's total direct ownership in the company increased to 581,566 shares.
• The grant is scheduled to vest in equal quarterly installments beginning September 20, 2026, and concluding September 20, 2029.

Sentiment

Score: 6

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

Positives

• Strengthens alignment between board members and shareholders through equity-based compensation.
• The three-year vesting schedule encourages long-term commitment and retention of the director.
• Significant increase in the director's total beneficial ownership, rising from 331,566 to 581,566 shares.

Negatives

• The issuance of 250,000 new shares results in minor dilution for existing shareholders.
• The shares were granted as compensation rather than purchased on the open market, showing no immediate cash outlay by the insider.

Risks

• Vesting is contingent upon the director's continued service through 2029; any early departure would result in the forfeiture of unvested shares.
• The ultimate value of the compensation is tied to the market price of DVLT, which may be subject to high volatility common in the AI sector.

Future Outlook

The director is expected to remain with the company through at least September 2029 to fully realize the value of the equity grant, which vests in equal installments every March, June, September, and December.

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 a standard practice among growth-stage AI companies to preserve cash while ensuring leadership is incentivized to drive long-term share price appreciation.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The 3-year vesting period is consistent with industry standards for non-executive director grants in the technology sector.
• The use of a 2018 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan aligns with practices at peer companies like C3.ai and Palantir, which utilize similar equity structures for board retention.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Issuance of equity compensation to a member of the Board of Directors.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Experience minor dilution from the issuance of new shares.
• Management/Board: Jeffrey Gilbert increases his financial stake in the company's success.

Next Steps

• First vesting installment occurs on September 20, 2026.
• Subsequent quarterly vesting installments will continue through September 20, 2029.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This is a routine administrative filing regarding director compensation. While it shows insider commitment, it does not represent a change in company fundamentals or a market-based purchase that would typically trigger a buy signal.

Keywords

Datavault AI, DVLT, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, Equity Grant, LTIP, Jeffrey Gilbert, Stock Vesting