UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For
the quarterly period ended
OR
For the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission
file number:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2700 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite 2301 Las Vegas, Nevada |
89109 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Former Address:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |
| ☒ | Smaller reporting company | |||
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes ☒
As of November 10, 2023, there were shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding.
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 1 |
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2023 (the “Quarterly Report”), includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which statements are subject to considerable risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical facts and can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those expressions. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to such statements.
Our forward-looking statements are based on our management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations about future events and trends, which affect or may affect our business, strategy, operations, financial performance or liquidity. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to us. Some of the risks and uncertainties that may impact our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following factors:
● our incursion of significant net losses and uncertainty whether we will achieve or maintain profitable operations;
● our ability to continue as a going concern;
● our ability to grow and compete in the future, which is dependent upon whether capital is available to us on favorable terms;
● our ability to maintain and expand our customer base and our ability to convince our customers to increase the use of our services and/or platform;
● the competitive market in which we operate;
● our ability to increase the number of our strategic relationships or grow the revenues received from our current strategic relationships;
● our ability to develop enhancements and new features to our existing service or acceptable new services that keep pace with technological developments;
● our ability to successfully launch new product platforms, including MARKET.live, the rate of adoption of these platforms and the revenue generated from these platforms;
● the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, which has had a sustained impact on our business, sales, results of operations and financial condition;
● our ability to deliver our services, as we depend on third party Internet providers;
● our ability to raise additional capital or borrow additional funds to fund our operations and execute our business strategy, and the impact of these transactions on our business and existing stockholders;
● our ability to attract and retain qualified management personnel;
● our ability to pay our debt obligations as they become due;
● our susceptibility to security breaches and other disruptions; and
● global economic, political, and social trends, including inflation, rising interest rates, and recessionary concerns.
The foregoing list may not include all of the risk factors that impact the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report. Our actual financial condition and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements as a result of various additional factors, including those discussed in the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “Annual Report”), as well as in the other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should read this Quarterly Report, and the other documents we file with the SEC, with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from the results expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.
We operate in an evolving environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual future results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law or the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, we undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement because of new information, future events or other factors.
We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
| 2 |
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 3 |
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Assets held for sale - current | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Assets held for sale – non-current | ||||||||
| Capitalized software development costs, net | ||||||||
| ERC receivable | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities related to assets held for sale | ||||||||
| Liabilities of discontinued operations | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Accrued officers’ salary | ||||||||
| Notes payable – related party, current | ||||||||
| Notes payable, current | ||||||||
| Convertible notes payable, current | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current | ||||||||
| Derivative liability | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Long-term liabilities | ||||||||
| Notes payable, non-current | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, non-current | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | ||||||||
| - | - | |||||||
| Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock | ||||||||
| - | - | |||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ||||||||
| Class A units, shares issued and authorized as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value, shares authorized, and shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
| 4 |
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss from continuing operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Financing costs | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Deemed dividend due to warrant reset | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss to common stockholders | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | ) | $ | ) | $ | ) | $ | ) | ||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | ||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
| 5 |
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023
| Class A Units | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of common stock from public offerings | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of vested restricted stock awards, stock options, and warrants | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deemed dividend due to warrant reset | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of shares for fractional adjustments related to reverse stock split | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued for settlement of accrued expenses and litigation | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued as payment on notes payable | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 |
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| Class A Units | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of common stock from public offering | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for commitment fee related to equity line of credit agreement | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock from option exercise | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued for services | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued to settle accrued expenses | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value of vested restricted stock awards, stock options and warrants | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
| 7 |
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | ||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities, net of discontinued operations: | ||||||||
| Share-based compensation | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt discount | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Finance costs | ||||||||
| Gain on lease termination | ( | ) | ||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment | ||||||||
| Effect of changes in assets and liabilities, net of discontinued operations: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued interest | ||||||||
| Deferred incentive compensation | ( | ) | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Capitalized software development costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Purchases of intangible assets | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities attributable to discontinued operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Financing Activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | ||||||||
| Proceeds from convertible notes payable | ||||||||
| Payment of convertible note payable – related party | ( | ) | ||||||
| Payment of notes payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Payment of convertible notes payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from option exercise | ||||||||
| Payment for debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities attributable to continuing operations | ||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities attributable to discontinued operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net change in cash | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash - beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash - end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
| 8 |
VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Our Business
References in this document to the “Company,” “Verb,” “we,” “us,” or “our” are intended to mean Verb Technology Company, Inc., individually, or as the context requires, collectively with its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Through June 13, 2023 of the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company operated three distinct lines of business through separate wholly owned subsidiaries. The first was Verb Direct, LLC, a sales Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) platform for the direct sales industry; the second was Verb Acquisition Co., LLC, which was a sales SaaS platform for the Life Sciences industry and sports teams; and the third is verbMarketplace, LLC, which operates MARKET.live, a multivendor social shopping platform for retailers, brands, manufacturers, creators, influencers and entrepreneurs who seek to participate in an open market-style eco-system environment.
Background
On April 12, 2019, the Company acquired Sound Concepts Inc. (“Sound Concepts”) through a merger into the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Verb Direct, LLC (“Verb Direct”).
On September 4, 2020, the Company acquired Ascend Certification, LLC, dba SoloFire (“SoloFire”) through a merger into the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Verb Acquisition Co., LLC (“Verb Acquisition”).
On October 18, 2021, the Company established verbMarketplace, LLC (“Market LLC”), a Nevada limited liability company. Market LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company established to operate the MARKET.live platform.
On
June 13, 2023, the Company disposed of all of its operating SaaS assets of Verb Direct and Verb Acquisition, (referred to collectively
as the “SaaS Assets”) pursuant to an asset purchase agreement in consideration of the sum of $
MARKET.live is akin to a virtual shopping mall, a centralized online destination where shoppers could explore hundreds, and over time thousands, of shoppable stores for their favorite brands, influencers, creators and celebrities, all of whom can host livestream shopping events from their virtual stores that can be seen by all shoppers at the virtual mall. Every store operator can host livestream events, even simultaneously, and over time we expect there will be thousands of such events, across numerous product and service categories, being hosted by people from all over the world, always on – 24/7 - where shoppers could communicate directly with the hosts in real time to comment or ask questions about products featured in the livestream through an on-screen chat visible to all shoppers. Through the on-screen chat, shoppers can also communicate directly with each other in real time, invite their friends and family to join them at any of the live shopping events to share the experience, and then simply click on a non-intrusive - in-video overlay to place items in an on-screen shopping cart for purchase – all without interrupting the video. Shoppers can visit any number of other shoppable events to meet up and chat with friends, old and new, and together watch, shop and chat with the hosts, discover new products and services, and become part of an immersive entertaining social shopping experience. Throughout the experience, the shopping cart follows shoppers seamlessly from event to event, shoppable video to shoppable video, host to host, store to store and product to product.
Among the big differentiators for MARKET.live is that it allows anyone that streams on MARKET.live to simultaneously broadcast their stream (multi-cast or simulcast) over most popular social media sites to reach a substantially larger audience, which is especially attractive for creators and influencers that have large numbers of followers on other social media platforms.
A very compelling new feature recently developed for MARKET.live allows shoppers watching the stream on TikTok to stay on that site and actually check out through that site, eliminating the friction or reluctance of users to leave their TikTok feed in order to complete their purchase on MARKET.live. Our technology integration allows the purchase data to flow back through MARKET.live and to the individual vendors and stores on MARKET.live seamlessly for fulfillment of the orders.
Last fall the Company launched its “Creators on MARKET.live,” a program that allows creators to monetize their content through livestream shopping and personalized storefronts on MARKET.live. This program is only open to those individuals with a large, verifiable social media following. Participants selected for the Creators on MARKET.live program can choose to feature their favorite products from MARKET.live stores and promote and sell them to their fans, followers and customers. The Company has recently launched a similar program on TikTok for TikTok creators and influencers.
The Company has also recently launched a drop ship program on MARKET.live, offered on a subscription basis, designed specifically for those individuals interested in starting their own ecommerce business, who do not yet have a large base of fans or followers. Through this new program, entrepreneurs can quickly and easily establish their own storefronts, essentially their own website, by choosing the products they love from a carefully curated list of products by category (based on their selected subscription package). They can easily import the products into their storefront and launch their own ecommerce business through livestream shopping events broadcast live on MARKET.live and simulcast on other social platforms. Subscribers do not have to purchase inventory and product fulfillment is handled for them for no additional cost. This program represents a very low cost, low risk option for those who want to start their own ecommerce business. The Company is planning a national television commercial campaign to promote this new program.
All
livestream events are recorded and available to watch in each vendors’ personally branded stores on MARKET.live for those
fans, followers and customers to return after the livestream events, 24/7, to browse and purchase any of the featured products. All
the recorded livestream videos are indexed for easy browsing and remain shoppable. Depending on the products chosen,
| 9 |
Going Concern
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets
and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $
As
of September 30, 2023, the Company had cash of $
Equity financing:
On
January 24, 2023, the Company issued shares of the Company’s common stock which resulted in proceeds of $
During
September 2023, the Company restarted its’ at-the-market (“ATM”) issuance sales agreements with Truist Securities,
Inc. pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252167). As of September 30, 2023, the Company
has issued
shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to this agreement, resulting in proceeds of $
Debt financing:
On
January 12, 2022, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “January Note Purchase Agreement”) with three
institutional investors (collectively, the “January Note Holders”) providing for the sale and issuance of an aggregate original
principal amount of $
In
September 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved a loan of $
On
November 7, 2022, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement (the “November Note Purchase Agreement”) and promissory
note with an institutional investor (the “November Note Holder”) providing for the sale and issuance of an unsecured, non-convertible
promissory note in the original principal amount of $
On
May 16, 2023, the Company received a redemption notice under the terms of the November Note Purchase Agreement for $
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company paid $
On
February 16, 2023, the Company modified and combined the unpaid balances of the previous two advances on future receipts with a new advance
from the same third party totaling $
| 10 |
Other:
The
Company, through its Professional Employer Organization, filed for federal government assistance for the second and third quarters of
2021 in the aggregate amount of $
In November 2022, a cost savings plan was approved and implemented to improve liquidity and preserve cash for operations (the “Cost Savings Plan”). This plan was expected to further reduce expenses moving forward through such actions as a reduction in force, elimination of certain services provided by various vendors, and a 25% reduction in cash compensation by senior management over a four-month period in exchange for shares of common stock. Subsequently, the Company extended the Cost Savings Plan through April 30, 2023.
If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to operate its business and pay its debt obligations as they become due, it will need to seek to raise additional capital, borrow additional funds, dispose of subsidiaries or assets, reduce or delay capital expenditures, or change its business strategy. However, in light of the restrictive covenants imposed by certain of the Company’s prior financing arrangements, in combination with the recent decline in the trading price of the common stock, the Company may be unable to raise additional capital in sufficient amounts when needed to operate its business, service its debt or execute on its strategic plans. Further, notwithstanding such restrictions, there can be no assurance that debt or equity financing will be available in the amounts, on terms, or at times deemed acceptable by the Company. The issuance of additional equity securities would result in significant dilution in the equity interests of the Company’s current stockholders and could include rights or preferences senior to those of the current stockholders. Borrowing additional funds would increase the Company’s liabilities and future cash commitments and potentially impose significant operational or financial restrictions and require the Company to further encumber its assets. If the Company is unable to obtain financing in the amounts and on terms deemed acceptable, the Company may be unable to continue to operate its business or pay its obligations as they become due, and as a result may be required to curtail or cease operations, which may result in stockholders or noteholders losing some or all of their investment.
Economic Disruption
Our business is dependent in part on general economic conditions. Many jurisdictions in which our customers are located and our products are sold have experienced and could continue to experience unfavorable general economic conditions, such as inflation, increased interest rates and recessionary concerns, which could negatively affect demand for our products. Under difficult economic conditions, customers may seek to cease spending on our current products or fail to adopt our new products, which could negatively affect our financial performance. We cannot predict the timing or magnitude of an economic slowdown or the timing or strength of any economic recovery. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on April 17, 2023. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 included herein was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.
On
April 18, 2023, we implemented a
On
June 10, 2023, the board of directors approved the sale of the SaaS Assets to an unrelated third party, SW Direct Sales LLC
(“SW Sales” or the “buyer”), for $
Accordingly, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements are being presented pursuant to ASC 360-10-45-9 which requires that a disposal group be classified as held for sale in the period in which all of the held for sale criteria are met. Accordingly, the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 has been reclassified to reflect held for sale accounting. In addition to held for sale accounting, the Company has also met the criterion pursuant to ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations, as a strategic shift from operating and managing a SaaS business to operating and managing a live streaming shopping platform has occurred because of the sale. The Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations and statements of cash flows have been reclassified to reflect the presentation of discontinued operations. See Note 4 for details of the assets and liabilities related to the SaaS sale and discontinued operations.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the interim periods reflected. Except as noted, all adjustments contained herein are of a normal recurring nature. Results of operations for the fiscal periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of fiscal year-end results.
| 11 |
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Verb, Verb Direct, LLC, Verb Acquisition Co., LLC, and verbMarketplace, LLC. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated in the consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation within the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates include assumptions made in analysis of reserves for allowance of doubtful accounts, inventory, assumptions made in purchase price allocations, impairment testing of long-term assets, realization of deferred tax assets, determining fair value of derivative liabilities, and valuation of equity instruments issued for services. Amounts could materially change in the future.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were derived primarily from providing application services through the SaaS application, digital marketing and sales support services. During that period, the Company also derived revenue from the sale of customized print products and training materials, branded apparel, and digital tools, as demanded by its customers. As a result of the sale of the SaaS business, revenue that was recorded historically from the SaaS business has been reclassified as part of discontinued operations. See Note 4 for revenue disclosures related to the SaaS business.
A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:
MARKET.live, launched at the end of July 2022, generates revenue through several sources as follows:
| a. | ||
| b. | Produced events. MARKET.live offers fee-based services that range from full production of livestream events, to providing professional hosts and event consulting. | |
| c. | Drop Ship and Creator programs. MARKET.live is expected to generate recurring fee revenue from soon to be launched new drop ship programs for entrepreneurs and its Creator program. | |
| d. | The Company’s recently launched TikTok store and affiliate program. | |
| e. | The MARKET.live site is designed to incorporate sponsorships and other advertising based on typical industry rates. |
Capitalized Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes internal and external costs directly associated with developing internal-use software, and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license, during the application development stage of its projects. The Company’s internal-use software is reported at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization begins once the project has been completed and is ready for its intended use. The Company will amortize the asset on a straight-line basis over a period of three years, which is the estimated useful life. Software maintenance activities or minor upgrades are expensed in the period performed.
Amortization expense related to capitalized software development costs are recorded in depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Intangible Assets
The Company had certain intangible assets that were initially recorded at their fair value at the time of acquisition. The finite-lived intangible assets consist of developed technology and customer contracts. Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of domain names. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of five years.
The Company reviews all finite-lived intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the excess carrying value over the fair value in our consolidated statements of operations.
In
December 2022, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $
The Company did not record any impairment charges related to finite-lived intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
| 12 |
Goodwill
In accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, the Company reviews goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The Company’s impairment testing is performed annually at December 31 (its fiscal year end). Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is determined by comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to the carrying value of the underlying net assets in the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined to be less than the carrying value of its net assets, goodwill is deemed impaired and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of its other assets and liabilities. In accordance with the “Segment Reporting” Topic of the ASC, the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) determined that there is only one reporting unit.
The Company’s annual impairment analysis includes a qualitative assessment to determine if it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In performing a qualitative assessment, the Company reviewed events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine if the fair value is less than the carrying value of goodwill. As a result of this qualitative assessment, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred to necessitate performing the quantitative impairment test.
After
performing the quantitative impairment test at December 31, 2022 in accordance with ASC 350-20-35-3C, the Company determined that goodwill
was impaired by $
On
June 13, 2023, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of the operating assets and liabilities of the SaaS business
to SW Sales for $
Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock
On
February 17, 2023, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with Rory J. Cutaia, its Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which
the Company agreed to issue and sell one () share of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, par value $ per share, for
$ in cash. On April 20, 2023, the Company redeemed the Series B Preferred Stock for $
The Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series of stock or other securities of the Company. The Series B Preferred Stock has no rights with respect to any distribution of assets of the Company, including upon a liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, merger, acquisition, sale, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The holder of the Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive dividends of any kind.
The outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at any time (i) if such redemption is ordered by the board of directors in its sole discretion or (ii) automatically upon the effectiveness of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation implementing a reverse stock split and the increase in authorized shares of common stock of the Company.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company follows the guidance of FASB ASC 820 and ASC 825 for disclosure and measurement of the fair value of its financial instruments. FASB ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three (3) broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
The three (3) levels of fair value hierarchy defined by ASC 820 are described below:
| Level 1: | Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. | |
| Level 2: | Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. | |
| Level 3: | Pricing inputs that are generally observable inputs and not corroborated by market data. |
The carrying amount of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying values financing obligations approximate their fair values due to the fact that the interest rates on these obligations are based on prevailing market interest rates. The Company uses Level 2 inputs for its valuation methodology for the derivative liabilities.
| 13 |
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the consolidated balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
The Company uses Level 2 inputs for its valuation methodology for the derivative liabilities as their fair values were determined by using a Binomial pricing model. The Company’s derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations as adjusted to fair value of derivatives.
The Company issues stock options and warrants, shares of common stock and restricted stock units as share-based compensation to employees and non-employees. The Company accounts for its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock and is recognized as expense over the service period. Recognition of compensation expense for non-employees is in the same period and manner as if the Company had paid cash for services.
Basic net loss per share is computed by using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed giving effect to all dilutive potential shares of common stock that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential shares of common stock consist of incremental shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. No dilutive potential shares of common stock were included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because their impact was anti-dilutive.
As of September 30, 2023, and 2022, the Company had total outstanding options of and , respectively, and warrants of and , respectively, and outstanding restricted stock awards of and , respectively, the Notes from the January Note Offering that were convertible into and shares at $ per share, respectively, and convertible notes issued to a related party that were convertible into and shares at $ per share, respectively, which were excluded from the computation of net loss per share because they are anti-dilutive.
Concentration of Credit and Other Risks
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and accounts receivable. Cash is deposited
with a limited number of financial institutions. The balances held at any one financial institution at times may be in excess of Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits of up to $
The Company’s concentration of credit risk includes its concentrations from key customers and vendors. The details of these significant customers and vendors are presented in the following table for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||
| The Company’s largest customers are presented below as a percentage of the aggregate | ||||
| Revenues and Accounts receivable | No
customers individually over |
No
customers individually over | ||
| The Company’s largest vendors are presented below as a percentage of the aggregate | ||||
| Purchases | One
vendor that accounted for |
Two
vendors that accounted for | ||
| 14 |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities attributable to continuing operations: | ||||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued to settle accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fair value of common shares issued as payment on notes payable | ||||||||
| Fair value of common stock received in exchange for employee’s payroll taxes | ||||||||
| Accrued software development costs | ||||||||
| Discount recognized from notes payable | ||||||||
| Derecognition of operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Derecognition of operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Derecognition of other assets and liabilities related to lease termination | ||||||||
| Recognition of operating lease right-of-use asset and related lease liability | ||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities attributable to discontinued operations: | ||||||||
| Discount recognized from advances on future receipts | ||||||||
| Derecognition of operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Derecognition of operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Recognition of operating lease right-of-use asset and related lease liability | $ | $ | ||||||
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASC 326”). The standard significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets, including accounts and notes receivables. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model, under which companies will recognize allowances based on expected rather than incurred losses. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The adoption of this standard did not have any material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06 (“ASU 2020-06”) “Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40).” ASU 2020-06 reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments by eliminating the cash conversion and beneficial conversion models. As a result, a convertible debt instrument will be accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost as long as no other features require bifurcation and recognition as derivatives. By removing those separation models, the effective interest rate of convertible debt instruments will be closer to the coupon interest rate. Further, the diluted net income per share calculation for convertible instruments will require the Company to use the if-converted method. ASU 2020-06 will be effective January 1, 2024, for the Company and is to be adopted through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than January 1, 2021, including interim periods within that year. Effective January 1, 2022, the Company early adopted ASU 2020-06 and that adoption did not have any material impact on the Company’s financial statements and the related disclosures.
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. ASU 2021-04 provides clarification and reduces diversity in an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (such as warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. An issuer measures the effect of a modification or exchange as the difference between the fair value of the modified or exchanged warrant and the fair value of that warrant immediately before modification or exchange. ASU 2021-04 introduces a recognition model that comprises four categories of transactions and the corresponding accounting treatment for each category (equity issuance, debt origination, debt modification, and modifications unrelated to equity issuance and debt origination or modification). ASU 2021-04 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity should apply the guidance provided in ASU 2021-04 prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring on or after the effective date. The Company adopted ASU 2021-04 effective January 1, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2021-04 did not have any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.
| 15 |
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2021-08 will require companies to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities relating to contracts with customers that are acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606. Under current GAAP, an acquirer generally recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts with customers, at fair value on the acquisition date. ASU No. 2021-08 will result in the acquirer recording acquired contract assets and liabilities on the same basis that would have been recorded by the acquiree before the acquisition under ASC Topic 606. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2022 on a prospective basis and the adoption impact of the new standard will depend on the magnitude of future acquisitions. The standard will not impact acquired contract assets or liabilities from business combinations occurring prior to the adoption date.
In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832)—Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. ASU 2021-10 increases the transparency of government assistance including the disclosure of (1) the types of assistance, (2) an entity’s accounting for the assistance, and (3) the effect of the assistance on an entity’s financial statements. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2022 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have any material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.
3. CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS
In
2020, the Company began developing MARKET.live, a livestream ecommerce platform, and has capitalized $
For
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company amortized $
Capitalized software development costs, net consisted of the following:
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| Additions | ||||||||
| Amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | ||||||
The expected future amortization expense for capitalized software development costs as of September 30, 2023, is as follows:
| Year ending | Amortization | |||
| 2023 remaining | $ | |||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| Total amortization | $ | |||
Option to Acquire Primary Contractor
In
August 2021, the Company entered into a term sheet that provided the Company the option to purchase the Primary Contractor provided certain
conditions are met. In November 2021, the Company exercised this option. The Company and the Primary Contractor subsequently reached
an agreement-in-principle on the terms for the Company’s acquisition of the Primary Contractor, the final consummation of which
is subject to the execution of a share purchase agreement (the “SPA”) and the completion of an audit of the Primary Contractor
that is satisfactory to the Company (the “Primary Contractor Audit”), as well as the fulfillment by the Primary Contractor
of certain other conditions set forth in the term sheet. The term sheet stipulates that if the Company had entered into the SPA and the
Primary Contractor had the Primary Contractor Audit successfully completed prior to May 22, 2022 (or a subsequent mutually agreed upon
date) and the Company thereafter determines not to consummate the acquisition of the Primary Contractor, the Company would have been
liable for a $
| 16 |
4. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
On
June 13, 2023, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of its SaaS operating assets and liabilities to SW Sales for
$
The assets and liabilities held for sale were as follows as of December 31, 2022
| December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Assets: | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||
| Prepaids and other current assets | ||||
| Goodwill | ||||
| Other long-lived assets | ||||
| Assets held for sale | $ | |||
| Liabilities: | ||||
| Accounts payable | $ | |||
| Contract liabilities | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | ||||
| Liabilities related to assets held for sale | $ | |||
The following information presents the net revenues and net loss of the SaaS business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Net revenues | $ | $ | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||
| 17 |
5. OPERATING LEASES
On
January 3, 2022, the Company terminated the lease agreements relating to our office and warehouse leases in American Fork, Utah. In accordance
with ASC 842, Leases, the Company derecognized the right-of-use assets of $
On
April 26, 2022, the Company entered into an office space sub-lease agreement in Lehi, Utah (the “Lehi lease”).
On June 13, 2023, the Company derecognized the Lehi lease as part of the sale of SaaS assets to SW Sales. As a result of the sale, the Company has eliminated any lease-related information related to the SaaS business as part of its presentation of continuing operations.
On
July 3, 2023, the Company entered into a lease termination agreement with its landlord related to the office lease in Newport Beach,
California. Pursuant to terms of the lease termination agreement, the Company vacated the property by August 15, 2023. A gain on
lease termination of $
On
August 8, 2023, the Company entered into a studio office lease agreement for its office in California.
See Note 14 for Subsequent Events.
The components of lease expense and supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the period are as follows:
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Lease cost | ||||||||
| Operating lease cost (included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s statement of operations) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Other information | ||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years) | ||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate – operating leases | % | % | ||||||
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Operating leases | ||||||||
| Right-of-use assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Short-term operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||
| Year ending | Operating Leases | |||
| 2023 remaining | $ | |||
| 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | ||||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 and thereafter | ||||
| Total lease payments | ||||
| Less: Imputed interest/present value discount | ( | ) | ||
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ | |||
6. ADVANCES ON FUTURE RECEIPTS
As a result of the sale, the Company has eliminated any amounts related to advances on future receipts as part of its presentation of continuing operations The Company has the following advances on future receipts as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Note | Issuance Date | Maturity Date | Interest Rate | Original Borrowing | Balance at September 30, 2023 | Balance at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Note 1 | % | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Note 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Note 3 | % | | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt discount | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| 18 |
Note 1
On
August 25, 2022, the Company received secured advances from an unaffiliated third party totaling $
Note 2
On
October 25, 2022, the Company received secured advances from an unaffiliated third party totaling $
Note 3
On
February 16, 2023, the Company modified and combined the unpaid balances of the previous two advances (see Notes 1 and 2 above) with
a new advance from the same third party totaling $
See Note 14 for Subsequent Events.
7. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE AND NOTES PAYABLE
The Company has the following outstanding notes payable as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Note | Issuance Date | Maturity Date | Interest Rate | Original Borrowing | Balance at September 30, 2023 | Balance at December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Related party note payable (A) | % | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Related party note payable (B) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Note payable (C) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible Notes Due 2023 (D) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Promissory note payable (E) | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt discount | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total notes payable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Current | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| (A) | ||
| (B) |
| 19 |
| (C) | ||
| (D) | ||
| The
Company received $ | ||
| In
connection with the January Note Offering, the Company paid $ | ||
| As
of December 31, 2022, the outstanding principal balance of the Notes amounted to $ |
| (E) | ||
| In
connection with the November Note Offering, the Company incurred $ | ||
| On
May 16, 2023, the Company received a redemption notice under the terms of the November Note Purchase Agreement for $ | ||
| As
of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the outstanding balance of the November Notes amounted to $ | ||
| See Note 14 for Subsequent Events. |
The following table provides a breakdown of interest expense for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Interest expense – amortization of debt discount | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest expense – amortization of debt issuance costs | ||||||||
| Interest expense – other | ||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||
Total
interest expense for notes payable to related parties (see Notes A and B above) was $
| 20 |
The following table provides a breakdown of interest expense for the periods presented:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Interest expense – amortization of debt discount | $ | $ | ||||||
| Interest expense – amortization of debt issuance costs | ||||||||
| Interest expense – other | ||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||
Total
interest expense for notes payable to related parties (see Notes A and B above) was $
8. DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
Under authoritative guidance used by the FASB on determining whether an instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock, instruments that do not have fixed settlement provisions are deemed to be derivative instruments. In prior years, the Company granted certain warrants that included a fundamental transaction provision that could give rise to an obligation to pay cash to the warrant holder. As a result, the fundamental transaction clause of these warrants are accounted for as a derivative liability in accordance with ASC 815 and are being re-measured every reporting period with the change in value reported in the statement of operations.
The derivative liabilities were valued using a Binomial pricing model with the following average assumptions:
| September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||
| Stock Price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Exercise Price | $ | $ | ||||||
| Expected Life | ||||||||
| Volatility | % | % | ||||||
| Dividend Yield | % | % | ||||||
| Risk-Free Interest Rate | % | % | ||||||
| Total Fair Value | $ | $ | ||||||
The expected life of the warrants was based on the remaining contractual term of the instruments. The Company uses the historical volatility of its common stock to estimate the future volatility for its common stock. The expected dividend yield was based on the fact that the Company has not paid dividends in the past and does not expect to pay dividends in the future. The risk-free interest rate was based on rates established by the Federal Reserve Bank.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded a gain of $
The details of derivative liability transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | ||||||
| Change in fair value | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | ||||||
9. COMMON STOCK
The Company’s common stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is as follows:
Common Stock
Shares Issued as Part of Public Offering
On
January 24, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”) as underwriter relating
to the offering, issuance and sale of shares of the Company’s common stock at a public offering price of $ per share.
The net proceeds for the offering were $
Shares Issued as Part of ATM Agreement
In
August 2021 and November 2021, the Company entered into two separate ATM issuance sales agreements (the “August 2021 ATM”
and the “November 2021 ATM”, respectively) with Truist Securities, Inc., pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252167). The August 2021 ATM was terminated in October 2021. In January 2022, the aggregate offering price
of the shares of the Company’s common stock that may be sold under the November 2021 ATM was reduced from $
During
September 2023, the Company sold shares and received net proceeds of $
| 21 |
Shares Issued for Services
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued shares of common stock to officers and employees associated with the vesting of restricted stock units.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued shares of common stock to employees associated with a special incentive program.
On July 29, 2023, the Company issued shares of common stock to Mr. Cutaia associated with the vesting of restricted stock units.
On
September 5, 2023, the Company issued shares of common stock to certain vendors for services rendered and to be rendered with
an aggregate grant date fair value of $
Shares Issued for Settlements of Accrued Expenses
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company issued shares of common stock to settle accrued expenses. The fair market
value of the shares issued was based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the dates of each settlement, which
amounted to $
Shares Issued for Settlement of Litigation
On
September 19, 2023, the Company issued
shares to certain other investors to settle litigation, see Note 13. The fair market value of the shares issued was
based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the settlement, which amounted to $
Shares Issued as Payment on Notes Payable
During the nine months ended September 2023, the Company issued shares to Streeterville in exchange for a reduction on the Company’s note payable outstanding balance with Streeterville amounting to $.
Termination of Equity Line of Credit Agreement
On
January 26, 2023, the Company terminated the January Purchase Agreement dated January 12, 2022, which provided for the sale by the Company
of up to $
Reverse Stock Split
At
a Special Meeting of Stockholders on April 10, 2023, the stockholders of the Company approved a Certificate of Amendment to the
Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase its authorized common stock from
shares to
shares and approved the grant of discretionary authority to the board of directors of the Company to effect a
Equity Incentive Plan
At the Special Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company’s 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan to increase the number of shares authorized under the plan by shares of common stock to be authorized for awards granted under the plan.
See Note 14 for Subsequent Events.
10. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
| Shares | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | |||||||
| Non-vested at January 1, 2023 | $ | |||||||
| Granted | ||||||||
| Vested/deemed vested | ( | ) | ||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | ||||||
| Non-vested at September 30, 2023 | $ | |||||||
On September 28, 2023, the Company granted restricted stock units to its interim Chief Financial Officer. The restricted stock units vest annually through September 28, 2027. These restricted stock units were valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance and had an aggregate grant date fair value of $, which is being amortized as share-based compensation expense over the vesting term.
The
total fair value of restricted stock units that vested or deemed vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $.
The share-based compensation expense recognized relating to the vesting of restricted stock units for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2023 amounted to $
| 22 |
| Options | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Exercised | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Vested September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercisable at September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
At September 30, 2023, the intrinsic value of the outstanding options was $.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company granted stock options to board members to purchase a total of stock options as replacement awards related to forfeited restricted stock units. The options have an average exercise price of $ per share, expire in , and vested on the grant date. The total fair value of these options at grant date was $ using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing model.
On June 21, 2023, the Company granted stock options to board members to purchase a total of stock options. The options have an average exercise price of $ per share, expire in , and vest annually over years. The total grant date fair value of these options was $ based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
On September 28, 2023, the Company granted stock options to employees and a board member to purchase a total of stock options. The options have an average exercise price of $ per share, expire in , and vest annually over years. The total grant date fair value of these options was $ based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The
share-based compensation expense recognized relating to the vesting of stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2023 amounted to $
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | % | % - | % | |||||
| Average expected term | years | years | ||||||
| Expected volatility | % | - | % | |||||
| Expected dividend yield | ||||||||
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of measurement corresponding with the expected term of the share option award; the expected term represents the weighted-average period of time that share option awards granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules and historical participant exercise behavior; the expected volatility is based upon historical volatility of the Company’s common stock; and the expected dividend yield is based on the fact that the Company has not paid dividends in the past and does not expect to pay dividends in the future.
12. STOCK WARRANTS
The Company has the following warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2023, all of which are exercisable:
| Warrants | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Granted | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Exercised | - | - | ||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at September 30, 2023, all vested | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
At September 30, 2023 the intrinsic value of the outstanding warrants was $.
On
January 24, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis relating to the January 2023 offering, issuance and sale
of shares of the Company’s common stock at a public offering price of $ per share. As a result of this transaction,
certain warrants which previously had an exercise price of $
On September 19, 2023, the Company issued shares of its common stock to certain other investors to settle litigation, see Note 13. In exchange for the shares, warrants were cancelled as part of the settlement agreement.
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13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
a. Former Employee
The
Company is currently in a dispute with a former employee of its predecessor bBooth, Inc. who has interposed a breach of contract claim
in which he alleges that he is entitled to approximately $
b. Legal Malpractice Action
The
Company was involved in a dispute with Baker Hostetler LLP (“BH”) relating to corporate legal services provided by BH to
the Company. The Company filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles on May 17, 2021, styled
Verb Technology Company, Inc. v. Baker Hostetler LLP, et al. (Case No. 21STCV18387). The Company’s complaint arises from
BH’s alleged legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duties owed to the Company, breach of contract, and violations of California’s
Business and Professions Code Section 17200 et seq. The Company is seeking, amongst other things, compensatory damages from BH. On October
5, 2021, BH filed a cross-complaint against the Company alleging, amongst other things, that the Company owes it approximately $
c. Dispute with Warrant Holder
The
Company was involved in a dispute with Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC and Iroquois Master Fund, Ltd (collectively,
“Iroquois”) relating to a securities purchase agreement (the “SPA”) entered between the Company, Iroquois
and certain other investors. The Company filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of New York for the County of New York on April 6,
2022, styled Verb Technology Company, Inc. v. Iroquois Capital Investment Group LLC, et al. (Index No. 651708/2022). The
Company’s complaint sought a judicial declaration of its duties and obligations under the SPA. On May 5, 2022, Iroquois filed
counterclaims against the Company for declaratory relief, breach of contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing relating to the SPA. Iroquois alleged damages of $
The Company knows of no material proceedings in which any of its directors, officers, or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial stockholder is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
The Company believes it has adequately reserved for all litigation within its financial statements.
Board of Directors
The
Company has committed an aggregate of $
Total
board fees expensed during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $
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14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 14, 2023, the date these financial statements are available to be issued. The Company believes there were no material events or transactions discovered during this evaluation that requires recognition or disclosure in the financial statements other than the items discussed below.
Equity Financing
Subsequent
to September 30, 2023, the Company issued
shares of its common stock and received $
Issuance of common shares as payment on notes payable
Subsequent
to September 30, 2023, the Company issued
shares of its common stock pursuant to an exchange agreement in exchange for a reduction of $
Debt Financing
On
October 11, 2023, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with Streeterville Capital, LLC (“Streeterville’)
pursuant to which Streeterville purchased a promissory note (the “Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $
Repayment of note payable – related party
On
October 12, 2023, the Company repaid all of the outstanding principal and accrued interest amounting to $
Sublease agreement – related party
On November 1, 2023, the Company entered into a corporate office sublease agreement with Mr. Cutaia for its executive office in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Repayment of advance on future receipts
Subsequent to September 30, 2023, the Company repaid all of the advances on future receipts.
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ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of our company for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and the other financial information that are included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion includes forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical fact and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts, and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control and many of which, with respect to business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf. We disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements.
As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Verb” refer to Verb Technology Company, Inc., a Nevada corporation, individually, or as the context requires, collectively with its subsidiaries, Verb Direct, LLC, or Verb Direct, Verb Acquisition Co., Inc., or Solofire, and verbMarketplace, LLC, or MARKET, on a consolidated basis, unless otherwise specified.
Overview
Through June 13, 2023 of the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we operated three distinct lines of business through separate wholly owned subsidiaries. The first was Verb Direct, LLC, a sales Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) platform for the direct sales industry; the second was Verb Acquisition Co., LLC, which was a sales SaaS platform for the Life Sciences industry and sports teams; and the third is verbMarketplace, LLC, which is a multi-vendor, multi-presenter, livestream social shopping platform known as MARKET.live that combines ecommerce and entertainment.
We believe that by focusing all of our resources solely on the development and operation of MARKET.live, our livestream shopping platform, over time we could generate greater shareholder value than we could through the continued operation of our SaaS business platforms. Accordingly, after an extensive, thorough seven-month process to identify a buyer willing to pay the highest price on the most favorable terms for the assets of the SaaS business, managed by a prominent M&A advisory firm, on June 13, 2023 we disposed of all of the operating SaaS assets of Verb Direct, LLC and Verb Acquisition Co., LLC pursuant to an asset purchase agreement in consideration of the sum of $6,500, $4,750 of which was paid in cash by the buyer at the closing of the transaction. Additional payments of $1,750 will be paid by the buyer if certain profitability and revenue targets are met within the next two years as set forth more particularly in the asset purchase agreement. During the seven-month period of the sales process, virtually all of our resources were dedicated to facilitating the sale process and all operating budgets were suspended, including sales and marketing budgets for MARKET.live, in order to preserve cash and minimize reliance on the capital markets until the asset sale process was complete.
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Our MARKET.live Business
MARKET.live is a multivendor social shopping platform for retailers, brands, manufacturers, creators, influencers and entrepreneurs who seek to participate in an open market-style eco-system environment. MARKET.live is akin to a virtual shopping mall, a centralized online destination where shoppers could explore hundreds, and over time thousands, of shoppable stores for their favorite brands, influencers, creators and celebrities, all of whom can host livestream shopping events from their virtual stores that can be seen by all shoppers at the virtual mall. Every store operator can host livestream events, even simultaneously, and over time we expect there will be thousands of such events, across numerous product and service categories, being hosted by people from all over the world, always on – 24/7 - where shoppers could communicate directly with the hosts in real time to comment or ask questions about products through an on-screen chat visible to all shoppers. Through the on-screen chat, shoppers can also communicate directly with each other in real time, invite their friends and family to join them at any of the live shopping events to share the experience, and then simply click on a non-intrusive - in-video overlay to place items in an on-screen shopping cart for purchase – all without interrupting the video. Shoppers can visit any number of other shoppable events to meet up and chat with friends, old and new, and together watch, shop and chat with the hosts, discover new products and services, and become part of an immersive entertaining social shopping experience. Throughout the experience, the shopping cart follows shoppers seamlessly from event to event, shoppable video to shoppable video, host to host, store to store and product to product.
The MARKET.live business model is a simple but next-level B to B play. It is a multi-vendor platform, with a single follow-me style unified shopping cart, and robust ecommerce capabilities with the tools for consumer brands, big box brick and mortar stores, boutiques, influencers and celebrities to connect with their clients, customers, fans, followers, and prospects by providing a unique, interactive social shopping experience that we believe could keep them coming back and engaged for hours.
Among the big differentiators for MARKET.live is that it allows anyone that streams on MARKET.live to simultaneously broadcast their stream (multi-cast or simulcast) over most popular social media sites to reach a substantially larger audience, which is especially attractive for creators and influencers that have large number of followers on other social media platforms.
We recently completed development work on new MARKET.live capability that facilitated a deeper integration into the TikTok social media platform that could expose MARKET.live shoppable programming to tens of millions of potential viewers/purchasers.
This new capability allows shoppers watching a MARKET.live stream on TikTok to stay on that site and actually check out through that site, eliminating the friction or reluctance of TikTok users to leave their TikTok feed in order to complete their purchase on MARKET.live. Our technology integration allows the purchase data to flow back through MARKET.live and to the individual vendors and stores on MARKET.live seamlessly for fulfillment of the orders.
Last fall the Company launched its “Creators on MARKET.live,” a program that allows creators to monetize their content through livestream shopping and personalized storefronts on MARKET.live. This program is only open to those individuals with a large, verifiable social media following. Participants selected for the Creators on MARKET.live program can choose to feature their favorite products from MARKET.live stores and promote and sell them to their fans, followers and customers. The Company has recently launched a similar program on TikTok for TikTok creators and influencers.
In the coming weeks, the Company expects to formally launch a new drop ship program on MARKET.live, offered on a subscription basis, designed specifically for those individuals interested in starting their own ecommerce business, who do not yet have a large base of fans or followers. Through this new program, entrepreneurs can quickly and easily establish their own storefronts, essentially their own website, by choosing the products they love from a carefully curated list of products by category (based on their selected subscription package). They can easily import the products into their storefront and launch their own ecommerce business through livestream shopping events broadcast live on MARKET.live and simulcast on other social platforms. Subscribers do not have to purchase inventory and product fulfillment is handled for them for no additional cost. This program represents a very low cost, low risk option for those who want to start their own ecommerce business. The Company is planning a national television commercial campaign to promote this new program.
All livestream events are recorded and available to watch in each vendors’ personally branded stores on MARKET.live for those fans, followers and customers to return after the livestream events, 24/7, to browse and purchase any of the featured products. All the recorded livestream videos are indexed for easy browsing and remain shoppable. Depending on the products chosen, participants in the Creator program can earn between 5% and 20% of their gross sales at no cost and no risk to the Creators selected to participate in the program. Entrepreneurs that participate in the dropship programs will pay a fixed monthly fee for access to the products in the program and to maintain their MARKET.live ecommerce storefronts and will also earn a percentage of the sales they generate, which varies based on the subscription package.
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verbTV will launch as a feature of our MARKET.live platform, serving to draw an audience of people seeking to consume video content that is also interactive and shoppable. We expect this additional audience will also be exposed to and enhance the eco-system of shoppers and retailers on MARKET.live. Over time it is anticipated that verbTV will feature concerts, game shows, sports, including e-sports, sitcoms, podcasts, special events, news, including live events, and other forms of video entertainment that is all interactive and shoppable. verbTV represents an entirely new distribution channel for all forms of content by a new generation of content creators looking for greater freedom to explore the creative possibilities that a native interactive video platform can provide for their audience. We believe content creators may also enjoy greater revenue opportunities through the native ecommerce capabilities the platform provides to sponsors and advertisers who will enjoy real-time monetization, data collection and analytics. Through verbTV, sponsors and advertisers will be able to accurately measure the ROI from their marketing spend, instead of relying on imprecise viewership information traditionally offered to television sponsors and advertisers.
Revenue Generation
A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:
| MARKET.live, launched at the end of July 2022, generates revenue through several sources as follows: |
| a. | All sales run through our ecommerce facility on MARKET.live from which we deduct a platform fee that ranges from 10% to 20% of gross sales, with an average of approximately 15%, depending upon the pricing package the vendors select as well as the product category and profit margins associated with such categories. The revenue is derived from sales generated during livestream events, from sales realized through views of previously recorded live events available in each vendor’s store, as well as from sales of product and merchandise displayed in the vendors’ online stores, all of which are shoppable 24/7. | |
| b. | Produced events. MARKET.live offers fee-based services that range from full production of livestream events, to providing professional hosts and event consulting. | |
| c. | Drop Ship and Creator programs. MARKET.live is expected to generate recurring fee revenue from soon to be launched new drop ship programs for entrepreneurs and its Creator program. | |
| d. | The Company’s recently launched TikTok store and affiliate program. | |
| e. | The MARKET.live site is designed to incorporate sponsorships and other advertising based on typical industry rates. |
Economic Disruption
Our business is dependent in part on general economic conditions. Many jurisdictions in which our customers are located and our products are sold have experienced and could continue to experience unfavorable general economic conditions, such as inflation, increased interest rates and recessionary concerns, which could negatively affect demand for our products. Under difficult economic conditions, customers may seek to cease spending on our current products or fail to adopt our new products. We cannot predict the timing or impact of an economic slowdown, or the timing or strength of any economic recovery. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Recent Developments
ATM Offering
On November 16, 2021, the Company entered into that certain at-the-market issuance sales agreement with Truist Securities, Inc., as sales agent (the “Agent”), pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell, from time to time, through the Agent (the “ATM Offering”), up to approximately $7.3 million in shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252167), as supplemented by a prospectus supplement. As of September 30, 2023, the Company received proceeds from the ATM Offering of approximately $0.0 million ($50,000), net of offering costs, on the sales of 105,300 shares of the Company’s common stock.
Subsequent to September 30, 2023, the Company issued 6,498,591 shares of its common stock and received $2.1 million of net proceeds associated with ATM issuances.
Issuance of common shares as payment on notes payable
Subsequent to September 30, 2023, the Company issued 2,040,922 shares of its common stock pursuant to an exchange agreement in exchange for a reduction of $0.7 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes.
Debt Financing
On October 11, 2023, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with Streeterville Capital, LLC (“Streeterville”) pursuant to which Streeterville purchased a promissory note (the “Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 million (the “Note Offering”). The Note bears interest at 9.0% per annum compounded daily. The maturity date of the Note is 18 months from the date of its issuance. In connection with the Note Offering, verbMarketplace, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Guaranty, dated October 11, 2023, pursuant to which it guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Note in exchange for receiving a portion of the proceeds.
Repayment of note payable – related party
On October 12, 2023, the Company repaid all of the outstanding principal and accrued interest amounting to $0.9 million from a December 2015 related party note issued by Mr. Cutaia.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 as Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
The following is a comparison of our results of continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 29 | $ | 3 | $ | 26 | ||||||
| Cost of Revenue | 5 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 24 | 2 | 22 | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 564 | 438 | 126 | |||||||||
| General and administrative | 2,850 | 5,126 | (2,276 | ) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 3,414 | 5,564 | (2,150 | ) | ||||||||
| Operating loss from continuing operations | (3,390 | ) | (5,562 | ) | 2,172 | |||||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 64 | - | 64 | |||||||||
| Interest expense | (219 | ) | (289 | ) | 70 | |||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | 4 | 198 | (194 | ) | ||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | (151 | ) | (91 | ) | (60 | ) | ||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (3,541 | ) | $ | (5,653 | ) | $ | 2,112 | ||||
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Revenue
Our primary focus is on the growth of our MARKET.live business. Currently, the business is generating minimal revenues.
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $2.9 million, as compared to $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, reflecting a 44% cost reduction. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to decreased salary expense associated with headcount reduction.
Other Income (Expense), net
Other income (expense), net, for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $(0.2) million, which was primarily attributable to interest expense of $(0.2) million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 as Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
The following is a comparison of our results of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 34 | $ | 3 | $ | 31 | ||||||
| Cost of Revenue | 7 | 1 | 6 | |||||||||
| Gross margin | 27 | 2 | 25 | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,730 | 524 | 1,206 | |||||||||
| General and administrative | 9,080 | 15,019 | (5,939 | ) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 10,810 | 15,543 | (4,733 | ) | ||||||||
| Operating loss from continuing operations | (10,783 | ) | (15,541 | ) | 4,758 | |||||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 844 | (16 | ) | 860 | ||||||||
| Financing costs | (1,239 | ) | - | (1,239 | ) | |||||||
| Interest expense | (989 | ) | (950 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | 210 | 2,360 | (2,150 | ) | ||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | (1,174 | ) | 1,394 | (2,568 | ) | |||||||
| Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (11,957 | ) | $ | (14,147 | ) | $ | 2,190 | ||||
Revenue
Our primary focus is on the growth of our Market business. Currently, the business is generating minimal revenues.
Operating Expenses
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $9.1 million, as compared to $15.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, reflecting a 40% cost reduction. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to decreased salary expense associated with headcount reduction.
Other Income (Expense), net
Other income (expense), net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $(1.2) million, which was primarily attributable to interest expense of $(1.0) million and financing costs of $(1.2) million, offset by a gain on legal settlements of $0.6 million, a gain on lease termination of $0.3 million and a change in fair value of derivative liability of $0.2 million.
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Use of Non-GAAP Measures – Modified EBITDA
In addition to our results under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we present Modified EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. However, Modified EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income from operations or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We define Modified EBITDA as net income (loss), plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, financing costs, changes in fair value of derivative liability, and loss from discontinued operations, net of tax.
Management considers our core operating performance to be that which our managers can affect in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations that period. Non-GAAP adjustments to our results prepared in accordance with GAAP are itemized below. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Modified EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Modified EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,709 | ) | $ | (8,028 | ) | $ | (19,079 | ) | $ | (21,391 | ) | ||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 564 | 438 | 1,730 | 524 | ||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 583 | 1,050 | 1,985 | 3,668 | ||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (64 | ) | - | (844 | ) | 16 | ||||||||||
| Financing costs | - | - | 1,239 | - | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 219 | 289 | 989 | 950 | ||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative liability | (4 | ) | (198 | ) | (210 | ) | (2,360 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | 168 | 2,375 | 7,122 | 7,244 | ||||||||||||
| Other non-recurring costs (a) | 400 | - | 585 | 126 | ||||||||||||
| Total EBITDA adjustments | 1,866 | 3,954 | 12,596 | 10,168 | ||||||||||||
| Modified EBITDA | $ | (1,843 | ) | $ | (4,074 | ) | $ | (6,483 | ) | $ | (11,223 | ) | ||||
(a) Represents severance costs and a litigation accrual related to the Meyerson matter.
The $2.2 million or 55% improvement in Modified EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, resulted from decreased operating expenses.
The $4.7 million or 42% improvement in Modified EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, resulted from decreased operating expenses.
We present Modified EBITDA because we believe it assists investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Modified EBITDA in developing our internal budgets, forecasts and strategic plan; in analyzing the effectiveness of our business strategies in evaluating potential acquisitions; and in making compensation decisions and in communications with our board of directors concerning our financial performance. Modified EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, which includes, among others, the following:
| ● | Modified EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; | |
| ● | Modified EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; | |
| ● | Modified EBITDA does not reflect future interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts; and | |
| ● | Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Modified EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements. |
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Going Concern
We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. We incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $12.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. We also utilized cash in operations from continuing operations of $6.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As a result, our continuation as a going concern is dependent on our ability to obtain additional financing until we can generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet our obligations. We intend to continue to seek additional debt or equity financing to continue our operations.
Equity financing:
On January 24, 2023, we entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”) as underwriter (the “Underwriter”), relating to the offering, issuance and sale of 901,275 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $8.00 per share. The net proceeds to us were approximately $6.6 million, after deducting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. Aegis acted as the sole underwriter for the offering and received 6% of the gross proceeds as commission for the offering. They were also reimbursed by us for certain expenses, in an amount of up to $75 thousand, including legal fees. As a result of this transaction, certain warrants which previously had an exercise price of $13.60 per share, had the exercise price reduced to $8.00 per share.
During September 2023, the Company restarted its’ at-the-market (“ATM”) issuance sales agreements with Truist Securities, Inc. pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252167). As of November 10, 2023, the Company has issued 6,603,891 shares of the Company’s common stock since the restart, resulting in net proceeds of $2.1 million.
Debt financing:
On January 12, 2022, we entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “January Note Purchase Agreement”) with three institutional investors (collectively, the “January Note Holders”) providing for the sale and issuance of an aggregate original principal amount of $6.3 million in Convertible Notes Due 2023 (each, a “Note,” and, collectively, the “Notes,” and such financing, the “January Note Offering”). The Company and the January Note Holders also entered into a security agreement, dated January 12, 2022, in connection with the January Note Offering, pursuant to which the Company granted a security interest to the January Note Holders in substantially all of its assets. The January Note Purchase Agreement prohibits us from entering into an agreement to effect any issuance of common stock involving a Variable Rate Transaction (as defined therein) during the term of the agreement, subject to certain exceptions set forth therein. The January Note Purchase Agreement also gives the January Note Holders the right to require the Company to use up to 15% of the gross proceeds raised from future debt or equity financings to redeem the Notes, which redemptions have been elected by the January Note Holders. On January 26, 2023, we repaid in full all outstanding obligations under the January Note Offering dated January 12, 2022.
In September, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) approved an additional loan of $0.35 million. As of November 10, 2023, we have not received these funds.
On November 7, 2022, we entered into a note purchase agreement (the “November Note Purchase Agreement”) and promissory note with an institutional investor providing for the sale and issuance of an unsecured, non-convertible promissory in the original principal amount of $5.5 million, which has an original issue discount of $0.5 million, resulting in gross proceeds to us of approximately $5.0 million (the “November Note,” and such financing, the “November Note Offering”). The November Note matures eighteen months following the date of issuance. Commencing nine months from the date of issuance, we are required to make monthly cash redemption payments in an amount not to exceed $0.6 million. The November Note may be repaid in whole or in part prior to the maturity date for a 10% premium. The November Note requires us to use 20% of the gross proceeds raised from future equity or debt financings, or the sale of any subsidiary or material asset, to prepay the November Note, subject to a cap on the aggregate prepayment amount. Until all obligations under the November Note have been paid in full, we are not permitted to grant a security interest in any of its assets, or to issue securities convertible into shares of common stock, subject in each case to certain exceptions. Our wholly owned subsidiary verbMarketplace, LLC entered into a guaranty, dated November 7, 2022, in connection with the November Note Offering, pursuant to which it guaranteed the obligations on our behalf under the November Note in exchange for receiving a portion of the loan proceeds. At a special meeting of stockholders on April 10, 2023, our shareholders approved for purposes of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635, the issuance of shares of common stock in partial or full satisfaction of the November Note.
Other:
We, through our Professional Employer Organization, filed for federal government assistance for the second and third quarters of 2021 in the aggregate amount of approximately $1.5 million through ERC provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had a long-term receivable of $1.5 million.
In November 2022, a cost savings plan was approved and implemented to improve liquidity and preserve cash for operations (the “Cost Savings Plan”). This plan is expected to further reduce expenses moving forward through such actions as a reduction in force, elimination of certain services provided by various vendors, and a 25% reduction in cash compensation by senior management over a four-month period in exchange for shares of common stock. Subsequently, the Company extended the Cost Savings Plan through April 30, 2023.
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which implies we may not continue to meet our obligations and continue our operations for the next twelve months. Our continuation as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain necessary debt or equity financing to continue operations until we begin generating positive cash flow.
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There is no assurance that we will ever be profitable or that debt or equity financing will be available to us in the amounts, on terms, and at times deemed acceptable to us, if at all. The issuance of additional equity securities by us would result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of our current stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, would increase our liabilities and future cash commitments. If we are unable to obtain financing in the amounts and on terms deemed acceptable to us, we may be unable to continue our business, as planned, and as a result may be required to scale back or cease operations for our business, the results of which would be that our stockholders would lose some or all of their investment. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Overview
As of September 30, 2023, we had cash of $0.9 million. We estimate our operating expenses for the next twelve months may continue to exceed any revenue we generate, and we may need to raise capital through either debt or equity offerings to continue operations. Due to market conditions and the early stage of our operations, there is considerable risk that we will not be able to raise such financings at all, or on terms that are not dilutive to our existing stockholders. We can offer no assurance that we will be able to raise such funds. If we are unable to raise the funds we require for all of our planned operations, we may be forced to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may suffer a significant negative effect on our business plan and operations, including our ability to develop new products and continue our current operations. As a result, our business may suffer, and we may be forced to reduce or discontinue operations.
The following is a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Cash used in operating activities – continuing operations | $ | (6,619 | ) | $ | (11,223 | ) | ||
| Cash used in operating activities – discontinued operations | (1,855 | ) | (4,752 | ) | ||||
| Cash used in investing activities – continuing operations | (275 | ) | (4,401 | ) | ||||
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities – discontinued operations | 4,750 | (1 | ) | |||||
| Cash provided by financing activities – continuing operations | 4,855 | 23,342 | ||||||
| Cash used in financing activities – discontinued operations | (2,367 | ) | (2,981 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in cash | $ | (1,511 | ) | $ | (16 | ) | ||
Cash Flows – Operating
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, our cash used in operating activities from continuing operations amounted to $6.6 million, compared to cash used from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $11.2 million. We generated $4.6 million additional cash from operations primarily due to cost savings in personnel expenses and reduced general and administrative expenses.
Cash Flows – Investing
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, our cash provided by investing activities amounted to $4.5 million, primarily due to $4.8 million of proceeds received from the sale of SaaS assets slightly offset by our investment in capitalized software development costs related to MARKET.
Cash Flows – Financing
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, our cash provided by financing activities for continuing operations amounted to $4.9 million, primarily due to $6.6 million of net proceeds from the issuance of shares of our common stock, offset by the repayment of convertible notes of $(1.4) million and repayment of our November notes of $(0.4) million.
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Advance on Future Receipts
On February 16, 2023, the Company modified and combined the unpaid balances of the previous two advances with a new advance from the same third party totaling $1.6 million for the purchase of future receipts/revenues of $2.1 million, resulting in a debt discount of $0.5 million. As of September 30, 2023, the outstanding balance of the advance was $0.3 million. On November 6, 2023, the Company repaid in full the unpaid amount of the advance on future receipts.
Convertible Note Payable and Notes Payable
We have the following outstanding notes payable as of September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
| Note | Issuance Date | Maturity Date | Interest Rate | Original Borrowing | Balance at September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||
| Related party note payable (A) | December 1, 2015 | April 1, 2023 | 12.0 | % | $ | 1,249 | $ | 725 | ||||||||
| Note payable (B) | May 15, 2020 | May 15, 2050 | 3.75 | % | 150 | 142 | ||||||||||
| Promissory note payable (C) | November 7, 2022 | May 7, 2024 | 9.0 | % | 5,470 | 2,184 | ||||||||||
| Debt discount | (171 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | (127 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Total notes payable | 2,753 | |||||||||||||||
| Non-current | (142 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Current | $ | 2,611 | ||||||||||||||
| (A) | On December 1, 2015, we issued a convertible note payable to Mr. Rory J. Cutaia, the Company’s majority stockholder and Chief Executive Officer, to consolidate all loans and advances made by Mr. Cutaia to us as of that date. On May 19, 2021, we amended the note to allow for conversion of the note at any time at the discretion of the holder at a fixed conversion price of $41.20, which was the closing price of the common stock on the amendment date. On May 12, 2022, the maturity date of the note was extended to April 1, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the outstanding balance of the note amounted to $0.9 million. On October 12, 2023, the Company repaid in full the outstanding balance of the note. | |
| (B) | On May 15, 2020, we executed an unsecured loan with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program in the amount of $0.15 million. Installment payments, including principal and interest, began October 26, 2022. In September 2022, the SBA approved an additional loan of $0.35 million. As of November 10, 2023, we have not received these funds. As of September 30, 2023, the outstanding balance of the note amounted to $0.14 million. | |
| (C) | On November 7, 2022, we entered into the November Note Offering, which provided for the sale and issuance of an aggregate original principal amount of $5.5 million in November Notes.
We received $5.0 million in gross proceeds from the sale of the November Notes. The November Notes bear interest of 9.0% per annum, have an original issue discount of 8.6%, and mature 18 months from the closing date.
In connection with the November Note Offering, we incurred $0.3 million of debt issuance costs. The debt issuance costs and the debt discount of $0.5 million are being amortized over the term of the November Notes using the effective interest rate method. As of September 30, 2023, the amount of unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
On May 16, 2023, the Company received a redemption notice of $0.3 million under the terms of the November Note Purchase Agreement. The Company missed two payments resulting in a Payment Failure Balance Increase of 10% on the outstanding principal balance per occurrence pursuant to the terms of the agreement totaling $1.2 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company paid $0.4 million in cash and $4.1 million in shares. As of September 30, 2023, the outstanding balance of the Notes amounted to $2.6 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2023, the Company issued 2,040,922 shares of its common stock pursuant to an exchange agreement in exchange for a reduction of $0.7 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes.
On October 11, 2023, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with the same lender pursuant to which they purchased a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 million. The note bears interest at 9.0% per annum compounded daily. The maturity date of the note is 18 months from the date of its issuance. |
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Critical Accounting Policies
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require that we make certain assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses during each reporting period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates include assumptions made for reserves of uncollectible accounts receivable, assumptions made in valuing assets acquired in business combinations, impairment testing of goodwill and other long-lived assets, the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, assumptions used in valuing derivative liabilities, assumptions used in valuing share-based compensation, and accruals for potential liabilities. Amounts could materially change in the future.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 creates a five-step model that requires entities to exercise judgment when considering the terms of contract(s), which includes (1) identifying the contract(s) or agreement(s) with a customer, (2) identifying our performance obligations in the contract or agreement, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied.
A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:
| MARKET.live, launched at the end of July 2022, generates revenue through several sources as follows: |
| a. | All sales run through our ecommerce facility on MARKET.live from which we deduct a platform fee that ranges from 10% to 20% of gross sales, with an average of approximately 15%, depending upon the pricing package the vendors select as well as the product category and profit margins associated with such categories. The revenue is derived from sales generated during livestream events, from sales realized through views of previously recorded live events available in each vendor’s store, as well as from sales of product and merchandise displayed in the vendors’ online stores, all of which are shoppable 24/7. | |
| b. | Produced events. MARKET.live offers fee-based services that range from full production of livestream events, to providing professional hosts and event consulting. | |
| c. | Drop ship programs. MARKET.live is expected to generate recurring fee revenue from soon to be launched new drop ship programs for entrepreneurs. | |
| d. | The MARKET.live site is designed to incorporate sponsorships and other advertising based on typical industry rates. |
Capitalized Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes internal and external costs directly associated with developing internal-use software, and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license, during the application development stage of its projects. The Company’s internal-use software is reported at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization begins once the project has been completed and is ready for its intended use. The Company will amortize the asset on a straight-line basis over a period of three years, which is the estimated useful life. Software maintenance activities or minor upgrades are expensed in the period performed.
Amortization expense related to capitalized software development costs are recorded in depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We evaluate our financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is evaluated at the end of each reporting period. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date.
We use Level 2 inputs for our valuation methodology for the derivative liabilities as their fair values were determined by using a Binomial pricing model. Our derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in results of operations as adjustments to fair value of derivatives.
Share-Based Compensation
The Company issues stock options and warrants, shares of common stock and restricted stock units as share-based compensation to employees and non-employees. The Company accounts for its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock and is recognized as expense over the service period. Recognition of compensation expense for non-employees is in the same period and manner as if the Company had paid cash for services.
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Goodwill
In accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Our impairment testing is performed annually at December 31 (our fiscal year end). Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is determined by comparing the fair value of our reporting units to the carrying value of the underlying net assets in the reporting units. If the fair value of a reporting unit is determined to be less than the carrying value of its net assets, goodwill is deemed impaired and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of its other assets and liabilities.
Intangible Assets
We have certain intangible assets that were initially recorded at their fair value at the time of acquisition. The finite-lived intangible assets consist of developed technology and customer contracts. Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of domain names. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of five years.
We review all finite lived intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess carrying value over the fair value in our consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For a summary of our recent accounting policies, refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included under Item 1 – Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
ITEM 4 - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
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We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2023.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended September 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control systems are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation of internal control over financial reporting can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been or will be detected.
These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For information regarding legal proceedings, refer to Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in this Quarterly Report are any of the risks described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.
Except as set forth below, there were no material changes to the risks and uncertainties described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report during the three months ended September 30, 2023.
If we are not able to comply with the applicable continued listing requirements or standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market, The NASDAQ Capital Market could delist and adversely affect the market price and liquidity of our common stock.
Our common stock is currently traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “VERB”. If we fail to meet any of the continued listing standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market, our common stock will be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market.
These continued listing standards include specifically enumerated criteria, such as a $1.00 minimum closing bid price. On November 2, 2023, we received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market advising that the Company did not meet the minimum $1.00 per share bid price requirement for continued inclusion on The NASDAQ Capital Market pursuant to NASDAQ Marketplace Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). To demonstrate compliance with this requirement, the closing bid price of our common stock needs to be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days before April 30, 2024. In order to satisfy this requirement, the Company intends to continue actively monitoring the bid price for its common stock between now and April 30, 2024 and will consider available options to resolve the deficiency and regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.
On August 18, 2023, we received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market indicating that the Company’s stockholders’ equity as reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023 (the “Form 10-Q”), did not satisfy the continued listing requirement under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires that a listed company’s stockholders’ equity be at least $2,500,000 (the “Stockholders’ Equity Requirement”). As reported in its Form 10-Q, the Company’s stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2023 was ($1,818,000). The Staff’s notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq. In accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company had 45 calendar days, or until October 2, 2023, to submit its plan to regain compliance with the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement, for the Staff’s consideration. The Company has submitted its plan of compliance to Nasdaq and as of the date of this report has not yet received an indication from Nasdaq as to whether the plan is acceptable. If the plan is accepted, the Staff may grant the Company an extension period of up to 180 calendar days from the date of the deficiency notice to regain compliance.
While we intend to regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule and the Stockholders’ Equity Requirement, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain continued compliance with these rules or the other listing requirements of The NASDAQ Capital Market. If we were unable to meet these requirements, we would receive another delisting notice from the Nasdaq Capital Market for failure to comply with one or more of the continued listing requirements. If our common stock were to be delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market, trading of our common stock most likely will be conducted in the over-the-counter market on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted securities such as the OTC Markets or in the “pink sheets.” Such a downgrading in our listing market may limit our ability to make a market in our common stock and which may impact purchases or sales of our securities.
ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS
Reference is made to the exhibits listed on the Index to Exhibits.
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| * | Filed herewith. |
| ** | The certifications attached as Exhibit 32.1 and 32.2 that accompany this Quarterly Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not be deemed “filed” by the registrant for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and are not to be incorporated by reference into any of the registrant’s filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in any such filing. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| VERB TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, INC. | ||
| Date: November 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ Rory J. Cutaia |
| Rory J. Cutaia | ||
| President, Chief Executive Officer, | ||
| Secretary, and Director | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: November 14, 2023 | By: | /s/ Bill J. Rivard |
| Bill J. Rivard | ||
| Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||
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