The increase in research and development costs relates to payments made under its product development agreement as new milestones were met. The increase in other operating expenses consists primarily of rent expense and moving costs after the sale of the building, an increase in insurance related to D&O insurance and travel and entertainment and trade show costs reflecting expanded sales and marketing efforts.
Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, includes $315,000 related to a consulting agreement with an advisor and director and $400,000 related to the issuance of a share of Series B Preferred stock to the Company’s CEO. Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2022, includes $461,900 related to third-party agreements for financial and strategic advisory services, $25,000 for director’s fees, and $10,000 for shares of Series A preferred stock issued to the Company’s CEO as compensation.
Other expense decreased by $1,288,667 primarily due to the 2023 gain on the sale of the Company’s building of $1,193,676 and 2022 loss on extinguishment of debt of $1,079,800, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $102,083, accrued penalties of $409,000 for convertible notes payable in default and losses associated with derivative liabilities of $355,597. The increase in interest expense reflects $263,476 related to the valuation of certain trigger warrants for matured convertible notes payable.
As a result of the foregoing, we recorded a net loss of $2,641,246 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of $3,468,500 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in net loss is primarily attributed to the decrease in other expense and increased gross profit, partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.
COVID-19 may impact our business.
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” and on March 11, 2020, declared it to be a pandemic. Actions taken around the world to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 include restrictions on travel, and quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. COVID-19, and actions taken to mitigate it, have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on the economies and financial markets of many countries, including the geographical areas in which we operate. While it is unknown how long these conditions will last and what the complete financial effect will be to the Company, COVID-19 may have an adverse effect on our business. While we are taking diligent steps to mitigate any possible disruptions to our business, we are unable to predict the extent or nature of these impacts, at this time, on our future financial condition and results of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $280,721, reflecting cash used in operations of $1,417,393, and cash used in financing activities of $608,211, partially offset by proceeds from financing activities of $1,744,883. At December 31, 2023, the Company had a working capital deficit of $2,907,369 and cash on hand of $87,704.
Operating Activities
Cash flows used in operating activities totaled $1,417,393 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to cash flows used of $773,337 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The change in cash flows used in operating activities is primarily the result of an increase in inventory purchases and accrued liabilities, decreases in accounts payable and customer deposits, as well as an increase in the loss from operations.
Investing Activities
Cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $1,744,883 related to $1,894,588 of gross proceeds from the sale of the Company’s building before payment of the outstanding long-term bank debt secured by the building. Investing activities for the year ended December 31,2023 also included capital expenditures totaling $149,705 for production tooling. There were no investing activities in the 2022 period.
Financing Activities
Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $608,211 for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $758,592 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The cash flows used in the 2023 period are primarily the result of the $522,401 repayment of the long-term bank debt related to the building as part of the March 2023 sale and convertible notes payable payments totaling $85,985.