Janine Grasso appointed interim CEO at Brand Engagement Network

WILMINGTON, Del. - Brand Engagement Network Inc. (NASDAQ:BNAI), a micro-cap technology company with a market capitalization of $14 million, has appointed Janine Grasso as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, replacing Paul Chang who will remain on the company’s Board of Directors. The leadership change comes as the company faces significant challenges, with its stock down over 90% in the past year according to InvestingPro data.

Grasso, who has served on BEN’s Board since February 2024 and most recently chaired its Compensation Committee, brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience to the role. She previously served as Head of the Global Partner Ecosystem at DocuSign through early 2025, Vice President of Business Development at Verizon from 2019 to 2023, and spent two decades at IBM where she was Vice President of Blockchain Ecosystem.

"BEN is operating from a position of strength, with world-class talent and a deep foundation in AI innovation," said Grasso in a statement released by the company.

The AI-powered customer engagement solutions provider also announced it has reduced its total liabilities by $4.25 million in the second quarter of 2025, which the company described as reflecting its "ongoing focus on operational discipline and long-term value creation." However, InvestingPro analysis reveals concerning financial metrics, including a weak current ratio of 0.13 and last twelve months revenue of just $0.06 million. InvestingPro subscribers have access to 13 additional key insights about BNAI’s financial health and valuation.

BEN further reported that its pending acquisition of Cataneo remains on track for completion later this summer, subject to customary approvals. According to the company, this acquisition is expected to enhance its platform capabilities and international presence.

The leadership change comes as BEN continues to develop its Agentic AI platform, which the company states is designed to unlock new value for customers and shareholders.

Based on a press release from Brand Engagement Network, the company currently holds 21 patents with 28 pending in the field of AI-driven consumer engagement. Despite its intellectual property portfolio, InvestingPro’s comprehensive analysis indicates the company is currently overvalued, with an overall Financial Health score rated as "Weak." For detailed insights and expert analysis on BNAI and 1,400+ other stocks, including exclusive Fair Value calculations and detailed financial metrics, explore InvestingPro’s Research Reports.

In other recent news, Brand Engagement Network Inc. reported a significant reduction in its total liabilities by $4.25 million during the second quarter. The company also secured a $3.5 million line of credit from Core Capital Partners, providing additional financial flexibility. Furthermore, Brand Engagement Network has received a 180-day extension from Nasdaq to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, which is crucial for maintaining its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In leadership changes, Janine Grasso has been appointed as the interim CEO, succeeding Paul Chang. Grasso brings over 20 years of experience in technology leadership roles, most recently serving as Head of the Global Partner Ecosystem at DocuSign. Additionally, the company announced its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held virtually on July 22, 2025. On the strategic front, Brand Engagement Network is preparing for the acquisition of Catanelle, a Germany-based media technology company, to enhance its ad tech capabilities. These developments are part of the company’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and strengthen its financial foundation.

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