Commitments and Contingencies |
9 Months Ended |
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Jan. 31, 2026 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
From time to time, in the normal course of business, the Company is subject to claims and legal proceedings. Ligation is inherently unpredictable, and the Company’s assessments may change as matters progress. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred and records a liability for contingent losses when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonable estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any matter, if material, could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Abraham Gomez Matter
On February 24, 2026, Abraham Gomez, an individual, filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Tulare, captioned Abraham Gomez v. CEA Industries, Inc., et al., (Case No. VCU331863), against the Company and Hans Thomas, a director of the Company. The complaint asserts various claims against the defendants, including claims for fraud, promissory estoppel, quantum meruit and unjust enrichment, arising from alleged investment-related discussions and alleged services purportedly performed for the benefit of the Company. The plaintiff seeks damages, including compensatory damages according to proof (which the complaint alleges exceed approximately $2.75 million), together with interest, attorneys’ fees, costs and other relief. As of March 13, 2026, the Company has not yet filed its response to the complaint but intends to defend the action vigorously. At this preliminary stage of the matter, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, that may result from the proceeding.
Optima Consulting Services, LLC Matter
On or about April 17, 2024, Optima Consulting Services, LLC (the “Claimant”), a client of the Company under an equipment and engineering contract, notified the Company of a potential claim and demanded mediation. On or about October 28, 2024, Claimant asserted claims for negligent/defective design and breach of warranty, alleging damages exceeding $2.0 million. The Company denied the claims, believing it satisfied all contractual obligations and that any issues were attributable to Claimant and/or third parties. The matter was mediated under the AAA process. Effective May 9, 2025, the parties entered into a settlement agreement under which all claims were resolved for a payment of $0.3 million by the Company. This settlement payment was funded by the Company’s insurance coverage, except for $35 thousand representing the deductibles, which was paid by the Company.
Sweet Cut Grow, LLC and Green Ice, LLC Matter
On October 20, 2023, Sweet Cut Grow, LLC and Green Ice, LLC (collectively, “Claimant”), clients of the Company under an equipment contract and engineering contract, filed a demand for arbitration asserting claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment, and seeking $1.0 million in damages, plus interest. The Company denies the claims and has asserted a counterclaim. The Company believes it fulfilled all its contractual obligations and that any alleged issues related to the negligence of a third-party supplier.
The parties are required to arbitrate under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitration is expected to be heard in Denver, Colorado, in 2026 unless resolved earlier. The matter is currently in the discovery phase, and the parties are engaged in active settlement discussions. Legal fees will be borne by each party. In light of ongoing negotiations and the likelihood of settlement, the Company has accrued an estimate of $0.4 million to warranty expense.
Canadian Payroll Taxes
We have estimated approximately $0.2 million of potential liability related to Canadian payroll tax matters for the period from 2020-2025. Other than this matter, no additional losses or provisions for loss contingency have been recorded to date.
As discussed in Note 11 – Related Party Notes Payable and Related Party Convertible Note Payable above, any tax liability assessed in connection with this matter will reduce the repayment amount of the related vendor note to the former owners of Fat Panda on a dollar for dollar basis.
Leases
The Company has 36 agreements to lease retail space, office and manufacturing space in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, Canada. The total square footage of these facilities is approximately 49,076.
The Company also has a lease agreement for its manufacturing and office space in Louisville, CO. The total square footage of the facility is 11,491. Refer to Note 5 – Leases above.
Other Commitments
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into commitments to purchase inventory and may also provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements, services to be provided by the Company, or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers and employees that will require the Company to, among other things, indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors, officers, or employees. The Company maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify its directors and certain of its officers and employees, and former officers, directors, and employees of acquired companies, in certain circumstances.
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