TON Strategy Co: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2023

Filed with the SEC on Apr 1, 2024 and accepted by EDGAR at Apr 1, 2024, 16:31 ET.

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Business

As filed, 15,552 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

2023 Overview

Through June 13, 2023, we operated three distinct lines of business through separate wholly owned subsidiaries: Verb Direct, LLC, a sales Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) platform for the direct sales industry; Verb Acquisition Co., LLC, which was a sales SaaS platform for the Life Sciences industry and sports teams; and verbMarketplace, LLC, which is a multi-vendor, multi-presenter, livestream social shopping platform known as MARKET.live that combines ecommerce and entertainment.

We determined 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 through the continued operation of our SaaS business platforms. Accordingly, after an extensive seven-month process, managed by a prominent M&A advisory firm, to identify a buyer willing to pay the highest price on the most favorable terms for the assets of the SaaS business 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 for aggregate consideration of $6.5 million, $4.75 million of which was paid in cash by the buyer at the closing of the transaction. Additional payments in the aggregate of $1.75 million will be paid by the buyer if certain profitability and revenue targets are met within each of the two-year periods following the closing date 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.

Our MARKET.live Business

The Company’s MARKET.live platform is a multi-vendor, multi-presenter, livestream social shopping destination the leverages the current convergence of ecommerce and entertainment, where hundreds of retailers, brands, creators and influencers can monetize their base of fans and followers across social media channels. Brands, retailers and creators that join MARKET.live have the ability to broadcast livestream shopping events simultaneously on numerous social media channels, including TikTok, as well as on MARKET.live, reaching exponentially larger audiences. The Company’s recent technological integrations with META, created a seamless, native, friction-free checkout process for Facebook and Instagram users to purchase MARKET.live vendors’ products within each of those popular apps. This integration allows Facebook and Instagram users to browse products featured in MARKET.live shoppable videos, place products in a native shopping cart and checkout – all without leaving Facebook or Instagram.

On September 5, 2023, the Company completed development work on a new MARKET.live capability that facilitated a deeper integration into the TikTok social media platform, which 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 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.

On March 27, 2024, the Company announced that it expanded its strategic relationship with TikTok and entered into a formal partnership with TikTok Shop pursuant to which MARKET.live became a service provider for TikTok Shop and officially designated as a TikTok Shop Partner (TSP) . Under the terms of the partnership, TikTok Shop refers consumer brands, retailers, influencers and affiliates leads to Market.live for a menu of MARKET.live paid services that include, among other things, assistance in onboarding to TikTok and establishing a TikTok store, hosting training sessions and webinars for prospective TikTok Shop sellers, studio space rental in both the West Coast and East Coast MARKET.live studios, content creation and production services, and TikTok Shop maintenance and enhancements for existing TikTok clients’ stores. The partnership also contemplates TikTok Shop sponsored studio rentals, as well as a paid-for “day pass” for use of MARKET.live studio services by TikTok creators, influencers and affiliates. MARKET.live is expected to generate revenue through fees, including monthly recurring fees, paid directly to MARKET.live by the brands, retailers, influencers and affiliates referred to MARKET.live by TikTok. In addition, it is contemplated that MARKET.live will receive a percentage of monthly revenue generated through the TikTok stores MARKET.live establishes for the brands, retailers, influencers and affiliates that TikTok Shop refers to MARKET.live.

The partnership also contemplates the use of MARKET.live studios as TikTok “Sample Centers” where TikTok creators will have access to product samples for use in their TikTok Shop videos produced at MARKET.live studios. In addition to the compensation referenced above, TikTok will compensate MARKET.live directly for the attainment of certain pre-established performance goals and objectives agreed to between the parties.

The Company’s recent drop ship and affiliate programs are currently being revised to incorporate the benefits and implications of the recent META integrations as well as the new TikTok partnership. The Company is actively engaged in completing development on integrations into additional large social media platforms, as well as developing partnerships and strategic alliances that it believes will help foster the growth of the Company’s business.

Our Market

Revenue Generation

A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:

1. MARKET.live 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 stores and affiliate programs.

e. The MARKET.live site is designed to incorporate sponsorships and other advertising based on typical industry rates.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product. Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred that are both capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the goods is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. Performance obligations include establishing and maintaining customer online stores, providing access to the Company’s e-commerce platform and customer service support.

The Company’s revenue is mainly commission fees derived from contractually committed gross revenue processed by customers on the Company’s e-commerce platform as well as subscription-based fees and other fees and commissions for services rendered by the Company to clients referred to the Company by TikTok. Customers do not have the contractual right to take possession of the Company’s software. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to ultimately receive in exchange for those promised goods, net of expected discounts for sales promotions and customary allowances.

Revenue is recognized on a net basis from maintaining e-commerce platforms and online orders, as the Company is engaged primarily in an agency relationship with its customers and earns defined amounts based on the individual contractual terms for the customer and the Company does not take possession of the customers’ inventory or any credit risks relating to the products sold.

Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and, therefore, are excluded from net sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

Intellectual Property

Our policy is to protect our technology through, among other things, a combination of patents, trade secrets and copyrights. We primarily rely upon trade secrets and copyrighted proprietary software, code, and know-how to protect our interactive video technology platform and associated applications. We have taken security measures to protect our trade secrets and proprietary know-how, to the extent possible. Our means of protecting our proprietary rights may not prove to be adequate and our competitors may independently develop technology or products that are similar to ours or that compete with ours. Trade secret and copyright laws afford only limited protection for our technology and products. The laws of many countries do not protect our proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. Third parties may also design around our proprietary rights, which may render our protected technology and products less valuable, if the design around is favorably received in the marketplace.

We control access to our proprietary technology by entering into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and contractors, and confidentiality agreements with third parties. Despite our precautions, we cannot assure you that our technology platform and products do not infringe patents held by others or that they will not in the future. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, or to defend against claims of infringement, invalidity, misappropriation, or other claims.

Dependence on Key Customers

Based on our current business and anticipated future activities as described in this Annual Report, we do not have any customers that represent more than 10% of our 2023 revenue.

Government Regulation

Our software and services are subject to certain legal, regulatory and other requirements. These laws are complex and evolving. Various U.S. federal and state laws govern many of our business activities, including, without limitation, the processing of payments and handling of consumer information. Despite our significant efforts to comply with all applicable requirements, there can be no guarantee that our efforts will be sufficient or that existing laws, rules or other requirements will not be interpreted, revised, augmented or rewritten in a way that adversely affects our regulated business activities, which comprise a significant majority of our overall business. For additional information related to these risk-related issues, refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” within this Annual Report.

Human Capital Management

As of March 28, 2024, we had 20 full-time statutory employees, three part-time employees, and three independent contractors. We engage independent contractors on an as-needed basis to provide specific expertise in areas of software design, development and coding, content creation, audio and video editing, video production services, and other business functions, including marketing and accounting. None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We have had no labor-related work stoppages and believe our relationship with our employees, both full-time and part-time, consultants, and independent contractors, is satisfactory.

We believe our people are at the heart of our success and our customers’ success. We endeavor to not only attract and retain talented employees, but also to provide a challenging and rewarding environment to motivate and develop our valuable human capital. We look to our talented employees to lead and foster various initiatives that support our company culture including those related to diversity, equity and inclusion. In addition, we rely heavily on our talented team to execute our growth plans and achieve our long-term strategic objectives.

We provide competitive compensation and benefits for our employees. Our compensation packages may include base salary, commission or annual performance-based bonuses, and share-based compensation. We also offer general employee medical, dental, and vision insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts, mental health resources, paid time off, paid family leave, life and disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan. These programs and our overall compensation packages seek to attract and retain talented employees.

Our Historical Background

Verb Technology Company, Inc. was incorporated in 2012 in the state of Nevada.

On April 12, 2019, we acquired Sound Concepts Inc. pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger. As a result of the merger, Sound Concepts merged with and into our wholly owned subsidiary, NF Acquisition Company, LLC. Upon completion of the merger, NF Acquisition Company, LLC changed its name to Verb Direct, LLC (“Verb Direct”).

On September 4, 2020, Verb Acquisition Co., LLC (“Verb Acquisition”), a subsidiary of Verb Technology, entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with Ascend Certification, LLC, dba SoloFire.

On October 18, 2021, we established verbMarketplace, LLC (“Market LLC”), a Nevada limited liability company. Market LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary established for our 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 $6.5 million, $4.75 million of which was paid in cash by the buyer at the closing of the transaction. Additional payments in the aggregate of $1.75 million will be paid by the buyer if certain profitability and revenue targets are met within each of the two-year periods following the closing date as set forth more particularly in the asset purchase agreement. The sale of the SaaS Assets was undertaken to allow the Company to focus its resources on its burgeoning MARKET.live business unit which it expects over time will create greater shareholder value.

Our common stock and common stock purchase warrants trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “VERB” and “VERBW,” respectively. Our Internet website address is https://www.verb.tech.

Risk factors

As filed, 57,194 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

Our short and long-term success is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors that are difficult to predict or beyond our control. As a result, investing in the Company’s common stock involves substantial risk. The Company’s stockholders should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, in addition to the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, as well as the other information we file with the SEC from time to time. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations and financial results. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. Our filings with the SEC also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks or uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks we face described below, as well as other variables that could affect our operating results. Past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have incurred significant net losses and cannot assure you that we will achieve or maintain profitable operations.

We have incurred recurring losses since our inception in 2012. Our net loss was $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and $37.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. To date, we have funded our operations through cash collected from sales of our products and services, offerings of our equity securities, and debt financing. We have devoted substantially all of our resources to the design, development and commercialization of our products, the scaling of our technology and infrastructure, and our marketing and sales efforts. We may continue to incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays, and other unknown events.

To implement our business strategy and achieve consistent profitability, we need to, among other things, continue to reduce operating expenses, increase sales of our products and the gross profit associated with those sales, continue to reduce research and development expenses, and increase our marketing and sales efforts to drive an increase in the number of customers and clients utilizing our services. These expenditures may make it more difficult to achieve and maintain profitability. In addition, our efforts to grow our business may be more expensive than we expect, and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to offset operating expenses. If we are forced to reduce our expenses beyond our planned cost reduction initiatives, our growth strategy could be compromised. To offset our anticipated operating expenses, we will need to generate and sustain significant revenue levels in future periods in order to become profitable, and even if we do, we may not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability.

Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will achieve sustainable operating profits as we continue to reduce operating expenses, restructure our balance sheet, further develop our marketing efforts, and otherwise implement our growth initiatives. Any failure to achieve and maintain profitability would have a materially adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan, our results and operations, and our financial condition, and could cause the value of our common stock, to decline, resulting in a significant or complete loss of your investment.

Our independent registered public accounting firm’s report may raise substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our independent registered public accounting firm may raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. A “going concern” opinion indicates that the financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets, or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result if we do not continue as a going concern. Therefore, you should not rely on our consolidated balance sheet as an indication of the amount of proceeds that would be available to satisfy claims of creditors, and potentially be available for distribution to stockholders, in the event of liquidation. The presence of the going concern note to our financial statements may have an adverse impact on the relationships we are developing and plan to develop with third parties as we continue the commercialization of our products and could make it challenging and difficult for us to raise additional financing, all of which could have a material adverse impact on our business and prospects and result in a significant or complete loss of your investment.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to operate our business and pay our debt obligations as they become due, we may need to seek to borrow additional funds, dispose of our assets, or reduce or delay capital expenditures. There can be 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. Our audited 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. For additional information, please refer to the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Going Concern and Management’s Plan,” as well as Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included within this Annual Report.

Public health threats, natural disasters and other events beyond our control, have had and may continue to have a significant negative impact on our business, sales, results of operations and financial condition.

Public health threats and other highly communicable diseases and outbreaks could adversely impact our operations, the operations of our customers, suppliers, distributors and other business partners, as well as the healthcare system in general. Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters, fire, power shortages, pandemics and other events beyond our control. Although we maintain crisis management and disaster response plans, such events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver our services to our customers and could decrease demand for our services.

Additionally, our liquidity could be negatively impacted if these conditions continue for a significant period of time and we may be required to pursue additional sources of financing to obtain working capital, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and meet our financial obligations. Capital and credit markets have been disrupted by the crisis and our ability to obtain any required financing is not guaranteed and largely dependent upon evolving market conditions and other factors. Depending on the continued impact of the crisis, further actions may be required to improve our cash position and capital structure.

The extent to which public health threats, natural disasters or catastrophic events, ultimately impacts our business, sales, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

Our ability to grow and compete in the future will be adversely affected if adequate capital is not available to us or not available on terms favorable to us.

We have limited capital resources. We have financed our operations entirely through equity investments by founders and other investors and the incurrence of debt, and we expect to continue to finance our operations in the same manner in the foreseeable future. Our ability to continue our normal and planned operations, to grow our business, and to compete in our industry will depend on the availability of adequate capital. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain additional funding from those or other sources when or in the amounts needed, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we raise capital through the sale of equity, or securities convertible into equity, it would result in dilution to our then-existing stockholders, which could be significant depending on the price at which we may be able to sell our securities. If we raise additional capital through the incurrence of additional indebtedness, we would likely become subject to further covenants restricting our business activities, and holders of debt instruments may have rights and privileges senior to those of our then-existing stockholders. In addition, servicing the interest and principal repayment obligations under debt facilities could divert funds that would otherwise be available to support development of new programs and marketing to current and potential new clients. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce, or eliminate development of new programs or future marketing efforts, or reduce or discontinue our operations. Any of these events could significantly harm our business, financial condition, and prospects.

Our indebtedness, and the agreements governing such indebtedness, subject us to required debt service payments, as well as financial restrictions and operating covenants, any of which may reduce our financial flexibility and affect our ability to operate our business.

From time to time, we have financed our liquidity needs in part from borrowings made under various credit agreements. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate outstanding balance of our notes payable was $2.9 million. As of March 28, 2024, the balance of our notes payable is $1.2 million.

The agreements underlying these transactions contain certain financial restrictions, operating covenants, and debt service requirements. Our failure to comply with obligations under these agreements, or inability to make required debt service payments, could result in an event of default under the agreements. A default, if not cured or waived, could permit a lender to accelerate payment of the loan, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Further, if our debt is accelerated, we cannot be certain that funds will be available to pay the debt or that we will have the ability to refinance the debt on terms satisfactory to us or at all. If we are unable to repay or refinance the accelerated debt, we could become insolvent and seek to file for bankruptcy protection, which would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition.

In addition, the covenants in our credit agreements could limit our ability to engage in transactions that would be in our best interest, or otherwise respond to changing business and economic conditions, and may therefore have a material impact on our business. For example, our borrowings will require debt service payments, which could require us to divert funds identified for other purposes to such debt service payments. Further, if we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt, we may need to refinance the debt, dispose of its assets, or reduce or delay expenditures. Alternatively, we may be required to issue equity to obtain necessary funds, which would be dilutive to our stockholders. We do not know whether we would be able to take any of these actions on a timely basis or at all.

Our current or future level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:

the covenants contained in current or future agreements governing outstanding indebtedness may limit our ability to borrow additional funds, refinance debt, dispose of assets, and make certain investments;
debt covenants may also affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and in our industry;

a high level of debt would increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
a significant level of debt may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged and, therefore, may be able to take advantage of opportunities that our indebtedness would prevent us from pursuing; and
a high level of debt may impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, debt service requirements, acquisitions, or other purposes.

For additional information refer to the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” as well as Note 1 in the section entitled “Going Concern and Management’s Plan” to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

The success of our business is dependent upon 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. If we are unable to expand our customer base and/or the use of our services and/or platform by our customers declines, our business will be harmed.

Our ability to expand and generate revenue depends, in part, on our ability to maintain and expand our relationships with existing customers and convince them to increase their use of our platform. If our customers do not increase their use of our platform, then our revenue may not grow and our results of operations may be harmed. It is difficult to predict customers’ usage levels accurately and the loss of customers or reductions in their usage levels may have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If a significant number of customers cease using, or reduce their usage of, our platform, then we may be required to spend significantly more on sales and marketing than we currently plan to spend in order to maintain or increase revenue. These additional expenditures could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Most of our customers do not have long-term contractual financial commitments to us and, therefore, most of our customers could reduce or cease their use of our platform at any time without penalty or termination charges.

The market in which we operate is intensely competitive and, if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.

The market for livestream shopping platforms is intensely competitive and rapidly changing, barriers to entry are relatively low, and many of our competitors, have greater name recognition, longer operating histories, and larger marketing budgets, as well as substantially greater financial, technical, and other resources, than we do. In addition, many of our potential competitors have established marketing relationships and access to larger customer bases, and have major distribution agreements with consultants, system integrators, and resellers. As a result, our competitors may be able to respond more effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards, customer requirements, competitive pressures, or challenges within the financial markets. Furthermore, because of these advantages, even if our products and services are more effective than the products and services that our competitors offer, potential customers might accept competitive products and services in lieu of purchasing our products and services. If we do not compete effectively against our current and future competitors, our operating results could be harmed.

We may not be able to increase the number of our strategic relationships or grow the revenues received from our current strategic relationships.

We have entered into certain strategic relationships with other individuals and enterprises and are actively seeking additional strategic relationships. There can be no assurance, however, that these strategic relationships will result in material revenues for us or that we will be able to generate any other meaningful strategic relationships. If we are not able to increase the number of our strategic relationships or grow the revenues received from our current strategic relationships, our operating results could be harmed.

We may not be able to develop enhancements and new features to our existing service or acceptable new services that keep pace with technological developments.

If we are unable to develop enhancements to, and new features for, our platform that keep pace with rapid technological developments, our business will be harmed. The success of enhancements, new features, and services depends on several factors, including the timely completion, introduction, and market acceptance of the feature or edition. Failure in this regard may significantly impair our revenue growth or harm our reputation. We may not be successful in either developing these modifications and enhancements or in timely bringing them to market at a competitive price or at all. Furthermore, uncertainties about the timing and nature of new network platforms or technologies, or modifications to existing platforms or technologies, could increase our research and development expenses. Any failure of our service to operate effectively with future network platforms and technologies could reduce the demand for our service, result in customer dissatisfaction, and harm our business.

Our ability to deliver our services is dependent on third party Internet providers.

The Internet’s infrastructure is comprised of many different networks and services that, by design, are highly fragmented and distributed. This infrastructure is run by a series of independent, third-party organizations that work together to provide the infrastructure and supporting services of the Internet under the governance of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names (“ICANN”) and the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (“IANA”), which is now related to ICANN.

The Internet has experienced, and will continue to experience, a variety of outages and other delays due to damages to portions of its infrastructure, denial-of-service attacks, or related cyber incidents. These scenarios are not under our control and could reduce the availability of the Internet to us or our customers for delivery of our services. Any resulting interruptions in our services or the ability of our customers to access our services could result in a loss of potential or existing customers and harm our business.

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our proprietary business information, proprietary business information of our customers, including, credit card and payment information, and personally identifiable information of our customers and employees. The secure processing, maintenance, and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy.

In addition, we are subject to numerous federal, state, provincial and foreign laws regarding privacy and protection of data. Some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security breaches involving certain types of personal data and our agreements with certain customers require us to notify them in the event of a security incident. Evolving regulations regarding personal data and personal information, including the General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”), and the recently passed California Privacy Rights Act, which amends the CCPA and has many provisions that became effective on January 1, 2023, especially relating to classification of IP addresses, machine identification, location data and other information, may limit or inhibit our ability to operate or expand our business. Such laws and regulations require or may require us or our customers to implement privacy and security policies, permit consumers to access, correct or delete personal information stored or maintained by us or our customers, inform individuals of security incidents that affect their personal information, and, in some cases, obtain consent to use personal information for specified purposes.

We believe that we take reasonable steps to protect the security, integrity and confidentiality of the information we collect, use, store, and disclose, and we take steps to strengthen our security protocols and infrastructure, however, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or other disruptions. We also could be negatively impacted by software bugs or other technical malfunctions, as well as employee error or malfeasance. Advanced cyber-attacks can be multi-staged, unfold over time, and utilize a range of attack vectors with military-grade cyber weapons and proven techniques, such as spear phishing and social engineering, leaving organizations and users at high risk of being compromised. Any such access, disclosure, or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, a disruption of our operations, damage to our reputation, a loss of confidence in our business, early termination of our contracts and other business losses, indemnification of our customers, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, financial penalties, litigation, regulatory investigations and other significant liabilities, any of which could materially harm our business any of which could adversely affect our business, revenues, and competitive position.

Our success depends, in part, on the capacity, reliability, and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure, as well as our ability to adapt and expand our infrastructure.

The capacity, reliability, and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure are important to the operation of our current business, which would suffer in the event of system failures. Likewise, our ability to expand and update our information technology infrastructure in response to our growth and changing needs is important to the continued implementation of our new service offering initiatives. Our inability to expand or upgrade our technology infrastructure could have adverse consequences, including the delayed provision of services or implementation of new service offerings, and the diversion of development resources. We rely on third parties for various aspects of our hardware and software infrastructure. Third parties may experience errors or disruptions that could adversely impact us and over which we may have limited control. Interruption and/or failure of any of these systems could disrupt our operations and damage our reputation, thus adversely impacting our ability to provide our products and services, retain our current users, and attract new users. In addition, our information technology hardware and software infrastructure may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses, or other events that could have a security impact. If one or more of such events occur, our customer and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our information technology hardware and software infrastructure, or otherwise, could be compromised, which could result in significant losses or reputational damage. We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses, any of which could substantially harm our business and our results of operations.

We are dependent on third parties to, among other things, maintain our servers, provide the bandwidth necessary to transmit content, and utilize the content derived therefrom for the potential generation of revenues.

We depend on third-party service providers, suppliers, and licensors to supply some of the services, hardware, software, and operational support necessary to provide some of our products and services. Some of these third parties do not have a long operating history or may not be able to continue to supply the equipment and services we desire in the future. If demand exceeds these vendors’ capacity, or if these vendors experience operating or financial difficulties or are otherwise unable to provide the equipment or services we need in a timely manner, at our specifications and at reasonable prices, our ability to provide some products and services might be materially adversely affected, or the need to procure or develop alternative sources of the affected materials or services might delay our ability to serve our users. These events could materially and adversely affect our ability to retain and attract users, and have a material negative impact on our operations, business, financial results, and financial condition.

We may not be able to find suitable software developers at an acceptable cost or at all.

We currently rely on certain key suppliers and vendors in the coding and maintenance of our software. We will continue to require such expertise in the future. Due to the current demand for skilled software developers, we run the risk of not being able to find or retain suitable and qualified personnel at an acceptable price, or at all. These risks may be greater now than in the past due to current general labor shortages in the United States. Without these developers, we may not be able to further develop and maintain our software, which is the most important aspect of our business development.

The success of our business is highly correlated to general economic conditions.

Demand for our products and services is highly correlated with general economic conditions, as a substantial portion of our revenue is derived from discretionary spending by individuals, which typically declines during times of economic instability. Declines in economic conditions in the United States or in other countries in which we operate and may operate in the future may adversely impact our financial results. Because such declines in demand are difficult to predict, we or our industry may have increased excess capacity as a result. An increase in excess capacity may result in declines in prices for our products and services. Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by sustained economic weakness and uncertainty, including the effect of wavering consumer confidence, high unemployment, and other factors. The inability to grow or maintain our business would adversely affect our business, financial conditions, and results of operations, and thereby an investment in our common stock.

Our failure to adequately protect our intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our products, weaken our competitive position and reduce our revenue, and infringement claims asserted against us or by us, could have a material adverse effect.

We regard the protection of our intellectual property, which includes patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and domain names, as critical to our success. We strive to protect our intellectual property rights by relying on federal, state and common law rights, as well as contractual restrictions. We enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and contractors, and confidentiality agreements with parties with whom we conduct business in order to limit access to, and disclosure and use of, our proprietary information. However, these contractual arrangements and the other steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary information or deter independent development of similar technologies by others.

We have registered domain names and trademarks in the United States and have pursued additional registrations both in and outside the United States. Effective trade secret, copyright, trademark, domain name and patent protection is expensive to develop and maintain, both in terms of initial and ongoing registration requirements and the costs of defending our rights. Notwithstanding our efforts, third parties may independently develop technology that is not covered by our patents, or that is similar to, or competes with, our technology. In addition, our intellectual property may be infringed or misappropriated by third parties, particularly in foreign countries where the laws and governmental authorities may not protect our proprietary rights as effectively as those in the United States. We may be required to protect our intellectual property in an increasing number of jurisdictions, a process that is expensive and may not be successful or which we may not pursue in every location.

Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and costly. Our efforts to protect our proprietary rights may not be adequate to prevent misappropriation of our intellectual property. Further, we may not be able to detect unauthorized use of, or take appropriate steps to enforce, our intellectual property rights. In addition, our competitors may independently develop similar technology. The laws in the United States and elsewhere change rapidly, and any future changes could adversely affect us and our intellectual property. Our failure to meaningfully protect our intellectual property could result in competitors offering services that incorporate our most technologically advanced features, which could seriously reduce demand for our products. In addition, we may in the future need to initiate infringement claims or litigation. Litigation, whether we are a plaintiff or a defendant, can be expensive, time-consuming and may divert the efforts of our technical staff and managerial personnel, which could harm our business, whether or not such litigation results in a determination that is unfavorable to us. In addition, litigation is inherently uncertain, and thus we may not be able to stop its competitors from infringing upon our intellectual property rights.

Natural disasters and other events beyond our control could materially adversely affect us.

Natural disasters or other catastrophic events may cause damage or disruption to our operations, international commerce and the global economy, and thus could have a strong negative effect on us. Our business operations are subject to interruption by natural disasters, fire, power shortages, pandemics and other events beyond our control. Although we maintain crisis management and disaster response plans, such events could make it difficult or impossible for us to deliver our services to our customers and could decrease demand for our services.

Our future success depends on our key executive officers and our ability to attract, retain, and motivate qualified personnel.

Our future success largely depends upon the continued services of our executive officers and management team, especially our Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of our board of directors, and President, Mr. Rory J. Cutaia. If one or more of our executive officers are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them readily, if at all. Additionally, we may incur additional expenses to recruit and retain new executive officers. If any of our executive officers joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose some or all of our customers. Finally, we do not maintain “key person” life insurance on any of our executive officers. Because of these factors, the loss of the services of any of these key persons could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and thereby an investment in our stock.

Our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel will also be critical to our success because we will need to hire and retain additional personnel as our business grows. There can be no assurance that we will be able to attract or retain highly qualified personnel. We face significant competition for skilled personnel in our industries. This competition may make it more difficult and expensive to attract, hire, and retain qualified managers and employees. Because of these factors, we may not be able to effectively manage or grow our business, which could adversely affect our financial condition or business. As a result, the value of your investment could be significantly reduced or completely lost.

Risks Related to an Investment in Our Securities

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”. We have in the past been, and may in the future be, unable to comply with certain of the listing standards that we are required to meet to maintain the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market. 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 and a requirement that we maintain stockholders’ equity of at least $2,500,000. 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, including, but not limited to, seeking an additional six-month extension from The NASDAQ Capital Market to do so.

While we intend to regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain continued compliance with this rule 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.

Raising additional capital, including through future sales and issuances of our common stock, warrants or the exercise of rights to purchase common stock pursuant to our equity incentive plan could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our stockholders, could cause our share price to fall and could restrict our operations.

We expect we will need significant additional capital in the future to continue our planned operations, including any potential acquisitions, hiring new personnel and continuing activities as an operating public company. To the extent we seek additional capital through a combination of public and private equity offerings and debt financings, our stockholders may experience substantial dilution. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our existing stockholders may be diluted, and the terms may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. Debt and receivables financings may be coupled with an equity component, such as warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, which could also result in dilution of our existing stockholders’ ownership. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased fixed payment obligations and could also result in certain restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. A failure to obtain adequate funds may cause us to curtail certain operational activities, including sales and marketing, in order to reduce costs and sustain the business, and would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

In addition, we have granted options to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to our equity incentive plans and have registered 16,000,000 shares of common stock underlying options and shares granted pursuant to our equity incentive plans. Sales of shares issued upon exercise of options granted under our equity compensation plans may result in material dilution to our existing stockholders, which could cause our price of our common stock to fall.

Our issuance of additional shares of preferred stock could adversely affect the market value of our common stock, dilute the voting power of common stockholders and delay or prevent a change of control.

Our board of directors have the authority to cause us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series, and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, redemption price or prices and liquidation preferences of such series.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in the common stock less attractive. For example, investors in the common stock may not wish to purchase common stock at a price above the conversion price of a series of convertible preferred stock because the holders of the preferred stock would effectively be entitled to purchase common stock at the lower conversion price causing economic dilution to the holders of common stock.

Further, the issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our other classes of voting stock either by diluting the voting power of our other classes of voting stock if they vote together as a single class, or by giving the holders of any such preferred stock the right to block an action on which they have a separate class vote even if the action were approved by the holders of our other classes of voting stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the stockholders, even where stockholders are offered a premium for their shares.

The market price of our common stock has been, and may continue to be, subject to substantial volatility.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including;

volatility in the trading markets generally and in our particular market segment;
limited trading of our common stock;

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our results of operations;
the financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in those projections, or our failure to meet those projections;
announcements regarding our business or the business of our customers or competitors;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations, or principles;
actual or anticipated developments in our business or our competitors’ businesses or the competitive landscape generally;
developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or our offerings, or third-party proprietary rights;
announced or completed acquisitions of businesses or technologies by us or our competitors;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;
any major change in our board of directors or management;
sales of shares of our common stock by us or by our stockholders;
lawsuits threatened or filed against us; and
other events or factors, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) or responses to these events.

Statements of, or changes in, opinions, ratings, or earnings estimates made by brokerage firms or industry analysts relating to the markets in which we operate or expect to operate could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the stock market as a whole, as well as our particular market segment, has from time-to-time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations, which may affect the market price for the securities of many companies, and which often have appeared unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. Any of these factors could negatively affect our stockholders’ ability to sell their shares of common stock at the time and price they desire.

A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital, which could adversely impact our ability to continue operations.

A prolonged decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. We may attempt to acquire a significant portion of the funds we need in order to conduct our planned operations through the sale of equity securities; thus, a decline in the price of our common stock could be detrimental to our liquidity and our operations because the decline may adversely affect investors’ desire to invest in our securities. 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 or services and continue our current operations. As a result, our business may suffer, and we may be forced to reduce or discontinue operations. We also might not be able to meet our financial obligations if we cannot raise enough funds through the sale of our common stock and we may be forced to reduce or discontinue operations.

Because we do not intend to pay any cash dividends on our shares of common stock in the near future, our stockholders will not be able to receive a return on their shares unless and until they sell them.

We intend to retain a significant portion of any future earnings to finance the development, operation and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future. The declaration, payment, and amount of any future dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, and will depend upon, among other things, the results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition, operating and capital requirements, and other factors as our board of directors considers relevant. There is no assurance that future dividends will be paid, and, if dividends are paid, there is no assurance with respect to the amount of any such dividend. Unless our board of directors determines to pay dividends, our stockholders will be required to look to appreciation of our common stock to realize a gain on their investment. There can be no assurance that this appreciation will occur.

Our common stock has been categorized as “penny stock,” which may make it more difficult for investors to sell their shares of common stock due to suitability requirements.

The SEC has adopted regulations which generally define a “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. has adopted sales practice requirements that historically may have limited a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our common stock, which could depress the price of our common stock.

In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has adopted rules that require that, in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives, and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, the FINRA requirements historically has made it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which could limit your ability to buy and sell our common stock, have an adverse effect on the market for our shares, and thereby depress our price per share of common stock.

The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers, and employees under Nevada law and the existence of indemnification rights for our obligations to our directors, officers, and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers, and employees.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions permitting us to eliminate the personal liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for damages for the breach of a fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent provided by Nevada law. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers to provide such indemnification rights. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under any future employment agreements with our officers. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors and officers, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and the resulting costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers even though such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.

Anti-takeover effects of certain provisions of Nevada state law hinder a potential takeover of us.

Nevada has a business combination law that prohibits certain business combinations between Nevada corporations and “interested stockholders” for three years after an “interested stockholder” first becomes an “interested stockholder,” unless the corporation’s board of directors approves the combination in advance. For purposes of Nevada law, an “interested stockholder” is any person who is (i) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any time within the three previous years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the corporation. The definition of the term “business combination” is sufficiently broad to cover virtually any kind of transaction that would allow a potential acquirer to use the corporation’s assets to finance the acquisition or otherwise to benefit its own interests rather than the interests of the corporation and its other stockholders.

The potential effect of Nevada’s business combination law is to discourage parties interested in taking control of us from doing so if these parties cannot obtain the approval of our board of directors. Both of these provisions could limit the price investors would be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

Our bylaws contain an exclusive forum provision, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the state and federal courts in the State of Nevada shall be the exclusive forum for any litigation relating to our internal affairs, including, without limitation: (a) any derivative action brought on behalf of us, (b) any action asserting a claim for breach of fiduciary duty to us or our stockholders by any current or former officer, director, employee, or agent of us, or (c) any action against us or any current or former officer, director, employee, or agent of us arising pursuant to any provision of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the articles of incorporation, or the bylaws.

For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusive forum provision described above does not apply to any claims arising under the Securities Act or Exchange Act. Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, and Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

The choice of forum provision in our bylaws may limit our stockholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that they find favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers, employees and agents even though an action, if successful, might benefit our stockholders. The applicable courts may also reach different judgments or results than would other courts, including courts where a stockholder considering an action may be located or would otherwise choose to bring the action, and such judgments or results may be more favorable to us than to our stockholders. With respect to the provision making the state and federal courts in the State of Nevada the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions, stockholders who do bring a claim in the state and federal courts in the State of Nevada could face additional litigation costs in pursuing any such claim, particularly if they do not reside in or near Nevada. Finally, if a court were to find this provision of our bylaws inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

If we fail to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect our business.

As a public company, we have significant requirements for enhanced financial reporting and internal controls, and must maintain internal controls over financial reporting to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The process of designing, implementing and maintaining effective internal controls is a continuous effort that require us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments. In this regard, we continue to dedicate internal resources, potentially engage outside consultants, implement a detailed work plan to assess and document the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting, continue steps to improve control processes as appropriate, validate through testing whether such controls are functioning as documented, and implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to maintain appropriate disclose controls or internal controls and procedures over financial reporting, it could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations on a timely basis, result in material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and adversely affect our operating results.

Cybersecurity

As filed, 1,568 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

Risk Management and Strategy

We recognize the critical importance of developing, implementing, and maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard our information systems and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data.

Managing Material Risks & Integrated Overall Risk Management

We have strategically integrated cybersecurity risk management into our broader risk management framework to promote a company-wide culture of cybersecurity risk management. This integration ensures that cybersecurity considerations are an integral part of our decision-making processes at every level. Our management team works closely with our IT department to continuously evaluate and address cybersecurity risks in alignment with our business objectives and operational needs.

Oversee Third-party Risk

Because we are aware of the risks associated with third-party service providers, we have implemented stringent processes to oversee and manage these risks. We conduct thorough security assessments of all third-party providers before engagement and maintain ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with our cybersecurity standards. The monitoring includes annual assessments of the SOC reports of our providers and implementing complementary controls. This approach is designed to mitigate risks related to data breaches or other security incidents originating from third-parties.

Risks from Cybersecurity Threats

We have not encountered cybersecurity challenges that have materially impaired our operations or financial standing.

Properties

As filed, 329 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

Our corporate headquarters are located at 3024 Sierra Juniper Court, Las Vegas, Nevada 89138. We believe that our facility is sufficient to meet our current needs and that suitable additional space will be available as and when needed.

We operate livestream studios at 10621 Calle Lee, Suite 153, Los Alamitos, California 90720.

Legal proceedings

As filed, 179 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

For a discussion of our legal proceedings, refer to Note 16 “Commitments and Contingencies,” in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements of this Annual Report.

Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 47,201 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and the other financial information that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements below. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences in our actual results include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and those discussed elsewhere within this Annual Report, particularly in the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the Item entitled “Risk Factors.”

Overview

Through June 13, 2023 of the year ended December 31, 2023, we operated three distinct lines of business through separate wholly owned subsidiaries. Verb Direct, LLC, a sales Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) platform for the direct sales industry; Verb Acquisition Co., LLC, which was a sales SaaS platform for the Life Sciences industry and sports teams; and verbMarketplace, LLC, which is a multi-vendor, multi-presenter, livestream social shopping platform known as MARKET.live that combines ecommerce and entertainment.

Additional payments in the aggregate of $1.75 million will be paid by the buyer if certain profitability and revenue targets are met within each of the two-year periods following the closing date 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.

Our MARKET.live Business

Revenue Generation

A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:

MARKET.live generates revenue through several sources as follows:

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.

Recent Developments

Nasdaq Deficiency Notices

August 18, 2023 Notice

On August 18, 2023, the Company received a notice from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) indicating that it did not meet the minimum of $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity required by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) for continued listing, or the alternatives of market value of listed securities or net income from continuing operations. The notice was based upon the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023, which reported that the Company’s total stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2023 was ($1.818 million).On October 9, 2023, the Company submitted a plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule and was given an extension until February 14, 2024 to evidence compliance through a public filing.

On February 5, 2024, the Company reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K Filing”) that based on its unaudited balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, it believed it had regained compliance with the stockholders’ equity requirement of NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) for continued listing. On February 5, 2024, the Company was informed that based upon the Form 8-K Filing, the Staff determined that the Company is in compliance with Listing Rule 550(b)(1).

November 2, 2023 Notice

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, including, but not limited to seeking a six-month extension from The NASDAQ Stock Market in which to regain compliance.

Series C Preferred Stock Offering

On December 29, 2023, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Streeterville Capital, LLC (the “Streeterville Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company sold 3,000 shares of the Company’s newly designated non-convertible Series C Preferred Stock for proceeds of $3.0 million. The Series C Preferred Stock receives a 10% stated annual dividend, has no voting rights and has a face value of $1,300 per share. The sale of the Series C Preferred Stock was consummated on December 29, 2023.

ATM Offerings

On December 15, 2023, the Company entered into an At-the-Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Ascendiant Sales Agreement”) with Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC, as sales agent, to sell, from time to time, shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $960 thousand, through an “at the market” offering pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264038), as supplemented by a prospectus supplement. On March 19, 2024, the Ascendiant Sales Agreement was amended to increase the amount available from $960 thousand to approximately $6.3 million. On March 29, 2024, the Ascendiant Sales Agreement was amended to increase the amount available from approximately $6.3 million to approximately $9.0 million. From December 15, 2023 to March 27, 2024, the Company issued 19,870,562 shares of its common stock and received $6.1 million of aggregate net proceeds in “at the market” offerings under the Ascendiant Sales Agreement.

On December 15, 2023, the Company terminated its At-The Market Issuance Sales Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2021, by and between the Company and Truist Securities, Inc. (the “Truist Sales Agreement”). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 8,784,214 shares of common stock for aggregate net proceeds of $2.6 million under the Truist Sales Agreement.

Public Offering of Common Stock – Regulation A

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain institutional investors, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the investors 27,397,258 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Company at a price of $0.24 per share for gross proceeds to the Company of $6.6 million.

The Shares to be issued in the offering were offered at-the-market under Nasdaq rules and pursuant to the Company’s Form 1-A, initially filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on February 14, 2024 and qualified on March 11, 2024.

Debt Financing

On October 11, 2023, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with Streeterville Capital, LLC, pursuant to which the Company sold a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 million (the “Note”). 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 sale of the Note, 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.

Issuance of common shares as payment on notes payable

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company issued 7,301,903 shares of its common stock pursuant to an exchange agreement in exchange for a reduction of $5.1 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes.

Subsequent to December 31 2023, the Company issued 11,484,403 shares of its common stock in exchange for a reduction of $1.7 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes. On March 18, 2024, the November Notes were paid in full.

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

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022

The following is a comparison of the results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31, 2023	2022	Change
Revenue	$63	$8	$55
Costs and expenses
Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	19	3	16
Depreciation and amortization	2,331	1,108	1,223
General and administrative	11,508	17,771	(6,263)
Total costs and expenses	13,858	18,882	(5,024)
Operating loss from continuing operations	(13,795)	(18,874)	5,079
Other income (expense)
Interest expense	(1,193)	(1,410)	217
Financing costs	(1,239)	-	(1,239)
Other income, net	1,162	1,393	(231)
Change in fair value of derivative liability	221	2,933	(2,712)
Total other income (expense), net	(1,049)	2,916	(3,965)
Net loss from continuing operations	$(14,844)	$(15,958)	$1,114

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 expense was $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $1.2 million in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily due to the full-year amortization of software development costs as compared to a partial year of amortization in 2022. Amortization of software development costs began in July 2022.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $11.5 million, as compared to $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $6.3 million or 35%, in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to decreased personnel expense associated with headcount reduction.

Other Income (Expense), net

Other income (expense), net, for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $(1.0) million, which was primarily attributable to interest expense of $(1.2) million and financing costs of $(1.2) million both offset by other income and the change in fair value of derivative liability totaling $1.4 million.

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 depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, interest expense, financing costs, change in fair value of derivative liability, other (income) expense, MARKET.live startup costs, loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, and other non-recurring charges.

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 impact 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.

	Years Ended December 31, 2023	2022
Net loss	$(21,994)	$(37,437)
Adjustments
Depreciation and amortization	2,331	1,108
Share-based compensation	2,503	4,455
Interest expense	1,193	1,410
Financing costs	1,239	-
Other income, net	(1,162)	(1,393)
Change in fair value of derivative liability	(221)	(2,933)
MARKET.live non-recurring startup costs*	-	802
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	7,150	21,479
Other non-recurring	585	126
Total EBITDA adjustments	13,618	25,054
Modified EBITDA	$(8,376)	$(12,383)

* Includes general and administrative and R&D expenses that are directly related to the launch of our MARKET.live platform and are not expected to be recurring in future periods.

The $4.0 million or 32% increase in Modified EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, resulted from a decrease in 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.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Going Concern and Management’s Plan

We have incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since inception. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $14.8 million and used cash in operating activities from continuing operations of $8.7 million. As of December 31, 2023, the aforementioned factors raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these financial statements were issued. 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, as well as certain strategic opportunities 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. (“Truist”) pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-252167). For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has issued 8,784,214 shares of the Company’s common stock since the restart of this agreement, resulting in net proceeds of $2.6 million. The agreement with Truist was terminated on December 15, 2023.

During December 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Ascendiant Capital Markets LLC to sell shares of its common stock pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264038). For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has issued 687,304 shares of the Company’s common stock under this agreement, resulting in net proceeds of $0.1 million.

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company issued 19,183,258 shares of the Company’s common stock under this agreement, resulting in net proceeds of $6.0 million.

On December 29, 2023, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Streeterville Capital, LLC (“Streeterville”), pursuant to which the Company sold and Streeterville purchased 3,000 shares of the Company’s newly designated non-convertible Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Shares”) for a total purchase price of $3.0 million. The Shares have a 10% stated annual dividend, no voting rights and has a face value of $1,300 per share. The sale of the Series C Shares was consummated on December 29, 2023.

Debt financing:

On November 7, 2022, we entered into a note purchase agreement (the “November Note Purchase Agreement”) and promissory note with Streeterville 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 six 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. However, there is no current agreement or understanding with the November Note holder with respect to repayment of the November Note through the issuance of shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid $375 thousand and issued 7,301,903 shares of its common stock to Streeterville pursuant to an exchange agreement in exchange for a reduction of $5.1 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes. Subsequent to December 31 2023, the Company issued 11,484,403 shares of its common stock in exchange for a reduction of $1.7 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes. On March 18, 2024, the November Notes were paid in full.

On October 11, 2023, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement with 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, 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. On October 12, 2023, the Company repaid all of the outstanding principal and accrued interest of a related party note payable amounting to $879 thousand.

As of March 28, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $14.2 million and notes payable of approximately $1.2 million. We believe that our enhanced cash position coupled with our substantially reduced current operating costs means our operations are fully funded for at least the next 14 months, and possibly longer subject to revenue generation during that period. As a result, we have alleviated substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

For additional information, refer to Note 1, “Description of Business,” and Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Supplemental Disclosures,” to the consolidated financial statements, and the section titled “Risk Factors,” within this Annual Report.

Overview

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash of $4.4 million.

The following is a summary of our cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31, 2023	2022
Cash used in operating activities – continuing operations	$(8,742)	$(13,683)
Cash used in operating activities – discontinued operations	(1,855)	(5,723)
Cash used in investing activities – continuing operations	(306)	(4,747)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities – discontinued operations	4,750	(1)
Cash provided by financing activities – continuing operations	10,692	29,723
Cash used in financing activities – discontinued operations	(2,615)	(4,077)
Increase in cash	$1,924	$1,492

Cash Flows – Operating

For the year ended December 31, 2023, our cash used in operating activities from continuing operations amounted to $8.7 million, compared to cash used in operating activities from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 of $13.7 million. We generated $5.0 million of additional cash from operations primarily due to cost savings in personnel expenses and reduced general and administrative expenses.

Cash Flows – Investing

For the year ended December 31, 2023, our cash provided by investing activities amounted to $4.4 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.Live.

Cash Flows – Financing

For the year ended December 31, 2023, our cash provided by financing activities for continuing operations amounted to $10.7 million, primarily due to $9.2 million of net proceeds from the issuance of shares of our common stock, $3.0 million of net proceeds from the issuance of shares of our Series C Preferred Stock and $1.0 million of net proceeds from a promissory note, all offset by the repayment of convertible notes of $(1.3) million, repayment of related party notes payable of $(0.8) million and repayment of our November Notes of $(0.4) million.

Notes Payable

We have the following outstanding notes payable as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

Note	Issuance Date	Maturity Date	Interest Rate	Original Borrowing	Balance at December 31, 2023
Note payable (A)	May 15, 2020	May 15, 2050	3.75%	150	$137
Promissory note payable (B)	November 7, 2022	May 7, 2024	9.0%	5,470	1,179
Promissory note payable (C)	October 11, 2023	April 11, 2025	9.0%	1,005	1,005
Debt discount					(99)
Debt issuance costs					(73)
Total notes payable					2,149
Non-current					(362)
Current					$1,787

(A) On May 15, 2020, we executed an unsecured loan with the SBA under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program in the amount of $0.15 million. Installment payments, including principal and interest, began on October 26, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the note amounted to $0.14 million.

(B) 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 December 31, 2023, the amount of unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs was $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the Notes amounted to $1.7 million. Subsequent to December 31 2023, the Company issued 11,484,403 shares of its common stock in exchange for a reduction of $1.7 million on the outstanding balance of the November Notes. On March 18, 2024, the November Notes were paid in full.

(C) On October 11, 2023, we entered into a note purchase agreement with Streeterville pursuant to which they purchased a Note in the aggregate principal amount of $1.0 million. We received $1.0 million in gross proceeds from the sale of the Note. 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. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of the Note amount to $1.0 million.

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. Management bases these estimates and assumptions upon historical experience, existing and known circumstances, and other factors that management believes to be reasonable. In addition, the Company has considered the potential impact of the pandemic, as well as certain macroeconomic factors, including inflation, rising interest rates, and recessionary concerns, on its business and operations.

Significant estimates include assumptions made for 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 contingent liabilities. Some of those assumptions can be subjective and complex, and therefore, actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

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 generates revenue through several sources as follows:

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 stores and affiliate programs.

e. The MARKET.live site is designed to incorporate sponsorships and other advertising based on typical industry rates.

The Company’s revenue is mainly commission fees derived from contractually committed gross revenue processed by customers on the Company’s e-commerce platform. Customers do not have the contractual right to take possession of the Company’s software. Revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to ultimately receive in exchange for those promised goods, net of expected discounts for sales promotions and customary allowances.

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 consolidated balance sheets 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. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Recognition of compensation expense for non-employees is in the same period and manner as if the Company had paid cash for services.

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.

Our annual impairment analysis includes a qualitative assessment to determine if it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In performing a qualitative assessment, we 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, we determined that a triggering event had occurred to necessitate performing the quantitative impairment test. After performing the quantitative impairment test in accordance with ASC 350-20-35-3C, we determined that goodwill was impaired by $10.2 million and was recognized as impairment loss during the year ended December 31, 2022.

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 $6.5 million, including $4.75 million of cash paid upon closing. The operations of the SaaS business have been presented within discontinued operations. Upon completion of the sale of assets to SW Sales, in which the buyer assumed all liabilities related to the SaaS business, the Company recorded an impairment of $5.4 million within loss from discontinued operations as the carrying amount of the net assets exceeded the sale price, less selling costs.

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. In addition to the goodwill impairment loss that was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized an additional impairment loss of $1.8 million on its intangible assets that is primarily attributable to the Sound Concepts acquisition in 2019.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a summary of our recent accounting policies, please refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Supplemental Disclosures, of the Notes to Financial Statements.

Controls and procedures

As filed, 4,752 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

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.

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 December 31, 2023. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process, including policies and procedures, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our management assessed our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.

Based on the results of our evaluation, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change 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 December 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is 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.

Figures reported in this filing

Standardized line items from the XBRL in this filing, for the period ended 2023-12-31. Comparative periods it repeats are left out.

Figures reported in this filing
Line item	Period	Value	XBRL concept
Revenue	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	$63.0k	us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax
Operating income	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	−$13.8m	us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest expense	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	$1.2m	us-gaap:InterestExpense
Net income	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	−$22.0m	us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Diluted EPS	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	−$2.21	us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted
Basic EPS	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	−$2.21	us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted shares (weighted)	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	6,798,972 shares	us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
Operating cash flow	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	−$8.7m	us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperations
Capital expenditure	12 months2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31	$32.0k	us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Cash and equivalents	At period end2023-12-31	$4.4m	us-gaap:Cash
Current assets	At period end2023-12-31	$4.7m	us-gaap:AssetsCurrent
Total assets	At period end2023-12-31	$10.8m	us-gaap:Assets
Current liabilities	At period end2023-12-31	$7.2m	us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent
Total liabilities	At period end2023-12-31	$7.7m	us-gaap:Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	At period end2023-12-31	$5.8m	us-gaap:ShortTermBorrowings
Shareholders' equity	At period end2023-12-31	$3.1m	us-gaap:StockholdersEquity

Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001493152-24-012416. Last ingested by Listed: Nov 4, 2026, 19:04 ET. Listed shows no prices and gives no investment advice.