IZEA Worldwide, Inc. 8-K

What Happened

• IZEA Worldwide, Inc. announced on May 15, 2026 that it entered into an agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. under which Ladenburg is authorized to purchase the Company’s common stock on IZEA’s behalf. Purchases may begin May 18, 2026 and will terminate on the earliest of November 13, 2026, when the authorized shares are repurchased, or upon certain other events. The plan authorizes up to $8.6 million of repurchases and was adopted under the safe harbors of Rule 10b5‑1 and Rule 10b‑18.

Key Details

• Counterparty: Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.
• Authorized repurchase amount: up to $8.6 million (the remainder of a previously disclosed repurchase program)
• Purchase window: may commence May 18, 2026 and ends at the earliest of November 13, 2026 or earlier if repurchases complete or other triggering events occur
• Execution: purchases may occur from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices management deems appropriate

Why It Matters

• This agreement restarts IZEA’s share buyback activity and gives the company flexibility to repurchase shares over a defined window, which can reduce outstanding shares and potentially support per‑share metrics.
• The program is implemented via a Rule 10b5‑1 plan to allow purchases during periods when insiders may otherwise be restricted, reducing legal risk around timing.
• Investors should note the program’s size ($8.6M) relative to IZEA’s cash position and outstanding shares (not specified in this filing) when assessing potential impact; actual repurchases will depend on market conditions and may end before the November 2026 date.