---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-114118"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DVLT"
cik: "0001682149"
company_name: "Datavault AI Inc."
filed_at: "2026-10-06T21:17:28+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-12T16:08:23.141068+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.35
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Datavault AI names Christopher Hardt to board as Robert Tobias resigns after NYIAX deal

## Summary
- Robert Tobias resigned from the board effective 11:59 p.m. Oct 2, 2026, tied to the NYIAX acquisition; he served 2+ years and chaired the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee.
- Christopher Hardt, ex-PwC audit partner (2000-2021) and CFO of Abri SPAC 2 (Nasdaq: ASPP), was appointed Oct 2, 2026, designated by NYIAX under the March 18, 2026 merger agreement.
- Hardt receives $60,000/year board cash plus $2,500 for Audit Committee service and a 125,000-share restricted stock award vesting 50% in two quarterly tranches.
- Directors resigning in a change-of-control get full equity vesting; 2+ year veterans get a one-year $72,000 advisory contract ($6,000/month) plus 120,000 restricted shares.
- Datavault AI closed its acquisition of NYIAX in August 2026; Hardt served on NYIAX's board from Sept 2025 to Feb 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-114118
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DVLT
- cik: 0001682149
- company_name: Datavault AI Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-10-06T21:17:28+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.35
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.35
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682149/000110465926114118/0001104659-26-114118-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682149/000110465926114118/tm2627137d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-114118
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-114118.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-114118.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Robert Tobias resigned as Director; Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at Datavault AI Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director; Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
  source text: On October 2, 2026, Robert Tobias tendered his resignation from the Board, effective as of 11:59 p.m. on such date. Mr. Tobias tendered his resignation in connection with the Company’s acquisition of NYIAX, which the Board determined to be a Triggering Transaction, to allow for the appointment of Christopher Hardt (as more fully described below) and not as a result of any disagreement with the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682149/000110465926114118/0001104659-26-114118-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher Hardt was appointed as Director at Datavault AI Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: Mr. Tobias tendered his resignation in connection with the Company’s acquisition of NYIAX, which the Board determined to be a Triggering Transaction, to allow for the appointment of Christopher Hardt (as more fully described below) and not as a result of any disagreement with the Company.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682149/000110465926114118/0001104659-26-114118-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.